《Fina and the Original Sin》 Prologue: The night the thread didnt cut Clouds of thunder had filled the sky, raindrops showering down upon the forest below. It was a heavy rain, easily penetrating the canopy of the trees. A worn out and tattered carriage clattered across the water-stricken forest road, the horse pulling it drenched to the bone from the rain. It looked weary after pulling its load for such a long time, yet the driver seemed to not care in the slightest. Instead, the decrepit old man who drove the coach was urging the horse ever faster, the fear of death reflected in his eyes. The horse knew what was required of it, and wished to fulfill that request, but the poor beast had already acknowledged its fate to die. The growls from the woods surrounding the coach only stoked that notion. They had been running at top speed for hours now, hoping to reach the next town before it was too late. While the rain had dampened their pursuers¡¯ approach, it only hindered the coach¡¯s progress. The mud formed from the downpour often stopped the carriage in its tracks, while the raindrops themselves hindered the driver¡¯s already declining vision. All of that coupled with the pre-existent wear and tear was enough to make any normal driver break under the pressure. But the driver, although shivering in fear, stayed resolute in their task, regardless of the terror the products behind him exhibited. He was experienced in this trade, and while he wasn¡¯t proud of his job, he did find pride in his ability to perform his task well. That stalwart pride then broke, as a brilliant flash of lightning filled the forest road, blinding its inhabitants. As the thunder soon followed, the illuminated forms in the back of the wagon shivered and hugged each other, fearing for their lives. The dread in their hearts multiplied by the loud thud that broke through the pitter patter of the rain. The horse¡¯s heart had stopped, the lightning being the weight upon the scale tipping towards death. The carriage and its inhabitants stood stock still, but the carriage''s pursuers did not. The old man was the first to notice the enclosing forms as he raised his lantern, and although his hope of survival had been lost, he knew there was no way out but to fight. The town guards would not save him, so he could only rely on himself. He drew a dagger from his coat, its brown sheath looking almost crimson under the lantern light. He sighed, tears forming in his eyes. He didn¡¯t want to die, but the reality of it all was whispering to him; those whispers of which he wanted to hear the least. This was the end for him, or so it would seem. ¡°Maybe, just maybe, this is not but karma¡­¡± He looked behind him once more, giving a silent prayer for the children who resided there. If they managed to survive, their lives would be far better than if the carriage hadn¡¯t stopped. With that, the old man hobbled down from the carriage towards the wolves, drawn dagger in hand. The sound of his footsteps faded; That was the last time he was seen alive. A girl sat weakly in the furthest corner of the carriage. Her bone¨Cwhite hair was stained with dirt and sweat, and her pale skin was covered in bruises and lesions. She wore tattered clothes made from a sack, and even then the clothes were too big for her. She could have been no more than eight years of age, yet that is not certain. Malnurishment showed as her skin stuck to her bones. She lacked nearly any muscle mass, and fat was essentially non-existent on her. It wouldn¡¯t be a stretch to say she was just skin and bones, nor was it to call her a living skeleton. She was undoubtedly on death¡¯s door, practically knocking on it at this point. The worst part was that her eyes clearly showed she understood her situation, as despite being two different colored orbs, they shone dully. She had accepted her fate. She understood what was happening outside what she could see. The other kids in the carriage were almost just like her, with minor exceptions. They still were brimming with life and vitality. They thought this was their chance to escape¡­ such fools they were. In particular, a boy with burning red hair and flame-like eyes stood amongst the mass of approximately twenty kids. His passion for freedom had burned strong ever since his capture, not even the collar around his neck could keep him down. Oh, had I forgotten to mention that? Yes, every child in the carriage was wearing a collar made of some sort of metal. Engraved upon it were symbols unknown to the girl, but she could feel its power. It made its wearer subservient and docile¡­ usually. The Boy, who called himself Keaton, exhibited a wild level of emotion uncontrolled by what he wore. That enthusiasm even spurred the other children into action¡­ well all except two. These two included the aforementioned death bound girl in the corner, and another slightly older girl. This older girl was the one who had kept order in the group since they had been gathered together. By all of those around her, she was called Big Sis. She opposed the notion of escape, knowing that they would probably all die to the wolves outside, or so the girl in the corner thought. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. ¡°Big Sis!¡± The boy named Keaton cried. He held his hand out to the older girl, who just looked at him in pity. ¡°Come with us, we can escape together!¡± He put his fist to his chest, a pose that inspired confidence from those around him. He truly was not scared in the slightest. Big Sis just shook her head to his request though. Although she knew he was right, *they* could escape¡­ but not everyone could. ¡°What about Tina? Keaton, do you think we can all really escape?¡± Big Sis grimly smiled. She knew what they thought, all of them. They were going to use the poor, barely alive, girl as bait. It¡¯s what she would do herself, if her conscience allowed it. But she couldn¡¯t accept it. ¡°If she wants to come as well, that¡¯s fine!¡± Keaton claimed with a dashing smile. He truly had planned for everyone making it out. ¡°But does Miss Doll even want to escape? She hasn¡¯t moved in a while¡­¡± They stared at the girl who sat in the corner, her glazed eyes stared back. She barely had the energy to stay conscious, let alone move. Barely, to the point that it seemed like a flicker of the light, her head shook, saying no. The howls of the wolves rang through the rainy night, indicating the time to make a choice had come. ¡°Please, come with us!¡± Keaton cried to the older girl, who hung her head in dismay. But it soon raised back up, her eyes filled with determination. ¡°I will stay. I want to protect her¡­ even if that dooms me to death.¡± the one called big sis smiled, her eyes filled with tears. All of the children around Keaton teared up as well, they knew this was farewell. As the howls got closer, the children led by Keaton steeled their resolve. With one final wave, they were swallowed by the rain and the mist. The girl in the corner had watched it all. She was confused by the exchange, as she could not understand why the older girl had wished to stay, dooming her to die. Big Sis had been protective of her since the start, often sharing her meager food supply with the death-bound girl. To Tina, it made little sense why, as she herself wanted to die. Yet, this girl persistently kept talking with her, sharing with her, and protecting her. After all this time, she felt like Big Sis was truly a sister to her, and that made her all the more confused and worried as that sister chose to stay behind. As the others left, Tina watched with her dead eyes. She wanted to tell Big Sis to go with them, but she couldn¡¯t speak, her throat had seen little use in the recent years. She could only wait¡­ and wait. The howls got closer, till she could even hear the footfalls of the beasts through the rickety wood walls. Big Sis had crawled over to the corner, and had embraced Tina. Her body was shaking in fear, the fear of death which Tina had accepted long ago. Yet the warm embrace stirred something inside Tina, and she felt fear for the first time in a long while. Not fear for herself, but fear for her sister. Using every muscle in her body, she hugged her sister back, hoping it would bring some sort of safety to the one she wanted to protect. Claws upon wood could be heard, they had made it into the carriage. She could feel the vibrations of the footsteps through her body. This was it, the end of it all. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everything will be okay¡­ Just live for me¡­¡± Sis patted Tina¡¯s head, trying to calm down the trembling figure in her grasp. The sound of teeth cutting through skin, a warm pool of liquid leaking out from Sis¡¯s stomach area, and the feeling of a body falling on top of her. That was all Tina could understand at that moment. She looked at the figure in front of her, a brilliant emerald green aura started to envelop the body. Tina looked at her hands, which were covered in a dark red substance, looking almost black in the night. ¡°Si- Sis? Wake up¡­¡± She murmured, hearing the footfalls of wolves getting closer. Life had been brought back to her eyes as a feeling enveloped her. She did not want to die, not when her life had been saved by someone she cherished. Something compacted itself inside of her heart. It was anger, it was grief, it was hope, it was a hurricane of emotions. She saw the wolves creep closer, and one lunged. With this feeling inside of her, she yelled, ¡°STAY! AWAY!