Sinister Offerings

Chapter # 2

6 Months Later

It's been six months since that day. Raven is still asleep. I don't know what happened to her, I checked every book written by Raven for healing or anything I could but to no avail. I tried to find any clue to save her or to know what happened to her body and soul but to no avail. I.. am not even sure if there are chances of her to wake up. There are no traces of the Devil which entered her body, maybe because both of them are stuck because of Raven's weak Magic Power but I can't let this happen, I have to find a way to save her. It was all my fault and before remorse could eat me up and I lose her, I shall redeem my fault. I have to redeem my mistake. I couldn't lose the love of my life and for that, I shall break every boundary. To save her, I'll gladly offer my life. I promised to protect her, I couldn't... The pain inflicted inside me, broke me as a deep scar hurt me. Miserable by my fault, I am repentant. In the midst of desperation and regret of not listening to her, I was overwhelmed by grief and sorrow. The inexplicable pain is embedded on my core. Seeking salvation from the ravage I created, I have to find my Master Axzaan to help me find a solution. He is the only person who can help me. With frightening skills, experience and knowledge, he is extremely powerful- undefeated. He is the one who taught me black magic. He is my only hope to save Raven now. He can help me.

I have to find out about his whereabouts, which is quite a hard task but I have to do it. He came from the Northern Snowy Mountains, he visits the hidden village of Yash- his hometown frequently but it's the time of spring where his whereabouts are almost impossible to find. He disappears every spring and comes back in summer, I don't why.

There’s no other way. Raven is the lone survivor of her clan so I couldn’t ask for help from anyone other than Master. He is my only hope.

“Dylan.” I called my right hand man. “Yes, Master?” He asked. “Send a message to Caden Ray. I want to meet her alone in the Cursed Town.” Caden is the only one who can tell me about him. her connections are spread all around our country Scarlette.

“Yes, Master.” He nodded and left.

After he left, I went to see Raven. Julia and Jane; Raven’s closest friends were taking care of her. I entered her room and told them to leave me alone. I walked close to her slumbering form and sat beside her. I caress the side of her face and tugged a few strands of her hairs behind her ear while placing a gentle kiss over her forehead. I then held her hands, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles as all the emotions I buried inside me burst out again. The remorse I was trying to hide, the pain I couldn’t show once again escaped from me because whenever I looked at her, that day came to my mind. Everything slipped out of my grasp and I failed to notice it. Before I knew it, I lost what I began to cherish more than my life. The storm in my heart cannot calm down unless I redeem my mistake and annihilate her from this devil’s possession. I will free her even if it means sacrificing my everything- including my life. I cannot lose her. I was doing this for us, I don’t want the life in which she is not present.

A silent tear rolled down from the corner of my eye, heartbreak filled me up. Overpower by heartache I couldn’t be able to produce a sound other than a sob. My heart was shattered. When the unbearable reality filled me that no matter how much I will call her, she will never wake up. No matter what spell I cast, it won’t have any effect. That she is in an eternal sleep with almost impossible chances of waking up, a stream of tears flowed from my eyes without any halt. No sound escaped my lips but the tears glistened my cheek. They rolled down, reflecting the depression I went through in six months. My heart felt heavy from pain and I wanted to inflict this darkness in me so that I could understand how wrong I was and if I did what she told me, none of this would have happened. Only if I take precautions and don't blind myself by my pride, we would be together.

I don’t want the title of the strongest anymore. I just want YOU!

I want no treasure but you to be my side and hold me. Nothing in this world could give me more happiness than this. You are my world Raven, I need you. It’s intolerable to live alone. I realized my mistake, it opened my eyes. To wake her up, I will cross every boundary.

I lowered my head in shame, not being able to speak anything, only feeling the tears on my cheek. The overflowing sorrow filled me up and I couldn’t be able to stay composed anymore. I grit my teeth trying to contain the sensation of mourn but to no avail, there’s no path. I am inside a loop of misery, crumbling to dust with no hope of running away from this irrefutable reality. A sob escaped my lips as my grip on her hand tightened. I broke and let out deafening sound of cries, showing my anguish and the only sound I was able to produce was,

“I am sorry, Raven.” I continued to cry until all the devastation came out in the form of tears. Until the chaos inside me calmed down. I gasped due to the suffocation of the constant cries and finally forced my wails to a stop. I sniffed and wiped my tears as I began to say,

“Please forgive me, Raven. If I listened to you and did not break the ritual none of this would happened. But I promise you, I will liberate you from this Devil’s grasp. We promised to be with each other, to protect each other and stay together till our last breath and this is not your last and I swear I wouldn’t even let it. To save you, I am willing to go to the depths of hell. Just you wait for me, my love. Our journey will not end here- not unless we fulfill the dreams you cherish in your heart. We will be together. Wait for me, I will be back.” I kissed her hand and wiped the last tear on my cheek.

Taking a few deep breaths, I composed myself and put up my cold front as I left the room looking as if nothing happened.

After a few days, Caden finally agreed to meet me. She is the Master of a cult named Crimson Devils while ours is Azure Lustre. She can help me to locate Master Axzaan’s, her clairvoyance is very useful.

I entered the Cursed town, since I told her to meet me alone. It is called the cursed town because no one can live here, anyone who tried to do so, vanished without leaving a trace. It’s a deserted place- the best place to meet. I know it’s difficult to find my Master but if we work together we might be able to get a hint and one hint is enough for me to set out my journey to discover him. Caden is Raven's sister, not by blood by heart. She'll definitely help me.

