The voice carried a faint smile and sounded noticeably lighter."Then listen carefully. First, you must gather these items: the Akeris Spring—drawn from the ancient sacred spring on the eastern side of Saint Elmon Cathedral. You'll need this water to anoint the altar. It marks the beginning of the ritual.Next, Ostarell's Flame. This candle is made from the purest sacred beeswax and blessed by three centuries of priests. There should be a small reserve kept at Saint Elmon Cathedral for major rituals. You may need to find a way to obtain it.Then comes Serehlyan Incense, a blend of ten different herbs. Only on the night of a full moon does it reveal its magical scent.Lastly, Helmorin's Sigil, etched into ivory with silver needles by ancient priests. The rune carries the power of long-forgotten gods. It is capable of guiding the dead to commune with the heavens. Only during the full moon does the inscription glow.That sigil is hidden in the archbishop's room, second drawer on the left side of his cabinet.When you have everything ready, go to that little chamber on the night of the full moon. That is when the ritual must take place. After it's done, both of us will be free."
Adrian clenched his fists. His gaze sharpened as he memorized every instruction.At dawn the next day, he began his preparations. None of the items were easy to obtain. Some were rare, others complicated. Yet he never hesitated. This wasn't only for his brother. It was for himself too. He poured everything into the task, losing track of time and ignoring everything else.
Liveta soon noticed the change in him. She often waited alone at night for his return, only to find he came back distracted and distant, as if harboring a secret burden.Worried, she finally found a chance one afternoon to enter his study.
"Adrian," she called softly, standing at the doorway. Her voice was touched with a hint of pleading and gentle teasing. "What have you been so busy with lately? It feels nearly impossible just to see you."
Adrian, focused on mixing incense, was pulled from his thoughts. He frowned with annoyance."What is it now? I'm working on something important. Don't disturb me."
Liveta froze. She clearly hadn't expected such a cold reply.She stood silently, hurt flickering in her eyes, before finally gathering her courage to ask,"Adrian… are you tired of me?"
Adrian hesitated. A flicker of guilt surfaced, but he forced it down. Her sudden appearance had made him forget which herb came next. Now he was straining to recall it, too focused to respond.Pain shadowed Liveta's face. She stepped forward, took hold of his sleeve, and said with urgency,"You can't treat me like this, Adrian. You're my husband…"
Before she could finish, a sharp slap rang through the room.
Liveta held her face in stunned silence. Her eyes widened with disbelief and pain.He had struck her.
"Look what you've done!" Adrian shouted, rage flaring in his eyes. "Three days of work. