The Red Witch- Part One

The Red Witch

Screams scattered through the winds as the town became encased in ice. The sky darkened and frigid hail rained down upon the land. The newly bloomed flowers of Spring withered and snapped with the touch of frost. Bodies piled within the center of the town, on top laid a woman. Her red gown draped across the bodies that lied beneath her. Her breath grew cold, her life force slowly vanishing. Dahlia the Red Witch slain by Janu the Frost Witch, slain by her own blood. As Dahlia laid above the bodies with her bloodstone eyes she saw Janu take her beloved lover as they left the town.

Dahlia shed a tear of sorrow, frosted by the cold awaiting her last breath, but a voice swirled within her mind. The voice comfort her “Your time is not now my witch. My champion, you must stop Janu before he reaches my heart.” Dahlia responded “How can I stop him? He is more powerful than I am.” The voice vanished from her mind. Suddenly, Dahlia felt a surge of power flowing through her body. The remaining life force of the townsfolk flowed within her and with the strength of the town, the Red Witch rose once more.

Dahlia mourned and wept for the poor souls that perished, she let out a cry that echoed through the town. She knew she could not stay long, she had to find Janu before it was too late. Dahlia hurried back to her home, she quickly gathered supplies for her long journey. She knew where the voice wanted her to go, the Heart of Eternity. Before she left her home, she grabbed a necklace with a frozen dahlia encased inside and made her way out of the town.

Dahlia walked through the mountains of snow reaching above her waist. She shivered with every breath and every step she took. With her magic she conjured the strength and warmth of Gaiya to protect her. Dahlia continued to walk for hours and everywhere she looked, the land around her had become frozen and lifeless. Her heart sank and tears flooded her eyes as she made her way through. Soon, Dahlia’s energy slowly began to vanish, she stumbled with every step, breathing heavily until she collapsed into the frigid snow.

As Dahlia laid in the freezing cold, a familiar voice swirled within her mind. Again the voice comforted Dahlia, telling her “My champion you are more powerful than you think. Your love for life gives you the strength and power to defeat Janu. Now you must hurry, he is already near my heart.” said the voice. The voice once again vanished from Dahlia’s mind.

While Dahlia laid in the snow, she’d dreamt of a meadow, surrounded by dahlias and beautiful creatures. She felt the warmth of the sun touch her skin, breathing new life into her. Dahlia kneeled down smelling the fresh dahlias and in that moment, Dahlia felt a surge of pain. Dahlia let out a cry as the pain took over, holding her hands over her heart, Dahlia fell. As Dahlia laid in agony she saw a shadowy figure in the distant walking closer towards her, until finally Dahlia succumb to the agonizing pain.

Dahlia awoken from her dream, she still laid in the snow, but no longer did she feel the cold. Dahlia gather her thoughts and continue walking through the treacherous snow. Dahlia conjured her magic creating a warmth of light that melted the snow in her path. Dahlia finally made her way into a forest, touched by the frost of Janu. Dahlia knew she was getting closer to Janu and her beloved lover. She continued to walk through the frozen forest and everywhere she looked, the creatures were frozen solid, hollow and lifeless inside. The sun was fading and dusk was emerging, Dahlia decided to spend the night in the cold forest.

Dahlia used her magic to create a barrier of light around her protecting her from the harsh cold. As she sat guarded in her magic, she began to wonder about Janu. Dahlia asked herself what happened to Janu to make him become violent and merciless. Why did he want the Heart of Eternity? She wondered about his life after their separation. Dahlia began to recall the memories she had of them as children. They were the youngest and closest of their siblings also the first and only twin witches ever born in Gaiya. Dahlia pondered about Janu and wondered until she finally sunk into a deep sleep.

Dawn arrived and Dahlia had awakened to the sounds of screeching, curious she made her way to the strange noises. She walked through the frozen forest until she finally made it out and as she left the forest, Dahlia stumbled across a meadow, untouched by Janu’s ice. The meadow breathed with life, the sun shined radiantly upon the land, and creatures moved wildly with grace. As Dahlia made her way through the meadow, she felt the warmth of the sun touch her skin. She watched the creatures fly and gallop through the meadow without fear and gazed upon the dahlias that painted the meadow. Dahlia embraced the scent and beauty of the land, she kneeled down to smell the fresh dahlias and suddenly, a surge of pain erupted throughout her body. Dahlia screamed in agony, causing the creatures to flee as Dahlia fell into the meadow. She held her arms across her chest as she laid in pain and in that moment she remembered her dream and realized it was a vision. As Dahlia began slowly fading the shadowy figure she had saw in her dream appeared and walked closer towards her until finally Dahlia succumbed to the pain.