"Usynlig! Usynlig!" I beat the walls of the moving wood, hoping she would hear me.
Or at least someone.
"Damin it, Himzavaick let me out! Hey!" I pounded on the walls until my palms turned a deep red.
Panic sank into my chest as I cried out for help, hearing nothing but the sounds of my panting echo around me.
I fell in exhaustion, watching the vines move closer in on me. I couldn't help but bitterly laugh at the situation I got myself in.
"I should've just stayed with Usynlig and Star." I chuckled, trying to push away the impending doom that cluttered my chest.
"You're not just gonna sit there, are you?"
A harsh whisper came from the shadows.
"That's kind of pathetic, you know." It went on to taunt me, sounding like no other being I have ever heard before.
Where is that voice coming from?
There's no one in here.
"Who knew you'd be this weak."
"What the hell are you?" I backed up close to the wall.
"Look at how fast you gave up. Already ready to die." She scoffed, pissing me off.
"I didn't give up. I just-"
"So what do you call this? You're literally waiting to be crushed to death."
It's all in my head. It's not real.
"Will you please just shut up!" I covered my ears.
No one is here but me.
"What? You gettin' angry?" It laughed.
It isn't real.
"Shut u-"
She pushed her arms against me. Her elbow pressed against my throat as the other gripped my hair.
"Get off!" I struggled beneath her hold.
"I'm as real as it gets." It hissed.
I nudged my knee in the small space between us, kicking it aside.
The creature laughed, fading into the darkness.
"What the hell do you want from me?!" I could feel its aura drifting around me.
"That right there. That is what I'm looking for."
I wanted to run, but there was nowhere to go.
"I know you feel it. That burning sensation that boils within you, causing smoke to gather around your lungs so that each breath burns with that molten rage you've kept hidden for so long." It spoke close to my face.
"Leave me alone!" I covered my ears.
"Halflings like us don't have the luxury of being pathetic. Otherwise, who will help lead these clueless creatures? So stop hiding her and let the real you free. The exciting version of you. Why else would the Gods bless you with such a fate."
The real me?
What is it talking about?
My body was forced into the fetal position by the moving vines. I could no longer move about freely like before. But what I felt wasn't fear or anxiety.
Wind circulated around me as the creature in the shadows laughed manically. My jaw clenched, old and new feelings mixed together, causing my muscles to tense. I pressed my palms against the walls, stopping them in their place. My heart beat intensely as a surging power filled my being, erasing any sense of reason I was trying to hold on to.
I could feel everything. All the pain, the exhaustion, and more than anything, the rage that I've pretended wasn't there. I wanted to remain silent. To be grateful for this new lease on life, but if this is where it gets me, then what's the point?
If the Gods wish to see my wrath, then they can have it all!
I pushed my energy outward against the walls. I screamed, forcing every pointless emotion out of me.
Why was I trying to be perfect?
Life is short, but mine is shorter. There is no guarantee I will survive my maturing phase. I don't want to let my parents down.
I didn't want their deaths to be for nothing. But why must all the pressure be on me?
I didn't ask for any of this. I would've gladly followed them home into that beautiful light. This world is cruel and always looking for new ways to torture us.
I'm exhausted.
Like a spell, those words activated something within. I felt a surge of power run through my veins. It relieved the pain and exhaustion that plagued my being.
"Ugh!"
The creature gripped my hair.
"LET ME IN." It demanded with a heavy, dark voice, before pulling my hair back.
My head bashed into the ground.
"Damn it." I winced, holding the base of my skull.
Wait, I don't feel the wooden vines around me. I sat up, examining my situation. Everything was covered in black. I looked down at my hands, and they were healed. No bruises, no cuts, like nothing ever happened.
"See, doesn't that feel better." A whisper echoed around me.
"Who's there?" I searched the area.
I couldn't see anything past the darkness that hovered around me. There was no grass, no trees, just nothing but the sounds of a low growl. Either that thing kidnapped me to its dimension or I really didn't make it out of that cocoon. My heart beat fast as an impending doom trickled down my spine. I quickly turned around.
"What do you want from me?"
It was eerily silent. I stood up, peering into the darkness trying to see any sign of movement. My ears perched, hearing the clanking of chains creep within the shadows. I don't know where I am, but I know that I'm not alone.
