Ch 39: The Witch of the Flower Fields

Returning to Roselle's Garden, Claire drags the others along as she investigates the newspaper story, seeming to have become personally invested after seeing the woman's picture.

            All heading out the town gate and back up to Roselle’s Garden, the skies darkening by now, as they were drawing near their destination, Ace asked, “So you’re sure this ‘business’ you had to attend to doesn’t involve investigating that story about a witch?” Quickening her pace, Claire said, “Don’t be silly Ace. Do you honestly expect me to believe such an innocent looking girl could be a witch?” While Ace merely heaved a sigh, Rufus said, “Well whatever business you have there, we could at least keep an eye out for anything suspicious!” Lagging behind with Schmitt, Toshley was muttering to himself, “I feel like I’m going senile! Just what was it that happened? By Benton’s bolts, I just can’t remember!” Carrying the bag containing the part they’d bought slung over his shoulder, Schmitt chuckled and said, “Don’t blow a gasket over there Toshley! Just give it time, it’ll hit ya when you least expect it!” 

Arriving at Roselle’s Garden, as she walked along the small beaten path through the sea of multicolored flowers, Claire called out, “Violet? Are you here?” Standing with the others a short distance behind her, Rufus wondered aloud, “Who is Violet?” Ace crossed his arms impatiently and said, “Heck if I know. If you ask me, we should keep our noses outta this witch business. Sounds like a whole heap of trouble…” Suddenly a cold gust of wind swept over the plateau, and materializing in the air before Claire, a mass of ghostly, glowing energy that vaguely resembled a person seemed to phase in and out of existence like a flickering light. Ian leaping from his hat in fear, the cat hid behind Rufus’ leg as Rufus himself exclaimed, “It wasn’t my imagination after all!” Staring at the ghostly figure guardedly, Schmitt exclaimed, “Just what in blue blazes is it?!” Furrowing his brow, Toshley muttered, “Hmm, that’s a very rare sight. There must be some outside influence binding it here.” A weak voice suddenly seemed to come from the figure, so weak that they could barely hear it say, “Help me…”

            Staring at the figure before her with a sad look in her eyes, Claire said, “You fool… I told you to leave this place…” Reaching into her clothes, Claire withdrew a scroll and let it unravel before her as she chanted, “Phantasia Spritus.” The runes on the scroll burst into glowing color as the scroll rose up and spiraled around the figure, and as a flash of multicolored magic erupted around it, a young girl stood where the ghostly figure had hovered. She was somewhat transparent, but Rufus had no doubt in his mind as he exclaimed, “It’s the girl from the picture!” Glancing back at him, Claire said, “She is named Violet Roselle, and this mountain was once her home. She lived here by herself, using her flowers to make unique, very effective medicines for the people of the small town that used to be at the foot of this mountain.” 

Claire turned back to Violet, who bowed her head in apology and said, “I’m so sorry Claire. I should have listened to you…” Shaking her head, Claire quietly said, “It’s alright, you’re not the first I’ve failed to save… It seems I didn’t see everything that would befall you though. Just what happened to you Violet? Who did this to you?” Raising her head to look at Claire, Violet said, “It happened just like you said it would. The miners found a large amount of gold in the area, so it was decided that a mining town would be built on the plateau to dig it up. Despite my objections, they forced me out of my home and burned my house to the ground. I went to the village and wandered the streets, and that’s when I was called out to by a strange old woman, who told me it wasn’t too late to save my precious garden.” 

Turning her eyes to the ground with a sad look, Violet continued, “It was a lie. She took me to a hidden cave on the peak of the mountain, and led me down into an ancient ruin. We finally reached a strange tomb, and she told me to make a small cut on my hand and offer my blood.” Claire could tell from the look on Violet’s face she would be trembling by now if she’d had a body of flesh and blood, and listened in silent horror as Violet said, “I’d been suspicious of her for awhile, and I’d ignored it because of my desire to save my garden, but that’s when I knew something wasn’t right about her. When I refused, she threatened to kill me, so I did as she said.” Raising a transparent hand and looking at it for a moment, Violet said, “She cast a spell and severed my spirit from my body, so that she could use it as a vessel and revive the person entombed there, someone called Zorus the Faceless. She used him and her summoned minions to keep the construction workers away while she mined the gold herself with magic.”

            Swallowing nervously, Rufus said, “Z-Zorus the Faceless? That sounds pretty scary looking…” Suddenly, Toshley exclaimed, “Eureka! That’s it!” Laughing his hearty laugh, Schmitt said, “It finally hit ya Toshley?” Grinning widely, Toshley said, “Indubitably! It was quite an old tale even back when I first heard it, but from what I can recall, the construction workers were all murdered by this Zorus character while they slept. In response, the human rulers at the time sent a small army to secure the area, and while they successfully neutralized the witch and Zorus, the news of the slaughtered construction workers had spread far and wide. Fearful of being cursed by ‘The Witch of the Flower Fields’, no one would set foot upon the plateau, so instead they constructed their mining city in the crater below. Unfortunately for them, the gold mine dried up far more quickly than they had anticipated.” 

