Chapter 170 Circle of witches

Chapter 170: Chapter 170 Circle of witches

Once they stepped outside the cottage, Eugene turned to face Rose.

He had been thinking about something for a while, and now that they were finally alone, he wanted to discuss it with her.

"Remember what Oliver said about Lamia?" he asked. "He mentioned that Lamia was supposed to rule over a group of witches. The Phoenix witches, I mean. They’re supposedly going extinct, and most of them are hiding."

Rose nodded slowly.

"Of course I remember. What about it?"

"Well, I’ve been thinking. What if we track down one of them? Maybe we could use their magic to help bring our companions back. And if we’re lucky, we might even convince them to join us in this brewing battle."

The moment Eugene finished speaking, Rose shook her head.

"No. Absolutely not."

Eugene frowned.

"You haven’t even heard the rest of my plan!"

"I don’t need to hear the rest. Do you have any idea what kind of people the Phoenix witches are?"

She crossed her arms, looking at him as though he had suggested walking directly into a dragon’s mouth.

"The only reason the witches of the West Coast seem so powerful right now is that the Phoenix witches aren’t around to challenge them. If the Phoenix witches were still at the height of their power, those West Coast witches would look like angels compared to them."

Eugene blinked.

"Angels?"

"Yes, Eugene. Angels!"

Rose threw her hands into the air.

"Those people are terrifying. They don’t simply hide in caves or disappear into the mountains. They can blend into ordinary society so well that you might live beside one for years without realizing what they are. And now that their numbers are dwindling, they’ve become even more secretive."

She stepped closer, lowering her voice.

"Tell me something. If we found one of them today and asked for help, do you honestly think they would welcome us with open arms?"

Eugene hesitated.

"Well—"

"No! They would probably roast us alive, and if we somehow survived that, they would finish us off afterward!"

Eugene swallowed.

That was certainly a vivid way of describing their potential welcome.

He hadn’t expected Rose to react so strongly, but the fear in her expression told him that she wasn’t exaggerating just to discourage him.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t ready to abandon the idea.

Not when Noah and the others were still missing.

He had made a promise to bring Ashton back, and he intended to keep it.

"What if we approach them differently?" he asked.

Rose stared at him suspiciously.

"Differently how?"

"We tell them their leader is missing."

Her expression changed slightly.

Eugene seized the opportunity to continue.

"Think about it. Oliver taught Lamia about the Phoenix witches. From what he said, they take their leaders seriously. They don’t abandon their own, especially someone as powerful as Lamia Alexandria."

He paused, gathering his thoughts.

"If Lamia really is meant to lead them into a new era, then his disappearance should be a major concern. We don’t have to demand their help immediately. We could tell them what’s happened and explain that finding Lamia might be in their own interest."

Rose didn’t answer at once.

She looked toward the trees, thinking through his suggestion.

As much as she hated to admit it, Eugene had a point.

The Phoenix witches might be dangerous, but they weren’t a group that could be ignored. If Lamia truly held the position Oliver had described, then her disappearance could affect the entire coven.

And if they cared about their leader as much as Eugene believed they did, they might be willing to cooperate.

That didn’t mean they would be friendly about it.

In fact, Rose was almost certain they wouldn’t be.

Finding them was another problem entirely.

The Phoenix witches had spent generations avoiding other supernatural factions. They could disappear into human settlements, assume different identities, and conceal their magical signatures. Even experienced witches had difficulty tracking them down.

Searching for them would mean traveling into the Quintorian Empire itself.

And the empire was currently the last place Rose wanted to visit.

The witches of the West Coast controlled much of its governance, and supernatural factions were constantly fighting for territory. With the blood moon approaching, tensions were likely to become even worse.

Walking into that chaos while searching for a hidden coven sounded like a perfect recipe for disaster.

"It’s a crazy plan, Eugene."

"I know."

"A completely insane plan."

"I heard you the first time."

"And there’s a very real possibility that we’ll be roasted alive before we even get the chance to explain ourselves."

Eugene gave her a tired look.

"Rose, if you keep repeating that, I’m going to start thinking you’re trying to scare me on purpose."

"I’m trying to make sure you understand the situation!"

"I understand it perfectly."

He paused.

"But we’ve tried everything else, and none of it has worked. We can’t keep sitting around waiting for a miracle. If the Phoenix witches have the kind of magic we need, then we have to at least try to find them."

Rose studied his face.

There was something almost frightening about Eugene’s determination.

He was exhausted, grieving, and carrying more pain than he cared to admit, yet he continued searching for a solution. Even after everything that had happened to his family and companions, he refused to give up.

Rose understood that feeling better than she wanted to.

She had spent months trying to summon Lamia, only to fail repeatedly. She had cried, screamed, and nearly exhausted herself trying to force her magic to work.

Perhaps it was time to stop repeating the same mistakes.

Perhaps an alternative was exactly what they needed.

She sighed.

"Fine."

Eugene’s eyebrows rose.

"Fine?"

"We’ll look for them. But don’t you dare act surprised if they try to kill us."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Noted."

