Chapter 123: The Blood Ritual Begins
632 Words
Dark clouds gathered above the eastern plains.
Thousands of torches burned across the massive Blood Army camp, their flames flickering like restless spirits in the cold night wind.
At the center of the camp stood the structure the scouts had seen.
A colossal circle of black stone pillars.
Ancient crimson runes glowed across the ground between them, forming a symbol older than any kingdom alive.
The Blood Ritual Circle.
Blood warriors moved carefully around it, placing crystal shards filled with dark energy into carved slots along the pillars.
Each crystal pulsed like a living heart.
Standing in the middle of the circle was the Blood King.
His crimson cloak moved slowly in the wind as he stared up at the rising moon.
Behind him, several of his generals knelt respectfully.
One of them finally spoke.
“My king, the preparations are complete.”
The Blood King did not turn.
“And the Lycan Kingdom?”
The general bowed his head.
“Our spies confirm they are preparing their army.”
A faint smile touched the Blood King’s lips.
“Good.”
He slowly raised his hand toward the moon.
“Let them prepare.”
Crimson energy began to gather around his fingers like swirling mist.
“This ritual will ensure their preparations mean nothing.”
The runes on the ground flickered brighter.
The Blood King stepped forward into the exact center of the ritual circle.
“Begin.”
The generals immediately signaled the surrounding soldiers.
Dozens of dark priests wearing black robes stepped forward.
Each carried a dagger carved from crimson crystal.
They began chanting in a language so ancient that even the wind seemed to hesitate.
The ground trembled slightly.
The runes on the circle ignited with a deep red glow.
Far away in the Lycan Kingdom, Aria suddenly froze.
She was standing in the palace courtyard with Kael, Roran, and Darius when a sharp pulse of energy struck her senses.
Her hand flew to her chest.
Kael immediately noticed.
“Aria?”
Her breathing became shallow.
“The ritual…”
Roran stepped closer.
“You can feel it?”
Aria nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
Her silver eyes glowed faintly.
“It’s already started.”
Darius frowned.
“Started doing what exactly?”
Aria looked toward the eastern horizon.
Even though the ritual was miles away, she could feel the dark power building.
“They’re calling the Blood Moon.”
The words sent a chill through everyone.
Kael’s jaw tightened.
“That’s impossible. The Blood Moon only appears once every century.”
Aria shook her head.
“Not if the ritual forces it.”
At that moment, the palace doors burst open.
A royal messenger rushed into the courtyard.
“Prince Kael!”
Kael turned sharply.
“What is it?”
The messenger pointed toward the sky.
“You need to see this.”
Everyone looked up.
The peaceful silver moon that had risen earlier was beginning to change.
A faint red shadow crept across its surface.
Slowly.
Unnaturally.
Darius stared in disbelief.
“Oh no.”
Roran’s voice was low and tense.
“The ritual is working.”
The moon continued darkening, turning from silver to deep crimson.
Across the kingdom, citizens began pointing at the sky in fear.
Aria felt the Moon’s power inside her react violently.
The balance of the world was shifting.
Kael looked at her.
“Can you stop it?”
Aria hesitated.
“I don’t know.”
Far away on the eastern plains, the Blood King opened his glowing red eyes.
The ritual circle burned like fire around him.
Above his head, the moon was now half crimson.
He spread his arms wide.
“Yes…”
His voice echoed across the plains.
“Rise again.”
The crimson energy surged upward toward the sky.
- Writer