With a disgusted look, Rufus said, “So Violet lost her home and her own body for nothing?!” Looking rather angered by this as well, Ace said, “Even a small amount of gold is worth something, but it sure as hell ain’t worth that. All she ever did was help people with her medicine, and this is how they repay her?” Standing there letting the wheels in her mind turn for a moment, Claire asked, “Violet, just what became of the witch and Zorus? If they were both killed, just who is making all these people from Verrel disappear?” Looking up towards the peak of the mountain, Violet said, “I don’t know who he was, but a man wearing red and black clothes used a strange stone to bring the witch back to life. He had a belt that he wore over his face like a blindfold. I don’t know how he could see…” Becoming quite flustered, Toshley quickly sputtered, “A-a belt over his face?! R-red and b-b-black?! Claire, that’s…!” Narrowing her eyes in anger, Claire muttered, “Archon.”

            Turning to face the others, Claire said, “Everyone, we’ll have to return to the tower for now. We can return later with the others if we have time, but...” Greatly confused that they were not going to do something about the situation, Rufus exclaimed, “Wait, why are we leaving?! C’mon Claire, we can’t leave Violet like this!” With a sigh, Ace reluctantly said, “I’m kinda divided on this one, but just ditching her is a little cold.” Shaking her head even though she looked hesitant to go as well, Claire said, “I know that, but this is too dangerous for most of us to handle. My time is almost up as well, I…” Trailing off, Claire suddenly stumbled onto her hands and knees, Violet quickly kneeling next to her and shouting, “Claire?!” Quickly Rufus rushed to her side as well, the others right behind him. Kneeling next to her, Rufus said, “Are you ok?!” Looking up at him, Claire was quite pale as she weakly said, “As I was saying, time is up… I’m sorry Rufus. I want to help her too, but I have to go back…” 

Schmitt and Rufus helped her to her feet, and as he saw the look of defeat on Claire’s face, a fired up Toshley said, “Claire, you take the others and go back. I will stay and deal with Archon…” Looking at him in surprise, Claire started to say, “But Toshley…!” Striking the ground with the bottom end of his staff, Toshley said, “No buts! If he would do such a thing, breaking his own code in the process, then as his fellow Observer, I cannot overlook his transgression!” With an apologetic look, Violet said, “I’m sorry, but the man with the belt on his face has already left. It’s the witch who is causing the disappearances.” Deflating somewhat, Toshley said, “Oh, I see…” Then as he regained his fire, Toshley added, “Well nevertheless, I will put a stop to this!” 

Smirking, Ace said, “You got guts old geezer, I’ll give you that much. Still, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go solo like this.” Grinning back at him, Toshley said, “Why don’t you get in on the act then circus boy? Show us your tricks!” Ace’s eye twitched in irritation as he said, “You know, I think that was a challenge I just heard…” Watching the two, Rufus thought, “And a rivalry was born.” Heaving a sigh, Claire simply said, “I’m too exhausted to argue. You two had better make sure to come back in one piece.” Placing his hand on his hips, Toshley confidently said, “Hoho, have no fear! We’ll be back in two shakes of an unack’s tail!” As Claire started to cast her teleportation field, Rufus thought, “I bet Claire will probably be mad at me, but an Ace Reporter like me just can’t leave a story half finished like this!” Just as the field was about to transport them, Rufus broke away from Claire and Schmitt and ran out of the field, Ian quickly following after him.

            As Schmitt and Claire vanished, Rufus bent down and picked up Ian as he said, “Heh, you wanted in on the action too huh partner?” Ian simply meowed at him enthusiastically. As Rufus placed him on his usual perch atop his hat, Ace walked over to him and said, “Hey Rufus, I got a question…” As Rufus turned to him, Ace shouted, “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU STILL DOING HERE?!” Stepping back in panic, Rufus was pale as he stammered, “W-w-well I just, I-I wanted t-to…” Placing a hand on Ace’s shoulder, Toshley said, “Now, now, Ace! I for one respect his adventurous spirit!” Clutching his head in frustration, Ace said, “But he doesn’t even know how to fight! At all!” Toshley simply reached into his clothes for something, and a moment later he presented a black and silver colored device that was shaped like an old fashioned pistol. Offering it to Rufus, Toshley said, “Rufus, come over here and take this EDE weapon.” 

Moving over to him, Rufus accepted the EDE weapon, being careful not to pull the trigger as he took hold of the grip. Looking at it with great interest, he said, “An EDE weapon? If I use this, can I fight against the bad guys too?” Chuckling to himself, Toshley said, “Indeed! Everyone has the potential to use EDE, and this weapon I created is designed to help bring it out, even in someone who has never tapped into the capability! Practice a little while I speak with Violet.” With Ace watching him less than enthusiastically, Rufus took aim at the skies, struggling to make the EDE weapon work. 

