The Land of the Witches: Celenar Encrodian

At Celenar Encrodian, Henry muzzled his way through the thick air. Three different colored paths led to different regions of the land. It was huge, yet also small. There were 5 sections total, however even though there was much land, a person could barely have fun or do anything here.

There was a crafting area, a church, a birthing section, a dining table area, and a chaplet storage. ‘Yeah, what a crap job at hiding how fake all this is. The chaplets aren’t even real,’ he thought, as he broke one on the ground and it did nothing.

He walked inside each area and its corresponding building, walking around until he found a creak in the floor. He moved the rug and opened it. Beneath the large square opening was a portal made of fire and water. He jumped down without hesitation and teleported

somewhere that was a lot more realistic. He thought again, ‘Now this is a land of witches.’

Large purple capes hung down, connecting floating triangles that passed as houses. The sky was shining with pink and purple crystals that looked like weather would never be an issue.

Floating different colored orbs flew around like it wasn’t a big deal. Water flowed straight through the middle with boats lined up for miles. Trees had faces and sang as people floated down the stream to get from place to place. It extended forever it seemed like. Henry didn’t know where to start, but he didn’t have much of a choice as he became surrounded by witches, male and female.

He threw his hands in the air and one approached him, wearing a crown sideways and black glasses along with his white robe with a blue spiral pattern and bunny slippers. His name was Gurudo.

Gurudo: “Hmm, nope! Not a fan! Off with his head. Bring me the rope.”

Henry started to yell, “Hey, hey, hey!” due to them grabbing him, being prepped to be hung.

Seraphelle: “Brother, why must you hang everybody that comes through here. We don’t know what his temper is like. Just relax and be a little social and it might get somewhere…Sorry about that. Let me help you up.”

Henry: “Who are you?”

Seraphelle: “I should be asking the same question. After all, this is a land run by witches, can’t you see that?”

Seraphelle was an ordinary looking woman. Long blonde hair and blue eyes in her 40s. She wore standard clothes with boots, looking like a commoner. You would never guess that she was a witch. She continued to speak, “You must know that your kind is not looked happily upon on these grounds. You’re often killed for even stepping foot here.”

Henry: “Yeah, I can see that…Henry. The name’s Henry.”

Seraphelle: “Seraphelle, one of 5 leaders of the Witches Tribute.”

Henry: “Tribute?”

Seraphelle: “That’s what we call our group, which encompasses every witch as a whole.”

Henry: “Tribute makes it sound like you all are respectful and full of gratitude.”

Seraphelle: “That sounds a little like hatred towards us. Is there something I should be aware of?”

Henry: “I’m obviously not here for a tour.”

Seraphelle: “Then what are you here for? That sword you have is also a nasty looking one. I’ve seen it before. In fact, I believe a friend of mine was carrying that. The Hobless Wrecked, correct? Numbering 1,100 exactly, and a rare sword that produces sound. Pretty powerful to be considered a rare sword and there sure are a lot of them. Swordsmen tend to abuse what the world has given them. It’s as big as you are and shiny at that.”

Henry: “Is that a flirt?”

Seraphelle: “Blue mana lines? You seem to be pretty strong, but I’ve seen a lot stronger people come here.”

Henry: “You have an ability that resembles a Seeker Chaplet?”

Seraphelle: “Oh honey, don’t talk now. Your knowledge is not the best. Don’t embarrass yourself. We’ll take your sword for now, but don’t worry, we won't do anything to harm you.”

Henry: “And if I tell you why I’m here, you’ll let me go?”

Seraphelle: “No, but you can tell me why you’re here.”

Henry: “Well then, I think I’ll pass on the information.”

Seraphelle and her guards led Henry across a purple cape, which became solid when they began to walk across, like a bridge. A purple crystal fell out of the sky in front of her at the other side of the bridge. She called out the name of a place, but Henry didn’t quite catch what she said. It was as if she whispered it on purpose so he wouldn’t hear it.

They ended up teleporting to a different place way in the distance. Henry could not see where they just were, but they climbed up 200 steps of stairs to the top of a small dark green mountain where lava flowed down the side. Lightning bolts rained down from the sky at the top as they approached an all pink shrine that could hold more people than there were witches here.

Seraphelle: “Bella? Lilian? We have a visitor.”

