Never Bend

Prologue

╔════════════╗
My vision...
Life continues whether we want it or not,
She continues to flow like a torrent.
Be ready to navigate murky waters,
Because she will carry you away
╚═════════════╝

The light of the crescent moon softly fades over the forest.

I stand alone at the entrance of a small hole, lost in this unfamiliar forest. The cavity is too small for an adult to walk comfortably. I am amazed by the sturdy roots anchoring the ground around me. The tree seems to be guarding a secret, creating an aura of mystery. The surrounding area is noticeably different from all the places I have come across in the last few days.

I am uncertain of my location. The bare trees and conifers remain silent, usually rustling when someone enters their territory. I am familiar with this behavior, having befriended a few trees back home. As the only child in the area, I had the opportunity to do so. They seldom communicate with mages, even the influential ones. I was fortunate to have such knowledgeable companions.

Here, they stand still, as if some magic washed their souls clean. I wonder who possesses such magic and why it was done. Any witch needs nature to help restore their source of power. From where I come, we nurture nature...

'What is this place?'

My eyes fill with water a property I ignore I had, and anxiety invades my body. This entire journey has been an adventure. The woman, whom my Dad asked me to call my mother, instructed me to remain here, hiding with the other kids. She had to go back and look for Dad; I miss him already.

While other children cry, I remain composed and do not allow my emotions to control me. I believe that crying is a sign of weakness and can corrupt the magic within. As I pull away from the others, I stand in the light of the moon.

Suddenly, a pair of hands grab my clothes. I attempt to run, but strong arms hoist my body into the air. I inhale, preparing to recite an incantation, but a hand covers my mouth, preventing any action.

My heart races uncontrollably in my chest."Shh," the person whispers in my ear. "Your mother will arrive shortly. She instructed you to remain concealed. Why are you here?" He asks in a stern tone, moving back to the other children.

I notice his dilated pupils with a red crescent growing in them. His wolf is ready to show itself if needed. Why is he so stressed about this trip? After the trip on those sealed barrels down the waterfall, we did not have any further adventures.

The sudden movement startles me, and I instinctively slap at his arms, wanting to break free.I see men and women are walking backwards  on their fours out of the hole. Among them is my mother. The tree roots are now forming a semicircle around the cave entrance and is gradually sealing its entrance. The crunching of the roots unites the witches  song and sway to the rhythm of the song.

The children, who had been hiding until then, run to the man's legs, trembling with fear.I step back a few feet, feeling trapped by the commotion. After finishing their chant, the cracks and tremors subsided, leaving the entrance completely concealed by roots and earth.While watching the action, I recognized the woman whom I was to call Mother among them.

All the adults rushed to their children. My mother's hood fell, revealing her true emotions. She rushed to me and buried her tear-streaked face in my chest. Kneeling on the floor, I felt her warm tears soak through my clothes. I pull away, unsure of what to do, I met her only a few hours ago and followed her as ordered by my father. She releases me and covers her devastated face with her hands, crumpling to the floor. Her cries become muffled. In a daze, I ask,