"I’m serious!"

"So am I."

Rose rolled her eyes.

"Sometimes I wonder whether you’re brave or simply incapable of understanding danger."

"Probably a little of both."

Despite herself, Rose almost laughed.

It was the first time in a while that their conversation had felt even remotely normal.

However, before Eugene could begin planning their journey, another question came to mind.

He had heard about the witches of the West Coast and the Phoenix witches repeatedly over the past few months. Yet Rose had mentioned that there were other groups, too.

He wanted to understand what they were dealing with before walking into another dangerous situation.

"Wait a moment," he said.

Rose turned toward him.

"What now?"

"Are the West Coast witches and the Phoenix witches the only major witch groups? Those are the only ones I’ve heard about."

The amusement disappeared from Rose’s face.

Her expression grew serious, and for a moment, she seemed to be considering whether she should answer him at all.

"No," she finally said. "Those aren’t the only ones."

Eugene waited.

"When it comes to the most powerful and dangerous witch factions, there are three groups everyone should know about. The Dead Witches, the Phoenix Witches, and the Witches of the West Coast."

She held up one finger.

"First, there are the Dead Witches."

A strange chill passed through the air as she spoke their name.

"Those things are practically demons. Their skin is pale, almost like that of corpses, and their magic is unlike anything ordinary witches can perform. They specialize in dark, inhuman arts that aren’t even recorded in most human histories."

Eugene frowned.

"Things?"

Rose gave him a pointed look.

"That’s what I called them. And believe me, you wouldn’t want to meet one."

She continued before he could interrupt.

"They aren’t merely witches who happen to use dark magic. Their abilities are so unnatural that many supernatural beings regard them as evil entities. They have connections to the darkest forms of magic, and their rituals can produce things that should never exist."

Eugene felt his skin prickle.

He had already witnessed enough horrifying things in the supernatural world to last several lifetimes. The last thing he needed was another group of creatures that could make his existing problems look insignificant.

"And the Phoenix witches?" he asked carefully.

Rose’s expression became even more complicated.

"That’s where things get difficult. I don’t fully understand their powers or where their magic comes from. Their abilities are different from those of ordinary witches, and their limits are difficult to measure."

She paused.

"However, they’re formidable. Extremely formidable."

"And the third group?"

"The Witches of the West Coast."

Rose glanced toward the distant horizon.

"They use ancestral magic and often perform spells together as a coven. Their strength comes partly from their connection to their ancestors and partly from their ability to combine their powers. A spell cast by one of them might be manageable, but when an entire coven works together, the result can be devastating."

Eugene nodded slowly.

"So those are the three major groups."

"Yes. And before you ask, no, I’m not part of any of them. I’m just an ordinary witch, so I don’t have much influence among those factions."

She looked him directly in the eyes.

"But remember this: if you ever encounter a Dead Witch and realize what it is, run for your life."

Eugene stared at her.

"Why do you keep saying these things as if you’re describing people who enjoy eating others for breakfast?"

"Because some of them might!"

He went quiet.

Rose sighed.

"I’m not joking, Eugene. You have no idea how dangerous this world can be when you start digging into its history. Most people prefer not to know about these things, and honestly, sometimes I wish I hadn’t learned so much myself."

Her words sent Eugene’s imagination spiraling.

He had thought the supernatural world was already complicated enough. Apparently, there were entire groups of witches whose existence was so terrifying that people preferred to pretend they didn’t exist.

And somehow, he was planning to seek out one of them.

Wonderful.

Just wonderful.

He rubbed his forehead.

"Let me guess. The Phoenix witches are dangerous enough that nobody wants them gathering together."

Rose stared at him for a moment before shaking her head.

"Sometimes I wonder if you can read minds."

"I’ll take that as a yes."

"Then take this seriously, too. The Phoenix witches are scattered and hunted for a reason."

Her voice dropped.

"I’m not sure the world is ready for them to reunite as a single coven. If they ever gather under one leader again, their combined power could become a threat to every other supernatural faction."

Eugene frowned.

"But Lamia Alexandria is supposed to rule them."

"Yes," Rose replied. "Which is exactly why her return matters so much."

She paused before continuing.

"If Lamia comes back, we can only hope that she leads them wisely and uses their power to make a difference. Because there was a time when the Phoenix witches wanted to end the world."

Eugene’s expression changed.

"What?"

Rose nodded grimly.

"You heard me."

She had never intended to tell him so much, but the conversation had reached a point where hiding the truth would serve no purpose.

As an ordinary witch, Rose had never possessed the influence or power of the great covens. However, she had always been fascinated by magical history.

Over the years, she had read countless ancient texts, studied forbidden records, and searched for information about the supernatural factions that had shaped their world.

The history of the Phoenix witches had particularly interested her.

And what she had discovered was terrifying.

"Long ago, the Phoenix witches gathered under a powerful leader and attempted to bring about the destruction of the world as it was known," she explained. "Their power became so overwhelming that several supernatural factions were forced to unite against them."

Eugene listened without interrupting.

"It wasn’t just a battle between witches. Humans died in enormous numbers. Other supernatural beings were killed, entire territories were destroyed, and the balance of magic was nearly lost."

Rose swallowed.

"The previous Pureblood became involved in that conflict alongside other powerful forces. They fought against the Phoenix witches, and many lives were lost before the coven was finally broken apart. Those who survived were scattered, driven into hiding, or forced into exile."

She looked at Eugene solemnly.

"That’s why I keep telling you not to underestimate them. The Phoenix witches aren’t simply another group of spellcasters. Their history is soaked in blood, and their return could change the fate of the entire supernatural world."

Eugene remained silent for several seconds.

He had known that the Phoenix witches were powerful, but he hadn’t expected their history to be so horrifying.

If their ancestors had once threatened the world, what would happen if they reunited now?

And if Lamia was truly destined to lead them, what kind of responsibility would fall upon her shoulders?

He thought about the gentle, mysterious witch who had disappeared while trying to protect them.

It was difficult to imagine Lamia commanding an entire coven of terrifying witches.

But perhaps that was exactly what made her so important.

Eugene finally released a long breath.

"Well, that changes nothing."

Rose stared at him.

"Excuse me?"

"We’re still going to find them."

She looked at him as though he had lost his mind.

"Did you hear anything I just said?"

"Every word."

"And you’re still determined to do this?"

"Yes."

Eugene turned toward the cottage, his expression settling into a look of grim determination.

"Our next destination is the Quintorian Empire. We’ll travel in disguise, avoid drawing attention, and search for any clues that might lead us to the Phoenix witches."

He glanced back at Rose.

"We won’t reveal who we are unless we absolutely have to. If the witches of the West Coast discover our identities, they’ll make sure we never get the chance to finish our search."

Rose sighed, accepting that arguing with him would accomplish nothing.

"Fine. But if we end up being chased by an entire coven, I’m blaming you."

"That’s fair."

"And if they try to roast us alive, I’m blaming you twice."

"Understood."

"And if we survive all of that, you owe me a very long holiday."

Eugene almost smiled.

"If we survive, I’ll buy you the entire holiday."

"Good. I’m holding you to that."

With that, Eugene began walking away, and Rose followed him.

Neither of them knew what awaited them in the Quintorian Empire. They had no guarantee that they would find the Phoenix witches, and even if they did, there was no certainty the coven would agree to help.

But they had finally found a direction.

For the first time in months, they were no longer simply reacting to disasters. They were going to search for the source of the power that might help them change their circumstances.

They would find the Phoenix witches.

They would learn what had happened to Lamia.

And somehow, they would bring their companions home.

Neither of them could afford to consider what would happen if they failed.

---

Inside Lysander’s secluded cottage, something extraordinary was happening.

A faint shimmer of light began to gather around Noah’s motionless body.

At first, it was barely noticeable, appearing like a thin layer of mist against the surface of the glass enclosure. Then the light grew brighter, spreading across his skin and illuminating the surrounding room.

The magical barrier trembled.

A soft pulse of energy passed through it.

Then another.

The air became strangely warm, and the shadows around the room began to shift.

Suddenly, Noah’s fingers twitched.

His chest rose sharply.

With a violent gasp, he opened his eyes.

"Gasp!"

He sucked in a desperate breath, his body jerking as though he had just emerged from deep underwater.

For several seconds, he could do nothing but pant.

His heart hammered against his ribs, and his head throbbed painfully. He looked around in confusion, trying to understand where he was and how he had ended up there.

"What the hell?"

He pressed a hand against his chest.

"Why wasn’t I leaving the car? I remember feeling dizzy, and then..."

His words trailed off.

Slowly, his eyes adjusted to the room.

The familiar surroundings came into focus, and the realization struck him so suddenly that his entire body went still.

He knew this place.

He knew the room.

And he knew the cottage.

Noah’s eyes widened.

"Oh, no."

His gaze darted around the enclosure.

"No. No, no, no!"

He didn’t have time for this!

He still didn’t know how his men were supposed to die. He hadn’t even managed to get the full explanation from Dr. Whitmore before leaving the hospital.

And now, somehow, he had ended up back in the supernatural world.

How was that even possible?

Had he died in the human world?

Had the connection between the two worlds pulled him back?

Or was this another consequence of the strange magic surrounding his soul?

"Not now!" he exclaimed. "I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do about their deaths yet!"

He tried to move, only to realize that something was preventing him from getting up.

Looking down, he finally noticed the enormous glass barrier surrounding his body.

For a moment, he simply stared at it.

Then he screamed.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"

His voice thundered through the cottage.

Outside, Eugene and Rose stopped in their tracks.

They exchanged startled looks.

"Did you hear that?" Rose whispered.

Eugene’s eyes widened.

He knew that voice.

He would recognize it anywhere.

Without waiting for Rose to respond, he turned and sprinted toward the cottage.

"ASHTON!"

Rose rushed after him, her heart pounding.

First time in five months, they had heard the voice of the person they had been desperately searching for.

And neither of them was prepared for what they were about to discover.