Chapter 1: She Fell in Love with a Prince
Miku sat in the tavern's back corner, sipping at her cider and picking at the bread on her plate. Stories of witches were drying up along with her purse becoming lighter. What was she to do when all the witches in the land were gone? She came from a witch hunter's family and it would be shameful to not have any work. Maybe I can fake a witch? She thought then shook her head violently. That would be cruel to an innocent person...but...money was money wasn't it? Could she really stomach innocent blood being on her hands?
She swung her head back and chugged the last of her drink before placing it back on the table, leaving two silver pieces next to her plate. As she stood she fell back into the chair, the cider a little stronger than usual for her. Again she stood, this time more slowly and held on to the table for balance. She slipped out the door and started heading home, stumbling a bit here and there.
At some point she made her way into the graveyard and in front of her parent's graves. "What do I do, Mother? Father? The witches have gone into hiding!" She cried, her voice a mix of anger and sadness. She felt eyes on her and turned only to see nothing more than a raven. "You're gonna laugh at me too?!" She flung a pebble at it, but being drunk had horrid aim. She cried more out of anguish as her body caved into its exhaustion. The ground was cool and damp under her cheek and slowly her eyes began to close.
Her tired eyes never let go of the raven's stare even between slips of sleep. At some point the raven was replaced by a woman with long pink hair and blue eyes. Of course, the raven...witches can turn into ravens. We must...destroy...the ravens…
At last she fell into a slumber. Luka let out a small sigh of relief. She went to pick the young girl up, a simple feat she was so frail. She had seen a church not far from where they were and she hoped it was unlocked for late night lost souls. She trudged silently to the doors and was met with a blessing of open doors. She laid the girl down on one of the pews before going up to the altar.
A statue of a man on a cross stared down at her with sad eyes. Something about it held her in her place, suddenly flashes of visions came into her mind. Fire, a woman's cry, pain, a man's heartbreak. As quickly as it came, it left the same. She blinked her eyes and tore her gaze away from the statue. Making the sign of the cross and lighting a couple candles, she made a quick exit. The church suddenly became unsettling and she wanted to throw up. Just before reaching the doors, she shifted into a raven and flew with the door slamming shut behind her.
"Miku? Miku? What are you doing here?" A soft voice called to her. It sounded like Gakupo, she smiled and buried her face into the crook of her elbow. As if Gakupo would be talking to her so early. "Mi-ku." A finger poked her cheek and she swatted it away.
"I'm up, I'm up." She began to stretch out on her bed, but fell to the floor. "Ouch!" More awake now, she looked around her. This didn't look like her home. It smelled of the herbs burned during mass, candle wax, and wood polish. When did I get inside the church? She placed her hand on her temple, her head felt like it was splitting.
"Here, some water," a small cup with water came into view and she took it gratefully. She turned her head to thank the man, but was instantly silent as there stood a handsome man with long purple hair and deep violet eyes. Gakupo, son of the mayor of the village and her friend since childhood. "What? Is there something on my face?" He laughed. "I was wondering where you were, you weren't at home...which by the way really needs some cleaning." He held his hand out to her and helped her to her feet.
She hung her head to hide the redness spreading across her face. "Th-thank you…" she mumbled out quietly and made a beeline for the door and on towards home, leaving Gakupo to wonder what the hell that was about.
He shrugged his shoulders and made his own way out of the church once he paid his respects. There was so much he needed to do himself, but did the things he wanted instead. He was old enough to make his own decisions without his father's approval. Besides, his village came first and the villagers came even before the village itself. Especially his best friend.
To the market he went. He didn't want Miku to know that he knew she was struggling. Witches were getting harder and harder to come by, if she could afford a horse, she'd be able to go to places that have more witches. I could gift her a horse, father and I could have it in our stable and we'd be able to feed it until she could get back up. Why didn't I think of it before!
He stumbled a bit, something had run into him from behind. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going." A soft feminine voice spoke.
"Perfectly alright, I shouldn't be standing in the middle of the street," he turned to see a beautiful young woman. He never really believed in love at first sight, but seeing her is what it felt like.
Her breath caught in her throat as she looked up at the gentleman. His eyes seemed to pierce her to her core and her knees felt that they would collapse. A breeze of wind came, whipping her hair into her sight she let out the trapped breath. She moved her hand to tame her hair, "Oh!" the wind had loosened her headband and took it drifting in its dance.
Gakupo hesitated a moment before running after the woman's headband. His hand caught it just in time or it would have been lost forever. He brought it closer to him. Something about it warmed his hand and the scent from it was comforting. Wildflowers and wood flooded his sense of smell. It was perfect for her.
A small hand took hold of the band, "thank you, kind sir." He followed that hand and again was struck dumb by her beauty. She tied it back into her hair, making sure it was secure this time. "Is there anyway to thank you?"
"A kiss." His eyes widened a bit in shock at what passed his lips. "I-I'm so sorry, it's i-improper of me to...ask such a thing. W-we don't even know each other. I...uh...y-you..." HIs face became redder as he stuttered.
She moved her hand to her mouth as she giggled softly. It sounded too sweet and only furthered the shade of crimson on his cheeks. "I'm Luka." Her lips brushed ever so lightly against his cheek. "And, you are?"
"G-Gakupo, Kamui Gakupo." He felt lightheaded.
"A pleasure to meet you, Gakupo. Thank you for rescuing my headband. You have a blessed day." She walked on, smiling at him with a hint of pink on her cheeks.
When she had turned away, he could feel a stupid grin on his face. "Blessed day…" He cleared his throat, finally noticing all the stares and laughter he was getting. "Right...what was I doing?"
Unbeknownst to them, Miku had seen him at the market and wanted to apologize for her behavior earlier in the day. Yet she stopped short when she saw the pink haired woman bump into him. She held back behind a corner of a building, watching intently. The woman was familiar to her, she just couldn't piece it together.
Her heart sank when she noticed Gakupo's expression when he turned around. It looked as if his heart skipped a beat as he saw the most beautiful creature. He never gazed at her in such a manner. Sadness churned in the pit of her stomach, gnawing at her heart. When the wind broke the spell, she sighed a breath of relief, but then the damn hairpiece had to loosen and fly. The longer she watched their interaction, the more the sadness stirred. It soon turned into anger when the woman kissed her beloved on the cheek.
God he's entirely under her spell...spell? Her eyes widened as her memory of the night before came back to her. She spun on her heel and headed towards the tavern. Of course! The missing witch from the next country over. Why didn't I see it before?! She barged through the door and took a quick scan of the 'Wanted' board. There she was, Luka Megurine, accused witch, caused children to have blackened blisters and die within matter of days. She was a midwife and healer. In other words, a perfect target. The money didn't look too bad either. Miku stuffed the poster into her bag. She had to plan for this witch without harming Gakupo in the process.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone