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Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Witch's Beast

Part 1:

Mai POV

Beauty isn't everything in this world. Only what is inside, that's what counts the most. Right? Then why many only judge what in the outside, then the inside?

"How did we get here?" the words barely pass my lips, as I stare at his blue eyes. My heart is racing a mile per second, while my hands tremble badly. I was his prey; nothing more. It's like a déjà vu all over again. From where? I don't know. All I knew he was my savior, now turning into my worst nightmare.

"There's no choice, but to kill you my Alice."

O.o

All I can see is a pool of blood in circles around me. The fire consumes the village, my heart hammering from fear itself. I couldn't do anything. I watch in horror as everyone I know and love becomes a victim of Alack and Isac.

"Alice." I heard in a deep distance.. I groaned in protest.

"No, please, stop it." I begged, watching, my body frozen, it couldn't even move one muscle.

..

..

"Alice, wake up." I heard at a distance, feeling something cold and wet pass my face. I bolted up from my dream, heaving hard. Wiping my face, I turned to meet up with Kyoko.

"Kyoko-chan, " I complained. Feeling my heart still racing from the dreaded dream.

"Don't complain, it's your turn to wash the clothes, and farm." She gasps out, turning around, heading for the door. Turning around, I stare straight at the dull brown wall in front me, trying to regain my breath.

'Right, is my turn.' I sadly thought, standing up, but in doing so, a great pain shot through my legs, back, and face.

So I stretch, ignoring it.

'It never goes away, after the incident.' I shivered, feeling my heart ache.

Turning, I headed to the corner of my shed, to find my fresh old clothing, a simple dull out brown dress. After getting dressed, I smooth out the wrinkles with my hands, and headed out. Only to cover my eyes, due to the strong sun rays. 'It's very hot today.'

I turned towards my left, and took hold of my old wagon, (Which lay next to my hut) that I always use.

"I'll gather something to eat first, before starting to work." I whispered to myself, turning only to stop in front of me. There, Kyoko stood, with cross arms, looking straight at my eyes.. I felt my heart jump painfully.

"Yes, dear sister?" I asked, not wanting to hear this.. Kyoko came around the wagon, and took a hold of my arm forcefully, causing me to wince in pain.

"I need you to cover for me. I need to go and see.."

"Isac, I know. You always go and see him. Don't you think Alack will get a little suspicious? After all, he's.."

"Don't dare say it. Just, cover for me. Or not. I will tell everyone what you are, little witch." She hissed at me. I gulped, nodding rapidly.

"I'm not a witch Kyoko. You know that. I just get visions, God gave me the power, and.." I paused, feeling tears prickle on the cover of my eyes. Kyoko hissed at me.

"You're a monster Alice. No one should be seeing that. What you told me is not possible. Have you looked at yourself lately? Since that dreadful fire, you have never been the same. No man wants you as a wife. Unlike me." She sneers at me, I frowned, noticing how cold her eyes are.

"You use to be so nice Kyoko, not even caring how I look. What happened? Since you came back from the other village, down the North, you change so much. Alack knows about this?" I question, feeling a deep pain in my heart.

"Stop mentioning him. Chief wants the chores done before sundown. The feast is in a week's worth. Now. Go and do my chores, witch." She sneers with such hatred, causing me to shiver sadly. Turning around, I wiped my eyes, trying to not let the tears leak down.

"You don't have to be so mean." I mumbled, heading for the pathway that leads towards the stream..

After a few hours later, I scrub the last attire. I felt sweat running down my cheeks, and forehead. Wiping it with my forearm, I glance down at the water, seeing my own reflection.

"Darn, why does Kyoko have so many? I only have three pairs of dresses." I grumbled, feeling unfairness, every time.

I place my hand on the cool water, tracing my features.

I have very light tan skin, brownish eyes, just like Kyoko. As well, long dark brown hair, and thin lips, and a narrow nose. Nothing like Kyoko, she will always be my Youngerbeautiful Sister, which I love. The only down part is that horrible ugly big burnt scar that runs down from my cheek down to my collar bone. It's deform, and ugly. I had it since I was very young. I can't even remember what happened to me. Father tells me, I got it from an accident that happened to cause my mother's death.

