The Witches' Deal

Kiera was nervous as they neared the entrance to Pruzonia. Verida had been hesitant to reach out to her once she had regained her senses and the fear that the goddess would isolate herself over this incident ate at her. She didn’t want Verida to feel guilty over what happened. She couldn’t have known her dragoness would resonate with her shapeshifting like that.

Even with the goddess’ near complete withdrawal from their bond, Kiera could feel that new power within her. There were clear elements of Verida in it, but there was an equal amount of her aura blended in. And, if her senses were to be believed, it wasn’t some borrowed power. It was hers outright.

A wave of shame burned her ears as she thought about how she had freaked out when her arms changed, and that it happened with Aeolia not only watching but serving as her mentor in the martial ways only made it harder to deal with. The only worse way she could think of screwing up would have been if she hadn’t been able to damage the golem at all.

“Here we are.” Vivian’s voice brought Kiera out of her thoughts.

“Certainly a bit of a hike,” Nephele commented, brushing away a bit of foliage that clung to her thigh-high brown boots.

“We didn’t want anybody to stumble on it,” John said.

“Ohh, that is a good idea,” Estelle remarked very loudly before her smile turned into a frown. “But you won’t have any neighbors that way. But I suppose since this is a Kingdom, and not just a barrier, you can have tons of folk living there. Still, getting here’s a bit hard. Maybe a…”

“That’s something we’ll have to talk about inside, Estelle,” Nephele cut off her fellow witch. “No need to bring it up twice.”

“Suppose that’s true,” Estelle murmured. “Even with a goddess, it might not work.”

“This cryptic shit’s bugging me,” Aeolia grumbled.

Nephele turned to look at Aeolia with a sly grin on her face. “A witch never reveals her secrets before it’s time.”

Aeolia grumbled and John interjected, “But you are going to tell us what you’re thinking about, right?”

“It would be rather rude of us to not do so,” Nephele answered. “But that will come after we meet your patron. May we enter?”

“Go right ahead,” John said as he raised his hand and vanished into the Kingdom, starting a cascade of entrances. Kiera slipped in before either witch, blinking as Pruzonia’s bright sun struck her eyes. Before her vision fully adjusted, she felt Verida approach at a quick pace, her aura beating with worry and fear. The intensity of those reverberations only grew stronger as the goddess nearly bowled Kiera over and trapped her against her bosom with an impressively tight hug.

“I’m so sorry,” she cried, tears dropping onto Kiera’s head, her voice thick with emotion. “I never thought about how my presence would affect someone. I should have…”

Kiera didn’t like how Verida’s negative emotions crashed into her, each like a wave threatening to drag both of them down into a murky abyss. Verida was strong, confident, a beacon of assuredness so unlike herself, Kiera couldn’t help but want to be like her. And not by simply taking in her aura and mimicking her, but by changing herself the old-fashioned way.

And there wasn’t a better time than now, especially as she had to be the one to pull someone out of their downward spiral.

Gently, but with an underlying strength, Kiera pushed herself away from Verida, just enough to create some space between them so she could look up at Verida without breaking out of the embrace.

“Y-you did nothing wrong,” Kiera said in as confident a tone as she could muster, trying to emulate the strong kindness that people like John, Brenda and Vivian had shown her. “My powers have changed after what happened and there wasn’t any indication that this was s-something that could happen. A-and, me freaking out about it didn’t help, so if someone’s to blame, it’s me.”

Verida let out a hiccupy laugh and moved one of her hands to pat Kiera’s head affectionately. “I’m glad you’re alright.”

Kiera felt her eyes begin to water and she reciprocated the goddess’ hug. The drumming beat of guilt and sadness coming from Verida diminished a fair amount and a soothing rhythm of care and relief overtook them as her prominent emotions, and if it wasn't for the pressing matter at hand, Kiera felt she could fall asleep to it. Even with things that needed to be done, she wanted to stay for a bit longer.

“Aww, it's so sweet!” Estelle’s voice rang around them, and any good feelings Kiera had were buried by a wave of embarrassment and she jumped back from Verida before staring a hole into the ground, her face unbearably hot.

