Wicked Forest

Outside the castle, chaos wreaked havoc and destruction. Screams of anger and pain were like knives digging and twisting into his gut. There was no doubt that more devastation was yet to come. 

The sound of horses echoed along the cobbled stones that created a path to the wooden front doors. Each thud was like the drums of war, installing fear into everyone nearby. They could smell smoke as shouts and angered words were thrust into the air. A sign in which, the army was fast approaching and ready for battle. A battle that he himself knew they could not win. 

“What have you done?” his father asked him in a grave voice. One that showed fear, which was something, is father never did. He was the king and had the respect of his people. Fierce and firm, he was known for ruling with an iron fist yet having compassion and understanding. He had nothing to fear. Until now...  One wrong move and he had brought the wrath of the Gods to his kingdom. 

That was all it had taken. His actions had caught up to him and now, not only will he suffer but his family too. “Please forgive me, father,” he begged, getting on his knees. For what he had done would be unforgivable, to a man like the King. An all-powerful man, that very man now stood before him shaking. From fear or anger he could not tell. The fire burning in his eyes made him gulp and bow head. No longer able to keep looking into his father’s eyes and feeling the guilt rip through his stomach. All he could do was hope that the love a parent feels for their offspring would overshadow the hatred he would feel. But even then, he doubted it. His mistake was grave. One in which it would change the course of their lives forever. He had no doubt that her threats were not empty. Thinking of her last words before he fled, he trembled. 

The door to the throne room was thrust open with a loud bang as wood gave way and clattered to the floor. 

The woman he had deceived stood in all her glory. Beautiful and elegant, the reason he had been drawn to her in the first place. He should have learned by now. Beauty was just a disguise for the evil that resides inside. She was not what she had seemed, and he had made the worst mistake of all. One that would cost him and his family, he glanced at his mother whose eyes were as wide as saucers. Her beautiful pelican face was pale and filled with a deep seeded sadness. She was afraid and had every right to be. Had he known then who this woman was, she would have been the last female he ever laid eyes on. “I would ask you to have mercy, but your heart is as black as night, kindness is not in your nature. But your darkness will be your downfall,” his mother said to the woman and his mouth slightly opened at the calmness in her voice. She had always been the same. Like she knew what was coming before anyone else did. Yet her words were always spoken in riddles, a puzzle that needed to be solved, and a hint to the truth hiding in plain sight.

One show of power and they knew that they were no match. Just one mistake and their kingdom had crumbled. The power of the Gods was no match for lower beings of witches. 

Like criminals they were marched through the forest to the Great Oak Tree, which stood tall and proud in the centre of Athens. Guarded by the goddess’s men, they couldn’t run, and hiding was pointless. She had proved to be much stronger than they were. Defeat, it left a hollow feeling in their stomachs, which only caused more unwanted emotions to creep over them. 

Ashamed and humiliated they bowed their heads, afraid to look their people in the eyes, as they stood before the ancient tree. It represented their very own family, planted by the very first witch. It showed that their community would grow and branch off with each new addition. It was a reminder of the future. 

Every witch in Athens had gathered, some wore sombre expressions while others held a smirk. They were ready to watch his punishment be rolled out. The prince would finally face his crimes, and his father couldn’t help him this time. Money, power. In that moment it meant nothing. No one could help him. They had yet to find out that he was not the only one that would be punished, but his entire race. 

He watched as the rune glowed and the goddess grinned. He knew what the rune was. They all did. It was a part of a prophecy that many called an old tale to scare their people. It was the first time they had seen it glow. It had always been nothing but a craving in the tree. He didn’t hear what she had to say through the drumming of his own heart. 

A bright flash of white swallowed him whole, and he felt himself free falling. “Any witch who dares to return will be executed,” he heard her say, followed by a maniac laugh, one that would haunt him for years to come.