Two small girls that looked similar came running outside. Bella had long blonde hair and sparkling purple eyes while Lilian had long brown hair and sparkling brown eyes. They both were wearing the same white and green eyelet lace dress, carrying white umbrellas over their heads as it began to pour. Henry questioned earlier where he did not think weather could be an issue here. ‘It clearly is,’ he thought.

The girls' smiles brightened as they hugged Seraphelle and high fived Henry, who was intrigued at what the point of all this was. His smile didn’t fade either, wearing his Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses with pride even in the rain. In the most innocent of voices, Bella and Lilian both explained to Seraphelle that their training had gone really well that day.

Another woman walked out with her light red hair in a ponytail. She wore blue crystal armor with hints of gold throughout it and a band across her forehead that resembled the outfit, almost like a crown. She was in her mid 30s, but was obviously proud to flaunt her toned body off. Her name was Igius Sloan.

Igius: “What have you done now Seraphelle? Why is there a swordsman here? Couldn’t you have just called me over to the teleportation gate? I was taking a nap there. You know I don’t get enough sleep as it is.”

Seraphelle: “Relax Igius. This man is here because he wants something. I figured everyone should hear it so we can all agree on a decision. Isn’t that what Asuka wanted?”

Igius: “That old hag? She shouldn’t even be part of our leadership. We only need us four. She’s a waste of space.”

Seraphelle: “Who is going to teach the young ones? Come on, Igius. Don’t be so cruel.”

Henry: “If you don’t mind me jumping in, you all seem like very nice people, but I gotta be somewhere, so…I’m just gonna skedaddle.”

Seraphelle grabbed him by his shirt and jolted him back where they were. “Oh no you don't, she said.”

He thought in his mind, ‘Are these really the leaders of the witches? These young girls run the entire place and army of the Witches Tribute? They don’t seem like they have a shred of hatred in them. Maybe I can just lie that I’m not here for the Crux Chaplet and be on my way.’

Igius: “He’s going to lie and say he’s not here for the Crux Chaplet, but he is. Yeah, throw him aside and hang him. He doesn’t have his weapon, so he is useless. Break it in half so it doesn’t get back to him in case he has a covenant formed.”

Seraphelle: “Bingo! I knew it! I freaking knew it! I knew you were here for the Crux Chaplet. Where is Gurudo, he owes me Petals.”

Henry: “Abilities associated with the Thinker Chaplet. You have quite the powers. All you witches seem to have incredible powers often associated with chaplets. Although, I’ve met some where I don’t know if they are chaplet related or not. Is that just a coincidence? My boss never really lets me see witches, so I’m experiencing the rumors for the first time right now.”

Seraphelle nervously replied, “Yep! Now shut your mouth.”

They didn’t know what to do with him, but before they could make a decision, Asuka showed up. As old as a rotting bar of gold, her hair was short and white. She hunched over as she walked with her hands behind her back, although Henry could tell she was strong. Stronger than all of the people here despite her age. ‘I can’t sense her mana. They all must be concealing it,’ he thought. ‘Wait, now that I think about it. Why does their mana look so different from mine?’ He let her speak as did the rest of them in her old scraggy voice.

Asuka: “Don’t even ask me. Whoever brought him, it’s your decision. I’m not dealing with this today.”

Igius: “Long day today, gramps?”

Asuka: “Yeah whatever.”

She slammed the door behind her, leaving Seraphelle to do whatever she pleased with Henry. The two girls chanted, “Kill him, kill him, kill him!” Igius agreed with the children, but Seraphelle decided to give Henry an opportunity.

Seraphelle: “How about this? I’ll tell you where the Crux Chaplet is, but you can’t use your sword.”

Henry didn’t really have a choice so he agreed. He was too lazy to argue and too tired as well, but didn’t even know yet why she was doing this.

Seraphelle: “You see all these purple capes that connect all these places? Like what happened when I brought you here, they will turn into solid bridges when you try to cross them. If you keep following them over and over and over again, then you will eventually reach the chaplet. It takes exactly 24 hours, starting…now. Goodluck!”

She pushed him forward to the first cape as he headed off on his way. “Remember, I’ll have someone watching you! Don’t you dare try anything stupid! I’m trying to be nice!”

Henry: “Well that is very kind of you. I will be on my way.”

Igius: “I’m keeping an eye on him. Don’t worry. Everyone can go off and do whatever they have to do. Why did you lie to him about where the chaplet was?”

Seraphelle: “Because it’s fun to make people do stupid things for no reason.”