The Devil's Cursed Witch

"You visited my residence?" Evanthe asked.

"Yes, and I am sure I felt a certain pull there which came from the Camellia flowers preserved there, which carry a part of your power, Lady Evanthe. I felt a pull from them."

"I do have some flowers preserved there with my powers," Evanthe replied.

"The moment I touched those flowers, I heard the three women talking. They even called each other by names the same as you two, while I do not know the name of the third woman. It was more like someone's memory, and I could only hear the voices."

Sierra visibly shook to hear as if what was hidden till now, was going to be uncovered.

While Evanthe asked, "What was the talk about?" She was sure what Ember said had some meaning to it.

"The third woman was in pain, and she was asking both of you for help. She said she was scared of the power she possessed, she was getting pulled into the abyss of darkness. She said she was losing herself. She was scared she would one day destroy everything. She was crying." As Ember recalled, her eyes turned moist, as if she could feel the pain of that woman.

"Lady Evanthe, you even assured that you and Lady Sierra would help her and protect her, that she will be fine. She was in pain."

Evanthe tried to recall and said, "I do not have recollection of any such memory," and then looked at Sierra, who was unusually silent. "Sierra, can you recall it?"

"I... am not sure either," Sierra answered, hesitation clear in her voice.

"That third woman," Ember mumbled, "It was that green-eyed woman I saw in my dreams… a Deity of Fire…" Ember's words trailed off as she had a realization now. "...that third woman was me in my past life…"

Evanthe was taken aback, "Your past life as a deity of fire? It makes sense that Sierra was there as she was a deity previously but not me. Moreover I am sure I had not met Deity of fire ever in my life. You seem to have mistaken. ."

"No, I am not," Ember said, her confidence growing at her own discovery, "I am sure it was you, Lady Evanthe. It was the similar pull that I am feeling from you at this moment as if I have known you for a long time but I can't recall it. I feel the same towards Lady Sierra."

Evanthe turned to Sierra, her mind puzzled, "Sierra, won't you say something?"

"I am not sure what to say, Evanthe," Sierra spoke helplessly, "We better focus on helping Ember with her power so I can help my daughter, and then you also have a responsibility to cure your friend."

"What are you hiding from me, Sierra?" Evanthe insisted as she recognised the change in Sierra, "Is the memory Ember witnessed, is it right or is there a mistake in it?"

In response, Sierra remained quiet.

"Sierra, I want an answer," Evanthe spoke coldly, her voice raised.

"I will be punished by heaven if I say anything and we will be discovered," Sierra answered. "I, or anyone from heaven, is not allowed to say anything."

"You said the same thing when it was about Ember," Draven spoke. "You said her existence was wiped out from Heaven and you can't say anything. Why does it feel the same about Evanthe?"

Evanthe's gaze remained on Sierra. "We have been together for so long, Sierra. You are my dear friend, and we have been helping and protecting each other all along. Is it wrong for me to expect some answers from you?"

"Evanthe, it's not like I want to hide it from you intentionally. Heaven follows certain rules. If I break them, it will only put all of you in danger. I never feared punishment, but I fear putting my friends in danger. Be patient. Do not ask me anything.

We know we can't let them discover the existence of Ember."

Evanthe calmed down as she inhaled deeply. Her mind was a whirlwind of questions. "Alright. At least tell me the memory Ember said, is it exactly how she had said and concluded?"

Sierra nodded. "Now, what you were doing in Ember's past life, you are smart enough to guess it on your own and without making me speak it."

Evanthe's fingers clutched her dress, she exhaled through her mouth to calm herself. She stood up abruptly, "You continue talking. I need some time alone."

No one stopped her, and Evanthe disappeared from her place.

Ember, feeling apologetic at the turn of events, turned to Sierra who sat there helplessly. "Lady Sierra, I didn't mean to…"

"It's alright, Ember," Sierra interrupted calmly, "Truth is like flowing river water. You can obstruct it for a while, but one day it makes its way to the other side even if it means through the tiny cracks. Do not blame yourself," Sierra assured.

Draven caressed her hand, offering her an assuring gaze that there was nothing to worry about.

"She needs some time alone," Draven spoke, as he knew his old friend better.

"Will she be alright?" Ember asked worriedly.

"She is not the one to be shaken so easily. She will return soon," he assured. "She is the strongest of us all for a reason, not because of her powers but her ability to endure and understand even the worst situation with a calm and rational mind."

Ember then turned back to Sierra, "Can I ask you something, Lady Sierra?"

"Go ahead."

"In that memory, you two were saying the third woman's name again and again, but I could not hear it. There was another vision of that woman I had when she swore to take a revenge on Heaven, but even then I could not hear her name. It's as if something was stopping me from hearing it. Is it what I said or I just missed hearing it?" Ember asked.

Sierra replied, "Maybe king Draven can explain it to you," Sierra stood up, "We can continue this talk once Evanthe returns."

Draven nodded and Sierra left.