Estrella went back to her home at the top of Mt. Octover; blood was dripping from her forehead and side as she made her way through the forest like a drunk woman. She could hear the cawing ravens feeding on corpses.
She gritted her teeth, enraged after experiencing defeat from the bald priest. She didn't expect that there would be someone strong in this world who would intervene with her business. She had to recover from her wounds, and she'd never forgive that guy who gave her those injuries.
"That man, there's something mysterious in him. I have to find out where his power is coming from." Despite her pathetic situation, Estrella laughed out loud, and blood came out from her teeth.
Estrella had a plan in mind to go back to where she came from. She dreamed of becoming the strongest witch in the whole world, that everyone would kneel before her, serve, and worship her all their lives. Then, she would attack those monks when they least expect it.
"I'd destroy their hideout and make them regret what they did to me," Estrella laughed out loud like an old hag as she entered her wooden house. She put different kinds of potions in the large pot, stirred it up, and smelled it like she was cooking something delicious.
She saw the exact place where Callisto and Stalin went, as well as those monks who were practicing light magic. Estrella used a forbidden spell to open up a portal connected to the world of gods and goddesses. She had to reclaim her power to become stronger and attack those monks.
Estrella knew that their race would find it difficult to accept her after what she did, but she also knew that they were the only ones who could help her achieve her personal goal. She wouldn't hesitate to act kind to gain their trust again, despite the fact that beyond her facade lies an ugly, wounded, and bleeding soul, craving revenge from the people who hurt her.
Why would she be sorry for being a monster when those people didn't feel sorry for turning her into a monster? She thought while entering the portal.
A group of dryads was gossiping in a foreign language that ordinary humans couldn't understand when a portal suddenly appeared right in front of them. Their eyes turned wide, seeing a lovely, wounded lady come out.
"Estrella?" one of them asked, recognizing the woman as her childhood friend. "It's been a long time since you disappeared. What happened to you?"
"I need your help, Maya," Estrella replied in a weak voice. "I'm being chased by monks, and they won't stop until they have my head cut off."
"Why? What did you do?" Maya asked worriedly as she helped Estrella sit down on a magical rocking chair.
"I didn't do anything. It's them who kept destroying my territory. I am kind to them; I allow them to stay in my place, give them food to eat, allow them to take a nap, and lead them back to their homes when they get lost. But they only abused my kindness, and now they even inflicted pain on me," Estrella replied dramatically.
"Did the elders already know about this?" Maya asked, while the other dyads already left, afraid to be involved with Estrella's case. "If those monks are strong, you should ask for their help."
"I want to, but they have already evicted me from this place before. I don't know if they can accept me again after falling in love with a mortal who didn't even love me back. I am so pathetic," Estrella replied.
"It's been a long time already. They must have already forgotten what you did and forgiven you. You know, our race had never been cruel to anyone," Maya said.
Estrella inhaled deeply, thinking about Maya's words as she used healing magic to heal her wounds. Maya had been her close friend before, aside from Cryrie, another dyad she betrayed and turned into a bird, knowing that she would spill all her secrets if she didn't stop her.
"Now your wounds are healed, you must go to the elders' house and ask for their blessings. They might change their mind and give your power back," Maya said.
Estrella remembered her dark past. She had accidentally killed her own parents due to dark magic, and she didn't want to be held responsible for doing the crime, so she set up another nymph and killed her.
Knowing that she possessed some dark power that only a demon could have, the elders sealed her power in a tree that now grew darker. This tree kills anything and anyone that touches it, including birds and even ordinary creatures. That was how dangerous her power was, and if it was once unsealed, it would be the end of the world.
Estrella already attempted to reclaim her power many times, but the seal was strong enough, leaving her hopeless, and she decided to leave the place. But despite having no power, she could still use dark magic, as bestowed by the god of darkness who also hated her.
"That's impossible," Estrella replied, knowing that no matter what, the elders would never give her back her power, because they didn't believe she would use it righteously and for the good, because in their eyes it was inherently evil, and that was the reason they treated her like she was an outcast, and their hatred even increased when they found out she fell in love with a mortal guy.
