"What? W-what do you mean sacrificed?" I glanced between the two.
"The spell doesn't just render her infertile. It completely rips out the womb of the caster. She will never be able to have children of her own." He shook his head, walking to the stove.
"Usynlig?"
I didn't know what to say.
I wanted to comfort her, but the words formed a lump in my throat, and I couldn't spit them out. I wanted to soothe her pain as she did for me, but instead, I froze uncomfortably in my spot.
"Himzavaick, you have to understand-" She pleaded on the ground.
"Her time was already over. This girl wasted her life chasing after shadows, and you thought that was worth saving?" He scoffed.
"It's what I had to do."
"It doesn't matter whether or not I understand. I just hope she was worth it because the child you were meant to give birth to, represented a new era of greatness." He poured the tea into three cups, placing them on the table.
"I let her down when she needed me the most. I wasn't going to do it again. I couldn't."
"But at what cost?" He sighed, rubbing his temples.
I silently knelt by her side, gripping her arm. She smiled up at me with tears running down her face. She glanced at Star as she cleaned her stained cheeks.
I cleared my throat. My hands trembled a bit, knowing it wasn't my place to speak. But I feel that it must be said.
"It's too late for regrets. What was done is done." I handed her the sleeping baby.
"All that matters now is how we raise Star. We will make sure she gets the love she deserves and becomes a witch worth admiring. Right?"
"Right." Usynlig nodded, holding Star closely.
I noticed the same purple flowers that lady Daeva was kneeling in, was placed in the wrapping of Star's blanket.
"For your sake, I really hope she is." He sat on a stump, sipping his tea.
I helped Usynlig off the floor. We sat at the table, silently going through the emotions. I get that he was angry at her for what she did, but I could tell there was more to the story.
"Does Typhis know?" He looked over to us, making Usynlig instantly tense up.
Typhis? Could this be an ex-lover?
"How would he?" Her voice grumbled with a dejected tone.
"You two were supp-"
"He's gone!" She blurted out, stunning me for a second.
"He left me and the life we built together behind. I understand why he did it. But I can't put my life on hold for him anymore." She took a deep breath.
"I can't, Himzavaick. I-" She turned away, quickly wiping her face.
"So this is why you've been so active recently. Jacintha, I have always trusted your judgment, though it tends to be on the crazy side. Nevertheless, I trust you. And like the halfling said, what's done, is done." He took one last sip of his tea as he hopped off his stump.
"It has fallen dark. If you wish, you may stay the night in the guest room upstairs." He strapped a bag over his shoulders.
"Thank you." She lightly smiled at him.
I watched as Himzavaick prepared himself with gloves and a mini shovel as Usynlig headed to the stairs with the baby in one hand and her tea in the other.
"Lis-an, you coming?" She looked to me.
"Um, I'm not tired just yet. I think I'll stay up for a bit." I stood up, holding my teacup.
There was too much happening in my head for me to even think about going to sleep. There were many questions I wanted to ask, but most of all, I was curious about where this man was going.
"Fine. Just don't bother him too much. Himzavaick isn't much of a people person. And make sure to drink your tea."
I hate how she can read me so easily.
"I promise."
I turned around and saw the gnome was gone. I quickly ran outside and caught him walking off towards the right side of his massive tree. He glanced back at me and continued walking.
Really?
I sighed, already regretting my foolish decision.
"Wait up."
It didn't take long for me to catch up to him. I ignored the burning tea that splashed onto my hand, wiping it off onto my shirt.
"How may I help you halfling?" He scowled.
"I was wondering where you were going. That's all." I shrugged.
I walked behind him, watching as his little pink dandelions seemed to glow in the moonlight. Everything about this place was odd. The night sky was a deep violet that glistened with pastel pink and orange stars. The moon even seemed to glow with a lavender hue. I couldn't help but smile at its majestic state.
"What are you going to do out here?" I peeked down into his bag, seeing something light up at the bottom.
"If you must know, tonight we are welcoming new guests."
"Guests? Is someone else coming here too?"
"Not like you and that woman did, but yes. A pair of children in this vast land has reached the end of their journey. Haven't you wondered why the trees here are unlike any other?" He glanced up at me.
I nodded.