'I wonder what happened to Kyoko? She changed so much after a few months of going towards the North. She never treated me like this. She was the only one that treated me like a human." I questioned. Running my hand through the water, a sudden eerie feeling ran down my spine.

Standing up, a loud growl is heard behind me. So I turned around, to stare at the trees, and the shadows, but nothing else.

"Please, God, don't let it be that wolf." I prayed, knowing very well, that wolves preys the island. Legend has it, that there's a beast living among the wolves, and it finds a host every hundred years, to harvest their soul. Well, that's what our village heard over the centuries. Not sure if its true though.

I'm shivering, but on doing so, a rustling is heard on my right. I jump in fright, to see someone coming out of the shadows.

"Alice, there you are." I heard a deep male voice. I lifted my gaze, grasping my chest.

"Papa, you scared me." Huffing out, my father gave a deep, loud chuckle, causing my heart to feel at ease.

"Sorry about that. Have you seen Kyoko? Today I have an announcement to make to the village." He explains. I bit my lower lip, feeling my heart race.

'Cover, how?'

"She went down to the mountains, not sure exactly for what, but she'll be here soon." I lie completely, since I had no idea where she is at right now. My father dark brown eyes search mine, causing me to feel unease, so I shuffle my leg.

"Is that so. Well, just hurry with the chores. I am sure you won't want to be absent." And with that he turns around, heading towards the trees, blending in with the shadows itself. Frowning at that, I turned towards the water, to glance down at it.

"Wonder what announcement?"

'Maybe it's about Kyoko, he always treats her better than me. Never once, I heard a loving word from him to me. Since mother died, he always tries to ignore me completely. He always tries to ignore me as much as possible.'

'Right, no father would like to have a horrid daughter, especially a monster like.' I added, feeling depressed from my own thoughts.

I rose the attire up, trying to rinse it out, but on doing so, that eerie chilling ran down my spine.

Turning around, once again staring at the trees, for a reason, I felt like someone is spying on me. I shivered from that.

'Just hurry up, and don't think about it," and with that, I headed out.

..

Upon reaching my village, placing my wagon down, where the wet clothes lay. Stretching my back, I took a few minutes of rest, an uneasy feeling started to run down my spine once again.

"Hey, Alice the Witch." I heard behind me. I froze at the voice. I slowly turned, to see Isac staring at me, with a cocky smile.

"What do you want?" I snarl at him. He walks up to me, eyeing my wagon, then down at me. Then he takes a hold of my chin.

"Your father has an announcement. Have you heard about it?" I stare at the boy in front of me.

"He just told me, and no, I have no idea what is about." I added the last part, pulling my chin out of his hold. He sneers at me, turning to stare at some village girls that walked down, holding into some casket of vegetables, on top of their heads, and they blush when they saw Isac.

I rolled my eyes at them, walking around him to get my wagon once again. Reaching it, I felt Isac take a hold of my arm, causing me to wince once again.

"Look, Witch. I need your help. I know about your powers, Kyoko told me about them. If you don't want me to spill the beans, and make the village hate you even more, you'll help me." I glance up at him, giving him one of my coldest stares I could muster up.

"I don't care if you tell them. They already shun me, because of my looks. I'm a monster in their eyes." I coldly told him, turning around, pushing the wagon.

"I found a way out of the island. Alack doesn't want to hear it, but you're the only one that can help me. At night, you do hear the wolf right?" I paused at his words, looking straight at head of me.

"I hear him. He calls out for his mate. What about it?"

"Long ago, in this island, there were two tribes, the Wolf and the Horses. Both…" I pushed him, shaking my head.

"I know the story Isac. Both were in unity, until the wolf decided to break the deal. So he sold his soul to the devil." I shivered from that.

"There's more to that. You know the wolf isn't just a wolf, but a human. He wanted out of this hell bend island."

"I know that, it's not a myth, but the truth. This island is the Devil Island, and we are the unlucky ones to inhabit. So for God sake, please don't use anything. Just live, and live a good life." I pleaded the man.

"I know you're still looking for your soulmate." He started, as my heart stops at the mention.

"Is that so? If you have noticed, I'm in no condition to marry off. So please, spare me the lecture." I rolled my eyes at him. Isac moves closer to me.

"You'll die soon, before you turn twenty-five. You need your soul-mate. Since he's not on this island, I bet you he's in the open world."