"Nothing is impossible if you promise them you'll never use it to cause harm; show them that you've changed and repented for what you have done. Despite harm, I know that your power can also be used for good since everything has two sides," Maya said confidently.
"Thanks for always believing me, Maya. You've never let their judgment affect how you see me. Now, I need your help, since I know you're close to the elders and you are their favorite. I hope you'll help me convince them," Estrella said.
Maya remained silent for a while, thinking about the possible consequences if she conspired with Estrella. Although she was already strong, she also wanted to become stronger because she knew that having power would make her wishes come true, such as making the man she liked like her back.
"I got it. I'll help you regain your power, but on one condition," Maya replied in a serious tone.
"What's that?" Estrella asked.
"Once you've become powerful, you'll have to consider me as your right hand," Maya said, as her thirst for power had grown stronger.
"So you're willing to disregard the elders trust to become powerful?" Estrella laughed. "I didn't expect you to become this bad, Maya."
"I'm not bad. I just have my personal goal for doing this, and if you don't want to accept my condition, then we should part ways now." Maya turned to leave.
"Wait. Why won't you let me thank you first for healing my wounds?" Estrella asked, knowing that Maya could help her. "You'll be my right hand as long as you become loyal to me. I want you to know that I hate everyone who betrays me, and you might already have an idea of what I do to them."
"You turn them into animals, don't you?" Maya asked with a little sarcasm, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. "Are you planning to turn me into an animal too?"
"Without hesitation and exception," Estrella replied, showing her malicious personality as her index finger gently touched her chin. "Unless you remain loyal to me till death."
The elders were having a conversation when Maya entered the room. There was a large round table in the center of the room, where the elders and representatives of each region gathered to talk about the recent happenings in their areas. Everyone was confused by the sudden call of their leader.
"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?" Alena, an old woman with long, pointed ears that resembled an elf, asked. Her hair was already gray, and her face didn't look young anymore.
Maya settled down on the seat. She paused for a while before telling them that someone wanted to see them. After that, Estrella came out from the door, and everyone was shocked seeing her since they all thought she was already dead after a long time that she was gone.
"What is this exile doing here?" Dawin asked in mad tone. He was one of those representatives who was present during Estrella's eviction.
"Please calm down, Dawin," Alena said. "Let's listen to her intention first before we judge." She looked at Estrella and noticed that she had changed a lot.
Estrella was so young when she left their land, and now she didn't look that young anymore. It has been a long time already, and most of the elders who judged her had already retired from service.
"I came to ask if you'll allow me to live here again, since I didn't find where I truly belong in the world of humans. I just want to live peacefully, and I hope everyone here wouldn't treat me like an outcast," Estrella begged them.
Everyone murmured about the possible consequences if they allowed an exile to live in their kingdom again.
"We'll allow you. You're a goddess once and for all," Alena finally said, and everyone looked at her, thinking she made the decision so quickly.
"Isn't that too quick, Alena?" Dawin asked. "How would we know that she wouldn't cause trouble in our kingdom if we don't assess her before making a decision?"
"I know what I am doing, Dawin. Let's give Estrella another chance to live in our kingdom once again," Alena made the last word.
Everyone left the room in shock. They didn't expect that their leader would decide without hearing their opinions. It was so unfair for them that she didn't even allow a voting process before making a decision. They thought that perhaps she was involved in this case.
"Congratulations, you've succeeded in your first step," Maya congratulated her friend. "So, what's your next plan?"
"I'll tell you when the time is right," Estrella replied. It wasn't in her vocabulary to tell anyone about her plans, since she knew that it could backfire once she revealed it.
Estrella went back to her old house with a devilish smile on her face as she had succeeded with her first step. She knew that she'd achieve her goals soon, thinking that the current elders were fools.
The house she used to live in didn't look that much in shape as it had been abandoned for so long, but she finally felt like home again after living in a foreign country where nobody truly understood her. Estrella rearranged everything and organized the spread of books about dark magic, spells, and enchantments she used to study when she was younger, and now she had finally memorized them all.
"All I need now is to regain my power, and I'll become the strongest in this village. I'll make everyone kneel before me. I'll make them repent for how they treated me. I'll make them feel how they made me feel!" Estrella shouted as she sat down on her rocking chair.