Celestia: The Cursed Witch

ii

Circe gasped and jolted awake, her body drenched in sweat. Her heart pounded in her chest as she frantically looked around, trying to steady her breathing.

She turned her gaze to the sky, a deep sense of dread settling inside her as Lilith’s prophecy echoed in her mind.

"When the moon burns black and the wolves bow to fire, a child shall rise, cursed and divine. Born of two bloods, bound to two fates, she alone will break the chains—or become the beast's gate."

Shaking, Circe stood up and reached for the old photograph she always kept close. A century had passed, yet she could never forget the day her sister, Lilith, died… and the Nightmare Wolf vanished.

"Grand Witch!"

Circe turned around to see a young witch calling for her. The girl's hands were trembling visibly.

"I think you need to see this," she whispered.

"Lead the way," Circe said. The young witch led her to one of the huts where the witches lived.

"In here," she said, gesturing toward the entrance.

Circe stepped inside and immediately noticed another young witch lying on a bed, sweating. Her stomach was large with pregnancy. Circe’s eyes shifted to the witch standing beside her.

"I'm sorry," the young witch whispered.

"Renee!" Circe snapped, her voice filled with anger.

"Grand Witch, please don’t be mad at Renee. I was the one who told her to hide about my pregnancy," the pregnant witch said.

Circe turned her furious gaze toward her.

"Why did you defy my rule, Faye?! I only asked one thing of you. Why did you go against me?!" she yelled, her chest rising and falling with rage.

"I'm sorry, Grand Witch, I fell in love," Faye whispered.

"You risk our entire coven for a mere love?!" Circe yelled.

"Grand Witch..." Faye exclaimed, groaning as another wave of pain swept through her. "Please, Grand Witch," she whispered, whimpering.

Outside the hut, the sky darkened, the silver glow of the Moon slowly being swallowed by the Earth's shadow. A rare total Black Moon was about to begin—a night where the Moon would vanish completely, swallowed by shadows.

"Who was it?" Circe asked and made her lie down. "Get me warm water, Renee, and make haste," she added.

"Yes, Grand Witch!" Renee said and rushed to get the warm water.

"Faye, who was it?" Circe asked.

"He's Peter of Shadowclaw Pack, Grand Witch," she said and clasped the sheets tightly as she could.

"What have you done, Faye?" Circe whispered.

Faye writhed in pain, her breaths coming in short gasps. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she clutched the sheets beneath her. The air was thick with tension; the witches gathered around, whispering nervously.

Circe stood at the foot of the bed, her heart pounding. She glanced outside through the small window, watching as the moon dimmed, its light fading into darkness.

"When the moon burns black and the wolves bow to fire..."

Lilith's prophecy echoed in her mind, sending chills down her spine.

Faye let out a sharp cry, her body trembling. The child was coming—just as the Moon was about to turn black.

"Grand W-Witch! H-Help me..." Faye gasped, her voice weak.

"Push, Faye! You have to push!" Circe urged, her tone firm but encouraging.

Renee rushed into the hut, carrying a basin of warm water. She placed it down and quickly moved to Faye’s side.

Faye, exhausted and drenched in sweat, let out a shaky breath. Renee knelt beside her, gripping her hand tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"Push!" Circe commanded again.

Summoning the last of her strength, Faye gave one final, desperate push.

A loud cry filled the hut, piercing through the thick tension. At that exact moment, the Moon was fully swallowed by the Earth's shadow, plunging the world into darkness.

"Born of two bloods, bound to two fates, she alone will break the chains—or become the beast's gate," Circe whispered, her gaze fixed on the newborn. She gently turned the baby, revealing a dark crescent-shaped mark on her shoulder.

"Grand Witch—Faye's not breathing!" Renee cried, panic rising in her voice.

Circe quickly handed the baby to another witch and rushed to Faye’s side. She pressed her fingers to her pulse point, her heart sinking.

"Grand Witch..." Renee whimpered.

"She's gone," Circe murmured, her voice heavy with sorrow. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay composed. "Gather every witch. This is important!" she ordered.

Renee sobbed as she clung to Faye’s lifeless body. "Grand Witch... I'm sorry," she whispered between cries. "I'm sorry for not telling you about Faye's s-situation sooner."

Circe gently closed Faye’s eyes and stroked Renee’s back in comfort.

"Let’s go and let her rest," Circe whispered.

Renee nodded tearfully. Circe stood and stepped out of the hut, but the moment she did, her legs nearly gave out beneath her. Fear gripped her chest—Lilith's prophecy had come true. The child had been born.

And now, the Nightmare Wolf would come for them once again.

"What are we going to do?!" one witch cried out, her voice filled with fear.

"The prophecy is clear! That child could bring the Nightmare Wolf back!" another witch argued.

"We should kill the child before it's too late!" someone else shouted, their words met with gasps of shock.

"Are you hearing yourself?" Renee yelled. "Killing an innocent child is a sin! And if you try anything, you'll have to fight me!" she added.

She wouldn't let anyone lay a hand on Faye's child. She had failed to protect Faye, but she would not fail her child.

"A sin? And what if that child becomes the beast’s gate? What if she brings destruction upon us all?"

"She is still just a baby!"

"Enough!"

The witches turned to Circe as her voice rang through the gathering, sharp and commanding.

"Silence!" she yelled. The coven immediately fell quiet, their eyes fixed on the Grand Witch. The tension in the air was thick, the weight of the prophecy heavy on all of them. Circe took a deep breath, steadying herself while carrying the child in her arms.

"Faye gave her life, bringing this child into this world. She broke the rule, yes, but we will not stain her sacrifice with blood," she said.

"We will raise her child in the coven; teach her our ways and magic," Circe declared. "We will not let the Nightmare Wolf return to this world. We will prevent the upcoming tragedy."

Murmurs spread through the group—some in agreement, others still afraid. But no one dared to challenge Circe’s authority.

"I shall name her Celestia," Circe said, holding the child in her arms. "She will be under my care and Renee’s. If anyone dares to question my decision, step forward now," she added.

Silence fell over the coven. With a solemn nod, she turned toward the center of the open field, where Faye's body had been carefully placed upon a wooden pyre. The flames were already lit, crackling softly as they began to consume her.

The witches stood in a circle around the fire, their faces illuminated by the flickering light. Some whispered quiet prayers; others simply watched in silence.

Circe stepped forward, her voice steady but laced with grief.

"Faye Graves was one of us. She was a sister, a friend, and a warrior. Tonight, we honor her," she said.

Renee, tears streaming down her face, clutched a bundle of white flowers in her hands. She stepped forward and placed them near the flames.

"I'm so sorry, Faye," she whispered.

One by one, the witches followed, each offering something small—a token of respect, a whispered farewell.

As the fire burned, Circe looked up at the dark sky where the moon was now clear. Lilith’s prophecy had begun, and she knew their world would never be the same again.