Chapter 1
A Cautionary Tale

From how bright it was now, it seemed to be about nine in the morning. The forest was bright and lush, despite us trekking through it as though it belonged to us. It was about two in the morning when the Hunters came to get us, my sister and me. I knew these woods like the back of my hand but surrounded by a band of thirty Witch Hunters armed to the teeth, I don't think there's anything my sister or I could do about this. We cannot save ourselves from this one. Being the oldest, I should have been brave for her - my poor sister must be terrified as we talk. I hope Cecília's feet aren't hurting her too much.

Our parents warned us about this - about how Witch Hunters listen for the bumps in the night, the singing of gifted women. Magic is still somewhat new to Riatos; we don't fully understand what it means, but many want to find out and many who don't. Through this, Cecília and I had to migrate over to the safer land for people like us. Witches, they say, as though we always knew this power was inside us. I don't have it, but Cecília seems to have this gift from the heavens. I'm sure now she sees it as a curse. I am shoved along and say nothing as I continue my march over a bridge. What time was it now? Almost the afternoon, I think.

People watched us pass over the bridge and did not seem to like Cecília and me very much. I tried my best to take the fall for her more, but they were throwing many things that hurt or grossed me out. After the bridge, Cecília and I were taken downstairs, and I started really piecing together where we were. Home, before Cecília and I ran away when Cecília's powers showed up. Mama and Papa's cabin wasn't far, and I know they haven't been there since Cecília's outburst. I looked over to Cecília, her blonde hair in her face. I wanted to get her attention, tell her we could be saved, but she did not seem open to the option of survival. That's what always bothered me about her; she never thought about the positives in life. I knew what she would try to do, use her power to save me and sacrifice herself, but I had my own tricks up my sleeve.

The Hunters led us past an archway, and I saw the lake Cecília, and I used to play in when we were young. Back when she was only a tiny, chubby little baby that I carried around. I wonder if the Hunters knew that they were taking us home or if this was unintentional. The woman in front, the main hunter that wanted us dead, stepped in front of Cecília and me with a smile. "Ladies!" She announced in a thick accent. "Do you know why you're here?"

"Because you're a psychopath?" I taunted and looked over to Cecília. She didn't react to my retort. She could not seriously be considering self-sacrifice, right?

"That's very funny, Mora Baixes," Hyacinth, the leading hunter, said before pulling her arm back and punching me across the face. That certainly got Cecília attention.

"Stop it! Leave Mora alone!" She snapped.

Hyacinth shook her head gently. "Sorry, love, but you know I can't do that. The two of you have that power no one likes, you know? And I was paid hefty amounts of gold to get rid of you."

"A shame; I thought we could have a tea party instead," I interjected. "I make lovely hyacinth tea. Cees, tell her."

Cecília did not speak, so I spoke up again. "You have the loveliest leather clothes too, I must add. Certainly, it's hard to find someone to clean them!"

Hyacinth chuckled, "Mora, sweetie, I know you swing both ways, but I am not interested in keeping you as a pet."

My face immediately flushed red. "Hyacinth, that is not what I meant!"

"Considering how long I've been chasing you," Hyacinth said, "I'd think you feel something for me."

"You're both so gross sometimes," Cecília interjected.

"Sorry, kid, the young adults are talking. However, that does remind me of why we're out here." Hyacinth smirked. "Mora, clever as always."

"I prefer my words over swords. War doesn't solve anything. Hyacinth, if you let us go, we won't bother anyone again." I assured, and Hyacinth laughed.

"If you weren't a witch, Mora, I think I could've loved you."

I tensed. "The feeling, Hyacinth, is not mutual."

"Unfortunately." Hyacinth agreed, then turned to her annoyed team of hunters. "Friends and Acquaintances! We gather here to rid the world of Riatos from two disgusting rats, given the power to kill our families and destroy our legacies with a snap of the finger. We are right to fear them, and that fear, my lovelies, turns into hatred. Now! One goes to the lake first, then the other. They are mine to finish off."

Now was as good of a time as any. Before I could reach Cecília, though, Hyacinth says something - I stopped paying attention to her - and Cecília stepped towards her. "Wait, Cecília!" I called, but Hyacinth was taking her into the lake. She was doing it! Sacrificing herself for me! "Cecília, to me! Now! When I get to one, you better be out of that lake! Three!"

"She's casting a spell!" A hunter yelled, and three ran up and started covering my mouth. I struggled in their arms, but I wasn't going to be taken down so quickly. I had to get to Cecília.

