The mixed army proceeded to the west leaving Iris in charge of controlling the east while Rachel continued the fight in the west. Xavier was making his way back to the capitol, his presence no longer needed after they took the western coast of the river. The rest of the fleet were left where they were to handle things themselves.
Laura would need to head back so to handle things, but Kathrin would act as her surrogate, just as she herself acted as Zenesha's. For now she would worry about things here, such as the body of the Hollowed One that arrived a little while ago, and the witch they were supposed to meet today.
"She lives quite far." Laura said as she and Zenesha drove further and further away from the city limits.
Sitting on her lap was a journey noting down everything she remembered from the experiments done to her in her childhood. She hoped this witch could make more sense of these notes than she could. Or at the very least come to the same conclusions so they can both build off from there. Otherwise this will be a waste of time.
As they drove, Laura couldn't help but notice they were getting closer to a nexus point. The Wey Lines beneath them were all converging into a single point and it looked like it was exactly at their destination. If nothing else, at least Laura could tell she wasn't a fake.
"Well she is a witch." Zenesha responded. "I heard they tend to live in fairly secluded areas."
"That makes sense." Laura said. "From what I've read and observed, this world's magic works better near strong magical outputs. Such as Wey Lines."
"Are they not everywhere?"
"They're fairly common, but the strength varies between them."
"I see, I see."
They drove in silence for a little longer when Laura spoke up again. "I've been meaning to ask, but why did you bring the sword with you?"
"I was hoping to get some advice on how to use it if I can." Zenesha explained. "You said it's a powerful weapon if used correctly."
"I suppose I did say that." Laura admitted.
The wolf had knowledge of these types of weapons, but it was very limited. The only reason she knew these weapons existed was thanks to the magical worlds she went to where Heroes were active and present. She has no real knowledge or info on this weapon however.
"We're here." Zenesha said as she pulled onto a dirt road. "There should be a house just through these trees."
The jeep drove through the dirt road and after a few minutes they arrived at a clearing with a two story wooden house sitting within it. They parked in front of the house and got out of the vehicle. They started to approach the building when the front door opened and a woman who looked to be in their late twenties or early thirties stepped out.
She wore long flowing midnight colored robes dark purple lining with a large brimmed pointed hat on top of her head. Underneath the robe was regular clothes, a black shirt and jeans, along with brown boots. It was a weird clash of classic witch and modern style.
Her short black hair was covered by the witch hat, and her ocean blue eyes glared at them with obvious hatred. No, not at them; at Laura.
"Why is that here?" She asked, still glaring at Laura.
"What?"
"That Void spawn. How dare you bring something so disgusting near my home."
Zenesha looked between Laura and the witch with not so obvious distress. She wasn't expecting to encounter a problem so soon. Clearing her throat, the fox spoke up, trying to diffuse the situation. Though Laura wasn't sure how well that'll go.
"Miss Bright." Zenesha started. "There's no need to worry about Laura. She isn't li-"
"You naive child, you can't trust those things." The witch said cutting her off. "I don't know what it promised you, but it won't be what you desire. You'll be left with nothing but regret."
Zenesha sighed. "You don't have to tell me this. I know about Forsaken and what they're capable of."
"Clearly you don't."
"Look, you don't have to believe me." Zenesha said with annoyance. "Will you help us or not?"
"Why would I help Void spawn?"
The witch probably couldn't tell, but Zenesha was about ready to snap. Worried about her metal stability, she stepped closer to the fox and placed a hand on her head. She then turned her attention back to the witch and spoke.
"Miss Bright if you can turn your attention to the sword at Zen's hip." Laura said, gesturing at the weapon. "You can rest assured that she could strike me down easily if I get out of hand in your presence."
The witch turned her attention to the weapon and her eyes widened in surprise. "Where did you get that?"
"Laura gave it to me." The fox said.
"You? You gave someone a weapon like that?"
"Sure did." Laura said brightly. "Look I know you don't trust me, but how about reading these notes first. Make up your mind then."
Laura tossed the journal to the witch who caught it. She opened it up and flipped through some of the pages. After a couple minutes she grumbled something and looked back towards Laura with a mixture of annoyance and interest.
"Fine. Come inside and explain."
Laura smiled and continued and followed the witch into her home pulling Zenesha inside with her by the hand. Once inside they were directed to the kitchen, where they were made to sit at the table. Once they were settled the witch looked at them again.
"First introductions." Spoke the witch. "You guys keep calling me Miss Bright, but I prefer my first name Jade."
"Well I'm Laura Underwood."
"I'm Zenesha Heart."
Jade raised an eyebrow at Zenesha's name. "I thought you looked familiar. Who knew the Queen was associating with void creatures."
"I only interact with Laura."
"That's right! She would never cheat on me with another." Laura said fondly, wrapping the fox in a hug.
Jade frowned at her words, but didn't press the issue. "Anyway, explain what this is about. What are you trying to do?"
"Can't you figure it out?" Laura asked, letting go of the fox and facing the witch properly.
"I have an idea, but I want to hear it from you first." She explained. "If I'm right then you're insane and I must understand why."
"You're right that it's insane." Laura agreed briefly, glancing Zenesha's way. She never explained the true risk this could entail. The fox knew it was dangerous, just not the full scope of it.
"I'm trying to combine Void and Celestial energy and then fuse that energy to myself. Effectively cutting myself off from the void forever."
"Like I thought. Insane." Jade said, looking almost fascinated. Clearly her fear and disgust was overpowered by her intrigue. "You realize you could be erased completely if you fail right?"
"What?!" Zenesha exclaimed before turning to Laura. "You never said anything about being erased!"
"...." Laura looked away.
"No, look at me!" Zenesha said, grabbing both sides of her face and turning it to face her. "Explain."
"... The people in the void want me dead Zenesha." Laura started. "If I'm not careful they can track me just from the energy I leak."
"So? I already knew that we can deal with that easily."
"But it puts you in harm's way, and I can't accept that." Laura said. "Plus the Void is still in here."
Laura tapped the side of her head and continued speaking. "It's muted, but excessive use of my powers, or even interacting with the void causes its presence to become stronger…."
There was a pause, and when she spoke again a clear tremble had entered her voice. "What would I do if it made me harm you?"
"... Surely there's a safer path."
"I could try to use Celestial energy to and turn myself from a Forsaken into an Angel, but that carries about the same amount of risk." She answered. "Plus then I'll have to deal with the Universe telling me what to do. I'll also be bound by its rules. Though from what I hear the Universe doesn't get into their heads, but instead uses physical bodies to convey its will."
"... There has to be something else."
Laura reached up and grabbed the hands holding her face and place and gently removed them. She lowered the foxes hands but didn't let go and held them between the two of them as she looked into her eyes. She then gave the fox a soft smile.
"Don't worry. There's room for error and if I'm successful then I won't be bound by the Void nor the Universe." She said, "The risk is high, but if it pays off it'll be worth it."
"Plus, it's proven to work." Laura reminded her. "I experienced it once. It's why my body is black with color. Even after all these years I'm still partially affected by the Abyss."
"I hope you're right." Zenesha said softly. "I can't bear to see you… I can't."
Laur leaned forward, tilting the foxes head down and kissed her forehead before pulling back. "I know, and I won't leave you alone."
"I'm holding you to that."
"Noted." Laura said with a laugh.
"Are you two done?" Jade asked, watching them. "We still have things to talk about."
"Way to ruin the moment." Laura said, rolling her eyes while Zenesha blushed hard.