[W.I.T.C.H.] I Know You

Phobos to Cedric: "Don't go too deep into the woods, lest you want your soul devoured."
Luba to Orube: "If you wish to stay in this forest, then you must protect your chastity."
Cedric and Orube: "lol yolo"

That's it. That's the summary of the plot.

Okay, serious time. This is based on one of my favorite Sound Horizon songs, "Lafrenze and the Witch", and on "La Morte Amoureuse" by Theopile Gautier. (Skip the small text if you don't want to read about the references.)

WARNING: Sensitive subject matter.

"Lafrenze and the Witch" tells the story of Lafrenze, the last guardian witch of the gates to Hades. Crimson Old Rose, the old witch, passes her duty to Lafrenze and dies, but not before reminding Lafrenze that she must absolutely keep her chastity, because their power keeps the gates of Hades closed. However, because Lafrenze doesn't have any other companion, she grows very lonely, and forgets Old Rose's reminder when Orpheus (as in, Orpheus and Eurydice o_o don't ask) shows up. Orph plays a harp, which charms Lafrenze. Poor Lafrenze has no idea of what love is or what he's really planning to do... and so, she lets him embrace her. But, all Orph wanted was for the gates of Hades to open, so he can rescue Eurydice's soul. Lafrenze, angered at Orph's betrayal, curses him so that he would look back and lose Eurydice.

Meanwhile, "La Morte Amoureuse" tells the story of Romualdo, a priest about to be ordained. Romualdo, so chaste and so devoted, suddenly regrets giving his life and service to religion, upon seeing a very beautiful woman. One night, he is called to give the last blessings to a dying woman, the very same woman he saw before. He learns her name is Clarimonda, and he silently mourns her death. However, she suddenly springs back to life, and Romualdo is happy. That starts Romualdo's double life: in the morning, he is a priest; at night, he is a gambler and lover to Clarimonda. He eventually starts to be unable to discern which one is reality and which one is a dream. Soon, Clarimonda's health starts to fade, but drops of his blood can sustain her. Weird and horrifying as it may be, Romualdo can't break away from her. However, his senior, Father Serapion, eventually catches on what's happening, and he takes Romualdo to Clarimonda's grave. Romualdo sees that in the grave, the body is still fresh, but when Serapion throws holy water over it, the body gives out a howling cry and dissolves to ashes. After that, Clarimonda only appears to Romualdo once, asking him why. The story ends with Romualdo warning men of never looking upon women, "for a single moment may make you lose eternity!"

The plot of this AU is a mix of the two above. Orube is the sole guardian witch of the Black Forest where spider-lilies bloom. Her mentor and predecessor, Luba, warns her against meeting any human, especially men, to protect herself, her power, and her beloved forest. Cedric is a knight serving the Escanor throne. His master and best friend, Prince Consort Phobos, forbids him from going too deep into the Black Forest, because the "crimson witch" will steal his soul. Who listens? Neither.

I kind of have an idea where Orube has companions in the Black Forest, namely Miranda the black spider and Ludmoore the river serpent. On Cedric's side, Caleb is the one who challenges him to go into the Black Forest. Other considerable plot points are: (1) Princess Elyon rescuing the young girls from straying into the forest and becoming witches themselves, and (2) the townspeople wishing to burn down the forest and subsequently, the crimson witch. It's not final yet.

But for the meantime, enjoy a black, white, and red composition from yours truly. (Also, do I need to explain why Orube offers a bloody white rose to Cedric??? Really???????)

W.I.T.C.H. (C) Disney Italia
Majo to Lafrenze (C) Revo
La Morte Amoureuse (C) Theopile Gautier

Title taken from Once Upon a Dream. The Lana del Ray version fits La Morte Amoureuse very well. Also, Lafrenze is hinted to be the daughter of Dornroeschen-hime, Sound Horizon's version of Sleeping Beauty.