Kate turned, her frown deepening as her gaze landed on a young, tall woman with shoulder-length red hair that gleamed like copper in the faint light. Her sharp blue eyes glinted with an unsettling intensity, and her pointed nose accentuated the striking angularity of her pale face. She was clad in a double-breasted jacket, black breeches, and boots, her attire tailored yet rugged, exuding an air of precision and purpose. A sheath of spears rested effortlessly over one shoulder, while her other hand gripped a bow as if she were ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

For a moment, Kate’s own burdens seemed to lift as curiosity took over. Jason and Jeff’s descriptions of humans had painted them as strange and distant beings, but now, faced with one for the first time, Kate felt an undeniable pull. Unlike Alicia, whose face had been shrouded in shadow, this woman stood unveiled, unapologetically present. A spark of wonder ignited within her, but she quickly tamped it down, reminding herself of the urgency of her mission.

Still, she couldn’t stop herself from staring, her wide eyes betraying her intrigue. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice soft but edged with caution.

The woman’s lips curled faintly, though her expression remained serious.

"I’m Shay," she replied, her tone measured, almost soothing. "A witch."

Kate blinked, her disbelief bubbling into nervous laughter. "A witch? That... that’s ridiculous," she said, her voice faltering at the edges.

Shay’s gaze sharpened, her eyes locking onto Kate’s. "I’m a white witch," she clarified, her words deliberate, as though she expected resistance.

"And I’ve been sent here to find you." She cast a glance down the path Alicia had taken, her features darkening. "You shouldn’t go that way. It’s the wrong path."

Kate’s brow furrowed as she followed Shay’s gaze. Her voice grew wary. "The wrong path?"

"Yes," Shay said firmly, turning her attention back to Kate. "She’s wearing a black cloak, and you’re wearing a white one. In this realm, black cloaks are a mark of hearts consumed by hatred and bitterness. But you... you are pure." She paused, her eyes softening. "That’s why you two can’t see eye to eye—unless she lets go of the darkness she carries."

Kate froze, her chest tightening as Shay’s words sank in. "But I have to find her," she said, her voice cracking with urgency. "If I don’t—"

Shay held up a hand, her voice low and steady. "I know why you’re here." Her expression shifted, a flicker of something like reassurance crossing her face. "We’ve been waiting for you, Kate. You’re one of us."

The weight of Shay’s words hit her like a tidal wave. "One of you?" Kate echoed, her voice barely above a whisper. Confusion etched deep lines across her face as her mind scrambled to make sense of what she was hearing.

Shay stepped closer, her presence calm but commanding. "Come with me," she said, her hand gesturing toward the dense forest behind her.

"There’s so much you don’t understand yet, but it will all make sense soon."

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As Alicia walked through the dense woods, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, and a cold wind swept around her, causing her hair to flutter. She hissed in discomfort as the chill prickled her skin. The farther she went, the denser and more winding the forest became, as if she had entered a dark, enchanted realm. The sky dimmed, the air grew eerily silent, and only the occasional chirp of birds or the flap of their wings broke the quiet.

Rubbing her palms over her shoulders, Alicia muttered to herself. She hadn’t seen a single soul since encountering the strange woman who called herself Kate. How absurd, she thought, recalling their conversation.

"How stupid," she spat under her breath.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed behind her, sharp and deliberate. Startled, Alicia spun around, her pulse quickening as her eyes darted toward the intruder. Emerging from the shadows was a woman clad in a sleek black sweater, fitted jeans, and sturdy boots. Her long blue hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her piercing blue eyes seemed to drill into Alicia’s soul. The woman’s sly smile carried an unsettling mix of charm and menace, sending a chill down Alicia's spine.

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Alicia instinctively stepped back, wrapping her arms tighter around herself. "Who... who are you?"

"Hi, Alicia. I'm Aurora, your saviour." Aurora's smile tugged into something darker. She cocked her head. "You must have been waiting for me."

Alicia’s wariness deepened. Aurora’s words and the way she spoke sent shivers down her spine, making her want to flee.

"Oh," Aurora scoffed, closing the distance between them. She placed her cold fingers under Alicia's chin.

As Aurora’s icy fingers brushed under Alicia’s chin, Alicia recoiled instinctively, her pulse quickening like a trapped bird. She locked eyes with Aurora, a wave of fear flickering across her unsettled gaze.

"Who...who are you?" Alicia muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Don’t you yearn for revenge? Don’t you long to see your betrayers dragged into the depths of hell?" Aurora whispered, her voice laced with a chilling edge, her brows arching higher with each piercing question.

Aurora's questions made Alicia shiver. As Aurora's gaze intense on her, she stuttered, "How do you know?"

Aurora smirked, "I know everything. But if I'm wrong, I'll leave now."

Alicia’s gaze flickered as she locked eyes with Aurora. I should be feeling happy, right? But instead, a creeping unease slithered beneath her skin.

"Oh," Aurora chuckled, releasing Alicia's chin with an air of satisfaction. "I'm right." She crossed her arms. "You see.." she tsked. "You're hesitating. You must be afraid."

