The Eclipse Moons Grimoire: Lilith's Soft Whispers

Codex 0: Sequentia I: Fragmentum XI: Blood Primacy

Codex 0: Sequentia I: Fragmentum XI: Blood Primacy

In the eerie forest beneath a sky adorned with twinkling stars, deep within the mist-covered woods, amidst towering ancient trees, an unsettling altar stands. The entire area is surrounded by flickering fire torches, casting a dim, dancing glow that lights up the dark night and paints eerie shadows on the gnarled tree trunks. On the altar, a large porcelain basin-like bowl, filled with firewood. Surrounding this central cauldron at a distance are four sizable bowls sitting atop wooden stands made from interwoven sticks. Positioned at the cardinal points around these four bowls are eight children, their faces obscured by the shifting shadows, with a noticeable distance separating them from the central cauldron. The air is thick with an otherworldly stillness.

Encircling the children at a distance are twelve tall wooden poles connected by taut red threads, bearing leaves adorned with ancient symbols that flutter eerily in the haunting breeze. The participants, topless with tattoos etched onto their bodies, gather around these poles, their features half-concealed by the murky darkness illuminated by the fire torches. Ancient and demonic symbols carved into the towering trees seem to come alive, as if whispering secrets to those who dare listen. Among them is Ethan, also topless and adorned with tattoos, his gaze reflecting a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

The group has orchestrated this unsettling arrangement to conduct a sacrificial ritual. Leading the ceremony is a burly man with strong muscles and long hair, similarly topless and adorned with demonic tattoos. The eerie glow of the fire casts a ghastly pallor on his features as he intones incantations that echo through the ominous silence. A group of individuals has brought four animals of different species: an ox, a goat, a sheep, and a dog. Their muted sounds and anxious movements add to the unsettling atmosphere, as the remaining participants continue their unsettling chants in the shadowy depths of the ancient forest, illuminated only by the haunting light of the fire torches.

"Brother, here is the essence of the sacrificial blood of the villagers of the Rolland's baronet," Ethan declared, offering a vase brimming with blood to Malachi.

Meanwhile, the cult leader, Malachi, wielding a longsword, systematically beheaded each animal, carefully collecting their blood in four bowls. Methodically, he mixed each type of blood separately with the human blood essence gathered by Ethan while chanting incantations. Then he filled the four bowls positioned near the altar with it. The air grew heavy with the unsettling scent of the ritual.

Malachi then sprayed the remaining blood across the ground and onto the children. The crimson liquid painted a macabre scene, as if the very earth were absorbing the essence of the sacrifice. The children, previously unconscious, stirred at the touch of the blood, awakening to the unnerving reality.

Confronted by the horrifying tableau surrounding them, they began to cry and scream, their voices piercing the night.

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*****

Kevin, Benedict, village guards, and a large group of villagers briskly walked through the forest.

"Kevin, do you know where the children are taken?" Benedict inquired as if he was testing him.

"Yes, about a month ago, after discovering traces of black magic, we've been investigating the woods. We found signs of a ritual setup, but it seemed incomplete. I decoded the symbols and deduced they're attempting to summon a demon. By reverse engineering, I estimated their requirements and identified three potential spots in the forest. They should be aiming for a specific constellation lasting only an hour or two. Based on their preparations, the spot we're headed to seems likely," Kevin explained.