Verida stepped forward slightly and bowed to the pair of witches.

“You have done a great service for one of my own,” the goddess said, her gratitude unmistakable. “How can I repay this debt?”

Nephele stepped closer to Verida before curtseying. “Mighty and caring Verida, I, Nephele Foster, leader of my coven, seek to make an accord with you so that I and my own can cleanse a great taint blighting the area we have claimed as home.”

Kiera could feel Verida’s aura pulse with confusion at the verbose request, but the goddess quickly said, “I believe this is something that will require some explanation. Would you like to do so here, or would you be more comfortable adjourning to our meeting hall?”

“Out here is fine, Honored One,” Nephele answered. “My sister and I have spent too much time away from warm sunlight and fresh air. Now, let's start at the beginning. For the benefit of everyone else, what do you know about ley lines?”

---

John sat in one of the plant chairs Verida had provided as Nephele explained how their base was situated over a corrupted ley line, a natural wellspring of magical energy. They didn’t know how it was turned into some negative feeling generator, but Estelle had chimed in that it was likely a means to prevent other people from accessing it that got out of hand.

Now the energy was effectively inaccessible, as anyone attempting to draw in its power would be overwhelmed by the unsettling sensations that’d **** them to stop tapping it. Nephele explained that if left in this state, the effect would spread out further and further, and possibly evolve into something far worse.

“We’ve been trying to clean it up, but it’s a job far too large for just the two of us,” the pink-haired witch said. “And even if we were a full coven, it would be a tall order.”

“But with my power, both as a god and my magical proclivities, it wouldn’t be as impossible a task, correct?” Verida spoke up.

Nephele tipped her hat towards the goddess. “That is indeed our hope. A strong **** of growth and the natural order to counter the unnatural corruption.”

“What’ll happen once this ley line is fixed?” John asked.

“We,” Nephele said, gesturing to Estelle, a sly smile on her face, “intend to lay claim to it. The Order hasn’t seen fit to make any moves to contest us, likely assuming it too lost for them to fix.”

“Or they just haven’t noticed it,” Estelle piped up. “It is somewhat hard to sense.”

“I prefer to think the best of our neighbors,” Nephele said. “It’s no fun if we operate under the assumption they’re incompetent. Even if they are, best to be ready for their theoretical best. Anyway, we wish to claim it so we can ensure our prosperity.”

“Is that wise?” Vivian pressed. “If you do manage to gain proper and safe access to the ley line, do you think others wouldn’t try to fight you for it?”

Nephele regarded Vivian with judging eyes before her grin grew ever so slightly. “Cleansing the ley line would still take time, even with Verida’s power backing us. Time that will be spent searching for new members and allies.”

“You are aware the Order is up in our business, right?” Aeolia interjected. “I’m pretty sure we included that in our explanation.”

Mentioning them had been something Vivian had described as a veiled threat, John recalled. Implying that the Order had their back and seeing how they would react had been the redhead’s advice. So far, that didn’t seem to deter the witches.

“We have no desire to tangle with them, nor do we have any designs that would clash with their morality,” Nephele said. “We just wish to establish ourselves.”

‘Just because you don’t have plans that go directly against the Order, doesn’t mean they won’t take offense to what you’re doing,’ John thought. He couldn’t help but ponder just what their real goal was. Nephele so far didn’t strike him as reckless, so he couldn’t imagine her not having some plan to deal with groups like the Order. Was gaining access to the ley line something that could allow them to stalemate against the Order? Or did they hope that being friendly to them would provide some level of protection?

Regardless of what Nephele’s long-term plans were, they had made an agreement and none of them wanted to find out what sort of retribution the witches could dole out if they went back on their agreement. Plus, having someone not aligned with the Order could help with things they couldn’t, and if things with them turned sour, they could help keep the Order from just trying to **** them into submission.

“So how are we to proceed then?” Verida asked. “From what you just said, this isn’t something we can get done today.”

