Chapter Text
Ah, spring. The season where you can get a fresh start to life. Oh well, too bad for you, that's not happening any time soon.
With two new apprentices under your wing, the pressure of taking care and protecting them are endless. Everyday, they come up with new challenges for you to face. And tonight is no different.
There's Isabelle. A lively girl who worries WAY too much for her own good. Her master can't catch a break since she worries about everything 24/7. One time, her master went to grab a glass of water for their sick apprentice. When they came back, the little girl was so scared that her master had abandon her alone.
“I'm here. Im here, Isa. I'm not leaving you here alone, alright?”
She nodded yet her hands are still clutching tight to her master's robe.
“Sorry, master. I shouldn't have accused you of letting go of me. I promise I will try to be more patient.”
“There's no need for an apology, Isa. Now, take your medicine and go back to sleep. We still have lots to do tomorrow.”
She nodded again. The fear of abandonment and darkness still lingering but has already been subdued.
Slowly but surely, she drifted off to dreamland.
•~•~•~•~•~•
“She's finally sleeping. And here I thought you would have to cradle her all night long, master.”
“Lyra? Why are you up?”
Oh almost forgot. The second one is Lyra. The opposite of Isabelle and a fast learner too. It's not really that difficult to care for this girl. In a sense, she's an adult trapped in a child's body.
“But you're still awake as well.”
“Fair point.”
“Can't sleep?”
“Yeah.”
“Care for a cup of tea?”
“Why not.”
•~•~•~•~•~•
With the help of the tea that warms the soul from head to toe, the master and her apprentice went to bed faster than they can even comprehend.
Darkness seeps in to the mind. Then there's light. Tiny sparks of them spread across the view ahead.
Then the sound of footsteps.
Their fast. Like their running towards ..........you.
Run.
Run.
Move you legs now.
Don't stop.
Keep going.
Push yourself pass your limits.
“And then..... come back to us, dear witch of the West Wind.”
A hand reaches out to them.
The witch is terrified.
A seal.
And a forbidden one.
Specifically, a memory restore seal.
“Give in to the truth, share with the rest of the world what your potential can truly reach.”
That voice..... so welcoming to the ears.
No.
The witch shutters of even thinking of reaching out.
Try to resist.
What must a witch like you do to not go with them? To set yourself free from their tight grip?
“Wake. Up.”
The hand pushes them down hard to the cold ground.
A sense of foreboding washes over them.
A cliff.
And below, a pool of blood mixed with conjuring ink. The smell pierces through the nose and stings the eyes.
One step.
Two step.
Then three. Then four.
“Remember or forget? The sins you shall commit or had committed.”
No answer.
The witch can't open their mouth.
It's closed shut.
“Nothing to say? Fine.”
A kick hits their stomach and sends them down to their doom.
The witch doesn't even know what they did to deserve this fate. They can't change it now. The only thing to do now is to wait. Wait for the reaper's hands to catch you.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath and embrace your outcome.
Ready yourself.
.
.
.
“Master!”
Huh?
“Come on! Wake up!”
“Hmm... Isa? Lyra?”
“Master!”
The sliver haired girl hugs you tight.
Maybe too tight.
“Master..... are you here with us yet?”
Another kid with dark teal green hair holds your hand. Concerned fills her face.
That's right. It's your apprentices. How can you forget? Dying just like that. Their one of the reasons why you're still here. Safe and sound.
“I'm okay. Just had a nightmare. No need to fret.”
“You almost fell out of bed.”
“You were sleep talking.”
“I promise I'm alright you two. By the way, what time is it?”
“It's already eight in the morning.”
“Master, didn't you say you were going to take us to see the world above the Great Hall?”
“And to buy us new pens.”
“Ah yes. Let me get ready first and I'll take you there.”
“Yes master.”
They're so kind. After all, they are just kids. Still pure in the heart and mind.
The door closes. The silence is back.
