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WELCOME TO VOLUME 6!

PROLOGUE

[ Hell is empty. All the devils are here. ]

William Shakespeare

********

Aries sat under the linden tree, hugging her knees, eyes up. She had been in this place more times than she could ever count. She used to think that being in this place was a nightmare, something she didn\'t want to be in whenever she closed her eyes. However, over time, she somehow earned this sense of familiarity with this place.

"They\'re not here anymore," she whispered, staring at the leaves and branches. "They used to be here."

There was only one time she came into this place the woman hanging upon the tree disappeared. Seeing that the ropes and the bodies were gone, Aries felt this slight sense of relief.

"I wonder... if they were now resting." Her eyes softened, deluding herself that those women who were persecuted unjustly had attained the peace they sought.

"You\'re here."

Suddenly, a familiar voice of a woman rang behind her. Aries looked back, only to see Maleficent smiling back at her subtly. But Aries\'s focus didn\'t dwell on her, shifting her eyes to the other women standing behind Maleficent.

"You..." Aries\'s expression softened as the women smiled back at her.

They chuckled and giggled, joining Aries under the linden tree. Despite that, Aries recognized them and remembered the spot where they got hanged in this same. She didn\'t show the slightest fear. Aries was just glad that these women could now smile in peace.

Aries watched the ladies take their comfortable spot under the linden tree; some of them were comfortable enough to lie down, and use another woman\'s lap as a head cushion. Others would just chat happily as if they had no problem.

Aries gazed up when Maleficent sat down beside her, offering Aries a kind smile.

"It\'s been a while since you visited," said Maleficent with a soothing voice, facing Aries squarely. "I thought you wouldn\'t anymore."

"I never intentionally go here," Aries confessed with a tone of correction. "It is you who always drags me into this place."

Maleficent laughed. "Will you blame me?"

"No." Aries shook her head, keeping a subtle smile. "For some reason, I started to like this place. Ironic because it is a symbol of your suffering, but it was a great reminder to me that I have to move forward. I\'m glad that I finally came here without putting the pieces of my heart together at the sight of everyone."

The women around slowly turned their heads in Aries\'s direction, smiling gently. Their eyes bore the softness and fondness of the current holder of Maleficent. The power that killed them all.

"You are a good woman," said Maleficent after several seconds of silence. "I thought you hate me."

"How can I?" Aries tilted her head to the side. "You did nothing wrong."

She then shifted her attention to the peaceful countenance of the women around.

"Your power within me indeed gave me a lot of trouble and suffering, but it is not like you were the one who forced that power into me," she continued, setting her eyes back to Maleficent. "It is not you, Maleficent. The people who were afraid of you, yet exploit your power. I think that is the reason everyone here doesn\'t hate you."

The women nodded in agreement, casting Maleficent a look.

"Though I am a little curious as to why you summoned me in here," Aries added, refocusing her attention on the stunning woman, who was also known to be the most powerful witch of their kind.

"Because this might be the last time I will see you." Maleficent didn\'t beat around the bush, making her brows raise.

"Does that mean I don\'t hold you anymore?" Aries blurted out, making Maleficent laugh. The latter glanced at the rest of the women, and they giggled before all of them set their focus on Aries.

"You never got a hold of me, Aries," Maleficent clarified. "The only reason you were able to suppress me was because of that man, Fabian."

"Pardon?"

Maleficent\'s smile stretched broader. "If he didn\'t hold me for the longest time, my powers that were within you wouldn\'t know the idea of subservience. Even though it is just a portion of me, it is still me. The power is still mine, even if you chop it into millions of pieces."

"I see..." Aries rocked her head in understanding, heaving a sigh of relief. "No wonder I felt such a strong reaction and attraction at the sight of him."

"He posed himself as my master," Maleficent humored, making the women giggle. "Such a man... you can\'t blame me to fawn at him."

Aries laughed, biting her lower lips. She couldn\'t refute that, though. Fabian was charming in his own wicked ways.

"Of course, it is different for you since Wrath had you dancing on the palm of his hand." Maleficent raised a brow briefly.

"Abel isn\'t that bad."

"I never said he was... to you." Maleficent shrugged. "I am glad that you are happy, Aries. That is all I want for you... and for them."

She gazed at the women smiling back at her. Her eyes swirled with fondness as if she was a mother looking at her children with unconditional love. Seeing the softness in Maleficent\'s eyes, Aries couldn\'t help but stare at the woman with admiration and respect.

Even though Maleficent was known to be a powerful being, she was just like the rest of them. The only difference was that she had the power to destroy anyone if she pleased.

"Will I not see you again?" Aries inquired after some time, watching Maleficent look back at her.

​ The latter didn\'t answer immediately, maintaining her reassuring smile. "Wrath... is quite a grand man, isn\'t he? As well as possessive and territorial. He didn\'t like other people within you -- it\'s not like we want to co-exist with his vile blood claiming everything as his."

"Aries Grimsbanne." Maleficent raised a hand, cupping Aries\'s cheek. She brushed Aries\'s cheek with her thumb while her eyes swirled with affection. "My child. Remember what I said. No matter how they chop me into millions of pieces, it is still me. And I only remember our time together."

Deep lines resurfaced in between Aries\'s brows, assessing the loving gaze of Maleficent. Aries then shifted her attention to the women, only to see them flash her a smile before they slowly faded, one after another.

"Maleficent, what are you --" Aries halted when Maleficent slowly stood, making the former gaze up.

"It is time to leave," said Maleficent with a smile. "I wish you a good life, my child."

With that being said, Maleficent sauntered off. When Aries grasped what was going on, she sprung up to her spot and called, "Maleficent!"

Maleficent stopped, looking back at her. "Don\'t call me that anymore, Aries. That isn\'t my name -- I had decided to live without a name until someone give me one."

Aries\'s lips parted, but her voice was stuck in her throat. In the end, all she could do was watch Maleficent walk away leisurely. However, when Aries blinked, Maleficent was gone. Her eyes fell to the ground, only to see a black, furry cat looking back at her with golden eyes.

"Meow," the cat meowed softly before it walked away, leaving Aries all alone under the linden tree.