Chapter II

I ask the guide if I can roam around and will return before the feast starts, she agreed.

I take a look at the Astral Center carefully; I need to find a place where no one can see me and I can take nice photos. They won’t allow visitors, especially intruders to take a photo inside Mount Astra, name it and they forbid it.

“Oh, our beloved God, please heal this land and may our wishes reach you~”

I secretly took a photo of the group of people praying to their God. I used a small camera that shutters when you click it. Such a great invention, unlikely to this generation.

I continue to roam, amazed by the greatness of Mount Astra.

“What’s this? Do not enter. Spiky rock formations ahead!?”

Hmm screams like the beauty of nature. I inspect the surroundings and when I guarantee that no one can see me, I immediately run ahead.

The cold wind that brushes my skin gives me chills. I should have worn at least two sweaters.

I wonder what's beneath those spiky rock formations, maybe skeletons?

I just kept on walking until I saw something that shines, it’s the tip of the rock formation. It shines as the moon light touches it.

‘People should have seen this wonderful creation of nature.’

I took a picture of it, and decided to try to climb the rocks but the rocks will immediately bruise you. It’s as sharp as a knife.

I look at the surroundings because I can clearly hear water running, from the sound of it. There must be a waterfall here. I walked towards the highest ground and saw that there was a waterfall. The spiky rock formation covered the falls. That is why I can only hear the sound of water. There’s no way to go in the falls because of this formation.

I sat on the ground hopelessly, and the next thing I know, it’s already near midnight.

 

⁎⁎ℐᵻᵰᵲᵻ⁎⁎

“Sshh, someone may hear us.”

“Don’t worry, no one goes here because of the witch.”

“W-witch?

‘Witch?’ There's a witch here? But they were already exiled a hundred years ago. I climb the nearest tree to hide and listen to their conversation.

 

“That’s because you’re not an Astrali, that's why you haven’t heard of the witch.”

“Then why are we here if there’s a witch? Are you going to sacrifice me?”

“Of course not!” the man yells.

An Astrali and a visitor. Hmm let me take a photo of them.

“Who’s there?!”

I hold my breath because of fear. For the first time, I’m cursing the camera because it made sounds. I should have bought one without it but it’s too expensive.

“Let’s go back, if someone saw a visitor here aside from the circle, we might get in trouble.”

‘Is there really a witch here?’ I asked my self.

If ever there’s a witch and the rulers knew it, that person will be in trouble, and will be burn at the stake. My great grandmother once told me that she was saved by a witch.

I am occupied by the thought of a living witch that it took me minutes to noticed a new group of people coming. They look like, they are heading to the spiky rock formations.

“Tsk, those people from the mainland are really annoying, acting like they saw some gems the moment they stepped here.” The tall guy said, he’s quite noticeable because of his height.

“Just shut up will you? Let just get some water from the falls and come back quickly.”

Water? From the falls? How? Is all I can asked myself.

After they passed by the tree that I climbed, I silently go down and follow them.

There I saw a hidden way, covered with vines and bush.

 

“What if the witch attack us?” asked the guy beside the tall guy.

The only light here is the moon’s light, so it’s hard to identify them.

“If she can, we’ll be dead before we even enter here.”

“Say, is she really a witch?”

“She probably is, who the heck can survive in this forest? We all crumbled in the centre because of how dangerous here.”

“That’s why you need to shut your mouth and let us finish this quickly. I don’t to get eaten by those hungry wolves or get killed by the witch.”

A woman? From the sound of her high pitched voice, that person is certainly a woman.

But, wolves? There are wolves here? After hearing that, I suddenly thought of going back.

 

When I saw that they are heading back, I decided to go near the waterfall.

“Majestic” Is all I can say.

The water look like crystal, sparkling because of the moonlight. I immediately took a photo of it. I look around and noticed how beautiful this place is.

I am about to take another photo when I was startled by someone.

 

“What are you doing here?”