what if I'm an undead! then so what?-Chapter 65: Aelia

Beyond the veil of the surface world, in a secluded realm cloaked by a shimmering curtain of magic, a boundless expanse of greenery unfurled like a living tapestry. Emerald forests stretched toward the horizon, their towering trees swaying gently, their leaves whispering secrets in the soft breeze.

Crystal-clear lakes gleamed under the pale sky, their surfaces rippling only when a fish darted beneath, while waterfalls tumbled over moss-draped cliffs, their mist weaving prismatic arcs in the sunlight. The landscape’s perfection felt otherworldly, as if crafted by a divine artisan, its beauty too pristine for mere nature. The air was crisp, laced with the scent of pine and wildflowers, yet it hummed with a subtle undercurrent of power, a faint vibration that prickled the skin like static before a storm.

At the heart of this enchanted paradise rose a castle, its vast grounds spanning a five-kilometer radius, a monument to unearthly splendor. Its walls, carved from gleaming emerald, refracted the sunlight in a mesmerizing dance of green, each facet shimmering like a jewel.

Golden roads wound through its courtyards, their surfaces glowing like rivers of molten sunlight, leading to gates adorned with runes that pulsed faintly, as if imbued with life. The structure seemed plucked from a fairy tale, its spires soaring into the clouds, their tips vanishing in the mist.

Within the grand chamber of the castle, a throne of polished obsidian commanded the space, its edges sharp enough to slice the air itself. Upon it sat the Witch Queen, a woman in her late sixties, her deep grey hair cascading like moonlight over her shoulders. Her eyes burned with a vitality that defied her age, her presence a contained tempest radiating authority and menace.

To her right stood Solara Emberstorm, her only daughter, draped in silver and black robes that shimmered with an inner luminescence, as if woven from starlight. A flame-shaped stone, glowing like a captured ember, was etched as an insignia on her chest, proclaiming her heir to the Emberstorm Pact.

Her vibrant pink hair, tied into a tight ponytail, swayed slightly with her restless movements. A wide-brimmed hat cast a deep shadow over her face, veiling her eyes, but her rigid posture betrayed a quiet tension, her hands clasped so tightly her knuckles paled.In the chamber’s center, Hinata stood alone, her short pink hair catching the flickering torchlight, its vibrant hue mirrored in her piercing pink pupils. Her gaze was cold and unyielding, locked onto the Witch Queen and Solara, defying the weight of their scrutiny.

Beneath her cloak, her fists clenched behind her back, nails biting into her palms as she struggled to maintain her composure in this place she’d once called home, now a prison of memories and pain."Aelia!" The Witch Queen’s voice sliced through the silence, calm yet laced with a repulsive aura that thickened the air, pressing against Hinata’s chest. "While I’m grateful you returned my daughter unharmed, you’ve trespassed on our sacred lands. By all rights, you’re an intruder." Her tone grew icy, each word a honed blade aimed at Hinata’s resolve.

Hinata bit her lip, anger simmering beneath her stoic exterior, her heart pounding with the effort to stay silent."There was no other way," Hinata said, her voice taut with frustration, each syllable heavy with the weight of her choice. "Solara was drained of mana, her fight was intense for her and she had used too much mama, she was exhausted and even fell unconscious due to Mana drain. It would’ve taken weeks for her to recover if I hadn’t brought her here. I couldn’t leave her at the gateway—who knows what might’ve happened?" Her words echoed in the vast chamber, a plea wrapped in defiance.

She’d fled the Emberstorm Pact years ago, repulsed by its rigid traditions and stifling control, and returning now felt like stepping into a trap she’d long escaped.The Witch Queen’s eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a faint, disdainful smile that sent a chill down Hinata’s spine. "Aelia, once hailed as the Emberstorm Pact’s most promising witch," she said, her voice dripping with mockery.

"You scorned our laws, mocked our sacred traditions, and fled like a coward. Now you return, but we both know you care nothing for the one you once called your little sister—""Mother—I mean, Your Highness, I—" Hinata’s voice cracked, desperation piercing her resolve, but the Witch Queen raised a single finger from the throne’s armrest, her movement languid yet commanding.