"Each tree is a soul. Ones incapable of moving on because they suffer from trauma, pain, or guilt. When you die unexpectedly in a horrific way, your soul can become unsettled and unwilling to let go of the past." He looked at the ground, examining the dirt.
"That is where I come in. As the caretaker of these woods, I receive these lost and hurt souls and give them a place where they can heal and nurture themselves. They can stay for as long as they need and leave whenever they are ready." He lightly touched the trunk of a tree as we passed by.
"Do you ever get bad or evil spirits?" I looked at the trees, noticing how they seemed to vibrate differently than earlier.
Like they were becoming restless.
"Occasionally, but only if they are willing to pay for their sins. This place can offer a second chance to right the wrongs. But if they come here with ill intentions, they will soon learn that death is no fool." The little gnome smirked.
"So if Star died that day, she would've come here? Is that why you were so angry with Usynlig?"
"I am angry with her because she is idiotic. As for that girl, there's no certainty that she would've been chosen."
With the way she was before, I don't think Star would have been given a second chance. Her mind and soul were already too tainted for any specks of light to get through.
"Who decides which souls get to come here?"
"Oh child, there is still so much you need to learn. Everything that happens around us goes beyond just you and me. We are merely tiny little screws in a large machine." He chuckled.
"Screws, huh?" I peered up at the violet sky, seeing my coven among the stars.
When I look at the sky it's hard not to feel small and insignificant. I'm surrounded by all these great beings and I just wonder, how can I even get to their level? Most witches my age are already creating portals and mixing spells together. I can't even access my powers unless I'm in danger. Everyone keeps telling me that I'm meant to accomplish wonderous things, but I can't see myself doing that.
I couldn't change the world even if I wanted to. I doubt my death would even cause a ripple.
Every night I stare at the stars, hoping they would answer my question.
Why me?
"Would the machine even notice if one little screw fell off and rusted against on the floor?" I took a deep breath.
"Even one screw can be the difference between running smoothly or falling apart."
I smiled to myself, feeling comforted by his words.
"Could my parents be here?" I played around with the hem of my shirt.
"It's possible." He stopped dead in his tracks. I jumped a bit, trying not to run into him, almost spilling my tea on him.
"I'm sure if they were, they would've reached out to you already. The moment you entered these woods, everyone knew." He looked back at me with a softened gaze.
"I guess I should be happy that they aren't, right? That would mean that they are at peace now. Just waiting for me to come home."
"That's odd. You're the first being I've met that described the afterlife as going home."
"It's not the afterlife I was referring to. Wherever my parents are is where my home is at." I peered around, seeing that we stopped in a section of the forest that had a small clearing of trees.
Like they were waiting for the next tree to come and take its place. Himzavaick rolled on his brown cloth gloves, reaching into the bag to pull out a little shovel.
"Are you planting a tree here?" I looked over his shoulders.
"Yes."
"Can I help?"
"You might as well be of some use. Here." He tossed the mini shovel to me.
"Dig two holes about the length of your arm apart and make them the size of your fist, going about a foot deep. But first, finish your tea." He pointed to my cup.
I quickly chugged down the lukewarm drink that had a strong floral fragrance. I knelt down, plowing the shovel into the dirt. It was a lot softer than I expected. The deeper I dug, the warmer the soil became. It appeared to glisten like specks of gold was mixed into it. I stuck my hands into the holes, measuring the length and depth.
"Done." I brushed off my arms.
"What an ugly hole you've dug." He scrunched his nose.
"Yeah, thank you." I rolled my eyes, standing up to dust my knees off.
"I guess it will have to do."
"What's next?"
"Hush, child." He reached into the bag, carefully pulling out two seeds that looked like he just plucked a couple of stars right out of the sky and was holding them in his hand.
He dropped one in each hole, pouring an oil on top of them.
"Fill the holes."
I crouched down, pushing the soil back into the holes with my hands. The feeling of dirt itching underneath my nails made me wish I snatched the gnome's gloves from him.
"They're here!" I heard a voice echo behind me.
"Did you hear that?" I quickly stood up.
"Yes, I did." He kept his eyes on the freshly planted seeds.
I glanced around. One by one, shimmering pale figures stepped out from the trees. Taking their human shape as they walked towards us.
