That afternoon, the air felt fresh with a gentle breeze brushing against their faces. However, the two messengers dressed in black paid no attention to such trivial matters. There were far more important things than enjoying the wind's caress. They walked briskly under the blazing sun, stopping in front of a white-painted door. They carried news that could no longer be delayed. With hopeful hearts, they knocked on the door before them.
The door opened, revealing Seraphina Marquez, the strongest white witch. Her sharp, knowing eyes immediately caught sight of the letter they held. A letter sealed with red wax, still intact.
"We bring a message from your friend, Miss Marquez. They wish for you to read this at once," one of them said. Her expression shifted slightly—surprised, yet not entirely unexpecting this to come so soon.
Seraphina accepted the letter carefully, breaking the seal while keeping them at the door. The witch knew one of them was not a guest she should invite inside. After reading the first few lines, her expression changed. Concern flickered across her face, but a subtle relief hid beneath it.
"This news came faster than I expected! It seems our prophecy was correct," Seraphina said humbly, unwilling to let arrogance cloud her judgment. Such an attitude would only bring her harm. She met the messengers' gaze with a meaningful look. "Exactly as we predicted."
One of them closed his eyes and nodded slightly, refraining from saying much. Seraphina fell silent for a moment, reading further, and a faint but hopeful smile crept across her lips.
"This is a sign. There is no denying it." She then turned to the two messengers. "We must leave now. Before night truly falls, we have to reach them as soon as possible."
The two felt relieved that Seraphina acted swiftly. "We are ready to leave at any time, Miss. It's better if we discuss things in the car."
Seraphina had no desire to waste time. Quickly, she stepped toward the stairs, her voice echoing in the quiet of her home. "Wait here," she said without looking back. "I need to gather a few things we'll need. I have already prepared for this! We cannot be late!"
They knew that every word from Seraphina's lips was a carefully considered decision. There was no time to waste energy. Especially since she had foreseen this. No further pleasantries were necessary.
After a brief moment, Seraphina reappeared. Now, she wore a long black coat over her dark robe, embroidered with glistening silver threads—the symbol of her powers as a witch. In her hand, she carried a small bag filled with ritual items and potions needed for their journey.
In the center of the room, before leaving, she cast a spell of protection over herself and the home she left behind. "Everything is ready," said Seraphina, her eyes shining with determination. "Let's go now." She swiftly entered the car that would take her to her friend.
Seraphina stood at the end of the path leading into the forest, her eyes fixed on the dark trail illuminated only by the faint light of the moon, shyly peeking through the clouds. The forest surrounded the orphanage hidden within—a place that would shelter the small figure from the outside world, far from dangers that could complicate or even destroy her.
Seraphina took a deep breath, feeling the heavy weight in her heart. Each step toward the entrance was filled with regret, sacrifice, and sorrow. But she knew this was the choice she had to make. Nothing was more important than her safety, even if it meant leaving the little girl alone.
~~~
At the entrance, beneath the shade of towering trees that stood like silent sentinels, stood a married couple familiar to her. Elysia and Alistair Hyuth, her dearest friends. Though their expressions were stern, their eyes betrayed the restlessness, exhaustion, and unspoken sorrow within them. They already knew this was their final farewell to their daughter, Selina—the reincarnation of their previous child, Lunar Celestine Feva.
Seraphina stepped forward, the sound of her footsteps vanishing into the thick night fog. Her heart pounded, but she faced it with determination on her face. As she approached, Elysia turned, and her face immediately lit with a look full of emotion.
"Seraphina..." Elysia called, her voice hoarse. She gazed at her friend, her eyes brimming with doubt, questions, and hope.
She knew that whatever happened tonight, this was an unavoidable step. There was no choice but to protect her child.
Seraphina nodded gently, her voice low as she spoke. "I know, Elysia. I know. We don't have much time. The night grows deeper, and we must do this now. This is the right time to hide her! Your daughter is a gift from the universe—one we must protect."
Alistair stood beside Elysia, his gaze fixed on Seraphina, unable to conceal his anxiety. "Seraphina... is this truly right? Is this the right decision? To send her away... so far from us?"