The air grew heavy, and a searing pain erupted in Hinata’s skull, as if a blade had cleaved through her mind. She crumpled to her knees, coughing violently, blood spilling from her lips, its metallic tang flooding her senses. Her vision swam, the emerald walls blurring into a kaleidoscope of green, but she clamped her jaw shut, refusing to cry out."The next time you interrupt me, or dare call me mother, I’ll end you where you stand without a second thought," the Witch Queen said, her voice cold as winter frost, her eyes glinting with ruthless intent.

Solara flinched beside her, her hands clutching her robes, the flame insignia flickering as if mirroring her anguish."Mother, please, that’s enough!" Solara’s voice quavered, tears glistening in the shadows beneath her hat. Her face contorted with guilt, lines of sorrow etched deep. "She only did it to save me! Infact it was all my fault, I lied and left home, I was careless, if anyone is to blame then it’s me!" Her plea burst forth, raw and desperate, her body trembling with the weight of her fault. Hinata’s suffering was a consequence of her own recklessness, a wound Solara couldn’t bear to witness.

"Not another word, Solara," the Witch Queen snapped, her gaze fixed on Hinata, unyielding as stone. The chamber fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the faint drip of Hinata’s blood on the polished floor, each drop a stark reminder of her defiance’s cost."Aelia," the Witch Queen continued, her tone measured but unyielding, "I’ll let this trespass slide if you apologize now and reclaim your place in the Pact. Refuse, and I’ll judge you without hesitation."Hinata staggered to her feet, wiping blood from her lips with a trembling hand, her pink eyes blazing with unquenchable defiance. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Let me clarify something," she said, her voice steady despite the pain throbbing in her skull. "I abandoned the name Aelia long ago. I’m Hinata now. My family is out there, not in this suffocating cage where the life and death of everyone is on your hands, you force your ideals on everyone and those that did otherwise? They face death at your cruel hands. I’d rather die than apologize." She stood tall, every muscle braced, her heart racing as she awaited the consequences. The air crackled with the Witch Queen’s power, a storm poised to unleash its fury.

The Witch Queen’s expression hardened, her fingers drumming lightly on the throne’s armrest, each tap echoing like a death knell. "I see. Not surprising," she said, her voice a low growl, final and absolute. "From this day forward, you are branded a traitor and enemy of the Emberstorm Pact. Set foot in this realm again, for any reason, and it will mean your death as long as I rule." With a single tap of her finger, a portal tore open behind Hinata, its violet edges shimmering with unstable energy, revealing a dark alley beyond, its shadows stark against the chamber’s glow.

"I can send myself out," Hinata said, her voice sharp with defiance, cutting through the tension like a blade. Her body dissolved into a cascade of light, the emerald chamber fading as the scene shifted. She reappeared in a narrow alley, the air thick with the scent of damp stone and distant city smoke. Her back pressed against a rough brick wall, her breath ragged, her body aching from the Witch Queen’s curse. She immediately took of the cloak she’d been forced to wear and burnt it in a single breath.

Before she could gather her thoughts, her eyes lifted, locking onto another figure standing in the gloom.The girl before her had long, flowing pink hair, brighter than Hinata’s own, cascading over her shoulders like a vibrant sunrise. Her matching pink eyes sparkled with a warmth that contrasted Hinata’s guarded stare, their hue almost luminous in the dim light. For a moment, Hinata’s heart skipped—she looked nearly identical to Eve, the only difference physically was the absence if the tear drop mark on her face, her presence a mirror to Eve’s own. If she hadn’t known better, she’d have sworn it was Eve standing there, however she could tell the person in frint of her was far from meek as Eve.

A faint smile curved Hinata’s lips, Masaru’s image flashing through her mind flickering through her exhaustion. He’d assume her to be his child hood friend when they first met, also the fact he dut it with Eve, the thirds time is the charm, she thought maybe she’d asked her in Masaru’s stead. Maybe it was instinct, or maybe she craved a moment of lightness after the Witch Queen’s wrath. Leaning against the wall, her voice softened, carrying a hint of warmth despite her weariness. "Are you maybe Sakura?"