Equinox by Nicolas Arango

Part I: The Journey

It was early in the morning with fog covering the purple roofed cottage in the middle of the woods when its doors open for Mila, the young witch who lived in it, accompanied by her fox familiar. As they went out of the cottage Mila placed her hand in door looking at her home with concern as if she worried for the journey ahead. Taking a deep breath, Mila grabbed her bag and put on her cloak as she started walking the path towards the woods. These woods where familiar to Mila, She and Ena had been there many times along the years to pick flowers and search for potion ingredients. wandering around the trees and the flowers was one of the things Mila enjoyed the most, since she had distanced herself from any other witches and creatures she once was close with. With her head going nostalgic with memories she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize how long they had been walking, Mila called on Ena to stop jumping around so they could rest a bit and eat something. As they sat on the grassy field, Mila took out some berries for them to eat, Ena was energetic was always when she say the blue colored berries she always enjoyed. A tiny smile appeared on Milaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face as she saw Ena eating her food and then laying down besides her, she took a few minutes to enjoy this short moment beneath the trees and surrounded by the calming aura of the woods. Taking a deep breath again, Mila got up and started walking again, after all she had set a goal to reach her destination as fast as she could, so there wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t any time to lose.

When the sun started to set they were walking in a flowery field, this was further than what they had ever been, Ena was walking alongside Mila when she stopped for a moment to caress the flowers. She would have loved to stop there and just enjoy the evening studying the magical properties these plants holded. - “I know you wanna stay” - Said Ena in a calming and reassuring tone - “You know we can’t do that” - Mila said, determinant. - “Doesn’t mean you don’t want to”- Said Ena, this time in a defiant and silly tone. Mila looked at her with a smile and they both continued walking.

Part II: The Nymph

It had been a long day, both Mila and Ena could barely walk without feeling their legs shaking. They were in the middle of a forest they had never been before, Mila heard the sound of water and decided that way was the one to go. They were getting closer to the sound when the found themselves in front of a gate of leaves, this was a common protection spell to keep natural spaces guarded. It was not hard for Mila to break the ward and walk through. They were both amazed when they saw the enchanting lake that laid in front of them, with crystalline and shining waters, lilies floating all around, and a majestic waterfall that created the most relaxing sounds. Mila took her cloak and boots off and sat down sinking her legs in the water of the lake, the feeling of tranquility and relaxation invaded her body and she realized that the lake had magical and healing properties, that would explain the enchanted seal needed to enter. With Mila and Ena both mesmerized by the lake they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t notice a creature lurking and sneaking beneath the water, in fact this was Opal, a nymph. It had been years since someone visited OpalÂ´s lagoon and she was eiger to find out more about these new visitors.

Opal looked up from underneath the water watching Ena play with the lilies, she couldn’t control her curiosity anymore and jumped up. “Hiiiii” - Opal screamed, almost giving Ena a heart attack and leaving Mila shocked as she saw her. Ena slowly got closer to opal and licked her nose, Opal giggled and jumped back into the water, only to appear in front of Mila. - “Hello, Sorry i gave you a scare, I´m Opal” - She waved. - “You’re a Nymph, aren’t you?”- asked Mila. - “Yep, I’m the protector of this lake, and you are?...” - said Opal with curiosity. Mila introduced herself and Ena to Opal, and told her that they were traveling to find something important so they would just spend the night and leave in the morning. Opal smiled and said they could rest up for the night without worries.

Part III: The Bond

The next morning Mila and Ena packed up and started their journey once again. They had only left the lake when they heard Opal screaming and running behind them. “Wait up! I’m coming with you guys!” - She screamed euphoric. “Look, It’s nothing personal but i rather travel alone” - Said Mila coldly as opal catched up. “I promise won’t be a burden, besides, I’m really good with water and healing spells” - She said with a smirk. “I mean, she could be useful in case we run into trouble” - Said Ena. “Ugh, fine, but you’ll need to keep up and don’t try to make small talk” - Mila said already regretting her decision. Opal nodded and the three of them continued along the path.

