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POV Elowen Starfire
Aeloria was trembling in my arms.
Even after so much effort and blood spilled, I could see the fear.
In her eyes, Aeloria hugged me tightly, her eyes red and filled with tears.
I took a deep breath, trying to hide the exhaustion that consumed every part of my body. My skin burned where Victor's blade had cut me. But even so, I would not give up.
“Everything will be okay, sister, trust me,” I whispered, gently stroking Aeloria's hair. “Just wait a little longer.”
She didn't respond immediately. She simply buried her face in my shoulder, as she did when she was little and scared of noises, when she had nightmares.
I listened to the sound of her heart; it was racing. I knew she was scared, and so was I. But all of this would pass; I was sure everything would be alright.
I looked up at Victor, who was still kneeling beside the cauldron. The smoke hadn't stopped; on the contrary, it was denser, more alive, swirling in golden and blue spirals. My blood was still dripping in thin streams from the edge of the cauldron, staining the metal red.
Victor muttered phrases I didn't understand in that strange language of his, soft and low. He was focused on the cauldron. When he was finally done, he approached me and, very carefully, held my arm.
“That's enough blood,” he said, and with a quick gesture, he tore a strip from his own tunic. He wrapped the fabric around the cut, tying it tightly.
I nodded, and then... took a deep breath.
“Thank you, Victor.”
He didn’t answer right away. He simply nodded.
“Now… we need to finish the ritual,” he said, lifting a small dagger, its hilt adorned with black stones. “Are you ready to transfer ten percent of your magic?”
I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling exhaustion take over. My body was hanging by a thread; I was breathing slowly; everything seemed to be falling apart... But I shook my head; I would go on, without a doubt.
“I am,” I lied, Even if my voice was shaky, they certainly wouldn't know. “Let’s finish this.”
Victor held the dagger out between us, gripping it with both hands; the metal seemed to absorb the light around it. I brought my hands closer, lifting my arms with effort. I felt a shiver run through my body—magic, my essence, beginning to stir inside me, like a river about to overflow.
I closed my eyes and focused.
I summoned my energy, my elven heritage. Warmth filled my fingers, pulsing beneath my skin, flowing outward in gentle waves that soon began to glow.
I saw the bluish light stream from my fingertips and tangle around the blade of the dagger. A transfer spell. And even though it was only a fraction of my power, I could feel it leaving me, tearing away from me as if ripping my insides into small pieces.
The dagger began to pulse—slowly at first, then stronger and stronger.
Aeloria, still weak, was watching me now with wide, worried eyes. I felt his hands on my shoulder now, supporting me so I wouldn't faint.
“It’s all right,” I said with a tired smile. “Just… a little more.”
With every second, I felt weaker. My legs trembled, my stomach churned, and the world began to spin in slow, heavy circles. When I finally felt the flow stop, I let my hands fall, and my body swayed to the side.
Victor was quick. He caught my arm before I could collapse, supporting me carefully.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m just… a little dizzy,” I lied again, trying to steady myself.
He nodded without contradicting me. Perhaps he knew I wasn’t, but he respected my choice to remain standing. Then, with a determined gesture, he raised his hand toward Aeloria.
The final words of the ritual were spoken with firmness. His voice echoed through the cave like a muffled thunder, and when his outstretched hand completed the enchantment, a strong wind rose from the ground. An invisible wave swirled around Aeloria, wrapping her in a spiral that roared like ancient elven songs of war.
I watched, my heart pounding in my throat.
The dark magic surrounding my sister began to unravel, like smoke being pulled away by the wind. Slowly at first, then with greater force, the remnants of the curse rose like shadows and vanished in crackles of light.
When everything ceased… Aeloria opened her eyes—truly opened them. They were clear and alive.
“Elowen!” She screamed, and a smile appeared.
The smile I so longed to see. She hugged me tightly. And I caressed her face and kissed her head. My heart was joyful; she was alright now.
“I love you, Aeloria. You’re safe now. I promised I would come for you… Everything is fine now.''
She was crying. And so was I.
Victor remained silent, watching us with lowered eyes. When I turned to him, I wiped my tears away with the back of my hand and said:
“Thank you. Truly.”
He simply nodded, weary.
Thanks to him, everything worked out.
My sister was safe.