Chapter 121

Chapter 121
Samael’s POV.

My forehead furrowed as I observed Odessa. She entered the room where we usually gather, along with Dane, Amelia, Lucian, and Ralph. There were more than fifteen of us in the room because Aunt Masha and Remi were also there. I winced slightly. I didn’t like calling them that, but they insisted.

I noticed Wendy and Elijah standing by the door, keeping watch. My gaze then fell on the thick fabric that Odessa was holding, wrapped around something. My intuition told me it was something significant, and I was proven right when she opened it. I felt a weakness overcome me as I laid eyes on it. Even Enna and the others, who were part of our clan, were affected by its presence.

The Refining Stone.

It shimmered, as if displaying its power. Count and I exchanged looks. Their expressions were filled with questions. On the other side of the room, I couldn’t help but notice the furrowed brows of the others, except for Masha and Remi who seemed to know what was happening.

I cleared my throat to stop the confusion. "What now?" I asked, eager to bring clarity to the situation.

Odessa also cleared her throat and nervously bit her lower lip before responding.

She looked at Mom while speaking. "Based on your story, I confirmed my theory about this stone. Surprisingly, there is no historical documentation regarding it."

She shook her head, then turned to the four of us and continued.

"Even more intriguing is the lack of information about your existence. I was fascinated to hear the story before the Moon Goddess’ coronation. When Amara entrusted us with the refining stone, she mentioned that she could sense a powerful energy emanating from it. She also noticed that her wolf felt weakened whenever she was near the stone, and the same applied to all members of your clan."

Masha and Remi exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. Odessa took a deep breath and ran her fingers through her hair.

"This led us to suspect that there may be a conflict between the powerful energy within the stone and you. Our research on hybrid witches and wolves revealed that a wolf can become weak when confronted with a dominant energy source. Although they mentioned that their mother was a half-witch, it seems unlikely that they would have received less than half of her energy. So, I came up with another idea of reincarnation and rebirth, yet without any concrete evidence, it remained just a theory. But your recollection of your past has now confirmed it."

"So, what’s the next step? Are you going to wake her up?" Enna interjected.

Odessa nodded in affirmation. "Yes," she replied.

Confusion still clouded my mind, so I asked, "But how?"

"We will use a restoration incantation."

"How does that work?" Dane, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

"Since all four of you have a deep connection to her past and the stone, you’ll be able to help. I will need thirteen candles. Place them around the room. Everyone, except for the Reprobatus Clan, should stand aside."

Lucian immediately fetched the candles, while the rest of us gathered aside. Odessa carefully placed the refining stone on Mom’s chest. She gestured for the four of us to surround the bed. Phoenix and I stood on the left, while Count and Enna stood on the right.

Odessa’s gaze swept across each of us, then turned to Lucian and Ralph, who lit the last two candles.

"Are we ready?" she asked, seeking confirmation.

Ralph nodded in response. "We’re ready," he affirmed.

"I must warn you all to proceed with caution. This process could be a little bumpy," she advised, her tone more serious than usual. "Whatever happens, any of you should not attempt to wake me up. Not even a slightest touch, as it could disrupt the ritual."

We all paused because of the seriousness of her aura, unlike her usual cheerful self.

"No matter what you may hear or see, do not interfere. Because one wrong move from any of us could prevent us from returning. Do we all understand?"

I felt the tension in the room as we nodded in unison. Odessa nodded in return, her expression grave, and began to guide us through the next steps.

"Repeat after me and continue chanting until the ritual is complete. Do not stop, no matter what," she instructed.

With that, she started reciting a series of words that were difficult to pronounce.

“Inter nativitatem et mortem donum est. Fatum scriptum est.”

(“Between birth and death is a gift. Fate is written.”)

“Fili mi, suscipe benedictionem tuam. Vis est in venis mortuorum, et sic renascuntur.”

(“My children, receive your blessing. There is strength in the veins of the dead, and thus they are reborn.”)

We joined in her chant, repeating each phrase. With each word we echoed, the atmosphere grew tense. Suspense and waves of emotions swirled around us.

A chill ran through my hands, and I could feel the pain in my body intensify due to the surge of energy coming from the stone. It gleamed even brighter.

From my vantage point, I watched as Odessa seemed to be transported elsewhere, her eyes closed and surrounded by a white glow.

"Fili mi, suscipe benedictionem tuam…" we continued to repeat the words.

