01: Majique Manor

Branches Of Sunshire

Chapter 1

Majique Manor

The amber glow of sunset cast over two cloaked figures as they emerged from the bushland. The air hummed with cicadas and a sharp, heavy mix of burning wood and dry leaves from the distant mountains. They approached the street with the faded sign reading ‘Celestial Crescent’ and gazed upward.

At the end of the secluded lane, the mansion rose against the orange dusk and shadowy pines. It was unlike anything they had seen before. It was a relic of Victorian grandeur with deep crimson walls, ornate gables, and a wraparound veranda. A round stained-glass window sat at the centre of the large gable roof, and turrets crowned with green pointed roofs stood on each side.

A black iron fence with stone pillars, dark and weathered by years of coastal humidity, guarded the grounds and anchored the double gates. A flagstone path with vintage lampposts led towards the staircase entrance. To the right, the vivid violet blooms of an overarching jacaranda tree spilled into the evening air, starkly contrasting with the house’s brooding ruby woodwork and the encroaching forest behind it.

The sprawling estate was grand enough to command reverence, yet secluded enough that the wind through the pines sounded like the only living breath for miles around. It stood silent and watchful, an opulent sanctuary carved from the shadowed wilderness, keeping whatever secrets waited inside strictly behind closed doors.

Man: “Are you sure this is the right place, Branch?”

The taller figure asked in a deep voice, turning to the shorter, plump figure beside him. The short figure reached their hand to the stone mailbox, gliding their delicate fingertips across the brass number ‘33’. They had an olive-tan complexion, and there was a sun-like marking on their thumb. It was a black circle with a dot at the centre, surrounded by eight triangular points.

Branch: “Yep!”

They chirped softly and lowered their hood, revealing their round face with big cerulean doe eyes. They resembled a cat, with a curved mouth and wing-tipped eyes. Their long, feathered, chestnut hair had a golden ombre tinge, as if it had been dipped in the sun.

Branch: “I can feel that his energy resided here.”

They pet their fluffy tabby cat nestled in their cloak. The taller figure lowered his hood, revealing the same olive-tan complexion and long ombre hair, with a slimmer, masculine face. He narrowed his deeper blue eyes with scepticism and confusion as he observed the property.

Man: “Here? Are you sure?”

The man glanced down at the worn piece of paper that read in cursive handwriting: ‘Follow the river and go to the highest peak in the valley of the moon.’ Branch peered over his shoulder and nodded.

Branch: “Yes, Lake! Selene Valley IS the valley of the moon, and this IS the highest peak!”

They smiled up at the golden sun, its reflection on the glass beaming like a beacon of light.

Branch gingerly opened the gate with a rusty iron creak as they entered the premises.

Lake: “Branch! Wait!”

He protested and followed after them up the stone pavement. Large boulders sat along the cliffside with gardens nestled between the levels. The garden was in full bloom with its vibrant reds, pinks, and oranges. They felt so small underneath the towering pine trees surrounding them. Their footsteps creaked on the stairs as they ascended to the veranda. Branch smiled at the lilac Wisteria draping across the veranda as it swayed in the warm breeze, the gentle tinkling of wind chimes hanging off the banister making them feel at peace.

Lake: “You can’t just go off a ‘feeling.’ You need solid proof!”

He countered, tugging at the chain around his neck and pulling out a rusty key. They both eyed the key with anticipation.

Lake: “There’s only one way to know for sure…”

They both turned to the arched wooden door with intricate stained-glass roses, anticipating what they would find behind it. Lake approached the brass doorknob and slid the key into the keyhole. He slowly twisted it until they heard a metallic click. They both lit up and exchanged a glance as the door swung ajar.

Branch: “See! I told you!”

The door swung open with a creak, unveiling a grand entryway wrapped in deep red wallpaper accented by glittering gold stars and celestial motifs. Two distinct staircases caught their attention: the right was a grand focal point with dark timber balusters leading up to the upper level, while the left was far more subtle, dipping quietly into a shadowed room below. Overhead, a grand candle chandelier hung from the second-story level. The sunlight filtered through decorative stained-glass windows, illuminating the space. Goosebumps ran through Branch as their bare feet met the chill of black tiles detailed with gold geometric designs.

Branch: “Oh my stars! It’s amazing!”

They gasped as they stood at the crossroads of wooden archways and stairs, each veering off in a different direction, and they took in the scent of old dust and aged wood.

Branch: “I feel like I’m in a maze!”

They chuckled, feeling overwhelmed, yet excited for all the places to explore.

Lake: “Why is it so large?”

He pondered, staring down at the long hallway through the archway under the stairs. More archways leading into rooms lay ahead. Branch stared down at the long, red carpet running down the hallway, feeling its soft texture under their bare feet.

Branch: “Maybe it’s a palace?!”

They offered, running their fingertips across the textured wooden panels in the hallway, intrigued. Candle sconces lined the walls, with old, dusty oil paintings.

