A/N:
Hello everyone! Been about a week since I updated, hope ya didn't miss me tooooo much :P Don't worry! I didn't get burnt out again - in fact, the exact opposite in my eyes.
I didn't feel like writing, so I simply…Didn't. Which is, in my opinion at least - healthier than what I did before. Simply forcing myself to write until I felt physically ill whenever I looked at a Google Doc.
The big problem is I don't know if I'm going to be able to finish this fic before college - which is in about a month. That's going to drain all of my time lol. But, I will finish this fic I swear. I WILL!
Entry 6. Scabuary 26th.
There is so much to write about, my life's been extremely turbulent since I last touched this book. But strangely, I don't want to talk about any of it at the minute! All I want to talk about is my evening with Hieronymus.
No… for this journal to be a complete and accurate recounting of my life, I must be thorough. When was the last time I wrote? Hold on one minute….
The last thing I wrote about starting my quest to find the sigils. Fortunately, with the help of Luz, Amity, and King - we were able to discover 2 further. That means there's only one left to find.
Luz…Hold on a quick second, before I get into my quest, I had a talk with her after my last entry. She finally confirmed what I'd suspected. I'm not of this world. I'm a 'human.' A species extremely similar to witches - except we lack no magical abilities. As well, human ears are rounded while witch ears are pointed - though that is a mere aesthetic difference.
…Part of me wants to stay here. The Boiling Isles, strangely…Has begun to feel like my home. I've made friends in Hieronymus, Luz and Amity - As well as my pet Palisman Currant.
But, if I'm going to find out who I was, I must take the trip. I must return to my childhood home. I can only handle so much at one time, though… The first order of business is discovering Glyphs.
Back on topic. Luz devised a plan for us to travel to the Titan's Knee, as it was a place that was apparently 'Flowing with wild magic.' Accompanying us, were Amity and King.
King is the last remaining titan, and the source of all magic in this land. Or at least he's told me. I don't quite believe him, he looks more like a feral dog than anything deserving the name 'Titan.' Though, I shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, it's clear he's still adolescent.
The journey there was uneventful, mostly - except for a burnt-out settlement we came across. It was peculiar - despite it clearly having been abandoned so long ago, I could still see ashes of lives once lived. A market stall with produce that'd morphed into a new life-form, well-worn paved roads, and home doors ajar.
Although, a lot of it looked to have been damaged by fire or some similar such disaster - then left to rot. Luz described it as such. "A long time ago, this used to be a bustling town. But then Emperor Oberon came along. He and his right-hand man laid siege to this town, and then blamed the attack on 'wild witches.' Then, he made a big show of 'rescuing' the townsfolk, and when they looked to him for support..He branded then with an early version of his coven spell...That ended up killing them."
I don't know how much of that was the truth and how much was hearsay… But…If it is true, then. Is it wrong to say that some part of me has grown strangely numb? I've made no secret of it - I hate this bastard. I hate him with every fibre of my being. But at this point I'm no longer surprised at the atrocities he's committed, It's just another bad thing he's done.
That's that, for now. I do not wish to reiterate my opinions on that satan-spawn given flesh.
Speaking of Satan, The trip back was absolutely hellish. We ran into a creature, I think Amity called it a 'Slitherbeast.' I don't understand why, but it was attempting to attack Luz. I would not allow that to happen! I stood off against the beast, providing a diversion that would allow them to escape.
But, in doing so, my right hand was impaled on a rock, a mineral that Luz referred to as 'Fool's Blood.' I don't know what it is, but some inexplicable feeling in my gut wants to try and research this mineral - as if it has some latent power just waiting to be unlocked.
Back on topic, my apologies. Eventually, I'd escaped the beast, and tried to take refuge at the nearest town. For reasons I don't quite understand, though - they seemed to somehow recognize me? Though, like I was some sort of cryptid. They denied me medical attention and a burly fellow ran me out of town. I'm hoping it's some sort of misunderstanding, but… My gut is telling me it isn't. But my heart is telling me that I really do not want to know the truth.
The rest of the group found me in the forest some time later, and somehow they got me to the next town and a hospital. I can't remember how, I was beginning to become delirious from the bloodloss. When I regained my senses, I was in a hospital bed, and…I'd lost my right hand. Half of my forearm, too.
My nurse told me that the wound had become infected, and I am somewhat grateful. I only lost my hand, when I know a battle with such a creature could've gone much worse.
That being said, adjusting has been extremely difficult. My right hand was my dominant hand, relearning things I've done intuitively since I was a child is…Strange. Speaking of, please forgive me if the penmanship on this and the following diary entries is below standard,
Strangely, sometimes, it almost feels like my limb is still there? Like some sort of ghost limb… I knew I was going crazy.
Funnily enough, I suppose that means the Coven Sigil I've been working to remove is taken care of. A bit of an unfortunate anticlimax, but - finding a way to counter Coven Sigils is still my topmost priority.
I suppose that mostly catches us up, except for the events of last night!
Out of nowhere, Amity asked if I would like to go on a date with Hieronymus Bump. Without hesitation, I said yes! I've wanted to try and get to know him better for a little while, even though I haven't had the chance. Not only was this the opportunity I was waiting for - Amity gave me all the assistance she could!
First, we went to the spa for a rejuvenation treatment. Afterwards, we we shopping for new clothes - and lastly, we picked up some flowers. Not only did I look my best, I felt my best! I can't thank her enough.
We went to a very lovely restaurant, one that was inside of one of the Titan's bones. A bit snobbish for my tastes, but - first impressions are forever. Initially, Hieronymus seemed hesitant to speak to me but he soon warmed up to me. We made bad jokes, laughed, and just had a great time.
But since I can't have any good things… Just as we were about to leave, we were interrupted by A little red imp, named 'Kikimora.'
Her voice was shrill. She called me her 'Liege.', and said 'I always knew the tales of being slain by a mere child were nothing but flights of fantasy!"
I thought I was crazy. I think I remember Amity saying something about Oberon looking a lot like me - so maybe she was one of the Emperor's soldiers? What if she was his right hand man? Pah. I wish to never see her pathetic face again.
She tried to capture me, and in the process ended up destroying the restaurant…as well as the entire resort it was connected to. The entire bone it was built inside of collapsed. Thankfully, we were able to evacuate before anyone was harmed.
As a cherry on top of the evening. Hieronymus…He kissed me!
Truth be told, A large chunk of my memory is still missing, and what I do have is from when I was too young to really understand 'relationships,' but another thing I've been struggling with since that night is my sexuality.
I can't quite put a finger on it - from the people I've seen, I think I find both men and women equally attractive, but- Hieronymus is like nobody I've ever spoken to. It's more than mere attraction, but not quite love. I can't put a finger on it. Perhaps there is a word for it that I've just forgotten. I suppose I'll ask Amity or Luz whenever I get around to it.
I suppose that's all I have to write about. But I do have closing thoughts. It feels as if my life is beginning to calm down. I'm beginning to pick up the pieces. My support network is building, and… Everything is fine.
I am fine.