Chapter 10: Denial Then Acceptance.

Katrin looks up, apprehensive, "W-what are you talking about, I'm no destined one".

Willow shakes her head and sighs "Yes, you are. You are the chosen one, Katrin. Chosen by the goddess Altair herself".

A/n: That's me, I choosed her, I created her and I can end her *proceeds to do an evil laugh* (Okay back to the book.)

Katrin laughs nervously "You must be joking, Willow. I'm just a girl, I'm not special. There's no way I'm some chosen one."

Willow places a hand on Katrin's, which still held the journal. "I understand your disbelief, but it's the truth. Altair spoke to my brother. I told you about his gift of communicating with the goddesses. He saw visions, visions of a girl with a unique connection to magic, a girl who would play a pivotal role in the fate of our world".

Katrin shakes her head letting go of the book, "It couldn't be me. I'm not that girl. I don't want any of this. I-it's too much".

"I know it's overwhelming, Katrin." Willow says softly, "But denying it won't change the truth. Altair has chosen you to stand against the darkness that threatens our world".

"I never asked for this!" Katrin says, frustrated. She pulls her hands away from Willow's and the book, "I never asked for any of it. Why can't I just go back to my normal life? you're witch right c-c-can't you send me back home".

Willow meets Katrin's gaze, shaking her head, "I understand your fear Katrin, but it's not that simple. Sometimes, the path we're meant to walk isn't the one we choose. Destiny has a way of finding us, even when we try to run from it".

Katrin's voice quivers, "I don't want this, I don't want that destiny, why would the goddess chose me. I'm just a scared, weak human girl. With not an ounce of magic in me".

Willow stands up and goes to kneel in front of Katrin, taking her hands again. "Strength comes in many forms, Katrin. You have a power within you, a power you're just finding out about. But you don't have to face this alone. We're here for you, me and Lucy, every step of the way. You just need to learn to unlock your power, something only you can do. Don't underestimate yourself. Altair sees something in you, a potential that you are yet to see. Embrace it Katrin, embrace your destiny."

Before Katrin could respond, loud banging echoed through the wall, and the spell-locked doors of Willow's room trembled under the force. A voice, harsh and demanding, pierced through the door. "Open up, Willow! Where's the girl!"

Fear gripped Katrin's heart as she recognized the raspy but deep voice. It was Rick, the man with the scar, he was here to take her. Panic welled up inside her, and she turned to Willow with pleading eyes. "Please, Willow, you have to help me escape!"

Willow's expression turned somber, and she raised her hand, dispelling the spell that held the doors shut. "Go, Katrin. Your destiny awaits."

Tears welled up in Katrin's eyes as she looked back at Willow one last time, sorrow and fear mixing in her heart. She stepped back, only to be met by Rick's hard chest to her back,.

"Well, well, well," Rick sneered, his eyes narrowing on Willow. "Thought you could hidden her here, didn't you?"

Willow lowered her gaze, her voice heavy with regret. "I'm sorry, Katrin." And Katrin felt the book Being slipped into the folds of her dress.

The Auction Event

The grand hall was adorned with opulent tapestries, its walls lined with curious onlookers, each with their own motives. Katrin watched for a while as slave after slave were sold of to different people. some even left the stage crying. She's also watched the prince from earlier purchase a girl. And soon, it was her turn.

The air hummed with anticipation as Katrin, dressed in a simple white gown, stood upon the raised platform. Her heart raced as the bidding began, the auctioneer's voice carrying over the crowd.

"Starting bid for the human girl, Katrin, is one hundred gold coins!"

The room erupted in whispers, and Katrin's heart sank. She felt like one of toys she'd used to see on display as a child remembering how she watched the rich kids play with them till they were distroyed, now she was suddenly felt bad for those toys, her worth to be determined by the highest bidder.

"Two hundred gold coins!" a voice called out, and Katrin's gaze locked onto a figure cloaked in shadows. The mysterious man, his face obscured, was the one who had made the bid.

The auctioneer's gavel struck, and the bidding continued, escalating rapidly as the crowd vied for ownership of the reluctant girl on the platform. Katrin's mind raced, her thoughts a whirlwind of desperation and fear.

"Five hundred gold coins!"

"Eight hundred!"

"One thousand!"

Katrin's heart pounded in her chest, her breath catching as the bids climbed higher and higher. The mysterious man who had bid initially seemed to be enjoying the spectacle. He bantered with other bidders, his voice carrying a playful edge as he teased them.

"Ah, my Duke Eringal," the mysterious man's voice rang out, addressing the elegantly dressed nobleman in the crowd. "Surely you don't need a mere human for your pleasure, when you have a whole court of willing admirers?"

The Duke, a tall and haughty man with a smirk on his lips, leaned against the balcony railing. "Ah, but there's something enticing about taming the untamed, don't you think?"

Amidst the commotion, a pale figure emerged from the shadows. A vampire, his eyes fixed hungrily on Katrin, clearly seeing her as more than just a prize.

"Five thousand gold coins!" the vampire hissed, his lips curling into a sinister smile.

A shiver ran down Katrin's spine, her unease growing as she felt the vampire's predatory gaze upon her. But then, another voice joined the fray, cutting through the tension.

"Ten thousand gold coins!"

The room fell silent, all eyes turning toward the mysterious man who had initially bid. His voice had taken on a serious tone now, and there was a determination in his gaze as he looked at Katrin.

The auctioneer's gavel struck thrice, and the room erupted in whispers once more. The mysterious man had made the highest bid, securing Katrin's fate. The vampire snarled in frustration, while the sorcerer's expression darkened.

The sorcerer, a man draped in dark robes with an air of menace, stepped forward. "You fools, you're blinded by greed. The girl holds magic that could unlock untold power."

The Duke chuckled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Powers sorcerer? I thought you would be more interested in using her for some dark ritual, not chasing power."

The sorcerer's lips twisted into a wicked smile. "You underestimate me, Duke. A sacrifice could indeed grant me access to ancient magic, but perhaps I would have had other plans for that girl."

Katrin's heart raced as she listened to their banter, her mind whirling with the realization that her destiny was intertwined with forces far beyond her understanding.

As she was led away from the platform, her eyes met Willow's across the room. There was a glint of sorrow in Willow's gaze, a silent note that this was a path that couldn't be altered.

Katrin clutched Azrael's journal to her chest and it pushed the bottle as well, a sense of determination welling up within her. She'd been sold to a mysterious bidder, her fate had began and there was no stopping it. All she knew was.that the pages of Azrael's journal held the key to unlocking her hidden potential.