Chapter 4: The Last Witch

While trudging down the stone paved stairs, the lamp flickers as if passed by the wind. Their every step creates a 'clank' sound and the echo produced fades into the darkness.

The path that seemed endless made their weariness grow as they take a step deeper. The light and warmth given off by the lamp were their only companion they can rely on beside having each other.

The little girl's agitation is mirrored on her face as cold sweat roll down from her neck down to her chest. Only at that time was she able to give attention to her pitiful look.

The cherry-colored dress her mother sewn as her birthday present now looked a bit darker due to the dirt clinging like leeches. The embroidered flower is now colored bloody red due to the wounded girl's blood. And some bloody dots look like it's natural part of the dress' designs.

The once conservative dress now looked a bold outfit when her fair right leg is revealed by a slit as the skirt had been ripped. Paired with her disheveled cherry-colored hair, she now stood as an embodiment of an elegant ragged child.

On the other hand, the second brother cannot stop thinking about the beautiful smiling face of the wounded girl that had took his breath away.

When they were falling, the girl said to him, 'It's fun. A venture into the unknown. Will you come?' Seeing his confused face, she smiled.

Understanding nothing, he didn't answer. More importantly, he was worried. Will they even live after this fall? Thinking about venturing into the unknown is impossible if they cannot survive their current predicament.

Having to seem understood his reaction, the girl reached out her hands. He grabbed hold of it and felt warmth entering his body.

They were falling, having both hands stretched and holding each other.

Inexplicable, he is no longer worried. She smiled again, 'I'm looking forward to our future adventures. I'll be in your care.' Those were the last words he heard before he was enveloped by darkness.

Taking a step deeper, the light from the lamp gave his image a mysterious effect. His white polo turned dirty white and his black trousers have few scratches. On top of the polo is an unbuttoned black jacket with a long slit at the back. His quite long black and wavy hair reaches his neck with few strands covering his glasses.

With his eyes covered behind his glasses, nobody can see what kind of expressions he's making. He is indeed an enigmatic character, with an unreadable personality. He is seen as the scholar type, maybe geeky? But without a doubt he stood as a good looking young man.

After a long while, they arrived at a flat surface. With nothing to be seen, both has raised their own lamps and as the flickering light steadied, before them lies a narrow room. In its center a table with several objects is placed. On its right wall are attached cupboards and below it was a line of small cabinets. Meanwhile, the left wall has attached shelves adorned with old books.

The room is housed by cobwebs on every nook and cranny. A breeze of dust wafted in the air that made their noses itch.

The girl has proceeded towards the cupboards and searched for medicines. She is quite familiar with herbal medicines as she regularly stops by a friend's house who's interested in medicine composition.

On the other hand, the boy surveyed the table. It was occupied by opened books which contains strange markings. He blew away the dust on the book he senselessly picked up.

There is an image of a magic circle. Despite being hooked to it, the characters were incomprehensible, however. He is confident with his knowledge but he admitted that this is his first time seeing such characters, making him even more interested on studying it.

Picking a handful of books, he waited for her sister to finish her search. However, they were both startled when a loud 'bang' was heard to the far end of the room.

Uncertain if should they approach or not, they chose the former. Raising their lamps to see what's at the far end of the room, they witnessed another door.

Another 'bang' came from the door.

'Who's there?' The boy asked grabbing a sharp object from the table. It was responded with another 'bang'.

Silence enveloped afterwards when the siblings decided not to respond. A faint plea lingered in the air as it grows stronger.

'Please help me.' The faint voice was heard from the other side.

'I won't hurt you. I promise.'

'How can we trust your words?' The boy asked with full of doubts.

'I can prove it to you. Firstly, you might have another companion. A girl of age 8. She must have been the one who opened the hidden door below the sink.' Answered the voice from behind the door.

The siblings were shocked. First of all, his little sister didn't even speak a bit since arriving in the room. Were they monitored?

'How can you say so?' The boy asked again.

'The hidden door was affixed with a mana-recognition seal. To open the door, its conditions must be first met. If the seal has been found by others and injects high-tier mana into it, the door won't break nor open. It must be manually opened by altering the lock as it has no specific key. Having that in mind, it should only be open by a young girl the same age as the person being protected.'

The answer was indeed correct.

'Lastly, who are you? Why are you even here?' The boy asked again.

'I'm the village chief's daughter. We were attacked a week ago.' came the answer.

Deciding that they will hear more of the girl's explanation, the little girl approached the door.

'How can we help you?' The little girl asked.

'There is really a girl. Please, you just have to do the same that time with the sink.'

Nodding, the little girl put the vials of medicines at the table and took her hairpin. Altering the lock of the keyhole that has the same markings as from the sink, they soon heard a 'click' breaking the silence.

The door moved and opened itself. When the doors have fully opened, there stood before them a young girl with long and wavy blonde hair.

Staring back at them is a pair of dazzling green eyes in a long balloon dress. Just by seeing her, one can already deduce that the person standing before them is a princess.

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