Set in stones

It was said that time had never waited for anyone. That whatever happened existed for a reason and everything was set in stones since the beginning of times. There was no way of turning the wheel of time to change real events that happened and caused the downfall of many civilizations. Human greed knew no bound and witches weren't a race on their own.

Many believed witches came from human territories and the race in itself. Since they were weak and didn't have the power to protect themselves correctly, they were treated and given the responsibility of everything. The mages that were born to humans decided to keep themselves hollowed in their researches. They believed that they had the key to something incredible and unworldly, which caused them to forget the outer world.

There was a truth in those legends they spoke of witches; most witches came from the human race but they weren't born as such. They were once young and dreamful of a good future. However, at some point, they were forced to have a choice; whether to see power by having a contract with a demon or accept their death and gamble on their next life… That if they had one.

Actually, few women dared to accept such a contract. Because everytime a demon was summoned, one had to pay with their life, letting both the weight of the soul and the body decide the power bestowed upon them. Therefore, one of the reasons to choose that path was the cornered state of the self. Stephan was thoroughly convinced- the reality of the truth had been hard to accept. The game happened in that era; it happened in the past and he knew everything about the past.

Legend of the Past was a game he cherished dearly. Not because of the gameplay alone but the stories also. Though he didn't remember everything at the moment and he couldn't recall them, he believed once the time was right and he was in the similar places he visited in the game, his memory would be refreshed and he would remember everything.

The appearance of witches was spotted five hundred years ago. There was a woman who wasn't born with powers; she was ordinary like all humans in Masmoenia. Yet, she found it unfair humans didn't have the power to get where they want. Therefore, through hardships and obstacles and right when she was about to be killed, a demon was summoned and she attained what she wanted.

There were stories about her death but no one saw her corpse; some even believed she became a full demon. However, she had people who loved her for what she was; people she took in and protected. She claimed a land and made it a safe haven for humans. However, things had never stayed the same and she started losing her power. Being loved and cherished made her like that. The true essence of her magic came from hate and vengeance. Once she got her revenge, her power wouldn't obey her.

Learning of her diminishing power, the kingdom of Valtrar called forth mercenaries to subjugate the witch. Apparently, all other nations accepted for humans to keep a few lands but they had to kill one of their own race and end her life. Soprana was believed to have burnt by stake. However, she was clearly alive in front of Stephan, reading a book.

"She lived. This whole time she was hiding in this hut," Stephan whispered to himself.

In his memories, there were a multitude of all kinds of treasures and precious artifacts that weren't used in the past era. However, it could be possible they still existed in the Plaguelands. Since the Plaguelands were considered as a freezing time as rarely people visited the dangerous areas. Even the vampires with great powers and the dragons with great wings and claws didn't dare to go deeper.

After thinking for a moment, his brows wrinkled deeply. Stephan was incredibly sensible to details. Playing a game with so much details made all other games lame in his eyes… A sense of happiness submerged his heart when he thought again he was in that world he wished it would exist.

He ignored the memories that couldn't be recalled and focused more on the problem at hand. The dwarf and the elf wanted him to leave the witch behind and keep going towards the end of their quest. However, he felt as if there was something in there that would help him greatly in his journey and, who knows?

"The most important thing right now, human Stephan, is the quest. Our debts are important too. You said you would tell us how to pay it at the end of this journey. Therefore, isn't it a given to rush to the end?"

"I agree with you. However, the witch's hut must have something we can use. We can bargain and get what we want."

"What can you bargain with, Stephan? I am still curious about Yizurma's tower. What did you offer him in exchange for all that?" Agandaur pointed at all the clothes and artifacts he got from the mage from the dark tower.

"I gave him a recipe from a master of mine," he grinned. "Oooh! I am flattered the stinking dwarf and elf are worrying about me."

"I am not a stinking dwarf/Elf," they said both at the same time.

Soprana the witch was reading her book intently aware of the unwanted visitors. She stood up and put her book carefully on the seat behind her. No one noticed the silhouette moving to her mirror and adjusting her appearance to a young lady of red hair and eyes. The color came from the demon and a mark from the witchcraft she practiced.

She walked around her dingy hut then opened the rough wooden door that caused an annoying sound. Her body stood idly observing the ones that broke through her level of barrier. There was no one that could just walk by it. Someone or something allowed it to be so.

"Swiftly pierce through my enemies and give back the serenity of mine land," she extended her hand materializing a magic bow in the form of energy. "For I am the Mud-blood Soprana."