"Did Kyoko gave you those false news?" I lied. He stares at me with a deep dark look, then he shrugs his shoulders.

"It's up to you. Want to die without a mate, fine. I'm just here to place an offer, to set you free. I want to take my girl as well."

"Just leave me alone boy. I'm not peeved about whatever idea you cooked up." And with that I left him alone.

Turning around, he was still staring at me, with a smudge smile on his lips. I shook my head in disappointment.

'I hope, it doesn't lead to my nightmares.' I prayed, turning towards my right, heading for the ropes to hang dry the clothes.

..

That night, the moon braze over the island, while everyone in my village gathers in around the fire, drinking and having fun, celebrating tonight's announcement, that my father will announce.

I sat on the sideline, watching everyone, while I took a sip of my own water, feeling the night air brush against my skin.

'Soul mate,' I sadly thought, moving my cup down, feeling a bit sad for Isac words.

'He didn't have to remind me at all.' I watch my father appear, holding Kyoko by her hand, since she returned about an hour and so. Her eyes landed on me, but for a brief second, then smiles at our father, when he pats her back very kindly.

"Now, what exciting announcement you have for us? Is it about your monster girl? Is she finally leaving?" I watch one of the male villagers speak, making everyone to laugh. I nervously rubbed the cup together.

'Monster, that's what I am to them. ' My father chuckles with them..

"No, I can't just desert her, but I came to announce that my Younger beautiful daughter, Kyoko will get married to Alack a day after tomorrow," there was a silence, the thickness in the air can be sensed, while I watch Kyoko turn rigid.

"Is that so?" Kyoko asks, looking up at father. He nods, turning towards the village.

"Well?" He rose his thick brow up, as the village look upon each other, then a burst of laughter passes their mouth.

"Here, here, cheers to Kyoko!" they saluted, cheering upon each other, while I stare at the ground.

'I know, she doesn't love Asack, why?' I thought, then I felt a rock hit my side of my head, causing me to hiss in pain.

"Ha, Monster will always be alone." One of the children spat at me, mocking me. I frowned, looking at my water, ignoring my pain, since I'm so used to it.

'Just ignore them like always.' I thought, while everyone had a good time, then from the corner of my eyes, I watch the elders taking out their drums, to start playing. They settle near the fire, and now the night is filled with our music, as everyone starts dancing around.

"Are you sure you don't want to help me?" I heard behind me. I gasped, turning around, to see Isac looking down at me. So I stood up, but then a sudden eerie feeling passes by me. For a reason, as though time came back to us, or something in those lines, I lick my lips, feeling it warm for a reason.

'Okay, either I'm desperate, or did someone kissed me.' I touch my lips, shivering for a reason.

"No, leave me be." I spat at him, returning to my senses, ignoring the weird sensation, turning to get away, but he takes a hold of my arm, very painfully.

"I heard rumors, witch." He started, going around the log, to sit down, spreading his legs apart, and intertwine his fingers together.

"Rumors?" I asked, turning to face him.

"Yes, a village down south has been attacked, by the Devils Dog. Only killed about four people." He started, looking up at me.

"Not my concern," I calmly told him, even though in my heart jump in pity.

'Poor them.' I thought, grasping my dress, I turned to head towards my hut, only to have Isac clear his throat.

"There's a mirror. I need you to get it for me." I paused, turning to face him.

"No. I won't help you at all. You know my take with you two. Even my sister is forced to marry your twin." I gasped out, only to feel a hand on my shoulder. I turned, to see my father give me a stern look.

"Isac, why in the world are you talking to her?" he simply asks. Isac stood, and bows gently.

"My Chief Hiroshi," My father turn to face me.

"Come and join the party, do tell, where's your brother?" he asks. Isac smirks at him.

"He's busy at the moment, sorry he couldn't come."

"Too bad, alright then, I just hope he won't be busy in his own wedding day," My father chuckles, as Isac hypocrite self, laugh as well.

"Funny Chief," and with that, the two male left, with no regard of me. Staring at the dancing villagers, I felt something run down my spine, as I heard a twig snap behind me. Turning around, I saw nothing but darkness between the trees. Rubbing my bare arms, I turned only to jump fright, to see Kyoko eying me.

"What did Isac wanted? Why was he even talking to you?" she seems a little surprise. I blinked blankly at her.