I stepped back, bumping into a tree.
"Excuse me, hon." A pale figure of a woman smiled down at me.
I jumped back, huddling near Himzavaick.
"You have nothing to fear. They are here to see the new guests. Not you. Aren't you lucky you drank that tea?" He smirked.
"Why, what was in it?"
"It's a tea made from a special purple flower that only grows near the sacred falls. Since that flower only grows here, the spirits are familiar with its aroma. So by drinking the tea, you protect yourself from being attacked." He greeted some of the souls with a nod.
"But I thought you said these were all good souls?" I glanced around, searching for a familiar face.
"They are. But in order to keep this place safe, they also act as a guardian and will attack intruders who do not belong here."
"So that's why Star had those flowers in her blanket. But if you were so against us saving Star, why protect her?" I watched as the souls gathered around us, admiring the planted area.
"I am here to help souls, not kill them." He walked towards the seeds, circling them, causing little pink dandelions to sprout in an infinity sign-like bush.
"Young one." A familiar voice tapped my shoulder.
I turned back and saw an older woman in a loose top and high-waisted skirt waving at me.
"I'm glad you were able to be here with us. You may not know me, but I was one of the trees that led you to Daeva."
"That was you?"
"Well, a couple of us really. You have no idea how exciting it is to see your kind." Her smile stretched across her face.
Someone was excited to see a half-breed?
Well, that's a first.
"Why?"
"You are a halfling. A miracle birth of an in-between. A powerful combination of hope." She touched my cheek.
A cool breeze flew past my face.
"My name is Otilia Sab. When I was alive, I was just a regular water fae." She smiled.
"I'm Lis-an. Half witch, half wolf."
"Just astounding." She cheered.
"Oo! it's starting. You're gonna wanna see this." She pulled me closer.
Souls huddled in front of us.
"Tonight, we have two new guests joining us." Himzavaick stood near the seeds.
"They will be scared and find it hard to trust any adults. So children, please step forward." He called out.
Kids ranging from toddlers to teens stepped out from the crowd of souls. My heart ached to watch them. Unable to rest and find their way home. Little ones who didn't get to see what this world could offer.
Unknowingly, a tear escaped down my face.
"Young one, why are you crying?"
"It's sad seeing so many of them here." I quickly wiped my eyes.
"But there's no need to cry. The pain they once felt is gone. They are no longer in danger or have to live in fear. Now they get to heal and become whole once again." She held me near her.
It wasn't awkward like I thought it would've been. It was a much-needed comfort I didn't know I needed.
"Those of you who stepped forward will be responsible for getting them situated here in the forest, understood?" Himzavaick spoke sternly.
"Yes, gnomey!" All the kids giggled together.
"You little bastards! Just you wait after the ceremony." He scolded them, causing the crowd to break out into laughter.
They were like one big family teasing each other.
"Anyways, let us say the welcome chant."
"Ones taken too soon, too suddenly, find your place amongst the stars. Grow and take root into the soil. Feel our words within and let them boil. Now let's see that tree sprout out from the oil." They chanted together.
The ground illuminated beneath our feet. Like a sea of shredded glass rippled from the center and spread throughout the dirt. It only took seconds for the two trees to sprout from the ground. The branches and leaves extended out from the top as these little trees rose to be five feet in height. Together, hand in hand, two little girls walked out from the bark, both looking to be at least five years in age. They wore decorative white robes that were sewn together with red thread. Their dark skin was painted with thick white lines that raked down their forehead and ran over their eyes. With three red dots perfectly placed down the bridge of their nose. I remember seeing clothes like this in a book I read.
They were child sacrifices.
The girls' crimson hair formed soft waves as it flowed in the static air. Their piercing light brown eyes glared at the crowd around them. One twin defensively stood in front of the other, who looked seconds away from having a panic attack.
"Anca and Anica Negrescu, welcome to the Whispering Basin Grove Forest." Himzavaick walked towards them.
"Stay back!" The glaring twin bared her fangs as her hands morphed into cat paws.
"Anca, you are safe here. No harm will come to you or your sister." He spoke softly with his hands still calmly by his side.