Lake: “It’s not like any palace we’ve seen before...”

His voice trailed off with a bitter tinge.

Their jaws dropped as they entered a grand dining room at the end of the hallway; their footsteps echoed across the herringbone floorboards.

Branch: “WOW, look at how big that table is!”

They exclaimed, stretching their arms out in emphasis over the long, mahogany dining table that ran across the length of the room. Six wooden chairs with crimson upholstery sat around the table, and a large iron chandelier hung over the table at the centre of the room. A stone fireplace stood at the end of the table, against the back wall as a centrepiece. Branch admired the stunning view through the arch windows and ruby drapes.

The dining room looked out onto a garden with blooming wisteria and roses, with flagstone tiles throughout the greenery. A pool, bordered by large rocks, reflected the dusky sky on its surface. To the right of the pool stood a grand barrel greenhouse filled to the brim with lush greenery and a small wooden chicken coop.

Branch: “Oooh, pretty…”

They admired the breathtaking view and inhaled the herbal aromas in the air, blended with the scent of old wood.

Lake: “...So, this is what he left behind for Sunshire?”

He stood beside them, gazing out the window, breathing it all in. Branch’s smile dipped into a frown, and they embraced themself.

Branch: “Why can’t we go back, Lake?”

They knitted their brows, looking up to him for answers.

Lake: “It’s not safe for us anymore…”

He said somberly, gazing pensively at the deep orange hues of the sky.

Branch: “When will Mother and Father be here?”

They pleaded. Lake snapped out of his reverie and paused for a moment.

Lake: “I don’t know…”

His voice trailed off, and he turned away from Branch.

Lake’s face shifted to a bemused look when something unexpected caught his eye.

Lake: “Huh, that’s odd?”

He quirked an eyebrow at the googly eyes stuck onto the dining chairs. Branch chuckled.

Branch: “Oh, my stars! It looks like it has eyes!”

They laughed.

Lake: “What is the purpose of this?”

Branch: “To make you smile and laugh!”

Lake: “I doubt that would be the purpose.”

He shook his head.

Branch: “I didn’t know he had a sense of humour!”

They smiled.

Lake: “It seems there was a lot we didn’t know about him…”

He pensively observed their surroundings.

Suddenly, the fluffy, striped cat leapt from Branch’s robe onto the herringbone floors. His bushy tail perked up as he excitedly trotted out of the room.

Branch: “STELLA!”

They gasped and followed after their cat into the kitchen through the archway across the hall. Branch paused to drink in the marvellous kitchen. They brightened at the deep green hues and checkered marble floors. Pastel green wallpaper with tree patterns covered the walls, and mandala tiles lined the back wall behind the iron stovetop. A round marble table sat at the centre of the room with wooden barstools and a stone fireplace in the corner of the room. Dried herbs and flowers hung across the arched windows that looked out onto the backyard. Stella rubbed against the door in the corner of the room, pawing at it and meowing.

Branch: “Ooh, what’s in there?”

They twisted the knob, opening the door to icy cold air smacking them in the face. The tiny room was dark, with sheets of ice covering the walls. A swirling moon symbol was carved into the ice, as if it were bound to the room.

Branch: “OH NO, it’s winter!”

They both recoiled from the icy cold air smacking them in the face.

With a beam of light, Branch summoned a wooden staff, a golden sun resembling a sunflower perched on top. It had green leaves at the base and at the tip, and red velvet at the centre of the wooden handle, casting a warm, radiant light around them.

Lake: “PUT THAT AWAY!”

He said firmly, waving his hand at them.

Branch: “Why, Lake?”

Branch’s eyes widened in a gasp when they saw the ice starting to melt, revealing shelves of food, and they waved their staff into the shadows, making it disappear.

Branch: “OH! There’s food in here?!”

They brightened at the sight of the shelves stocked with fresh broccoli, onions, capsicums, pumpkins, eggs, milk, and butter. Lake’s eyes widened, and his head spun with confusion.

Lake: “That doesn’t make any sense… This house has been abandoned for over twenty cycles…”

He pondered, staring at the strange moon symbol carved into the ice.

Branch: “Uhh… I guess the ice kept it fresh?”

They scratched their head.

Lake: “How did the ice get there?! Why is it in this room?!”

He gaped, looking around.

Branch: “I dunno, but I’m hungry! I’m gonna bake a cake!”

They chirped. Lake’s face turned pale as something dawned on him, and before he could speak, an unfamiliar voice answered from behind them.

“Ooh, what cake are you baking?”

A dopey woman replied.

Branch: “I was thinking cheesecake!”

They beamed up at the tall and slim woman towering over them both. She had long, flowing crimson hair, rose-porcelain skin, and droopy blue eyes with long lashes beneath them. She wore an orange headband, an ivory-white blouse with bell sleeves, and a long, flowing orange skirt with mushroom prints.

Branch: “Wow, your hair is so red!”