“What..... did I dreamt?”
No matter. For now, get dress and eat something before those two get impatient.
•~•~•~•~•~•
The sea breeze comes blowing in accompanied by the sound of dragons flying above.
The two girls are instantly captivated by the view.
“Look at the sky! A-and the dragons! I've only seen them in picture books! This is my dream come true!!!”
“It's nice to get some air in a new environment. I'm tired of seeing the same view of the sea everytime I went to take a break from practice. Thank you master.”
“Ugh too bad we're only here for a few hours.”
“Perhaps not my dear apprentices. Look ahead.”
I pointed my finger to direct their vision to a house right across a small hill.
“Our atelier. That is going to be where we will be staying for starting from tomorrow. A windowway is there to easily transfer all our belongings.”
“Oh that's such a cute ho...... what?”
“Is this true?”
“Oh. my. god. Lyra! We are finally free from the Great Hall!”
“Stop shaking me! I'm getting dizzy....”
“Don't you see? No more kids picking on us! No more bland porridge and cold bread!”
“Now that you mentioned it, yeah. This really is a pleasant surprise.”
“Thank you master!” “Thank you so much master.”
The two girls exclaimed in unison. The light in isa's eyes shines brighter than the sun. And though Lyra doesn't show much, I can tell she's ecstatic.
“I'm glad you both are happy with this decision. Let's head to Kalhn for you to choose your own pens.”
•~•~•~•~•~•
“Here we are. Come. I had picked out the shop that would suit you two the best.”
“Wait let me guess! Is it Mr Noln.....erm what's his name again?”
“Mr Nolnoa? Am I right?”
“Yes girls. We're going to visit the Starry Sword. Do you remember his grandson?”
“Tartah? Is he working for his grandfather now? Did he not find a master to teach him?”
“Did you forget, Lyra? He has that eye condition called the Silverwash syndrome. It's a pity that he believes cannot ever become a witch. In my opinion, I don't think colour blindness is really a nuisance for us.”
“Different people have different perspective on themselves. But it truly is quite the disappointment for him. To never see the colours of the world around you.”
“Stop dwelling on this matter. We can't change the things that are now unchangeable. Let's just visit their shop and give them a warm greeting.”
The walk to the shop was closer to a mission than a simple task. Isabelle keeps running off to other stalls while Lyra tries to take her back but also separates herself from me.
Finally after calming isa down, we arrived at The Starry Sword. But there seems to be a problem...
“HAH?! IT'S CLOSED?! BU-BUT WE WALKED FOR SO LONGGGGG!”
“It would had only been six minutes if you hadn't keep getting so easily distracted by other shops!”
“Is it really my fault for looking at those pretty designs on their palm quire? They were absolutely gorgeous!”
While they were arguing, tartah comes walking up the stairs.
“Hm? Didn't think I would see you three here. Good afternoon.”
“Afternoon, tartah. Do you have the door knob of the shop with you? I'm here to buy custom pens for Isabelle and Lyra.”
“Of course! Right this way.”
Tartah takes out a door knob in his bag and attaches it to the empty wall. Suddenly, a huge door pops out. He opens it and welcomes us in with a smile.
“Please come inside!”
The shop is still the same as I walked in a month ago.Infinite rows and rows of bottles filled with vibrant colours of magic ink. Different types of pens line the wall on display with whatever designs you can ever imagine. At the middle the gaint sliverwood tree looms over them like a shield protecting the shop.
“Oh it's been a while! My, look at your two girls! How have you been?”
“Nice to see you again Mr Nolnoa. Its been peaceful at the Great Hall with these two. Their names are Isabelle and Lyra.”
“Hello!” “Hi.”
“Well aren't you two adorable! Now, what brings you here to my shop?”
“I am looking for suitable pens for them. I'm hoping tartah is alright with me ordering custom ones?”
“Not at all! I just have to take a closer look at their grip and the way they hold it. It isn't a big deal anyways. I'm happy to help.Come with me upstairs!”
