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Chapter 57: The Ritual Begins

last update Last Updated: 2025-01-25 22:07:15

The chamber trembled as Aria stepped into the center of the ancient runic circle, her breath uneven and shallow. The Heart, now glowing with an intensity that painted the room in crimson light, hung suspended before her, pulsating as though it had its own heartbeat. Aurelis’s spectral form hovered nearby, his voice calm but weighted with urgency.

“Once you begin, there is no turning back,” Aurelis warned. “The Heart will resist you, test you, and tempt you. Stay focused, or you will lose yourself to it.”

Aria nodded, though her hands trembled as she reached out toward the Heart. The cool, unnatural energy radiating from it sent shivers down her spine. Her gaze flickered briefly to Kael and Lucian, who stood on either side of the chamber, their weapons drawn and their faces etched with determination.

“We’ve got your back,” Kael said, his voice firm despite the worry in his eyes.

Lucian didn’t say a word, but the slight incline of his head spoke volumes. They were ready.

Aria drew a deep breath and began to recite the incantation Aurelis had taught her. The ancient words felt foreign on her tongue, but the moment she spoke them, the runes on the ground blazed to life, casting a brilliant light that drowned out the shadows.

The Heart reacted instantly, emitting a high-pitched whine as tendrils of dark energy shot out in every direction. The force of it knocked Aria to her knees, but she gritted her teeth and continued chanting.

“Protect her!” Aurelis shouted, his form wavering as the chamber seemed to come alive with the Heart’s wrath.

Kael lunged forward, his blade slicing through a tendril that had nearly reached Aria. “Stay down, Aria! Just focus on the ritual!”

Lucian moved with precision, his movements a blur as he struck down the shadows that crept toward her. “This isn’t just the Heart resisting,” he growled. “It’s something else. It doesn’t want to be controlled.”

Aria felt the energy of the Heart invading her mind, like icy fingers clawing at her thoughts. She saw flashes of destruction—cities burning, people screaming, the world shrouded in darkness. But she also saw moments of hope: lush fields, restored realms, and a future where the balance was restored.

The pain grew unbearable, and she let out a scream as the Heart’s power surged through her. Kael and Lucian exchanged a worried glance but didn’t falter, their focus unwavering as they fought to keep her safe.

“Aria!” Kael shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. “Don’t give in! You’re stronger than this!”

Her vision blurred as the Heart pulled her deeper into its grasp. Suddenly, she was standing in an endless void, surrounded by two paths. On one side, she saw herself standing tall, the Heart glowing brightly in her hands as the world flourished. On the other, she was cloaked in darkness, her eyes cold and unfeeling as the world crumbled beneath her.

“You cannot control me,” a voice whispered, echoing in her mind. “But you can become me. Together, we will reign.”

“No!” Aria shouted, her voice trembling but resolute. “I am not your pawn!”

Aurelis’s voice broke through the haze, distant but steady. “Choose, Aria. What kind of future will you fight for?”

Back in the chamber, Kael noticed the tears streaming down Aria’s face and felt a pang of helplessness. “Come back to us,” he murmured, his blade cleaving through another tendril.

Lucian moved to cover Kael’s blind spot, his movements precise and controlled. “She will,” he said with quiet certainty. “She has to.”

As the ritual neared its climax, the Heart unleashed a final, desperate surge of energy. The ground shook violently, and the light from the runes began to flicker. Aria’s body tensed, her hands clutching the Heart as if it were the only thing anchoring her.

Then, everything stopped.

The chamber fell into a deafening silence, the tendrils of darkness retreating into the Heart as its glow dimmed. Aria stood motionless, her head bowed and her hands still gripping the artifact.

“Aria?” Kael called out, his voice laced with concern as he moved toward her.

Lucian held him back, his gaze fixed on her trembling form. “Wait.”

Slowly, Aria lifted her head, her eyes glowing faintly with the same crimson light as the Heart. She looked between Kael and Lucian, her expression unreadable.

“I’ve made my choice,” she said, her voice calm but filled with an unsettling power.

The chapter ended as the room was enveloped in a blinding light, leaving the fate of the group—and the world—hanging in the balance.

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  • Blood moon's curse   Chapter 57: The Ritual Begins

    The chamber trembled as Aria stepped into the center of the ancient runic circle, her breath uneven and shallow. The Heart, now glowing with an intensity that painted the room in crimson light, hung suspended before her, pulsating as though it had its own heartbeat. Aurelis’s spectral form hovered nearby, his voice calm but weighted with urgency.“Once you begin, there is no turning back,” Aurelis warned. “The Heart will resist you, test you, and tempt you. Stay focused, or you will lose yourself to it.”Aria nodded, though her hands trembled as she reached out toward the Heart. The cool, unnatural energy radiating from it sent shivers down her spine. Her gaze flickered briefly to Kael and Lucian, who stood on either side of the chamber, their weapons drawn and their faces etched with determination.“We’ve got your back,” Kael said, his voice firm despite the worry in his eyes.Lucian didn’t say a word, but the slight incline of his head spoke volumes. They were ready.Aria drew a dee

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