Lord Of The Lost

The shadowy trees in the thick fog began to twist and writhe, as if they had come to life, their shapes shifting in the dim light. It was as though the entire forest was alive, quietly rearranging itself, forming a moving maze around them.

Before William could react, a path suddenly appeared before them, leading deeper into the core of the Misty Forest. The dense fog that had suffocated their vision began to part, clearing the way in a manner reminiscent of Moses parting the sea. The road ahead was now startlingly clear.

Little Red Riding Hood, who had been lost in her own thoughts of frustration, was suddenly jolted back to reality. Her eyes lit up with realization, her mood shifting instantly. She grabbed William's arm, her voice urgent. "What did you just say?" she asked, her grip tight with anxiety.

William, catching on, silently thanked Calcifer. 'Looks like the old magician's words still held some sway,' he thought to himself. He repeated what he had said moments earlier. "The natural disaster in the wilderness—"

Before he could finish, Little Red Riding Hood interrupted, her eyes widening in shock. "The Scourge of the Wilderness? The Witch of the Wilderness? The ancient, human-shaped calamity that's been alive for a thousand years is coming to Border Town?"

William blinked, intrigued. "Who is she?" he asked, curious about this formidable figure Little Red Riding Hood seemed so afraid of.

"The Witch of the Wilderness," Little Red Riding Hood said, her voice dropping to a near whisper, the fear evident in her tone. "She's the embodiment of disaster itself. She's a master of black magic, so powerful that even the king can do nothing against her. The moment you see her, it's already too late. She 'is' the disaster."

William noticed how pale she had become, and he understood. This was no ordinary witch. The stories about her were probably something that had haunted Little Red Riding Hood since childhood; likely tales the Wolf Lord used to terrify her.

"Calcifer... No wonder that name sounded familiar," Little Red Riding Hood muttered, piecing it together. "He was once a disciple of the Witch of the Wilderness, but later became a royal magician."

As they walked further down the mist-cleared path, Little Red Riding Hood folded away the invisibility cloak. William, eager to learn more, pressed for details.

Through their conversation, he found out more than he expected. Calcifer, despite his youthful appearance, was a figure of immense power. His exact age was a mystery, but his magical abilities were legendary. Known as the 'Prince of Magic,' he had once been handpicked by the Witch of the Wilderness for his talents.

However, he betrayed her, choosing to align himself with the Kingdom, eventually rising to prominence at the King's side.

For a place like Border Town, Calcifer was a figure of mythic proportions, someone who could shape the very fate of the region. But as formidable as Calcifer was, the Witch of the Wilderness was on an entirely different level.

"Witches exist in this world," Little Red Riding Hood explained as they walked. "Most of them are benevolent, or at least neutral. But not her. The Witch of the Wilderness brings ruin wherever she goes. Even if someone survives an encounter with her, they are cursed to live in fear for the rest of their days."

William took in her words as the fog began to thin even more, revealing the dense, ancient heart of the Misty Forest.

Just then, a subtle notification appeared in his vision:

[Map Tip: You have arrived at the core of the Misty Forest]

[Hint: You are about to meet a witch.]

The realization hit them both at once: they were no longer just searching for the witch; they were about to meet her. The air thickened with tension as they approached the end of the path, where the shadows seemed to move with a will of their own.

"Be ready," Little Red Riding Hood whispered, her voice a mix of awe and fear.

At the end of the winding path, a small wooden cottage stood nestled among the glowing flora. The sight was mesmerizing. Magical plants of all shapes and sizes surrounded the house, their flowers, fruits, and leaves glowing in a dazzling array of colors. It was as if the plants themselves were alive, their light flickering like delicate fireflies dancing in the mist.

William's eyes widened at the spectacle. The plants weren't just ordinary magical herbs; they were rare and powerful. Mandrakes, burning fruits, tree spirits, sunflowers the size of shields, and even poisonous apples thrived in the fertile soil around the cottage. Each one seemed to radiate life, adding to the ethereal glow of the scene.

In front of the cottage, more magical plants bloomed in vibrant colors, while in the back, mysterious mushrooms grew in clusters, their caps shimmering like stars under the misty sky. Despite the beauty, William's attention was drawn to the figure moving frantically inside the cottage.

There, in the doorway, a woman dressed in a tattered robe and wearing a typical witch's pointed hat was hurriedly packing her belongings. Her movements were rushed and erratic, as if she were preparing to flee at any moment. Her clothes were stained, her face covered in freckles, and she smelled faintly of something sour and unpleasant.

She looked nothing like the powerful, mystical figure they had expected.

[Witch: She once used the power of the Misty Forest to avoid the prophecies of the Wilderness Witch, but now that she has learned the Wilderness Witch is coming, she can no longer escape. So, she chooses to run.]

William frowned. Was this the witch Little Red Riding Hood had searched for after three long days?

Little Red Riding Hood, undeterred by the witch's appearance, stepped forward with urgency in her voice. "Witch, please help me make a potion. I need to cure my grandmother!"

