Chapter 322: Gathering of groups (2)
"Hurry up."
Jade hissed at Cyantha, who was far below her, as she climbed up the old vine, dangling from one of the main branches above.
"I. am. trying," Cyantha hissed back. Every child learned not to shout in the dark. They learned the risk of attracting unwanted attention at a young age.
Although it would bring them too close to the village, it was the safest route they knew of. They discovered this route by chance, in search of herbs and food. For many, foraging was a basic skill rather than a specialty in the city of changing colors.
Close to the city, more than a hundred main branches and even more side branches sneaked around. But as the distance increased, the branches started to veer off and go in various directions, with increased space between two subsequent branches.
The citizens, even those with a shady past, steered clear of these parts of the tree. The rumors and stories about the Witch and the darkness she left behind, terrorized the lives and sleeps of everyone living around here.
Only people like Jade and Cyantha, desperate and without guardians keeping track of their whereabouts, visited these places.
Jade reached the top at first. She hoisted herself up but a sense of dread filled her. Suppressing the shiver down her spine, she lifted her head. There. The all-devouring darkness stood before her.
All traces of life, light, and sound disappeared. The darkness seemed to enlarge and envelop her.
"Jade?"
"Jade."