As I was walking into the town an arrow from behind flew in my direction. I ducked and dodged it. Looking at the blood-red arrow, It’s enough for me to know that it’s Caden.

“Admirable reflexes as always, Adrian.” She complimented me in her scornful voice she uses on me to show how much she dislikes me. I turned to her and gave her a bored look. She walked to me with a smirk plastered over her lips.

“Caden.” I breathed out. Observing her cautiously because no one knows when this woman can attack.

“Relax, it’s no fun to attack in an open area.” She let out a suppressed laugh, holding her hands out. She was about my age in her early thirties with unnatural violet eyes along with blonde hairs, all her malice hidden behind her beauty. I have known since my childhood, we used to have duels between her dark and mine light magic and I always win- I still do as her prediction cannot match my speed of attack. She is weak in term of power.

“I need your help.” I said nonchalantly, rolling my eyes off.

“Of course. You didn’t call me here urgently to have a cup of tea, don’t you?” She mocked with a smile.

“I need to find Master Axzaan.” I said. She made an ‘o’ face and grinned.

“Oh, Great timing! I know where he is.” My eyes widened in astonishment for a second and she continued, “He used to leave you for a month or so around the time of spring, remember? When you sneak out and meet Raven.” I nodded, “He used to take a while of vacation and rest at a certain place at this time. Starting from next month, he will go there any time.” She explained.

“And what is this place?” I asked.

“Now, What fun it would be if I told you about it?” She smirked. I narrowed my eyes at her in annoyance knowing she will not tell me easily and I have to get it out of her mouth.

“What do you want in return?” I asked. She put her index finger under chin and mumbled, “On a normal day, I would ask for a duel but right now; intrigued by the sudden call. I want to know the reason for your desperation.” She then scanned me, “Besides, It’s rare to see you without Raven.” She knows how to twist things and get answers. Left with no choice but to tell her. I sighed and began to tell her,

“I performed Sinful Thrall.” She was shocked upon hearing it. It was clearly unforeseen- even for her. No one expects me to do this. I don’t understand what took over me.

“It was a forbidden extinct spell.” She finally managed to speak after a brief silence and collecting her thoughts.

“It is. Now.” I replied. She exhaled and ran her hand in her hair showing her frustration as all her amusement vanished and a seriousness took over mixed with stagger and she was ready to burst at any time.

"Raven wrote the spell, isn't she?" She asked, frustrated. I tentative shook my head yes.

“Did the ritual go wrong?” She asked, glaring at me. I shook my head and whispered with my voice laced in shame, “I was one verse away from the completion.”

“Then what happened?” She was still taken aback. I couldn’t tell her that I was not in my sense due to my unwanted arrogance but I have to tell her what happened or else she will not help me.

“I lost against my love…” I whispered, looking away.

“What do- Wait a minute… Where is Raven, Adrian?” She finally put the pieces together and the word shock is now an understatement. When the truck of realization hit her, her astonishment converted into fury. She was beyond angry.

“Tell me God damn it!” She held my collar, forcing me to look at her but I couldn’t. I don’t have enough courage. I broke my promise.

“What happened to Raven!?” Caden always thought of Raven as her younger sister and was always against our relationship but in the end she agreed when she saw how much we love each other. She will not tolerate anything when it comes to Raven and I promised her that I will die but I will never let Raven die.

“The devil Adaddon grasped her soul and body. That’s why I need Master’s help to find a cure.” I spoke in a barely audible tone. She stumbled back, lost in the abysmal thoughts. She was consumed by darkness, a tear pricked in the corner of her eyes but it was replaced by her seething as she glared at me and hissed, “You broke the ritual, don’t you?” I gulped with my quivering lip and nodded. Tears threatened to fall but I held them back.

“Why?!” She shouted at me exasperatedly. I remained silent, looking down. I couldn’t meet her gaze because I failed to protect the person I offered my life to.

“Tell me!” She shouted again. I bit my cheek, trying to contain myself. She held my collar and punched me in the jaws as her tears finally spilled out.

“Tell me asshole!” She cried, punching me again. Blood flowed from the corner of my lips. I swallowed hard and finally spoke up,

“He.. was about to .. kill her…” I managed to reply but I know it better than anyone. My words are true but they are nothing but a pathetic excuse.

Caden grit her teeth and put her head over my chest. “I f*****g hate you. You promised to protect her.” She whispered, clutching my shirt tightly. “You are the worst! If it wasn’t for her, I would have killed you.” She hit my chest, forcing her cries to stop.

“Save her..” She murmured after taking out her anguish.

“I will. Just help me to find Master Axzaan. I will save Raven.” I promised. She sniffed and wiped her tears and said in a croaky voice,

“On the eastern side of the Ember Forest. There’s a life absorbing lake, any outsider will be drowned in the lake and it’s life would be sucked out and given to it's caster. He lives across that lake… I don’t know what lies ahead.

But remember Adrian, I just told you the way. I don’t know what could come in your way or how you will cross the lake or what’s beyond that. I only know he would be there. You need to find the way yourself.” She warned me. I nodded in understanding.

“Thank you.” I said sincerely.

“I am doing this for Raven. Save her, no matter what.” She muttered under her breath.

I passed her faint smile and replied earnestly, “I will.”

Just you wait Raven. I will save you.