They gasped, enamoured by her, having never seen anyone with red hair and pale skin before, let alone anyone with such enormous feet.

Lake: “WHO the hell are you and what the hell are you doing here?!”

He snapped and stood protectively in front of Branch, pulling them away from her. But the woman just smiled and laughed.

Woman: “Wow, cool, I’ve never met ghosts before! I’m Juniper!”

She chuckled and waved at them with her long red fingernails. Branch tilted their head.

Branch: “...Ghosts? We’re not ghosts?!”

They gasped, a bewildered look on their faces.

Juniper: “Oh, then why are you dressed like that?”

She curiously tugged at their ivory robes.

Branch: “Oh, we’re from Sun—”

Lake covered their mouth with his hand.

Lake: “That's none of your concern! What I’d like to know is why YOU are in our father’s home!”

He waved his hand as if he were warding off flies and pointed at her. Juniper stared at him for a moment before a wide smile spread across her face.

Juniper: “...Wait, this is your father’s home, too?!”

Her jaw hung agape at them. Lake blinked mutely.

Lake: “...What do you mean by TOO?!”

He gaped at her.

Juniper: “Well, this is also my father’s home!”

She nodded doggedly. Branch and Lake turned to each other.

Branch: “...Wait, he’s your father, too?!”

They tilted their head and locked their gaze on her. She looked nothing like our father or us, they pondered.

Juniper: “Whoa, you’re my siblings?!”

Lake looked at her, then at Branch.

Lake: “What the hell is going on here?”

“I would like to know the same thing.”

A deep woman’s voice interjected. They turned to see a woman resembling a dark shadow, her black clothing and makeup, leaning against the archway. She looked like a ghost, her pale skin framed by heavy black eyeliner spread across her face. She wore her raven hair in a shoulder-length A-line style with white ombre tips that resembled ice. Her almond-shaped violet eyes were the only colour she wore. Branch held their cat tightly, standing close to Lake as he stood protectively in front of them.

Branch: “...I-Is she a ghost?!”

They stammered. The woman dressed in black turned to Branch, eyeing them up.

Juniper: “Haha, no, Nari isn’t a ghost!”

She laughed. Nari twisted her mouth and shuddered at the room’s warmth.

Nari: “Eww, why is it warm in here?”

She groused and pulled out her black fan to fan her face. Juniper paused, held up her hand, noticed the warmth, and smiled.

Branch: “OH! That’s because I—”

Lake interjected, cutting them off.

Lake: “Just turned off the fireplace!”

He insisted, swinging his gaze over to the fireplace in the corner of the room. Branch looked up at their brother, looking confused. Nari gave them a suspicious look.

Nari: “What did I tell you about bringing vagrants into our home, Juniper?!”

She hissed with exasperation.

Lake: “Vagrants? YOUR home?! This is OUR home! Our father owns it!”

He snapped, his fury soaring. Branch recoiled at Lake’s fury.

Branch: “Whoa, whoa, be careful of your negative vibrations, Lake!”

They said gently, placing their hand on his shoulder. Lake pouted.

Juniper: “They're not vagrants, Nari! They're my ghost siblings!”

She waved her finger at her. Lake gaped at her like she had three heads. Nari narrowed her eyes at Branch and Lake, giving them scrutinising looks.

Nari: “You don’t look like Osennikovas to me.”

She scoffed dismissively.

Lake: “What is an Osennikova?”

He looked to both of them for answers.

Juniper: “That’s me! I’m Juniper Osennikova!”

She smiled and waved at them. Branch smiled and waved back.

Lake: “I never heard of anyone with the name Osennikova.”

He folded his arms across his chest.

Nari: “Seriously?! Do you live under a rock or something?!”

She gaped at them.

Branch: “No? We lived under the sun!”

Lake froze and gave them a look. Nari arched an eyebrow.

Nari: “Yes, we all unfortunately live under the sun.”

She said flippantly.

Nari: “They’re clearly lying, Juniper.”

Lake glared at her.

Lake: “We’re not lying! You’re lying!”

He protested, pointing at them accusingly.

Juniper’s head spun with confusion, not knowing what to think or believe.

Juniper: “Hmm… let’s see about that.”

She stomped the ground with her bare feet, and suddenly, like the roots of a tree, a wooden staff emerged from the earth and into her hands. The staff had amber jewels along a curved arch with orange mushrooms nestled along it. Ivory silk ribbon was woven along the top and bottom of the staff as if it had been broken.

Branch: “WOW! I’ve never seen Sortilege Majique like that before!”

They gasped with big doe eyes, mesmerised by her staff and the way she summoned it from below her. Lake’s mouth hung agape.

Juniper: “Oh, are you a wielder, too?”

She smiled at them.

Lake: “NO!”

He interjected. Nari swung her gaze to them, looking dumbfounded and curious.

Nari: “...You know of Majique, but you never saw a Harvestial-wielder?”

