Awakening Witch

It had been a couple of hours since they'd arrived and the wizards began to occupy the other cabins and settle down for the night. 

As Cedric was preparing dinner, Ryner was sitting next to Kurt performing a healing spell, and Bard sat with Iris at the table along with Lulu.

"I can't believe I actually managed to perform magic..."

"You did well for the first time Bard!" 

"Agreed, but didn't you hear another voice?"

"Another voice? I'm not sure, I yelled out the spell because I was so nervous."

Hmm.. I guess it was my imagination. 

Kurt slowly opened his eyes from his deep sleep. "Ugh...where am I?....."

The group heard him speak up and hovered over the bed as Kurt blinked to clear his vision. Ryner holds onto his hand as he struggles to sit up and thanks him.

"All the townspeople thought you were dead, what happened?"

"Charles tried to kill me...he turned out..... to be a witch hunter and... knocked the daylights out of me. Come to find out.... a witch was the one who killed him.... and burned the cabin. I escaped their prison...."

The whole group was shocked and bombarded him with even more questions. 

Kurt did his best to recall the events as he weakly talked, "When...I finally woke up, they brought me...to meet the shadows...They wanted me to join, but I refused and...escaped in the middle of the fight with my invisible knitting...cloak spell....."

Cedric looks at Kurt with a very serious look, "Are you a witch?"

Kurt nodded as he went on to talk about his past ancestors being followers of Saru, but later on, escaped. After the passing of his parents, his grandmother revealed to him the power of magic. Kurt later left his hometown after the passing of his grandmother to avoid suspicion of being a magic user.

"The witches have found.... a way....... to summon Saru by.... sacrificing wizards....and are out to hunt....."

Ryner was alarmed at hearing the news and commanded Cedric to lead the wizards. "Have all stations regroup at the main base of St. Clair. In case of a surprise attack, at least we'd have a fighting chance." 

Cedric nodded in understanding and rushed out of the cabin. Iris tells Lulu to follow Cedric for safety and help him out with anything he may need. 

"Iris, did you happen to find any intel on witches during your trip?" 

"No....but Bard met Everard. Aside from what we already know of witches being somewhere here, he mentioned that perhaps the Hiking WIzard's Journal may hold the secret to defeating them."

"That's great! Where can we find this journal?"

Bard comes forward, handing Ryner the journal, but disappointingly explains that the only problem is that there is no clear way of opening it. Ryner examined the journal by turning it around, picking the lock, and sliding his hands around the cover.

"Strange...I never thought it was even real."

"Everard told me that it chose me and it may open up if I practice my magic more."

It fell silent as the group kept looking at the journal until Kurt mumbled. 

"Before leaving the witch's lair....I heard that......there is one...left behind....She's a deceptive one though......Mona the queen of witches. Her....specialty is...potion making......"

"Then we'll pay her a visit then-"

"No....sir Ryner......if you value.....your life...stay away until I can.....help."

Iris clenched her fists at hearing his words. "Look, old man, we're sitting ducks here if we wait for you. You should go to the mai-"

"Give me....till morning please...she's dangerous.....We're safe here for now.."

"Um..how can you be sure of that? I mean she did burn your house last time."

"Mona did.... it.. because she was...... forced to.." 

"Well, Iris is right though. We can't just wait around, but we can help with the healing process right Bard?"

"Hold on Ryner...the teleportation was a fluke....."

Bard felt nervous as Ryner poked fun at him again. Kurt closed his eyes and his body glowed and revealed a knitted cocoon. 

"Healing magic....is not my.. specialty.....but if we.....all worked together.....it will help speed.....the process...."

Iris and Ryner nodded as they took a standing position at the opposite ends of the bed with their palms out as they began to concentrate. Their palms glow green and react with Kurt's cocoon. 

Bard stood there in awe, but was hesitant doubtful of what to do, but copied the same standing position in the middle.

Deep...breath and concentrate.....Think of healing, Kurt. Think of healing, Kurt. Think of healing, Kurt. Heal... Heal... Heal.... Heal! 

His hands were a bit shaky and his body felt strained, as Iris was about to intervene through telepathy, Bard heard a voice.

Sana Ossa....

Bard's eyes shot wide open as he yelled, "Sana Osa!" and a beam of light zapped out of his hands hitting Kurt's body, but causing an explosion in the process.

The group shouted as they scattered, landing on the snow. The wood splinters rained as half of the cabin was blown up.

Iris groggily stood up and helped Bard up.

"Stop aggressively yelling out spells! How many times do I have to tell you?!"

Ryner patted Bard on the back for a job well done.

"I'm sorry..wait how come you're fine?"

"Ha! It takes a lot more than an explosive spell to take me down! But where's Kurt?"

The trio looked around and ran up to Kurt who was struggling to get up.

"My apologies Kurt! A-Are you hurt?"

Kurt sighed but started to laugh at the situation, "Wow, I feel a lot better, but your teacher is right. You have to keep calm when you command your magic. My cocoon was protecting me, but it could've hurt me."

Bard felt embarrassed but relieved that Kurt wasn't hurt in the process. Now that everyone was all and well, Ryner asked Kurt, "So, are you ready to lead the way?"

"Yes, let's pay Miss Mona a lovely visit."