A few days had passed since Opal left Celestial City. She was staying in the inn, heading north, cutting through Wolfvain forest. She hadn't said a word to her friends; her link beeped with personal massages. She read through them, noticing one from Christos. "Hey Opal, hope you're okay. There have been sightings of your mother, Amanda. She has been making enquiries about magical essence," He warned.
"Thanks mate, be careful with the darkstone," Opal replied. She scrolled down the holographic screen. Seeing a massage from Esmeralda, Opal rolled her eyes. The girls had a history of bickering and ever since Esmeralda gained the earth's stone, her confidence soared. She even spent time with Ash, something she had never considered before. Opal opened the message, expecting a lecture.
"Opal, where did you go? Taylor is worried sick. Please call or message him, Where ever you are, I hope you're safe." Esmeralda messaged. Guilt stabbed at her heart like a sharp dagger. She sighed, "I can't Esme, please let him know I'm safe, but for reasons I cannot explain, I'm heading back to Shadow Glass Fortress, Opal replied, she paced hearing a downpour hit the roof of the inn,

Will 'o' wisps dance in the rain in coulors of green, orange and golden, lights guiding people from the Strom. Lightning flashed, illuminated the room, and Opal's pale hollow face. She hardly slept during the days she travelled.
The mare was safely inside the warm stables, something Opal was thankful for. "Why return to the dark witches Opal? What can they possibly offer you?" Esmeralda asked, Opal sighed. She wanted Esmeralda to understand. Her fingers began shaking, needing to be totally honest. I had no choice, Esme. You are my friend, but the dark witches are the only family I have. Opal grits her teeth. While waiting for Esmeraldas' reply, they always had opposing views. Being loyal to your family is important, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't think for yourself. Selena has manipulated people. Never let your guard down, my friend. Esmeralda sent.

Opal clenched her fists, feeling boiling passionate anger. They never saw the other side of Selina. "I'm sorry Esme, you do not understand. I cannot disobey the leaders of the dark witches, and I will not disobey the person I admire." Opal threw her link. The device clattered on the nightstand; Opal entered the bathroom. Washing her face under cold running water, her cheeks heated, turning bright pink.
She sighed, running her fingers through her tangled raven hair. She grabbed her link, typing on the holographic screen in a frenzy. "I made vows to Selina the night the dark witches took me in me, an eight-year-old homeless girl, they found on the streets stealing food from unsuspecting people."
She sighed, slumping down on the bed. Despite the burning coals warming the room, she clenched the folds of her black cloak with shaking hands underneath the blankets. She wet her dry lips, helping herself to water.

She watched in awe as the strong winds mercilessly whipped around, causing the tree branches to creak and groan in protest against the relentless force. The sound of their collision against the windows echoed through the room, filling it with a haunting melody. Through the rain-soaked glass, Opal's eyes fixated on the downpour, its intensity mirroring the storm within her heart. A gentle smile formed on her lips as she read Esmeralda's recent reply, finding solace in their connection amidst the chaos.
"So, you feel you owe them something? Not out of gratitude, but the need to replay the witches for basic human kindness? Opal, that's crazy. Esmeralda typed.
This is where our cultures differ. While the dark witches expect you to help them with the life they provided you, my pack takes care of the wolves who lose their parents without expecting something in return. Esmeralda explained.
Opal smiled, wishing she could change the situation. The dark witches expect others to meet their expectations, and they cast out those who fail, while rewarding those who succeed. They prioritize family and their end goal over things like friends or close relationships. But thank you my friend, goodnight.

Opal, her tear-filled blue eyes shimmering like the depths of the ocean, sat on the edge of her bed. The sound of rain pattering against the windowpane mingled with her quiet sobs. The celestial city's majestic towers, illuminated by intermittent flashes of lightning, cast eerie shadows in her room. As she buried her face in the soft pillow, she could smell the faint scent of petrichor, the earthy fragrance that filled the air after a storm. In her trembling hand, she clutched the topaz rune, its smooth surface providing a comforting touch. Amidst her confusion, Opal yearned to understand the inexplicable emotions she harboured for Selina, finding her ethereal beauty reminiscent of a dark mythical deity.