Branch’s eyes widened with intrigue. A Harvestial-wielder? They pondered.

Juniper rubbed her feet up against Branch and Lake’s feet and inhaled deeply as she gripped her staff. The tiny mushrooms swayed as if they were picking up signals from them. Branch shivered and giggled.

Lake: “HEY! What are you doing?!”

He yanked away from her, glaring. Juniper exhaled deeply.

Juniper: “They’re not lying about that, Nari. This is also their father’s home. They're telling the truth!”

She smiled. Branch’s eyes widened at her. How did she know that from our feet? They wondered.

Lake: “THANK YOU!”

He threw his arms up.

Juniper: “Which means they are my siblings!”

She smiled dumbly. Branch tilted their head, and Lake gaped at her.

Nari: “Your feet are broken like your staff, Juniper!”

She rolled her eyes. Juniper glanced down at her feet.

Juniper: “My feet aren’t broken.”

She pouted.

Lake: “Clearly, we’re talking about different fathers! Her father must have stolen it from our father while he was away!”

He huffed and glared at Juniper. Juniper scratched her head, and Nari pondered.

Nari: “That’s impossible. The man who lived here before the Osennikovas disappeared in the 1960s!”

Lake and Branch exchanged a look. Disappeared? They wondered.

“OH! Are you talking about that businessman guy?!”

A sing-song voice interjected as she skipped into the room with a basket of freshly picked flowers. They turned to see a chubby woman with a blonde wolf-cut shag and violet eyes. She wore a lace moss-green dress and a crown of daisies. Vibrant green and purple eyeshadow adorned her face.

Juniper: “Hey, Madelyn!”

She greeted her with a smile and a wave.

Lake: “Great, there’s another one of you here?!”

He huffed and rolled his eyes. Branch’s eyes lit up at her in her colourful attire, never having seen so much vibrant colour on one person before.

Branch: “...What’s a businessman?”

They tilted their head with curiosity. The woman fixed her gaze on Branch, amused by their question, enamoured by their delicate features, and curious about their manner of dress.

Madelyn: “Hahaha! You’re funny!”

She laughed and smiled at them. Branch tilted their head and smiled.

Nari: “Wow, you really did live under a rock.”

She clicked her tongue and shook her head.

Madelyn: “The guy who lived here before Juniper’s family was some famous businessman who went missing! I saw his stuff in the attic!”

She explained, pointing up. Branch and Lake looked at each other.

Branch: “Ooh, can we see it?!”

They clasped their hands, eager and curious. Madelyn nodded.

Madelyn: “Sure you can! Follow meeeee!”

She took Branch's hand and led them down the hallway. Branch giggled as they rushed through the hallway. They felt as if they were gliding through an air tunnel.

Lake: “HEY! GET BACK HERE!”

He snapped, chasing after them down the hallway.

~

Madelyn led them back down the hallway towards the stairwell. They followed her up the grand wooden staircase and up to the second floor. Branch leaned over the rails, getting a full view of the floor tiles and round carpet from above. Crimson-panelled walls surrounded them, with sconces along them. A passage around the stairwell led to a balcony behind the stained-glass door, with windows that lit the stairwell. Two rooms sat on either side of the balcony passage. Madelyn tapped Branch on the shoulder.

Madelyn: “Up here!”

She exclaimed, gripping the wooden railing of the spiral staircase behind them. A large, ornate rug lay at the centre of the passageway, with oak doors on either side. Madelyn held out her hand to Branch.

Madelyn: “You go first!”

She grinned at Branch.

Branch: “Oh, okay!”

They stepped onto the wooden step. Madelyn smirked up at the view of their feet from below the stairs, then pulled out a feather and tickled Branch’s foot between the steps. Branch gasped and clung to the railing, pealing with giggles.

Branch: “H-Hey! HAhahahahahahahHahaah!”

Suddenly, the feather was yanked from Madelyn’s hand as Lake caught up with them.

Lake: “What are you doing?!”

He hissed.

Madelyn: “Aww, I was just having fun!”

She poked her tongue out. Branch reddened and giggled.

Lake: “I will go after Branch!”

He pushed ahead, following after Branch.

Madelyn: “Aww, you're no fun.”

She laughed and pouted, stamping her foot.

~

They reached the top of the spiral staircase leading to the attic. Branch looked around the room and at the view from above with awe. Dusty clutter filled the dark space. At the centre was a triangular room inside the gable roof, perched at the top of the house. The sunlight cast a warm glow through the round stained-glass windows. A stack of dusty old boxes sat in the nooks and crannies.

Madelyn scurried over, pulled out a dusty portrait of a man with cerulean-blue eyes and dark, slicked-back hair, dressed in a grey suit and posed against a grey backdrop. Lake and Branch fell silent as they gazed upon his portrait.

Lake: “...That’s not him!”

