The End

Thunder cracked and lightning flashed in the night sky, the sound of rain pouring from dark, angry clouds filling the trees of the woods below. There was a light in the dark, caused by three large bonfires, surrounded by a group of smaller fires. Torches in the night. The lights highlight the faces of angry townsfolk and a dark village deep in the forest. A man was chanting in the night to the surrounding crowd. "As their bodies become ash, their souls rise to the heavens, to salvation. These witches made a mistake in life, but as they leave their lives through the holy fires, they are forgiven their misdeeds."

The crowd bowed their heads and nodded along as the fires began to dim in the rain. The witches had caused many issues in their small village. Some people would get sick just in time to miss an important meeting, others would die unexpectedly and their land would be taken to auction rather than given to their next of kin. Some farmers would experience a drought in their fields while others would prosper with higher yields than usual. Some of the witches would use their power to lure married men away from their wives and children. All around, witches weren't a cause of joy. Then the religious leaders came and told the villagers of a way to spare them a witch's wrath as well as save their souls.

The man who was preaching to the crowd looked around, "Unfortunately, these three were not the only witches in this small hamlet. There is another among you. Though it appears she is not physically with you tonight. Perhaps she knew she would be next." The man grinned as the people around him glanced about, trying to find out who was the missing witch. A murmur broke out in the crowd as they talked among themselves.

"Clara isn't here. Does that mean she is the witch?"

"It can't be. She has done nothing but help the people of this village."

"She gave us medicines for our illnesses and plants to keep the mosquitos away."

"Perhaps she knew those things because she is a witch."

"Why else wouldn't she be here?'

"She was always against the burnings, always claimed people were innocent."

"She must be a witch then."

"Has to be."

The murmur grew to a dull roar as the crowd began to get angry, feeling betrayed. They had trusted her, and here she was, destroying them from the inside. The preacher looked around with a contented smirk before separating from the crowd and heading back into the woods.

Their shouts carried into the night, far enough to be heard back at Clara's cabin. She was livid, tears streaming down her porcelain face. She had thrown her hair up into a messy bun and pinned it in place with an ornate hair piece. Her bright green eyes scanned her surroundings, trying to make sure she had everything she needed. On top of her bed was a sack that was stuffed with some clothes and candles. There was a wrapped bit of cloth that contained some bread and a wedge from a cheese wheel. A sheathed dagger was tossed into the mix as well. She quickly moved to take a bundle of herbs down from where she had hung them in the window, tossing it into the sack before going to grab another bundle from her desk drawer.

A raven landed on a tree branch outside of Clara's cabin and crowed loudly until she turned to look. Her face grew dark as she looked towards her front door then back to the raven. "Thank you, I will be gone shortly, I just have to make sure I have everything. I just don't understand what he wants with me, what did I do to him?" She sighed in exasperation before snatching some tomes from her bookshelf and shoving them in the sack before pulling the drawstring closed and tossing the sack over her shoulder. Her leather shoes padded on her shabby wooden floor as she strode towards her back door. She stopped short, her ears perking up to listen to the air around her. There were footsteps heading towards her cabin, treading quietly.

"That bastard. How dare he come in and pretend to be a holy man. He led them to kill innocents, and now he has the nerve to come after me." With a snarl, Clara pushed out of her back door and took off deeper into the woods, the footsteps behind her came faster, taking up the chase. The rain clouds covered the light of the moon while the rain made the forest floor treacherous. Clara slipped on wet leaves, which caused her to trip over some roots. She hit the ground, hard, causing her to let out a groan. As she stood back on her feet and opened her eyes, they were now a glowing green that helped her see the woods around her as she bolted forward again.

After what felt like only a few moments, a shadow moved in the woods in front of her. She slid to a stop and turned back to see the preacher behind her, a devious smirk on his lips. His brown hair laid long and limp down his back in a wet braid. The coal in his eyes were lit with a malicious spark that created not warmth, but a chill that ran down Clara's spine. "Trying to run? It won't help."

"Graven. Why are you doing this? What have I or the others ever done to you?"

"You see, sweet Clara, you stand in the way of a great future. One where the greats stay great and the peasants stay peasants."

"Why would you want a future like that? Why do you wish suffering on others?"

"We need the humans weak and docile if we want them as or servants. If we allow them to better themselves then we risk them rising up against us."

"And that's why you talked the village into murdering those poor innocent people? They weren't even witches."

"Well, the child was, but can't risk her trying to look up to you, now can we?"

"You… monster." Clara growled and balled her fists. Graven only chuckled in response. Suddenly Clara was thrown back by an invisible force into a tree. There was a crack as she fell to the ground and groaned.

"You are going to die tonight, Clara. I do hope you have said your goodbyes."

"If I do, I am taking you with me, bastard!" She threw out a hand and Graven was engulfed in flame. "I will defeat you!"

Graven cackled and extinguished himself with a wave of his hand then made a fist, crushing Clara with his powers. As her breath grew short and her vision began to fade, she muttered, "I will… defeat you."