Sinister Offerings

Chapter # 4

“You have to sacrifice her love for you to save her.” The earth beneath my feet cracked and swallowed my up. I couldn’t fathom what my ears heard. My breath hitched, my eyes widened in horror. A rush of horror swept off my face. Unfathomable dread send chills up my spine. I couldn’t grasp the depth of Master Axzaan’s words.

“W-What do you… mean?” I asked vaguely, looking at him flabbergast. “I meant what I said.” He replied, taking a seat again and motioned me to sit as well. Reluctantly, I got up and sat down, waiting for him to continue as my mind stirred in undesirable thoughts of anguish.

“Listen Adrian.” Master said. I looked at him in dread, panting and wanting to know if there's any other way. Losing my treasure, her love is something unimaginable, it breaks my tranquil to think about it. “To save something you cherish more than your life. You need to sacrifice your greatest possession.” He told me. I sniffed, holding my agony back and apprehending his words.

I looked down, swallowed the lump in my throat, collecting my thoughts. How can I lose the love which is my redemption? It is inducing a slow poison of heartbreak in me but I know there's no escape from this tribulation. To redeem my mistake, I have to given up on my life and finally after a while I managed to speak, “Will she be able to wake up?”

He nodded, “Yes. She will wake up.” I inhaled and closed my eyes, with a heavy heart I said firmly, “Okay… I will do it. I want her to wake up.” I could feel the tingling sensation of pain thinking of living my life without my reason to live. But I have to do it. I need to save her.

...It will the reminder of my broken pride...

“Now listen very carefully Adrian.” Master began to explain to me, “Sinful t****l is an extremely powerful spell used to summon the devil, Adaddon. Since you broke the spell and it possessed your wife, it connected both it’s life and power source with your Victorian wife. You need to cut both connections at the same time to save her and one mistake and lead to her death.” I nodded in understanding and asked, “Will one sacrifice be enough to compensate for both sources?” Master shook his head no and continued, “No. The offering of her love is to eradicate the life source. And for power source, you need to offer him a stronger body stronger than hers so that we could transfer it from her.”

“How am I supposed to get the body?” I asked. “The real question is not about getting the body. It’s about performing two spells at one time.” He is right, no one can perform two spells at a same time but there are few exceptions.

“Will you help me with it?” I asked desperately. He looked at me for about a few seconds and then nodded. “I will.”

“I shall cut the power source, I don’t think I can do the other one.” I said honestly.

“Fine by me. On the first of next month, I will come to you. Be prepared till then.” He said.

”And the spell?” I asked. He hummed and stood up. Running his hand in his long white beard, looking at his book shelf. He scanned it and took out a book and gave it to me, “Here you go, memorize it.”

“Thank you, Master.” I stood up and bowed to show him my gratitude and respect.

“Make sure not to let pride lead you again.” He advised. “After seeing the consequences. I don’t think I will ever let it happen again.”

“Good.” He passed me a faint smile. “Thank you for everything.” I said sincerely and turned to leave but the Master called me, “Adrian.” I stopped in my tracks and turned to him, “Yes, Master?”

“Before you go, tell me, have you thought about what will happen if you give Adaddon a strong body?” This alone thought gave me very atrocious foreshadows but I held them inside me and replied, “I will use whatever I can to seal him back up.”

“Okay.” He said. I am glad he bought my words or else if he refused to help me, I don’t know where else I would go.

After gaining Master’s help, I went to see Caden first to ask for her advice on getting a powerful body. A body with magic powers greater than Raven or a body up Adaddon’s standard. But if Adaddon needed a strong body he wouldn’t possess Raven. Why did he do that in the first place? Was it because he wanted to push me into a corner or is there something behind his intention? It’s no use in thinking until he leaves Raven’s body. I cannot make assumptions.

“And you think you’ll ever be able to live without her love?” Caden asked, taking a look at the book Master gave me. “I.. don’t know. Her life is my top priority right now.” I breathe out.

“It says, we cannot tell her about the sacrifice. Which means we cannot let Raven ourselves about your love story. She needs to regain it herself... if she can$#2w.” She informed me. “Meaning we cannot give her any clues or tell her about us.” She nodded.

“Can I start things over with her?” I asked after thinking about it. “I guess so. But I think it would be better if you refrain doing it for a while after she woke up.” She suggested.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because she will need time to adjust to her life without you. We don’t know what will happen, what if she begins to hate you or something else happens? We need to wait, to see what’s gonna happen when she will wake up and then decides what to do.” She recommended.

