The Witch's Curse
Stranded on Gene Island

It's almost midnight. There's no light south of Gene Island. Tourist trails are in the north of the island, there, quite a lot of street lighting and also some security officers who guard around pualu, although not much. There are also several inns and eateries, as well as a souvenir shop that can be a hunting ground for typical Gene Island items such as key chains, hats from coconut shells, clogs, and other items, or knitting bags of coconut midribs. North of Gene Island is indeed more alive because there is an ancient Castle of the former Kingdom of Victor. This castle is the center of historic tourism on Gene Island, but unfortunately the activity is not too popular, because many rumors circulating about Gene Island. It is touted as a Haunted Island because of its gripping atmosphere and tends to be uninhabited. The center of life is only in the north of the island. If it moves south, Gene Island has a completely different face. There is no life. Dry barren land. There was a huge tall tree towering, with a trunk that resembled a human body. That said, the tree was a witch who slept for thousands of years. Not far from the big tree, there is a lighthouse tower. The dilapidated tower that was long abandoned, and no longer works. The area south of Gene Island is so barren. There are only large trees with gloomy shades, brownish grasses, dried up lakes, and caverns and bare fields whose soil structure has been damaged. There's nothing to do there. But not for Bibbi.

Bibbi was an herb picker, who used to travel around the south of the island. She is a speechless girl who can only use sign language. Bibbi used to look for panacea sludge that can help the healing process of the disease of his patients. The rich lignite and fulvate content of the Gene Island mud makes the Bibbi strain herb famous. The herb can be used as medicine, to beauty products. His small business was a huge success. Bibbi so often back and forth here if the supply of mud is up, all selling herbs in downtown Gene Island. The only Bibbi customer south of the island is Venn, a hitchhiker who lives in the Lighthouse Tower.

Venn's existence did not interfere with the building, and even he was hired unofficially by the island authorities as a cleaner. Venn who looked like an old widow did not attract suspicion. No one knows the origin or identity of Venn, as he has no identification. However, according to his confession, he was just an old widow who wanted to spend the rest of her life in a quiet place. Of course, this speech makes people pity. Venn is the only person to live south of Gene Island.

'Tumben tonight is so cold... I have to find firewood again' Bibbi shivered in the cold. Not far from the cave where he stopped, there were various kinds of dry tree trunks scattered. He decided to pick up the sticks and make them firewood. It seems, Bibbi will not be able to sleep well if the weather is this cold. Bibbi used to stop at his secret cave when he had to spend the night on Gene Island. In addition to saving costs, the cave is also quite safe and quiet. Bibbi can rest in peace. The schedule of the ship that will sail to Porthsmont is only tomorrow afternoon, Bibbi must survive until that time arrives.

The sky is dark without lights, there is only dim moonlight that helps vision. Bibbi walked slowly down the path while picking up some trunks and branches of trees that had dried up. Luckily, today it does not rain, the branches can be directly used as firewood. Bibbi carried the branches he had picked up, after it was felt enough, Bibbi prepared to return to the cave.

'What is that?' On the way back to the cave, Bibbi noticed from a distance, there was a familiar silhouette. Curious, he tried to get closer. A blue glow was seen shining up into the sky. Bibbi. There's a moor! His necklace was bluish, like the necklace he had ever known. Instantly Bibbi dropped the branches she was carrying and ran towards the person. Bibbi checked his breathing and pulse. There's still. Bibbi quickly provides first aid with artificial respiration. First attempt, no response yet. Bibbi then did a compression, he pressed the chest of the man for 30 times with a quick and deep bang. Vomiting. The water came out of his mouth and nose, breathing returned to normal. The man coughed and gasped. Bibbi patted his face gently. Observing the movement of his pupils. His pupils dilated, Bibbi suspected this person was still unconscious and experiencing hypoxia or lack of oxygen. Bibbi immediately brought the man into the cave and carried out an in-depth examination. The branches and tree trunks were left behind.

*

Firewood is burning, although not large, but enough to warm the body. The man's clothes were removed and replaced with a clean cloth from the aunt's bed. While waiting for the clothes to dry, Bibbi checked the condition of the person who fainted earlier thoroughly. There were some bruises on his head, and open wounds on his hands and feet. His face, and fingernails were bluish for too long in the ocean. Luckily, Bibbi found it quickly before it was too late. If it is one hour late, the person can be very critical. Currently, his body temperature was normal, and his skin was not bluish.

That man is still unconscious. However, his body's response was good. At times, he groans involuntarily, possibly as a result of psychic trauma before being stranded on the island. Bibbi took care of him patiently. He abandoned his intention to return to Porthsmont and waited for his patient to recover first.

Frozen is gone, the demon came. This time, as a result of a wound infection and trauma to the head, Bibbi's patient developed pyrexia. Pirexia or the common term fever, is a natural reaction of the human body if experiencing inflammation. However, it would be dangerous if not dealt with immediately. Complications can occur, and will cause serious side effects, especially for people who are unconscious. Bibbi mashed turmeric and some other herbs to be reduced and compressed on open wounds. Slowly but surely, his patient's fever gradually improved.

*

Three days have passed since the discovery of the patient. Bibbi takes care of his needs very well, even though he does not know him. Gene Island is usually quiet, some time this looks crowded people. Many groups were passing around the island, however, he did not know the reason. It doesn't seem like a traveler, as most wear knightly armor. Will there be a war of territory? Bibbi did not want to think strangely, as his main focus was to return home to Porthsmont as soon as his patients could talk.

"Akh. My head hurts,"

"Who are you?" the man asked in astonishment, but did not refuse to be touched. It seems he pahsm that Bibbi did not mean evil and has been taking care of him all this time.

Bibbi did not answer. He clings his hand to the man's blue pendant.

'I'm Bibbi, an herbalist, my sister. I can't talk, but, we can communicate through this locket,'

The guy was surprised not to play. How is there a foreign voice in his head? Why would that locket convey someone else's message?

"I'm Izz, why can you talk to me through this locket?" tanyanya astonishment.

Bibbi stuck her hand again to the Izz pendant.

'Because we are descendants of witches. This pendant is a Blue Phoenix pendant, it looks like yours belongs to a high-level mage, the pendant is somewhat different to mine'

Bibbi shows her necklace pendant which is light blue and is a little smaller than Izz's. Izz couldn't believe it. The fact of where it suddenly appeared.

"Akhs.. My head hurts, "Izz can't think and accept the new reality he's got. Not to mention the shock of being kidnapped by assassins, then carried by fish monsters, this time suddenly became a descendant of witches? Izz seems to be having a bad dream.

'Rest, I'll give you milk porridge'

Bibbi rushed to heat the new porridge this morning he made. Izz turned himself back. The headache he had was really bad. Until it feels like his head is about to break!

...****************...

(connect)