He twisted his mouth. Branch reached into their hood and pulled out an old family photo. It depicted them and Lake as children with their parents, sitting together under a large mystical tree in the mountains, dressed in ivory clothing with sun markings. Their mother had long platinum hair, olive-tan skin, and amber eyes with catlike features and the eight-pointed sun marking on her chest. Their father wore his dark hair in a ponytail and a rugged beard; his cerulean-blue eyes matched the sky and were unmistakable.

Branch: “...Yes, it is. Look at his eyes.”

They stroked their fingertips across his face behind the dusty glass and held the photos side by side in the sunlight through the window. Madelyn peered over their shoulder, intrigued by what she saw. Their resemblance was unmistakable, but something about the family photo and setting piqued her curiosity, as it was unlike anything she had seen before.

Lake: “Put that away!”

He grabbed the portrait off Branch, tucking it into his cloak. Madelyn gazed at them with curiosity and intrigue. Who are they?! And where are they from?!

Nari peered up from the stairs.

Nari: “So, your father was Nikolai Sabatini?!”

Lake and Branch both turned to her like startled deer in headlights.

Branch: “Huh? No, his name is River, and he only has one name!”

They tilted their head.

Nari: “Interesting…”

She stroked her chin.

Lake: “...Why do you know that name? What do you know?”

His eyes followed her as she emerged into the room like a shadow.

Nari: “I’m more curious about how you don’t know. The disappearance of Nikolai Sabatini is a very well-known case in Osolaris…”

She pressed them, picking up Nikolai’s photograph and studying it.

Nari: “He went missing twenty-five years ago now… making you the right age to be his children, and no doubt you bear his resemblance.”

She added, scrutinising the photo of Nikolai and his striking resemblance to them.

Nari: “Yet somehow you never heard of this case, despite being his children? Strange. VERY strange indeed!”

She stroked her chin dramatically. Lake and Branch exchanged a look.

Nari: “So then, where is Nikolai now, and why did you come here now after all this time?”

She pressed them with curiosity.

Madelyn: “Yeah! Where did you come from, and what’s with the robes, haha?”

She tugged on Branch’s robe. Nari turned to her. Good question, she thought.

Branch: “Oh! He’s on his way here with our mother! We came from S—”

Lake went pale as a sheet and covered Branch’s mouth with his hand.

Lake: “Would you excuse us? We need to talk in private!”

He interjected with urgency. Nari stared at them both for a moment.

Nari: “Alright, fine.”

She exhaled sharply.

Nari: “Come on, Madelyn, let us leave.”

She sauntered back down the spiral stairs, her heels clanking on the iron steps.

Madelyn: “Haha, lettuce leaf!”

She snorted as she left with her. Branch giggled.

Branch: “She’s funny!”

Lake rolled his eyes.

Lake: “Don’t trust them!”

He marched to the stairs, closed the latch door, and pushed a box over it.

Lake: “You can’t tell them who we are or where we’re from!”

He warned them firmly.

Branch: “Huh? Why not?”

They tilted their head. Lake narrowed his eyes at them and drew a breath.

Lake: “Ziru ir noi jen! Barr lok ra kor par ore nul!” (You know why! We can’t trust outsiders!)

He replied in an ancient-sounding language and glanced down at the latch below their feet.

~

The three women stood below the spiral stairs, listening in.

Nari: “What are they up to?”

She narrowed her eyes through the crack of light in the floor above as she heard them switch languages.

Juniper: “Oh, they’re up in the attic!”

She smiled dumbly and pointed up at the ceiling. Nari rolled her eyes.

Nari: “Yes, and that is suspicious. They’re up to something…”

She stroked her chin.

Juniper: “I can’t make out what they’re saying; they’re talking in another language!”

She exclaimed.

Madelyn: “I never heard people talk like that before!”

She leaned up against the panelled wall, thinking of that strange family photo.

Nari: "How curious…”

She leaned in closer to the latch door to listen in, fanning herself with her black fan.

~

Lake paced around the attic as the sunlight grew dim and night approached.

Lake: “Tuk zu quo, zu eneg em ta hul!” (If they knew, they’d drain our energy source!)

Branch knit their eyebrows and recoiled.

Branch: “Y… Ravi cau zur…” (Yes… Ravi had warned us…)

Lake held up the portrait of Nikolai in his suit.

Lake: “Ziriuo nezi ore nul geo! Zuri neam w mu ey zu a em!” (We need to blend into the outside world. Our names will bring too much attention to us and reveal too much!)

He declared, picking up a dusty old magazine and leafing through it. The magazine cover read ‘Osolaris Times’ and featured a splash page of big names and faces.

Lake: “...Blake.”

He pondered, staring at the name on the page.

Branch: “Ooh! It’s like your name with a B!”

They exclaimed.

Lake: “That name is better than my name. I always hated my name.”

He grumbled.

Lake: “So, my name will be Blake now!”

He declared and smiled a bit.

Branch: “Alright, Blake!”

