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There was a forest, far from the Essempi, a well-known haven, where most villagers reside.
There were various rumors about it. Some were just stupid while some are somewhat believable.
One of the many rumors mentioned was about a witch residing deep inside the eerie place.
Besides the forest, a small village was located and was believed to give human sacrifices as a way to trade with the so-called witch.
They’d give people with unique attributes. A painter, a beauty, a virgin, and many others.
In Tommy’s opinion, he hated all of it.
The rumors, the village, the sacrifices.
And yes, the witch that was known to be a scary, old lady that curses you once she sees you, was none other than Tommy Innes. A young-looking boy with golden blonde hair and baby blue eyes that sparkles whenever the sun hits him. Very far from an old lady.
Though the cursing thing might turn real because of the irritating village.
If you were to look at him, not knowing what he was, you’d think he was from the city.
His face had no trace of hard labor as if he was pampered all his life. But that wasn’t the case for Tommy.
He simply didn’t leave his little cottage house too much which resulted in him not having to face the monsters that lurk in the forest.
Unlike what most mortals had said about his abode, the forest was beautiful.
Well, from where he resides.
His house was surrounded by spruce trees that reached the skies. Fallen logs sat prettily on the ground as if someone had intentionally placed them there. Different kinds of plants grew around Tommy’s house which he thought was because of his presence since he was a nature witch.
Tommy specialized in brewing potions. He can cast spells like every other witch or sorcerer but he believed that making potions gave him more power.
He's a bit greedy at times.
He has made different types of concoctions during his time in the forest, most of it was simply out of curiosity and what he needs. He used to make it for himself but once a human, who he couldn't tell if they were brave or an idiot, decided to start a town and Tommy already knew it was because of a myth of how witches liked to trade.
First of all, Warlocks are the ones that did trades, not witches.
But it was a good thing the village wasn't entirely stupid with just giving him a human. The sacrifice carried materials that Tommy couldn't get without leaving the forest.
Tommy took the materials but since he didn't want the village to think he was some weak bitch who wasn't a human-hungry beast, for the sake of his privacy, he cast spells on the humans to erase their memories and teleport them to the Essempi.
Tommy didn't believe he was weak, but he did know he had his limits. Erasure of memories and teleportation took a toll on his power and that would result in him feeling sick and staying in bed for days.
It's been a week since the last sacrifice and Tommy remained in his bed once again. He felt a bit uncomfortable as he stared at the ceiling doing nothing but stare at the low roof.
His room was a bit cramped from the start and the number of trinkets he hung in his room didn't help that.
Tommy sluggishly stood up, carefully trying his best not to knock off the small statues that he placed on his table.
He needs to throw some of these away.
Opening the door, he walked out of his room and was greeted by the lovely smell of his cauldron as his familiar, Henry the cat, stirred the stick using his tail.
Tommy hummed, "What are you making, bud?"
The cat let out a small meow as it stood tall on the chair as if it was proud of its work.
With Henry being his familiar, the noise that came from it automatically translated itself in Tommy's head.
"Breakfast?" Tommy asked with an amused grin. Henry nodded curtly. "Alright, if you say so."
He took one of his wooden bowls and spoon and took a huge scoop of the soup that his beloved friend made.
The blonde couldn't decipher what it was just by smell so he decided to take a sip first, "Chicken soup! And- wow, this is great, Henry!"
The familiar purred at the compliment and jumped from its chair to cling to Tommy's leg, expecting its reward.
The witch huffed with a smile on his face and picked his cute friend. His right hand danced in the air as Tommy started to gather some of his magic that was spread around the house.
The color that swirled around his hand was a mix of purple and blue, it seemed alive as it landed on his palms. Mumbling a small spell, the magic dust turned into a small leaf, Nepeta cataria, or catnip!
Tommy could see the excitement of Henry's eyes and without hesitation, snatched the leaf from his owner's hand.