Meanwhile, Toshley approached Violet, who stood staring in the direction of Verrel. Following her gaze, Toshley asked, “So I assume either Archon or the witch herself revived your body as well? Your connection to it seems incredibly strong… Tell me, what’s he doing now?” Turning away from Verrel, Violet replied, “Even though the humans left the mining city shortly after the gold dried up, the witch seems to believe the gold is still there, and that the halmans who rebuilt Verrel are the ones mining it now. She’s been using Zorus to kidnap them as materials, slowly building an army of undead minions to drive everyone else off the mountain.” Seeing her look back towards Verrel, Toshley said, “I don’t suppose anyone else is scheduled to disappear tonight?” A sad look on her face, Violet simply nodded. Staring at Violet sympathetically, Toshley thought, “With such a strong connection, there’s still a chance… There just has to be!”

            Shooting out of Rufus’ EDE weapon, a blast of Raw EDE climbed through the sky, and Rufus cheered in excitement, “Hey, I made it work!” Hiding his surprise, Ace reluctantly said, “Yeah I guess… It seems a little stronger than most EDE weapons, but it’s still not gonna do much if we’re up against the usual.” Walking back over to them, Toshley said, “True, true, but it’s an impressive start. Though I’m sorry to say I have some bad news for you boys…” Turning to him with a serious expression, Ace said, “What’s up?” Glancing in Verrel’s direction, Toshley said, “Zorus is about to cause another disappearance it seems. As rude as they’ve been to us, we can’t let that atrocity harm any more of Verrel’s citizens. I need you both to find and stall Zorus.” 

Holstering his EDE weapon in his pocket, Rufus questioned, “Stall him?” Nodding, Toshley said, “Zorus’ essence is bound to Violet’s body, controlling her through the witch’s magic. It may actually be possible to restore Violet’s essence to her body, but the witch must be dealt with first. I will travel to the peak of the mountain and stop her, so you all just keep Zorus busy till then!” Snapping to attention and saluting, Rufus said, “Yes sir!” Poking a hole in the plan, Ace said, “Sounds real great and all Toshley, but how the hell do we find the guy? Verrel’s a big place…” Not having thought of this, as Toshley wracked his brain, he muttered, “Hmm yes, quite the quandary…” 

Floating over to them, Violet said, “Um, if you need to find Zorus, I think I may be able to help…” Whirling around and raising his arms into the air spontaneously, Toshley exclaimed, “Hoho, that’s it! With your connection to Zorus, you could lead them right to him!” Having been slightly startled by his outburst, Violet simply replied, “Y-yes…” Pumping his fist in the air with a wink and a grin, Rufus said, “Go Violet!” Gesturing dramatically, Toshley said, “All right troops! Fall out! The mission begins now!” Rufus cheered, and embarrassed by their antics, Ace thought to himself, “Why the hell did I sign up for this?”

            As Rufus and Ace made their way back to Verrel, Violet followed them, taking the form of a small orb of ghostly light that floated in the air. Glancing at her curiously, Ace said, “Why’d you turn yourself into a flying nightlight?” Seeming rather skittish despite being a ghost, Violet mistook this for criticism and nervously answered, “S-sorry. I only was able to take my original appearance thanks to Claire’s spell, and it seems to become weaker the further I get from the place she cast it on me…” Having been wondering something, Rufus asked, “How is it you know Claire? I know she’s some immortal being who’s lived thousands of years, but it still seems like a pretty crazy coincidence that you and Claire knew each other.” 

After a moment, Violet replied, “Well, Claire lived at the village below the mountain for a short time. She would come to my garden whenever something bothered her, and we eventually started talking to each other. She told me how she traveled the world trying to use her abilities to help people, and that she almost always ended up unable to change their fate.” The regret in her voice was clear as day, Rufus beginning to understand both her and Claire better as she continued, “One day, she told me she had to leave the village, and that I should go with her. When I asked her why, she told me there was gold in the mountain, and that as soon it was discovered I would be chased out of my home. I didn’t want to believe her, even though she was trying to help me just like everyone she’d told me about…”

            Having used a spatial rift to transport himself to the peak of the mountain, Toshley made his way into the cave before him and descended down into the ruins. Watching him through a crystal ball that was sitting upon an pedestal deep within the ruins, an old woman with purple and blue hair tied up in knots and held in place by golden hairpins and ribbons narrowed her blue eyes and said, “How interesting, it seems someone has dared to intrude upon my lair.” She wore a feathery purple and blue one piece dress which was designed to give the appearance that wings were growing downward out of her hips. While she wore no shoes or socks, she wore a feathered anklet on her right ankle to match the feathered armlet on her left arm. A bejeweled amulet hanging from her neck glowed faintly, and in her hand she held a staff with a design like a spread pair of feathered wings on the top of it and a magic symbol like a crescent moon and a five pointed magic star combined into one between the wings. As she continued to watch Toshley through the crystal ball, the old woman said, “Whoever you are, you will suffer greatly for your trespass! This mountain belongs to Myrtle the Crone!”

Author's Note

Originally titled "Violet Roselle". I thought this had more flare. There is slight Touhou reference here, as there is peppered throughout my books. Violet's origins stem from my initial ideas of creating a character with powers and a preference in surroundings similar to Yuuka Kazami, which I scrapped. I kept her ties to flowers and gave her a parasol still though.