The Seven Witches. Unordinary beings, each one wielding an authority strong enough to shape the world.
They say a single point of their finger can reduce entire kingdoms to ashes.
They say their words can curse the land, turning fields barren and rivers dry.
They say the witches are the reason the monsters known as Darkness plague the earth, spreading fear wherever they go.
They say their existence is a curse upon humanity.
But one day, a group of brave souls rose from the ranks of humanity. A party known as the Heroes. They swore to vanquish the witches, to rid the world of their tyranny, and to free humanity from their grasp.
That's… the story most humans know.
*Gasp Gasp*
"I see her! Kill her! Witches shouldn't be able to use their powers now! Now's our chance!"
A shout rings out from behind, cold and full of malice, the voice of people trying to finish us. I push myself harder, my legs burning, but the exhaustion is no match for the fear creeping up on me pushing me forward through the thick trees and uneven ground.
The cold night air fills my lungs with every desperate breath. As I sprint through the dense forest, my heart pounds painfully, tears blur my vision, branches snag at my clothes, scratching my arms, but I can't stop.
"Huff—huff—! AH-!"
I stumble on a root and crash on the ground. My legs gave out and I can barely stand, completely drained.
"There's nowhere to run now, witch…"
I glance up, catching my breath. An armored man with bright red hair stands a few steps away, his sword dripping with blood. He looks at me with cold, unfeeling eyes.
"Ugh…" I tried to stand, but my legs wouldn't budge, like they were weighed down.
"It will end here."
*Clang!* The sharp sound of metal fills the air as someone steps in to protect me from the incoming attack.
"Sister!!" My eyes widen as I turn to see who saved me. It's one of my sisters, injured and exhausted, but her eyes still shine brightly, driving away despair.
"Who says it will end here? Don't decide things on your own!" she taunts him, her voice full of defiance.
Her hand glows, and a large magic circle flickers to life, unstable and unpredictable. Without warning, it explodes between us.
*Boom!*
The ground shakes as the explosion rips through the battlefield, sending dust and debris flying in every direction. In the brief moment, with a split-second chance to escape, my sister lifted me off my feet and ran with impossible speed..
*Swoosh*
Even in her weakened state, she moves with urgency, ignoring her wounds. My heart races as my eyes lock with the hero's—cold and merciless.
"Sister! What about the others?!" I cry, my voice breaking. My sister says nothing, continuing to run despite her injuries and bloodstained clothes while carrying me. Tears blur my vision as the thought crosses into my mind—it might already be too late.
"Sister!" I scream again, she comes to a sudden halt, gently putting me down in the midst of the large trees.
"Rubielle, listen to me…" she says, her voice calm despite the pain. Her eyes, filled with resolve, lock onto mine. "It's not too late for you."
"B-but.. t-the others…" I anxiously ask, but she presses a bundle into my hands.
"Take this."
I look down, and my heart shatters. Six cores—six radiant orbs, pulsing faintly. They're the hearts of my sisters.
"Take them, Rubielle. Don't let them take these from you."
*Crack*
Her body begins to crack, pieces of her crumbling like glass.
"You have to escape!" she says urgently, pointing to a crack in the sky—a tear that glows unstably, flickering with crackling energy that may close at any moment. "Run! Now! Before he catches you!"
"B-but…! I dont want to go alone!" I cry, clutching the cores as tears stream down my face. But she smiles even with her form barely holding together.
"Rubielle, we're always with you… Now go!"
With one desperate push of magic, I launch myself to the sky, toward the portal that shows nothing but the unknown on the other side. My heart aches as I glance back one last time, seeing my sister fall apart...
*Slash!*
A sudden searing pain rips through my back.
"ACK-!" A scream escapes from my throat. I quickly turned around, locking eyes with him. It's him. His sword gleams crimson in the moonlight, with the same cold merciless gaze.
Filled with anger and frustration, I pour every ounce of my remaining strength into one final spell."DAMN YOU ALL, HEROES!" I roar. A shockwave of magic bursts,sending him flying backwards.
The force propels me into the portal with its unstable energy crackling.
As the world around me warps and twists, my vision fades. The last thing I feel is the weight of exhaustion dragging me down.
I lose consciousness as I fall into the unknown, drifting through the portal that leads me to the unknown.
POV Switch
"Go! Go! Hey, top lane! What are you guys doing?! Ugh!"
Another defeat. I sigh in annoyance, leaning back in my chair. What a bunch of noobs. I glance at the clock, surprised to see it's already past midnight. I didn't even realize how late it had gotten.
"Haa… guess I'll head to the convenience store. Need a break anyway."
I went to the nearby convenience store and grabbed what I consider 'dinner'—chips, a sandwich, noodles, and a drink.
"Thank you for coming," the clerk says as I pay for my snacks.
Walking back, I scroll through my phone and see a post: "Meteor shower expected tonight. Make a wish!"
I roll my eyes. "Wishing on stars? That's for kids…"
But still, I glance up at the sky, it would be cool if it's visible from here. The night is clear, full of twinkling stars.
Suddenly, a multiple streak of light cuts through the sky. At first, I thought it's the meteor from the post, but then I saw it's something more. One of the llight grows brighter, larger, until I realize… it's not a meteor.
It's… a person.
A girl, with silver hair glowing under the moonlight. She looks so out of place, yet captivating in an unfamiliar way. At that moment, I couldn't look away. Her presence enchanted me—like a witch from another world…