¡± Everything faded to black, as a bright light filled the forest once more. A woman dressed in a long dress and a pointy, wide brimmed hat stood before a wrecked carriage. She had heard the scream, and quickly found the source, a rickety wagon stuck in the muck. She picked her way through the bodies of the kids, weaving to the opening in the back. On the floor of the wagon lay the bodies of five wolves and a girl, all bloodied and mutilated. Upon inspecting the carnage, she pulled out a bottle. That bottle was opened and closed in quick succession, something intangible flying into it. After that, the woman approached the body of the girl, and looked beneath it. There lay a fragile girl who still breathed; she was battered and bruised, yet she still lived. The woman smiled, and with a flick of a small piece of wood, the body rose. Without a shred of surprise, the woman walked away, the floating body following behind. Chapter 1: A Pact with a Doll It was bright¡­ and then it was dark. No, that doesn¡¯t express what happened correctly. I still remember it all, so maybe I should start from there. My body hurt all over, blood covering my arms that wrapped around the figure on top of me. I held her there, her body was cold, somehow colder than the rain itself. Even though the lantern had been extinguished, I could see her every pore, every cut, every speck of blood. My head felt fuzzy just looking at her, yet I couldn¡¯t look away. I wanted to do something, but my body didn¡¯t respond¡­ why? A primal fear had grown to power within my body, it sapped the strength from any possible movement. My heart ached, my lungs burned, and I felt like I was about to vomit, yet I still couldn¡¯t move. Crunch, Crunch. My breath stilled as the sounds of footsteps scattered through the wagon¡¯s wall. I wanted to run. I wanted to hide. I wanted to do anything to get away from the situation, but my body refused. No, I couldn¡¯t give up, not after¡­ My eyes froze as they latched on to Sis¡¯s body, who laid still and white as death, her blood staining her clothes. Unconsciously, my hand reached out to that form, yet it stopped just short. Tears welled, their tracks burning upon my frigid skin. There was nothing I could do to save her, and there wasn¡¯t a single chance of me saving myself. The perception of fear faded, my head turning ever fuzzier. Thoughts were harder to muster while my senses dulled. Wha- What was happening? Normally a feeling of urgency should overwhelm me in that situation, but it never came. Instead, a gnawing dread took its place. That was when I noticed it. Everything had stopped. Whether it was sound, smell, or even touch, I stopped perceiving it. The raindrops themselves floated mid-fall, almost gleaming in the faint moonlight. Yet that mattered little, as they soon disappeared, an inky darkness creeping within my field of vision. It started within the corners of my eyes, to the point that I could barely even see it, yet those shadows grew. Slowly, they took over, the sight of the forest, then the rain, then the wagon, until finally she had disappeared, leaving me in the depths of nothingness. That was it, darkness exclusively filled my eyes. It left me even more confused and worried than before. That dread only grew as something else manifested. It had simply appeared in the shadows without indication of where it came from. Its form, one that stood about half my height, was erie, a perception of mystery surrounding it. Porcelain skin stood out from its black frilly clothing, with ball joints holding its arms to its body. Crowning its head flowed fluffy gilded hair, a shiny yellow that stood apart from the black surroundings. Its eyes shone gold, an intelligent gaze emanating from them. The most off-putting part of it all was its actions. With the clacking of shoes against a hard flooring, it approached. Its movements were unlike that of a doll; Patterns and rhythms that could only be described as human filled each change in stature. It was studying me it seemed, looking me up and down. My voice failed me, I was so stunned that I couldn¡¯t react in the slightest. After a moment or two passed, the being crept closer, extending one of its porcelain fingers to poke me. As it did so, a shock flew through me, and seemed to stun the doll as well. ¡°Quite interesting,¡± The doll murmured, its lips moving naturally as though its face was flesh. It had a distinctly feminine voice. Her eyes finally stopped examining me, and flicked up to meet mine. She seemed shocked by something she found. ¡°Oh, how dreadful! It is terribly rude to treat a guest like this!¡± She said with a light smile. She tapped one of her feet against the dark floor, the sound resounding through the empty realm. Some sort of energy dissipated from around me, feeling as if ten thousand chains shattered. The sudden freedom of movement was startling, my unsteady feet fell from beneath me bringing me to the ground. With a few more claps, two chairs, a table, and a pile of sweets had come forth. The doll had already sat, and following her lead, I sat as well. ¡°Ah, how long has it been since I have had a guest?¡± She mused, pouring tea into small cups, all of which coming from the void. With that, one of the small porcelain vessels was handed over to me. The liquid¡¯s hue shone a deep crimson, steam rising from its rippled surface. I hesitated to drink the substance, but the glare of the doll persuaded me against my better judgment. It was oddly sweet, with a hint of bitterness. To put it simply, the liquid was delicious! Yet, why did I still feel scared of it? Afterwards, without a word to each other, we sat there for what felt like an hour, just sipping what seemed to be tea. As the doll just stared, it wore me down mentally and emotionally until I broke. ¡°So¡­ Who are you?¡± After all of that brooding, I decided to bluntly ask. Sure the world around me was confusing, but it failed to hold a candle to the mysterious doll. It would be a lie to say it hadn''t been bugging me from the beginning. I was worried she would get annoyed, whether it was from my lack of decorum or just from the question itself, yet she only turned her lips up into a smile and laughed. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. ¡°Rather direct, aren¡¯t you dear?¡± With a laugh and a sigh, she set down her teacup, and looked directly in my eyes. She genuinely seemed bemused, yet her smile did not reach her eyes. ¡°Well, I would always rather entertain a straightforward guest than one who schemes. And since you are oh so cute, I will happily oblige.¡± The doll stood from its seat, walked towards me, and pinched the hem of her dress while descending. I believe it was called a curtsy. ¡°I have been called many names in the past; Whether they be Alice, Pandora, or even The Devil, I respond to all. You may call me however you wish.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t really help,¡± I sighed. ¡°Was that a riddle?¡± ¡°If you believe it to be, that so it shall be,¡± The Doll returned to her prior posture, although she seemed sad. ¡°You will know the truth soon enough, if you seek it that is.¡± She stepped back to her chair, but it disappeared before she could sit, surprising her. ¡°What does that mean?¡± I asked. She was clearly worried, her face twisted into a grimace. Her perfect face quickly shifted back to a smile though, yet I still noticed a hint of urgency in her lips. ¡°Oh, dear, I had hoped we would have a little more time together,¡± She pouted, bringing a finger to her chin. ¡°Then let¡¯s get the formalities started!¡± With a clap of her hands, a piece of paper and a quill manifested before me. Upon the document were letters of some sort, but¡­ well¡­ I couldn¡¯t read. The paper itself was old, and looked as though it was falling apart, yet those letters still shone vibrantly, as if they were freshly written. ¡°I will read it aloud for you, do not worry,¡± She laughed, noticing my concern. ¡°This is a contract. By signing this document, you agree to a condition. This condition is that I may ask two things from you. In return I will help you. How does that sound to you?¡± ¡°May I ask what those two things may be? And what do you mean by help?¡± I responded. The contract¡¯s existence worried me. I had heard tales of demons and devils many times before. They were crafty, and wished only to take souls, the definition of evil. I had never met one before, so I knew not if it was true, yet from pure instinct I could tell the creature before me was a similar being. ¡°Quite cautious,¡± She murmured. ¡°Do not worry, I am not a demon, though that doesn¡¯t say much. The first of what I ask of you is something simple, that of which you do not seem to have much of a use for. That article is your name.¡± ¡°My name?¡± A shiver ran cold to my core. ¡°Yes, your name. The word people use to refer to you, if you will,¡± The doll expanded upon her statement, not that it was necessary. ¡°No, I understand what you said, but why do you want my name?¡± ¡°All in due time my dear, of which I am ashamed to admit we are running out of,¡± The doll pointed to the sky. Cracks had started to run through it, white light in a dark chasm. ¡°There is no reason to be worried my dear. Such a transaction should not be harmful to you, as you seem to lack an attachment to that old thing regardless.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t really understand,¡± It wouldn¡¯t be a lie to say I cared little for my name. Although, what did she mean? How would she take my name? Yet¡­ I had a feeling she meant what she said, so I gulped down my fear. Why not agree? After all, I was curious to find out exactly what she meant. . ¡°I don¡¯t know what this will do, but I accept your terms.¡± ¡°Good, now to explain my help. In the future, you will need the help of something like me. Just by seeing what you are, I know that for certain, though I cannot say more at this moment,¡± I grew even more confused as she explained. Yet when I thought about it, I, a slave who was on death¡¯s door, would need help no matter what happened. My name would be a cheap price for my life, wouldn¡¯t it? ¡°So, what is the second thing?