*****

In the early morning, Opal ventured out of the cozy inn, just as the delicate snowflakes began their descent to the ground. The air turned crisp, carrying an icy chill that made her breath visible in wisps of vapor. The mare, undeterred by the cold, pranced joyfully in the snow, covering herself in a thick layer of white powder. Opal couldn't help but laugh at the mare's whimsical frolicking. Shaking off the snow, Opal gracefully mounted the mare, setting off on their journey north.

After two weeks of arduous travel through the majestic mountains and past the towering foresight peak, Opal found herself physically and mentally exhausted. She longed for a rejuvenating hot bubble bath. As the scenery transformed, the ground and forest of lifeless trees reminded her of a vibrant winter wonderland. If she had time, she would pull out her camera and snap a few photos. Legends whispered of a former king who transformed into a mythical phoenix during a fierce war. In his pursuit of enemies, he set the enchanted forest ablaze, incinerating the foreign warriors and conquering the magical resistance. However, this victory came at a significant cost to nature, leaving behind a fossilised forest.

Selina, driven by a desire to restore balance, planned to replant the forest, using the dead trees as a boundary between the misty mountains and the shadow glass fortress. Approaching the solid wall, Opal and her mare passed through a clear quartz barrier, which infused her with newfound energy. With the help of the stable hands, Opal left her beloved mare in the cozy stables. She walked past the scarlet warriors, their crimson red amour always intimidated Opal. They stared at her blankly, though full mark coverings, Opal, walked faster clutching her cloth bag closer towards her body, she entered the massive estate, Amanda spoke on the link to one of her clients barely acknowledging Opal's presence she sent a brisk nod towards her adoptive mother, before heading down the dark hallway the clouds gathered together in a grew overcast day, snowflakes began failing from the sky,
She approached Selina's study. Her stomach lurched, guilt over sealing the journal ate at her conscious, but she exhaled and slowly knocked. She waited a few minutes, hearing muffled whispers inside the study.
"Come in Opal," Selina yelled. Opal cautiously turned the doorknob, the cool metal sending a slight shiver up her spine. As the door creaked open, she braced herself for another person in Selina's private study. To her astonishment, the room was empty, a disarray of scattered papers and books strewn across the floor. The scent of aged parchment filled the air, mingling with the faint hint of dust.

The plans of nearby ruins displayed on the walls drew her eyes, revealing the hidden secrets of a Celtic city that once stood proud, but she couldn't fully comprehend Selina's fascination with them. Opal couldn't fully comprehend Selina's fascination with these crumbling structures, some now swallowed by the shifting sands of time.

Selina, engrossed in a tome on fire elemental magic, traced her fingers along the intricate flames etched into the spine of the beautiful book. A soft crackling sound filled the room as the pages turned, revealing her collection of similar tomes dedicated to the other elemental stones. Opal noticed the particular emphasis Selina placed on the earth stone, clear in the sturdy brown wooden bookcase that housed a treasure trove of unique volumes filled with the knowledge of witchcraft.

With a determined click of her keyboard, Selina immersed herself in the holographic screens, searching for the whereabouts of the fire rune or any locations housing the stone. Her fingers danced across the keys, the soft tapping sound echoing in the quiet room. Her notes, meticulously organised, detailed volcanoes scattered throughout the land of Andreal, each potentially holding the key to her quest.
"Sorry to interrupt your research, but I've brought you the journal." She placed the aging leather-bound journal beside the keyboard. Selina's emerald eyes turned sharp, spying on the book with great interest.
"Well done, Opal," she ruffled her raven hair like she was praising an obedient dog. Selina flicked through the pages with care. Writing the locations of the hidden runes, "I hope you're not feeling guilty about taking the journal, we are one step closer to restoring our ancestral home, thanks to you, my dear," Selina clasped her hands together touching her chin in thought, "Our next task is to pass the trial before Taylor dose on foresight peak, I will leave that in your capable hands, but you'll need an edge its time I reveal a secret to you Opal. Selina stood, gracefully walking to a locked door. Selina unlocked the door using the heavy brass key hanging beside the door.
Opal glanced at her fearless leader with boundless curiosity captivated by her graceful movements. She had curves in all the wrong places and made her walk awkwardly. Amanda clammed it was part of growing plans, Selena summoned a floating fireball, her brown curls spilled over her back, white streaks flared against the brown curls, the fireball lit the stone staircase, and the surrounding gloom, Opal gulped seeing orange and black tarantula hissed making webs in the tunnel, Selina paid them no mind, she opened a wooden door, Opal peeked in though the doorway.

