Feuillemort

Espher had been in the forest for eleven days now, and she was nowhere close to the Forest of Northwinds. Curse these old bones, she thought to herself, feeling the crunch of dead maple leaves under her ragged shoes as she slogged on with the help of her staff. The crisp air grazed her wrinkled skin, and she could feel the chill down to her bones.

But she kept on walking, forcing herself to get the Moon Berries she needed in order to perfect the potion. Maybe grab some Pealemon Flowers and Duskshines herb along the way when she found one. That is — if she does, anyway. They usually went out of season in autumn and to even obtain the herbs in the market was already enough to choke her pockets.

The sun was already starting to sink itself into the horizon, welcoming the moon and stars to take over the sky for the night.

Espher lowered herself on a root of a tree with the staff on her hand, a puff of air blooming out of her lungs. She raised her finger with her eyes on the small branches and the dried leaves on the ground. She motioned her finger, the twigs and the leaves were blown towards her way as it was the work of the winds. And with a snap of her fingers, a flicker of flame was ignited, engulfing the foliages.

The fire was warm enough for the night, yet her stomach broke the silence when she thought it was bearable for her.

She rummaged through her satchel, assuming she had some food left in her bag. But only the bottom leather of the bag greeted her touch.

“Curses.” She muttered under her breath. Memory surged into her mind, remembering that she had eaten the last apple two days ago and this depth of the forest barely had any food resources in these chilly seasons. The sole reason she held on was she drank a potion that kept her stomach occupied with magic. And it seems to have worn off already.

A small chirp caught her attention. A small, chubby squirrel observed her with its innocent eyes, tilting its head to the side.

“Oh hello little one.” Espher greeted, a smile a bit too malicious for a friendly welcome. “You look like you’ve eaten a lot. You must be a healthy lil fella.”

Her hands pounce on the small creature with drools watering down from her mouth, capturing it before it could scamper away to the woods. Her tongue licked her dry and chapped lips.

“Your meat could sustain me for the night.”

“It could. But your soul is far more delectable than a squirrel’s meat.”

Espher’s eyes widened when the squirrel spoke, quickly releasing the creature away as it morphed into a black shadow figure, towering her with his height. A hollow smile curled on his lip, his voice echoed throughout the darkness.

“Oh that familiar scent of fear,” he taunted. “How I love that smell.”

He loomed over her, golden optics penetrating hazel.

“We meet again, my dearest Espher.”

“Nirphanes.” She uttered his name, scowling under her breath. “Are you here to claim my soul?”

“Close, but your knowledge is what I came for initially.” He spoke, before his claw pricking her chin, gesturing to the old woman to meet his gaze.

“Tell me, my dear old friend. What is the recipe for Eternal Love potion? I might let you live for another few years if the recipe works. And it’d be wise for you to spill the secrets.”

“You won’t get a word from me.” She glowered, feeling his claw digging into her flesh. “Not even when my life is in your hands.”

Nirphanes eyes darkened, the grin on his face faded into somberness.

“You never changed, Espher.” He whispered, almost as if musing to himself. “You’re still the stubborn and foolish witch that I knew. It’s sad to see an old friend choosing the wrong path.”

“I could say the same for you.” She hissed, choking on the growing pain he inflicted. Blood started to trickle down his coal black hand, painting the ground red. “But the difference between you and me is I don’t succumb to the forbidden knowledge.”

Nirphanes growled at her words, his ego wounded from her words. But he remained his temper, keeping it in check.

“You’re quite bold these days.” He hummed, his tune amused and dark. “Despite being a mortal hanging on by a thread.”

“Any last words, you old fool?” He sneered.

“Tell Kaelus that —” She choked and spat out crimson, her vision started to fade into black. “That Silverstar is the key.”

“Will do.” He said, before completely impaling her throat and watching her go limp on the ground, the fire had long dimmed out.

He stood there, contemplating Espher’s words. That name was unfamiliar in his memory.

“Kaelus…” He drawled, his gaze narrowed slightly as he was lost in his train of thoughts. He was already amused and intrigued by the person the old hag had mentioned.

“I wonder who that is.”