Witch of the Gate (Part I): Empyrean Crystal Soul

-“What is the meaning of this?” The Beast woman shouts after Daphne leaves. I can tell that she is irascible but I can also understand her.

-“My granddaughter learned that she is a witch some weeks ago. She doesn’t even use her powers. She will be no help for you.” I try to explain.

-“It is your responsibility to make sure that the next generation of witches will be born safely.” The woman couldn't accept my explanations.

-“If she doesn’t know to use her powers, you can teach her even if you don’t have yours. However, I realize that she is not willing to take the role.” The Elf man concludes. I sigh as his words are right.

-“I don’t believe that the fate of our world depends on the hands of a spoiled brat!!!” The woman shouts.

-“Your world has its problem and mine has its own. That girl had a hard life so please give her some time.”

-“We don’t have time!!!” The woman screams.

-“Gina, calm down.” The Elf man says to her and then he looks at me.

-“Firstly, I would like to confirm some things. If the war started right after my last visit, then the ones who attacked me with poison, knew very well that I wouldn’t be able to return.”

-“It is a conspiracy of the Demonkin as the one I fought then was them.” I say. Then, I remember Tarragon saying that it was the Demonkin with the most strength and control in Etheria.

-“We can’t be sure but it is possible.” Adrian says.

-“In the first place, is there a poison that can break an Ethereal Soul?” Gina wonders.

She is right. The only way I know that can destroy a Soul is a very powerful spiritual attack and only fairies have spiritual powers. However, I was fighting some Demonkin and not fairies.

-“It is strange indeed. However, before searching for a culprit, we must restore the fallen Etheria.” Tarragon says.

-“This is not a matter of some dangerous mission that must be accomplished. There are some fundamental problems and obstacles. In a matter of fact, there is a whole list of problems that must be solved.” He says with a serious expression on his face.

I can think of some of these problems.

-“In the first place is the lack of mystique. The magic energy is depleted and the Demonkin are using the life of their slaves to restore it but it is not enough. Our world has become a vast wasteland. There are only a few last places with vegetation and as a result, the Elves are weakening. There are a few more tribes which are going to extinct soon.” Tarragon explains.

-“There is another issue. After so many years of absence, our world is not keeping the same respect and worship to the Witch of the Gate. There are also those who are hostile to her blaming her for every suffering they went through.” Gina says calmly. I can tell from the way she treated me.

-“How did you open the Gate?” I ask.

-“We used one of the rare fruits from the Tree of Life combined with the most spiritually sensitive night of the Earth.” Tarragon answers and I freeze.

Those fruits are extremely rare. The Tree of Life bears fruits every hundred years and there are only a small number of them. Well, they kept them safe for eighteen years but if they used one now, it means that things are really bad.

-“If things are so bad, how can the Witch of the Gate act?” Adrian asks.

-“We are only messengers. We don’t know anything more than the words of the oracle.” Tarragon answers.

-“We need a plan.” I say and I sigh as I know that at the centre of this plan must be Daphne.

I wasn’t in the mood to play. My longing to play freely with some friends was ruined. It was my chance to feel like a normal person but I missed it. The whole night I was moody and cranky. I couldn’t enjoy the festival.

I’m afraid that the young company of Derek will ostracize me as many people did in the past. In the end, it must be my bad luck or my dark energy that push away other people and attracts misfortune and loneliness.

At the end of the night, I didn’t want to return to my grandma’s house, where those people were. However, I didn’t have a place to go. Then, it was Derek who offered me accommodation for the night. I think that he realized that something was wrong.

I am really thankful to him. Even though I can’t explain much to him, he didn’t ask. Maybe he thinks that I had a fight with my grandmother. It is better than telling him that a beast woman and an elf man are at my living room.

His parents were kind-hearted and generous people. They didn’t question me about the reason I would stay the night. They were willing to accommodate me. I also noticed Derek’s mother winking at him cunningly and I felt my cheeks be on fire. They thought that I was his girlfriend.

At breakfast, we are the two of us, as his parents work at the farm really early in the morning. He should also be with them, but Derek stayed back for me.

-“How are you feeling?” He asks.

-“I am calm, I think.”

-“That is good. Do you want me to come with you?”

I feel really warm as I see his sincere feelings with every word he says.

-“Thank you. You did enough already.”

-“It was not much. I am glad that I could help you.” He says as he touches my hand. I’m feeling it hot at the spot he is touching.

This hot sensation expands to my whole body. His hazel eyes stare at me warmly and with yearning. I feel my cheeks on fire again and I notice him smiling cunningly.

-“When you blush, your cheeks are so red like the wild roses.” He says and I am blushing more. Then, he burst into laughs.

-“Stop laughing!” I say as though I am angry but I am not. He really stops laughing but the next moment, I can feel his hand on my head and his lips on my lips. He is kissing me.

This is my first kiss with a boy. It is strange and beautiful at the same time. I can feel his tongue inside my mouth as it bothers my tongue. I can taste the milk and cereals we just ate.

My heart is beating really fast in my chest and not only my cheeks but my whole body is burning.

When he frees me, I try to take a deep breath as his kiss was deep and breathless. I look at him with surprise and embarrassment.

-“Daphne, I like you.” He says so directly and so suddenly.

He likes me? How? Why? When? I don’t understand. We know each other only a few days.

I furrow my eyebrows. I don’t know in which way I like him. He was my first friend. In a matter of fact, he was the first person who treated me with kindness unconditionally. I am thankful and happy but I don’t know if we have the same feelings. I don’t know how to feel this way.

-“Do you want to go on a date with me now?” He asks. My throat is dry. I am unwilling to return home but at the same time I feel so confused about this sudden confession.

-“Come on! There is no need to be afraid.” He says and at the same time, I am scared.

He is a stranger that asks me to believe and trust him. I don’t know if I can. My closest people, my parents didn’t want me. I trusted them but they betrayed my feelings and my love. I am not ready to invest my feelings once again.

Despite that, his voice is like narcotic. His eyes are so warm and attractive. They mesmerize me to do whatever he asks. I nod my head and he smiles at me widely. He takes my hand and pulls me out of the house.

His hand is warm and stable. It is safe. At least, I think it is safe. I like holding his hand.

We are holding hand while walking to the village. He doesn’t let me go for a second. Now with the day’s light, he tours me through the village and shows me around, as it is my second time to be here. Last night, I couldn’t see anything clearly.

He is eager to explain everything to me. He introduces me to some of his closest acquaintances, neighbors and working partners. I can see their foxy gazes as they look at me. They have the same notion with Derek’s parents. They think that I am his girlfriend.

We pass half the day together at the village and then, we finally end at the forest we met for the first time.

-“Did you have a good time?” He asks and I nod my head shyly. He smiles.

His hand touches my cheek and his eyes look at me with adoration. My face goes down out of habit but he keeps it high so he can look me into my eyes.

-“I want us to be together.” He says and his voice is like whisper. My heart is racing in my heart.

I want to warn him. He must not expect much. My heart is frozen. Even if it is hopping and racing, I don’t know if it can burn in the flames of real love. However, my throat is closed. I can’t utter a word and then he kisses me again on the lips.