"The lost city of souls..?" I asked, wondering if what I heard was correct.
"Yes, you stupid girl. This contains everything you need to guide you to your future and the deal you made" Her voice was now slow and much quieter than before.
She is one mysterious person.
The smell of the place was getting more nauseous, and every time we went down the staircase, I could feel all my food rise up to my throat.
The smell was like an odour of corpses and rotten food stuffed with pig organs.
"What the hell is this smell!?" I pinched my nose as my eyes became watery.
I tried to hold my breath for as long as possible.
"Smell..? Oh, you mean the protective barrier. This smell stops pesky humans like yourself from entering this sacred place" I could hear a ripple of laughter escaping that vile mouth of hers.
"Who would even want to enter this goddam place. If I were you, I would burn it until it all turns to ash".
"How sad. And I thought you would fit right in" She turned her head around to catch a glimpse of my face.
"In your dreams.." I mumbled, but I knew she heard my voice and that my words stung her like a bee.
It took us a couple of minutes to get to our destination.
The staircase felt like it would lead to an endless cycle, and my legs were already giving out on me.
Whoever built these stairs seriously needs to think of how people will walk back up again.
Because after this, I won't even dare think about walking back up again, or I will end up being a skinless cat.
The witch opened up a wooden door from the end of the staircase, walking into an enormous temple built with stone and old relics that gave the temple some life.
Pillars supported the temple keeping it from falling, and ancient drawings were also carved into the walls, but this time it told a story.
I gazed at the magnificent artefacts of what used to be the old times when monsters and humans fought against each other.
Everything was beautifully made as if the temple was a holy place for noblemen and people of high society to come in.
Fire torches lit up one by one, lighting up the temple, but there wasn't a single life or living being living down here.
All of these scrolls, artefacts, wall carvings and books had been kept so well, but no one was here to look after them.
"I come here every day to clean these old relics so they wouldn't wither away like the past" The witch ignored my stares and hurried towards the humungous wall covered by drawings.
All of this wasn't new to her; the only thing that fascinated her was that wall.
I knew I shouldn't even lay a hand on one of these relics, so I crossed my arms, thinking of when they must have been dated back.
A vase was painted with swords and corpses of dead soldiers piled on each other like a cake.
A locket shaped like a teardrop which had gold flowers imprinted on them like an accessory for a loved one.
But what fascinated me most was a long sword hung from the wall like a show on display.
The gold and silver shinned like a star in the sky as its handle was firm.
It was razor sharp, and I knew from my gut feeling that it could tare a building into two without hesitation.
The material was something I wasn't familiar with, but the gold engraved on the sword made it look more glorious than I could have imagined.
This couldn't have been an old relic...
It was so new and polished entirely well that whatever swordsmanship that person used was clearly more marvellous than any in history.
"You took an interest in that sword?" The witch didn't even look back to see what I was looking at.
But she knew already what my eyes would lay on.
My jaw dropped, and my eyes were wide with astonishment as my fingers had the urge to feel the texture of the mysterious material they used to keep it from decaying.
That sword was pulling me, whispering in my ear to grab it and keep it for myself.
The witch snapped her fingers, and the sword vanished from my eyes, and the attraction that pulled me towards it also disappeared.
What was that just now..?
"Your lucky you didn't touch it. It's been waiting for you for centuries as if you two were bound to be together. Kind of like soulmates, don't you think?" Her voice was soothing and calm as if whatever happened just now didn't concern her.
I hurried towards the witch, not having the energy to stare at any more relics.
This place was a nightmare.
Her eyes dazzled in fascination as she stared at the creative artwork that must have taken that person years to finish.
I stood next to the witch as my heart began to pound in my chest like drums.
I told myself to breathe in and out.
I will get out of here after this witch tells me what I need to know.
"This wall carving has told a story that people used to talk about over millions of years ago. A prophecy that one day the Chosen one will accomplish".
"Do you know who the Chosen one even is?".
"No. No one knows who this Chosen person is. But whoever they are. They will bring peace back to the world, and they will fight our greatest enemy".
"Seems as if they have a big role then" I rolled my eyes, putting my hands in my pockets.
"This Chosen one will defeat the Demon King and his army. Sadly, there is no good ending for that Chosen one, and they will die saving millions of innocent lives".
"I think that's full of shit. What type of person saves millions of lives, and in the end, no one saves theirs. If I were them, I would spit on their faces and tell them to save their own asses instead".
The witch cackled an elegant laugh trying to stop herself from laughing any longer.
She plastered a wicked smile on her lips, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Would you like to know the story?" She asked, still giving me that wicked smile of hers.
"If that means I can go back home, then why not" I shrugged.
The witch straightened her back, blowing away any dust that might have been stuck to the wall for ages.
I coughed a couple of times, covering my nose and mouth with my leather jacket.
"Millions of years ago, the monsters and humans received a prophecy from the gods. About a woman who will have the power of a thousand men. She will become one of the strongest people ever to live, and her power will be something no one could even imagine. She would lead a powerful army to destroy her enemies that were a threat to the world. She will bring hope and peace to the lands, and everyone far and wide will know her name. She would be the goddess everyone had been waiting for, and she would eradicate the leaders who have abused their power over their people. The demon king will learn to fear her. She will march her armies on the battlefield and declare one of the biggest wars humanity has ever faced. The fight between monsters and humans would shake the earth. The Chosen One will fight like a warrior side by side with her comrades, and she will sacrifice her life to kill the demon king. She will die saving her people, and the Chosen One will be a light for the future generations who will never forget the goddess who killed the Demon King and destroyed his army".
The story was remarkable, and whoever this Chosen person is, they must be someone incredible.
Being able to shine a light on others and guide them on a path of victory is one hell of a job.
