The moon was hidden behind a veil of clouds as Seraphina stepped cautiously into the forest that night, her cloak pulled tightly around her. The weight of her decision pressed heavily on her chest, but curiosity—and something deeper—drove her forward. The encounter with Damian haunted her, his words replaying in her mind.
The curse isn't just a story. It's real.
If there was even a shred of truth to what he'd said, she needed to know. The elders' warnings about Noctis had always been absolute, but they had never explained the curse beyond its vague connection to the covens' feud.
As she moved deeper into the woods, her magic hummed faintly at her fingertips, a protective spell ready in case of danger. She approached the Elder Willow at the boundary and hesitated, the invisible line separating Auria and Noctis magic palpable in the air. It was like stepping into a colder, darker world, one where the shadows seemed alive.
Taking a deep breath, she crossed the line.
The forest grew eerily silent, the usual chirping of crickets replaced by an unsettling stillness. She pushed forward, her boots crunching softly against the leaf-strewn path. The pull she had felt before returned, an intangible force guiding her deeper into forbidden territory.
Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw a flicker of movement.
"Looking for someone?" a familiar voice drawled.
Seraphina spun around, her heart racing. Damian stepped out from the shadows, his amber eyes glinting in the faint moonlight.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded, though the steadiness of her voice surprised even her.
He raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of amusement and suspicion. "I could ask you the same thing, little witch. Didn't I warn you to stay away?"
"I need answers," she said, standing her ground.
Damian tilted his head, his gaze scrutinizing. "Answers? About what?"
"The curse," she replied, her voice firm. "You said it was real. That it's waiting for someone to trigger it. What did you mean?"
For a moment, he didn't respond, his expression unreadable. Then he sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "You're either very brave or very foolish."
"Maybe both," she countered, lifting her chin.
A hint of a smirk tugged at his lips. "The curse isn't just a story to keep the covens apart. It's a living thing, tied to this land. It feeds on hatred, on fear. Every act of aggression between Auria and Noctis strengthens it."
Seraphina frowned. "If that's true, why haven't the elders done anything to stop it?"
"Because the curse isn't some spell you can break with a wave of your hand," Damian said, his tone darkening. "It's woven into the fabric of our magic, a punishment for the sins of the past."
"Punishment?" she echoed, her curiosity piqued.
Damian hesitated, as if debating whether to tell her more. "There was a betrayal long ago," he finally said. "Two witches, one from each coven, tried to unite their people. But their love was seen as a threat, and both covens turned against them. They were executed, and their deaths unleashed the curse."
Seraphina's heart sank. The story felt painfully familiar, like the tragedies whispered in Auria's darkest legends. "How do you know this?"
"Because my family has guarded the truth for generations," Damian said, his voice heavy with the weight of the revelation. "But the elders on both sides refuse to listen. They cling to their hatred because it's easier than facing the truth."
Seraphina stared at him, the pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place. If the curse fed on hatred, then the only way to weaken it would be to forge peace between the covens. But how could she accomplish such a thing when centuries of animosity stood in the way?
"Why are you telling me this?" she asked, her voice soft.
"Because you're the first Auria witch I've met who doesn't seem blinded by that hatred," Damian replied, his amber eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. "And because…" He paused, his expression conflicted.
"Because what?" she pressed.
He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Because I don't want to see history repeat itself."
The air between them grew thick with unspoken words, the forest around them fading into the background. Seraphina's heart pounded as she searched his face for answers, for reassurance.
"I need to know more," she said finally. "If there's a way to stop this curse, I want to help."
Damian shook his head, his expression shadowed. "You don't know what you're asking for. If the elders find out—"
"They won't," she interrupted, her determination outweighing her fear. "But you have to trust me."
For a long moment, he was silent, his gaze searching hers. Then he nodded slowly. "Meet me tomorrow night at the lake. There's something you need to see."
Before she could respond, he melted back into the shadows, leaving her alone once again.
The following day passed in a blur, Seraphina going through the motions of her tasks while her mind remained fixated on Damian's words. Lila noticed her distraction but didn't press, though her concerned glances spoke volumes.
As night fell, Seraphina found herself standing at the edge of the lake, its surface shimmering under the moonlight. The air was cool and still, the faint scent of pine and damp earth surrounding her.
Damian appeared as if summoned by her thoughts, his presence as commanding as ever. He carried a small, ornate box, its surface etched with runes that seemed to glow faintly.
"What's that?" she asked as he approached.
"An artifact," he said, holding the box carefully. "It's been in my family for generations, passed down from the witches who tried to unite the covens. Inside is the key to understanding the curse."
Seraphina's breath hitched. "Why are you showing me this?"
"Because if anyone has a chance of breaking the curse, it's you," Damian said, his voice solemn.
Before she could respond, he opened the box. A soft golden light spilled out, illuminating the runes carved into its interior. Inside was a shard of crystal, its surface fractured yet glowing with an otherworldly energy.
"This is a fragment of the original spell," Damian explained. "It holds the memory of the curse's creation. But unlocking its secrets requires both Auria and Noctis magic."
Seraphina's gaze shifted from the crystal to Damian, her mind racing. "You mean… we'd have to work together?"
He nodded. "It won't be easy. The curse will fight back, and the elders won't make this simple for us. But if we don't try…"
He didn't need to finish the sentence. The weight of their task hung heavy in the air.
"I'm in," Seraphina said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling within her.
Damian's expression softened, a flicker of hope breaking through his guarded demeanor. "Then we'd better get started."
Together, they knelt by the lake, the crystal between them glowing brighter as their magic intertwined. For the first time, the boundaries between Auria and Noctis began to blur, and the whispers of the curse grew louder, promising both danger and possibility.
Seraphina's heart raced—not from fear, but from the certainty that she and Damian were bound by more than just their shared magic. They were bound by fate.