The unexplained Reality

WAYNE'S POV
The witch's eyes glistened as a smile suddenly formed on her face, and then a dry chuckle erupted from her lips. “Wolf, I will not say much, but do you not think it would be really drastic if your first brother is suddenly bedridden? I am sure his greatest fear would ensue at that, and I also fear your last brother would be depressed if he finds out that what he relies so much on is no more. At least if you do not think for yourself, think for the people around you. I am warning you for the last time.”

 

     That was all that happened before I slowly opened my eyes to reality. It was just a short sleep, but a lot has happened in it. I calmly uncrossed my legs and got out of bed, my eyes squinting the moment it made contact with the sunrays.

 

     The Castle was as calm as a cemetery when I stepped out to the hallway, and I wondered how everything just changed in probably an hour. I was so sure that there was quite some noise around the environment before I fell asleep.

 

     I made my way to the Throne hall, but aside from the men who guarded the door, I found it empty as well. Except that, two Chiefs now walked in, shaking their heads. They were not aware of my presence as they instructed the guards not to let anyone come into the hall.

 

     I hurried to them when they attempted to leave. “We gathered the people at the temple to pray,” one of them replied when I asked. “I am afraid there is now a curse on the Lordship of Coral shore,” The other said.

 

     “Where is my brother at?” I asked anxiously and they both exchanged glances, and then shook their heads at me.

   

     “I suggest you follow us to the temple, my Lord.”

 

     Twaddle! I immediately turned around and ran my way up the stairs, headed for Lucerne's room -- not even minding my own running speed. I found my brother in an unexplainable situation when I hurled the guards out of the way and barged into the room. He lay still on his bed, just the way my Father laid. It did not seem like he breathed either.


     “Lu-lucerne?” I called with a croaky voice; it barely even came out in a whisper. I wanted to run to my brother's side, hold his hands and call for him to wake up, but I could not even move; I was too shocked to do so. What happened to Lucerne? I swore he was just fine when I saw him at the announcement. Even if he looked sick, at least not close to this.

 

     My legs moved slowly to stand beside his bed, my eyes squinting to stare at his face. What happened, was it the witch, what did she do? I did not know how to react, but I crouched to take a closer look at my brother. He did not seem to be affected by the demons-bane poison because his skin looked just normal. However, he did not look dead, but it seemed like he could not wake up either.

 

     I could not cry; I did not want to cry. My tear gland had suddenly run out of tears and none could trickle down my stinging eyes. My palms cupped my face to warm it up as I quickly exited the room. I was all alone now― first Father, then Damien, and now Lucerne. I wished any of them were here. I regretted not telling them the full details of what had been happening to me. Then, I would have gotten some advice or help. Now they were all gone and I was left confused at what to do.

 

     I knew the witch still had some plans cooked up, I was sure of it. If I do not do as she asked, then Coral shore will suffer lots of it and innocent ones will perish. I reached my room and got inside without a second thought.

 

     I found someone sitting comfortably on my bed, legs crossed as she faced the door. It did not take me a moment to realize it was the precarious witch. Her eyes were on me, a smile stretching her lips, yet the smile never reached her eyes.

 

     “What are you doing here?” I growled, my hands immediately fisting by my sides. She looked down at them and gave a toothy smirk.

 

     “Do not give me an Alpha-male attitude, come on!” She spurted and reached out to pick up the open ‘U-turn from Myths’ book, which still lay on the bed. She lifted the book to her face and slowly opened the pages with her well-manicured, slim fingers.

 

     I watched her as she took a while before bringing down the book. “This writer is insane. Amongst all creatures in history, he only had to exempt the witches. What a waste of time!” She seethed and flung the book across the room, I swore it marred the already half-damaged cover. My fists balled the more, and I ignored the pain that coursed through my hands.  

 

     “I thought by now you should be diving into the world of witches to find out petty details of their strengths and weaknesses. I thought you would want a way to fight me back. But it is a relief…” The witch sighed aloud, “…that you are not into it,” She concluded, looking up at me with the toothy smirk still playing on her face.

 

     Honestly, when she was yet to come out physically, when she still tormented me so badly at nights and had me screaming in my head, I longed to see who she really was. However, since she killed Father, and now seeing her disgusting attitude, I think I will be forced to chop off her head and feed it to the vultures!

 

     “You are so despicable, witch!” I seethed, taking two steps to her. She sprang up and placed her palm on my chest, stopping me from approaching further.

 

     “First of all,” she whispered, “My name is Phyllis, and not 'witch'. Secondly, you should not blame me for what happened to your brothers because you are the cause in two ways.”

 

     I swatted her hand off me and looked her in the eyes. Our eyes locked; mine was probably fierce, hers was extremely cold that one would not even think that she was currently smiling by merely looking at her Eyes. Peering at her face, I could see now that indeed her features looked soft, only exempting her eyes. She still had the rune though.

 

     I suddenly backed away, turning around to face the door instead. She must have noticed that I hesitated fighting her. “Last time you did, I remembered your brothers turned out to be your Knights in shining armor,” She reminded. “Sadly, they are no longer here.”

 

     “Just shut up and leave!” I closed my eyes, hoping this Phyllis of a girl would just disappear forever and leave me alone to myself. I heard her breathe out loudly as her steps resounded in my ears; she must be coming to me, whatever!

 

     “I did nothing to your brothers; you are the one who affected them. You obviously did not realize that I casted a spell on your skin. Since they touched you, they will get a share of your foolishness. Between, if you had just listened to me, this would not have been necessary,” She said smoothly and realization dawned on me. She did cast a spell! Had I known, I would have been more careful, now I have endangered my brothers' lives.

 

     I turned around, facing her. The determined look on her face told me that she was not any bit ready to lift the spell until I did what she wanted. I had no choice. I would just have to give in.

 

     I looked up at the ceiling, my palms fisting beside me. Father, Mother, Brother, I am sorry, but I have to do this. If it will save Lucerne, save Damien, save the Shore, then I am ready. I just hope that my decision will not come back to me in the future. I faced down and glared at the witch. “You must first promise that you will leave the Shore alone and lift the spell.”

 

     Phyllis smiled, “I am not known for going back on my word.”

     “Then I am all yours, do to me as you wish,” I said reluctantly, hoping all these would end here.

 

     A look of satisfaction spread across Phyllis’ face as the smile left it, her eyes turning colder than it was before. “I am taking you to Waterfalls, but until you do as I say and all that has been settled, the spell will remain. However, if you go back on your word, your brothers will stay as they are forever, and the Shore will go down,” She stated coldly.

 

     A feeling of fear coursed through me and sent chills down to my spine. I hugged myself, my hands feeling the Goosebumps that had just seeped through my skin. Something about this woman before me instilled in me a fear I could not comprehend, and those eyes of hers…

                                                                                                                                                                                   

     She smirked, tilting her head to her side, “You do not need anything here. Just follow me,” She instructed and I was not mistaken, I saw her vale orbs shortly flash silver before she turned around to face the window.