“It might be possible she refused to recognize me.” I added and she hummed. “So let’s just wait.”

“Anyways, have you thought about the body or what will happen when Adaddon will be transferred into it?” I thought about it all the time on my way back and the only answer the was able to come up with was,

“I want you to be there as well and cast the enchantment of your clairvoyance on the person I am going to offer to Adaddon so that we could have a look on it’s moves and do something about it.” I told her. “I understand, I shall do it but who is that person?” She asked. I gulped, not sure whether I should tell her or not. I looked at her and after inhaling deeply, I replied to her, “After thinking, I think Adaddon needs a strong body. Someone skilled and powerful… if you know what I mean…” I said tentatively. She narrowed her eyes at me but then the truck of realization hit her as her mouth gaped in disbelief, “…You don’t mean…?” She whispered.

“Why him!?” She was infuriated.

“Because there is no one else. If you know someone, then tell me.” I said, looking down in shame. “You are falling low.” She looked at me in disgust.

“I… have no other choice. Or if you want. I can offer my body to it… Raven won’t love me anyways.”

“i***t, Have you forgotten about your lineage?! You came from a sacred family; Ella! He will reject you at the very instant.” She sighed. I kept looking at my hand, hating myself, cursing myself but I know there ain’t no other way and I have to do it.

To save one, I have to sacrifice others.

“s**t!” Caden pulled her hair in frustration. An empty smile came to my lips as I said, “Think about me, I am dead inside for doing this.”

“You are crazy like always for Raven.” She sneered. “I guess I am… judging from what I am going to do for her.” A silence then came between us. I could feel the weight which is crushing me from inside and infecting my soul with immorality as Caden was feeling vulnerable against the love for her Sister. We were powerless. After thinking about it, Caden finally spoke up,

“There is no one but him.”

“I know.”

“And if it gives rise to something terrifying. I will help you because I am not stopping you so it will make me a partner in your sin as well.” She smiled sadly.

“You don’t have to.” I said.

“I will be.” She stood up and shook her head. “So all we have to do is to wait now and watch the disaster happen. Besides, I don’t think my extrasensory perception will have any effect but I will try.” She said and left me alone with my abysmal thoughts.

I then went to see Raven. I looked at her, etching her angelic features into my mind, who knows when I will get to see them this close. I sat beside her and held her hands in mine, stroking the back of her palm tenderly, engraving the heartwarming moments I spent with her in my soul. Desiring to espy her azure gems shining like a precious gem. I’ll miss the moments when we both had intense eye contacts where my black orbs met her blue one and turned us oblivious to the things around her. I moved my other hand and cupped her cheek. I kissed her hand and began to say in a low voice,

“Raven… everything will change when you are going to wake up, your heart won’t be mine anymore. Your love will be eradicated. I shall know that you were mine so that it could hurt me every time I will see you away from me, to not have you as mine in my life but you will know nothing. I will be nothing but your Master. You will forget how I approached you first and I confessed first and I proposed first and the… talks we shared… you might forget everything.” I laughed a little as a tear tear rolled down my cheek. My grip on her hand tightened, I swallowed the lump in my throat and continued with a heartbreaking smile over my lips, “Despite all this, I wish you could remember even if you are not mine, I am your. I was, I am and will be yours. Nothing in this universe changes this fact. I might not show it but I will be there in your shadows to guide you, to love you, to be with you. Please never forget that someone loves you more than it’s life. I love you.” I held my tears back and sniffed. I kissed her forehead quickly and left her room. I gasped, trying to keep my cool, keeping up my facade and falling into the darkness.

“You called us Master?” Julia asked, coming with Jane. I quickly wiped the tear over my cheek and turned to them. I nodded and said in my usual tone, “Yeah, I want to set up Raven’s room and make it seem like she and I have no connections. Shift her stuff from our- my room to hers.” They gave me a sympathetic look, knowing nothing will be the same anymore.

“Master.” Julia called me. I hummed, motioning her to continue, not looking at the twins in front of me, “We know the only person you can share your feelings with is Raven. But please don’t forget all of us are here for you.”

“I know. That’s why I am still strong or else I would have lost everything because of my failure..” I smiled, finally looking at them.

“Not everyone is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is how to redeem them.” They said and smiled widely and left to set things up. I laughed emptily to myself, I mocked myself, I am redeeming my mistake by making another.

***

“Are you ready Adrian?” Master asked. My heart skipped a beat in great apprehension anticipated by the hatred which will be aroused from the upcoming affliction originated by me. I have to be prepared for it and bear the outcome of my action.

