Celestia: The Cursed Witch

xxxix

The Vlada land was quiet now, but the smell of smoke still hung in the air. The sky above was gray from ash. People walked around, helping the wounded, fixing tents, and putting out fires.

Celestia stood at the center of it all, her eyes scanning the damage. Her heart felt heavy. So many had been hurt. She couldn’t just stand and do nothing.

“I have to help them,” she said. Adelaide, and the rest looked at her. Kieran turned to her, worry in his eyes.

“Celestia, wait—”

But she had already stepped forward. She knelt beside a man with a deep cut on his leg. His face was pale from blood loss.

“Stay still,” she told him softly.

She placed her hands over the wound. A soft, golden light glowed from her palms. The man gasped as the pain started to fade. The bleeding slowed, and the skin began to close.

People nearby stared in silence.

She moved to the next person, and then the next. A child with a burned arm. A woman with a broken rib. One by one, she used her power to heal them. Each time, the golden light grew a little dimmer.

“Celestia…” Kieran said again. He stepped closer. “You’re using too much, darling. You’ll drain and hurt yourself,” he added worriedly.

“I have to,” she said. Her voice was calm, but her body was shaking a little. “They need me,” she added. If she could use this immense power of hers to help, she will.

He didn’t stop her. He wanted to. He wanted to pull her back and make her rest. But he knew he couldn’t. This was who she was.

Nearby, Esther watched with wide eyes.

“She’s… incredible. That healing magic requires a lot, I couldn't even do it with a small wound,” she said.

Even Leon was quiet. He stood with his arms crossed, watching Celestia heal one more person.

“She has the heart of a leader,” he said.

Finally, after helping a man with a crushed arm, Celestia stumbled. Her knees gave out a little.

Kieran rushed forward and caught her before she fell.

“That’s enough, darling,” he said softly. “You’ve done more than anyone else could,” he added. Celestia leaned into him.

“They’re safe now,” she whispered. “That’s all that matters,” she added.

Kieran helped her sit down under a tree. She closed her eyes, breathing hard. The golden glow was gone from her hands.

Leon walked over. Kieran looked up at him.

“Take me to your leader, Maraño,” he said. Leon nodded.

“Come with me,” he said.

They walked past the damaged tents and broken walls until they reached a shaded corner of the camp where the horses were. They mounted the horses and went to Maraño house where he was confined. They arrived and the guards immediately gave them access. Kieran saw him. His arm was bandaged, and a healer sat nearby checking his pulse.

Leon stepped aside, and Kieran entered.

Maraño opened his eyes and smiled.

“I know that face,” he said weakly. “You’re from the old northern circle. Kieran, right?” he added.

“Yes,” Kieran said. “I came with Celestia. I’m her mate,” he added.

“Good,” Maraño said. “She’ll need someone like you. Someone strong. Someone who won’t leave her side,” he added.

“I won’t,” Kieran said firmly.

Back outside the camp, Celestia rested in the shade. Her body was weak, but her heart was steady.

Meanwhile—far away from the hills—Azul sat on a black stone chair. A woman stood beside him, speaking quietly.

Azul rolled his eyes and pushed her aside.

“Enough,” he said.

Another man stepped forward and handed him a mug of strong beer. Azul took it with a small laugh.

He stood and walked to the edge of the broken tower. The night wind howled around him, blowing dust through the ruins.

Just then, Hector appeared from the lower hall of the tower. His armor was dusty, and there was a long cut on his arm, wrapped in cloth. He walked in and bowed slightly.

“Well?” Azul asked without looking at him.

Hector grinned.

“She fought well,” he said. “Her power is growing. But she’s still too soft. She used her magic to heal the wounded. Almost drained herself.”

Azul raised an eyebrow.

“She can heal now?” he asked.

“Yes,” Hector nodded. “And the best part? Our little trick worked,” he added.

Azul finally turned to face him.

“What trick?” he asked.

“We planted a traitor inside the Vlada clan,” Hector said proudly. “Someone close enough to listen. They’ve already reported back,” he added.

Azul’s eyes narrowed with interest.

“And?”

“The traitor said the people are starting to believe in her. They see her as a sign of hope,” Hector replied. “But hope can be poisoned. And we’ll use that against her,” he added.

Azul smiled darkly.

“Good. Let them trust her. Let them cheer her name,” Azul said.

He looked back out over the dark land.

“Because the higher they lift her…”

He raised his hand, as if lifting something invisible from the air.

“…the harder it will be when she falls.”

The member of Brotherhood stepped forward. Wearing dark robes and a long hood that hid most of his face. Only a silver chain with a strange symbol marked who he was—a high member of the Brotherhood. He was the one in charge of the South under their organization.

“Do what you must,” he said quietly. “But remember—her life is still ours to use,” he added.

“Let her think she’s winning. Let her grow tired. We’ll crush her when it hurts the most,” he said, his voice low and calm.

“She must stay alive,” the man said. His voice was smooth, quiet. “That was the agreement. The marked one is not just any child. She’s needed for what comes next,” he added.

Azul turned slightly, his expression colder now.

“She’ll live,” he said. “But only when I allow it,” he added.

The Brotherhood member raised one brow.

“We made a deal, Azul. If you go too far—”

Azul laughed, cutting him off.

“I know the rules. I know what she’s worth,” Azul said, his eyes glowing red for a moment. “But don’t tell me how to run the South,” he added.

The man didn’t reply, but his silence was sharp.

Far away, back in the quiet of the Vlada camp, Celestia was tending to the last of the wounded. Her hands glowed faintly with golden light as she closed a deep wound on a young soldier’s leg.

Everyone around her watched in silence, amazed.

But Kieran stood at a distance, watching her with worry. He knew the truth. Healing like that cost her something. It drained her—not just her energy, but something deeper. And the more she used it… the more it pulled at her soul.

He wanted to stop her.

But he couldn’t.

Not when she looked so full of hope. Not when the people needed her.

A cold wind blew through the camp.

Celestia shivered slightly but said nothing. She stood up and smiled gently at the soldier she just healed.

But deep inside… her heart trembled.

She didn’t know why.