Chapter 338 - Sacrifice

Evelyn and Menedelia landed outside the abandoned manor in the middle of the forest.

Menedelia looked heavenward.

The sun is shining brightly in the sky above.

Suddenly the door opened as if the inhabitants of the manor were expecting some visitors.

The women held each other's hands and entered the door.

The moment they stepped inside, the door shut on its own.

Startled, Evelyn jumped on her feet.

The old couple appeared in front of them in their human form.

"Welcome back ladies!" the old woman said.

The old man smiled at Evelyn. "Daughter, you're back! It's nice to see you again after a long time!" he said.

Evelyn gritted her teeth furiously. "Where is your son? I need to see Rigor! I want to know where he hides my daughter!" she demanded.

The old woman sighed and extended her hand at Evelyn. "Come with me, I'll bring you to your daughter and to my son," she said.

"I'll go with you!" Menedelia spoke.

The old woman glared at her. "Mende, you stay where you are! My husband will watch over you! Don't do anything foolish this time or I will finally turn you into a lizard!" she warned her.

Evelyn's eyes widened in shock and stared at her companion. "M-Mende!? Is this you? B-but what happened to you?" she asked.

The old witch laughed. "Ah, so Mende didn't show her face to you after I cursed her and turned her into an old woman like me! Interesting! I told her to find you and bring you to me, that's the only time I'll remove the curse. I waited for her, but she never returned. Instead she endured her horrendous look through the years just to protect you. Mende is such a devoted friend to you! For some reason I admired her loyalty. She's a true friend indeed!"

Fresh tears emerged in Evelyn's eyes and she hugged Mende tightly. "I'm sorry, you have endured all these years. It's all my fault!" she said, crying hard.

Mende rubbed her friend's back. "Shh... it's not your fault. I'm the one who started it all!" she said.

The old witch rolled her eyes and snapped, "Girls, enough of the drama! You're here to save the girl, right? Let's not waste each other's time!" she shouted and addressed Evelyn. "Dear, come with me if you still want to save your daughter!" she said.

Evelyn reluctantly left her friend's side. Now she finally understood why she feels comfortable with the old woman's presence, it's been her friend Mende all along!

The old witch looked at her husband. "Mende is tricky, don't go easy on her if she is planning something!" she warned him.

The old man smiled. "Don't worry, I'll make sure she can't do anything while under my watch!"

He waved his hand swiftly, a mist of black smoke enveloped Mende. "You're not going anywhere! You're now my prisoner!" he said with a roar.

The old witch grabbed Evelyn's hands, they walked towards the end of the hallway.

"W-where are you taking me?" Evelyn asked.

"To the room where your daughter was imprisoned. Rigor is waiting for you there," the old witch replied.

"A-are you going to kill me and my daughter?" Evelyn asked.

The old witch shook her head. "Not really. I'm not a violent witch, just that sometimes things happened beyond my control. How about we make a peaceful deal? Let's not make things complicated. Let's keep things simple!"

Evelyn's brows furrowed. "What deal?"

The old witch heaved a sigh. "Simple, you just have to make a little sacrifice. Stay with my son Rigor, served him with all your heart and make him happy. In return, your daughter can go free and I will undo the curse I put on Mende. I can assure you that my son will leave your daugthers and your family alone as long you will stay in my son's side. You're the only one Rigor needs. You're the only one who can subdue the anger and vengeance in his heart. Your family will live a normal life, it only needs a little sacrifice from you. Think carefully and wisely, my dear. Your daughter and Mende's life entirely depends on your decision..."

Evelyn halted on her tracks and faced the old witch. "If I don't accept your deal... what are you going to do?" she asked.

"Well... my son Rigor will never stop harassing your entire family and he can be cruel you know. Don't wait for the time when he will literally lost his mind and kill you all. It's your choice, live with your family in constant fear or put everything to end, today! Your decision will affect everyone. As I've said earlier, sacrifice on your part is needed for the good of all. Are you willing to sacrifice yourself so that your family and loved ones can live a peaceful life?"

Evelyn released a deep sigh. She remembered that Mende told her that no matter what's going to happen, they have to stick to their plan so that the three of them can get out alive.