"He was telling me about the death at the other villages, that's all," I have told the truth. She grasps my arm, tighten her hold, causing me to wince once again.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am." I assure her, as she lets go of me. Rubbing my now aching arm, she turns towards the villagers, as her eyes scan to look for Isac.

"What in the world do you see in that man?" I asked, not understanding this at all. Kyoko turns back at me.

"Nothing that concerns you Witch. Just keep an eye out for any girls that talks to him." And with that she returns towards the gathering. She went straight towards Isac and father, as they talk near the fire. Shaking my head, then as I was about to step forward, I took notice that my father turn his gaze at me, something in his eyes, caused me to stop in my tracks.

"What's wrong now?" I mumbled to myself, for a reason, a sudden fear hit me. Isac turns to face me, as Kyoko did the same.

"Stop the music," I heard my father scream, in command, they did, and everyone in the village laughter and the playfulness stop as well.

"Are you sure?" he asks Isac. Isac nods his head, giving a terrified look. Kyoko nods.

"I saw it myself. That is why I was missing earlier, Father. I needed proof, look." She moves her hand down to her lower dress, and untuck something, and lifts her hand up. My father glances down at her hands, and picked up the item.

"It belongs to Alice." She whispers, as they move closer to me. For a reason, I couldn't move at all, something was not right. My father's eyes turn so cold, that it made me shiver.

"What… What's going on?" My voice cracked, for a brief second I saw Isac smirk at me, a devilish smirk, as to say, (I got you now,) My father turns his face towards me.

"You still ask that?" he dryly asks, while the villagers surround us, to see what's going on. I blinked, while Kyoko eyes seem off.

"Yes, what happened?" I asked, not understanding anything. My father brought his hand up, and showed the item in his hand. A torn, bloody cloth, that seem to come out of a dress.

"Is this part of your dress?" he asks. I blinked.

"It could belong to anyone Father."

"Then show me your dresses" he asks. I nodded, not understanding anything. So I walked towards my hut, on my right side. Upon entering, I gather my dresses, at least both of them, and walked out, and showed him. He took them out of my grasp very harshly. He went through them very rapidly, matching it with my dress, then he paused, when he went towards my second dress, and place the cloth at a half rip one. That is shown clearly. My eyes widen.

"Papa, I don't even know how.." I paused when he threw my dresses down.

"So it's true. You are the one that has been bringing the Dog Devil to our island. You are a witch." He accuses, his words seem like an ice bucket of water, poured down at me.

"Please explain, I'm so lost, how can you accuse of such thing?" I begged him, moving back, my father stares at me, as Isac took a step forward.

"Simple, Kyoko told me that you have dreams, and those dreams come true. She even explain to me about the Devil Dog. That you saw it, so in conclusion, you have summoned it, and there's proof." Isac explains, grabbing the cloth, and came face to face with me. Showing me the blasted thing.

"I promise, I have nothing to do with it, I don't even know where that came from. How it got there. Papa, don't you trust me?" I begged, turning to face him. His eyes are colder than anything, as Kyoko fake a cry.

"I didn't want it to be true, but my eldest sister is a murderer." She gasped out a cry..

"What do we do with her?" One of the villagers asks. My father fist his hands, so tightly, that I can see how white it became.

"We have no other choice, kill her." His words seem to go very slow for me to progress it. My heart stop, as my world started to crash down.

"No, Father, please, I am not the cause of the deaths, I'm no witch."

"GET HER NOW, BEFORE SHE SUMMONS IT AGAIN! ITS AGAISNT GOD WILL, TO HAVE AN UNHOLY CHILD!" my father orders in a stern, firm voice, so I turned starting to run towards the forest.

"We mustn't let her get away." Someone in the background screamed. So I ran, picking up my bottom dress, so I won't trip at all.

"Why? Why is everything always against me. But what hurt the most," I felt tears running down my cheeks, as I entered the dark forest, hearing my people right behind me.

"My own sister betrayed me."


Naru POV

I feel it beneath my skin, every inch of me, no way out, or no escape, is my destiny. Wanting a new host, a new body, ready to grab whomever wants it first, even though, I already have a candidate for that.

I watch on the sideline, watching her wash the clothes, near the stream, near my own home.

