CHAPTER 225: CHAPTER 225 THE WITCHES’ REALM (1) (BONUS)

When Rhydian removed his hand, my hands instinctively flew to my ears... they were round... my pointed ears are gone.

"Let’s keep walking before the barrier closes." He smiled at me.

I returned his smile. But I felt dumb. ’How could I have forgotten about hiding my ears?’

Damon glanced at me but he didn’t utter any words.

After we had crossed the barrier. The trees around us swayed unnaturally, even though there was no wind.

Then, something invisible rushed past us.

I gasped quietly. Damon’s hand immediately found my wrist, steadying me.

The shimmer rippled again, and that’s when two shadowy figures stepped out of thin air. Their golden eyes glowed faintly.

They had no weapons and didn’t wear any armor. They wore long cloaks that swept across the floor, their hoods casting shadows over their faces.

They didn’t speak, their eyes fixated on me.

My chest tightened. My legs numbed, threatening to buckle. My encounter with a witch the last time didn’t go well, I wondered why they kept staring at me like that.

"Don’t show fear, don’t show fear."

Golden buzzed against my ear in warning.

Rhydian stepped forward and bowed his head slightly. "We seek entry," he said calmly.

The figures didn’t make any movement to answer him.

Damon shifted slightly beside me. Alaric’s hand hovered near the dagger on his belt.

The silence stretched.

Then, one of the cloaked figures turned and walked deeper into the realm. The other one stepped aside, the space behind him bending and rippling like water.

My mouth opened wide... ’There were two layers... Does that mean what I’m seeing now is an illusion?’

A path formed through trees that glowed faintly at their roots, the leaves above strangely translucent. The scent of lavender and damp earth drifted in the air.

"They let us in?" I whispered.

"Yes," Rhydian replied.

We stepped forward and followed along the path. ’What a strange feeling... do they expect to go through trees now?’

Damon’s hand brushed mine briefly as we moved through the trees. Alaric stayed close behind. The moment all of us had passed through the ripple, it sealed shut behind us like it had never been there.

That was it. We were in.

The tension didn’t leave my chest, though. If anything, it worsened.

Because now we were on their land.

And the rules had changed.

...

The witches’ realm wasn’t what I expected.

There were no dark towers or bubbling cauldrons. No screeching laughter or bones hanging from trees. Just... homes.

Like real normal ones. Some looked like old cottages made from stone, while others had vines growing over tiled roofs. Small lanterns hung outside doorways, their glow soft and welcoming.

It felt like a hidden village pulled from an old dream.

Children chased glowing moths in a distant field. A group of older witches sat beneath a tree, weaving charms out of twine and feathers. None of them spared us more than a glance.

No one greeted us. But no one attacked either.

"We’ll rest here," Rhydian said, nodding toward a modest-looking building near the edge of the cobbled road. A sign dangled loosely from a wooden post out front. The paint had faded, but I could still make out the word "Hollow Hearth Inn."

It looked like any small hostel from a forgotten corner of the realm. A cracked stone path led up to a simple wooden door.

Damon didn’t say a word as we followed Rhydian inside.

The interior was surprisingly warm. A fire burned low in the hearth, and a soft herbal scent clung to the walls. A pale-skinned woman with silver-streaked hair glanced up from behind a worn desk. Her eyes flicked over each of us, but she didn’t comment on our state... mud-stained clothes, scratches, bruises, and blood.

Rhydian walked up to her. "One room. Large enough for all of us."

She raised a brow. "That’s a bit unusual."

"We’ve had an unusual day," he said.

After a beat, she shrugged. "Room at the end of the hall. Third floor. You’ll have to share beds or sleep on the floor. It’s nothing fancy."

"That’s fine," Rhydian said, tossing a small pouch onto the counter.

She didn’t even check it, she caught it mid-air and tucked it away.

We climbed the stairs slowly, too tired to talk. My legs ached, and my head throbbed. When we finally reached the top floor, the door creaked open with a soft groan.

Inside was a single large room.

Two beds against opposite walls, a small table with a cracked vase, and a fur rug stretched across the wooden floor. A small window looked out over the village, but the curtain was too faded to draw properly.

It was nothing fancy. But that was enough.

Alaric flopped onto one of the beds with a heavy sigh. "Dibs."

Mr. Four Eyes rolled his shoulders. "I’m sleeping near the door... Just in case."

Rhydian set his sword against the table and sat cross-legged on the rug without complaint.

I moved toward the window, pushing the curtain aside. The streets were mostly empty now. The lanterns flickered like stars.

Damon came up behind me, his voice low. "You alright?"

I nodded. "Just... overwhelmed."

He didn’t say anything at first. Then I felt his hand brush my arm. "I’ll take the floor. You take the bed."

"I don’t mind..."

"I do," he cut in softly. "Rest. I’ll keep watch for a while."

His voice had that tone again... the one that made my chest feel both warm and heavy at the same time.

I nodded.

Behind me, Golden settled on the edge of the bed, fluffing its wings.

Alaric had already started snoring.

While Mr. Four Eyes was sharpening a blade quietly in the corner.

Rhydian was meditating, his fingers glowing faintly.

And Damon stood by the window, his silhouette outlined by soft lantern light.

I sat down slowly, my hands in my lap. We had made it past the border. But I knew better than to believe the danger was gone.

No... this was only the beginning. And something told me... that the witches were watching.