The old witch studied Evelyn's face for a few seconds, her eyes landed on the two silver necklaces around her neck, her eyes glimmered. She grinned in amusement, her right hand moved swiftly, removing the necklace from Evelyn's neck in lightning speed.

Oh, no! Evelyn's eye widened in shock. "Give me back my necklace!" she demanded.

The necklace suddenly disappeared from the old witch's hands.

Evelyn stared at the old woman's empty hands in despair. Her only hope is gone! What she's going to do now?

"The necklace is holding you back from deciding quickly that's why I took them away. Do you think you can get away from here by using the power of the necklace that's why you're hesitating to decide? Now that the necklace is gone, I'm sure you can finally decide! Do it now before I lose my patience!" the old witch said in an irate voice.

Fresh tears emerged in Evelyn's eyes. "Alright, I'll accept the deal!" she finally said in a defeated voice.

The old witch grinned triumphantly. "Good girl. Now let's go! Ah wait... my son is really angry right now. If you want to appease his anger, hug him right away and try to beg for forgiveness and tell him quickly that you want to make amends with him and you will stay by his side as long he will release your daughter. This way, Mende and your daughter can go home safely," she said.

Evelyn looked at the old woman. "Why are you telling me all this?" she asked.

"Because I know my son well, better than you do. Honestly, contrary to what you're thinking about us... the truth is... we want peace and quiet in our world. We rarely interacted with other beings. But you girls barged into our world and plunged my precious son's life into misery! If you want a safe and quick exit for your love ones then do as I say," the old witch said.

Evelyn sighed heavily. "Okay, take me to my daughter!" she said.

They continued walking and reached the end of the hall.

The old witch pushed the door open.

They stepped inside, the door closed behind them.

Inside the room.

Angela was sitting on the chair, both her hands and feet were bound by a rope to the chair and her mouth was gagged.

In another chair was Rigor.

Evelyn and Rigor's eyes met.

Rigor stood up.

Evelyn rushed to her daughter and hugged her tightly. "Daughter... I'm here to save you!" she said as fresh tears shimmered in her eyes.

"Evelyn do it now!" the old witch commanded.

Evelyn reluctantly left her daughter's side and went to Rigor, she dropped on her knees, raised her head, and looked at him with tears rolling on her face. "I beg you, Rigor! Please, release my daughter! I'm willing to serve you, just release my daughter safely!" she pleaded.

Rigor stared at his beloved woman's face for a few minutes, a glimmer appeared in his eyes. "Are you sure?"

Evelyn nodded her head. "Yes! Yes! I'm willing to serve you and stay by your side as long you released them!" she begged, sealing her fate. Her heart was breaking inside as she uttered those words that are against her will.

Rigor grinned happily. "Alright, now that you say the words willingly to me then from now on we will never be apart from each other!" he said. He gently assisted his beloved woman back on her feet. Then he wrapped his arms around Evelyn possessively. "I'll never let you go!" he whispered in her ears.

Evelyn looked at her daughter sadly and bid goodbye to her. "I love you daughter. Tell everyone back home that I love them!" she said.

A few seconds later, Rigor and Evelyn vanished from the room.

Suddenly, the old man and Mende appeared inside the room.

The old man waved his hand and the black mist surrounding Mende disappeared. "Go! Take the girl out of here!" he said.

"Move!" the old witch snapped.

Menedelia remained rooted on the spot, shocked that her friend is gone. "Where is Evelyn!?" she asked, she finally found her voice.

"She had chosen a new life with our son! No need to explain everything to you!" the old witch replied.

"I won't leave if you don't give Evelyn to me!" Menedelia shouted.

The old witch sighed. "Stupid girl as always! Fine, stay here and perished along with this place. This place will crumble into dust within a few minutes. If you stay here with the girl then it's no longer our fault! Don't say that we didn't warn you!" She waved her hand at Mende.

A few minutes later.

The old couple vanished from the room.

Menedelia has no time to find out if the couple is telling the truth or not about the destruction of the place. She must bring Angela to safety!

She rushed to the visibly shaken girl that was still securely tied to the chair. She grasped Angela's hand and initiated the teleportation process in her mind.

A few seconds later, they vanished from the room.