Memories flooded my mind as I stepped into that cave, the unmistakable stench of blood filled the air. I knew the prophecy very well yet every bit of me wanted to rebel. I had to take revenge for my family, for my sister. "Alyssa is waiting for you," came a familiar voice, "She is starving." I took a deep breath and proceeded further. Every step felt heavy, burdensome.

  I swallowed hard before facing her. Hesitantly I extended my hand, her sharp teeth sunk into my wrists sucking hungrily at my blood. I watched in pure disgust and hate as she eagerly drank of my wrist wishing my blood would somehow poison her to death or choke her but wishes like that will never come true especially here, where she rules. as if she were able to read my mind, she looked up at me and tucked a strand hair behind my ear, she let out a low chuckle. "Sweetheart ,dreams like that can't come true," her voice low and raspy, "you know what happened to your sister." I clenched my fists, the hatred I held slowly taking over. She smiled, something about the way she looked at me made my stomach churn. The warm blood ran down my fists, catching her attention. Soon her eyes were fixated on my blood, she licked her lips lustfully and sunk her teeth back into my wrists, I winced in pain. I closed my eyes tightly, holding in the urge to scream. I watched in horror as she drained my blood.

  She wiped her blood filled mouth with the back of her hand, visibly satisfied with her meal. Her lips curled into a childish smile, a rare sight. Truth be told, she had beautiful smile, had I been a guy, I'd be falling for her without hesitation. Love, that one word brought memories back like a wave, washing over the craze I had been in. Yes, she's beautiful but she's a murderer, a thief, a home-wrecker, she's everything I could possibly hate. "Nara, I know you hate me dear, but I'm not as bad as you think I am," her--- voice carried something different in it, a strange sense of grief but her eyes held something else, a dark, mysterious emotion, one I'd never seen in her. "Yeah, of course, you're a saint with a dark past Alyssa. wonderful! And now what do you expect me to do about it? Huh? Pity you. oh you poor helpless soul!" I mocked. Tears rolled down her cheeks," You'd never understand, nobody does! This was never me!" For the first time, she was being genuine. Alyssa was the daughter of the one of the most terrifying yet revered witches Prestissa, but she never carried the qualities of a witch, she was more human-like and had a strange childishness in her. One night she disappeared and when she returned she changed completely, nobody knew for certain what exactly happened to change her this way but rumour had it that she was in love with a guy who was part of the Solitaire clan. The Solitaire clan had been the greatest nemesis of the witches, known for their quick combat style and ability to control all five nature elements. Just like the witches thrived on the blood of their maidens, Solitaires just needed one drop of water from the divine spring to gain their powers, at that spring Alyssa met him, Ravin, one of the most powerful warriors of the Solitaires. The rest is a mystery but we all know Ravin was power craving and career driven, he never had mercy for anyone, I had met him once or twice, gosh he was fine but a complete jerk, a self-obsessed monkey!

  Whatever he did changed Alyssa completely, from angel to witch. "Look Alyssa, I have zero interest in glorifying you, I hate you and always will!" She laughed mirthlessly, "I know dear, I know," she said before heading back to her cave. I watched her until the darkness swallowed her. I took a little tour on my way back to my dorm, the little fountain caught my attention. The way the tiny little fairies surrounded it, as the water flowed down gracefully, the cool breeze tickled my skin teasing my wound. I washed my wrist in the fountain, surprisingly the water still remained clear, not a trace of my blood to be seen. I admired my reflection in the water, the way my hair fell on my face shamelessly, the way my dimples formed as I smiled, my beautiful blue eyes...wait! I had dark brown eyes, I watched in disbelief as my reflection smiled widely at my shocked face. This isn't me, she is...is...is someone else. "Who...who are...a-a-are y-yo-you?" I stuttered, fear filling my system. I heard a low chuckle behind me, instinctively I turned around. I was met with a pair of half-amused, half-shocked eyes. "WHO ARE YOU!?" I yelled with more bravado than I actually had. He laughed. "I'm Robert" he said, his voice light and friendly, sounded kind of girly to be honest. "Oh, hi Robert" I said sheepishly.

  This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

  "And you are?"

  "Nara"

  "Nice name"

  "Thanks"

  "Care to explain what you are doing at the divine spring?"

  "T-Th-this is the divine spring? But it was in that direc-," I pointed north

  "No Nara! This is the divine spring, that one is the Solitaire lair" he said interrupting me.

  Suddenly he fell to the ground, Ariesa stood behind him, a staff in hand. "Nara, are you okay? " her voice filled with concern, "This isn't the divine spring Nara, this is the Fountain of Despair, it reflects ones dark desires to lure them!"

  "But it didn't reflect mine."

  "What? What did it show you?"

  "A more beautiful version of me!"

  "Beauty is your desire then"

  "No, I desire her end."

  "Show me"

  I again watched my reflection, the same beautiful woman appeared but this time she had dark black eyes, he hair was loose and messy. Her smile wasn't soft anymore, it had a creepy aura to it."

  "T-th-tha-"

  Ariesa backed away slowly, her breath became heavy and her eyes widened.

  "Ariesa, who is she?"

  "Selvise Injed, the very first witch and ruler of Solitaire "

  "A witch is the ruler of Solitaire?"

  "Y-yes, shhh, I found out from The Book of Wisdom."

  That fact hit me like a brick.

  "Selvise Injed's younger sister Creta Injed, was crowned as the ruling witch of our village stirring up jealousy in Selvise which led her creating the Solitaire Clan to take down Creta but yeah she hasn't been too successful at that till date."

  "But how is she my desire? What does she have to do with Alyssa or my sister?"

  "You're the TaireWitch!"

  "What's that?"

  Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a thin, pale hand pulled her into the fountain.

  "ARIESA!" I yelled. The reflection sneered clearly mocking me. I tried pulling Ariesa out but her force was too strong.

  "Let her go Selvise!"

  She smiled mockingly, her eyes fixated on my wounded wrist.

  "You want my blood?"

  Her eyes shone greedily. Bloodlust huh?

  I offered her my bleeding wrist, a twisted smile formed on her face.

  "Let Ariesa go now!"

  She shook her head, her voice was metallic and screechy, "You shouldn't trust witches so easily dear!"

  "You traitor!"

  She disappeared into the fountain before I could say anything further.

  Ariesa's corpse lay before me, her face pale.

  I caressed her hair, tears streaming down my cheeks, "I'm so sorry Ariesa, it's all my fault."

  Soon the news of Ariesa's passing spread through the village, most weren't surprised. Ariesa was known for her curious nature, so according to the other maidens Ariesa poked her nose in the wrong place and met her end. Although they weren't exactly wrong, they weren't exactly right either. Selvise Injed, that name rang in my head. I had to solve the mystery between her and Alyssa. And how exactly is Selvise connected to my revenge plan. One big mystery and one tiny me.