Branch stared down at the list of names on the magazine cover. They didn’t feel like a ‘Kylie’ or a ‘Chad’. They pondered for a moment, scanning the room for names, and then they saw it. A small cat collar with a bell sat in the dusty corner, with a silver name tag engraved with the name ‘Ashley’.

Branch: “Ooh! I want this name! I wanna be Ashley!”

They declared, holding up the cat collar. Blake gaped at them.

Blake: “You want to be named after a cat?!”

Branch eagerly nodded.

Branch: “YES!”

They beamed, cuddling Stella in their robe.

Blake: “Alright, Ashley, it is.”

He smiled and nodded at them.

Ashley: “Alright, Blake!”

They winked at him.

Blake: “Or zur lieu ez domcas!” (Now, we have to get them out of our house!)

He pointed down toward the stairs. Ashley sighed and bowed their head.

Ashley: “B dwas wi tuk i?” (But where will they go?)

They protested.

Blake: “Th no zui xa! I sol ten seiv u!” (That's not our problem. I only care about protecting you!)

He said firmly, placing his hand on their shoulder. Ashley smiled a bit, but couldn’t help but feel bad for them.

~

When they heard the attic latch click open, the three women scurried away like cats. Blake came down from the attic, and Ashley followed behind him.

Juniper: “Ooh, what are you up to, Blake and Ashley?!”

She smiled at them. Ashley gasped, and Blake frowned.

Ashley: “Wait… How did you know my name was Ashley?”

They gaped at her. Blake drew a breath.

Blake: “Because they were eavesdropping.”

He folded his arms and glared at them.

Juniper: “I can hear you with my feet…”

She bent forward and glanced down at her feet. Blake arched an eyebrow at her. What a strange woman, he thought.

Ashley: “OH! Can your feet understand Ancient Osolarian?”

They gasped. Blake gaped at them both.

Juniper: “No.”

She shook her head in confirmation.

Blake: “Good.”

He deadpanned with relief.

Nari: “How do you know the ancient language of this land?!”

She gaped at them both.

Blake: “We read a lot of books.”

He interjected.

Nari: “What are you hiding from us?”

She slowly folded her arms across her chest, eyeing them with suspicion. Ashley froze and swallowed hard.

Blake: “Mind your own business! We don’t have to tell you anything!”

He countered, standing in front of Ashley.

Nari: “You do when you’re in our house.”

She stood between Madelyn and Juniper.

Blake: “It’s OUR house!”

He fired back, gesturing to himself and Ashley. Nari swung her gaze to Ashley.

Nari: “We have our ways of making you talk…”

She smirked and stroked her chin, and the women snickered together. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Blake: “...What is that supposed to mean?!”

He huffed.

Nari: “Bind them!”

She commanded, clicking her fingers. Madelyn raised her hands above her head, swaying them as she summoned a wooden staff. It had a ‘U’-shaped tip with a lilac orb at the centre of it, with purple wisteria draping down it. Ivy vines wrapped around the handle, with a purple amethyst at the base. She removed the crown of daisies from her head and waved her staff over them, transforming them into a daisy chain rope. Ashley’s eyes widened, mesmerized by her Majique energy; it felt different from Juniper’s and their own.

Ashley: “OH! You’re a Sortilege, too?!”

Madelyn chuckled and swung her daisy-chain rope above her head, throwing it around Ashley and pulling them into her arms.

Ashley: “O-Oh, my stars!”

They gasped breathlessly as they were pulled into her arms.

Madelyn: “Yep, that’s right, I’m a Vernal-Wielder!”

She whispered into their ear. Branch giggled as her whisper tickled their ear.

Blake: “HEY!”

He rasped and tried to charge at them, but roots shot up from the wooden floorboards and wrapped around his ankles. He turned to see Juniper, tapping the base of her staff on the floor.

Juniper: “Don’t worry! I got you!”

She smiled at him.

Blake: “WHAT DID YOU DO?!”

He rasped as he struggled to move.

Juniper: “You seemed tense, so I grounded you to the earth.”

She smiled and clasped her hands together, taking a deep breath.

Blake: “Of course I’m tense! I’m surrounded by YOU!”

He groaned and struggled in his rooted bonds, glaring at the women. Madelyn chuckled with amusement.

Madelyn: “Haha! Relax!”

She skipped over to him and threw another daisy chain around him.

Madelyn: “Boop!”

She poked his nose and laughed. Blake glared at the three women. Nari stepped forward, locking her gaze on Ashley and Blake, bound by daisy chains.

Nari: “Bring them into the crypt! OH HO HO HO HO HO!”

She placed her hand to her mouth and chortled dramatically like a cartoon villainess. Madelyn laughed along, and then Juniper chimed in.

Ashley: “T-The crypt?! That doesn’t sound good!”

Ashley swallowed hard and knitted their eyebrows, and Blake’s fury soared.

~

The three women dragged Ashley and Blake back down the stairs into the grand entrance stairwell, now dark except for a glimmer of moonlight through the window.

