Who has no pure heart?

Of course, witches, as supernatural beings, are able to see other beings like the Kodama, even if they are invisible. But there's only one reason why humans can see Kodama. 

"Kodama only reveal themselves to people with pure hearts. My heart is probably so pure that they decided to reveal themselves to me," I say to the others. It's a lie in my case, but for a good reason.  

The Kodama, running away in panic, suddenly stop and look at me, disturbed.
A rebellious kodama shouts, "You liar!"

"Since you can't see or hear them anyway, I'll take over the negotiations, I say to the others"

"Fine," Lionel says and steps aside with the others, listening to me talking to the air from their perspective.

"Listen, I... we don't want to hurt you." My comrades accidentally cut down your tree and incurred your wrath. Is there any way we can make amends?"

"Why should we believe you, witch!?"

"You little..." I stop and exhale. "This is Lionel, known as the hero of this kingdom.
We are his comrades in the fight against the mage of the north."

"What, the mage of the north? Oh no."

As they freeze in fear, they seem to be also afraid of the mage.

"Please give us a chance to make amends so that we can fulfill our mission. I mean, who is worse, I... We or the mage of the north?"

A kodama looking like a little greenish old man steps forward.

"I'm Dusk, the oldest of our tribe. We will give your friends a chance to amend."

He lifts his arms. 

"You have to pass three tests. One more difficult than the other," he says dramatically.

"OK... I say, waiting for the rest of his dramatic speech.

"What are they saying?" Caspian asks.

"They are saying that you will have to pass three tests."

"I can pass every test; just give it to me," brags Knox.

"What do we have to do to reduce their anger?" Lionel asks.

"I'm still negotiating; wait a moment."

"What tasks do we have to fulfill?"

The Kodama looks at me seriously. The old one starts speaking. 

"Your first task is to raise the heavy shrine that toppled over centuries ago. Behind you, covered in moss, is our shrine. Try your luck at completing this impossible task and..."

Before he can finish his sentence, I say to Knox, "Do you see the shrine behind you under the moss? Raise it up!"

"Easy," says Knox, puts both hands on the stone, and raises it up in one go.

The Kodama look shocked.

"The shrine is lifted after all these years," they call out.

"One man was able to lift it. How is it possible?"

Knox is some kind of monster with his strength, but it's logical that he can lift something like this easier than the little Kodama. But I don't want them to feel that bad.

"The hero's sidekicks are the strongest in the land, you know? They can do anything."

 A bit exaggerated, but eventually they feel better.

"What should we do for you next?"

"The next test you have to pass is more difficult to achieve."

"What is the next task Aria? I can do anything!" Knox says motivated while showing his muscles.

"I''m waiting for his answer; please wait, Knox. I will tell you when I know." I say.

"Please go on," I say to the old Kodama.

"What I wanted to say, witch, is that your friends have to defeat The Dark Raven. 
He has been tyrannizing our village for years. He destroys our crops and our homes and kills our kind. He is a creature made of hate and darkness. He is insidious and extremely dangerous. You have three outcomes. Option one: you leave and carry the curse with you for the rest of your life. Option two: you will be killed, and the curse is your lesser problem. And the most unlikely option is that you defeat the beast and we will give you the last task to lift the curse. Choose now!"

You give us options, but it is not like we have any choice.

"We will kill the beast for you; just show us the way."

"Follow the east path behind you until you stand before a cave. Be wary. The beast lurks in the darkness, waiting for foolish travelers to cross his path. You as a witch will be able to survive this beast. But your companions will likely die in the attempt. Be aware of this; if you really are no evil witch."

His statement makes me think. But there's hardly any other option. I could threaten the Kodama; after all, they seem to be afraid of me. A brief, evil smile crosses my lips and makes the Kodama freeze for a moment. My gaze quickly returns to normal, however, because I don't want to play the evil role destiny or whatever sadistic god has planned for me. I just have to get the others out of the beast's lair alive and defeat the beast. Lionel and the others are actually strong, and given the difficulty level of the first test, that should be a piece of cake.

"Are you alright, Aria?" Lionel asks me.

I turn to him and the others.

"Yes... I am fine. The Kodama want us to defeat The Dark Raven, who tyrannizes the Kodama's village. He lives in a cave at the end of the east path."

"Defeat a little bird. That's too easy. I will defeat him alone," Knox shouted, a little disappointed.

"Don't let your guard down, Knox; we don't know what is coming," Lionel warns Knox skeptically.

Caspian intervenes. "Don't be so overcautious. We can handle a little bird."

 After finishing his sentence, he trips over a root and falls forward. He shouts.

"Whaa!"

After hitting the ground, he lifts his right arm and screams, "Let's kill this bastard;
I can't live like this anymore."

We follow the overgrown path illuminated by the moonlight. Fireflies hover around us, and for a moment everything seems calm and idyllic.

Until we stand before the dark cave. Stones shaped like the mouth of a beast, made of nightmare and darker than the darkest night. A cold shiver creeps across my skin, and I seem to be not the only one who feels this way.

I look at the others. Lionel, who has already drawn his sword, is moving into an attack position. Caspian has drawn his bow but seems more tense than his bow. Knox, also with his axe in hand, ready to fight, masks his obvious nervousness with a smile and says, "Let's finish off this ridiculous bird!"

While everyone is armed and I, as the team's healer, stand there empty-handed,
I draw my dagger, which is attached to my belt. When I look at it, it's really a ridiculous little dagger in comparison to the other weapons. I feel a bit stupid. As Aria, I cannot use my flame magic, so I stand three steps behind the others, ready to stab the next enemy with my tiny little dagger. It doesn't sound so scary, as I want it to...but whatever.

A fluttering sound approaches even faster from the darkness of the cave. Tension rises, and my breath begins to catch. A small, dark figure shoots out of the cave. Caspian fires an arrow, and it falls bluntly to the ground. He runs forward and picks up the wounded black bird.

"And that's why we've been so anxious? But don't worry! I killed the beast, and you're safe now."

He looks over at me proudly. Probably because I'm the only female being here. Slowly I come nearer to check what Caspian hit.

Suddenly, everyone's breath catches. Something slowly drops to the ground next to Caspian and me. Slowly, we turn around. Behind us stretches a black bird almost the size of a house, with red eyes and a large, gray beak covered in sharp teeth. Before we can react, the beast opens his mouth, grabs my leg, and drags me into the endless darkness of the cave.

"Ahhh..."