Corrupted Hero

Everything slowly becomes clearer minute by minute to Irina. She was leaning on some huge tree behind her. It took some time for her to take it all in but there's one thing she know, she was already dead, wondering if this is hell.

Apparently not. Slapping her own cheeks resulted into a red hand mark and pain.

She momentarily forgot what she did seconds ago as the sunlight shine on her face. First thing she thought as watching the scenery in front of her was a Paradise. Bright green trees and wide blue skies illuminated her eyes. The contrast of a huge tree with white leaves in the middle of grassy area was like a cherry on top of a cake. As an photographer previously, she was so blissful viewing the image but also disappointed since there's nothing with her, like a camera.

Recollecting her memories was bit tricky and she's getting the hang of it. After she died, it seems she was summoned by the huge tree in front of her and was blessed into some kind of hero instead.

On a huge tree, there was a clear pond. Irina looked at her reflection, shocked and perplexed on what she saw. Her face looked like when she was on her high school. Bright face, devoid from scars. Silky black hair and shiny amber eyes. Sharp facial features, she smiled upon it.

After few moments, she remembered everything. From her best to her worst memory, how she suffered before coming to the new world. Upon remembering all sorts of memory, the pain came pouring in her head. She felt so much pain that her head is going to split open. With everything happening to her, she wore a twisted smile.

The headache has yet to fade but she was distracted by some stomping of feet from her left.

"Fuck! I can't take this shit anymore! These idiots don't know when to stop argh!"

"...."

"What?! You look more hellish than me!"

"Oh"

Only then Irina realized that her clothes were like a rag and tattered all over, she look like a madman but never mind that, the girl in front of her was so beautiful that she became speechless for a minute. Snow white hair and glassy purple eyes with a hint of coldness and brutality. She look like an amethyst shining on a snow. Just like her type.

The girl also realized that her actions was vulgar and improper, she immediately smiled and pretended nothing happened.

Can't bear the silence any longer Irina asked. "Where am I?"

"...."

"Hello? I'm lost and I don't know where I am." Irina kept waving her hands in front of her until she snapped.

"You don't know this place?"

"Yes??" The girl looked at Irina like some baffled elder having hard time explaining to a child.

"I hope you not are making fun of me."

"I'm certainly not. I'm still wondering if this is hell."

"This place is a Paradise for people like us. Before that, may I ask for your name which tribe you belong?"

"My name is Irina and I don't know about tribe you're talking about. How should I call you?"

"So you don't belong to some family. Call me Runia, a witch from Northern Continent."

Another world. Summoned by some tree. Being a hero. A tomboy witch talking in front of her. Despite all these information, Irina kept her calm. She's like a baby who was just born.

"Did you just say I'm a witch?"

"Being here in this forest is a proof." Runia felt pity, signed and rubbed her temples instead.

"???"

With a long sign again, Runia explained things. The forest of Lilith was a sanctuary for witches. Only witches who can use their curses can enter the place. Normal people or with different class will get kicked out by the Goddess herself, unless with a invitation from a high ranking witch with her approval.

Irina finally asked the most important question.

"Is this world has witch-hunt?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

Witches were hated and executed upon sight in most countries. They call it witch-hunt. Hunting them like some animal, putting them on stakes and burn them. It was a long time that such actions became a tradition all over the world. It became normal.

Arriving in this world as hero is a good thing but also as a witch is not. Immediately Irina rolled into the grassy field like some madman she are.

"Today is Sabbath day, are you sure you will just roll over there?"

'Maybe' Irina thought. She's a bit glad that she was summoned in this forest rather on some weird village. She stood up and wipe all of the dust from her clothes and arranged her messy hair from while ago.

With her stomach rumbling, she shamelessly asked "Can you spare some food for me, please?"

Runia can't take it anymore and gave her another heavy sign and fruits she got on the way, "Here"

Irina munched all the fruits in front of her. She didn't care of any noises she made as long she can gobble these weird looking fruits. How can she be so ignorant of these! So fresh! Back in her world, what she ate was dull looking and near rot one!

Runia never thought she smiled on such simple act. The person in front of her is eating the fruit happily like a child who just tasted the fruits for the first time. It reminded her of her sister.

After few fruits, Irina slowly regained her strength. While munching another one, "Wshash dyo youd duoin-

"Please talk to me after your mouth is empty." Runia can't help but chuckle. What silly child. She took her handkerchief from her pocket and gave it to her.

Irina made sure to swallow everything and wiped her face with her own hands instead despite accepting the handkerchief. Runia smiled on such cute gesture inside her, it's like she didn't want to dirty the gift.

With a light cough Irina smiled, "What do we do on Sabbath day?"

Runia fiddled on her hat and looked at her, "It's a yearly meeting of witches, primarily for collecting information from each and every countries around the world. Other than that it's socializing. It's a three day event."

Sounds like a convention.

Despite being hunted, witches were able to hide in the shadows and walk silently. Runia felt there was something really important is going on but brushed the feeling away. She like talking right now so why not spare her some time.

Sitting on the grassy field, two figures from far away distance kept talking until sunset.