I cautiously stepped forward, reaching my hands out.
"Lis-an." An eerie voice whispered in front of me.
"Who are you?"
"Over here." It whispered louder, calling out to me.
A sense of urgency overcame me as my pace shifted into a slight jog.
"Lis-an."
My feet moved on their own. Racing towards that eerily familiar voice. My heart beat fast, telling me that I should stop and turn back before it was too late. But my body wouldn't listen to me. It was as though the voice compelled me to keep going. Pushing my legs to sprint at full pace.
"Here."
I don't want to see what is calling me.
"Lis-an."
I want to stop. I begged my body to obey me.
Please just stop!
"Urgh!" A large metal object collided with me.
It gave off a strong metallic scent like iron rods left in warm distilled water. I ran my hands along it, feeling the rough metal twist into long bars. I quickly backed away.
Why was there a cage here? And what was inside?
I carefully leaned closer, peering into the dark. My eyes refused to adjust to the darkness.
A low growl brushed my face with hot air. I froze, sensing something inches away from me. Its aura had me paralyzed with terror.
I just need to move. That's it. Just a few steps back and I'll be safe.
My body rejected my plea.
Come on Lis-an! Just move damn it! Move!
My right foot slid back and a hand grabbed me by my neck. Its nails dug into my skin as it tightened its grip. I struggled to breathe, desperately clawing at it.
"S-stop!" I gasped.
It chuckled, roughly slamming me against the cage as it pulled me in.
"You will lose control. It's only a matter of time." I felt its breath on my ear.
"W-what are you-" I coughed, choking out what little air I had left my lungs.
My head felt light and my body began to go limp. As my vision blurred the bars to the cage rattled.
I can't die here. There's still so much I have to do.
"I am your only means of true freedom."
"Lis-a" A muffled voice echoed around us.
"I could right the wrongs made against us if you let me. Just give in." It growled.
I couldn't utter a single sound. I couldn't move and my head was clouded with a dense haze.
Please, someone, help me. I can't die here. I can't!
"Lis-an!" The muffled voice came through a little clearer.
Usynlig?
A blinding light appeared above me. The creature hissed, dropping me. I fell deep within the darkness, being propelled in a full circle, back onto my feet.
"Lis-an!"
I jumped, wincing at the bright light.
The sounds of birds chirping and loud murmuring filled my ears.
My eyes adjusted to the light and I could see trees again.
I was back in the forest.
I let out a relieved sigh.
"Lis-an, calm down and let him go." Usynlig held her hands up at me.
"What are you talking about?" I looked down and saw that I was standing in the center of a large sigil that formed a barrier around me.
"Usynlig, what's happening? Why am I in here?"
"Have you regained your senses?" She looked hesitant to trust me.
"I-I think so. But what is-" I turned around roughly, confused and tired.
That's when I felt a heavy weight clutch onto my side. I peered down and saw a bloodied gnome within my grasp.
"I-is that H-Himzavaick? Oh god!" I dropped him.
"What did I do?!" I knelt frantically by him.
He lay there unconscious.
I can't believe I did this to him. Me? I-I don't even remember ever seeing him. How did this happen?
"I'm sorry, but I need to ask you to please step aside so I can grab him."
"Y-yeah, okay." I moved as far away from him as I could, with my hands resting on my knees.
She reached in, keeping her eyes on me as she dragged him out of the circle.
I could feel the piercing gazes of the souls hiding within the trees.
Damn it!
None of this would've happened if he didn't try to kill me. I know I'm not innocent either, but he didn't have to do that. I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't.
"Lis-an?"
"Yes."
"Tell me what happened. Why did you attack Himzavaick?" She hovered her hands over his body.
A light shimmered down onto him, causing him to groan in pain. His groans sliced at my chest, making my hands tremble.
"T-the last thing I r-remember was being trapped in his vines as they tried to crush me. I-I didn't mean to hurt him. I was just so pissed that he would do something like that to me."
"Wait, what do you mean? Did he try to hurt you?" Her eyes widened.
"I think so. Last night I fell asleep in this cocoon he made out of vines. When I woke and tried to leave, they hardened and the cocoon started to shrink. If I didn't break out, I would've died there." I lowered my head, afraid to look at her.
