Chapter 37
The next chamber opened into a vast circular space, its stone floor etched with silver runes that shimmered faintly in the crimson glow of the Blood Moon. At the center, a pentagram pulsed with shadowy energy, the air vibrating with power that made Elana's skin tingle.
Lucian's silver eyes scanned the room, wary. "This is the Blood Moon Ritual," he whispered. "Kade attempts to harness the hall's full power here. If he succeeds, the shadows could overwhelm us entirely."
Elana's pulse quickened, her hand instinctively moving over her mark. "How do we stop him?" she asked, fear and determination battling within her.
"The mark and our bond," Lucian said. "Together, we can counter his energy. But it requires complete focus—and trust."
As they stepped closer, shadows erupted from the pentagram, writhing like living smoke. Kade appeared, his presence radiating authority and danger. "You've grown stronger," he hissed. "But this hall bends to me. You cannot stop the ritual."
Elana's chest tightened. The whispers of the hall swirled around them, drawing on every fear, every doubt. Illusions of failure and isolation pressed in, and for a moment, her courage wavered.
Lucian placed his hand over hers. "Remember the bond. Strength isn't just power—it's trust. Channel it through the mark."
Elana took a deep breath, letting the warmth of the mark spread through her chest. She felt the pulse of Lucian's energy connecting with hers, a steady rhythm that anchored her spirit.
Together, they projected their combined power outward. Silver light surged from her mark, intertwining with Lucian's aura, colliding with Kade's dark energy. The hall trembled, the pentagram glowing brighter, shadows twisting and recoiling under the force of their unity.
Kade roared, the shadows around him flaring violently. "You cannot—"
But Elana's resolve hardened. She focused entirely on the bond, on Lucian's presence, on the strength that had carried them through every trial. The silver light intensified, striking the pentagram with blinding brilliance.
The ritual shattered. Shadows dissipated like smoke, curling back into nothingness. Kade staggered, his power diminished, unable to sustain the hall's force against their combined strength.
Elana collapsed to her knees, exhaustion and relief mingling in her chest. Lucian crouched beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You did it. We did it. The ritual cannot harm us now."
She looked up at him, a shaky smile forming. "It's… over?"
"For now," he said gently. "Kade's influence is weakened, but the hall still holds trials. This was preparation—the final step toward facing him fully."
Elana nodded, regaining her strength. The crimson light softened as if acknowledging their victory. She glanced at the shattered pentagram and whispered, "Together, we can face anything."
Lucian's eyes softened, filled with pride. "Yes. Together, Elana. Always."
The Blood Moon Ritual had tested them both physically and mentally—but through courage, trust, and the power of their bond, they had emerged victorious.
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