The Witch from Another World

"Children of life... why do you seek destruction?"

Her voice, filled with sorrow, echoed through the air.

"Learn to love, and you shall be loved in return... Cherish what you have, and you'll be surrounded by those dear to you... Yet, why do you choose this path?..."

The response was cold, without an ounce hesitation.

"...For a better world."

Her gaze softened with sadness as she replied, "Your eyes reflect only darkness... clouded by what lies... before you... If only you... could see..."

"I already see what I need to see." the response came in resolute.

"How pitiful, child.."

"I don't need a pity of a witch."

*SLICE!*

A sharp sound cut through the neck, followed by a blast of wind.

*rustles..*

"Elysia... Even in death, you chose love over retribution..."

"Hear me, hero—though you hold victory in your hands today, your tyranny will not last. One day, your triumph will slip through your grasp, and we will be there to see it."

A second gust of wind swept through, leaving only the hero standing on the field of land.

-------------------------------------

Rubielle

Sister Elysia, one of the Seven Witches, loved nature and all forms of life. Be it people, animals, or plants, she cherished them equally. She never got angry—or rather, her kindness always overshadowed her anger, even in the face of injustice. Yet, despite her pure soul, she was the second of the Seven Witches to fall to the hero's blade...

-----------

(Present)

"...Sis..ter?"

I whispered, trembling in fear. My breath gasp as shock consumed me, and my body froze in place, unable to move an inch. What is happening? How could this be? Is that really Sister Elysia? No... it's not possible! Stay calm! What's going on? Calm down! He said it's incomplete—what does that even mean?

A flood of thoughts overwhelmed me, each one more haunting than the last. Memories of my sisters' deaths, the hero's cruelty, the destruction we faced, and our desperate escape all came rushing back like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from.

"...bielle..."

A faint voice called out.

"Ru...bielle!"

"RUBIELLE!"

GASP!

It was Lillian, snapping me back to reality with a concerned and puzzled look, while she remained on guard.

"Are you alright? What is that thing?" she asked, her calm tone helping to ease my nerves a bit.

I exhaled sharply. That couldn't be my sister. It was just a vessel, powered by Sister Elysia's heart. As I scanned the area, I froze. One of the corpses was missing. That was it—that's what he used as a catalyst. It was sickeningly easy for him to create this!

How dare he? How dare he disgrace my sister like this!

I was filled with pure rage as I saw how this man treated others' lives like they were nothing, all to satisfy his own sick desires!

"Let's see..." The alchemist muttered to himself, snapping his fingers as if an idea had struck him.

"I've got it! I'll call you Blacky 2.0!" he said with a smug grin, clearly pleased with his own creativity.

"How touching~! Seeing your sister like this!" he cackled maniacally, his laughter echoing in the air.

I felt my blood boil with rage as I clenched my fists, struggling to contain the overwhelming anger.

"Now, 2.0, go ahead and destroy them!" he ordered, pointing at his machine-like soldier, ready to do his bidding.

*Creak...creak..*

The creature stood still, with a creaking movements as though it were refusing to obey its master's command. And the alchemist noticed this as well.

"Huh? Why isn't it moving? Must be the heart doing its own thing... How annoying," he muttered. "Maybe I should add more magic," he said, extending his hand and beginning to weave another magic circle.

*SCREEEEECHH!!!*

The creature let out a deafening scream of agony.

"NOOO!" I yelled, my vision clouded with rage as I launched myself at the alchemist, intent on stopping him. But before I could even get close, the creature's arm shot out, slamming me into the wall with terrifying speed.

The impact knocked the breath out of me as I crashed into the wall, smashing through wood and debris. Pain exploded through my body as I struggled to recover.

*Hhk-koff!* *koff!*

"Rubielle!" Lillian cried out, rushing toward me.

"NO! RUN!" I screamed, my voice filled with desperation, knowing it too well.

For sister Elysia, who loved life so deeply, had the power to control it—she also had the ability to take it away.

Even though the creature was barely my sister, its abilities were undeniable. It stretched out its hand, intent on finishing Lillian.

I unleashed a powerful blast of magic, obliterating the wall and sending the creature flying outside.

"Huff... huff..."

"Whoa, it really flew far~! I wonder if the body is completely destroyed? Well, it was barely put together anyway, so nothing can be done," the alchemist remarked, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Lillian tried to assess the situation and attacked the alchemist, her arms outstretched to strike him. But suddenly—

*BANG!*

A loud noise rang out as the alchemist revealed a pair of weapons in his hands.

"I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve, y'know?" the alchemist grinned, his confidence growing as he believed the fight was turning in his favor.

Lillian managed to block the attack with her sword.

"Ha! You're not the only one holding back!" she taunted, her voice filled with determination as she gathered more energy.

*Zzt!—crackle!*

Her sword began to spark with lightning, and she charged at the alchemist clashing with him.

I frowned, realizing how unprepared I was for this fight.

As I watched them clash, an idea suddenly came in my mind.

"Lillian! Can you hold on for a minute?!"

Lillian glanced at me, reading my expression,

"Sure! Make sure to come back quickly!" she replies.

I launched a blast of fire magic at the alchemist, but he fired his weapon with his right hand. It seemed like an empty shot at first, but it wasn't—he neutralized my magic.

"I've been working on this for years, you know~ for annoying mages like you~," the alchemist grinned, but I didn't care about his bragging.

I fired more magic while Lillian kept him occupied in close combat. A few of my spells were neutralized, while others were dodged. Taking advantage of the chaos, I slid between them and sprinted toward the blasted wall I had created.

"Where do you think you're going?!" the alchemist shouted, aiming his weapon at me with a swift motion.

With the weapon in his left hand, he fired a burst of magic. I tried to dodge, but the shot grazed my shoulder.

"Oh no you don't!"

Lillian shouted, shoving the alchemist aside, creating a brief opening for me to escape.

-----------------

*rustle* *rustle*

Based on the alchemist's words, the creature should be fragile, easily destroyed in a single blast.

I search between the tall grasses and plants and I found the broken remains of it, struggling to move, as if something was controlling it.

"Sorry..."

I whisper to the body, knowing how innocent it was, dragged into this mess.

With a clenched fist, I punch through its chest, retrieving Sister Elysia's heart. As soon as I touch it, the heart flashes with a blinding light.

I felt the familiar power surging through me as expected.

For Sister Elysia, who holds the essence of life in her hands, can create anything from nothing—anything with life, even mana itself!