¡± I asked, honestly giving up on figuring it out. ¡°I would like you to be my friend,¡± She looked down, hiding her face, while touching her pointer fingers together. Was she trying to look shy? ¡°Is that all?¡± I wondered, honestly confused. She nodded, and I shrugged my shoulders. My luck up till that day had been terrible, and I knew that my life could only get worse. In my mind, there wasn¡¯t a reason to say no, I might as well gamble everything left, that would be the only way I could live, to fulfill her wish. ¡°Fine. I accept your conditions.¡± ¡°Oh very good, now, prick a finger upon the pen, and let a drop of blood hit the paper,¡± She laughed, happier than ever before. Abandoning my fear and better judgements, I did as she said, slightly flinching as I poked my finger upon the pointed quill. Time seemed to slow as the blood hit the paper, seemingly being absorbed. The world around me cracked, and the contract vanished. Light streamed in, blinding my darkness accustomed eyes. The Doll laughed, as if it was all a hilarious joke. ¡°Well then, let the formalities close.¡± She gave another curtsy, this time her head stayed gazing upon me. ¡°As my contractor, I relinquish my whole being upon you. I am the spirit from another world, one who searches for the truth no matter the cost. I am the one who brings forth the future, yet causes people to delve into the past. The one let out the ailments of the world, yet imprisoned hope. I have killed many beings, yet I have not committed a single murder. ¡®Who Are You?¡¯ is a question I love, for I am made of not but questions, for I am the Spirit of Curiosity. It shall be a pleasure!¡± My eyes were filled with the brilliant light, and I felt something impart itself upon me. Whatever it was filled me with an odd warmth, one of safety¡­ but also worry.Then it was over, and I awoke to a woman and a young man looking at me from above. Chapter 2: A Name not Her Own ¡°Ah, now she wakes,¡± the voice of a man said. It was smooth, with an odd amount of depth to it. Hearing those words, I forced my eyes open to confirm my situation, yet it took a few moments before my senses responded to me. And when they did answer, they responded on their own, taking their time between each.. From my sense of touch, which came back first, I could tell I was embraced by soft objects, reminiscent of a sheep¡¯s wool. My body was significantly relaxed due to that, even if it tensed up after I woke. Secondly, my hearing returned to me the sounds of shuffling, dulled sounds of movements, and some sort of a clink. The fragrant smells of cooked meat, baked bread, and some sort of spice caused my nose to twitch. It was enough to make my dry mouth water. Finally, my eyes unsealed themselves, revealing the world around me. What first came to my attention were the two who stood near me, gazing straight into my eyes. To my right stood a man in an expensive suit, pure black with white tracings at certain edges, one I had only seen the likes of before once, that being when the lord had visited my village. If I remembered correctly, it was worn by the servant of that noble, a butler he was called. Regardless, the man who waited seemed different than how I expected. Lightly tanned skin, without a single blemish to be seen. A face that seemed to be in a constant state of annoyance, with glittering yellow eyes, similar to that of a cat. That face was framed with dark-ash colored hair, of which it was pulled into a loose tail in the back. Even though I didn¡¯t have much to reference from, I knew by most people he would be called handsome. ¡°You know, if you just keep staring at him I would feel jealous~,¡± A wistful young woman¡¯s voice floated to my ears. It nearly sounded like a melody, all due to how soft and soothing it was. That voice had come from the other of the two who were watching me, a woman who was sitting by my feet. Akin to her companion, she too could only be described as breathtaking, at least for a small girl who had seen little of the world. She wore a flowy deep-violet robe, cutting at the legs to provide ease of movement, even if it was a bit excessive in the sensual department. The skin that could be seen there was flawless as well, a healthy white that would make most feel inadequate. Her face too was without fault, brilliant blue eyes framed by low brimmed glasses, soft rose lips that neither stood out nor blended in, and pastel orange hair, so light that it looked almost a dawn-like pink. That hair draped over her shoulder in a loose drill formation, slight curls and twists scattered throughout. Lying by her waist was a large book with a leather cover, her fingers stuck within to serve as a pseud-bookmark. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t particularly mind the staring, but if that is all you do we would not be getting anywhere,¡± She smiled as she studied my actions. It was only then that my mind returned to action, and questions overran my head. ¡°Come, follow me.¡± She requested. After finding a suitable bookmark, her book was set down upon whatever it was that we were sitting on (It was similar to a long bench, yet it was soft like a bed. Peculiar.) and she stood. In a confused daze, as my mind overburdened with questions, I followed simply when she stepped out of the room. This led to what seemed to be a dining room, which was set for two people it seemed. The plates were a white porcelain, surrounded by cutlery made from metal. I had never before seen such expensive tableware, yet it seemed as though it was completely ordinary to the lady. ¡®Maybe she is of high nobility,¡¯ was what I thought. Before I knew it, I had sat down across from the woman, who had rolled up her sleeves as we waited. It seemed as though the man was in fact a servant, for he soon appeared with a trolly, upon which various foods were laid out. Although I didn¡¯t have an appetite before, upon seeing the mouthwatering dishes, my stomach rumbled, eliciting a small chuckle from the lady as I was embarrassed by it. The dishes included sandwiches filled with various items, such as eggs and vegetables, while omelettes and sausages laid to the side. Regardless of my hunger, however, I did not reach for the food; I was watching to see what she would do. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry, the food is not poisoned, Luther wouldn¡¯t dare such an act. So go ahead!¡± She smiled while she explained. Although it seemed she had the wrong idea, I accepted the invitation to eat. Rather, I just couldn¡¯t wait any longer. It was mere seconds before I bit into one of the sandwiches, which seemed to be perfectly seasoned. The grease of the eggs perfectly matched with the fresh vegetables, all complemented by the sweet juice left to drink. I¡­ regretfully admit that I didn¡¯t know how much I ate after that, yet I was pained by my stomach afterwards¡­ ¡°Now that your belly is full, would you mind answering a few questions?¡± After my stomach started to ache, the woman decided to start speaking once more. To be honest, my mind could barely process anything due to the sheer bliss, so I could only answer honestly it seemed¡­ Was that her plan? Regardless, I shook my head without a single shred of hesitation. ¡°Alright then, if you don¡¯t mind, could you tell us how you came to be on that wagon? As well as the events upon it if you can.¡± She placed her elbows upon the table, clasping her hands together as she rested her head upon them. She was staring at me intensely, awaiting my story. Even though I said I wouldn¡¯t mind, that was something I didn¡¯t wish to carelessly reveal. Yet, from how it looks, this woman was the one who saved me, I couldn¡¯t just repay her kindness with distrust! ¡°Alright¡­¡± Sighing, I relinquished my past to her. ¡°Surely you¡¯ve seen this, correct?¡± I lifted the hair that hovered over one of my eyes, revealing the ocean blue orb that lay beneath. It was a different color from my other eye, which was the color of amber. I had learned this was supposedly a sign of evil soon after I was born, one eye being of the gods, while the other of the devils. The saying goes that the eyes were the windows to the soul, yet my eyes showed two different paths. A majority of the people in my village, including my own parents, believed I must either be possessed, or a demon in disguise. Upon hearing this, the woman who sat across from me frowned, her eyes closed as one of her hands started to fiddle with her hair. ¡°So you were an outcast then? From what age?¡± She queried, her eyes still shut. An odd question, one that I couldn¡¯t answer. ¡°How do I tell what my age is?¡± I had never been told my birthday, and I only learned to count by myself; They never taught me anything. Why would they, I was a cursed child after all! ¡°Good grief, they can¡¯t even manage an education with their prejudice¡­¡± The man who was quiet till now murmured; Luther was his name, or so I heard. As the room stood silent afterwards, I assumed the woman wanted me to continue. My mother would constantly berate me, and my father would¡­ well I¡¯d rather not say. My siblings were fine when they were young, but when they grew older they started to act like the adults. I was constantly attacked, lectured, and frightened, to the point where I could barely sleep. Additionally, it seemed I was the shame of my family, and I was never allowed outside. Yet, I thought it must be better out there, so I ran away. That was when I learned what the entire village thought of me. Anything bad that happened was blamed on me. I was a devil, a scoundrel, a girl without a shred of compassion or human decency. That¡¯s what was said. Since I never went outside before, those rumors spread easily among the housewives and men, and were thought of as fact. I hid in the surrounding forest ever since then, at least until they hunted me down. Just the thought of what happened then sent shivers down my spine. ¡°Oh dear, you need not continue if you don¡¯t wish to,¡± the woman¡¯s voice cut through my dark reminiscence. Without me noticing, her hand had reached to my face, wiping away tears I did not know were there. Even if I wished to repay her, it seemed I could say no more. ¡°Oh well, why don¡¯t I change the topic. After all, we haven¡¯t even introduced ourselves yet!