I hurt a close friend of hers. How could she ever forgive me?
"I'm sorry. I-It's just that the thought of him betraying us made me unbelievably angry. I trusted him and thought maybe he would be someone I could learn from. I didn't want him to be like the others, who only saw me as a monster to be disposed of. I-I'm sorry, Usynlig." I broke down crying.
If she abandons me, I will have no one.
I'll be alone again.
"Lift your gaze, Lille-en." Usynlig's voice was unexpectedly warm.
I looked up at her with tears streaming down my face.
"Is what you said true?"
There was no malice in her eyes. She looked at me like she always did.
"Yes."
She sighed, folding her arms as she sat on a nearby stump.
"What should I do?" Her head hung low.
"What?"
"I'm asking you what you would like me to do with him? You are the one he wronged, so it's only fair you choose."
"Y-you believe me?" I stared in disbelief.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Because he's your friend."
"True. I do trust him a great deal, but as the High Priestess of our coven, I must look after our last remaining member. Our little witch will always be my main concern. So I will always believe in your words and look past your lies because we are not merely trustworthy acquaintances, but family." She stood up, walking over to me.
Family?
"You may not see it now, but we share a bond stronger than anything. You will always have my trust." With the wave of her hand, the large sigil broke away.
She crouched down, ruffling my hair.
"Yeah, but not enough to tell me your name." I lightly laughed.
"Plus, you're pretty easy to read, so I can tell when you're lying." She lightly smacked the side of my head.
I glanced past her.
Even though Himzavaick did try to hurt me, I don't like the idea of him dying.
"I think you should help him." I sniffled.
She smirked.
"We will talk more about what happened later. First, I want you to carry Hizavaick back to the tree."
"Okay." I stood up.
My knees buckled. It felt like a million little ants were crawling beneath my skin.
"You okay?" Usynlig helped me stand straight up.
"Yeah. I was just kneeling for too long." I limped over to the gnome.
I peered down at him. I was a bit surprised that I could do this much damage to him. Given the amount of power he possesses, he should've been able to fend me off.
Why didn't he?
I picked him up, supporting him with both arms. He was lighter than I expected. Looking at him, filled me with unexpected malicious intentions. I hands ached to rip him apart, limb from limb. It scare me how intense those feelings were. They made me nauseous, because I knew they weren't mine. I didn't want to hurt anyone, not like that. How could I?
I regretted everything that has happened but, behind that feeling lurkedterrifyinging amount of hostility. I could feel my heartbeat increase as my hands trembled with ancipation.
Was it safe for me to be carrying him?
What if I-
"We must move." Usynlig interrupted my frantic thoughts.
"I stabilized him for now but we can't waste any time. I need to get a better look at his wounds to make sure nothing is severely injured."
I nodded, following after her as I chewed on my bottom lip.
"Where is Star?" I tried to focus on something other than my burning desire to kill.
"Otilia is watching her."
Should I tell her about that creature?
I want to but I think I've caused enough trouble today.
Usynlig went from being a single woman with no kids of her own, to trying to raise a newborn baby and a halfling child. She has enough on her plate.
I shouldn't burden her anymore than I already have. But maybe she can tell me what it is I did when I blacked out.
"I don't remember anything about what happened." I looked over at her.
"Well," She sighed.
"Please, tell me what I did?"
"All you need to know is that that wasn't you." She kept her gaze straight ahead.
"What do you mean?"
"Lil-en, we all have a part of ourselves we hide deep within the shadows of our soul. A part we find too hard to expose to the world. For a halfling, that part of yourself is even more dangerous than others." She glanced back at me.
"Which part would that be?"
"What is the one thing all halflings share?" She reduced her pace to walk next to me.
"I don't know. Um, shame, no sense of belonging?"
"True, but not quite." A small smile stretched across her face.
"It's Rage."
Rage?
"Halflings are always told to remain calm, to be obedient and invisible while watching others have what they are denied. No one would admit it out loud, but it hurts to watch others live freely while you must master staying still." She embraced the sunlight with a soft breath.
"You speak as if you are one."
"With the amount of knowledge I gained about them from my mother, I might as well be." She chuckled.
