Chapter 3: Sleep

Chapter 3: Sleep


Witch Hill
The Journey to the West



Night has fallen. Agnes and Eligor have reached Witch Hill, a massive grave site where thousands of innocent women were slain and buried. Before the unjust massacre this area was just a plain field. Originally it was excavated to hold the bodies of those who were accused of black magic and witch craft, but as the body count grew so did the ground. Eventually it formed a hill made from the bodies of the slain women.

The place itself is uninhabited and during night time, the souls of those murdered here are said to seen walking the plains. There are also a large number of dark shady creatures lurking in this area. Here, Agnes and Eligor can choose to spend the night. But these should be wary of the dark presence that looms in Witch Hill.

Witch Hill
The Journey to the West

Wincing as he landed, Eligor looked around briefly as he cast a healing spell on himself and his companion. The moon illuminated the surroundings to a degree but there was something off about it, as for all that nothing could be seen moving, there was a distinct lack of wildlife that would suggest this place was habitable. He froze as he took in the large hill before him. He had been here before by happenstance, and it wasn't his fondest memory, as after feeling the foul magic in the air he had fled post-haste. He had been a fairly young Alfeir at the time, only 300 years old and didn't have his conjuration skills at the time, so he was rather unprepared for the horrors in this place.

He cursed under his breath. In his haste to get away last time, he had made no notes of where the exit was, fleeing being all he cared about rather than remarking on what was where and how to get in and out of the place. It seemed rather ominous that he returned here almost 900 years later, and the place still gave him the shivers.

Channeling his magic, he crafted an orb of light, holding it aloft as he looked about with sharper eyes than in his youth. The last Sithaer couldn't trust his senses, as they were screaming at him to leave this unholy place immediately. But that wasn't an option right now.

"If you can manage, we should stay vigilant through the night."

Letting down one's guard here could prove disastrous.

Witch Hill
The Journey to the West

Flicking his eyes in her direction, not a hint of lust or any other emotion except idle curiosity as he beheld her. A silence fell once again as he moved forward, his magic orb showing the way. The graves (the few that were dug) cast pale shadows in the moonlight, and a crow cawed in the distance. His distaste for carrion birds notwithstanding, he just didn't care for the things.

The eerie quiet continued for a several more moments before he deigned to answer, sort-of. "Away from here." He knew it was rude, but quite frankly he didn't care.

He had never had a destination in mind, only going where he felt things were interesting. With most of his family dead and few friends to speak of (also likely dead) he was quite on his own. The fact no one had seen his face in over 700 years spoke to his solitude. Perhaps not from civilization, but from relationships.

The only living woman in the area held no appeal to him. A child (infant really) in years compared to his already long life, she had little to offer him. He rolled his eyes behind his mask before walking on.

Chapter 3: Sleep


Witch Hill
The Journey to the West

Little that Agnes and Eligor knew that they were being watched by several dozens of Shades that plagued these lands. They were being drawn by the Fabula Nova Crystal Agnes was carrying for it was a much valued tome among spiritual beings. The longer they stay in Witch Hill, the more monsters arrive. Shades maybe afraid of the light, but some dark monsters aren't.

From the distance, a silhouette of a man could be seen walking towards Agnes and Eligor. It was dark and hard to tell what he looked like from afar. He carried no light, yet he was able to walk in the darkness safely. There was also something odd about the way he walked. His body seemed to be in disagreement with his stride and pose. The man's presence gave off an eerie silence, it was almost like everything stopped and was watching very closely. The ambiance of the air also reeked of violence. Somewhere in the dark the thirst of blood lingers.

Chapter 3: Sleep


Witch Hill
The Journey to the West

The shady figure turned out to be a Wraith, a ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially one seen shortly before or after their death. But this one had been wondering the mortal plains for centuries. It is a dark spirit that feeds off the life force of the living. It suddenly attacked Agnes and Eligor after Agnes' light shun on it.

Imminent Battle!

(Agnes, your Demon form is still not be available during this fight.)
Please enter the battle here: https://ffmsl.rpg-board.net/t601-chapter-3-wraith#11947

Witch Hill
The Journey to the West

The fight with the Wraith was challenging, although it seemed his guard lasted long enough to keep it from tearing him apart. While he might not have contributed as much as the girl, he wasn't entirely useless, even if it had just been creating a distraction. Fortunately his healing spell had worked, and his minor wounds began to close as the rush of battle faded. Remembering the girl's lack of acknowledgment regarding healing in the past, he simply cast Energize, restoring her stamina before walking off. 

Speaking over his shoulder as he moved, he told Agnes, "Unless you want to fight another one of those unassisted, I suggest moving." 

((Elemental Conjurer has been unlocked for Eligor))

((Arcane Arts has been unlocked for Agnes))


Chapter 3: Sleep


Witch Hill
The Journey to the West

The Wraith's defeat has sent it back to the underworld. But the night was far from over. As Agnes and Eligor grow more tired, more and more dark creatures surround them. They are all being drawn by the Fabula Nova Crystal that Agnes has with her.

There were two villages west of Witch Hill, Ohglis and Riverun it will be up to Agnes and Eligor which way they will go. They could stay together or they could also choose separate paths. After these two villages lies the Kingdom of Cross. It belongs to the Alfeirs and they are not too kind with trespassers.