The Phantom Man

XXII - The Ritual

The mage taught the evil warlock the way the ritual should be performed in order to produce the desired effect. Klaus listened attentively, following thoroughly each step of the process taught by Juan; he was being moved by his greatest wish.

As soon as he had heard everything carefully, he left the filthy dungeon taking Juan with him, still shackled. He ordered the other wizards to go to the top of the Castle in order to make the arrangements for the ceremony of immortality and watch his triumph.

Night had fallen. Up on the top of the Castle, having the moonlight as the only witness, a wooden table was specially set for the ceremony. Beside the table, there was an altar with a chalice on it. There was also a glass filled with water, another one with soil, and a jar with blackberries. Near those things, two candles symbolized fire, and a bowl containing dry thin leaves, represented the air's lightness. Myrrh incense and frankincense burned to perfume and purify the ambient.

The Book of Souls was laid in the center, open on the page of the spell. Its yellowish pages said that a mage with a high degree in magic should prepare a potion, one of the ingredients being the blood elements of the candidate for immortality.

Klaus led the way; Juan followed right behind, holding the book. As they climbed up the stairs, the Doppelgänger watched over them. The wizards were already waiting, placed side by side, aligned in a way that resembled a dark tunnel. Evilness was present as an almost pulsating energy ruling over them. When they both reached the end of the way, Klaus lied down on the wooden table specially prepared for the ceremony, as the others chanted the invocation words. Then, he spoke the German words he had learned from Juan, which said that with the Moon blessing, he would receive the power of immortality.

"Mit der Kraft des Mondes, empfangen die Macht der Unsterblichkeit!"

After Klaus spoke the words, Juan took a silver dagger and cut the warlock's wrist. Blood drops dripped inside the chalice and mixed with the potion. Then, he raised the chalice with both hands and served Klaus the eternal life potion. The moonlight illuminated them during the ceremony, shining on the wizard's whole body.

The ritual began to produce its effects. Juan, touched by the moonlight and the spell's energy, felt something strange taking over his body. He opened his eyes widely, and noticed that he was stronger. He looked from side to side to make sure that everything was fine, and then he continued the ritual.

At that moment, with the weapon in hands, Juan hesitated, wondering what it would be like to cut Klaus' neck. However, he had two warlocks on his side, ready to end his life in case he tried anything. Besides, the Doppelgänger watched him closely. Juan could not take a chance, for his mission was far from being completed.

The Absent Basnets watched the ceremony. Faces hidden by dark grey hoods were all around. That gave them a sinister look. Some had their own Doppelgängers flying around them.

Klaus felt an abnormal force taking over his body. He opened his eyes widely. He felt like his soul was being filled with that energy. His flesh burned and his bones ached, as if they were going to explode. He started to scream desperately.

"Goddamn mage! What have you put in the potion? It's killing me!"

Some of the wizards took their swords and put them on Juan's neck. Since the skin was cut slightly, some drops of his blood dripped into the ritual's chalice. One of the Basnets said:

"What are you up to, bastard? Drink the potion, and prove you haven't poisoned it." The warlock forced him to take a sip.

Juan drank from it, believing that it would do him no harm. After that, the Basnet warlock threw the rest of liquid on the old mage's face.