Chapter 5

She ran all night through the forest without any breaks, determined to ask for the witch's help. As she reached the middle of the woods towards a clearing, the rising sun shone brightly at an odd looking garden filled with low lying trees and vines with glowing orbs hanging on them. She cautiously walked through the path towards the witch's house. As if the house sensed her approach, the door pry itself open slowly.

The witch of the forest solemnly turned her gaze to the sudden visitor. "Hmm… What a rare customer! A man-killing Faunus girl, coming all the way out here… what's this about?"

A glance of the witch intimidated Blake. Dark tousled hair, commanding red eyes as though they are piercing through her soul. The witch don on a white colored imposing mask that covers most of her face except her mouth region. The rest of her outfit is covered by an oversized deep red cape held closed by a series of beads at the upper region and a distinctive logo that looked like a rose shaped like a heart on the left upper area.

"There's someone I want you to help! She lost her sight because of me! I…" the witch let out a hearty laugh; sly Faunus rarely say such things.

The witch prodded the Faunus' nose, the latter looking ready to bite at any time. "But of course. I shall grant your wish."

"Hmm… but you do know what I need, yes?" strange glowing spheres appeared out of nowhere filling the once dark room with aureatelight. The witch gestured one to her and sighed, admiring it.

"Beautiful… each one differs from the others, all unique gems." The sphere's vivid glow pulsed in the witch's palm. As the stories said, the witch was a collector with a rather crude temperament. In return for granting wishes, she took the requester's most cherished possession and turned them into crystals.

"The most beautiful hearts are the ones willing to lose what's important to them in order to get what they want. So, what will your heart reveal to me?" the witch peered into the Faunus' eyes as if to discern a suitable payment. "Hmm, yes… how about your singing voice as compensation?"

"M-my singing voice..." the Faunus knew that the witch had a wicked streak and she knew she had to sacrifice the most important thing to her, still her heart trembled, doubtful…

Her beautiful singing voice that the princess praised or the full recovery of Yang… if it means seeing Yang better, she would risk her blooming relationship with her.

"Okay! I'll give my singing voice in exchange!" the mouth of the witch curled up, as if giving an evil grin.

"Excellent. Payment accepted!" she waved her floating staff over and opened her mouth… but she paused. "I did not expect to get this from one so prideful, but I suppose life is full of surprises. Well, I'm in a good mood so I'll give you a little something extra." The witch's eyes twinkled dubiously.

"I'll give you whatever form you desire. What do you want?" Blake remembered what she had told the princess. The chance to hold Yang's hand as a human…

The thought that by changing into a human, she could hold the princess's hands without suspicion, without her sharpen nails, without her Faunus scent…

"I wish to become a human!" the witch chuckled softly at the Faunus' choice. "A man-killing Faunus become a human! How amusing. But why on earth… never mind no need to divulge the details, I believe I already know why." The Faunus growled at the witch's mockery.

"What a lovely idea but you're sure of that? You and your human friend will be devoured by monsters before you even get here." The Faunus was unnerved and hung her head, ashamed that the witch has seen how futile her plan was. The warning from the witch made her realized that she would not only lose her voice, but her Faunus abilities as well.

"Didn't think about that did you? Hmph …even clever little Faunus can be dull sometimes. I'll modify the spell so you can return to Faunus form at any time." A magical light appeared as she began the ritual. The magical light wrapped around the Faunus' body; a part of the light gathered near the witch, "I've received your singing voice as the toll," the witch said with an eerie smile.

The light around the Faunus suddenly shone bright, temporarily blinded Blake and then it faded into the witch's hand. "…but I'm still a Faunus." Blake looked doubtful and disappointed. "It is but a complex spell," the witch said. "Give your body one night to get used to it."

The witch cast spell towards Blake. A portion of her ribbon is torn off and magically enchanted on her arms. "Wear these ribbons on you. So long as you do not take it off, your body will have better control on shifting."

Her task complete, the Faunus start to depart the dingy house. However, the witch stopped her in her tracks. "Ah, I almost forgot. Beware of the moonlight, yes? If you fall directly under it, you will immediately turn back into a Faunus."

"…okay. Thank you!" Blake bowed.

"Have a safe journey with Yang…"

Shock plastered on Blake's face "How did you…" not wanting to delay any longer; she shook her head and turned towards the exit. 'Soon I'll be human and hold the princess' hand… I'm so excited!' Full of hope, the Faunus eagerly anticipated returning to the castle tower where the princess was waiting.