The Final Hope
After being rushed out of the emergency room, Nattarinee was moved into a VIP recovery suite, her body weak and wracked with relentless pain. Teerathep remained by her bedside, his eyes filled with dread and desperation. Nothing made sense—why was her suffering so intense when doctors could find no physical cause?
Yet, in the midst of his helplessness, a single hope clung to his heart—Akira and Kritin. He knew both of them had deep spiritual knowledge and might be the only ones who could save her from this invisible torment.
Not long after, urgent footsteps echoed down the hallway. The door swung open, and Akira and Kritin stepped inside.
"This..." Akira stopped in her tracks, her face pale as she recoiled.
"...She's cursed," Kritin muttered, gripping Akira's arm. His expression turned grave.
"Please, help her," Teerathep pleaded, his voice hoarse. His eyes were bloodshot from sleepless hours at her side. "She's still suffering. The doctors can't explain it—there's no medical cause. But the pain... it's destroying her."
Kritin approached Nattarinee's bed. Her body trembled in waves, even in unconsciousness, as if the agony inside her refused to let go.
"Krit..." Akira's voice trembled. She grasped his arm tightly, tears welling in her eyes.
"Don't worry. I've got this," Kritin replied, giving her a confident nod.
"Take Teerathep outside. I'll handle this alone," he added in a whisper.
Akira nodded, turning to Teerathep. "Let's wait outside. Kritin needs full concentration."
Teerathep hesitated, torn between fear and faith. But he trusted them. If anyone could save Nattarinee, it was Kritin.
He followed Akira quietly into the hallway. She led him to a secluded corner, away from the door, giving Kritin space to work.
"What did you see?" Teerathep asked at once, his eyes never leaving the closed door.
"Spirits. Buffalo spirits. Others, too," Akira said gravely. "I think someone cast a spell—'buffalo skin in the belly'—on her."
Teerathep's blood ran cold.
"How dangerous is it?"
"Very." Akira didn't sugarcoat it. "This isn't just black magic—it's ancient, powerful sorcery. The cursed object isn't symbolic—it's real. Removing it requires enormous psychic strength and the correct ritual. And if anything goes wrong... it could backfire. On Kritin. Or even on Nattarinee."
Teerathep leaned against the wall, overwhelmed. He had never imagined it would come to this—facing the supernatural to save the woman he loved.
"I trust Kritin," Akira said, touching his arm gently. "He'll bring her back."
______________________________________________
The Ritual of Reflection
Inside the dimmed recovery room, the lights had been lowered to create a solemn stillness. Kritin stood over Nattarinee, his hands hovering above her abdomen, where waves of pain radiated from deep within.
He knew this wasn't just physical pain. Something dark and ancient was embedded inside her—the cursed buffalo hide. It wasn't merely a cursed object. It was a vessel of malice and vengeance, created with the darkest energy. And now, it was time to remove it... and return it to where it came from.
"You good?" a voice asked softly.
Sora stepped out of the shadows behind him, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"I'll manage," Kritin replied.
"You've done worse," Sora said with a snort.
"Then help me," Kritin muttered.
"Yeah, yeah..." Sora grumbled, forming a protective barrier with his hands. White energy pulsed into a shimmering shield around them.
Kritin sat by the bed, laying his hand gently on Nattarinee's stomach. He immediately felt the pulse of her agony seep into his own being. It was as if the curse inside her was alive—and furious.
He began chanting, low and steady. The ancient incantation echoed through the room, a melodic yet powerful vibration in the air. This wasn't a ritual anyone could perform. The language was passed down through bloodlines of spiritual warriors, known only to the few capable of wielding its strength.
Each word sliced through the shadows like a blade, unraveling the grip the dark magic had over her.
As the spell intensified, the curse began to respond. Nattarinee's abdomen twisted unnaturally, a grotesque ripple beneath her skin. The buffalo hide stirred. It sensed the threat and resisted, but Kritin did not waver. His focus was absolute. His mind and spirit were locked on a single goal: draw it out and send it back.
Her body convulsed as the energy within fought to remain. But Kritin poured more of his power into the chant, his voice rising like a storm.
And then—at last—it began to emerge.
The cursed hide surfaced like a ghost in the air above her. It shimmered and flickered, not fully solid, but very much real. Its presence was suffocating, oozing with hate.
Kritin wasted no time. He reached out with his energy, wrapping it around the cursed object to control and contain it.
"Can I eat it?" Sora grinned darkly, eyes gleaming.
"Return to your sender," Kritin whispered, his voice filled with resolve.
The final verse of the chant struck like thunder. The cursed hide vibrated violently, its form twisting and unraveling as if being torn apart by the very magic that created it.
And then, it was gone—propelled back to the one who had dared to summon such evil.
"You're letting it go?" Sora asked, slightly disappointed.
"Those who curse others must face the consequences," Kritin said, his tone calm and final.
Nattarinee's body slowly relaxed. Her breathing steadied. Though unconscious, the visible signs of agony had vanished.
From the doorway, Akira peeked in and called softly, "Krit..."
"It's done," he said with a tired smile, brushing damp hair from his face.
"Really?"
Teerathep rushed to the bedside, grabbing Nattarinee's hand. Relief flooded his face as he saw her peaceful expression for the first time since the nightmare began.
"Thank you," he said, voice thick with emotion. He looked between Kritin and Akira with heartfelt gratitude.
"Do you know who did this?" Akira asked, suspicion flashing in her eyes.
"If someone you know suddenly gets sick... or disappears..." Kritin said, letting the words hang in the air.
"Then that's your culprit," Akira finished grimly.
"Guess we'll find out soon enough," Kritin replied, eyes narrowing.

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The Deadly Charm
ParanormalA deadly love potion, a double-edged sword of jealousy, and a fatal love charm. Who is behind this brutal revenge plot? Discover the answers in "The Deadly Charm"