ALVA & ZULLIE'S FLAME

Chapter 2 – The WITCH

Somewhere deep in the forests of Huntsman's copse found only in the land of Drangleic, was a coven of black witches who studied the arts of dark sorcery and hexes. Their numbers were small and yet their reach was much farther and wider than those outside the coven could have known. One witch who lived in the forest decided to steer away from the structure and organization of the coven and study dark magic for her own purposes and do things her own way. She still kept close eye on her former coven however, ready to defend them if need be (though she likely wouldn't admit it). Her name was Zullie, the black witch.

Zullie is seen stirring a large pot of an orange estus-like substance and reading a tome filled with dark spells and hexes.

Zullie: Hmm... this tome tells me that I need 3 key ingredients to make this spell work. 5 cracked red eye orbs, 2 estus flasks, andd.. stares closely at the last ingredient the fur of a magical beast? ponders for a moment Ah! I know just the candidate drops the stirring spoon in the pot and leaves with her dark tome

Zullie is walking through the dark, eerie woods where black crows nest and fly about and sounds of hollowed souls groaning can be heard throughout every leaf of every tree. She comes upon her old witch coven and sees a few old faces.

Ana: ZULLIE! runs up to her and hugs her I've missed you, mother said you were gone for good but-

Zullie: Ana, ana pats her head I've missed you as well. Not gone by the way, simply not living directly here or being a member of the coven for that matter.

Ana was a young, aspiring witch who admired Zullie in every way. They would often share tales of their experiences and Zullie served as both a mentor and an older sister to the young girl. However Zullie's unorthodox and sometimes childish ways made the rest of the coven resent her and it seemed Ana was the only one left who she could consider a friend.

Ana: Well anyway, I hope you're doing well. Mother IS HERE you know... she doesn't quite like you. I don't understand it you've been nothing but kind to me even after you left the coven I would still get your crows.

Zullie: Right I know Ana and that's why I need you to stay as quiet as possible about me returning here briefly. I need to speak to your mother alone, no one else is to see me.

Evaine: A little late for that isn't it Zullie?

Zullie: scoffs Coven Leader Evaine. How are you holding up these days darling?

Evaine: Just fine, so long as you stay away from my daughter. She doesn't need your influence let alone your friendship.

Ana: But mother! Zullie is like a big sister to m-

Evaine: Silence child! she waves her hand at Ana and she falls to her knees

Zullie: Hey! Listen don't hurt the girl I just came to speak to you and I'll be on my merry way. Deal?

Evaine: releases Ana Run along to your tent, girl.

Ana runs and Evaine makes Zullie follow her to a more secluded area in the woods

Evaine: What could be so important that you need to come back here and ask me for advice.

Zullie: Don't flatter yourself Evaine light chuckle I came for information not advice.

Evaine: Information? What could I know that you do not or cannot learn on your own?

Zullie: Surely you remember my dear friend, Shalquoir.

Evaine: You mean that vermin you decided to share your dinner with? Yes... how could I forget.

Zullie: I need her help. I'm making a certain spell that I wish to use whenever I see fit and apparently one of the key ingredients is the fur of a magical beast.

Evaine: And you wish for me to point you in the right direction do you?

Zullie: See, even in your old age you're still sharp as ever Evaine! smiles childishly

Evaine: Watch your tongue, for I am no longer the old hag you remember. I am far more powerful than any witch in these forests could hope to be. Now that I have the power of being Coven leader.

Zullie: Yes, yes the power of being Coven Leader. An honor bestowed only upon the strongest, most beautiful, and cunning witches there are. Remind me again why they chose you?

Evaine: Points her finger at Zullie causing her to grow an intense headache and fall to her knees Because I am your superior smirks

Zullie: AGH! holds her head okay! I get it, I get it!

Evaine: Releases her Good, now to rid you of my sight I shall tell you where your pet now resides. Holds out her arms and begins chanting in a different tongue

Zullie: (The hell happened to this lady...?)

Evaine: Falls her arms Hmm... your precious Shalquoir is close... very close in fact. She is somewhere in Majula. Now leave.

Zullie: Majula? That place is quite sunny these days I can't imagine Shalq-

Evaine: Did I not make myself clear? The beast you look for is in Majula now remove yourself.

Zullie: Makes an angry face Tsk! chants something in a foreign tongue and disappears in a flock of black crows

On the road leading out of Huntsman's Copse, Zullie appears with her hat tilted over her face. On her way out she hears a certain familiar voice.

?: Leaving the copse?... doesn't seem like you, black witch.

Zullie: Looks up and snickers Still guarding this dull exit I see... for how long do you intend to waste away on that seat of yours?

Felkin the Outcast: I'm not guarding anything... and I certainly don't see this as an exit... only an entrance. Those who come in, rarely come out. The dark is overwhelming... just how it is supposed to be.

Zullie: There you are, spouting away about your beloved darkness. Don't ever see you any deeper into the forests though... why?

