The next day was uneventful. There was a large storm brewing outside, one that covered the roads in a thick snow, too thick to travel on. Many people were stranded at the tavern, a couple elves and others, and they seemed to be enjoying the chance to drink. Saera dragged Zath away to another table, and they seemed to be laughing and joking together, whereas Elaria was still slightly drunk and was happy for the morning, but as the day dragged on she seemed to get sadder. Alys was sat with us, occasionally drinking and trying not to let his guard slip and reveal his darkness. The disguise hadn't lasted as long as we had hoped, so a few dark patches were appearing on his skin.
Elaria looked up at me, her hands tightly held together and turning white as paper. She seemed to be upset. "Do you think the witch has him?"
"Who?" I asked, slightly confused. Alys also looked confused.
"Shyael," she replied. "He was taken by a witch. Do you think it was her?"
"I don't think so," I replied. "We were in the cells, if they had him, he'd be there,"
"But what if-" she cut herself off, biting her lip.
"I haven't seen him, and I've been there since I was little, I'm sure it was a different witch that took him," Alys told her.
"He won't be dead," I took her hands in mine. "I'm sure of it,"
"I hope you're right," she mumbled, looking down and hiding her face with her hair.
"Don't think about it, it'll only hurt," I told her. "Anyway, I have a feeling Saera has a crush on Zath, and I don't know if I'm the only one seeing it,"
"Same," she replied, proving my distraction worked.
"She's a little… strange," Alys responded, watching the two. "I saw her pushing you last night,"
"Yeah," I nodded.
"I've been meaning to tell him, but this is the happiest I've seen him in a while," he said, taking his eyes off the pair. "I don't want to take that away from him,"
"So noble," Elaria mumbled, trying to cheer herself up.
"I know, makes a change," he smiled at her.
"Settle down you two, there are people nearby," I playfully scolded. They both smiled at each other and laughed.
There was a moment of comfortable silence between us as we listened to the two talking and drinking. They seemed to be happy at least, so that was a good thing.
More time passed, and it was getting dark fast. Elaria told me that elves could see more than humans, and could see better in the dark after doing a few tests, so if we ever travelled in the dark it would be good to go with one of them. It seemed to make her smile talking about the differences, so I continued, wanting to distract her and Alys from Saera, which was difficult given her loud laugh and obnoxious flirting. Zath seemed to be a little uncomfortable as the hours dragged on, but Saera stopped him from leaving. He even looked me dead in the eyes and mouthed the words 'help me' to me. I smiled and shook my head, to which he responded with a glare. Elaria watched and laughed, a dainty laugh, covering her mouth as she did.
Zath managed to evade Saera later into the night. She was called by her parents to actually work, so he quickly ran to us and sat down, barely giving us time to finish our sentences. Alys was still staring out of the window, entranced by the snow like he had been for the whole conversation we'd been having.
"When can we leave?" He mumbled. "She's changed. I have a feeling something's happened,"
"What do you mean?" I asked, curious.
"She's never usually so flirty," he replied. "And usually loves to be around people. It's strange,"
"We'll have to wait until morning, until the storm dies down," Elaria said. "Oliver can't travel in this dark, humans can't see as well as elves can,"
"Then we leave a horse behind," he replied. "Alizon can pick it up,"
"Zath!" She punched him lightly on the arm. "We can't do that. He'd freeze,"
He let out a long sigh. "I suppose you're right. Let's just hope it dies down tomorrow,"
We all nodded in agreement, almost sharing the uncomfort that Zath was feeling. She was a little strange, but none of us wanted to point it out.
"She's coming," Alys mumbled, turning to us with a grave face. "The storm's too… artificial,"
"What?" Elaria jumped back. "She can't be!"
"She's tethering us to one spot and forcing us to go back," he replied gravely. "You guys either need to leave or hide,"
"But Oliver'll freeze!" Zath hissed. "Humans aren't like us,"
"I know, but would you rather be dead?" He hissed.
Zath was about to give a retort when the door burst open, letting the storm in. Alys tensed up, knowing who it was without looking. Elaria moved closer to me, and Zath looked at the hood in the doorway.
"Alys, did you miss me?" The woman pulled down her hood, revealing the witch in her wrinkled glory.
"Totally," he replied, his words slathered in sarcasm.
She shut the door, rattling the whole building.
"Look at that, you led me to them," she smiled at him, walking forwards. "Good boy,"
Alys snapped up. "You were following me?"
"No, I sent Orridottir after you," she shook her head. A dwarf stood up, standing beside her and stroking his long black beard.
"Of course," he rolled his eyes, pushing himself back with a heave and standing up.
"Look at that disguise! It's perfect, I wonder who made it," she cooed, smiling directly at him.
"What do you want?"
The whole of the tavern watched in silence as the two stared at each other. They all began mumbling, and a few walked to the corridor and ran up the stairs. Elaria grabbed my arm, squeezing it tightly as she watched.