Seraphina met her friend's eyes with understanding. She knew that every word she uttered would lead to a burden of guilt that would haunt them for the rest of their lives. "It's the only way to keep her safe, Alistair. We all know her powers are too dangerous. If she stays out there, danger will find her. Only by hiding her here will she be safe."
Elysia closed her eyes for a moment, holding back tears she could no longer contain. "We just want her to be safe and happy, Seraphina. But why must it be like this? Why can't we raise her like any other child? Too much is at stake."
Seraphina looked at them with a soft yet resolute gaze. "There's nothing ordinary about your daughter, Elysia. No one knows what could happen if she remains outside. I will ensure she's safe. She will live happily. Trust me, I don't want this either. This orphanage is the farthest place from danger. They will care for her well, even if she never knows who she truly is."
Once more, Elysia kissed Selina's forehead with love, tears streaming down her face. "I hope one day, she knows how much we love her."
Seraphina felt the same weight in her heart, but she knew her task was not yet done. "I will cast the final seal. With the power she holds, no one will be able to find her. Selina will grow freely, even if it means she won't remember who she is. This is the best way to protect her."
Alistair nodded, his voice heavy, betraying the strain in his heart. "We... are ready. I will do anything to keep her safe. Do what you must, Seraphina. There's no more time."
Carefully, Seraphina led the couple toward the orphanage hidden within the forest. The path narrowed, overgrown with bushes and wild trees. The air grew quieter, the only sound being the rustle of the wind through the leaves.
They arrived at the orphanage gates, buried among the trees. The building seemed like part of nature, a place isolated from the outside world. Seraphina paused briefly, gazing at the orphanage that awaited their arrival. Swiftly, she raised her right hand, summoning the magic she had long prepared. The gate creaked open slowly, and they stepped inside.
With a heavy heart, Seraphina knelt by the baby's basket, her right hand holding a wand made of dark black wood. As she began chanting a spell, a dark aura enveloped the child, as if wrapping her in a powerful protective layer.
"For her sake, and her protection," Seraphina said with a heavy voice, full of sacrifice.
"By the darkened veil of night. With the shadows cloaked in silent flight. We seal the past, the present, and the future tight. Erase the traces from all sight. Memories fade, powers cease. Until the time of your release. Let no soul, no eye, no breath. Know the path that leads to death. Until the destined moment true. When all shall be remembered, and the seal shall undo."
The words echoed into the silent night, each syllable radiating a soft light that gradually faded as the spell reached its peak. The beautiful baby, unaware of what was happening, remained peacefully asleep. The dark aura surrounding her formed an invisible shield, wrapping her small body in warmth.
Each time Seraphina chanted, her wand glowed faintly, as if surrendering its power to the darkness of the night. The protective aura slowly merged with the baby, enveloping her like a soft membrane protecting life in a mother's womb.
The sky, once filled with stars, began to dim, as if pausing to witness the great power now bound to the child. The universe seemed to hold its breath, feeling the immense force now tied to her.
With one final, decisive motion, Seraphina pressed her wand's tip into the ground. A burst of blinding black light spread in all directions, piercing the darkness of the night. The aura surrounding the child thickened, erasing all traces of the past and concealing her powers from the outside world.
As the black light faded, only silence remained. The night returned to its stillness, wrapping them in deep secrecy, as if everything had vanished without a trace.
Seraphina rose, her body trembling, eyes fixed on the baby now protected in peaceful slumber. Tears slid down her face, marking the profound regret she felt. "I hope you can forgive us, Selina. Especially your parents," she whispered softly, her voice lost to the cold night breeze. "One day, may you find your path. Follow your heart, dear. It will always guide you, even when we are no longer by your side."
Slowly, Seraphina withdrew from the basket, her steps heavy, as if each movement bore an increasing burden. She stepped back until the shadows of night swallowed her. Before long, the couple followed her steps, disappearing into the same darkness. They did not look back, nor speak a word. Only unspoken feelings—hopes they hid from the world.
In the basket, the baby remained in peaceful sleep, untouched by the events that had just unfolded. The world around her grew silent, as if erasing all traces that once existed.
***