Having a familiar is a sign of how strong your power is as a witch. The fact that you can share your magic with an enchanted animal and still be alive showed that you had too much power flowing inside you in the first place.
His little moment with the cat was interrupted when a knock came from his door. It knocked three times before pausing and knocked again.
"A human." He groaned, he just woke up.
Tommy snapped his fingers, his pajamas turning into a white dress shirt that was a bit too tight on him. With matching black pants and dark brown boots. Of course, he can't forget the oh so iconic witch hat that was too big for his head.
He opened the door, not expecting a shivering child at his doorsteps. Tommy was a bit baffled at the sight, he thought that they were probably a wandering child looking for shelter but seeing the familiar stamp on their cloak confirmed what was happening.
They give him a child as a sacrifice?
Tommy knew the villagers were on thin ice with him but this was just below low. He sighed, not noticing that this made the child stiffen.
He carefully grabbed the basket the child was holding, it contained iron and gold. There was a note inside as well but it looked way too neat to be a request from them.
Tommy’s attention turned back on the trembling figure, “Come inside, kid.” He tried his best to make his tone as soft as possible but it didn’t seem to work, seeing how the kid tightened their grip on the dirtied cloak but obeyed anyway. “O-okay.”
Invite them in, make them drink the tea that had a memory erasure potion mixed in then teleport them to the Essempi. That’s what Tommy would usually do but he felt something in his chest tightening at the sight of the poor boy.
Despite not knowing what the child’s age was, Tommy knew just from seeing their hands that they were too thin. The kid’s voice was hoarse when they replied to him so he knew they were dehydrated as hell.
Tommy leads them to the living room where the warm stew inside the cauldron was still steaming, the aroma filling the room. He went to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water.
Just for the sake of the boy’s entertainment, He made the water float towards them.
The kid was seated on the small couch as they looked up to the glass, their coat sliding downwards.
It revealed a boy with disheveled, black hair and four red eyes. Their skin was a shade of grey.
A hybrid.
A spider hybrid to be exact.
They didn’t notice this but continued to stare at the water hovering above him. Recollecting himself, Tommy motioned the glass to slowly slide down to the child’s hands.
Upon noticing their reflection on the water, they gasped and quickly tried to grab back their hood. This resulted in the water spilling everywhere.
It’s a good thing Tommy’s reflexes were sharp. He managed to catch the water that was inches away from damping his precious couch, putting it back inside the cup and placing it on the table.
The hybrid apologized profusely, bowing their head down in shame. Their calm demeanor faded and went back to the same trembling boy.
It took Tommy by surprise and immediately waved it off and approached the boy, sitting on the chair across the couch.
“It’s fine, kid. There’s no need to say sorry.” His voice was gentle, gaze soft as it landed on the boy’s body. He wanted to comfort him but Tommy knew the fear the human had of him.
He wasn’t like this. He didn’t feel guilty whenever a human would tremble upon him or scream in terror at the sight of the witch. But he couldn’t help the way his expression softened whenever the boy would glance towards him.
Tommy recognized this feeling, something an old friend had taught him about.
Witches were bound to have partners, whether it be platonic or romantic. They were stronger together and the bond formed between them will help them survive.
Technoblade, a senior witch who Tommy met when he was a kid that he had treated as if he was his family, had a friend named Philza. He told him stories of their adventures and how meeting each other helped them in so many ways.
“You'd feel a tug on your chest as soon as you lay your eyes on them. As if a rope was wrapped around the core of your magic, it pulls you closer to that person. Witches are powerful, Theseus, but they’ll never be able to show their true potential without their partners.”
“Why couldn’t we be partners, Techno?”
The man lets out a huff, an endearing smile formed on his face at the words of his little brother.
“I don’t know, love. Maybe you’re destined for someone much greater than me.”
His brother was still alive but had to go and live with his partner in Elytrian territory for Philza’s safety and comfort. Techno was a bit of a fool for that old man.
There was a beat of silence that formed between the both of them. Tommy remained to observe the child while they waited for their expected death.