¡± The woman stood from her seat, her robe flowing from the movement. It revealed a small, thin piece of wood strapped to her leg, covered in engravings and letters. ¡°My name is Noelle Deru, it is a pleasure to meet you.¡± Stepping beside her, the man had taken his place, and gave a bow. ¡°This man is Luther, my servant. Now, could you tell us yours?¡± Dumbfounded by the sudden formalities, I had frozen. Normally, that would be a simple task, saying my name that is. Yet¡­ I couldn¡¯t remember it. What was it? Slowly, it dawned on me, the pact with the doll. I no longer had a name, at least that was how it seemed. So why did my lips move? Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°Fina,¡± I answered, my body not my own for that one moment. It scared me, although the presence I felt within seemed familiar. ¡°Fina¡­¡± Noelle repeated in a hushed tone, ¡°A wonderful name, at least your parents were nice enough to give you one. I have a terrible naming sense, so if you did not have a name you would not like the results.¡± Noelle promptly sat, a grin across her face. ¡°Now, I believe I have one final question for you. From how it sounds, you have nowhere to go¡­¡± I nodded to her statement, although I hadn¡¯t thought about it until that point. Yet it seemed I didn¡¯t need to wonder, as she finished her thoughts with one question. ¡°How would you like to be my apprentice?¡± Chapter 3: Soul ¡°A-Apprentice?¡± stammering, it took me a second to process what she said. Anyone like me would feel the same; Apprenticeship is our dream, for it guarantees a place to sleep and food to eat. Yet I was still skeptical. Noelle already had a butler, and since I couldn¡¯t read or count high, I wouldn¡¯t be of much help in a noble''s duties. Well, if I was an apprentice, she would probably teach me what I needed to know, but there were likely far more favorable candidates than me¡­ ¡°You never cease to interest me,¡± the woman laughed in delight as she watched my solemn attitude, which only worried me even more. Why? Was I mistaken in thinking she was a noble? But she had a butler, and lived in a house filled with expensive articles. Sure, a wealthy merchant could probably achieve the same, but I saw no indication of the characteristic obsession with gold those types have. She sniggered a bit at my wavering eyes before chatting once more, ¡°You still cannot figure it out, huh. Just to be clear, have you heard of witches before?¡± Her laughing wore away, and she simply stared at me with a smile. ¡°Do you mean a sandwich?¡± I asked hesitantly. I knew it must be the wrong answer, but I didn¡¯t understand what she meant. ¡°At least that answers my question¡­ albeit poorly,¡± She sulked, her enthusiasm deflated. Seeing his master appearing so downtrodden already, the butler, Luther, took action, ¡°Remember Ms. Deru, witches are not as widely known as the other types.¡± With those words, Noelle recovered a bit, while Luther turned to look at me from his master¡¯s side. ¡°Ms. Fina, you do know what magic is, correct? The ability to command the elements and request the aid of nature itself?¡± ¡°Magic¡­ I¡¯ve never heard of it. Is it similar to miracles?¡± I thought about what he said, yet my failure of a brain came up with nothing. I had never heard of such a thing, although Miracles were similar to his description, they could only be used by members of the clergy, or so I had heard. In fact, one such priest was summoned to the house once and asked to perform something called an exorcism on me. Even though I was scared at first, nothing happened except the man throwing salt and water at me, much to my confusion. Even my parents were confused by the result, which made me feel happy on the inside, not that I dared to show that to them. ¡°¡±Where did you find this girl again?¡± Luther whispered to Noelle, although it was loud enough for me to hear, not that I minded. ¡°That would explain it,¡± Noelle replied with a sigh. ¡°I found her wrecked wagon near the border of the Holy Dukedom of Ramparc, therefore she has likely only been told of miracles of the clergy.¡± Luther sighed as well, and backed away since he no longer needed to explain. All the while, I looked on in confusion. Not only did there seem to be something like Miracles, but it seemed I was no longer in my country. Then¡­ where was I? ¡°Now, I guess a moderate explanation is in order then,¡± the madam looked bored, seeming to stem from what she had to do. ¡°What I am about to tell you will likely seem absurd to you, as you came from a land without this. Will you listen with an open mind?¡± I nodded to her question, after all I had already come to trust her. Not even for a second did she appear to be lying, so even if it was weird, it was likely the truth. She smiled at that, happy to be trusted so dearly. That smile made me feel nice as well, as if something missing had come back to make me whole¡­ ¡°Now.. where do I begin¡­ um¡­ right, there would be good!¡± She murmured, her hands holding her head above the table. ¡°If you know of miracles, you know gods exist. In general, gods do not come down to this world, so other beings must manage it. These beings are called spirits.¡± With a clap from her hands, a small lizard appeared upon the table, its coloring black and red. Suddenly, as if it was burping, small flames shot out of its mouth, raising a flinch from me. ¡°This is a Salamander. He controls fire and heat, albeit weakly. Do you understand?¡± Still frightened, I nodded, the salamander looking at me with questioning eyes. Once the fright was over, it actually looked somewhat cute, and unconsciously I reached my hand out to it. It happily walked over to my outstretched fingers, and climbed on top. ¡°Aw¡­ it took me at least two weeks of snacks to get him to warm up to me¡­¡± Noelle pouted, a feeling of guilt taking hold in my chest. Although, that guilt did not outweigh the salamander who had curled up in my palm. Overall, I started feeling cozy, an emotion I had never felt before. ¡°Regardless¡­ There are countless spirits, controlling every facet of nature. Some are explosive like volcanoes, while others seem to be not but motes of dust. Witches, which is what I am, give offerings to them, and receive their power in turn. That is called a pact.¡± She paused there, contemplating something as she tapped a finger against the side of her head. ¡°You still understand, correct?¡± I nod. ¡°Good, now, I hope you do not mind, but I peeked at your soul while you slept. It shone brilliantly, probably the finest soul I have ever seen too!¡± ¡°Really?¡± I asked hesitantly, tears welling in my eyes as my emotions got the better of me. Ever since I was born, I had been told my soul was disgusting, or that I had sold it to a demon. For her to tell me it was wonderful seemed to cut deep into myself. She accepted me, even though I was a cursed child. I was being welcomed even¡­ it hurt, my heart hurt¡­ ¡°Yes,¡± she smiled warmly, trying to comfort me it seemed, ¡°the proof is right in your hand. People with good souls are loved by the spirits; they know they are safe around them. Spirits are easily affected by emotions, even if there are some exceptions. If one is near a person who is harboring strong hate or malice, that spirit will be hurt. Additionally, I have always wanted a cute apprentice like you. This is why I am asking you to be my apprentice, for your innate talents as a witch, and for your kindness. Will you accept?¡± ¡°Def-definitely!¡± I exclaimed, my heart reaching a breaking point as tears started pouring out of my eyes. ¡°Thank you!¡± With my blurred eyes, I was unable to tell that the woman had left her seat, but her warm arms wrapping over my shoulders did as she embraced me. I could feel my mind fading, as a mountain of stress melted away, leaving only peace. I cannot tell you how long I was crying, though I can tell you my brain went dark after a bit, leaving my sleeping form laying at that table. ¡°You noticed too, right Luth?¡± Noelle whispered, careful not to wake the sleeping girl up. Her mind was racing with a million thoughts, a rare sight to behold of ¡°Sloth of the Vibrant Woods¡±. Something unknown to her¡­ was very interesting, filling her with excitement. She stood there tapping her foot and chewing the inside of her cheek while Luther laid a blanket over the dreaming figure. ¡°Correct, there is not a blemish on her outer soul, yet its core is tainted. In my existence, I have never once seen such a concept before, not even when one of the seven meddled with a soul,¡± The black clad man murmured, he too was lost in thoughts. ¡°The weirdest part of it was that her soul, even its core, was pure when I found her. Yet as soon as you brought her to me earlier¡­¡± ¡°Yes, it is as you say. Regardless, her power is stable, and the atrophy on her soul¡­ well there isn¡¯t even a particle of it. In my opinion, it seems that oddity is not corruption, but rather¡­ a bond, a strong one at that. You really are quite the lucky lady¡­ finding such a rare creature.