11

The atmosphere was solemn as the coven of witches gathered around the shrine in their traditional ceremonial garb. The priestesses of each clan, along with Astena, the leader of the coven, were at its center. They held aloft arcane symbols and chanted incantations in an ancient language that only they understood.

Outside the shrine, devotees huddled together to observe and partake in the ritual from afar. As they watched, a soft blue light flickered between each priestess’s hands like a web connecting them all together. This energy seemed to grow stronger as more voices joined in on their chants and invocations until it had filled every corner of the space surrounding them with mysterious power.

Astena, began to recite an ancient incantation in a deep and melodic voice. “Om ma ni pad me hum!” she intoned as her hands stretched towards the heavens. The priestesses echoed her words in unison, their voices blending together like one single entity.

“Tayata om bekandze bekandze maha beka