1 Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time.

Deep in the forest, five hundred miles from the town of Neendera.

There lived an old woman named Azere and her companion, the 18 years old girl named Sabrina. They lived peacefully in a hut surrounded by towering trees and majestic mountains.

One sunny day.

Grandma Azere addressed the girl. "Child, I'm not feeling well right now. You have to bring the food to the cave today," she said.

Sabrina's eyes lighted up. "Y-you want me to bring the food to the cave, Grandma? Are you sure?" she asked in disbelief.

Grandma never allowed her to bring the food to the cave even once. She accompanied her to the cave several times in the past, but she was not allowed to get closer to the entrance of the cave.

But now she has to go there on her own. She feels excited even if it's dangerous to go there.

"Yes, only for today. I'm suffering from leg pain nowadays. I can barely move my legs. It's painful to go to the cave in my current condition," Grandma Azere replied.

Sabrina nodded her head. "Alright, I'll bring the food to the cave."

"But you have to promise me that after you deliver the food to the cave, leave the place right away! Do not enter the cave! Just leave the basket on the rock near the entrance and walked away. No matter what you're going to hear from the cave, don't listen to the monster, leave right away! Did you understand my instruction, child?" Grandma Azere said.

"Yes, Grandma, loud and clear. Don't worry, I won't enter the cave!" Sabrina replied, and she meant it.

"Good!" Grandma Azere placed the food in the basket.

Sabrina was the one cooking the foods in the kitchen earlier. The food was wrapped in banana leaves and placed in the wooden box, together with the spoon and fork.

"Grandma, you told me before that the monster imprisoned inside the cave will eat me alive once I enter the cave. Is it true?" Sabrina asked.

Grandma Azere sighed deeply and said, "Just follow my instruction, as long you don't enter the cave you're safe."

A frown appeared on Sabrina's face. She has been thinking about these questions for a long time. "Grandma, why the monster was imprisoned inside the cave? Who put him there? And how long he will stay in the cave?" she asked curiously.

Grandma Azere glowered at her. "Stop asking questions, child! Go now and come back right away!" she snapped irritably at her.

"Alright, Grandma. Please don't be angry anymore!" Sabrina said and picked up the basket.

Grandma Azere looked at Sabrina in the eyes. "No matter what happens, do not enter the cave! Do you understand, child?"

"Got it, Grandma! I'm going now," Sabrina said, she rushed to the door and exited.

Grandma Azere watched Sabrina leaving the hut. She watched the girl walking in the direction of the cave until she can no longer see her back. She was feeling restless inside.

She released a deep sigh.

If only her legs didn't give her much suffering nowadays, she will never allow Sabrina to go to the cave alone.

She was about to close the door, but suddenly a black mist materialized on the ground, an old woman wearing a black ensemble magically appeared out of nowhere.

Grandma Azere released a deep sigh after seeing the witch. "Why are you here?"

The mysterious witch smiled. "I told you before, sooner or later, you will send Sabrina to her doom. That girl and the wolf inside the cave are destined to meet. You can't prevent it no matter how hard you try!"