"Join me again," she held her hand out to him. "Become what you are destined to be,"
"I am not destined to be one of your followers," he spat. "I am not destined for that,"
"And what else are you destined for?" She smiled as she spoke. "Greatness? You're dark, my dear, no dark person deserves greatness," I watched his fists ball as she spoke. "I'll say it again; join me again, join your sweet Puella in her journey,"
Alys stayed silent. The witch smirked at him, waiting for his response in the thick tension. An icy cold breeze hung in the air; I was glad I wasn't shivering.
"Not responding?" She cooed. "I've taught you well in the art of respect,"
"You've taught me nothing," he replied.
"Really?" She laughed. "I've taught you lots; respect, life, justice,"
"That was not justice," he spat. "That was far from it,"
"Some people have different ways of viewing justice," she replied.
Alys turned to us. "Get out of here. This is going to get a little… messy,"
"Don't do anything irrational," Zath told him, standing up.
"I'm not making any promises," he replied, shaking his head and turning back.
Just as me and Elaria stood up, sharp spikes emerged from the floor at lightning speed to point at us, made of black crystals. Just before they hit us, some more appeared to protect us.
"Been practicing?" The witch cooed.
"I've been practicing for a long time now," Alys' hand was enveloped in a black smoke, and it began moving. The witch noticed, and threw some of the crystal spikes at him, to which he defended himself with some. He looked at us, eyes a burning red and his black skin returning, the horns disintegrating slowly. "Get out of here before she gets you, there's only so much I can do,"
He let down the spikes, flipping the tables over and pushing a few in front of him. We were frozen in shock.
"I said go!" He yelled, revealing sharp fangs that we'd previously not seen before.
"C'mon," Zath grabbed the both of us, dragging us behind the bar and into the pristine kitchen. Elaria began to tug at him.
"We have to help!" Elaria yelled, summoning a few vines to stop Zath, a power we found we could do recently, at least Elaria could. I still wasn't as good.
"He'll be fine, we just need to trust him," he replied, turning to her. "Trust me, and him,"
"But he'll die!" She began tugging harder.
"Elaria!" He pulled her, knocking her off balance slightly. "He'll be alright! He's strong, stronger than us, so let's just get out of here!"
"I hope you're right," Elaria stopped tugging and followed along.
The door was in sight. We were practically running to it on the wooden floor, listening to the creeks and ragged breaths we were taking in after running. The door was so close I could smell the outdoors, and practically touch the snow and ice. Except we didn't make it. Saera stood in front of it, smirking at us.
"Well, well, where are you running off to?" She said.
"Get out of our way Saera, we need to leave," Zath said calmly, not reflecting his current state.
"Why?" She asked.
"The witch is about to murder us, now move," Elaria spat.
"What if I say no?" She giggled.
"You made a deal with her, didn't you?" Zath said blankly.
"What sane person wouldn't?" She shrugged, smiling and locking the door. "Riches for you three alone. Alys was an extra addition that showed up,"
"I knew it," Zath shook his head. "You've changed so much,"
"As have you, Periculo," her smile turned sinister. "Do you still love men as much as me?"
"I don't love you like that Saera," he told her, pain in his voice. "You're like a sister to me, not a lover,"
"Liar!" She yelled. "You were the one who forced me to love you!"
"I never forced you to do anything!" He yelled back. "I never did anything of the sort. I thought at least you would've forgiven me, but I guess not,"
"Why would I?" She huffed, crossing her arms. "You don't love me,"
"You're like a sister Saera, that'd be creepy," he responded. "Now please, let us go,"
"No," she shook her head. "I don't want to,"
"Why? I thought you loved me?" He replied.
"Why should I?" She shook her head. "I did, until I learned about you being periculo from a couple elves. Periculo are just vile, dirty elves that deserve to be wiped from this world to stop any further har-"
Before she could continue her yelling, a couple vines threw her to the side. Elaria pulled us to the door, kicking it down with unknown strength and running into the snow. Zath was still in a state of shock, and I was beginning to feel the cold.
Zath began to slow down. I saw Elaria tug on his hand, but he seemed to be lost, lost in thought. She stopped, and gave him a small smile. I did the same, hoping to console him. He gave us both one, nodding and giving us a sign to carry on. We just about began running again when Alys was flung beside us, rolling along the ground. I could only identify him from the red eyes since it was beginning to get dark. A couple crystal spears were thrown at him, and would've hit him if it weren't for a couple vines catching them. He stood up, exchanging nods with Elaria and running back in the direction he came, leaving her to pull us along.
I got cold quickly. They both noticed my constant shivering and white breath, but could do nothing. We had to get away from the witch, and Saera.
Elaria stopped abruptly, making us both crash into her. As soon as Zath stopped, he threw his jacket around me, keeping me warm.
"I thought I just… never mind," she shook her head, walking on in the snow that had depleted in number the further away we got.
"You thought what?" I asked, confused.
"Yeah, tell us," Zath nodded in agreement with my question.
"A blue light," she replied. "But it's nothing, honest,"
Just as she spoke, I saw a blue light behind a tree. It had fingers like a human, but a bright fluorescent blue.
"Hey, I see one too," I tugged them both. They looked in awe at the light.
"So it's true,"