ARIA POV
The ritual circle burst with silver light the moment I stepped inside.
"Aria!" Mira screamed from somewhere behind me. "Get out of there!"
But I couldn't get out. The moment my feet touched the ancient symbols carved into the stone floor, I felt strength rushing through me like lightning. The Final Sacrifice ritual had begun, and there was no going back.
"Moon Goddess," I whispered, "please let this work."
The silver light grew brighter, and I could feel the magic of my ancestors running through my blood. This was it. The moment we'd all been preparing for. The ritual that would either save our world or destroy it totally.
"You cannot stop what has already begun," a voice said behind me.
I spun around and saw Elder Malin standing at the edge of the circle. But something was wrong with him. His eyes were glowing red instead of their normal blue, and shadows were wrapping around his body like living snakes.
"Elder Malin?" I said. "What's happening to you?"
