Dead hand?? On Purple?

No. Not dead.

She lives...?

“I,” the old woman rasped, fingers tight around Purple’s wrist. “am The Great Witch.”

Silence passes, and my nerves take charge. “Y-You think you’re so great, huh…?!” I laugh half-heartedly, fighting through my stutter.

The older woman sits up ever so slightly, meeting my eyes. “I,” she clears her throat. “think I am dying.”

That shuts me up real fast.

“So…” Purple gulps audibly. “You’re… a witch?”

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The Great Witch coughs, and sits up further. I grab a pillow from the couch for her to lean on. She nods, in thanks.

“If you’re like, a witch…” I cock my head to the side. “Can you cast spells?”

She coughs again. “My name is the Great Witch, but I am… an idol.”

More silence.

“And you...” Purple grimaces. “You… sing? Dance?”

“Perform.” The older woman chuckles. “By virtue of battle. Protection. I perform my duties… to my community, my devotees, myself.”

Purple and I exchange confused looks.

“But now…” The Great Witch continues on. “My legacy ends.” She closes her eyes and for the briefest moment, I see her start to fade away. Just flickering out of existence. Her grip loosens on Purple’s wrist, and I see her pull in back in alarm. The Great Witch does not flinch. “You both are…?”

“Purple and Teal. University students.” Purple looks at me in affirmation, and I nod quickly in response.

“Can you… carry on my legacy?” The Great Witch’s voice is slightly quieter now, more tired.

Without hesitation, I respond. “Yes.”

Purple shoots me a look of shock, with maybe a little bit of horror - but I steel myself.

She’s, like… old. She probably wants us to write a book or something about her, or just spread the good word. Maybe she’s a retired idol. It looks like an old woman’s dying wish, even if she did just break into our apartment and stain someone’s - maybe her’s, or someone else’s - blood on our carpet…

… wait.

I open my mouth again, but she smiles gently and cuts me off.

“Then… let us begin the ceremony.”