“Yes…” I took a deep breath, holding my book tightly. Since Master Axzaan also uses books of spells, we can cooperate quite well.

Raven’s body was placed at the altar, I was standing on the right side while Master was standing on the opposite one. Taking precautions, We were performing the ceremony alone.

“Where’s the body for Adaddon?” Master asked.I point at the coffin leaning on the wall knowing it is empty and the presence in the room is vague so it’s difficult to recognize one presence specifically and it can work in my favour.

“Okay then… First, I will start and when I’ll motion you, then you will start.” Master began to chant, I listened to it. My chest tightened in extreme pain, I grit my teeth and put up an emotionless front.

“- One shall rectify mistakes-” He motioned me to start my spell as well as he continued, “Purgation of hearts!” A semi-sphere was formed around Raven written with verses in ancient language I can’t translate there with blood. I exhaled and began to start my spell.

When I was halfway through, the Master told me to point at the body and end the spell. I lowered my head, mustered enough courage and gave consolations to myself by saying I am doing this for Raven. I curled my hand in a tight fist, breathing heavily and raised my head.

“I am sorry, Master.” I said on the verge of crying and pointed at him. “Purgation of Soul!”

Master’s eyes widened in stagger when he realized that the body offered to Adaddon is none other than him.

“I am so sorry… I couldn’t find anyone other than you…” I cried as a shadow emerged from Raven and wrapped around the Master. He tried to resist the force or get a hold of his staff but to no avail.

“Bewitching Reins!” I restricted his movements.

“You ungrateful Brat!” I fell on my knees, crying. Remembering the day I first met him…

***

“What is the heir of Ella doing here?” Master Axzaan asked, looking at my 14 years old form. I was the heir of the strongest Sacred family in Scarlette, Adrian Ellavis Everette but I abandoned my middle name. Not wanting to live a life of restrictions and devoting my life to someone. I wanted freedom, my life.

“Someone with immense light power shouldn’t be here.” He said, looking at me in amusement. I glared at him and hissed,

“I am looking for Axzaan! I want him to teach me dark magic.”

“My, Choosing darkness over light is intriguing.” He bent to my level and continued, “Tell me, Can you even use dark magic?”

“I can! My friend told me.” I showed a seal on my hand and summoned a black with almost no power. He laughed when he saw it.

“Alright kid. If you want Axzaan to teach you. Come with me.” My face lit up in happiness. I quickly followed him. As a kid who led a sophisticated life, I trusted people easily and I was unaware of the way the world works. Master took me to a jungle and said, “I shall put a seal on you so you cannot use your light magic. Axzaan will remove it. You have to defeat a monster and if you do, Axzaan will teach you further.”

“I will do it!” I said immediately. “You can’t. Not with your current power. I shall teach you the basics first.” I nodded eagerly, knowing it’s my first step towards my dreams.

We then spent a whole month in the abandoned jungle and finally I learned the Basics of Dark Magic. That time, I didn’t know the person teaching me in none other than Axzaan.

“Your training ends here.” He said and made a big circle and tapped his staff on the ground. He chanted some verses as a Giant Rock Monster emerged from the ground. My eyes almost popped out upon seeing. I could feel the difference in our power and one fight with this monster and I am dead.

“Defeat it. It will not come out of the circle. After you defeat it, an azure will fall off, take it to Snowy Mountains and bury it in the snow. Axzaan will teach you further.” I smiled widely. “I shall defeat it. I am not backing away.” I said with sheer determination.

“Thank you for teaching me.” I said sincerely. He put his hand over my head and smiled, “I see potential in you and believe one day you will mark your presence in the world. Good luck.” I admired him so much. I didn’t know it was Master Axzaan. After defeating it after a year I met him again… as my Master. For now,I respect the person who helped me to take the first step to become what I am now. My eyes shined in resoluteness as I shouted,

“I will!”

***

”I am so sorry…” I cried. I never knew love will make me do something like this. I am sacrificing my Master for my love.

“You shall pay!” He yelled and the shadow consumed him completely. I fell on my knees, crying. It hurts but I have to bear it.

I don't understand what happened to me. I could only see I have to save Raven and for her, I lost my honour and did this.

I didn’t dare to lift my head. Everything calmed down. There was absolute silence in the room. After crying my anguish out and cursing myself. I lifted my head and saw no one there. There was me and Raven. No signs of Master, no Adaddon. He took him away as the fire of vengeance burned in being.

There was nothing left.