"Listen," Her smile faded as she stopped.
"As a halfling who is part wolf, you have another being locked away in there." She pointed at my chest.
"Only you can fight it. She is a part of you whether you like it or not. But she doesn't have to be the end of you. I know you are stronger than the rage held within you." She brushed back the side of my hair gently behind my ear.
So the voice I heard earlier was my savage side calling out to me?
I almost lost myself to her and I haven't even reached my maturing phase yet.
Why is this happening?
You will lose control. It's only a matter of time.
Her words rang in my head.
How do I fight something inside my own head?
"Lis-an, you're safe!" Otilia ran out with Star in her hands.
"Oh, no. Himzvaick, how'd he-"
Usynlig cut her off with a slight shake of her head.
"P-please come inside." She walked ahead, holding the door open for me.
Terror was painted on her face.
"Please take Star upstairs for a bit while I tend to our gnome friend here." Usynlig went to the sink to wash her hands.
I placed him on the table near the kitchen. I was too ashamed to face Otilia. I kept my head low.
"Understood."
I heard her walk up the steps.
Usynlig wasted no time. She unbuttoned his shirt, waving her hand over his entire body. She leaned down, listening to his breathing.
"Well, nothing too bad, just a simple fracture to his right humerus. He'll have to rest for a little while for it to heal, but overall, he'll be just fine." She crossed her arms.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm certain. I think his pride will probably hurt more than his arm." She laughed.
"Here, sit." She pushed me onto a stool near the table.
"I'll show you how to make an herbal healing paste." She set a basket in front of me.
Pulling out a jar of what looked like water, a long stalk of aloe vera, white flowers with thin petals, and a white flower dusted with a lavender tint.
"This is witch hazel." She held up the jar of clear liquid.
"It can be used to cleanse wounds and help with irritation. The herbs in front of you are chamomile, marshmallow, and aloe vera. When grounded down, it can be made into a paste that can be applied directly onto wounds." Usynlig slid a large mortar and pestle over to me.
"Why don't you just use healing magic?" I examined the flowers.
"Mother nature provides many things for us. As a witch, we first learn how to use what is around us to our advantage. When you can make something out of nothing, that is where the true magic happens." She stood behind me, gathering my hair to tie it up into a bun.
"Later, I will show you how to tame your wild mane." She cupped my cheeks, swiping the hair off my forehead.
"Anyways, our kind of magic is useless on gnomes. Though they may be small, they stand higher on the food chain. So to speak. Even if I use my full power, it would only heal about ten percent of his injury."
"Then, how was I able to do this to him?"
"I would like to know that as well. So, shall we begin?" She clapped her hands.
I followed her instructions closely. While Usynlig cleaned Himzavaick's wounds, I focused on the paste, cutting the aloe vera in half to scoop out the inside and place it into the mortar bowl. After that, I threw in the flowers, littering them on top of the jelly. Mixing them was not a simple task. The herbs refused to blend, and the texture didn't look anything like how Usynlig described it should be.
"It's almost there. Keep going." She patted my back, holding a linen sheet.
I pushed my arm to its limit, smashing and mixing the jelly substance into the right paste consistency.
Finally!
I threw my head back, stretching out my arms.
"Hm, not bad. Next time, it would probably be easier if you grounded the flowers first and then added in the aloe little by little." She rubbed a bit of the paste between her fingers.
"But I thought you said to-"
"Well, you live and you learn." She shrugged, ripping the sheet into strips.
Now I know she's doing this on purpose. It's probably some kind of punishment for causing such a mess.
Considering what I did, this is nothing.
Usynlig applied the paste to his wounds and wrapped them in the sheet. Himzavaick practically looked like a mummy by the time she was done with him.
"I'll be back with a tonic for him to drink when he wakes up." She strapped a satchel to her side as she left.
I dragged the stool over to Himzavaick, sitting beside him. Though I'm not as pissed as I was before, I'm still upset with him. I need to know why he did that. And I want to know what happened to me.
"I'm sorry." I sighed into my hands.
"Oh, you will be." Himzavaick groaned.
I jumped up.
He peered over at me with the one eye that wasn't swollen shut.
I'm terrified to see what punishment he has in mind for me.