gering just beyond the trees, the weight of the curse pressing in from every direction. But despite the looming threat, there was a sense

phering runes that seemed to grow more complex the deeper they dug. Emma was no longer just

learned, the more

-

n with worry. The deep shadows under his eyes had only gotten worse over the last f

he asked, his voi

l: herbs, crystals, and the vial of water they had collected from the sacred s

oice steady despite the nerv

by a more serious expression. "This is the hardest part," he said, h

llowed.

p firm yet gentle, and together

re the ritual would take place. The forest was eerily quiet, as if the creatur

the sacred spring, now shrouded in an otherworldly mist. The moon hung high in t

nstructed, his voice hoarse. "It's importan

ions Kael had told her. The atmosphere felt electric, like the air itself

edge of the spring, where a stone altar had be

re?" he ask

r jaw set in determin

st rays of the full moon bathed the clearing in a soft, silver glow. The ground beneath their feet t

ng. Taking the vial of water, she poured it into the crystal-clear water,

could see the faintest traces of light begin to form in the water. It w

her eyes, focusing on the energy surrounding them. She felt a pull deep within h

n, it h

snapped open, and she gasped in shock. The water in the spring had turned black, the once-clear surface now swirli

ut her voice was swallo

h effort, sweat beading on his forehead. He was pushi

t going to let them

Emma's heart sank as she recognized them: more shadow wolves. But these weren't just beasts; they were manifesta

top!" Emma screamed

deep in the ritual to hear her, and Emma realized with a sudde

their red eyes fixated on Emma. She took a step back, her h

ll off!" she yelled, b

. She stumbled, falling into the spring's edge as the water surged and rose like a tidal

the sight of her struggling in the cursed water. He lunged toward her, bu

uted, his voice

thing unexpected happened. The glowing crystals that Kael had placed around the spring began to hum, their light intensifying as a wave of pu

gainst Kael's outstretched hand. He pulled her free from the water's grip,

el whispered, his voi

ng with raw power. She felt weaker than she had ever felt before, a

but Emma knew that the battle was far from ov

s fate-and hers-hu