I gestured the two to go. They practically sprinted up the stairs.
“Master are you not coming?”
“I have some matters to discuss with Mr Nolnoa. You girls go ahead without me.”
Once they got upstairs, I went to Mr Nolnoa's working desk. The top is filled with of parchment paper. Small drops of ink are smudged all over.
“Oh dear I didn't even notice my desk is now such a mess!”
“That's alright. But the real reason I'm here is to ask you about....him.”
“Ah you mean-”
Before he could finish, the door swings open as gentle wind blows in. A white hair witch stands at the entrance with another small witch with yellowish green hair, wearing a clueless expression.
“Good afternoon, Mr Nolnoa. I hope you aren't too bu......”
Speak of the devil.
“Oh hold on just a second, qifrey. I'll be with you as soon as I finish talking with this customer.”
“Um- maybe you should help him first. I should go check on the girls.”
“Master qifrey, isn't that-”
“So qifrey,why are you here, hm? Another supply shortage?”
The witch watches as they ran up to the second floor of the shop. Nostalgia washes through him like waves. It's his long distance friend. At least he hopes they still are in their eyes.
“Master qifrey? Helloooo?”
The little witch shook his robe but he was still staring at the stairway that passed.
“Oh-sorry Coco. I was...distracted.”
“You've been like this all day, master! What's wrong? Did I do something to make you like this? If so, I'm-”
“No no nothing to do with you. Anyway, Nolnoa, Coco needs a pen and a bottle of conjuring ink as she is my new apprentice.”
“With you coming in so suddenly, I thought you'd have a more alarming issue for me to solve.”
Qifrey chuckled. What a ridiculous thing to assume. He would never trouble his dear friends for trivial matters unless a pen broke or his atelier ran out a parchment paper. Now that would definitely be quite the spectacle to witness.
“Well, tartah is busy with two other witches making their own custom pens. Come,you two! I can make ink using the branches of the tree upstairs.”
Mr Nolnoa's voice trails off in qifrey's mind as he goes back to processing what he just saw.
His old friend.
For a long time, he didn't know where or how are they. Seeing them up close now lit a spark of hope in him. But why did they avoid him? What actually went down all those years when they were far apart from each other?
•~•~•~•~•~•
“Hey Qifrey!”
You were so close to me.
And with Olruggio by their side, they were the most troubling trio back at the Great Hall. Most nights they would sneak out and go to see the sights above to deep sea. Starry skies, grassland that spread so far they couldn't see where it ends or starts and beaches to collect some seashells.
"Ooh this one shines so brightly under the moonlight!"
"Let me see!"
Just being beside you is enough to put a smile on my face. Your presence was my everything. It still is.
“Qifreyyyy. Are you here?”
The little witch waves their hand in front of him.
“Let's go back. I'm getting sleepy!”
What is this feeling?
Maybe happiness?
No.
More than that, adoration?
Even more than the latter.
Love.
But he swears it's nothing important to care for. He wishes for this strange, fuzzy feeling to go away sooner or later. Yet, it doesn't. But it has to. For tis not his actions but the consequences are irreversible.
Time and time again, acquaintanceship turns to friendship. And then it grows into something more.
The future is an unknown void and the past is a maze that we had escaped. The three of you are now fully fledged witches.
“Qifrey and Olruggio decided to stay in Kalhn and build their atelier there. Are you not going with them?” Your master, Lord Beldaruit inquired. “Huh? When?”
“Oh dear. They haven't told you yet?”
You excused yourself to go meet with them. Luckily, Argentgard isn't that far from their dorm room. Though the trip left you slightly drenched in sweat.
As soon as you reach the door, you knocked on it hard but you regret soon after. The door opens to reveal the witch cloaked in black.
“Woah, you look exhausted.”
“Who would've guessed, olly?”
Olruggio could tell in an instant something's wrong. He always knows.
