Chapter 8 - Isobelle

The wind pulls with great force on the old branches and trees. Apart from the rhythmic cawing of a tawny owl, nothing is heard. And yet? Slowly Isobelle looked up at the dark sky. Her bright orange eyes sparkled in the dim moonlight. What is that? Wailing? "Help" she hears clearly now. She recognizes that voice... Her sister. Katara! She stands up calmly. What is Katara doing here? Her cabin wasn't that deep in the forest. Nor was her elder sister's marriage. The marriage she wasn't supposed to know about. The wedding he wasn't invited to. "Isobelle" whispers the wind softly. Isobelle stops abruptly and takes a deep breath. "Wyrda" Isobelle looks up. "Who is there?" It happened again! "Destiny" Isobelle swallows and walks towards the wailing plea.

"Isobelle" Katara asks incredulously. "Sister" greets Isobelle. Katara carefully stares at her sister. Selina had warned her about Isobelle. When their paths crossed, Katara had to get away from her as soon as possible. She never knew why. "Sister what is it?" Isobelle asks impatiently and casts her eyes, sharply outlined in black ink, down on the warrior. Tormented, Katara looks at Reki whose eyes slowly close. Maybe she was his only chance. "Isobelle!" "Isobelle, please I beg you, I need you!" Katara looks back at Reki and sniffles hopelessly. "No Reki, please. Don't die!" "Don't leave me behind," she whispered sadly. Isobelle walks slowly towards the bleeding warrior. Isobelle's long black dress waves over the damp forest floor. "Tell me what can I help you with?" Isobelle asks. Suddenly it occurred to her! The warrior of the tent! The Knight! Her destiny! Katara smiles uncomfortably and casts her gaze on the gold laces around Isobelle's stomach. Except for the dress, she still looks the same as that day she left them. "I know you don't owe me a favor Isobelle" Katara begins, but Isobelle interrupts her. She lifts her hand decorated with black beads around her long fingers and shakes her head. "Don't be sorry sister" she says. Isobelle turns her bright yellow eyes to Reki. "Isobelle please help us" Katara begs. "Help him." Isobelle's clear eyes are drilled on Reki as she gently approaches. "Katara" she whispers calmly. Katara looks up at Isobelle who licks her narrow lips. "Isobelle please", Katara whispers again. Isobelle lets out a deep sigh. Her tight cheekbones and pale skin are warmed by the blood-red moon. "Katara, you know it's wrong to play with the balance of nature." "Isobelle, please. I can't let him die." "I swear I'll do anything you ask me. It's my fault he's dying." Isobelle nods. She removes the black hood from her head. Her red hair is waving slowly in the wind. Was this what they heard before? Warnings about this scenario? Should she intervene? Did Katara know that her magic was dark? That's why Isobelle was banned? Why was it so important to Katara that he survived?

But there was something about him. She felt it from the first moment they saw each other. "Katara," Isobelle says again, placing her hand on him. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Katara looks at Isobelle's tight eyebrows and swallows. "Yes why-are you asking this?" "He has a destiny. He is part of your past, but also of your future. In your sleep and his dreams, you will call each other." Her once soft voice sounds distorted as if she were talking underwater. Isobelle smiles and closes her eyes. A cold breeze plays with her long locks. "He's connected to you," Isobelle says. Katara frowns. "That is impossible." "It's kind of a destiny" Isobelle says again. "Everyone makes their own destiny." Without warning, images of his future play out before Isobelle's closed eyes. Images of bloodshed, pain but also happiness. A warning, an omen, but for anyone who uses dark magic, a promise oh so sweet... Isobelle smiled gently. She knows deep down she has to let him die. But she can't. His destiny. Would change the world. Not only the world, but the future of dark magic will also be changed by this. They should no longer have to hide. Witches whose magic was dark would never be harmed again. Never again would a dark magician be disowned. And more importantly, she would get her revenge on her family. Not Katara, but the family that banished Isobelle. The family forced her to hide in the heart of dangerous forests. But what did Katara have to do with this? Again, the wind whispers precariously in her ear; "Destiny.. Wyrda". Isobelle swallows... True love? Was that it? Was true love the key? But Katara's love? Katara would be in pain. Or worse. Be in danger. Was that worth 'true love'? And why? What can Katara's love mean to the boy's fate? A sweet whiff of Katara's future power caresses her senses. Her sister's innocent soul would be consumed. But the power Katara would radiate was inviting. Too tempting. But the key to that power was this dying boy. Her sister would become the most powerful witch ever, a high priestess of the ancient religion. If what they felt was right. Oh, that was worth it. This was worth everything. Whisper of new power. A danger, born of true love. If she saves him, Katara will never let him in. She must let him die so that she can save him.

Isobelle opens her eyes slowly. "Katara" whispers Isobelle and removes her hand from him. "I'm sorry, he was already gone." "No," whispers Katara. "I'm so sorry Katara" Isobelle says, and stands up. "This is all my fault. I'm so sorry" Katara whispers and kisses his lips. A soft flash of light, warm and yellowish as if it were a fiery red spark, appears between their lips as they touch. A warm breeze blows over the mossy forest floor. A grin appeared on Isobelle's lips. His fingers moved slowly... "See you soon... Hate" she whispered, and turned herself around laughing. A wicked laugh echoes from her throat as she puts her hood back on. Katara kisses his hand and puts it back down. "I'm sorry" she whispers again.