"He's too close. She'll attack him." I loudly whispered to Otilia.
"Don't you worry about him. That little gnome is more than capable of defending himself." She chuckled.
I watched in anticipation.
He slowly offered her his hand. She hissed at him, swiping at his arm. Her paw went right through him without ever shifting the air around him. She quickly yanked her hand away as her eyes widened in horror.
"Do you remember what happened to you?" He inched closer.
"I-I was, w-we were at the sea. I wanted to feel it one last time, but I couldn't, my legs gave out, and w-we." Her body trembled as tears formed in her eyes.
Her sister shook violently behind her.
"Th-then they, oh god. Those bastards lied! All adults do is lie! Lie! Lie!" Her bare feet began to change into the back legs of a panther as her eyes became shrouded with black.
Slits appeared all over their bodies in weird shapes, like someone was trying to carve symbols into the girls. Her screams jabbed against my ears. They echoed with such anguish that it rang throughout my entire being. It was almost like I could feel her torment. I covered my ears, trying to block out the sound, but it only rang louder. Images of these girls being beaten, broken, and tortured flashed around me. Closing my eyes did nothing to help.
I could still see them.
I could feel every broken bone, every ache that rumbled through their starving bodies. Every cut those people carved into them. It became mine, and it was all too much for me to handle. I collapsed to the ground, shaking as I sobbed.
"What's wrong?" Otilia quickly knelt by me.
"I can't take it, I-It's too much." I cried out.
"Oh no. It's too late for them." A soul besides me gasped.
I peered through my trembling hands as nausea washed over me.
"No, this can't be, and so young too." A woman teared up.
I gasped holding my stomach. I looked up, quivering as a man in a mask stood in front of me. I peered down feeling a sharp pressure, cooly push into me. The pain tore through me. Activating every cell in my body to burn. Fear had its hand shoved in my mouth. Choking the words from my throat, paralyzing me. The masked man ripped the cool, slick object out of me. My hands shook violently as a warm red fluid covered them.
"Lis-an! please tell me what's wrong?"
"H-he stabbed me. He-"
When I looked down, there was no wound, no blood, and no masked man.
"Is she okay?" A guy asked.
"Y-yes. I'm sorry. I just have a bad headache."
Screeching from the front caught our attention.
The little girl hissed and growled fiercely, swinging her claws at those around them. The crowd gasped as they stepped back. The children stared in terror. The aura of the twins was shifting. The defensive one became more aggressive and primal. The air turned thick and unruly.
She was losing control.
"Anca!" Himzavaick touched the center of the child's forehead.
Her movements stopped. The images, along with the painful sensations, ceased.
"I trusted them." Tears raced down her cheeks as her chin trembled.
"What they did was unimaginably cruel. For ones so young, you two did not deserve that. When the time comes, they will have to answer for their sins."
"I-I tried to protect her. I did. I tried."
"I know, and you have done an amazing job. It's your turn to rest now." He stepped back.
She sobbed, screaming out all the pain and anger that plagued her being. She fell to her knees as her body morphed back into a child.
"Anca" Her sister knelt by her side.
"It's not your fault. You did everything you could. You fought for us until the very end. But our fates were sealed the day we were born, and nothing we could have done would have prevented it." She held her sister.
The pair cried in each other's embrace. The air felt warm again, and two children stepped forward, helping the twins off the ground to take them to meet the rest of the children.
"Lis-an, are you okay? What was that?" Otilia helped me up.
"Y-yes. I'm fine. I just wasn't excepting that to happen." I laughed it off.
"Are you sure you're okay?" She looked at me, concerned.
"Yes. There's no need to worry." I put on a smile.
"Otilia, you coming? We are headed to falls." A young woman waved her over.
"Just a sec."
"No really, I'm fine. I should probably go back with Himzavaick anyway."
"Otilia, come on!" The girl called out.
"Okay, but be safe."
I nodded, watching her run over to the other spirits. I made my way to Himzavaick, who was scowling at the sky.
"Are you done glaring at the sky, or do you still need a minute?"
"I guess I can continue cursing the skies tomorrow." He grunted.
"Come on halfling. It's getting quite late, and I'm sure Jacintha is worried about you." He walked past me.
"But what about the twins?"
