Chapter 2: Two Sides of Amiss

Once beauty morphs to darkest black,

Persuaded by each ancient spell,

Attempts of creation are surely on track,

Though the secret is for only future to tell.

:o:-:o:-:o:-:o:-:o:

The dog gave a fearful howl. Stepping away from the two sisters, the canine tried to escape, ignorant of the branches that grew around its paws. Soon it was locked in place, looked down upon by the witches that wrought yet another animal misery.

"I am sorry," Whispers, the eldest, frowned, eyes tired and yellowing from countless seasons of practicing beastly magic. "We shan't hurt you any longer. Forgive us."

Whimpering, the animal allowed its head to droop, ears low as the vegetation beneath it began to take over. The fluffiness of the dog's fur began to drop away and harden, oil seeping from its firming pelt while its claws grew larger and sharper. A growl escaped the creature's throat, quieting almost immediately.

"This is promising. We're approaching our goal." Adelaide smiled coldly, watching as the animal stilled, becoming like a tree that only resembled its species. She dipped her quill in ink again, writing down the results as she always did. The book that they begun taking notes in years ago had been filled, along with three more and half of another. All depicted failed experiments and spells that had gone wrong, intricate details on every single one of them.

"I sense a growing wickedness in our practice," Whispers said solemnly, murmuring words of old under her breath. Adelaide could guess what they were without having to listen, remembering the sweet taste of white magic as it left her lips so long ago. She did not bother to recite any of them anymore, not with the task the King set for them lingering unfinished for such an extensive time. And also, she quite liked the feeling she got when working with the Unknown's darker aspects. It held a peculiar thrill that could not be beat by petty conjurations.

After setting the book down on the table, the younger woman caged up the little amalgamation in the basement. She was pleased to see that its bitter eyes tracked her movements even though its body was stiff and without protest. Soon, she felt, the beast that they were doing their best to create would be ready for release into the forest.

Excitement bubbled up with a childish aura, causing her to walk the length of their little collection, where the history of the past few moons were laid out before her in separate cages. All were short of what she needed, though the progress shown gave her confidence.

The back contained groups of fanged frogs, too dormant to actually bite anything besides the stray bug. Next to them was a bird that had been combined with poison ivy, though the mix showed no physical signs of change apart from color and was passive as well. Further along were various other beings, from the creepily deformed cat to the strange and simple plant-like creatures.

She stopped by the cage of a snake with petals for scales, made from the remnants of wilting flowers. It hissed at her then curled up into a tight coil on the far side. Adelaide had been especially proud when the snake had kept its personality. Ever since then she had been determined to further a certain aspect of her spells. The dog she had just caged proved her theory to be a good one.

"Adelaide. The townspeople are speaking of us outside," her sister told her from the staircase, sounding unhappy.

The maroon-cloaked entrantress made an effort to approach the door, curiously passing by a darkly dressed Whispers as she strolled into the cottage's main room. Her gaze darted to the mesh windows, the shadows of lingering passerby sparking her interest. Muffled voices carried from the screen. She pressed her ear against the wire, listening.

". . . the Witches of the Unknown. I heard they do untellable things."

"Ma told me to stay clear these parts. Animals are disappearin'. Say they are eatin' them?"

"Nah, what would a sorceress want with good meat? I think they're drainin' their life away to make themselves even more powerful. Eerie, huh? I heard soon they'll go after children that wander too far from home."

"Her Majesty won't let them! She'll save us from these horrid monsters!"

"Shh . . . They'll come after you . . ." The words dropped off as the exchange took place in hushed tones that Adelaide couldn't pick up. Her lips dipped into a thoughtful frown. A short while later, she could hear them again.

"I-I won't ever run out again! I'll be a proper boy!"

"As Honest Fred, you'd better. Now we'd best be leavin' before they catch us. Come quickly, son."

Their shadows faded into the forest, leaving the younger Witch of the Unknown to her lonesome. She smirked. This title seems much more admirable than 'enchantress'. I find it pleasing.

Whispers, however, did not.

"We have become outcasts," the elder sibling could not help but obnoxiously point out, stepping beside her. "They do not view us to be the same people as before."

"Can you see?" Adelaide turned around, returning to the table where her fourth book rested in need of completion. She sat down in the wooden chair, flipping the pages carefully with one hand as she prepared the pen with the other. "We have achieved bounteous knowledge and understanding, came upon the realization of our potentials, found in us the path to giving back to this place what it had been waiting for for years. Tell me, sister. Is what we are doing not proof that we have changed?"

"We used to be revered by those that had never set eye upon us," Whispers deflected, her pale face drooping as she let out a breath.

