Chapter 42. The Nightmare

“Why did the witch and her voices flee when I summoned her? What was her domain over darkness? Why didn't the goddess respond to my questions? Why even the deity feared that shadowy being?” Ah, curse it! I roared in frustration. “So many unanswered questions!”

I decided to take a relaxing bath and rest, aware that I wouldn't find the desired answers, at least not in that state. It didn't take long for me to drift off to sleep. I found myself in front of a conifer tree with a viscous, black liquid oozing from its bark, emitting a scent of decay. I covered my nose, feeling it burn, when a voice emerged from behind me.

“You resemble her!” The voice was the same as the sinister woman in the forest, and my body shivered, my hair standing on end. I turned into a defensive stance, facing the supernatural being before me, her malicious smile shrouded in darkness, her hands dancing through the air.

“Here, no one can save you, Sophie!” The demonic witch cast a noose-shaped s