Desiring The Cursed Demon's Heart

She clutched the backpack on her shoulders as she took one last look at her room before she closed the door behind her with a sigh.

The corridor was lit with blazing candles by the side as she moved down with quiet footsteps, not wanting to disturb anyone who might be asleep by this eerie hour of the night.

She took out the small locket which was in her pocket and stared down at it with a hefty look on her face.

She had gone to visit the witch earlier this night after making the hardest decision of her life.

For the third time today.

"Who do we have here for the third time of the day? Are you not getting a little too fond of me, darling?" Lumen Caramel was seated behind her large desk as a dainty smile embellished her lips.

Aella said nothing to the witch's joke and simply looked down to get her nerves together.

She had made up her mind to go on the incredulous mission but in the back of her head, she still doubted the very truth of it all.

"I have resolved to get what you have asked of me," she tried to keep her voice firm but a slight waver followed her tone.

"Pardon? Me?" the witch looked dumbfounded.

"Y-Yes, you told me the only to get rid of the curse is to get the demon's heart, did you not?" Aella furrowed her eyebrows.

"Oh, that. I didn't ask it of you, it is what is required to absolve the curse, you make it seem like I am the one who forced you to go," 

Aella resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the silly witch.

She was the one who had prompted her that there was no other way around it so why did she have to make this so difficult?

"Anyways, I am pleased you made the right choice. You look spectacular in your trousers and tunic," the witch complimented as she got up from her chair.

"I need you to give me a map on how I can get to Cassa Dron," Aella brushed off the praise and moved to why she had come here in the first place.

If she was going to venture beyond the Dark Lands, she would need a clear vision of where and where she would go.

She had never been out of the kingdom before so, she needed a map to lead her in the direction.

"You need not a map for that trivial journey," the witch waved her hand in the air.

Aella raised an eyebrow at her outrageous statement.

Trivial? How was battling a beast something meagre?!

She held her tongue from spewing something unruly.

The witch muttered a few words under her breath before a mist came in the air and she waved her hands, Aella could see some lines forming as an unproportioned drawing came up.

Aella was stunned to see a map forming just from the waver of the witch's hands. Her mouth flew open as the lines become even more prominent.

"This is where we're at. You must go behind the gates of the kingdom and head off here,"

Aella could see a dark dot where the witch pointed at.

"This is where the Dark Lands begins, at the end of it, Cassa Dron lays," the witch said before she dropped her hands abruptly and the fog vanished.

"B-But you did not give me the chance to take it into memory!" Aella let out in slight agitation.

"Ugh, you need not that. Just take this and it will lead you to your destination," Aella placed her hand as the witch dropped something weighty on her palm.

She squinted to see the golden locket which the witch handed to her.

It looked antique and priceless but she didn't know how it would lead her through her journey.

When she opened it, she saw the golden hands flickering as they moved through different cardinals. It was a compass.

"You just keep on following north and you will be fine," 

Aella gripped the object tight in her hands and nodded.

"What a nice sword you have here," Lumen mumbled as she caressed the handle of Aella's weapon.

Aella felt something mystical sipping through her body but it was gone as soon as it came. She scrunched her face as she regarded the witch with suspicion.

What did she just do?

"Thank you," she murmured under her breath as she shifted the sword away.

"How do I know when I get to Cassa Dron? Do you have a visual image or even a drawing of it?" Aella asked as she gripped her sword in her hand.

"When the hands of the compass disappear, you will know," the witch had said ominously.

Aella looked down at the compass in her hand one more time before she moved down the corridor of her home.

She got down to the main hall of the Castle safely and just as she was about to push the double doors open, she heard hurried steps rushing down towards her.

Aella let out a heavy breath.

She had hoped to leave without encountering anyone.

"Aella? Wh-What are you doing there?" It was her twin sister, Aurelia.

Aella turned back to her sister who seemed quite shocked by her outfit.

She ran her eyes over Aella's padded figure with what seemed like concern.

"W-Where are you going dressed like that?" Aurelia's voice came out as an anxious stutter.

Aella looked down at her baggy trousers with her tunic tucked underneath her metal breast pad and sleeves armour.

Her sword was hanging on her leather waist belt which hung low on her hips, and her blonde hair was tied low to rest on her shoulder.

"I have to go off to clean up your mess. As usual," Aella's tone wasn't accusative, rather it was cool and not vindictive.

"W-What? Where are you going, Aella?" Aurelia moved closer, seeming afraid about Aella's calm demeanour.

"To be frank, I do not know either but I will be gone for some time. I need you to take care of Mother and Father, please for once be responsible and act like a dutiful child," Aella addressed her sister almost with a plea.

"D-Do not be silly, I will be good to Mother and Father. And take care of yourself too, I am sorry for all I have done," Aurelia muttered before she bit her lips uncertainly.

"I will," Aella replied and clamped her lips shut, sacred her emotions might betray her.

She was flustered when Aurelia stepped forward to wrap her arms around her for a hug.

Aella hesitated at first but later conceded and hugged her sister back.

It was rare for Aurelia to show any affection, and even rare for Aella to reciprocate the gesture.

It seemed the toll of the recent events had affected them more than they could handle.

"Please return to us alive," Aurelia begged silently and Aella clenched her fists to stop the tears from coming out of her eyes.

She wasn't sure about her survival so she didn't want to give her sister any false hope. She pulled away with a wistful smile.

"I will be on my way now. Goodbye, Aurelia," she smiled.

Aurelia let her go after one last squeeze on her palms.

"Goodbye,"

Aella turned around as she opened the door to the Castle. The harsh wind reacted and hit her face to blow her golden locks behind.

She revelled in the moment before she stepped out of the warmth of her home into the cold, coarse whips of the world.

The fear of the unknown gripping her tightly.