Chapter 189

Chantings rose, the witches' voices sounded in a powerful, ancient tongue. The leaves and branches writhed and twisted, forming a swirling light pattern resembling a celestial constellation.

Just as the light reached its peak, and they were ready for the next phase of the spell, a sharp snap of a twig snapped through the tense atmosphere. All heads whipped around as the unmistakable sounds of pounding hooves grew steadily close to them.

The witches continued with their chanting, not minding the disturbance that threatened them.

Novak's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, "Ready yourselves," he growled, his gaze scanning the dense foliage behind them, "we need to prepare for whatever is coming."

Maya moved forward, too, her hand gripping the dagger strapped to her thigh.

Suddenly, the trees parted, revealing a sight that brought a jolt of surprise to Novak.

Alpha Randall rode at the forefront of a battalion of warriors.

A tense silence descended upon them as they drew closer and halted just a short distance away. Novak watched Randall dismount, his face holding grudge and wrath.

Novak noticed Randall wasn't alone. He was with... His eyes widened in surprise and confusion. Alpha Parthe? Luna Rashina? Luna Sheila? What were they doing here? Novak pondered.

Without a word, Randall walked towards Novak with a glare. "Novak," he spat, his voice low and dangerous, "What the hell is this? What are you doing here? You have more spies in my pack than Visha?"

Novak scoffed, meeting his gaze head-on, "What does it look like, Randall? We are trying to find my sister!"

"Find your sister? With such a... Commotion?" Randall's tone held amusement as he gestured toward Novak's witches.

"Such a commotion?" Novak countered, his voice raising, "You have no moral right to lecture me about commotion when your incompetence is the reason we are here!"

Randall's gaze swept across the crowd with Novak before resting on Aldric. He felt a surge of rage threatening to burst through him.

"You imbecile! You also work for him? A shameless spy?" Randall turned toward Aldric with disdain in his voice.

"Look, Randall... I know I have wronged you, but..." Aldric was saying, but Klara's words shut him up.

"You haven't wronged him, Aldric. You have wronged the people who trusted you. Your pack members. Your ancestors. They are all disappointed in you." Klara spat angrily.

Aldric felt his cheek burning with shame. He knew he deserved all the hurtful words.

"I will kill you with my bare hands, Aldric. I promise you that," Randall said in an icy tone before turning to face Novak. "You dare accuse me of incompetence? When the spy you sent into the pack caused the whole misfortune we are facing at the moment? You have some nerves, Novak!"

Novak bristled at Randall's words. Although Randall's accusations were true, his anger threatened to boil over.

"This isn't about misplaced blame, Randall," Novak growled, "Reyana's missing. That's all that matters right now."

Before the argument could escalate further, Luna Sheila stepped forward, "Enough!" her voice rang with authority. "Both of you are Alphas. Act like it."

Her words held both Randall and Novak in check.

"Luna Sheila is right," Luna Rashina added, her voice gentle but firm, "We need to focus on the reason we are here. What ritual are you performing, Alpha Novak?"

Alpha Novak explained the situation as quickly as possible.

As Novak spoke, Alpha Parthe stepped closer, scrutinizing the swirling vortex of light created by the witches' chanting.

"This is incredibly dangerous. You have to stop it. Now." He said, gesturing to them with urgency.

"Why?" Novak asked, snapping his gaze to meet Parthe's.

"It will trigger a warning to those on the inside, and your visit will no longer be a surprise to them. They'll come ready for a fight..." Alpha Parthe said, "And you aren't ready for what's beyond this barrier, Novak."

A heavy silence descended upon them.

"What then should we do? How do we get in?" Maya finally spoke after being quiet for a while.

"That's why we are here," Luna Sheila replied.

***

Frustration threatened to rip Reyana apart. Every desperate chant she'd pulled from the depths of her memory had proven useless against the unyielding barrier.

Tears welled in her eyes as she collapsed against a skeletal tree just behind her, as doubt began to creep in slowly. Was there even a way out of this place?

But giving up wasn't an option. She had to warn the Blood Crescent pack.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to her feet, scanning the area, looking for anything that could help her. Suddenly, her eyes caught a movement... Almost like something trying to penetrate the barrier.

At first, she was scared and confused. She squinted her eyes, focusing on the rippling area. Slowly, it began to take shape - a faint shimmering doorway pulsating with a dim light.

Gripping the hilt of her dagger strapped to her thigh, she started toward the shimmering light.

***

A hush fell over the clearing as Luna Rashina, Luna Sheila, and Alpha Parthe stepped forward. The warriors stood by, waiting to penetrate the all-talked-about Green Oasis.

Alpha Novak and Randall stood in anticipation, different thoughts swirling in their minds.

The three AshBlood witches positioned themselves, raising their hands, their fingertips brushing against each other, forming a triangle of power.

The chanting began. Not even the witches present recognized the language in which they chanted.

They wielded the power of the moon, the earth, and the storm.

The air gradually began to shimmer, distorting the world around them as an unseen energy began to take root. The potency of their powers called out to the magic of the other witches present, almost as if drawing the essence of their own powers.

The chanting reached a crescendo, their voices raising in a unified scream that tore through the veil. A blinding white light enveloped them, making everyone shield their eyes.

Suddenly, the lights faded, leaving a tear in the barrier.

Sighs and murmurs of victory erupted through the crowd. The AshBlood had done it. They had breached the barrier.

Luna Rashina, her face streaked with sweat, lowered her hand as she spoke with a ragged voice, "It is done."

"There is no time to waste. It won't hold forever," Alpha Parthe said, "You should get going."

Relief washed over Randall and Novak, momentarily erasing the animosity that shimmered between them.

Before they could order their warriors forward, a figure emerged hurriedly, almost as if being pursued, from the swirling mist that marked the tear in the barrier.

A gasp escaped Novak's lips, "Reyana?!" he roared as she watched her stumble toward them.