“The first thing we need to do is to make a direct link from here to the ley line,” Nephele explained. “And while we’re at it, might as well do the same wherever you frequent. Would make getting here easier.”

“Wait, you mean to create Pathways?” Vivian asked, causing Nephele to flash her a toothy smile.

“Quick on the uptake, I like that,” the witch purred. “Yes, that’s the plan.”

“So we’ll be able to just go from our usual hang out and poof be right here?” Beth asked.

“Basically,” Vivian said, cutting off Nephele before the witch could answer. “But how? Yes, multiple Pathways can exist to a Kingdom, even from Earth, but three so close together? That sounds like it’d be a rather complicated bit of spellwork.”

“It would be, if we didn’t have the advantage of a goddess backing us,” Estelle chimed in.

“And it’s less about your power and more your innate connection to this land,” Nephele further explained. “By creating a strong metaphysical link between the Kingdom and our bases of operations, we can craft new Pathways. Keeping the established entrance will be done by Verida acting as a sort of anchor for it during the process while someone at each location carries with them something from here that will act as a strong tie back.”

Verida looked back to the world tree that dominated the clearing. “I suppose a few small branches would suffice. But more would be better, correct?”

“A stronger connection would go a long way in ensuring things work out,” Nephele answered. “That can either be more of the same thing or several things that all come back to here.”

“I think that pruning too much of the tree would be too much, but I have an idea, if you would indulge me,” Verida requested.

“You know your Kingdom the best,” Nephele remarked. “Estelle and I will have to go over your idea to see if it’ll work, of course.”

“Of course,” Verida repeated before lifting a hand. John felt a pulse of mana radiate from her. A second later, from out of the nearest treeline, a large number of gnoshrooms marched out. Most were the brown ones John had seen before, but there were a few different ones. Some were blue like the mushrooms Verida used to mark the path to the Golmerk homestead and a few were red with white dots.

“Awww, they’re soooo cute!” Estelle gushed as the collective soon surrounded them.

“These little ones are heavily connected to the land’s mana,” Verida said. “If my understanding of your proposal is accurate, they would be a great help, no?”

Nephele let out a thoughtful hum as she got up out of her chair and approached the nearest gnoshroom, one of the red and white ones. John let Arcane Sense activate as she bent down to closer inspect it. At first, the overwhelming earthy feeling coming from the gnoshrooms was all he could feel, almost like he was being buried by loose dirt. Then, he noticed there was a sort of pull, drawing the gnoshrooms’ energy in.

Nephele’s aura was, to John’s senses, like peering down a deep hole, unable to see the bottom if there was one and wanting to know just how far down it went. It evoked equal parts curiosity and dread, especially as John felt small bits of the gnoshrooms’ aura being pulled in.

John let Arcane Sense lapse and watched Nephele run her hand over the gnoshroom, likely analyzing its mana. Then she stood back at her full height, adjusting her skirt and smoothing it out before turning back to face Verida.

“I believe these will serve our purpose perfectly,” the pink haired witch said with a grin. “They have a good connection.”

“How exactly are we doing this, if I may ask?” Vivian pressed.

Before Nephele could answer, Estelle shot an arm up. “Mind if I explain it?”

Nephele smiled slightly then inclined her head in a slight nod. Estelle bound out of her seat excitedly and spun a bit, her purple skirt swishing about.

“Alright, here’s how we’re doing this,” the peppy witch proclaimed, pumping her fist. “First, we gather up a bunch of these cute little guys and take them to where we want the Pathways to open up and open up a small barrier. Then, whoever’s there has to do a little ritual, while Nephele does the main one here. Once those are done, the barriers will shift into Pathways and we’ll poof right back here, easy peasy.”

“What sort of ritual would we need to perform?” Vivian asked.

“For whoever is at the Pathway entrance, nothing too complex,” Nephele explained. “There are, however, two requirements for the person stationed there. First, they must have a strong connection to that place. The longer they've lived there and formed good memories, the better.”

‘Sounds like that's going to fall to me,’ John thought. ‘Vivian hasn’t been around long and Beth probably doesn’t have many good memories about her place.’

