original

One day, three autumns

นักเขียน: nnabi

บท 1: Prologue

⎿Long ago a man ventured inside the forbidden boundaries of the Deep Forest. What was he doing here, knowing the dangers of the journey? Just like its name, the forest was vast, dark and deep. On land, but dark just like it was under the ocean, making it a mystery yet to be solved. As long as one could remember, the blizzard had always been there. The further you walked, the darker it gets, and the blizzard will get even more profound and ugly. There is also a rumour about an evil witch residing there. She would torture every trespasser til their death.

Cold-blooded with indifference, no one will meet upon this grandmaster of witchcraft. Even though you are lucky enough to not across her, the beasts there will make you their meal, bloodthirsty and hungry are they for human meat.

Some even say the beasts are the evil witch's pets, which she had nurtured to kill. No one has ever returned and once they have gone, they are a goner.

So children, listen up. Never enter the Deep Forest if you want your body and mind intact, even if you're not dead, you'll still be a waste, if not a waste, you'll be crazy. There's nothing good coming out of that forest, mark my words! ⏋

"That was quite harsh", Ella said, closing the children book she just got from the market. "Don't you think so, Soya." Nudging the Samoyed dog by her side, she pretended to look devastated.

"I didn't even do them anything, it's their own fault to come barging inside without manners. Bloodthirsty pet, they said. But look at you, Soya, you are just the cutest. White as snow, fluffy as the clouds, cute as a bunny. How is this bloodthirsty and dangerous?"

She cuddled with Soya in her arms, hugging the fluffy fur on his body while petting him behind the ears. "Aroofh!" Soya gingerly agreed, loving the neck rub.

"I know, only you get me." Throwing away the book, it silently floated its way back on the shelf.

"Maybe I myself should write a book, so I can do justice for all the great witches out there."

"Don't know if there are any left though," Ella growled to herself, drowning her head in the soft fur on Soyas body. "Well, it is just a book, among many other books." She stretched herself, took a deep breath and stood up, still holding Soya in her arms and started walking out the study towards the kitchen. "Enough of that, what should we eat today buddy?" She asked her dog happily.

"Aroo roffht!"

"Chicken curry?"

"Aroofht!"

"Curry it is." She waved her hand twice in a circle and various ingredients and tools came out of the cabinets and stood in line on the table. It was sure great to be a witch, just one swift and everything could be done.

As she sat Soya down on the table in front of her, Ella started to cook, making the kitchen tools dance along to the tune she was humming.

...

Outside a snowstorm raged on, stopping for nothing on its way. Nevertheless, it didn't bother anyone. The dark woods surrounded the little cottage Ella lived in were robust and enormous, making the storm seemed like a tiny breath of wind. Go further away, through the dark forest and snowing land, crossing the frosty lake and an endless lane, to the road to civilisation. Isolated inside the mysteriously dangerous forest.

A long time ago, a world of witches used to live in that wood. A long time ago beautiful magic surrounded those woods. And a long time ago, there was peace in Estron, now it is only an illusion. What is left of the past is long forgotten. After all, dead men tell no tales.

Right now, the past is only a myth in a children's book. A fairytale about an evil witch residing inside the dark forest, a story to keep children away from the unknown woods. Inside the little cottage, Ella resided in, the fire is burning to warm up everyone inside, unlike the raging storm outside.

Unknown of the dangers coming towards her little home, the strangers she will meet and adventures that will keep her away from the little place she used to call home, Ella is sitting in her cosy home hugging her adorable dog, Soya.

...

At this moment, at the east perimeter of the Dark Forest, two figures can be seen riding on their horses. "It is here, milord." One of the figures said, standing behind "the Lord" who was staring intently towards the woods. He raised his hand and twirled it in the dancing snow.

Surrounding his hand, the snowflakes curiously didn't melt by the warm temperature but kept dancing and descending to the ground. "Everlong frost, huh?" The man voiced out his thought while his mouth arched in a smile. "Interesting." A moment of silence past, the man had yet to stir from his thoughts. Nothing could be read from his expression.

"We will meet one day, Elderly one." He finally said. Flickering the snow out of his hand, he turned the horse around and rode away, followed by his servant. The snow continued as it swallowed their traces. Soon, not a shadow can be seen.