Amir then turned, his piercing gaze settling on Dakota. "Go and prepare him," he commanded.
Dakota's body stiffened, her face showing a flicker of hesitation before she stepped forward. She knelt just outside the glowing white circle. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached out, dragging her fingers through the white powder that marked its edge.
Harith stood motionless, his eyes following his mother's every move.
After coating her fingers with the powder, Dakota moved closer and began to draw intricate patterns across his naked chest. The designs hugely resembled the patterns that Julian had seen at the walls of the cavern.
Harith sat still, his breathing shallow, as his mother's trembling hands shifted to his face.
She leaned in closer and marked his forehead with a white tear-like symbol. She then continued down his cheeks, painting his face in what seed like a mask. The powder glowed faintly under the torchlight, giving him an ethereal appearance.
Finally, Dakota's hands moved lower, marking Harith's lower body with the sa care.
The cavern was silent except for the faint dragging of Dakota's hands against Harith's skin and the steady hum of the villagers' quiet chants. The air grew heavier with each passing second, as if the cavern itself was holding its breath, waiting for what would co next.
Dakota's hands dipped into the powder once more before she slowly began to draw a large, "Z"-like pattern on the ground before Harith.
The mont the pattern was complete, Harith's body jerked violently. His muscles tensed as though bound by invisible chains. His mouth opened wide in a scream of terror, but no sound escaped.
Julian's eyes locked onto Harith's face. The boy's expression was one of pain and pure fear, his wide eyes darting to his mother for comfort that he knew he was not going to receive.
Dakota's hands trembled as she stepped back from the circle. The villagers chants grew louder, and the oppressive energy thickened.
Julian felt his own body react, his instincts screaming at him to turn and run. But he couldn't tear his eyes away.
Amir stretched his hand into the air, and a dagger materialized in his grasp. The blade was simple at first glance, its steel reflecting the flickering torchlight. He then extended it to the shadow latching onto him.
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The shadow's dark arms reached out and wrapped around the dagger. It began to pour its energy into the dagger, the energy so foreign that it defied any description.
The blade absorbed the energy, its surface darkening before it began to emit a faint, eerie glow.
After what felt like an eternity, the shadow uncoiled itself and passed the dagger back to Amir. The blade was no longer like before. Its edge was razor-sharp, and the handle now bore the very sa "Z"-like pattern that Dakota had carved earlier.
Amir stepped forward and handed the glowing dagger to Dakota. Her hands trembled as she accepted it, the blade's terrifying energy pulsing faintly in her grip. She hesitated, her gaze shifting between the weapon and Harith, whose body stiffened with fear.
Harith's chest rose and fell rapidly. His breaths ca in shallow, panicked gasps, trembling under the weight of what he knew was coming.
Dakota's hand hovered over his chest, the dagger's blade barely brushing his skin. Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. Her fingers clenched tighter around the handle, yet she froze, unable to take the next step.
For a mont, the cavern was silent. Then, as if on cue, the villagers' chants ceased, replaced by a loud, deafening roar of fury.
Algos! Lagneia! Pharmakos! They bellowed, their voices echoing off the cavern walls with a wild intensity.
They repeated the phrases over and over, each more intense than the last. Their naked bodies moved in unison, the painted patterns on their skin glowing faintly as if feeding off their frenzy.
Dakota flinched, her hands shaking violently, as the villagers' cries bore down on her like a physical force.
"What kind of madness is this?" Julian thought as he watched Dakota struggle against the will of the crowd.
Dakota's trembling hand finally steadied. Her eyes shut tightly, as if shutting out the reality of her actions, and with one swift motion, she pushed the dagger deep.
Harith's body convulsed, and he twisted in pain. His mouth opened in a silent scream. His eyes were wide, filled with tears, locking onto her as if pleading her to show rcy even as she averted her gaze.
Her shoulders shook, her breathing uneven, but she didn't stop. The dagger moved with deliberate precision, carving the sa "Z" pattern. The freshly cut flesh began glowing with the sa cold energy that the shadow had.
Harith's trembling intensified, his entire body trembling under the strain of the ritual. Blood began to trickle from the fresh wounds, soaking the ground beneath.
The villagers, as if feeding off Harith's pain, resud their chanting with renewed passion. The cavern vibrated with their cries, Algos! Lagneia! Pharmakos!"
Dakota's hand fell to her side, the dagger slipping from her grip and falling onto the stone floor. Her face was soaked with tears, unable to et her son's gaze.
Should I intervene? Julian's mind raced, the question pounding in his head like a drum. His fists clenched at his sides, every instinct screaming at him to stop the madness unfolding before him. But he hesitated, forcing himself to stay rooted in place.
I don't even know what's going on. This… this seems far too strange to be a simple ritual.
Harith's chest started to glow. His small body twisted violently, and his limbs thrashed against the invisible chain holding him, as he tried to escape this madness.
The aura emanating from the platform grew stronger with every passing mont, feeding off the pain that Harith was experiencing. The villagers' chants rose in volu, their voices lding with the growing energy.
What kind of energy is this? Julian wondered, his gaze shifting between Harith, Dakota, and the platform.
Algos! Amir's voice bood through the cavern, sharp and commanding.
The villagers echoed him imdiately, Algos! Algos! Algos!
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