They stepped into the lab, a room filled with an array of scents that assaulted Selina's nostrils. The air was heavy with a mixture of bitter, sweet lavender and sage, making her nose tingle. On the burners, beakers containing glowing liquids bubbled and simmered, emitting a soft hiss and occasional pops. Various ingredients for potions lined the wooden shelves, their vibrant colours contrasting against the dark wood. The scent of belladonna candles filled the air, mingling with the aroma of melted wax. Next to the golden bowls, a pallet knife lay beside the partially melted wax.

Selina carefully cut a piece of drying wax and placed it inside a bubbling well, where it immediately emitted a radiant glow. With a steady hand, she picked up a bowl filled with white powder and a crimson crystal that shimmered with a deep red hue. As she added golden drops of a serum to the mixture, the room seemed to hum with energy. She reached out and touched the warm water, confirming that everything was ready.

"Alright, the spell is ready," Selina declared, her voice filled with confidence. The cauldron, built into the stone floor, awaited their next step.

Opal, who had entered the lab with curiosity, looked at the crimson water with apprehension. She hesitated, taking a step back. "Excuse me, but what is this for?" she asked, her voice tinged with fear.

Selina reassured her, "Opal, you need to submerge yourself under the water. Trust me, it's necessary for the spell."

Reluctantly, Opal agreed, though a sense of unease lingered within her as she approached the strange cauldron. She fidgeted with the blue crystal around her neck, glowing with a dark blue hue, "I would honestly rather not."
Selina rolled her eyes, walking around Opal, placing a confident hand on her back, giving her a hard shove forward. She yelped, splashing inside the crimson water. "The spell won't harm you." She exhaled lightly, irritated with her apprentice. Selina chanted, placing her hand in the water, chanting, releasing burning energy within her hand. It turned the well into a fiery abyss. Opal splashed around, panicking. Selina forcefully submerged her, Opal opened her eyes, transparent spirits floated inside the swirling well, Opal screamed as the transparent figures grabbed onto her skin, entering her chest, an immense energy glowed turning her ocean blue eyes a deep grey hue, Opal emerged from the well, hearing the voice of a dark witch whispering secrets within her mind, before her soaked clothes adjusted to the warmth inside the lab,
"Excellent, the enchantress has merged with your soul, the secrets of wild magic are yours, Opal you are now a disciple of the forgotten king, head to foresight peak and wait for Taylor, rest and meet the ancient sorceress inside your mind, Opal moved her soaking wet hair staring at her cherry blushed skin, a noticeable difference from her pale complexion, she stared at herself in a mirror, not recognizing herself, "Am I still myself?" she asked.
"Of course, I would never put your life in danger, Opal. " Selina grinned, showing shiny white teeth, a spark of violence unknown to Opal, wanted to smash Selina in her perfect face. She stormed away, somehow seeing within the gloom, she slammed the door into her room.
her body began shaking with sobs, hot tears fell down her face, Opal stared at the unfamiliar face in the mirror,
Her mouth moved without thinking, "You're still yourself, Opal, I am the enchantress. I'll guide you towards higher forms of power. I am a snow Delmora. Nice to meet you."
"Hi," Opal said, feeling like she was going insane," She went to bed, wondering what other effects the spell caused. Selina made her enter the well against her will. She needed to distance herself from the witches and Selina.