"No loss, I'm certain," she brushed off effortlessly, dabbing the quill in ink after a line had been written. "Once the King has his beast roaming free, we'll be heroes. Or heroines, however one might put it. Every living creature will be stricken with fear and shall learn to protect themselves. We will have a world that is no longer vulnerable to feeble threats, having brought forth vigilance upon the people."

"You're beginning to sound like him." Whispers sat down in the chair across the table, riffling through another volume of their studies, probably trying to find a particular entry. She gave it closer inspection.

"The King arrives at our door often to check on us and retrieve our specimens. It'd be difficult not to become influenced by his speeches. Of course, I find that many of his sayings are . . . idealistic and slightly naïve. Though our Queen is much worse in the matter."

"Talking treason, now are we, sister?" the female said nonchalantly, the barest hint of accusation beneath her words.

Adelaide laughed, causing her hand to jump. "You have the best sense of humor when you decide to come out of your shell," she commented with joy, easily removing the stray mark on the page with a spell. The small amount of black liquid she extracted from the paper found its way back into the bottle. "Speaking of shells, I found a stash of lovely turtles out in the forest the last time I was searching. We should retrieve them. I believe their resilience could add longevity to the creature's own welfare. Perhaps even by gaining it immortality."

Instead of commenting about that, Whispers pointed to what she was reading with hands that reflected the last few remains of her past self's allure. "Do you recall the child that had to pay the fee of our first accident?"

"Incident," she corrected, continuing to write. "Yes, I remember. He was such a small thing. So fragile. Practically useless in the world."

"He was a person, granted the permission to travel to our realm from another. I could tell the moment we crossed paths with him that he was no ordinary inhabitant of the Unknown. You could too."

"True. Those that wander between boundaries have always held a special quality. It's rather intriguing to imagine what might set them apart from us," Adelaide mused. She began to draw the gnarling canine from before, setting down a rough base without much artistic skill. Magic would take care of the rest for her.

"I am saddened to think we've taken from him the ability to return to whence he came," Whispers said.

"No need for melancholy. We agreed that his memory would not retain of his previous existence. He became something and someone else, born again in this forest to stay in this forest. And for all I've heard, he's doing wonderfully as a horse," came the convincing response. The younger witch smiled as she put down her quill. She had finished. "You agreed at the time that we should allow him to set off, especially since changing him back would take considerable effort. Now Fred is very popular amongst the people! Anyone would be able to see that no loss came about."

Whispers did not say anything else, closing the book she had flipped through. The elder sibling appeared tired and drained. "I will rest for today. Do as you wish."

Adelaide left the table happily, feeling accomplished. She cast her sister a partial wave, making for the door. "I'll be going out to fetch some of those turtles. Expect me back before sundown."

Turning the handle, the aging woman stepped out into the forest, tilting her head to look at the expanses of greenery that flourished so close to her homestead. She kept a slow pace as she made her way in further, taking note on every change in the scene. To say that the Queen's vision of the Unknown was wrong would be a lie. Everything around the towns were lush, filled with flowers and plants rich from the magical energy in the soil and water. But go further into the wood's depths . . . and the world became the wilderness it was.

Adelaide loved that about the Unknown. Even the most beautiful things contained the darkest secrets, hidden beneath the mask of belief. The Queen's utopia was laden with that truth, one philosophical reality that her measly emotions could never change.

The trees became thicker. The grass grew more gray. Vines licked the sides of rocks buried in the dirt and blossoms dwindled in favor of mosses and fungi. Mist hung heavy in the air. It gave it an eerie weight that was unmatched.

Whoever wants to ignore the existence of this part of the forest has an awful taste for nature, Adelaide concluded, brushing past a swath of mushrooms as they took apart a fallen tree. She was sure she heard something snap at her when she did so, but kept going, intent on finding what she came for.

Once having traversed more ground, a river stretched out before her, wide and gushing with writhing life. Fish sent sprays of water over their surroundings, soaking the rocky dirt on the bank and splashing slick stones. The lack of light did little to dampen their energy; the rapids were raging, although its passage was noticeably narrow.

Ah. This was it.

She had been to the area before on a previous expedition, looking for specimens and possible elements her sister could use during the experiments. Whispers had always been one for enchanting objects or beings to perform some deed. In contrast, the younger witch preferred to create conjurations, casting spells using her knowledge of chemical compounds and reactions. Magic between the two of them led to a multitude of possibilities that helped drastically in the search. They worked together. And it would pay off very soon.

Bending over near the waterside, the woman let her sight penetrate the water's foaming cover ever so carefully, eyes as sharp as ever. Lumpy shapes swarmed underneath the fish, keeping up the fight against the current unlike the masses above them. The creatures were both fast and strong, their will something that Adelaide wanted to harness. They were also a dark shade of olive, nearly black and looking rather ominous.

