In front of them unfolded a mesmerizing spectacle, unlike anything they had ever witnessed before. The once serene and breathtaking scenery had undergone a mind-boggling transformation, turning into a twisted and horrifying vision.
The tranquil breeze that once caressed their skin now turned cold, unleashed with untamed fury. The wind rampaged through the once graceful rice fields, tearing apart the swaying crops.
Amidst the chaos emerged the witch, accompanied by the howling tempest and the ominous dark sky. She floated effortlessly at the epicenter, becoming the very embodiment of the calamity itself.
When Mizar laid eyes upon the witch, his attention was immediately captured by her appearance. She was draped in tattered fur garments, both a robe and a dress, crafted entirely from the pelts of animals.
He also could see that the witch attention was directed towards the girl besides him.
"Nine, where have you been?" growled the witch, her voice resonating with a deep and raspy tone.
Her piercing gaze bore into Nine, seething with suppressed rage and fury, as if concealing a storm within her.
Nine's eyes widened in astonishment as the witch appeared before her unexpectedly. Overwhelmed by fear, she could only tremble uncontrollably, unable to utter a single word due to her paralyzing terror.
Nine's fear of the witch was palpable, evident in her demeanor. There seemed to be a connection between them, given the way the witch addressed her.
Nine desperately searched for words to respond, but her lips remained frozen, incapable of uttering even a single sound.
"Say it!" snapped the witch, her voice booming like thunder, growing increasingly impatient with each passing moment.
Nine was jolted, caught off guard by the sudden outburst from the witch.
Startled, she mustered her courage and responded, her voice barely above a whisper, "I... I went... painting..." She strained to make herself heard, giving her utmost effort to answer the demanding witch.
"Huh? Painting?" The witch's confusion mingled with lingering anger.
Her raised eyebrow conveyed skepticism towards the girl's response. However, in that very moment, the girl's answer drew the witch's attention to the painting positioned in front of her.
Her anger intensified as she discovered the reason behind the girl's defiance. The witch's aura grew icier and more piercing, as if a palpable darkness radiated from her, casting a looming presence that was almost tangible.
"Again? How many times did I tell you to stop!" bellowed the witch.
Her anger shattered like a dam that had burst, releasing all the pent-up fury she had been restraining.
Overwhelmed by the witch's scolding, Nine winced and collapsed to her knees, unable to bear the weight of the witch's reprimand.
"Hey, don't talk to her like that!" Mizar interjected, stepping forward to defend Nine.
The witch swiftly turned her gaze towards Mizar, her eyes piercing into him. "Stay out of this, brat," she snarled, her voice coarse and filled with contempt, warning Mizar to mind his own business.
As she approached them, her flight gradually slowed, and it seemed as if an invisible force suddenly released its grip. The witch descended gracefully, descending from her elevated position and landing before them.
With impeccable control, the witch touched down, absorbing the impact with the soles of her feet and gracefully bending her knees to maintain her balance.
As she regained her footing and rose to stand, she towered over them, surpassing their height with ease. The witch possessed an impressive stature, her commanding presence radiating an air of both grandeur and intimidation.
Her towering height and imposing stature only added to her terrifying aura, instilling a sense of awe and unease in those who stood before her.
"Nine… I have warned you several time, if this happen again. the punishement wont be light" said the witch. she reminded Nine of what supposedly to be a prohibition.
The witch's presence sent shivers down her spine, and she found herself trembling with fear at the sound of the witch's voice. In response, she instinctively grabbed hold of Mizar's sleeves, seeking solace and protection from his presence.
Witnessing her reaction, Mizar sensed that something was amiss. Regardless of their relationship, the witch had no right to treat Nine in such a manner. He stepped forward, defending her and speaking out against the witch.
"Please don't blame her. It was I who brought her here," Mizar explained, attempting to diffuse the tension and bridge understanding between them.
The witch's expression twisted into a scowl as Mizar interrupted their conversation with Nine. She narrowed her eyes, her thin, long finger pointing directly at him with a menacing aura.
"How dare you... You better leave before I change my mind!" the witch hissed, her voice dripping with a menacing undertone.
"I refuse to leave! I won't do so until I'm certain that she is safe," Mizar declared firmly, his determination unwavering.
The witch's growls and hissing intensified, her patience wearing thin.
"Listen, you insolent brat! That child is mine. I raised her, provided for her. She owes me her life. So, be silent and leave! Consider this your final warning," the witch warned Mizar, her voice dripping with malice.
As she issued her warning, her anger swelled, reaching its boiling point. In a fit of rage, she violently smashed and destroyed the nearby painting, an outlet for her frustration. With contempt for Nine burning within her, she mercilessly stomped on the remnants of the artwork, venting her frustration and disdain.
Helpless, Nine could only watch in despair as her beloved painting was ruthlessly destroyed by the witch. Her heart sank as her cherished artwork, a symbol of her creativity and self-expression, was reduced to ruins before her eyes.
Unable to contain her emotions any longer, tears welled up in Nine's eyes, streaming down her cheeks. She tried her best to hold back her sobs, but the pain and devastation overwhelmed her. The loss of her painting was not only a loss of material possession, but also a blow to her spirit and sense of self.
The witch's callous act struck a deep chord within Nine, leaving her feeling hurt and violated. The tears flowed freely as she mourned the destruction of something so precious to her.
Through her tear-filled sobs, Nine mustered the courage to apologize, her voice choked with sadness and regret. "I'm sorry... I won't do it again," she managed to utter, hoping for forgiveness and a chance to make amends.
The witch, her expression filled with a mixture of frustration and disappointment, placed her palm on her face, deep in contemplation. She understood the weight of her decision and the impact it would have on Nine's hopes and freedom.
With a heavy sigh, the witch finally spoke, her words carrying the weight of finality. "No... There is no other choice. You have disregarded my warnings, and I cannot let you go outside anymore," she declared sternly, her scowl conveying her resolve.
It was a crushing blow to Nine, as the realization sunk in that her days of exploring the world beyond were now over.
"I can't stand you anymore, old hag!" Mizar's voice pierced through the tense atmosphere as he approached the witch, leaving the girl behind him. The fury within him ignited, unable to bear witness to the mistreatment of someone he cared for.
Nine's eyes widened, her heart swelling with gratitude and admiration as she watched Mizar bravely defend her once again. His actions touched her deeply, reminding her that she wasn't alone in this turmoil.
"Why do you always treat her so cruelly? What do you gain from it?" Mizar's words confronted the witch, catching her off guard. She hadn't expected such defiance.
"Do you want her to despise you? She distanced herself from you because of how you treat her!" Mizar scolded the witch, his voice filled with righteous anger.
"Who do you think you are, dictating how I should treat what belongs to me? That's it! You will taste my wrath!" The witch's voice dripped with venomous intent as she readied her wands, preparing for combat.
Mizar's expression transformed from anger to anticipation, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "That's exactly what I've been waiting for," he declared with a sense of exhilaration. He knew a confrontation with the witch was inevitable, and he was prepared to face it head-on.