After only a couple of hours Opal started asking questions about why Mila was traveling alone and not with a coven like most witches. Mila looked and Opal knowing she would just keep asking until she answered. “I’m not like most witches, Ever since i was a girl they feared how my power was darker than theirs, even my own family¨ - Said Mila looking at the threes and avoiding Opal’s gaze. - “Growing up I was never invited to a coven, So instead of trying to fit with the rest of them i decided to move to the woods and learn how to use magic in my own way, and well, the rest is history, I met Ena, and.. and.. I’m..- That’s it no more questions” - She finished with a sigh and looking at Opal who was intrigued to find out more. “Well, if it makes you feel better I don’t have any nymph friends either, I actually don’t even know if there are any nymphs left” - Said Opal in way that was almost sad. Mila smiled at her and they kept on walking silently.

After a couple of days of traveling together, Mila and Opal had learn a lot about each other, They were extremely different but they also had some very important things in common, Mila even started teaching Opal some water spells that she had developed herself. They were sitting near a river when Opal was playing around with the water just making shapes float when a fish that got caught in bubble jumped out hitting Opal in the face in the funniest way possible, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when Mila did something she had not don in a very long time, she started laughing so loud even some birds got startled. Even Ena was surprised to see Mila laughing and letting loose like this, Opal couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help to start laughing as well. After the laughter they just sit there enjoying this brief but sweet moment. Opal broke the silence asking something she had been wondering for some time.

“So, what are you traveling for exactly?” - Mila looked at her seriously and then nodded. “All these years that i’ve been on my own, i was looking for answers or ways to understand why my magic is so dark that it drove my family away. I found out that i was born during an equinox, it’s said that no witch had been born in one for hundreds of years. I found many ways to control my power but the only true answers where hidden by the last equinox witch in a place that’s only accessible during… well, during an equinox.” “Woah, So that’s where we’re going then? to find answers about the equinox?”- Opal asked while looking up at Mila. “Yes”- Mila sighed - “and the equinox its tomorrow, So i just hope i can finally get the answers i’ve been waiting for.” They smiled and each other in a reassuring way and turned in for the night.

The next day they traveled non stop, passing through the most enchanting landscapes, until they reached a cliff from where the could see a big body of water with a strange ruin that was in the middle. “Thats it, isn’t it? where we need to go?” - Said Opal while looking at Mila. “Yes, That’s the equinox tower.” - She answered determinant.

Part IV: The Tower

It took some time crossing the lake but as the sun began to set Mila, Opal and Ena made it to the top of the small isle. and now were faced by the ruins of the Equinox tower. Mila felt and instinct and walked toward the abandoned and dark structure. The tower had been there for years, vines covered it almost entirely, even the remains that were scattered all around the place had it. Opal and Ena felt reluctant but still followed Mila into the dark and deep stairs of the tower. The way down was long and dark, Mila had conjured a light sphere to illuminate the way. “Maybe…..maybe we should come tomorrow when the sun´s out” - Said opal shaky and holding her arms around herself. “Tomorrow the equinox would be over and the entrance sealed, we´re doing this now” - Said Mila in a strong, almost angry tone.

The deeper they went, the more uneasy Opal felt, she could feel the vines around the place following them and the dark energy of the place growing stronger. They reached the end of the long staircase and entered a large corridor, also covered in vine, only this time the vines started going towards them rapidly and threatening. Mila grabbed OpalÂ´s hand and the all started running forward, Mila shooting fire spells at the vines while the other two dodged and ran behind her. Mila blasted the door in front of them and they all flew through it, Mila fell further and when she stand up she saw the vines had taken over Opal and Ena and where covering them almost entirely. Behind her there was a floating book, the answer she came looking for, the equinox lost book. But the vines were rapidly consuming her friends.

Mila was left with a choice, to grab the book that hold the answers to who she was, what she thought was the thing she wanted her whole life, or to save her friends, her only friends. Ena who she had been witch for so long and Opal, who she only had met a few days ago but was already important to her. Mila hesitated for a moment but then everything became clear. The only holded old and lost tales from centuries ago, Opal and Ena were her only friends, the one that made her feel welcome and accepted. With all of her power mila blasted the vines, bolts of light burning them and liberating Opal and Ena. The magic blast had caused the book to fall into the abyss of the tower, but Mila didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care, she carries her friends on her own and took them out of the tower. When Opal and Ena regained conscience, they were all sitting in a flower field not far from the tower, they looked at Mila and she just smiled at them.

The End. 32

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