Ravenblood

Chapter 7

Veronica

"But how? He had been cast into the shadows of the dead. And even if we brought him back to life, he is without a head. Surely we can't afford a headless man seizing the throne," Moon said, and a series of agreements came from the men.

"Surely we cannot. But as the stone of life could bring one back to life, it was not with the soul to the body. It would be in another," I replied.

"What do you mean?"

I was getting frustrated, " I mean, to get Falcon to be alive, we have to find a living being to transfer his soul into."

"Like an Alchemy?" Slibeth asked.

"Yes. Like an alchemy," I replied.

"So we get a person from the settlement and do the transition," Everin said.

" Oh, don't you worry," I smirked, " I have one in mind."

I thrust the tiny penguin into the air, watching it flap its little but fast wings with my message tucked between its feathers. It wouldn't take up to a day before my message to my boy toy was delivered.

Meet me at the tavern at the Canvora settlement—the one without painting.

While he thought he was getting a piece of ass, I got better plans. He should be thankful; I was going to make him king. Only that his soul would be cast into a headless body and my relative to his fresh and young one.

Hours later, after midnight, I heard his domineering footsteps, but without the clinking swords and keys. He was in regular clothing.

I got into position, spreading my legs wide apart as he was met with a nice, alluring view of my body.

His eyes crinkled, and a broad smile stretched his lips as he jumped on me, locking his lips with mine. His hands ravaged every part of my body, touching every curve and softness as our moans and groans mixed in pleasure.

He grabbed my hips, thinking I was about to get work; I crouched over him and slid into his neck, a tiny pin with its syringe containing fluid that infused into his system the moment I pressed it.

He paused and then flinched as the pain registered into his body.

"What the hell are you doing-" Drowsiness took over, crashing him back to the bed.

A satisfactory smile stretched my lips as he let go of consciousness, slipping into flickering hands of sleep.

"You did well," Everin said as he approached others in the room.

"I know. Where is it?" I asked.

"Here." He placed it into my hands. ," Kind of a struggle moving past those mundane things Gamora conjured."

"By the time this is done, every struggle will be worth it." I raised the stone as the entrancing light shone within it. " Now, let's get to work. To the shadows of the dead where he lays," I said, anger and determination lacing my tone.

It was done. I had sedated the guard.

Now, he was ready to be Falcon's new body.

We needed three things to perform this rite: the blood of the serpentines, a living body, and a picture of the falcon.

“Are we ready?” I brought out a sharp knife to slit our palms. I proceeded as everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Each blood poured on the stone disappeared as it dropped on the stone.

Chana isita nure lorebum

Chana isita nure lorebum

Chana isita nure lorebum

Chana isita nure lorebum

We chanted loudly and held our hands tightly. The lantern went off. The stone glowed with red light, which later changed to fire; the wind blew violently; Julius’s body and falcon picture levitated. And suddenly, they both disappeared.

“what happened,” Moon asked

“Where did he go?” as we looked around, wondering where the body and falcon’s picture went.

“I am right here,” Falcon says, standing at the corner of the room

“ fal- falcon,” as we slowly approached him

“yes, it is me, flesh and blood,” he responded with a smirk on his face

Finally, the falcon is now in Julius’ body.

Our saviour lives

Our hope is alive

Victory is here

“oh, Falcon,” I cried as I leaped to hug him.

Everything was worth it

The horrors of the prison, the hunger, thirst, pains, sorrows, shame, suffering, and having to tolerate that disgusting wrench to get his body. All my sacrifices paid off.

“ Hello, sister. You look beautiful, as always, but you seem to have lost so much weight,” he asked as he carefully observed me. Of course I did; I went for days without food or water or was forced to eat the nasty prison food lest I die from starvation.

“I went through a lot.” I burst into tears.

“ Wipe your tears, sister,” the storm is over,” gently cleaning my tears with his hands as he leans to kiss me softly on my lips. “ I love this body; it’s strong and good-looking, feels so good to be alive”.

“ Oh yes, the body is great; I have eyes for good things.” We all laughed heartily.

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Falcon

I feel so energetic, powerful, and youthful. I don't know if it is because of being alive again, but I know it has something to do with my new body. This body has a commanding presence; it is a masterpiece. This face comes with a chiseled jawline. Oh, I love a chiseled jawline.

Broader shoulders sculpted with a chiseled torso, a testament to resilience and strength. Not even my original body looked this good. I am so grateful to the owner of this body or, better still, the former owner; I will continue to take care of it as you did. I ran my fingers through my hair; I could feel the volume and health of the hair

“ it is blonde,” Veronica said, smiling sheepishly

Blonde, my hair is blonde! My head felt like it would explode with excitement.

I raced to the mirror only to be met with a harsh reality—a reality of seeing my original self in the mirror.

“ It seems your journey in the shadow of the dead has made you forget how the stone of life works.” Veronica chuckled. “Once you look at the mirror, you will see your true self; it only creates the illusion of your new body to humans.

Oh s**t, how could I forget? I am safe as long as I am not seen in front of a mirror.

“ We have to make haste; Alexandro sits on the throne with that t**t called Monica.” Veronica spat

“I will leave for Edengar by dawn, but how do we get to Alexandro since I am no longer a beta and do not have access to him like I used to?” as I turned to my family

“ Have you forgotten who we are?” Everin smiled mischievously. “We are the serpentines,” Veronica added, “You don't have to worry about Alexandro being on your side when you have the shetera.”

Shetera is an enchantment stone conjured by three ancient witches many years ago. They sacrifice the blood of their first sons by ruthlessly slashing their throats in front of Amija- the goddess of hell. The stone makes people do the wish of whosoever wields it. By making your opponent set their eyes on the stone, they will become your puppet for eternity. Men have killed their wives, taken their lives, given their life savings, kings became servants, wars have been fought, children turned on their parents, and wives have poisoned their husbands, all thanks to the power of shetera. Yada, one of the witches who conjured the enchantment stone, was our mother's great-grandmother. That's how it became ours. We call it the evil stone.

“Here it is,” as Moon placed it in my hands. “ go and become king.”

The stone glowed as I lifted it; I could feel its evil energy, power, and might. Alexandro, I am coming for you.

Veronica

Tears filled my eyes as my brother set out for the palace of Edengar. He looks so healthy, alive, and handsome; yeah, I know it is not his original body, but who cares? He looks so royal. I could picture the crown of Edengar on his head

Falcon, king of Edengar - Alpha of the pack. The thought of it alone makes my heart explode with excitement.

“ I am about to head out, bless me, sister,” Falcon said as he got down on his knees

“ Go, victory awaits you, “ I leaned forward to kiss his forehead. “ If anything happens, don't fail to call on us; we will fight with you till our last drop of blood.”

“Remember, the enchanted must never see you from the mirror.”

He climbed on his horse and rode to the palace.