"There is no need to rush anything. When they are ready, I'll be there." He continued on.
"Um, I was kind of hoping to stay a bit longer."
He halted.
"If that's okay." I nervously scratched the back of my neck.
"I don't know if that would be a good idea. Events like these can cause ones like yourself to go into sensory overload."
"What do you mean like me?"
"Look at you. You look like hell. Your eyes are all red and bothered, and I bet you don't even realize how erratically you're breathing right now. You clearly don't even know how to properly handle being clairvoyant." He shook is his head.
I stared at him, a bit confused. I hadn't put a lot of thought into it, but it does make sense. clairvoyant, that would explain the visions.
"I see." I stared at my hands, remembering the blood that dripped down them.
It felt so real.
"Wait, did you not know?" He furrowed his brows.
"To be honest, it has only happed twice to me. The first time was with Star. I somehow accessed her memories, and I saw her past. I thought it was just because of the situation that I was able to do that."
"And I'm assuming that Jacintha doesn't know about this either."
"I mean, I didn't even know. How could I tell her." I shrugged.
"Before, you said that I could hear the trees talking because I am an in-between."
"Yes, that is still true. Most in-between beings are clairvoyant because they hover between both worlds, belonging to none. Some can only hone in on one of the many types of clairs." He thoroughly examined my face.
"It's like being able to use your senses beyond their normal functions. And it would appear that you have at least more than one of them. Tell me, how did you see these sudden memories?"
"I um, I don't know. With Star, I touched her temple. But just now, with the twins, it came out of nowhere. When she started screaming, it was like it forcibly invaded my body, and I was-" I looked away, trying to calm myself.
Just talking about it made all those painful moments come flooding in.
"Go on." He spoke lightly.
"I experienced every moment those girls were tortured. I-it was like I was right there going through it with them. I wanted it to stop, but I couldn't escape. No matter what I did, I couldn't stop it." I glanced up, attempting to blink away the threatening tears.
"I can still feel the sensation of having those symbols carved into my skin. To think, those were their last moments, it's cruel." My voice cracked against each word.
"Oh, halfling. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Like you, I was given the gift of being clairvoyant. I understand all the aches that can come with it."
"Did you see and feel all those things too?" I tried to catch my breath.
"I did. But being as experienced as I am, I know how to turn off some senses. Just because we can share their pain doesn't mean we should. We have our limits as well."
"But how do I even do that?" I sighed.
"I'll show you a way to help silence, what I call stories. You may refer to them as voices or visions." He stepped towards me.
"Whenever you need to turn off the stories, place your palms over your ears and focus on the beats of your heart."
"Will that help control it?"
"No. It's just a temporary solution to silencing it for a bit. In due time you will learn how to control your gift."
There it is again.
That same phrase formed with different words. There's so much that I need to learn, and time is no friend of mine.
I sighed, brushing my hair away from my face.
"If anything, I have a book on psychic abilities that should help you understand your gift."
"I can have it?"
"You can borrow it. Afterward, you must return it to me. I don't do charity." He scoffed, walking off towards the house.
"Himzavaick," I ran to his side.
"What is it now?" He rolled his eyes at me.
"I just wanted to say thank you."
"It's just a book." He sped up.
"Yeah, but still, you've helped us a lot today. And seeing all of this was amazing. What you do is amazing. I was hoping to see that lady from the flower field here though. I wanted to ask her a few things." I kicked a pinecone aside.
"Does this flower lady have a name?"
"It's Daeva."
He stopped and quickly turned to me.
"How the hell did you meet with her? It's impossible. You must be mistaken." I could sense a hint of anger in his voice.
"I did meet her. She had dark skin and light purple eyes. She was there sitting in a field of purple flowers. The same ones you put in Star's blanket and the tea."
"That can't be." He chuckled with uncertainty.
"Why is it so hard to trust in my words. I have no reason to lie to you."
"If I can't go there, you shouldn't be able to either!" He exploded at me.
"Why can't you?"
"Because she lives on a different plane than us. One where mere beings are unable to access." He stepped closer to me.
"Trust me, I've been trying for the last fifty-six years." His eyes illuminated with a deep green as he fiercely glared at me.
It was the first time I feared him.