As if Tommy read his mind, “I’m not going to kill you.” He reassured which made the boy’s red eyes pierce through the witch. Their eyes were full of doubt and, as expected, fear.
Does he plan on making him some sort of servant? A test subject for his witchery experiments? Or was the witch not gonna kill him but another monster will?
“N-no. Please, just kill me now. I don’t want to get back, I don’t want to be a servant o-or a test subject.” Tommy’s eyes widened at the sight of the boy kneeling, begging with his whole heart. It was like the hybrid was used to beg for his own life.
The air in the room became suffocating. The child felt the oxygen inside him disappear as if someone was choking him. A terrifying aura emitted from Tommy.
He wasn’t bad at the boy but the villagers. Bastards, he thought. He remained seated and his eyes missed to see the suffocating boy on the ground.
As if on cue, Tommy felt a small weight was placed on his lap which made him stop. His attention was fully on the cat who rubbed its head on his owner’s chest, calming him down.
He saw the child gasp for air, the sound of coughing grabbed Tommy’s attention. He panicked for a bit before he grabbed the boy.
They were still desperately catching for air, their hands curled into their chest. Tommy helped him by placing his hands on their back, his hands glowing a small ray of light. He transferred some oxygen inside their lungs.
He noticed the child calming down and matched his breathing pace the same as Tommy’s.
He had almost killed him.
Tommy carefully hugged them, whispering a small ‘sorry’ as he gently pats his back.
When they finally regained consciousness, they looked up at the witch who held the most gentle expression the boy had ever seen.
They weren’t used to seeing it. Disgust, anger, and pity were the expressions he’d usually see from the people of the village that had sent him.
“Are you alright?” the witch’s voice made him flinch but tried his best to hide it so he wouldn’t make the other worry.
He nodded, “Yes, I’m fine. Th-thank you.”
Tommy smiled at this and ruffled the boy’s hair. He realized that they were still on the ground, with a small huff, he carried the boy to the guest room. He felt their arms hold on to him, afraid of the height.
As he placed him on the bed, the boy said something both of them didn’t expect. “Are you not going to kill me?“ He was a bit hesitant to ask, he was scared that it might anger the witch again.
Tommy chuckled, “No, I won’t. I’m sorry for earlier. I wasn’t mad at you.”
The hybrid felt something warm inside him as he heard the other’s words. For once in his life, he felt safe.
“My name’s Tommy, by the way. Will it be okay for me to think of a name for you?”
Tommy was aware of the whole naming thing for hybrids. Once a parent or guardian gives a name for a young hybrid, it means that you two will form a bond. In Elytrian terms, it was called a flock, or in werewolf terms, it’s called a pack.
He saw how the boy’s eyes sparkled at his question, nodding almost immediately.
“Hmm... What about..” Tommy was seated on the edge of the bed, thinking of a fitting name for the boy. As if a light bulb lit up above his head, “Ah! What about, Shroud?”
Shroud looked at Tommy out of curiosity, wanting to ask about his name.
“Well, “ Tommy stated, “It’s the same name of a past soldier that had saved my life. He was brave and kind, just like you.”
Tommy’s explanation made Shroud blush, hiding his face inside the blanket. The witch lets out an audible aww, fondly looking at his son. “Did I embarrass you, my little sundrop?” The small nod confirmed everything to Tommy.
“Well, be prepared, as I plan on embarrassing you even more as a real father would do.”
“Father?”
Tommy realized what he had said. Oh, right.
Tommy awkwardly laughs at this, “Only if you’re comfortable with it. We can always start as acquaintances if you want then—“
“No! no, it’s fine… dad.”
Tommy’s heart had definitely melted. He wouldn’t be surprised if by tomorrow he’d have no heart.
The hood of Shroud’s cloak was long gone when Tommy carried him, which gave him access to his boy’s fluffy hair, ruffling it once again.
“I’m glad to hear that, my lovely son.”