"I'm not!" Alicia said loudly, loudly enough to make Aurora arch her brows questioning. She's not afraid. Alicia said to herself, clenching her palms. "I want revenge. I won't rest until I kill them all."

"I see..." Aurora triled off, nodding. "Then, fine. I will help you in achieving your revenge. I don't have you live much longer, but I can only give you a month to fulfil your purpose. Are you okay--"

"I'm fine with it," Alicia interrupted. "I don't want to live any longer. I just want my revenge," she said firmly. But deep down, her stomach churned. Yes, she told herself. This is what I want—revenge.

"You seem to be hesitating, Alicia," Aurora remarked, tilting her head.

"I'm not!" Alicia spat, her anger boiling.

Yes, she's furious, she reminded herself, as if to reaffirm her resolve. She stared intently into Aurora's eyes, fearing that any flicker of hesitation might give Aurora a reason to change her mind and leave. She had to have her revenge, or she would feel defeated, her soul turning bitter. She couldn’t bear the thought of being a fool, used and discarded. Alicia clenched her fists, her determination hardening.

"Since you must seek your revenge within one month, there will be a price on my end," Aurora said, pausing as her sly smile widened. "Everything in life comes with a cost. You'll have to pay me with something tangible."

"Something? Something tangible?" Alicia repeated, her voice quivering slightly.

"yes," Aurora nodded.

"What do you want?" Alicia asked, her stomach churning. She clenched her fists tighter, forcing herself to stay focused.

"What do you have, Alicia?" Aurora asked, resting a hand on her shoulder. Alicia flinched, her face twisting in discomfort at the icy touch. Leaning closer, Aurora whispered into her ear, her voice dripping with malice, "Just one thing—the fortune. Once you’ve killed them all, it’ll be the only thing left behind."

Alicia blinked. "The fortune?" She mused, her eyes widening and her brows raised. "You... you want the fortune?"

Aurora smirked. "You got it. That will be my price for giving you an extra month of life. The fortune will be useless anyway since no one will be left to care for it. Haven’t you thought of that?" she added, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "You should just leave it in my care."

Alicia's fists trembled slightly. Why do I have to care about that? That wouldn't matter to me anymore. That is what they've all been chasing their own life. Alicia's sly smile tugged at her lips. Wouldn't that be nice if it was taken away?

"As long as I get what I want," Alicia said firmly, masking the unease beneath her hardened gaze.

"Good," Aurora replied, her smile curling into something darker. "Let’s begin."

"How?" Alicia asked, her curiosity piqued.

"A witch," Aurora whispered. "I know a powerful one with such sorcery."

Alicia blinked, her breath catching. "A witch?"

Aurora nodded, already turning away. "If you come with me, we’ll be there in a few minutes," she said, a devilish smile spread across her face, her eyes glinting with unspoken venom.

*************************************************************************************************************************************

They approached a weathered white cottage nestled among the woods and hills, its presence almost ghostly under the pale glow of the moonlight. Long shadows stretched across its walls, adding an eerie depth to the cracked and splintered wood. Alicia noticed the creepers snaking up the exterior, their brittle leaves rustling faintly in the cool breeze as if whispering secrets of the past. The cottage seemed ancient and forgotten, its sagging roof and broken shutters giving it an air of quiet despair.

The air was thick with the pungent scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, mingling with the musky aroma of moss that clung to every surface. A faint metallic tang lingered, carried by the cold breeze that nipped at Alicia's skin and sent shivers down her spine. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional creak of tree branches and the distant hoot of an owl as if the forest itself was holding its breath. Each step toward the cottage felt heavier, the ground soft and spongy underfoot, as if it too resisted their approach.

Aurora knocked on the door, and the door was opened by a woman in her forties, with dark skin that seemed to shimmer faintly under the moonlight and long, thick dreadlocks reminiscent of the vibrant styles of Jamaica.

Her face was marked with pimples, adding to the rawness of her appearance, and faint scars traced along her jawline, hinting at a past filled with untold stories. Her sharp cheekbones and piercing green eyes, serpent-like in their intensity, exuded an unsettling aura of power and mystery. Draped in a tattered, earth-toned robe adorned with small charms and feathers, she carried an air of otherworldly authority that made the night seem even darker.

"Lico," Aurora bowed slightly, and Alicia watched as the woman smiled before turning to look at her.

Alicia stared at the woman, unsure of what to say. She couldn’t tell if the woman’s name was Lico or if it was just a greeting. The woman’s serpent-like green eyes sent a chill down Alicia’s spine as they fixed on her, and Alicia clasped her sweaty hands together, trying to steady herself.

"This is..." Lico trailed off, her gaze slowly shifting to Aurora.

"Alicia," Aurora replied.

"She's a spirit," Lico remarked with a slow, deliberate smile that curled at the edges of her lips like a Cheshire cat’s. "Welcome, Alicia," she greeted in a deep, masculine voice. Placing one hand on her chest, she added, "I’m Lico, a witch."

Alicia’s breath hitched. "The witch?" she echoed, her voice trembling with awe and fear.