The Witch leaned forward on her stool, her eyes gleaming with the light of the bubbling cauldron. The speaking crow fluttered its wings excitedly on its perch while the self-sweeping broom paused in the corner, as if even it wanted to listen.

"Not far from here," the Witch began, her voice dropping into a rhythmic, storytelling cadence, "there was a prosperous, flourishing kingdom. Ancient kingdom! Ancient!"

She waved her hands theatrically.

"It was ruled by a king whose wisdom was equaled by the love of his people. The King had four sons, each gifted in his own way. The youngest was wise. The third was compassionate. The second son was just. And the King’s eldest son was strong... but he mistook great strength for character."

The Witch’s expression darkened.

"One dark autumn, the King grew ill. On his deathbed, he proclaimed the crown would not pass to the eldest, but that he would divide the rule. That the combined gifts of the brothers would make an even greater kingdom."

She leaned in closer.

"But the eldest son felt disgraced. Believing that he alone should be the sole heir, a seed of selfishness grew in him like a poison. To his brothers he declared his claim, and demanded their obedience, shattering the bonds of their brotherhood."

Her voice grew heavier.

"Words turned to war. Brother fought brother, and the fate of this great kingdom was forever changed. The prince commanded a powerful army, but the battle remained a bitter stalemate. Starving for a victory, the prince cursed his fate."

The Witch gestured toward the stone circle outside.

"He stalked the woods, coming to rest within an ancient ring of stones. The Will-o’-the-Wisps appeared, drawing him, guiding him, to the edge of a dark loch and a tiny cottage far from the shore."

She tapped her own chest with a proud grin.

"There lived a rare creature, a beautiful conjurer, an enchantress of elegance and grace, a ravishing vision of magnificent loveliness."

The crow cawed loudly. "Please! A Witch!"

The Witch chuckled. "Aye. He demanded to create a spell that would change his fate. The strength of ten he desired, and he offered his signet ring to persuade me."

Her tone grew somber.

"I could see the wounded soul behind his bluster... and so I made him a spell that offered him a choice to fulfill his dark wish, or heal the family bonds he had broken."

She continued the tale with heavy regret.

"Baiting his brothers with a false truce, the prince claimed his kingdom. To their protests, he stood before them and drank the spell. At that moment, the spell took effect, giving him strength tenfold... but, to his surprise, in the form of a great black bear."

The Witch’s voice dropped to a near whisper.

"Still, there was the spell breaker I had given him, if he would only choose to mend the bond torn by pride. Instead... he accepted the shape of the monster. And defeated his brothers."

She spread her arms slowly.

"He returned to command his army, but they saw only the beast. They took arms against him. He slew a great many, and the rest fled the kingdom in terror. With the armies of the brothers fractured, the kingdom collapsed into darkness... and the blight of the Great Black, Mor’du, fell across his domain."

The Witch looked directly into Lucian’s eyes.

"Desiring power over the bonds of family, Mor’du has wandered endlessly, his soul forever buried inside the scarred and tormented shell. A grim fate."

She leaned back, studying him carefully.

"But what of you, young man? Will you challenge fate?"

A heavy silence filled the cottage. The cauldron bubbled softly. The crow tilted its head, waiting.

Lucian remained calm, though his mind was racing. He had heard the story, and now he understood the kind of power and danger this Witch possessed.

He met her gaze steadily.

"I have a request," he said. "My mana core was destroyed long ago. I want you to restore it. I know nothing is free, especially with you. So tell me... what is the catch?" 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The Witch’s lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. Her eyes sparkled with intrigue as she tapped her fingers on the edge of the cauldron.

"Oh-ho... now that is a very interesting request indeed."