Chapter 16:

Pythia POV: 

 That could take days if not weeks and we don't have that kind of time. I slammed the book closed and rubbed my face. "If anyone can do this you can. It sucks but you have to remember that you are saving her life." Stony said sitting on the edge of my desk "I know, I just feel bad for putting her through this. She is fairly young." I replied sitting back. "You killed your own mother without remorse." Stony said flatly. "That was to save all of us." I replied, looking at him. He knew what had to be done. "My point is, death has never affected you before. Why now? Why her, what is so special about her?" Stony asked, crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't know. I guess she kind of reminds me of me in a way, except she is literally trapped within herself. I know all too well how that feels, and I spent a little time with her. She is actually a sweet girl and she was caught in the crossfire and preyed upon. Her body can't contain the forbidden magic. No ones can fully." I replied. My mind was racing with different options. "No one but the strongest can handle it. I wonder who the strongest one is." Stony said before he stood up and walked out of the door. 

    The light bulb went off in my head, I could take it from her and release it back into the ground. I jumped up and ran out of the room. "Alright new plan.. the cuts need to be deeper, more blood has to come out and I'm going to strip the forbidden magic out of her." I said looking around. "Pythia you can't do that, are you crazy!" Lillith nearly shouted at me. "I'm the only one strong enough to contain it for a short amount of time." I replied. "How do you know that would even work? Who the hell gave you that idea?" Natalie asked. I didn't even have to reply for them to know. "I'm going to kick his ass. Later though but Pythia, that is overly dangerous." Lillith said with a serious tone. "It is but we don't have the time and I can't put her life more at risk than we already have. I'm doing it and that is that." I replied in a harsh tone. I know they were worried and honestly I was a little nervous but it was something that needed to be done. I leaned over Leia and smiled. "I know you heard, it's going to feel like a lot of pressure is on you then gone instantly and then you will sleep okay?" I said. "Don't hurt yourself for me. I can take the heat." Leia replied, making me smile. "I appreciate your concern but it is going to happen. The cuts are going to hurt worse than anything but you have to trust me okay?" I said smoothing her hair out of her face.     

    I looked around to everyones worried faces and nodded my head. I picked up the knife and make a single deep cut across her chest. I tried to keep a straight face but couldn't as she screamed out. I could feel the tears in my eyes. I hated this, all of this. She now had a large gash down each leg, across her chest, down her arms and across her abdomen. I waited a few seconds. "Stay strong for me Leia, it's almost over. Lillith you come with me." I said quickly. I placed both hands on the open gash across her chest. "When I'm gone start closing the wounds quickly understand?" I said looking around. They each nodded their heads and I looked back down at her. I could still hear her screaming in pain and it broke a part of me. I took a deep breath, "Io Pizia, la regina delle streghe oscure, chiedo la magia proibita dentro di me, la tiro da te a me. Lascia questo vaso ed entra in me. Così ho parlato e così sarà." (I Pythia, queen of the dark witches demand the forbidden magic within,  pull from thee to me. Leave this vessel and enter me. So I have spoken and so it shall be.) I said as I exhaled. 

    The pain was instant in my hands and I could feel my breathing quicken, it was like a snake crawling up my arms and through my veins. "Pythia? Talk to me." Lillith said. I shook my head not really trusting my voice at that moment but at least Leia's screams have stopped. I could feel it creeping into my chest and up my neck before my hands stopped hurting and that is when I knew all of it was gone and out of her body. I stumbled to my feet knocking over a table that I tried grabbing to keep my balance. "Outside NOW! Everyone else get to work." Lillith roared, grabbing on to me. The next thing I knew I was on all fours outside digging my hands into the ground. "Come on Pythia, breathe. Stay focused say the words." Lillith said standing next to me. "Io Pizia, la regina delle streghe oscure, chiedo la magia proibita dentro di me, mi allontano da me ed entro in te. Torna al posto che ti spetta e non tornare mai più. Così ho parlato così sarà." (I Pythia, queen of the dark witches demand the forbidden magic within,  pull from me and enter thee. Return to your rightful place and never return. So I have spoken so shall it be.) I whispered breathlessly. I felt it seeping its way out of my body and back into the ground and the last thing I remember was my body giving out and falling straight to the ground before darkness pulled me in.