Malefis Forest Skyline, a fast-moving object is flying through the horizon. A witch’s broom should only be carrying its master and yet the broom breaks every and all rules as it carries not two but three people in total.

Alexis Fuller, High Priestess of the witches coven in Malefis Forest, is sitting at the front. Behind her and holding tightly on her waist is magician-turned-necromancer-turned-fugitive, Mavis Grand and all the way at the back, holding tightly for dear un-life at the broom’s bristles, Lowell Necros.

Their destination is the large sequoia tree deep in the forest. Along the way, other witches started following us from behind. They weren’t hostile as they’re mainly curious on who their High Priestess brought back home.

Mavis, still baffled by the events that just kept on happening, had many questions she wanted answered.

“I can’t believe you’re still alive!” Mavis screamed at Alexis, the air pressure making it hard for her to hold a conversation.

“Of course I’m alive silly! I’m more surprised he’s still around.” Alexis said through telepathy while jerking her head to the right.

Mavis looked back to see a distressed Lowell begging to be let back on. She looked back ahead to ask the witch for help but before she could say anything, she already heard the answer in her head.

“No can do, love. If he wants to be forgiven, that’s the least he can do.” Alexis said telepathically once again though this time, there’s a hint of anger in it.

“What exactly did-” still shouting, before Mavis could even finish the sentence, a small thing went inside her throat throwing her into an unsightly coughing fit.

While Mavis is choking behind her, Alexis busted out laughing. One of the many rules of flying is to avoid opening your mouth as small insects or projectiles could enter hence the use of telepathy for communication though telepathy in itself is a high level skill for a magician to learn.

After her coughing fit, Mavis thought twice on opening her mouth while in the air. Considering that Alexis could read minds, she opted to think of what she’s going to say instead of actually saying it.

“What was it exactly that Lowell did?” Mavis thought, conversing with the witch.

“You’re no fun, love. As for Lowell, let’s just say he did me and the others wrong.” Alexis telepathically said playfully.

“The others?” Mavis asked very curiously.

“Oh? Has he not told you? That man had always been discreet.” Alexis stated seemingly holding Lowell in high regard.

“No he has not. He said he has trouble remembering things.” Mavis explained to the witch.

“I see. That’s no fair! And here I thought I could relive some good memories with an old friend.” Alexis said with a hint of melancholy.

She continues.

“I’ll tell you both everything once we reach New Fullsborough. That’s the witch city within the sequoia tree.”

Mavis looked further ahead and easily spots the largest tree she had ever laid eyes upon on. The sequoia tree was said to be the source of life within the area, mainly the Malefis Forest. To think there’s a city within it, it’s unbelievable.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Mavis shifts her focus back to Alexis, mainly looking at the back of her head. Even if there were barely any features to see because of her long, fluffy, pink hair, one could tell that she grooms her hair frequently which is a rare sight especially in a place like this. Lowell spoke the truth about Alexis preserving her youth.

Still, it was quite the surprise that she acts this way. All playful and sociable. I wouldn’t have thought that she acts this way when I met her earlier.

20 minutes earlier, near the chimera cave.

“You guys killed my darling pet! As High Priestess of the Malefis coven, I, Alexis Fuller, shall bestow upon you the gift of death.” The witch yelled at the two “poachers” in irritation.

The witch started instantaneously chanting spells at the two. It all happened so fast. The trees around them all came to life, slowly lumbering towards them, trying to catch them.

Lowell, in return, started chanting spells on his own. Large glaciers of ice formed within the trees, rendering all of them unable to move.

Mavis, sensing the grave danger that she’s in, decided that it’d be best to hide behind Lowell, who’s dishing out superior spells that prove to counter the witch’s attacks.

“I thought you knew each other!” Mavis yelled at Lowell who’s still defending themselves fr0m a barrage of spells.

“I was still alive when I last saw her! Of course she wouldn’t recognize me.” Lowell retorted in a somewhat annoyed fashion.

With the constant barrage of spells thrown by Alexis, it became a standstill. Lowell knew that if they want to come out alive of this predicament, Mavis had to step in.

“Master! I need you to cast a restrict spell on her, like the one you used on the chimera.” Lowell told Mavis in a commanding tone.

“O-okay!” Mavis replied, somewhat hesitant on what she just signed up for.

Mavis started to chant the Raise Entangling Roots spell. As she tried to cast it, nothing happened. All the trees in the vicinity are frozen solid and it wasn’t like this spell summoned the roots from thin air.

She has to use another spell. With her mind being cluttered at the heat of the moment, she pulled out her grimoire to consult it for other restrict spells.

“Heavenly Chains”, a spell that summons chains from heaven and restricts a target and permanently sever a person’s connection to magic. It is Mavis’s ultimate spell but she can’t use it on Lowell’s old friend.

“Quagmire”, a basic spell that summons a bog on a surface. It might be a useful spell but with an enemy like her, she could easily break free from it.

“Basilisk Shackles”, an advanced spell that summons two basilisks that constricts their target and draw their gaze, intending to petrify the target. This could work on the witch.

She started to chant the spell, still hiding behind her skeleton shield. The moment she is ready to cast her spell, she quickly stepped sideways onto the open with a clear line of sight at her target.

“Basilisk Shackles!” Mavis chanted, two basilisks coming out the end of her staff and quickly slithering towards Alexis.

The basilisks constricts Alexis, disturbing her spell-casting. With the opening created, Lowell started to chant a spell intending to incapacitate the witch.

Alexis noticed the mana surrounding the skeleton as he is chanting his spell. With the basilisks still wrapped around her, she starts jerking all around trying to loosen the serpents’ grip.

It was rather painful but a little bit of pain was necessary in order to survive. Alexis did this until she noticed a sharp pain on her arms. She looked at the source of the pain and noticed the skin on her arms started chafing.

“WAIT, WAIT, WAIIIIIIIITTTT!!!” Alexis yelled in a panic.

Lowell, Mavis and even the basilisks stopped on what they’re all doing and looked at the panicking witch.

“I GIVE UP! PLEASE NO MORE! MY PERFECT SKIN IS RUINED!!!” They young witch wailed in sorrow.

Lowell and Mavis exchanged glances at each other and after a short while, gave each other a nod.

Lowell stopped chanting his spell altogether and Mavis ordered the basilisks to release Alexis with the basilisks returning to Mavis and slithering into her big hat.

There on the forest clearing, Alexis is on her knees caressing her damaged wrists. The two approached her to introduce themselves. The witch looked up at them with puppy eyes that left Lowell uncomfortable yet completely enamored Mavis.

“You’re quite strong. I’m Mavis Grand! I’m an adventurer.” Mavis introduced herself to the defeated witch.

“And you might know my companion here.” Mavis points at Lowell.

Lowell shows Alexis his green gem.

“It’s been a while Alexis.” Lowell said warily.

The green gem shined an emerald hue in Alexis’s eyes and it reminded her of a friend from her party from a long time ago.

“Could it be?… Lowell?” Alexis asked with mixed emotions.

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.

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And that is how Mavis met Alexis Fuller, High Priestess of the Malefis Witches Coven and the reunion of Lowell and Alexis, former members of an undisclosed adventurer party from time immemorial.

Alexis, Mavis and Lowell, still clinging at the bristles of the broom, have arrived at New Fullsborough, the hidden city of witches. The full moon is out and it shines brightly. The witches get ready for a ritual and they all look at Mavis with excitement.