¡± ¡°That ¡®creature¡¯ is part of the family now, so please treat her well,¡± the lady sighed, sitting down at the table. Her whole body hurt, even though she had only moved for a small amount of time. That was her burden to bear, one she had grown accustomed to over the years. ¡°So, are you actually planning on teaching her?¡± Luther asked promptly, glancing at the small girl. ¡°I do not really see you as that type¡­¡± ¡°I know, but she is so cute!¡± Noelle said a bit loudly, causing Fina to stir. After a brief silence, waiting for the girl to return to normal, the witch let out a sigh. ¡°Additionally, I just have a feeling about her, just hugging her felt so good~¡± The woman let out a breath of happiness, although it seemed to disgust Luther. ¡°Please keep your feelings in check,¡± so said the breath of an exasperated butler. ¡°My time is almost up for today, so please take care of yourself. I don¡¯t want a repeat of last time¡­¡± ¡°Yes yes, now please take her to bed before you go, I¡¯ve hit my limit for today.¡± ¡°That pact really is troublesome,¡± Luther sighed. ¡°Well, I will do my duty till my time runs out. Please provide ample sustenance this time though, otherwise I may not appear for as long.¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± Noelle sighed as Luther whisked Fina out of the room, leaving Noelle alone. As she sat there, she pondered once more before shrugging and heading to her bedroom. ¡°Magic without a pact or blessing¡­ she really is intriguing¡­¡± ¡°I wish she would think about her actions once in a while,¡± Luther shook his head. ¡°Sure, this girl may be a blessing, but a curse might be brought forth instead.¡± He glanced at the girl who was resting in the bed as his body leaned against the door. She was small, frail, and likely had very little stamina. It would be hard to bring her up as a witch, that was for sure, but the madam was excited at the thought, an emotion rarely seen those days. ¡°Please, for the sake of Noelle and myself, be the former and not the latter,¡± The man sighed as he left the room, lightly shutting the door behind him. Chapter 3: What is in a Soul? ¡°A-Apprentice?¡± stammering, it took me a second to process what she said. Anyone like me would feel the same; Apprenticeship is our dream, for it guarantees a place to sleep and food to eat. Yet I was still skeptical. Noelle already had a butler, and since I couldn¡¯t read or count high, I wouldn¡¯t be of much help in a noble''s duties. Well, if I was an apprentice, she would probably teach me what I needed to know, but there were likely far more favorable candidates than me¡­ ¡°You never cease to interest me,¡± the woman laughed in delight as she watched my solemn attitude, which only worried me even more. Why? Was I mistaken in thinking she was a noble? But she had a butler, and lived in a house filled with expensive articles. Sure, a wealthy merchant could probably achieve the same, but I saw no indication of the characteristic obsession with gold those types have. She sniggered a bit at my wavering eyes before chatting once more, ¡°You still cannot figure it out, huh. Just to be clear, have you heard of witches before?¡± Her laughing wore away, and she simply stared at me with a smile. ¡°Do you mean a sandwich?¡± I asked hesitantly. I knew it must be the wrong answer, but I didn¡¯t understand what she meant. ¡°At least that answers my question¡­ albeit poorly,¡± She sulked, her enthusiasm deflated. Seeing his master appearing so downtrodden already, the butler, Luther, took action, ¡°Remember Ms. Deru, witches are not as widely known as the other types.¡± With those words, Noelle recovered a bit, while Luther turned to look at me from his master¡¯s side. ¡°Ms. Fina, you do know what magic is, correct? The ability to command the elements and request the aid of nature itself?¡± ¡°Magic¡­ I¡¯ve never heard of it. Is it similar to miracles?¡± I thought about what he said, yet my failure of a brain came up with nothing. I had never heard of such a thing, although Miracles were similar to his description, they could only be used by members of the clergy, or so I had heard. In fact, one such priest was summoned to the house once and asked to perform something called an exorcism on me. Even though I was scared at first, nothing happened except the man throwing salt and water at me, much to my confusion. Even my parents were confused by the result, which made me feel happy on the inside, not that I dared to show that to them. ¡°¡±Where did you find this girl again?¡± Luther whispered to Noelle, although it was loud enough for me to hear, not that I minded. ¡°That would explain it,¡± Noelle replied with a sigh. ¡°I found her wrecked wagon near the border of the Holy Dukedom of Ramparc, therefore she has likely only been told of miracles of the clergy.¡± Luther sighed as well, and backed away since he no longer needed to explain. All the while, I looked on in confusion. Not only did there seem to be something like Miracles, but it seemed I was no longer in my country. Then¡­ where was I? ¡°Now, I guess a moderate explanation is in order then,¡± the madam looked bored, seeming to stem from what she had to do. ¡°What I am about to tell you will likely seem absurd to you, as you came from a land without this. Will you listen with an open mind?¡± I nodded to her question, after all I had already come to trust her. Not even for a second did she appear to be lying, so even if it was weird, it was likely the truth. She smiled at that, happy to be trusted so dearly. That smile made me feel nice as well, as if something missing had come back to make me whole¡­ ¡°Now.. where do I begin¡­ um¡­ right, there would be good!¡± She murmured, her hands holding her head above the table. ¡°If you know of miracles, you know gods exist. In general, gods do not come down to this world, so other beings must manage it. These beings are called spirits.¡± With a clap from her hands, a small lizard appeared upon the table, its coloring black and red. Suddenly, as if it was burping, small flames shot out of its mouth, raising a flinch from me. ¡°This is a Salamander. He controls fire and heat, albeit weakly. Do you understand?¡± Still frightened, I nodded, the salamander looking at me with questioning eyes. Once the fright was over, it actually looked somewhat cute, and unconsciously I reached my hand out to it. It happily walked over to my outstretched fingers, and climbed on top. ¡°Aw¡­ it took me at least two weeks of snacks to get him to warm up to me¡­¡± Noelle pouted, a feeling of guilt taking hold in my chest. Although, that guilt did not outweigh the salamander who had curled up in my palm. Overall, I started feeling cozy, an emotion I had never felt before. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°Regardless¡­ There are countless spirits, controlling every facet of nature. Some are explosive like volcanoes, while others seem to be not but motes of dust. Witches, which is what I am, give offerings to them, and receive their power in turn. That is called a pact.¡± She paused there, contemplating something as she tapped a finger against the side of her head. ¡°You still understand, correct?¡± I nod. ¡°Good, now, I hope you do not mind, but I peeked at your soul while you slept. It shone brilliantly, probably the finest soul I have ever seen too!¡± ¡°Really?¡± I asked hesitantly, tears welling in my eyes as my emotions got the better of me. Ever since I was born, I had been told my soul was disgusting, or that I had sold it to a demon. For her to tell me it was wonderful seemed to cut deep into myself. She accepted me, even though I was a cursed child. I was being welcomed even¡­ it hurt, my heart hurt¡­ ¡°Yes,¡± she smiled warmly, trying to comfort me it seemed, ¡°the proof is right in your hand. People with good souls are loved by the spirits; they know they are safe around them. Spirits are easily affected by emotions, even if there are some exceptions. If one is near a person who is harboring strong hate or malice, that spirit will be hurt. Additionally, I have always wanted a cute apprentice like you. This is why I am asking you to be my apprentice, for your innate talents as a witch, and for your kindness. Will you accept?¡± ¡°Def-definitely!¡± I exclaimed, my heart reaching a breaking point as tears started pouring out of my eyes. ¡°Thank you!¡± With my blurred eyes, I was unable to tell that the woman had left her seat, but her warm arms wrapping over my shoulders did as she embraced me. I could feel my mind fading, as a mountain of stress melted away, leaving only peace. I cannot tell you how long I was crying, though I can tell you my brain went dark after a bit, leaving my sleeping form laying at that table. ¡°You noticed too, right Luth?¡± Noelle whispered, careful not to wake the sleeping girl up. Her mind was racing with a million thoughts, a rare sight to behold of ¡°Sloth of the Vibrant Woods¡±. Something unknown to her¡­ was very interesting, filling her with excitement. She stood there tapping her foot and chewing the inside of her cheek while Luther laid a blanket over the dreaming figure. ¡°Correct, there is not a blemish on her outer soul, yet its core is tainted. In my existence, I have never once seen such a concept before, not even when one of the seven meddled with a soul,¡± The black clad man murmured, he too was lost in thoughts. ¡°The weirdest part of it was that her soul, even its core, was pure when I found her. Yet as soon as you brought her to me earlier¡­¡± ¡°Yes, it is as you say. Regardless, her power is stable, and the atrophy on her soul¡­ well there isn¡¯t even a particle of it. In my opinion, it seems that oddity is not corruption, but rather¡­ a bond, a strong one at that. You really are quite the lucky lady¡­ finding such a rare creature.