Xylia

Ten

It took a second for everyone to register what had just occurred.

Volkan swayed on his feet, falling into Drea's arms while frantically fanning himself. His large form doubled over her petite one.

Drea let out a slew of curses before plopping him onto the ground.

Everest joined Volkan and crumpled to the floor in a graceless bow.

"Wise spirit," the man's chilling countenance warmed at the praise.

Despite his face being smushed up against the floor, one could tell Everest's pleading held the perfect balance between awe, fear, and desperation.

"We humbly ask that you bequeath your power and knowledge to us, so that we may smite our enemy." I rolled my eyes at Everest's theatrics.

The man mulled over Everest's words, humming in agreement he mused, "I will," relief surged through me, but dissipated like smoke when the man swung a finger my way, "but she must be the receiver of my gift." The edge in his tone sent waves of shivers throughout my body.

Unease curdled in my gut, but I nodded at his terms nonetheless. A smirk curved on the spirit's face.

"You must leave," he commanded to the others. Not surprisingly, Drea had already left, but Volkan and Everest lingered behind. Warmth flooded in my chest at the concern etched on their faces.

The spirit sighed, "I cannot perform the ritual with a crowd." I locked eyes with the two of them, sending, what I hoped to be, a reassuring smile. He waved hands in a shooing motion, and the two hesitantly walked out of the cave.

The man beckoned me forward, gesturing me to get into the sacred bath tub.

"Repeat after me: *sacrificium potentiam et potestatem esse."

I recited the words sloppily, the syllables rolling awkwardly along my tongue. A moment passed, yet nothing seemed to change. Wading in the water again, I flexed my fingers, not feeling any more invincible than when I stepped in.

"Nothing's happe-" the room tilted on in axis, colors blurring together in discord. My stomach plummeted as a force yanked me under the surface, a gasp of surprise tore out of me before the darkness closed in.

___

My eyes cracked open, recognizing the room of mirrors. However, the wisps of violet and silver had been replaced by the angry crimson haze that filled the cave.

The hub of light spun frantically in place; its harsh rays bathed the chamber in bloody hues. A cold cord snatched my ankle. It coiled tightly around the limb cutting off my blood flow. Beads of sweat accumulated on my brow bone, cascading down my speculative expression.

This doesn't feel right.

The sting of other ropes latching onto my body had me arching in agony. I heaved uneven breaths, my body unsure of how to process the influx of pain.

A warm flame lit under my skin; it's heat providing a temporary solace to the stinging flesh. The tame fire swelled with energy, sizzling bursts of agony erupted on my arms. I flailed against the searing inferno.

"Stop struggling," a gruff voice barked.

I fell limp, like a puppet with its strings cut off. My eyes strained to see the speaker.

"I said stop!"

A pulsing throb blossomed behind my eyes as they were forcibly dragged forward.

"S-stop," I gritted out. My jaw snapped shut with an audible click. Every molecule in my body buzzed with the unseen force, its current crawled under my skin like a million bugs burrowing deep within my flesh.