Every now and then, a turtle would come up to breathe, ducking back into the water to hide with the others not too long afterwards. They stayed clear of the land. Smart little things, they are.

It only made Adelaide more eager.

"Come out to feed, my turtles," she hummed soothingly, sweeping her hand to beckon their attention as she ruffled the fronds of the nearby fern. The action seemed to do nothing at first. Then, slowly, one of the reptiles slid onto the land, climbing steadily to meet her. Another followed suit.

Seconds earlier, she had rearranged the chemicals in the bush to appeal to the senses, the smell and look of the plant appearing more appealing. All it took was a touch and a simple command. This was a prime example of her ability, the gift she was given upon birth. She had done it with the slightest effort. Study and experience brought both her and her sibling much improvement.

The turtles gave the witch no regard, focused on what they wanted to eat. When a few got close enough, Adelaide simply snatched them up with her hands. A couple others that she could not carry began to devour the plant she adapted, filling themselves ravenously. It did not have any special effect on them.

"You all will make nice as little monsters for my King," the ex-enchantress said in a giddy tone, holding them firmly. She had captured four turtles. If she brought a basket then she'd be able to carry more.

The amphibians struggled in her grip, though without any reward. Nevermind that. They are strong creatures. She didn't really expect them to escape, anyway. And when she delivered the turtles to her sister for tampering, she would see if their usefulness would actually transfer to their goal. Not that she doubted that, either.

o-o-o-o-o

"Your Majesty." Whispers curtsied to the best of her ability, allowing the King to enter the cottage.

The man was looking older. Not weaker, though, and if anyone was to pay attention, he appeared to have become tougher than ever. His stark build, Adelaide noted, was likely the result of whatever vigorous training he'd participated in behind palace walls. The Queen must have found his behavior to be senseless in a time of endless peace. The King must have ignored it.

"How is the search coming along?"

"We have made spectacular progress," Adelaide smiled, standing by the cage of turtles she placed on a wooden table in the back of the room. "Every outcome has improved steadily. Our last experiment was unfathomably vicious. Poor thing wasn't able to move much, sadly. I had anticipated success."

"What are these for?" the monarch asked, walking towards her, intrigued eyes on the trapped reptiles.

Whispers shut the door. "We haven't the chance to test them yet, but we believe that they might help us create the beast."

"Such a dark and strange color," the younger sister mused, almost a compliment. She trailed her hand over the top of the enclosure, causing their heads to turn and look at her. "Aren't they magical? Resilient? Enduring? These black turtles are easily specimen to be proud of."

Crown glinting in the low light, the King leaned closer to inspect them. He huffed. "I will be proud when they make me a monster. We have waited long enough. My wife's ways are abating the people."

A turtle prodded the bars close to the humans. Another tried to dig its way out. The enforced metal didn't cooperate with their attempts.

"The Queen has held a shaky rule, hasn't she?" Adelaide said, watching the caged animals for a few more seconds and then turning away to face her kin. Whispers looked uncomfortably distant, as if pondering a matter more important than the King's visit.

"'Held' is an overstatement," the royal male deadpanned, standing tall once more. "Despite that, I am assured that you both are doing your best to reform my kingdom. These past years have not been in vain."

"Unquestionably so," she responded without a doubt in her heart, striding to the table where the journals they'd kept were placed. She flipped open the cover of the latest book she was working on. "Are you interested in reading our recent entries?"

He strolled to meet her, a hand reaching for the journal, eyes skimming the pages. His mustache twitched, hinting of a grin. "They certainly resemble beasts. It amuses me how you manage to combine the aspects of so few varieties of plants and animals and reach such a diverse collection of results. None of which have met the standard, might I add."

"It is no more impressive than what we'll finish with, and we will, I can tell you," Adelaide shook off his words, instead moving past Whispers to head to the basement. "Follow me. My sister and I have waited for your return."

The elder woman appeared to snap back into reality, tailing her sibling with a spare glance at the King, who followed on command. He came to visit them somewhat periodically to the point where they could consider themselves well-acquainted, though only Adelaide felt it right to act as equals. Whispers still considered herself a subject under him, perhaps even a servant that did not live at the palace, and couldn't bring herself to drop the formalities.

Descending the stairs, the three were greeted by the sounds of stirring beings, the atmosphere drenched in tired agitation. Adelaide thought it was refreshing. Oh, the accomplishment.

"This is . . . interesting," the King commented, jumping when the petal-snake lunged in his direction, only to reel back in pain. "That one is feisty! The most I've seen so far. What's wrong with it?"