¡± ¡°That ¡®creature¡¯ is part of the family now, so please treat her well,¡± the lady sighed, sitting down at the table. Her whole body hurt, even though she had only moved for a small amount of time. That was her burden to bear, one she had grown accustomed to over the years. ¡°So, are you actually planning on teaching her?¡± Luther asked promptly, glancing at the small girl. ¡°I do not really see you as that type¡­¡± ¡°I know, but she is so cute!¡± Noelle said a bit loudly, causing Fina to stir. After a brief silence, waiting for the girl to return to normal, the witch let out a sigh. ¡°Additionally, I just have a feeling about her, just hugging her felt so good~¡± The woman let out a breath of happiness, although it seemed to disgust Luther. ¡°Please keep your feelings in check,¡± so said the breath of an exasperated butler. ¡°My time is almost up for today, so please take care of yourself. I don¡¯t want a repeat of last time¡­¡± ¡°Yes yes, now please take her to bed before you go, I¡¯ve hit my limit for today.¡± ¡°That pact really is troublesome,¡± Luther sighed. ¡°Well, I will do my duty till my time runs out. Please provide ample sustenance this time though, otherwise I may not appear for as long.¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± Noelle sighed as Luther whisked Fina out of the room, leaving Noelle alone. As she sat there, she pondered once more before shrugging and heading to her bedroom. ¡°Magic without a pact or blessing¡­ she really is intriguing¡­¡± ¡°I wish she would think about her actions once in a while,¡± Luther shook his head. ¡°Sure, this girl may be a blessing, but a curse might be brought forth instead.¡± He glanced at the girl who was resting in the bed as his body leaned against the door. She was small, frail, and likely had very little stamina. It would be hard to bring her up as a witch, that was for sure, but the madam was excited at the thought, an emotion rarely seen those days. ¡°Please, for the sake of Noelle and myself, be the former and not the latter,¡± The man sighed as he left the room, lightly shutting the door behind him. Interlude One A room filled with empty shelves, about the size of the average classroom. To the left, the right, and the back as well, an empty museum exhibit would not be an exaggeration. Within the center of that odd room, was a solid mahogany desk, the intricate carvings showing familiar yet unrecognizable faces. A small girl with a noble aura, her face framed with long twintails. A gruff man, whose appearance may inspire fright, but there is kindness within his eyes. A boy with a melancholy expression, his face almost hidden by his curly mane. The reality of them was astonishing, life-like to the point where you might think they would blink. The struggles they faced¡­ the adventures they¡¯ve seen! You may not know them at the moment, but you will in due time. Ah! Sorry, I get sidetracked sometimes, though every good story should have one or two good tangents. But I digress, lest my manners vanish forevermore. Above the desk with stories aplenty, a form of human likeness leans forwards. Their hands are unblemished, lacking the scars of life commonly found on them. Pale skin, yet it pales in comparison to our lovely Fina. Elbows pressed against the desk, any skin further beyond hidden by the rolled up sleeves of a grey robe that hid most distinguishing features from the neck down. Continuing further up the body, you find a face without blemishes, surrounded by choppy hair that grasped at the shoulders. The pupils lacked color, a snow white residing within. Though, with the position of the brows and the half closed eyes, a permenant aura of drowsiness exuded from that being. Overall, the features lacked evidence in either direction, neither definite. You might be asking who that figure is, which I will answer promptly. That character is me, or the form I shall show you. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. A teller of tales is what I am. A bard, a writer, a painter, I¡¯ve done it all! The art of storytelling is vast, yet ever fickle, only certain mediums able to handle the depth of it all. Thus far, I have found that books are the most appropriate, as they can last far longer than the author, and be shared endlessly. Oh, sorry, I have done it again! Yet¡­ oh bother, where should I start¡­ Yes, I know, I can feel your annoyance from a world away. Give me a moment and I will introduce myself properly. My name¡­ well I guess it might be irrelevant. Your mind would be unable to understand it, let alone could your tongue pronounce it. Nevertheless, it is disadvantageous to go without something to call me by¡­ Alright, from henceforth you may refer to me as The Scribe. Quite fitting, if I say so myself. Now, I will be the teller of what follows in this tale of twisted fates. Whether it be graphic, tragic, or maybe a mixture of both with a tinge of comedy, I will relay it all to you. Though personally, I prefer a story that compiles those natures, I know some may not feel the same. So be warned, this is not some dreary happy-go-lucky tale that ends happily ever after. And please, even if you dislike the outcome, do not curse my name, for it is not a soul but you who chose to listen. A clock ticks ever forwards as the author¡¯s hand never stops. Isn¡¯t it peculiar that a writer never drops the pen, even after death? No? Well, I wouldn¡¯t expect you to understand at this moment. Speaking of that clock, it seems like the time has come. Do not worry, we will meet again, whether it be in life or death. Chapter Four: Apprentice ¡°Well you look quite energetic,¡± Noelle snickered, her form leaning over my fallen one. It was a troubling situation: My body felt lethargic, to a point where it was a struggle to move. In fact, with the quiet breeze, fluffy grass, and shade gifted by an abnormally enormous tree, my eyes felt heavier than ever¡­ z¡­ zzz¡­ ¡°Luther, the bucket.¡± My pleasant sleep was swiftly interrupted by a cascade of briskly freezing water, my heart quite literally skipping a beat from the act. Sure, I was awake, but¡­ so cold¡­ I truly did not think that an apprenticeship to a witch would be this stressful¡­ That morning I was sleeping peacefully¡­ at least until a ringing clamor resounded through wherever I was. To begin with, I was already confused; I once again woke up in a room that I lacked recognition of. Soon after, before I could even get accustomed to what was happening, Luther pulled me from that room to another, the table from before where various covered platters were laid across. ¡°Eat quickly now, the madame asked me to have you fed and bathed before she wakes,¡± Luther explained as he removed the lids to the platters, once again revealing a plethora of foods, most of which I had never seen before. To be honest, I could not even describe them to you, as they had vanished all too quickly. Luther¡¯s face actually grimaced at the sight, yet I hadn¡¯t a clue why. My stomach was fuller than ever before, to the point that I could just sleep there. I did not get a chance to do so though, as I was whisked from the table back to the room I came from. Getting a better look at it, since my mind was finally fully functioning, the house itself was labyrinthian, corridors leading to dead ends, sudden steps up and down, all tied together with countless twists and turns. My head actually grew dizzy just from trying to remember the route connecting the room to the dining area. I had seen villagers construct a house before; What kind of person would build a residence like this? Regardless, Luther seemed to know the house as the back of his hand, and I was returned to the one room where I had awoken that day. ¡°From this day till whenever you leave us, this shall be your room,¡± Luther stated, tilting his head lower to stare right into my eyes, which somewhat frightened me. From a pocket at his breast, he withdrew a small key engraved with an extremely detailed carving of a wolf, a red gem serving as its eye. A bit of a side note, but to be honest, I had never understood the yearning for gemstones that others had felt. After all, gems could not be eaten, nor could they provide shelter through the years, yet people wished for them all the same! Well, even if I didn¡¯t understand, I at least knew their value. Hesitantly, I grasped a hold of that small key, examining it in my hands. The surface was cool to the touch, a bit chilling compared to the feeling of the world around me. Letters were engraved upon the underside, not that my uneducated mind could read them. Yet, I still understood. The key seemingly spoke to me of its purpose, and the small piece of metal called to the door¡¯s keyhole. Luther said nothing, simply watching as I followed the premonition forwards. A faint energy ran through myself as the key entered the slot; With a click, the eerie feeling ended, even if it left me rather puzzled. ¡°For the one who seeks unending knowledge with an insatiable voracity, I grant thee shelter,¡± nearly a whisper, yet I heard it all the same, that of which seemed to be the sound of the opening door. The room inside was dark, far darker than before. ¡°I assume you would appreciate an explanation?¡± Luther asked with a playful smile, as if watching an animal scared of a simple vegetable. Grimacing, I nodded promptly. ¡°Now then, well actually you might not understand the premise in its entirety at this moment. Regardless, what you need to understand is the following: In general magic is a power of contracts, with demons, angels, spirits, and sometimes even other races of humanoids. In simple terms, this entire house is upheld by a similar phenomenon, especially the living quarters.