I don't know how I did it, honestly. The three men were much larger than me, but it seemed like something wanted me free. I ran towards the lake to get my sister, but I saw Hyacinth raise her knife, and I heard Cecília scream something at me - I don't know what happened, but my body started moving without my control, and I fled into the lush forest. I could hear pounding footsteps behind me, but I just kept running. Cecília was dead; she had to be. She was gone now, and I was running. The adrenaline rush wasn't enough to make me forget my situation. I could feel tears welling in my eyes, but I refused to cry now. I refused to give up now. It was over for her, but not for me.

The forest was a beast of itself, but lucky me already knew this forest well. As the hunters started diverging off to find me, I kept pushing for the one place I could get a weapon and new clothes; I had to get to my old home where I would be safe. Hyacinth could find me at any minute, so I had to be smart. I hid in bushes and behind trees; I used rocks to give them a false read on my location. I even tried covering my footprints in the mud. I tried my best to keep my breath, so they didn't hear me pant, and I even climbed into the trees to see if I could spot them before they saw me. This chase led us into the afternoon, and I knew they'd stop hunting and step up camp once the sun went down. Some people say that the forests are full of monsters, but I think it could just be wildlife with a big appetite. Either way, I could fend for myself once I had the hunters off my back. Maybe I could go back to the lake and retrieve Cecília's body. I could give her a real burial and not just some half-assed dump in the lake. Besides, what if people drink lake water and die from disease! I would not have Hyacinth use my sister's body for more terror and destruction.

As the sky turned from blue to orange to purple, I started back for the lake. The odds were in my favor of everyone being away, and I could make a hut for myself at the lake for warmth. I was pretty excited to get my sister back, but as I got there, I only saw one person there, Hyacinth. Now the odds really weren't in my favor.

"Is that you, Mora?" Hyacinth called out. "Mora?"

I said nothing for a while, and Hyacinth pulled out a dagger and started patrolling. She kept calling my name, so I waited until she was close by to rush at her. I had to take her down, and despite being the biggest threat to my life now. She took away Cecília, and now I had to get her back. However, Hyacinth was prepared for me, and as I jumped out, she buried the dagger in my abdomen. She gasped and fell over, and I grunted as the dagger only went deeper into my body. "Gods... damn it!"

"That's not very sweet of you, Mora!" Hyacinth laughed.

I felt my body roll down to the floor, and the dagger slides out of my body. I swallowed and looked up at Hyacinth. She didn't really say anything; she just cleaned the blade and started away, calling names I couldn't hear over the fog. I could feel my eyes slowly begin to close, and as my final breath came out, I felt myself leave my body. I was a part of the wind, but not by choice.

"You," A smooth voice pushed the breath out stronger, making me rumble, "are quite the mortal, Mora Baixes."

I turned towards the lake and felt my jaw drop literally to the floor - I am only wind now, so I could actually touch everything. The woman standing before me wasn't there a second ago, yet she was hard to miss. Her dark black hair was almost blue in the moonlight, and her skin was as white as snow with light blue scales. Her eyes glowed a soft green, making more light for us, and her white dress flowed like waves. "You're... a goddess, aren't you?"

The woman smiled and nodded. "The Goddess of the Sea and Soil and Lady of the Lake, Nyneve, at your service."

"Holy shit - I mean, sorry!" I quickly said, trying to recover my footing.

She laughed and gently grabbed my ankle. "Mora Biaxes, your floating away."

"Sorry, I just died."

"No, it's alright. I expected that." Nyneve smiled. "I would love to continue sharing pleasantries, but I have a task for you."

"A task? A quest? From a goddess?" I blinked, floating by her.

She nodded. "Indeed, a special quest. Mora, your sister's kind are going extinct. We only just gave you all magic, and now your kind has turned on each other. But not you, Mora Biaxes, you still hold on to pacifism. And unlike my other two sisters, I admire that."

"Thank you," I said, mostly because I did not know what else to say. A goddess was giving me a pat on the back.

"Which is why I want to give you your soul back," Nyneve continued, "however, I cannot give you a soul for no reason. You must earn it. So, if you would be so kind as to listen to my proposition, I could offer you a second chance at life."

"Okay!" I agreed. "Certainly, what is it?"

"I will make you an undead creature, powered by my magic. You will have one year to take your revenge for your sister and save the lives of the endangered witches. If you succeed, I will give you your soul." Nyneve offered and pulled me down to her level. "Do we have a deal?"

The wind started picking up, and I felt like I could be swept away. Rain began to fall, the lake started getting choppy, and the mud became runny. I looked back up at Nyneve, who was still waiting for my answer. "Do I have to kill to protect?"

"You only have to kill once," Nyneve assured. "A soul for a soul."

"A soul for a soul," I repeated. Initially, I thought of saying no. Despite Hyacinth's terrible actions, did she deserve to take my place in death? Could I do that to her? Then I remembered how she murdered Cecília and then me. "Fuck that bitch. We have a deal, Nyneve. Thank you."