“Somethin' the matter?”
“How long were you two gonna wait to tell me that you're leaving here forever?How long was I intended to stay in the dark?”
My breath is getting shakier as well as my hands.
If they leave, what am I suppose to do?
My only friends. They're leaving me. Who will I have now?
“Look, it wasn't easy deciding when to tell you.Qifrey wanted you to come with us but we know you won't like it.”
Oh.
He's right.
Back then, before I was taken in by Lord Beldaruit as his apprentice, I was staying with my mother.
Peaceful nights passed by quick as lightning. Maybe it's because I was still a child. The colours of the world were constantly painted in vibrant shades. Thinking back now, I would be the same as it always was if it weren't for the brimmed caps killing off my mother. Her last words remain engraved permanently in my soul.
“Run. Never look back. Never.”
I ran for quite a while. It's impressive for a child with short legs to run so far.
I didn't know where to go.
How could I?
The person closes to me is now gone.
I had no one.
Fortunately, I saw someone up ahead.
A knights moralis.
And that was when I was brought here to the Great Hall. I do miss the fresh air outside, the stars hanging above the night sky. Nevertheless, the brims are always watching, ready for the chance to strike.
“You guys know me so well. That's why I don't want you to go.”
“Oh there you are. I haven't seen you all d-”
Qifrey walks by noticing his two friends conversing. Then, he noticed. The whole atmosphere felt.....different.
“She found out, qifrey.”
The last thing I wanted them to know. The last thing I want this news to bring them is pain. But, all I see in those eyes were only sorrow. I'm so sorry, dear friend. My wish to leave the hall is too much to contain.
“Are you really not coming back?”
“We will. Just not that often.”
They took a heavy sigh.
“Go. You said your dream was to become a teacher, right? Build your own atelier? Who am I to stop you from accomplishing it?”
You sounded so calm. Like you were pushing us away.
“Would ya' like to escort us?”
“No way. I would hate to disturb you with my presence. Oh, don't remind me when you will leave. You know I'm also a crybaby.”
With their last words declared, they stormed off. Olruggio and I stood there. We had hoped to reveal the truth to them right before we leave so it wouldn't sting so bad. Perhaps the outcome might had still been the same.
•~•~•~•~•~•
“Thank so much, tartah!”
“You're most welcome. Is there any discomfort when you hold the pen?”
“Nope! It fits perfectly!”
“How's everything here? I hope the girls weren't too much trouble for you.”
“They were alright. Nothing troubling.”
“Tartah!”
Coco hugs tartah with a tight squeeze. You could swear there is a light shade of blue on him just now.
“Coco-I can't-breath!”
“Oh sorry! So sorry!”
Turning your view back to your apprentices, you look at their newly crafted pens. The lines as well as the small designs incorporated were all made with utter dedication.
While paying for your supplies, you spotted qifrey still standing there, pretending to admire the sliver wood tree.
Oh how you yearn to talk to him again after all these years being apart.
But, something is pulling you away from him, something uncertain. You know he and olly didn't do anything wrong. It was more of your doing to sever all your ties between them both.
It's a lesson you've learned or, believed. If you aren't too close to someone, then when the day they leave, the wound will heal up quicker.
“Here's your change. Thanks for stopping by!”
“Thank you, Mr Nolnoa. Come girls, time to go.”
“Ooh I can't wait to move into our very own atelier! Lyra, I don't think I could sleep tonight!”
“Me too. But just make sure you don't wake up the entire Great Hall.”
“Hey!”
You and qifrey exchanged a glance before you broke the silence that was eating you alive bit by bit.
“Bye qifrey.”
You can see a slight shift on his eyebrows. He was surprised. You're certain. Being friends with him since young, you've taught yourself how to read him well.
You know he won't have time to talk to you so you took the girls and walked out the store.
Strange, I haven't seen him for quite some time now, so why does my face and ears feel so hot?