The night air grew tense as Madeline, startled by the sound of rustling leaves, turned around and shouted out "Who's there? Come out this instant!" Her voice wavered as she struggled to maintain composure. Minutes passed in a stillness broken only by the faint whispers of wind through the trees. Then, with a suddenness that sent a chill down her spine, she felt something behind her.
Turning around a cloaked figure had materialized before her, shrouded in darkness with a presence that commanded immediate respect.
"Grand master," Madeline breathed, dropping to her knees in a swift display of reverence. She kept her head bowed, knowing it was forbidden to look upon the face of the Master. The figure gestured for her to rise, a silent acknowledgment of her presence.
"I've done what you sent me here to do, sir," Madeline murmured, her voice tinged with a mixture of pride and trepidation. The figure clicked his tongue in disapproval, his disappointment palpable in the air.
"Indeed you have," the Master replied cryptically, his voice carrying an ominous weight. Without warning, piercing screams erupted from the garden, echoing through the night with a haunting intensity. In an instant, Madeline was engulfed in a torrent of flames that consumed her with merciless speed.
In the dim light of the moon, the cloaked figure stood silently beside the pile of Madeline's ashes, his presence marked only by the faint rustle of his cloak. The air was thick with the scent of burnt wood and despair. The figure's face remained obscured by the deep shadows of his hood, his emotions concealed from view.
Suddenly, a chilling breeze swept through the clearing, and a witch materialized beside him. Her eyes, a piercing blue that seemed to pierce through the darkness, were fixed coldly on the remnants of Madeline's life. Her expression was one of stern indifference.
"Was it necessary to kill her?" she asked, her voice carrying an edge of disdain.
The cloaked figure turned towards her, his form barely discernible in the shadows. "She's of no use to me," he replied, his tone devoid of regret.
The witch's gaze remained unwavering as she absorbed his words. After a moment of contemplation, she gave a curt nod, a gesture that spoke of resignation more than agreement. Without another word, the two figures began to fade into the surrounding darkness.
Emma's heart sank as she approached the burning manor, desperate hope clashing with dread in her chest. Her eyes scanned the chaotic scene, seeking any sign of her beloved parents amid the crowd. But the sight of Victoria, writhing in agony and held back by servants, shattered her fragile optimism.
Tightening her fists, Emma struggled against the overwhelming sense of helplessness. She knew only one spell—a fire spell—that now felt like a curse. Frustration gnawed at her, mingling with regret for ever crossing paths with Madeline.
Drawing closer to Victoria, Emma called out her sister's name, her voice trembling with guilt and sorrow. Victoria's reaction was a stab to her already shattered heart—anger and hatred blazing in her eyes. Emma dropped to her knees, her voice cracking with despair. "Vi, I'm so sorry. Madeline... she deceived me. Please, forgive me," she pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Victoria rose slowly, her expression hard and unforgiving as she slowly walked towards Emma. "Mama and Papa were right about you," she spat, her words laced with venom. "You're an abomination."
Emma recoiled as if struck, the accusation piercing her soul. "Vi, I didn't—" she began, but Victoria cut her off with a raised hand and a bitter laugh. "Father, Mother, Mathailda —they're all burning because of you," Victoria accused, her voice rising in anguish and betrayal. "We've lost everything because of your stupid anger."
Emma's heart shattered at Victoria's words, the weight of guilt and sorrow crushing her spirit. She shook her head vehemently, unable to accept the devastating truth. "No, Vi, please... I didn't mean for any of this," she pleaded, her voice a broken whisper amidst the roar of the fire.
But Victoria turned away, her shoulders heaving with grief and rage. Emma remained on her knees, overwhelmed by the depth of pain she had caused her sister and her family. In that moment of profound despair, she knew she could never undo the destruction wrought by her own hands.
Victoria's next words struck Emma like a physical blow, her sister's pain and anger twisting the knife of guilt deeper into her heart. She stared at Victoria in disbelief, her eyes pleading for understanding, but Victoria's expression remained hardened by betrayal.
"I wish you were never my sister," Victoria's voice trembled with raw emotion as she spoke, her words heavy with hurt. "I want you to disappear from my life and never show your face to me again."
Emma's breath caught in her throat, her world crumbling around her. "Vi..." she started, but Victoria's next words cut through the air like a knife. "Get out!" Victoria yelled, her voice echoing with anguish and rage.
Emma staggered back, her eyes darting around the garden. Faces once familiar now regarded her with a mix of hatred, disgust, and pity. The weight of their judgment pressed down on her shoulders, a silent condemnation that she could not bear.
Desperate for any sign of mercy, Emma turned towards Victoria, silently pleading for her sister to retract her words, to offer a shred of forgiveness. But Victoria's gaze remained cold and unforgiving, her resolve unyielding.
"Do you want me to have the guards throw you out?" Victoria's voice cut through Emma's thoughts like a blade. The finality in her words pierced Emma's heart, leaving her no choice but to accept the harsh reality of her sister's rejection.
Emma took one last look at Victoria, her eyes filled with unspoken sorrow and regret. With a heavy heart, she turned away, her steps faltering as she glanced back at the burning manor. Memories of laughter, love, and warmth flooded her mind, intensifying her anguish until she could no longer contain her grief.
Tears streamed down Emma's cheeks as she ran from the garden, each step carrying her further from the only home she had ever known. Her heart shattered into a million pieces, leaving behind a void that echoed with the pain of loss and the bitter taste of regret.