Blake: “LET US GO!”

He protested as they ushered them to the other staircase, tucked away and hidden like some forbidden secret. The temperature dropped as they descended deeper into the basement, their footsteps creaking on the wooden floorboards.

Ashley: “Shiver me whiskers! It’s like winter down here!”

They shuddered at the cold air, seeing their breath in front of them. Madelyn chuckled at their cat pun. Blake groaned and shivered.

They entered the dark basement apartment, which resembled a dungeon with rustic brick walls and stone floors. Ashley marvelled curiously at the moon crystals running along the tops of the stone walls, casting a purple neon glow in the dark room. An archway led into a kitchenette, and a small reading nook sat by the wine cellar, with a black divan chair and a bookshelf. The air was crisp with a faint scent of incense, and the low humming drone of dark wave music seeped from behind the black wooden door at the bottom of the stairs.

Blake: “What are you going to do to us?!”

He glared at the three women.

Nari: “We’re going to torture you, of course!”

She chortled, approaching the door.

Ashley: “Oh no!”

They whimpered and clung to their cat.

Blake: “WHAT? You wouldn’t dare!”

He rasped, struggling in his bonds. Nari kicked the door open with a thud, leading them into a dark room with mirrors on the stone walls. Ashley eyed the furniture with curiosity and apprehension. It was not like anything they had seen before. Swinging chains hung from the ceiling, and a plank of wood was plastered on the wall like a trophy, with holes in it. A large black leather chair with straps sat beside wooden stocks at its base. A black glass cabinet sat in the corner of the room, filled with books and what looked like potions.

Blake: “What the hell is this?!”

His jaw hung agape, and his head spun with confusion. Ashley swallowed the lump forming in their throat.

Madelyn: “Aww! Don’t be scared!”

She petted Ashley’s head. Ashley smiled a bit, feeling at ease.

Nari: “NO! Be afraid! Be VERY afraid!”

She taunted, grabbed Ashley by the daisy chain rope, and dragged them over to the large black chair. She strapped Ashley into the chair with cuffs around their wrists and ankles. Ashley gasped as their heart thundered in their chest.

Blake: “HEY! What are you doing to them?! BRANCH!”

He rasped, glaring at her as he struggled in his daisy chains.

Nari: “...Branch?”

She quirked an eyebrow and looked around for a branch. Blake froze when he realised what he slipped out. Ashley shifted their eyes, looking around the room.

Ashley: “...O-oh, that’s not a branch, that’s a chain…hahaha.”

They laughed awkwardly at the chain hanging off the ceiling. Nari blinked mutely.

Nari: “You two are VERY strange.”

She clicked her tongue and shook her head.

Lake: “We’re the strange ones?!”

He laughed bitterly, looking around the room.

Madelyn: “We’re ALL strange!”

She twirled around on her heel as her skirt breezed around her.

Nari: “Take him away, Juniper! Do whatever you have to with him!”

She waved her hand dismissively at Blake, pointed to the room next to them, and said nothing. Juniper smiled and nodded, skipping over to Blake.

Juniper: “Okeydokey! Come along with me now!”

She sang as she dragged him by the daisy chain. Nari twisted her mouth.

Nari: “You’re supposed to be menacing, Juniper!”

She huffed, stamping her foot.

Juniper: “Oh, right! Ooohhohoooooo! Come along nooooowww!”

She hollered in a ghost impression, dragging Blake out of the room. Nari sighed and rubbed her forehead. She turned to see Madelyn petting Ashley’s head like a cat and holding their tabby in her arms.

Nari: “What are YOU doing!?”

She gaped at her.

Madelyn: “Petting the kitties!”

She beamed.

Ashley: “Meow!”

They chirped and relaxed to her touch like a cat would. Nari sighed again.

Nari: “Go watch Juniper! I don’t trust her alone with him!”

She pointed to the door.

Madelyn: “Why not? Juniper can be trusted!”

She frowned and placed Ashley’s cat on the couch.

Nari: “It’s not Juniper that I don’t trust!”

She said sincerely, dropping her dramatic demeanour for a moment.

Madelyn: “Alright, alright, fine!”

She pouted and sauntered out of the room. Ashley tilted their head.

Nari sighed and shook her head, turning back to Ashley.

Nari: “Now, where were we?”

She smirked at Ashley.

Ashley: “Oh, uhh, you were going to let me go bake a cake?!”

They stammered with a hopeful smile.

Nari: “Hahaha, nice try.”

She chuckled, turning toward the gothic mirror mounted on the stone wall; she summoned a deep purple staff that materialised beneath the silvery moonlight. At its crest sat a glowing crescent moon framing a raven’s silhouette, with amethyst jewels embedded in the steel and cascading down its length. As a sudden frost swept through the room, the temperature plummeted, leaving Ashley shivering against their iron restraints.

Nari: “Now, let’s see if you can survive my most powerful Hivernal brew!”