¡± As if to demonstrate, he closed the door to my room, and after taking out another key in the shape of a panther, he reopened the door. ¡°For the one who lives in service to uphold another¡¯s honor, I grant thee shelter,¡± the key or maybe the door?) whispered, as the door opened to an entirely different room once more. Unlike the dark emptiness of the previous, the room that opened was bright and open, light spilling in from various directions. It was simple in layout, though various paraphernalia littered the area. Brooms, dusters, and other items for cleaning, as well as books and various vials were included in such a variety of articles. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°You see? Now, that is enough time wasted¡­¡± Luther closed the door, the room seemingly turning to normal behind it. As my key brought forth my room once more, I was hurried in, and told simply to change into robes that were stored in the wardrobe. After that, Luther would lead me outside and my training would start. Within my room, which I only at that point got a good view of, were walls colored sky blue, the closet, and the simple bed I had awoken in just earlier that day. A desk of light colored wood stood at one wall, and a curtained window and door lay at another. It seemed nearly exactly as the room before, with the exceptions being the added decoration. The blue walls, a grassy carpet, and a star covered ceiling, it all felt¡­ so open. As I looked closer, even the bed and wardrobe had a more tree-like appearance than before. Peaceful was the best description of how I felt, although I knew I couldn¡¯t savor the moment for too long. Therefore, I drew open the doors to the closet. Within were cloaks, colored a dark magenta, with linings of a moonish silver. Removing my old clothes, which looked like naught but rags before these, I donned the robe, the cloth airy and smooth on my skin. It was odd, the fabric lacked scratchiness or coarseness, unlike anything I had ever worn. Though, I lacked the time to relish such a fact, as I heard the tapping of Luther¡¯s fist to the door. Quickly closing the wardrobe doors, I headed to the main one, which I opened to see Luther waiting with his eyes closed., leaning against the wall to the side of me. ¡°So her affinity is Scientiae of Gula. Huh¡­ I guess it makes sense¡­¡± His foot tapped against the floorboards, his thoughts leaking into speech. Shutting the door behind me, his eyes opened, noticing the noise. ¡°Interesting, it seems the robes of an apprentice suit you quite well, though it feels incomplete without the hat¡­ well that comes later anyways. Now follow me.¡± ¡°Oho~ You finally look the part!¡± Noelle chuckled, her hair slightly waving in the midday breeze. Her eyes looked me over, bringing a smile to her lips as she appreciated my new clothes. It seemed as though the training was to take place in the outdoors, as Luther led me to what appeared to be a large courtyard, where Noelle had been sleeping in a hammock. With a tap on the shoulder from her trusty servant, she awoke to greet me. ¡°Now¡­ what were we doing again,¡± Noelle murmured, stifling a yawn. ¡°Yes¡­ education, that was it.¡± Lazily, as if her body was moving through water, she stood from her resting place. Picking up her staff, of which she had laid against the nearby tree, she turned to me once more. ¡°Though, let¡¯s do that later, for now¡­ how about some light exercise?¡± That statement was what brought upon that of which I could only describe as a hellish training regimine. Odd stretches that I could barely complete, endless running, something weird that Luther called a Plank, just to name a few. To be honest, my body could barely handle it. After all, my life had mostly been that of little movement, mostly hiding. Yet¡­ I didn¡¯t want to give in. So I kept going, even after losing the breakfast from earlier and starting to feel light headed, leading me to a final run. That run of which I ended up collapsing on the ground in front of Ms. Deru by the last stretch. ¡°To be honest, I didn¡¯t expect her to have so little stamina,¡± She murmured after the bucket of water had been poured upon my head. My breaths were heavy, my body shivering as I laid sprawled across the ground. Every single part of my body was in agonizing pain, yet¡­ I felt so relaxed. ¡°If I may, milady,¡± Luther started, his voice that was absent during the training finally making its debut. As he talked, he strode over to me, reaching a hand out to help me up. That hand was greatly accepted, as it was unlikely that I could stand by my own lacking strength at that point. ¡°Should we not move on to the education now?¡± ¡°Fuu¡­ I guess you might be right,¡± Noelle sighed, glancing at me with a warm smile. ¡°But first, let¡¯s let her get some rest¡­ I¡¯ll be awaiting you inside, don¡¯t take too long a rest my apprentice.¡± Gradually, her form retreated into the building that surrounded the courtyard, while I leaned against the tree, my eyes weighing heavily against my unexhausted mind. Although, that mind only thought of one thing: This was going to happen often, wouldn¡¯t it. Sighing, I gathered together my willpower and followed the waiting Luther in. He had a grimace as he watched me shamble forwards, though he said nothing. Instead, he led me to where I needed to go swiftly, which I appreciated greatly. Even if what awaited me was somehow more suffering, I would make it through, to repay her kindness. That was my resolve. Chapter Five: The Contract Ceremony ¡°Now, I know you haven¡¯t a clue of magic,¡± Noelle smiled, leaning against the wall. The room I had been brought into was fairly large, about twice the size of the bedroom I had been in before. Although¡­ the room definitely lacked the feeling of such openness, as books took up almost all of the free counter space, knick-knacks of various appearances and uses lining the shelves, rows of vials and pottery surrounded a cauldron, of which had a large enough width to rival many of the ponds I had seen before. Held within was a bubbling liquid, shining an iridescent blue, with a long wooden rod sticking out of its top. That cauldron laid next to a wall, one that, unlike any of the walls I had seen thus far in the house, was made of solid stone. Upon that wall, was where Noelle stood, her arms crossed with her sleeves raised, studying me through her steamed glasses. She rose from that location, whisking her body over to a desk I had failed to notice to that point, although it was cluttered to the point that its surface could not be seen. ¡°Come, come, we do not have all day,¡± Her voice beckoned with a playful tone, ¡°Oh¡­ well this will not do¡­¡± She had finally noticed the disorder upon the surface, yet her smile did not falter regardless of her tone. ¡°Well¡­ I guess this would be good enough to start, so instead of cleaning it up, let us begin the lesson!¡± She pulled a book from a fold in her robes, its pages yellowed and frail, bound by a thick leather cover. Upon it was an engraving of a circle encapsulating a star, another circle at each point where they met. The letters upon its cover seemed impressive, bold and powerful, and the book itself was rather hefty; No doubt this book was incredibly important! There was only one problem, which hurt me to address as Noelle glanced at me with expectant eyes. ¡°I¡­ I do not know how to read¡­¡± I murmured, soliciting a sigh from my hopeful teacher. ¡°That certainly puts a hold on my teachings¡­¡± She murmured, her finger reaching to her chin. That movement I soon realized was an indication of her thoughts, though of what those thoughts were about, I could never tell. ¡°Oh well, let¡¯s start simple then. When I ask you a question, answer honestly with what you first think of, understand?¡± With a nod, she continued, ¡°Good! Love it when people actually listen!¡± As she explained, she laid the book upon the intricate mess that was the desk¡¯s surface, of which it miraculously did not fall off. ¡°Now, since you know nothing of magic, what do you think it is?¡± A simple question, yet it was hard to come up with an answer for it. Even if I was an outcast in my village, I had heard and seen miracles many times before, yet not a mention of magic. Although, if it was the me from back then, even if I had seen magic, I would think it was a miracle¡­ but from the conversation Luther and Noelle had before, the two were different. The power of gods and the power of spirits, those who rule and those who are unruled¡­ ¡°Magic¡­ it would be the power of change, right?¡± A murmured thought, yet my voice still reached her ears. ¡°Quite an interesting answer,¡± Noelle dwelled upon the response, as if it was unusual. ¡°I will say, that is the closest answer I have heard from a novice in my lifetime. Good job¡­¡± She patted me upon the head, her compliment causing my heart to feel all fuzzy. ¡°Now, where was I¡­ Oh yes, the origin!¡± She retracted her hand and started the lecture once more, her other hand reaching into her robe once more, pulling out a small vial. Holding it up to me, she urged me to peer within. What was trapped within it was a small green orb, radiating an aura of lime in color. As I watched it, it suddenly backed away, running into the wall of its small container. ¡°What is it?¡± My curiosity peaked, I studied it from every angle. Each time I changed position, it did so as well, trying to stay as far away from me as possible. Laughing, Noelle seemed to enjoy my sudden change, releasing the cork from the small bottle. ¡°This is a spirit, one belonging to the domain of wind. They are quite the gentle sort, and are easily scared.¡± ¡°A spirit?¡± I murmured, remembering the Salamander she had shown me once before. As we talked, the small ball happily fled from its cage, enjoying the freedom of the room. ¡°Yes, though it may not look like much compared to a lesser spirit like Salamander, there is a reason for that. This little one is a mere child in comparison, just born a few days ago.