"The miserable thing is wilting. I thought that using dying flowers would bring out the snake's raw macabreness, but alas, shame is that that comes with health consequences," Adelaide pointed out as it curled up on itself, glaring at them with sickly and exhausted eyes. "I hardly had to worry my sister to enchant its confinement, seeing as it cannot even complete its attacks." She tsked.

The King moved on, scanning each creature and asking about them even though he saw the journal. Most were problematic in multiple ways, yet all looked promising. It was a better selection than the last time he came to check on them. He made his thoughts on that fairly evident.

"Thank you, my King," Whispers said once they were done browsing, having rounded up the animals for transport in one large cage outside of the cottage. Her magic would make sure that they could be carried away by the King's horse without much hassle. A simple incantation did the trick.

"I appreciate it, Whispers, Adelaide," the robed man thanked them, handing over the usual velvet bag of payment. Inside, it contained valuable gems and coins from the palace treasury, and although Whispers and Adelaide would have taken the job without being gifted such a fortune, they needed to eat. Properly, at least, and gathering food from the nearby resources was tiresome coupled with their task. Not to mention, Whispers could not enchant items unless she had them, and they had to get those from the towns.

Of course, they used different disguises to veil their appearances when they went. They wouldn't want word of them spreading to the Queen or she would become suspicious. And that would not be beneficial at all.

"Safe travels," Adelaide waved as he mounted his steed, having secured the warped animals. He had told her before that their experiments would be treated properly wherever he took them, presumably away from other species that may be harmed by failed beast attempts, but she honestly didn't care what happened to them. As long as she furthered her own skills and knowledge, none else mattered.

"Farewell," the King gave the two one last word before his ride galloped away, disappearing along the hidden valley path that led to his palace.

Adelaide dropped her grin once he was gone, peering with mild disinterest into the bag of riches. "We must continue, sister. Will you attempt morphing those turtles?"

"If you wish," Whispers opened the door to the cottage, going back inside to proceed.

The other witch followed, planning to sort the money. She would have to go to the market soon. A despicable way to spend my time. Adelaide wasn't very fond of the public. But it had to be done.

Magic couldn't solve every problem.

o-o-o-o-o

"Have they changed at all?" Adelaide frowned after sorting the money later that afternoon, watching the elder woman try to enchant the turtles. The freed black figures wandered aimlessly about the tabletop.

Whispers had one of them pinned down by its shell, murmuring under her breath. The amphibian gave her a look that suggested discomfort but nothing significant happened. She released it, allowing the turtle to crawl away like the others. She sighed. "I'm afraid not. Your ideas of a beast gaining immortality might be misplaced."

"Hmm . . ." the former enchantress hummed in dubiosity. Her eyes traced the turtle, observing it closely. If anything, it struck her as sluggish. Sleepy. Timid, almost.

But . . . she could sense a darkness deep within it, camouflaging with the natural mystery found in all animals of the murky part of the forest. The trait was subtle and well-nigh impossible to notice. However, Adelaide could feel it.

"Do not worry, my dear Whispers," the younger started, twiddling her fingers in anticipation. "Although that has yet to be found, these turtles have proven to be as special as I had thought, only in a different manner. They are the first not to change their image, though I am able to perceive the intent we are seeking beneath their somewhat frivolous demeanor."

Her sister raised her eyebrows in puzzlement. "What are you suggesting?"

"Perhaps we should focus on transformations that aren't so boringly physical. The King might have his ways set about bruteness, but that is surely a downfall. Maybe, in some circumstance, we should change the mind. We could make it to where we can seep influence into their very souls and drive their hearts to become the beast," she beamed like it was the happiest plan in the universe, the solution to it all. "Every creature holds evil in them, be it humans or animals. We simply have to enhance it."

Whispers' visage became something unreadable. She stood from her seat. "Excuse me. I shall take a walk outside. I need to clear my head after such an eventful day. Please allow the cottage to air out also."

"Of course. Enjoy the stroll, sister," Adelaide smiled innocently as Whispers walked out, leaving the door open. She soon made an effort to open the windows as well, the fresh dusk breeze blowing into her stale world. The woman grinned, turning around. She then spotted a peculiar event.

Two of her more clever experiments had scurried to the edge of the drawerless desk, falling and hitting the wood floor with resounding thumps, shells protecting their fragile insides. They immediately started to traverse the cottage and Adelaide watched in curious amusement as they continued to the open door, having found their escape. She let them leave. She wondered what fate awaited them.

And it wasn't like anyone would care much about their disappearance. What harm could a couple of miniscule turtles do, anyway?