She chortled, picked up a glass of water, and poured it into a glass potion bottle with a raven feather tied to it. Hivernal?! Survive?! Ashley’s heart hammered in their chest.

Ashley: “W-Wait, what do you mean by survive?!”

They stammered, a mix of fear and confusion. Nari hummed as she swirled the water, waving her staff over it until it turned a deep shade of purple, matching her eyes.

Nari: “Oh ho ho ho! You will see!”

She chortled wickedly, placing her fingertip under Ashley’s chin as she poured the potion directly past their lips.

Ashley shrieked as the cold potion slid down their throat and they felt their entire body convulsing, and a glittering purple glow enveloped them.

Ashley: “W-What did you give me?! What is happening to me?!”

They cried and stammered as a tingling sensation swarmed around their feet, shooting up to their legs and tummy. It felt like purple glitter particles were tickling them all over.

Ashley: “Hahah haHAHA HAH AHEHEH EHEH EHEEEE! W-WHAHAHAT’S GOING ON?! WH-WHAT IS THIHIHIHIHIHIHISI?!!”

They screamed and squirmed as the tingling sensation shot up through their neck and took over their entire body.

Nari: “Oh my, we haven’t even begun. I’m not even touching you.”

Nari pulled out her black feathered fan with a graceful flick and fluttered it against her reddened face.

Nari: “This is my magnum opus — Ticklemore!”

She announced, holding her potion up under the moonlight and admiring her work with pride.

Ashley: “HAHAHAHAHAHAH O-OH MY STARS! HAHAH EHE HEEHEHEHEHEH!”

They gasped with helpless laughter.

Nari: “You are going to tell me everything we need to know!”

She grinned, tracing her feathered fan across Ashley’s chest.

Ashley: “HAHAH AHHE EHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEEEEEEE heHEHhehheh OH-OH MY STARS! HEHHEH EHE EH AHA HAEHEHEHEHHE!”

They thrashed in their bonds, rasping with laughter.

Nari leaned in, grabbing Ashley’s writhing wrist, intending to secure their hands, when something caught her eye under the pale moonlight.

Nari: “...What’s this now?!”

She brushed her fingertips over their distinct sun marking on their thumb, barely able to make it out in the dark.

Ashley: “O-oh, uh, nothing!”

They stammered and shivered with laughter, curling their toes.

Nari: “I’ll just have to torture you until you tell me!”

She taunted, tickling them all over with her feathered fan. Ashley threw their head back with a mighty gasp.

Ashley: “HAHAH AHA HAH AHAAHAH HAHAHA HOHOHOHOOHOHHEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEEEEE HAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAAH HAHAHAHAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH HAH AHAHA HAHAHAH! OH-OH-HOHHHOHOHOHOHOHOGOD! OH OHOHOHEHEH AHAHAHAHAHAHA EHEHEEHEEEEEEE!”

They scrunched their toes and flopped in their bonds, gasping for air.

~

Meanwhile, Blake was tied to a chair in an empty stone room. Madelyn and Juniper sat on either side of him on wooden stools.

Blake: “ASHLEEEEEY!”

He hollered out, thrashing in his daisy chains as he heard Ashley’s cries through the walls.

Juniper: “Oh, don’t worry, you’ll get your turn, too!”

She teased, trailing her fingers across his feet.

Blake: “HAHAAHAHAahahaha, STOP THAT!”

He snapped and glared at her, squirming helplessly in his daisy chain restraints.

Madelyn: “Okay, so you're clearly not a Common-folk! But you're also not Vernals or Harvestials like me and Juniper either…”

She pondered, recalling how bewildered Blake and Ashley looked when they saw their Majique earlier

Madelyn: “And you can't be Hivernal-Wielders. You're nothing like Nari, and you complained about the cold!”

She laughed.

Madelyn: “So, what are you then?!”

She withdrew a big fuchsia-feathered sword and pointed it at him.

Juniper: “Oh, they’re Sole-wielders!”

She chimed in with a cheerful smile and waved her hand. Blake and Madelyn both turned to gape at her.

Madelyn: “...Sole-Wielders?!”

Her eyes widened. Blake’s heart sank, and he slumped in his seat.

Blake: “Great. Bra — Ashley told you.”

He huffed. Juniper shook her head.

Juniper: “Nope! Your soul told me when I read you with my feet in the kitchen!”

She exclaimed, holding up her foot. Blake drew a long breath.

Blake: “...Your weird friend was right; your feet are broken!”

He said quickly.

Madelyn: “WOW! Sole-Wielders are real?!”

She gasped, poking at him and tugging at his robe.

Blake: "Stop that! I am NOT a Sole-Wielder!"

His voice rose with defensive fury.

Madelyn: “Where have you been all this time?!”

She pressed him. Blake sighed and bowed his head in defeat, searching for an answer, when Ashley’s laughter reverberated off the stone wall between them.

Ashley: “SUNSHIRE!”