The witch barely glanced up, waving her hand dismissively. "Where did you come from, little brat? Go play somewhere else! Can't you see I'm busy?"

William saw her face fully for the first time; plain, freckled, with a complexion that was sallow and tired. She wasn't the imposing figure they had imagined. In fact, she looked quite ordinary, like someone you might pass on the street without a second thought.

He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Where are you running off to?"

The witch stiffened and shot him a sharp glare. "Running? Who said I was running? I'm 'moving', you fool! Don't you know what moving is?"

William tilted his head, unconvinced. "And where exactly are you moving to?"

The witch's face darkened. "Someplace where neither the Witch of the Wilderness nor Calcifer can find me," she muttered.

William crossed his arms, a sly smile on his lips. "But Calcifer told me the Witch of the Wilderness is coming to take back what was once hers. If you want to survive, your best option is to cooperate."

The witch's face twisted with rage, her eyes flashing with suspicion. "Cooperate? With him?" she spat. "That bastard Calcifer must have betrayed me! He must've told the Witch of the Wilderness where I was hiding!"

She kicked a nearby pot in frustration, her voice rising in anger. "Damn it! I knew I couldn't trust him!"

William exchanged a glance with Little Red Riding Hood, unsure whether to believe her. If Calcifer had really sold her out, then things were more complicated than they had thought.

The witch glared at them, clearly flustered. "If you two don't have anything better to do, get lost! I don't have time for this!"

But Little Red Riding Hood wasn't about to be dismissed so easily. She reached out, grabbing hold of the witch's sleeve. "Please, Witch, I need the potion! My grandmother's life depends on it!"

The witch yanked her sleeve back, scowling. "Why should I make such a troublesome potion for you? You and your kind have polluted this forest with your werewolf stench! You're the reason this place is cursed now, bringing the darkness of the Black Forest into my sanctuary! I refuse to help a little wolf like you!"

Little Red Riding Hood's face fell, her eyes pleading, but the witch remained firm, turning away to continue her frantic packing.

William raised his hand, his voice steady. "Well, Calcifer mentioned that he wanted the spirit of the spring."

At that, the witch's expression darkened, fury flashing in her eyes. "Impossible! I've already shown you great mercy by allowing you to see me! The spirit of the spring? Don't even think about it! Get out!"

With surprising strength for someone who appeared so frail, she shoved both William and Little Red Riding Hood toward the door.

William, refusing to be deterred, quickly followed up, "If the spirit of the spring is off the table, then how about the Fountain of Life instead?"

The witch halted, confusion flickering across her features as she turned back to him. "Fountain of Life..." she echoed, considering his proposal. After a moment, she seemed to grasp his intention. "What happened to Calcifer?"

"I'm not sure," William replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "It seems to be linked to the abyss."

"Abyss... Abyss Demon? Has he been cursed by the devil?" the witch murmured to herself, her expression shifting from anger to concern.

Though she despised Calcifer, she feared the Witch of the Wilderness even more. If anything were to happen to Calcifer, she would have to face the Witch of the Wilderness alone.

The tension in her face deepened as she processed this thought. Little Red Riding Hood, undeterred by the witch's irritation, clutched her sleeve, repeating, "Please, help me make the potion."

The witch, clearly exasperated by the relentless pleading of the two, threw her hands in the air. "Enough! What do you take me for? Why should I help you?"

William remained calm, shifting his gaze to the cluttered cabin around them. The interior was plain and disorganized, filled with crystal balls, metal trinkets, dried leaves, and scattered tarot cards. In one corner stood a cauldron, while a cabinet overflowed with dusty, disheveled spellbooks.

Amidst the disarray, William noticed a large vat by the door. It was dark and damp, surrounded by a cluster of magical mushrooms. Peering inside, he saw it filled with clear water.

[Hint: You have discovered the Water of Life]

[Water of Life: The Spring of Life has been diluted into this water, which contains a faint life force. It can significantly enhance the quality of ordinary magic potions, speed up the growth of magical plants, and is extremely beneficial to living beings.]

William's eyes widened with surprise. This was a miracle! Not only could it serve as a magical ingredient, but it could also be used directly.

"I'm feeling a bit parched. Can I have some of this water?" he asked, keeping his tone casual.

The witch, still irritable, waved her hand dismissively. "Help yourself."

William didn't need to be told twice. He filled a bucket with the water and took a sip. The taste was pure and sweet, reminiscent of mountain spring water. Instantly, he felt revitalized, a warm wave of energy coursing through him as his physical vitality began to recover rapidly.

Little Red Riding Hood watched in astonishment. "What does it taste like?"

William smiled, feeling invigorated. "It's incredible! It's like drinking liquid life itself!"

The witch rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smirk. Perhaps even she could appreciate the power of the Water of Life, even if she wouldn't admit it. "Just don't get too used to it," she muttered, turning back to her chaotic packing, but the tension in the room had shifted, a glimmer of hope flickering in the air.