Reborn, Its Time To Save My Family And.. My Enemy!
Chapter 231: The Key!

Chapter 231: The Key!

"You can’t stop them," Elric sneered. "You’ll be the key to opening the seal."

"Then you’re a fool," Oriana said, lifting her chin. "If you think blood alone gives you power, then you know nothing about the old magic."

"Enjoy your last moments," he spat before turning toward the coven.

The chanting grew louder now, rising like a tide. The witches raised their hands, and the air thickened with dark and cold power. Oriana clenched her fists, fingers trembling against the manacles.

They were going to start soon. She had little time left. She could hear their chant growing louder. She did not recognize the language they were speaking, but she could feel it in her bones. The flames of the violet torches flared high, licking at the sky as if summoned.

The sky had turned darker and clouds started to rumble in the sky as if they all wanted to break. Evelyn stood beside the high priestess. Her long braid was coiled atop her head, her face serene, but her eyes found Oriana and narrowed with venomous triumph.

Behind Evelyn, a man and woman stood, draped in ceremonial garb. Oriana froze as recognition struck.

Her blood ran cold as Evelyn stepped forward. "Bring them," she said coldly. Two cloaked figures moved toward the crying girls.

"No!" Oriana strained against the chains as the first girl was pulled. She was barely more than a child. She was dragged into the center of the circle. She screamed and kicked, but the witches began drawing symbols around her with black ash, ignoring her pleas.

One by one, they were brought forward. Some sobbed, others were too numb to make a sound. The chanting kept increasing and the dark sky looked like it was bleeding now.

She screamed with fury boiling in her throat. "Cowards! Hiding behind ancient rites while you sacrifice children! You are monsters!"

Evelyn didn’t flinch. She turned slowly, her face expressionless.

"Do you think I would let it go! I am only helping you, oriana. Olivia had all the powers while you were left alone. I am giving the power to you so that you could stand better than her. You should be appreciative!"

Oriana’s eyes burned. "If you hurt them, I swear I’ll—"

"You will what?" Evelyn said with a smile as cold as the wind. "Are you any better than them?"

Elric stepped out from the shadows.

He strode forward and grabbed Oriana’s chain, unhooking it from the post with a clatter. She struggled, but his grip was iron. He dragged her across the stones, through the flickering torchlight, toward the altar now the dark circles glowed around them. She could feel the scent of blood around her.

The moment her feet hit the center circle, she felt the difference. A force thrummed beneath her that made her feel weak instantly. As if she could not move or run. The witch only glanced at her once then continued with more force.

"She is ready," Elric announced, forcing her to her knees before the altar. Oriana tried to struggle but it was all fruitless.

The high priestess raised a ceremonial blade, its curved edge humming with dark magic. Lightning cracked in the sky as if urging her to continue faster. riana’s lungs ached with each breath she took as if the very atmosphere were trying to choke her.

She moved with slow reverence, blade in hand, as two robed witches brought the first girl to her knees at the edge of the glowing circle.

Oriana thrashed against her restraints. "No! don’t touch her! Leave her alone!"

But no one listened. The priestess whispered something against the girl’s ear, then took her wrist and dragged the blade across her skin.

The crimson blood spilled freely, pooling at the center of the circle. It didn’t seep into the stones but as if it had its own consciousness, it started to glow faintly as if reacting to the ancient symbols etched beneath it. The chanting went stronger and the clouds roared witnessing the gruesome scene.

The violet flames bent inward, drawn to the blood, their tongues stretching unnaturally.

Oriana’s breath came in short, ragged gasps. Her eyes were fixed on the pool of blood that now pulsed like a living heart. More blood joined it when another girl’s wrist was cut. One by one the blood started to join and a stronger web like structure started to form in the middle of the slab. Then it began to shift. Slowly, it began to rise higher and curled upward in strands that twisted and spiraled in the air, like serpents made of liquid light and agony. The witches stared at it with unhidden anticipation. They chanted louder with their eyes glowing with joy.

The strands of blood coiled together, forming a grotesque symbol in the air. Oriana could feel it pulling at her insides, like hooks beneath her skin. She felt like someone was tearing apart her skin. She screamed in agony.

"No—no, stop—" she rasped, but her voice was lost beneath the chants that echoed through the circle.

The structure started to spiral in the air and then it shot forward. She tried to struggle but the head priestess and Elric held her tightly in her place. She could feel the pull in her body and the strange web of blood jolted Straight into her.

The force of it knocked her back, though the chains around her wrists kept her from falling. The blood felt like a hot venom seeped into her bones. It shot through the wound on her wrist like fire. Oriana screamed hard and tried to struggle but she could not move. Her body arched against the stone floor, her back lifting off the ground as the magic invaded her.

The pain was like nothing she had ever known. Not just in her body but her soul. It seared through her veins, rushed into her heart, into her bones. Her mind was flooded with whispers.

The sigil burned beneath her skin, glowing faintly through her arm. Her eyes rolled back, and for a moment. Then she was slammed back into her body.

"Oriana," Evelyn said, voice calm, smug. "You see? I’ve only given you what you were denied. You were always meant to be the key."

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