Random Rainimator Stories

Runaway Nostra - Part 3

The ritual takes inspiration from chapter 44 of the book Her Majesty's Royal Coven. Can't believe I still have this book, ew. Also, if this gives a double notification because of being republished, I apologise. I do not know how to use this website *insert skull emoji* 

Nostra held on tighter to Theo as their feet padded against the damp forest floor. The forest floor. A new environment again. Of course.

Nostra carried on, the light of the moon peeking through the thin clouds. Something felt off about this forest to Nostra as they entered the pasture. Nostra doubted they were in the Mystic Forest. Were they somehow back in their continent? Were they in an entirely different one? Nostra did not know the answer. It certainly couldn't be explained through a simple science experiment.

Bump! Nostra felt their knee collide against something as Theo squirmed against their body. Nostra looked down. They had accidentally walked into a wooden chest covered in black silk. Curiously, Nostra unwrapped the black silk from the chest and opened it. Theo held on tighter to Nostra as the smell of oud wood hit their nose. An envelope lay on top of the contents, stained yellow from age. Nostra picked up the envelope, turning it over to break the seal.

Theo's scream echoed in the forest. Nostra turned sharply to their left, only to see shadows lurking in the trees. Panic filled Nostra up. Theo was gone. They had failed to protect him. Nostra slumped their shoulders as they opened the envelope, taking out a thin piece of paper which they began to read.

"I suppose if you're reading this, something has taken Theo. Unfortunately for you, you need him to unlock the door out of this forest. To bring him back, you must perform a ritual. Instructions on how to perform the ritual are at the back. I know you're not the biggest believer in magic but sometimes you have to go against what you believe to save others, don't you?

-N."

N. Noel. The blood in Nostra's body seemed to freeze. Noel was really testing their limits, wasn't she? Nostra flipped the paper over, their eyes widening as they read each step. A ritual with words in their mother's native tongue? How amusing. Nostra threw the paper aside like it had burned their skin. Maybe performing this ritual would burn their skin off. There was only one way to find out.

Nostra's clothes lay in a pile by the wooden chest. For the sake of escaping this forest, they had stripped into nothing but their birthday suit. Who was Nostra fooling at this point? Their belief in magic was slowly starting to show. How else could you explain the neverending field, the white voids called the "Mirror Portals" as that woman had described it and now in this forest where they had to do a ritual just to unlock the next door? Perhaps the shopkeeper did something to Nostra when they weren't looking.

Nostra had gotten to work, following the steps carefully.

1. Clothes are a barrier to this performance. Get rid of them.2. Form a circle using the salt provided.3. Place the cauldron in the middle of the circle. Fill it up with the water provided.4. Pour half of the potion provided into the cauldron and mix it. Drink the remaining half. Don't spit it out.5. Dip the bones in the cauldron and place them around the cauldron.6. Recite this mantra three times: Kia kore utu.7. Sit with the cauldron in front of you and wait.

They sat in the middle of the circle, the cauldron full in front of them. They were so glad nobody was here with them. They would never hear the end of it if someone was witnessing them performing a ritual. The wind brushed against their skin, goosebumps forming on the surface.

Then, a red vapour trailed out of the cauldron. Nostra blinked as the vapour began to spread in the air, coughing as they accidentally inhaled the steam. Nostra shook their head and turned away, waving the smoke away from their face. When they turned back, they stifled a scream.