Felkin the Outcast: What moves in true darkness... doesn't want to be seen. I am aware of anything that happens in the Copse I assure you. Besides, this spot... this corner under this rock. Is the perfect place for me.

Zullie: Rolls her eyes Better hope the coven doesn't find you snooping around trying to learn their secrets.

Felkin the Outcast: Yes, the coven. Your coven. Their secrets and their powerful magic. They can't protect themselves with an old woman for leader for much longer turns his head slightly in Zullie's direction

Zullie: Holds out her hand emitting some sort of dark magic energy Don't even think about hurting my coven. I will erase you and every memory of you Felkin.

Felkin the Outcast: Gets up and turns around

Zullie has already vanished

Felkin the Outcast: Sits back down slowly …. darkness... comforting darkness...

In Majula the sun is shining down upon the sea and the residents of this large piece of land atop it. In a very small residence in fact, lies Sweet Shalquoir. The old-time friend and partner in crime of Zullie, the Black Witch. Shalquoir was... well... a cat. A talking cat. However despite her simple appearance and complicated existence, she was a good listener and along with her silver tongue she was sometimes seen as an even greater friend than any man or woman could ever be.

Sweet Shalquoir: Ugh, how boring lately. I swear I would have never moved here had I known it'd be nothing more than a place for fools to go parading around as if their existence is so important. Sighs perhaps Zullie is having a whole lot more fun than me.

Zullie: Fun without you? Shalquoir you know me better than that. Smirks

Sweet Shalquoir: Leaps into Zullie's arms, purring YOU LITTLE SHE-DEVIL!

Zullie: Pets Shalquoir So glad to see you eager. Or at all for that matter.

Sweet Shalquoir: You didn't exactly come looking until now you know jumps down onto a table

Zullie: Sighs and holds her head Yes, you're right. But now I come to you for a favor it is very important Shalquoir won't you help me?

Sweet Shalquoir: As expected... another one of your schemes Zullie...

Zullie: Looks at Shalquoir confused

Sweet Shalquoir: OF COURSE! HEE HEE HEE!

They both laugh together

2-3 minutes later...

Zullie is plucking hairs from Shalquoirs fur coat and putting them into a small black bag

Sweet Shalqoir: So this spell for this potion your making is supposed to turn whoever drinks it into... whatever kind of beast you see fit?

Zullie: That is what this tome says uses magic to make the tome appear in her hand

Sweet Shalqoir: Hee hee... you need a hobby, badly.

Zullie: I simply like to keep my arsenal full for my enemies giggles

Sweet Shalqoir: Honestly though, you remain in the forests keeping a close eye on the coven YOU left. It's possible a distraction would be good for you my dear. A man to keep you company perhaps?

Zullie: Makes a disgusted noise A man?! I've never needed any man to give me comfort a day in my life. Why start now?

Sweet Shalqoir: Oh nonsense... I'm sure you'll find one man who will grab even your attention. Hee hee.

Zullie: Rolling her eyes as she plucks another hair from Shalqoir with force

Sweet Shalqoir: Ouch! You did that on purpose Zullie!

Zullie: Perhaps cackles you really shouldn't anger me Shalqoir

Sweet Shalqoir: That's completely unfair! You-

Zullie: Shh! presses her finger against Shalqoir's lips do you hear that?

Sweet Shalqoir: Looks out her window You mean that?

The Emerald Herald is seen standing by the lit bonfire. Approaching her is a knight with what seems like a map. The knight is Alva and he's asking her for directions to Drangleic Castle.

Alva: You see, I need to find King Vendrick. Holds out his map I followed the path and it seems he is somewhere in this land. This is Drangleic, correct?

Emerald Herald: Are you to be the next monarch?...

Alva: Monarch? no. I simply want to find a cure for a curse that befell Milady Seretta.

Emerald Herald: Yes. To find King Vendrick is the path of the one who will break the undead curse. You must go to Drangleic Castle. But the journey requires specific things to take place.

Alva: Whatever task lies ahead, I'll take it on wholeheartedly. I must save Saint Seretta at all cost.

Zullie peers out the window to get a closer look at Alva and the herald

Zullie: Who is this Seretta? This fool has actually dedicated his life to saving some Saint? Breaking the curse... pfft!

Sweet Shalqoir: Must you mock him? Hee hee. He's clearly quite determined. I don't think he'll let anything stop him.

Zullie: Is that so? Grins well it seems like I've found the perfect person to try this new spell on! Let's see how much his dedication to his Saint does against my magic and seduction.

Sweet Shalqoir: What's this? You think you'll actually have some fun trying to steer him from his journey?

Zullie: Of course! And besides... this will show you exactly why I trust no man. A little skin and kind words and they all come crawling... dedicated to another's life or not.

Sweet Shalqoir: Well then, this should be interesting. Hee hee hee!

To be continued...