“Second, they’ll have to be naked,” Nephele finished, her voice completely serious.

“That’s quite a requirement,” Senka noted as John coughed in surprise. “I’m going to assume there’s a reason.”

“The less interference, the better,” Nephele explained, nodding to Senka. “If this was something with far greater moving parts, I’d have the participants go through a full cleansing, but for this, just not having anything on them should suffice.”

“I get not wanting any extra magic involved, but surely we could just put anything with enchantments away, right?” John asked.

“Did you know magic likes to cling to living things or things that once were living?” Nephele remarked, an irritated note in her voice. “It’s why necromancy can make a dead body exert far more power so efficiently. Every bit of magic you cast, wear or come across just sticks to clothing. And while, yes, it also is on your body, your natural magic tends to overpower all but the most potent residue. Hence why we should be fine just stripping down and not having to wash. That about cover everything?”

John numbly nodded at her explanation and Nephele continued, “Now, Estelle will obviously open the way at our place, who’s going to do one for you?”

“I think I’m the only viable option,” John answered, feeling rather awkward after the witch’s dressing down.

“Of course,” Nephele muttered under breath. “Okay, two additional Pathways. Now, since Estelle will be absent, I will need two of you to assist me. I believe you two are the best candidates.”

The witch pointed at Vivian and Kiera, both of them going red in the face, Kiera more so than Vivian.

“I-is that so?” Vivian asked, the shock of being asked to help, along with the implication of the particular dress code.

“You, dear, possess fairly good mana control, correct?” Nephele asked. When Vivian nodded the witch turned her attention to Kiera, who wilted a bit under her hard gaze. “And you have that too, plus a very strong connection to Verida and therefore here. I couldn’t ask for better help.”

“I presumed I was to play a part in this,” Verida stated.

“You are, but as a central piece not as a one of the casters,” Nephele clarified. “It’s a crass way to put it, but in the simplest terms, you’re the main power of it, we’re there to direct it.”

“I see,” the goddess said. “And when do you think would be a good time for this?”

“I was operating under the assumption that we were going to do this now,” Nephele replied. “The sooner we get this done, the sooner other plans can begin. Does anyone have an objection to that?”

“It’s a bit, um, soon,” Vivian answered. “Could you give us a minute to discuss things?”

Nephele’s eye twitched in irritation and she let out a breath. “I suppose that’s fair. Estelle, why don’t we give these gnoshrooms a closer look while they talk things over?”

Estelle looked ecstatic at being able to interact with the gnoshrooms and quickly darted over to them. With a small gesture, Verida bade the collective to march a short distance away and arranged themselves into smaller groups. Once the witches were away and busy inspecting the gnoshrooms, Vivian asked, “Are we going to do this?”

“I’m not too thrilled with the idea of standing in the buff with a bunch of mushroom people looking at me,” John admitted. “But at least I’d just be with them. You and Kiera are the ones getting asked to do the big job here, with all that entails. You up for that?”

Surprisingly, Kiera spoke up first, “I-I think I can m-manage it. It's the least I can do after they helped me.”

“Kiera, you don't need to do something you’re uncomfortable with to repay them,” Vivian said.

“B-but I don’t want t-to just not help,” Kiera attested, before her eyes flitted over to John for a moment before shooting down to the ground, her hands balled into fists, the hem of her hoodie clenched between her fingers. “Y-you guys have done so much for me and I hate that even more had to be done. I think I can h-handle a little embarrassment.”

“You’re sure?” Vivian pressed, concern etched on her face.

“Vi,” Aeolia suddenly interjected. “If Kiera’s made her decision, then we should abide by it.”

John watched as Kiera’s eyes snapped up to look at Aeolia, a sort of amazement gleaming in them.

Vivian let out a sigh and regarded Kiera with serious eyes. “If you’re sure, then let’s get to it before I second guess myself.”

“Vivian, you shouldn’t worry so much,” Senka spoke up in a soothing tone. “There’s nothing about your body to be ashamed of.”

“Senka!”

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