¡± She watched the spirit flit around the room, a simple breeze created from its movements pushing lightly upon her hair. ¡°Unlike Gods who exist in an unchanging and unbending state, spirits grow. Similar to gods, they may have eternal life, but they are not immortal. Do remember that Fina.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± I whispered, my eyes drawn by the ecstatic form of the ball. It looked so happy, so free¡­ if only¡­ the cold iron against my neck brought me back to reality¡­ ¡°That is the reason I prefer working with spirits rather than gods, they understand us better, and offer clear terms for their help. You see my dear, as I have said before, magic comes from the spirits'' help, and to get their help you must form a contract. After you do so, that spirit will help you wherever you ask, as long as you fulfill your end of the bargain. Equivalent Exchange, unlike those meddling gods and their blessings and miracles, this is what magic is based on. Now, I¡¯ve been off track for a bit, so let¡¯s return to the subject at hand. You, my sweet Fina, have an incredible aptitude for magic, one that is seen only once in a lifetime. That is why I chose you to be my apprentice after all.¡± ¡°What do you mean by aptitude?¡± I asked hesitantly, as far as I knew, I had never been exceptional at anything. My body was weak, I learned at a normal pace, the only thing I would say was good about me was my instincts. ¡°The teachings of the church, you know of them. I am correct in assuming that, right?¡± ¡°I guess, of the gods and virtues, the sins, I¡¯ve even dealt with exorcists before¡­¡± ¡°Good, those teachings, while prejudiced, are useful to know when it comes to magic,¡± Noelle nodded at me, pulling a small stick from the sleeve of her robe¡­ just how many objects did she keep in it? Regardless, with that stick, she drew in the air, a solid light left behind wherever the point touched. By the time she finished, seven figures stood mid-air, a Raven, a Wolf, a Snake, a Lion, a Bear, a Rabbit, and a Sword. ¡°Outside of contracts, we still have the ability to make temporary contracts. Even when making true contracts, this factor determines how much power we may request from that spirit. In that moment of binding, we offer our sins to the spirits. Yet each spirit has a preference, as a High Spirit of the Domain of Wrath will not care for being paid in the Sin of Sloth. In addition, every Witch has a specialty, very few show even just three of the sins.¡± This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. ¡°What do you mean?¡± I inquired, starting to worry for my own wellbeing. If one had to give up a part of myself every time one wished to use magic, wouldn¡¯t anyone feel the slightest bit hesitant¡­ In response to my question, she seemed exasperated, tired even. Yet, determined to some end, she sighed and searched the room. To be honest, I would have guessed that despite the mess, she had a clue to where everything was. That¡­ was not the case, as I watched her fumble with the mess, sometimes being toppled by towers of books with a loud crash¡­ was she really some sort of powerful witch? ¡°Would¡­ would you like some help?¡± ¡°If you would¡­¡± She laughed humbly, scratching the back of her head. She had been knocked over for the fourth time by that point, and I was starting to worry. Dusting herself off, she rose from the clutter, shuffling over to me soon after. ¡°What I¡¯m searching for is a small metallic box about the size of my fist. I honestly forgot where I put it, though if you can¡¯t find it we can work with that.¡± With that inclination, my eyes scanned the room. It didn¡¯t take me long, yet¡­ my eyes were soon filled with pity, as I noticed what was exactly described by her laying right beside her foot. With a simple point, that shame was brought to Noelle¡¯s usually fair face, which was now red with embarrassment. After receiving an intense glare, I nodded; a silent agreement to never mention it was made at that moment. Without losing a shred of her grace, she extracted the parcel from the ground, by which I mean she nearly fell picking it up. Regardless, she stood with it in hand, and opened the item, a pleasant fruity aroma suddenly flowing from the tin. Out of the corner of my eye, the spirit from before that was flitting in enjoyment came to a halt. It seemed to have noticed the smell, and was slowly creeping closer to Noelle and me. ¡°Many witches have held similar concerns to you before,¡± Noelle explained, she too watching the small creature. ¡°Though to be honest, you can make a contract with a spirit using anything as payment, as long as they can accept it. But these, of which I call Spirit Treats, were made specifically for contracts with simple and lesser spirits. Even some greater spirits enjoy these.¡± As she talked, she held the tin out to me, granting me a glance inside. Its contents looked like small cookies with rainbow specks baked in. Just the smell made me hungry, and I felt drool start to build up in my mouth. As Noelle had stopped paying attention to me, and was now focusing on the spirit, I gazed at the snacks. They looked so good, and I could still feel my empty stomach raging against me. Honestly, before I even knew it, I had unconsciously took one of the treats and ate it. I couldn¡¯t explain the compulsion, though what it tasted like, I could say. It was oddly fluffy for such a thin snack, and those small vibrant pieces in it, well they were bursting with flavor. Of everything that I had eaten before, even the foods for breakfast earlier that day, that was the most delicious. But as I melted in my bliss, Noelle had noticed, and looked at me worriedly. The spirit too looked a bit disheartened. ¡°Are you okay? Do you feel odd in any way?¡± She quickly asked, her hands suddenly gripping my shoulders. The sudden change in demeanor caused me to flinch backwards, to where I almost stumbled. My stature remained strong, and I simply nodded at her question. ¡°Fuuu, that¡¯s good, seriously, why would you do such a thing?¡± ¡°Was that a bad thing to do?¡± I shrunk back, tears starting to form in my eyes. ¡°Well it is hard to say, I¡¯ve never met anyone who has eaten a full one¡­ After all, their taste is simply abysmal. These little cookies are completely filled with what one might call elemental energy, that¡¯s why spirits seem to like them, for the common man¡­ not so much.¡± ¡°It tasted good to me¡­¡± I murmured, a bit confused. Although, she didn¡¯t seem to hear my mutterings, as she took a small nibble of one of the treats, and instantly drew back in disgust. ¡°Yep, still awful,¡± She groaned, ¡°Regardless¡­¡± regaining her composure, she continued, ¡°At least when it comes to simple and lesser spirits, these are a must have. They are commonly used for a Witch¡¯s first contract, unless they are some sort of child prodigy.¡± Reaching into the tin, she pulled out one more cookie, one that had a floral shape and apple-ish scent. Handing it to me, she pointed to the simple wind spirit, who was waiting just a meter away. ¡°Now, a witch¡¯s first contract is more important than any other, as often, in the case of simple spirits at least, they will stay with you for life. Take this treat and go make a contract with it. Just a simple promise will do¡­¡± Stepping back, she left me alone with the spirit, who had started to hover over the bubbling cauldron. Even though it lacked eyes, I could tell it was watching me, as it shook with every motion I made. Hesitantly, I drew forwards, holding out the small snack to it. Floating a bit forwards, it took a sniff of the item¡­ if floating green orbs have noses to begin with at least. Yet¡­ that was the extent of what it did, as it simply waited, causing me to remember Noelle¡¯s words. ¡°If I give this to you, will you be my friend?¡± ¡°Cchhiiinngg¡± A ringing noise emanate from the small creature, almost like a bell. It jumped around when it did so, seeming to be an affirmative movement. ¡°Here you go,¡± I handed the biscuit off to it, of which it seemed to absorb. Then, far slower than it had moved before, it set itself down upon my outstretched palm. ¡°Good, the contract has been established it seems,¡± Noelle¡¯s voice broke the sudden silence, her footsteps joining as she walked over to me. ¡°Now, I want to teach you your first spell, Naming Ceremony. You can feel the energy running through you from this child, correct?¡± Although her question was rather vague, I understood what she meant, so I nodded. Ever since the contract was finished, I felt some sort of a force permeating throughout my body, it felt happy, free, and relaxing. Like a melody of chimes, that was the feeling. ¡°Now, imagine that energy running all the way to your tongue, whether it is rushing or trickling, just make sure it gets there.¡± She waited till I gave another nod of affirmation, as I tried to envision what she asked of me. At first, it was like a raindrop, then a steady flow, until finally I felt a rush of power reach my tongue, to the point where it almost felt numb. I noticed it then, that not all of the energy was the same, though what was different I could not tell. ¡°Finally, say the name of this child, you should already know what it is in your heart.¡± Yes, I already knew from the moment I touched it. The wind spirit before me carried within it the feeling of freedom and exploration, finding a peaceful meadow with a pleasant breeze, and the chimes that called the lost home. Yes¡­ chimes¡­ ¡°It is nice to meet you¡­ Bell.¡± At that moment, that which was quickly becoming a habit occurred. A billowing silence overtook my mind, and an inky darkness claimed my eyes. I blacked out for the third time in three days.