Soon, the wind inside the room grew stronger, causing Ralph to curse and rush towards the balcony.

"Fuck!"

He struggled to close the door, as the wind was too strong to shut it. Dane and Lucian joined in to help him. On the other hand, as the strong wind continued blowing, I also noticed that the candle flames didn’t go out as if unaffected by it.

I almost stumbled back and lost concentration when I saw blood flowing from Odessa’s arm. Slowly, a long transparent wound appeared on her arm, like a deep gash from a sword. Moments later, she fell to her knees, and my instinct was to rush to her aid, but I remembered her instructions and fought the urge to intervene.

"Shit! What’s happening?!" 

Everyone was tense, watching us. I could see that Odessa was also struggling, as the energy from the stone grew even stronger. I could hardly swallow anymore.

After a few seconds, we all witnessed the refining stone levitating in the air, shining even brighter. It was so blinding that we had to close our eyes.

"She’s bleeding!" Simon shouted as he burst into the room.

He was about to approach Odessa in panic and confusion, but Dane intercepted him and pinned him against the wall.

Simon’s eyes widened with fear. I, on the other hand, didn’t know what to focus on. The burning sensation in my chest, Odessa who seemed like she could run out of blood any moment, or the stone that was slowly melting and turning into ash, continuously falling onto Mom’s body.

"What the hell! Let me go!" Simon fought against Dane’s grip.

With a stern glare, Dane warned, "Don’t interfere if you want her to survive." 

He released Simon with a forceful push, leaving him frozen in his spot, unable to do anything but watch what was happening.

"Guys, look!" Remi exclaimed, pointing at Amara.

The wind in the room subsided, and one by one, the candles surrounding us went out. The refining stone had completely melted, and Mom’s complexion returned to its natural color, no longer pale.

I quickly approached Odessa as she fell to the floor and caught her head in my hands. Blood stained her skin, and her pulse was weak. I looked up at Dane, desperation in my eyes.

"Get a doctor!" I commanded.

He face-palmed. "I’m a doctor, kiddo," he lifelessly replied.

I winced at the two reasons. I forgot that he was also a doctor, and because he called me kiddo.

"I’m not a kid!" I protested, but my words fell on deaf ears.

I flinched as Simon pushed me aside and took over tending to Odessa. His face was filled with worry until they hurriedly left the room. I silently rolled my eyes, irritated by his lovesickness.

Unable to tear my gaze away from my mother, I stood frozen in place, tears welling up in my eyes. With everyone’s attention focused on Odessa, I was the first to notice the familiar ash-colored eyes that I hadn’t seen in so long.

Hazona…

Tears flowed freely and I slowly walked towards her when she wanted to reach out to me.

My lips trembled and I sniffed. "My sister…"

I closed my eyes and sobbed uncontrollably, unable to contain my emotions any longer. With all the sins I had committed, I had never expected to experience this kind of joy, that I didn’t need to be deserving of it to feel it.

She smiled at me and squeezed my hand. "I told you, it’s Mom," she corrected.

I beamed, momentarily forgetting that she wasn’t just my older sister, but also my mother.

"Welcome back," I whispered.

She was about to say something when we heard a gasp echo through the room.

"Hazona!" Phoenix’s voice called out, as he hurriedly approached us.

Mom just chuckled. "You’re still as loud as ever, Phoenix."

He scratched his head sheepishly. The five of us exchanged glances, happiness evident in our smiles.

"We’re complete," Count stated.

Suddenly, Enna raised her hand and showed us that the birthmark that marked us as rejected wolves of Selene was slowly fading away until it vanished completely.

"We are finally free," she declared.

Our attention turned to Wendy, and as we looked at their marks, we realized that they too had disappeared. Our hearts swelled with joy at the realization that we had all been set free from the burden of our past.

"Where’s Cyrilla?" Mom inquired.

The four of us exchanged glances, and Enna took it upon herself to respond.

"She’s now at peace."

Mom’s expression turned into a slight pout. "She didn’t even say goodbye?"

We couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction. 

"You know her, she’s always been stubborn, even in her old age. But I’m certain we’ll see her again," I reassured, eliciting laughter from the group.

Because they were well aware that it would happen without a doubt.

"And what about Damien?"

My gaze faltered, and I looked away, hesitant to answer. Mom furrowed her brow, sensing something was amiss.

"What?" she pressed.

"He’s not in a good condition," Masha answered.