"Ten decades of waiting," I growled, watching her stop, lifting her gaze up, I move my hands, using my nails to scape the tree trunk, trying to control my darker side of me. She turns around, as I watch, taunting.

'She's deformed,' I thought, as her small body trembles. I could clearly hear her voice.

"Please, God, don't let it be that wolf." Her voice shakes. I smirked, lowering my head, as my bangs cover my eyes.

Then I watch a human appear in front of her, a chubby man, for a reason, I didn't like him, that my growling didn't simmer down.

As they talk, I can smell a sadness pass through her. Fisting my hands, the male left, as she turns back towards the stream… So I turned back, cracking my knuckles.

"So her name is Alice.. Alice," I tasted the name on my lips, as a deep dark desire stir in my soul itself.

"Then Alice.. Let see, why my beast has chosen you.." I kept staring at her, as she turns around, and her brown eyes connect with mine. For a reason, she has very deep eyes, I have never seen before.

'Mate,' Somewhere in me yelled, but I just shrugged it out. Turning around, I started to sprint out, heading for her village.

..

..

All I can see is her, sitting on the log, watching everyone having a good time. She reeked of sadness. Causing me to wrinkle my nose. After the announcement of her sister's engagement, with one of the twins. Alack. Right the horseman..

"Humans are such emotional bastards." I thought, as a male appear next to her. For a reason, my body froze, as my eyes narrow.

"Host," I smirked devilish, as they talk. I move closer, being careful to not be caught. I wave my hand, and froze all the humans on the spot.

'Took me years to learn that little trick.' I thought, moving about, to walk in front of Alice and the male. My eyes search his face, as I place my hand on his shoulder.

"Tell them about the death of the village, the Demon Dog that killed four people. Pin the blame on her to her father. " I whispered to him, as I turned to face the girl. I trace her burn marks with my eyes, I lay my human hand on her cheek, and smirked.

"I'll save you my witch." I whispered, moving closer, and sniff her out, letting her aroma fill my senses.

"Pure to the touch." I smirked, pressing my lips against her, just a simple gentle touch. When was the last time I kissed someone? Maybe never, maybe I did. I can't remember anymore. Its been so long since last time I was human. Letting go, I licked my lips, feeling her soft warm lips tingling my lips.

"You will run towards the forest, and hide. I'll save you.." I smirked, as I turned towards the boy.

"You are willing to sell your soul, just like your brother, I have been observing you for a very long time. Fine. You'll be the next host. Just give me your soul." I told him. I turned towards Alice, and gave her a grim look.

"Then I need her to seal something for me. My witch." I move, going back to my hiding place, and wave my hand, to unfreeze everyone.

So as planned, the man sits down on the log, and started to talk to her about the village attack. I felt pithiness radiate from her. After a few minutes, my plan worked wonders, minus, the woman Kyoko, with evidence.

"Well, that wasn't part of the plan. Wonder why she faked it, to give her sister in." I thought out loud, freezing them again, as soon they headed for Alice hut. I walk up towards the big man, and glance down at his hand. I sniff the cloth.

"So it smells like her, but the blood isn't hers, but.." I glance at Kyoko, watching her beauty beaming out of her, unlike her sister.

"Now, this is very interesting, framing your sister, using your own blood. The question is why, so interesting, as well you reek of Alack. I wonder." I smirked, turning towards Alice.

"My little Alice, you better run fast. I have plans for you, to get us out of here. Before I jump into a new host." I smiled, not sure why, I feel more at ease with her, not sure why, since she lacks of beauty, unlike her sister.

"I'll see you later." And with that, I jumped on top of the roof, and wave my hand again to unfreeze them.

I heard the father call her a witch, after he found evidence. Then after he announced to kill her. I watch her zoom towards the forest.

I jumped from roof top to roof top, heading in her direction. I speed my jumps. All I knew, that my plan worked perfectly. And now, the real fun begins.

"Alice, my Alice, come to me, and tame me, for I am but a simple beast that will be willing to do anything, even willing to kill for you." And with that said, all I can do, is go after my prey.


Thanks for the wonderful reviews. Alice is important, you'll see. If you are confused, Mai is Alice. Well, living as Alice. Also, I did mention her a couple of times in the last eps, I just never got around her, but now you will see her role in this.