SERA
They needed no coaxing. The moment I volunteered to go, the elder agreed readily. No one spoke of the custom we had. None of them mentioned that the maiden to be sacrificed was the one whose name got picked. They looked relieved to be finally getting rid of me.
Something they'd been trying to do for years. To them, they were killing two birds with one stone.
As I walked the path that led up the mountain, no wailing accompanied me. There was utter silence as they watched me, to make sure I wouldn't make a clear break for it.
Without turning, I knew most of them had smiles on their faces, especially the young girls my age. It excited them to know that they had been exempted from the fate that awaited them. After this year, the next selection would be for the youthful girls of eighteen and nineteen.
The demon lord was particular about the age he wanted. The women sent up should be at the age of eighteen and nineteen. The moment you reach 20, you are safe. You won't be subjected to the ceremony anymore.
The farther I walked up the mountain, the smokier it became. The fog was so thick, I couldn't see where I was going. Because the path seemed well-worn, I could climb without tripping on my feet.
The minute the fog covered me completely, I turned to look back. Though I was unable to see anyone, I imagined the villagers returning to their homes to celebrate.
No one will miss me. Aside from the animals and birds, I would have no one thinking of me and wishing me success. No one would burn incense on my name tablet, to pray for my safe ascension to heaven, or descent to hell, like they always said. To them, I was the devil's daughter. One who would return to him when I died.
I couldn't tell how long I walked. My feet started aching because of how worn my shoes were. I was scraping money to get another pair before the ceremony. Because of my impending death, I didn't bother changing it anymore.
The green gown I wore was the one my mom had on during her wedding. It was her favourite and the only thing of hers I had. I ran my hand through the silky material, sighing as I imagined my mother with me.
"Soon, mother."
I would leave this accursed world and meet my parents in the netherworld. We would live happily there, never to be disturbed by anymore. It would feel good not to be called a witch.
After more than an hour of walking up the mountains, through the fog, it gave way. I had to blink to get accustomed to the light. It seemed like I had stepped into the opposite of my kingdom.
It was daytime there, which meant the sun was still up. But there was nothing like that. In the peculiar grey sky was a round white ball.
Frowning at the unusual object, I scanned the place. I didn't know what I was expecting, a looming old castle with skulls strung on the walkway perhaps, but it wasn't what I saw.
It seemed like a normal village, with homes on either side of the paved road. Snow covered the zinc of the houses.
Once more, I was puzzled by how different the village was from the one I had just left. We were in summer, months before winter, but here it was winter.
Perplexed by everything, I took a step forward, looking around, searching for people. I rubbed my palms to keep myself warm as I continued down the street, my teeth chattering from the cold.
My gaze wandered around the houses. They shut the doors and windows. There was no one in sight, and I couldn't just walk up the front porch and rap on the door.
Frowning, I speculated where this was.
No one in the village mentioned another village with a different season, an hour from us. I wondered if I had somehow missed my way to the demon lord's castle and chanced upon a ghost village.
My feet made imprints in the snow as I hurried down the streets, rubbing my palms together. Had I known I would come to a place like this, I would have worn one of my cotton sweaters. It was summer back there, and I didn't expect a change of season.
Moreover, I wanted to die in my mother's dress.
Halfway down the street, I heard footsteps hurrying towards me. I froze just for a second. I didn't immediately turn, counting to ten before I did so.
A man, older than forty, stood a few paces away from me. Unlike me, he was putting on winter clothes, his entire body sheltered from the cold. He had gloves on and a head warmer to cover his hair.
"Good day, miss." He bowed, further stunning me. The action perplexed me. It'd been a long time since someone last bowed to me, and that was before my parents got killed.
"Who… Who are you? Where am I? Where is this town?" I asked, gesturing around the empty streets.
He smiled. "You must be a Maiden from the Scarlet town, no?"
"Yes. Yes, I am. I come from Scarlet town. I was the —"
"Forgive me for my lateness, my lady." He bowed once more, interrupting me before I could complete my words. "I was held up by some unforeseen nuisance. I'm glad you arrived with no problems."
"So… Are you here to take me to the mon — Your master?" I corrected.
He nodded with a smile. "If you will please, follow me." He turned and started heading back to the path I came from.
"Are you returning to my village?" I called out to him, frowning at his back.
"No. This is the way to our King's castle," he replied without turning.
Sighing, I followed the man. I have got nothing to lose. Should he turn out to be a scam, the best he would do was kill me, since I had nothing of value with me.
Deep in thought, I followed the man down the streets until he turned a corner. With a frown, I did the same thing, only to stop in my tracks when I saw a castle not too far from where we stood.
Puzzled, I wondered why I didn't see it when I stepped in. It was as if it magically appeared after I passed it. Turning to gesture for me to walk fast, the man hurried towards the bridge that led to the castle, one that I knew belonged to the demon king. The dark Lord, dark god or whatever they called him.