Prologue
The room was dank and cold, and what little light that illuminated the desk came from a small lamp in the corner. The fireplace roared, but nevertheless the room remained tainted with a chilling feeling that would have had a lesser man trembling.
But then again, Haku was not a man. No, he was far more powerful than that…which is what disgusted him. He'd submitted to the witch once more, but his seven years were finally up; now he could take his hard earned reward and leave, free to do what he pleased.
Even though seven years earlier, he had assumed the same thing.
In the midst of the thick silence, he coughed and narrowed his eyes at the crone who sat at her desk, her long nails rifling endlessly through the thick stack of paper which lay before her.
"Why do you keep me waiting?"
"Silence, Haku. All in good time."
Grinding his teeth, he strode forward and slammed his hands on the desk, causing the witch to look up at him and glare. Ignoring her angry look, he spoke back to her with a curt tone.
"No. I've been waiting seven years for this. Do not make me wait any longer than I have to."
The witch cackled to herself and sat back, eyeing the sturdy young man.
"Are you sure you want to do this? You won't get a second chance if you mess this one up, you know."
"That's of no concern to you. Give me what I am due, now."
The old crone pursed her lips before standing up and going over to a chest in the corner of the room, pulling out a small box and handing it to him.
Haku opened it just a crack, before a smile spread over his features and he bowed one last time to his former master.
Without so much as a good-bye, he ran out and let the door slam behind him. The witch just shook her head and made her way back to her desk, drumming her incredibly long fingernails on the wood as she thought aloud, smiling maliciously to herself.
"Foolish boy."