I hope it won't be in this generation because id rather live my life than have someone saving my ass for a ludicrous Demon king.
Now that I think about it, the Demon King must be thousands of years old if he could keep his army from falling.
I sighed in exhaustion, running a hand through my silky hair as I watched the story unfold right before my eyes.
The only good thing I liked about this art was how they portrayed the Demon king.
He looks more hideous in this artwork than in real life, and his horns are like daggers pointing at the sky.
I skimmed through the wall as I found the Chosen one right in the middle of the wall, floating like a goddess showing her power to the world.
Bright light flowed out of her body, and people were kneeling on one knee for her as if she was the light they had been searching for.
"The Chosen One has always been the light. But no one knows who she truly is. Child or woman. Peasant or princess. Disabled or not. We shall accept the Chosen one no matter who or what they are" The witch stared down at the ground holding out a tiny seed.
The seed was a bright blue colour, and it was so small that just by holding it in the palm of your hand, it would feel as if nothing was in your hand.
"What is that?" I questioned, now staring at it as well.
"This is a gate seed. They say whoever plants this can see the dead or a loved one they had lost" She hid it back into her cloak, not wanting to talk about it any longer.
"Why did you bring me here? Storytelling isn't my thing".
"I need you to find that Chosen one. If you do, I can promise you that you will find the eternal power you have been searching for. The Chosen one can give you whatever you want but remember that the Demon King will try to sway you. In a human form or not, he will do whatever it takes to take down the Chosen one, and you are the only one who can bring them back. That is why the Demon king will try to kill you after today" She didn't look me in the eyes as I stepped a few inches back.
"This wasn't the part of the deal!" I shouted at her.
"It doesn't matter if it isn't. The gods chose you to bring them back, so you must do it!" She held me by my collar, gripping her hold on me.
"Why should I! Cant, the gods do it themselves if they want her so bad!" I yanked her off me, dusting off the dirt from my clothes.
I had to get out of here right now.
I marched towards the wooden door, holding my grip on the handle, but the door was locked, and every time I tried to pull the handle, it wouldn't budge.
"What did you do.." I growled.
"I will not let you leave until to accept your mission" The witch teleported herself behind me as I felt her breath on my ear.
"I am not having a Demon king try to chase me down" I could feel her presence behind me as her eyes were lingering on the tattoo on my upper thigh.
The witch stepped away from me at a safe distance waiting for me to give my decision.
The only reason she brought me here was so that I could risk my life for a person who may not even exist.
But I did make a deal with her.
The witch would give me the highest level possible, but I would have to do something for her in the end.
I should have asked what that 'something' was.
The witch was still waiting patiently for my answer, and I couldn't get out of this one by bribing her again.
If the Chosen One was real, they could be anywhere on the planet.
It could take me years or even centuries to be able to track her down, and I didn't have a long life as those monsters had.
I couldn't do it even if she could give me whatever I desired because I wasn't good at tracking people, and the Demon King would always be on my tail.
If he wants to kill me, I won't be safe, and when I go to the magic school, they might kick me out for being an enemy to him.
There were too many disadvantages, and nothing of it would be useful to me.
I'm a human with only a few years left to live.
"Maybe I could do something for you. Having the Demon king on your trail is a big deal, so I will grant you another wish" I turned around to see her standing like a doll.
"There is nothing you can give me, so you better give up, witch" I slammed my fist on the wooden door.
"What if I said that tonight when you go back home, the letter about you attending the examination for the magic school was declined" Her words stabbed me in the back like a knife.
"What are you talking about..?" My hands started to shake.
"The school declined your request. If you accept this mission, I can get you accepted to the examination, and I will help you with the upcoming tests".
I bite my bottom lip, thinking it over again.
She knew exactly what to say, and it defiantly worked on me.
I have been waiting for years to get accepted, and if I did get declined, then my life is over.
That school is my whole future and career. I can't let some old witch take control of that situation.
"I will only accept it under these terms. First, you will not tell the Demon king anything about me. Second, you will notify me of anything about the Demon King and his army, and third, you are not allowed to use or take my power for yourself," I said.
The witch seemed pleased with herself, and she held her palm out where the seed had been, but there was something different this time.
In the palm of her hand was a locket shaped like a heart.
"Take your palm out", She ordered me as I obeyed her command.
I put my palm out as she walked over to me, putting the locket in my palm.
"Why are you giving me this?".
"I will accept your terms. But it would be best to take this locket and the sword you last saw. It will be a gift from me" Her grin widened.
That sword...
The witch snapped her fingers again, and the sword appeared in my hands, shining ever so brightly.
The sword was so light that it felt like a feather in my hands.
"I can keep this..?" I asked, tilting my head to one side.
"Of course".
The witch snapped her fingers again, and a sword belt appeared on my hips.
The sword was now on my hips and tightened around me.
Now I don't have to carry it all the way home.
"Why are you giving me this? It doesn't add up," I protested, stroking the sword with my bare fingers.
The witch stared at the ceiling.
"There was once a girl like you. Who wanted power. But she was lost in the way because of the Demon King. That is why giving you this sword will protect you on your journey".
"I don't under-" Before I could finish my sentence, a loud banging was heard behind the wooden door.
"Open up, you old hag!" They were monster guards.
How could they have known that she would be down here?
"I am sorry, Camilla, but we will see each other very soon" She held my hand in hers as I felt the smooth surface of her skin.
"You can't go now!" I yelled.
"Good luck on your test" That was all she said until the whole world began spinning around me.
The walls started to close in, and the darkness was consuming me.
My body became numb, and my eyes were droopy.
The last thing I saw was her reciting a magic spell in front of me.
Until I collapsed on the ground as everything turned into darkness, like a world without light to hold onto.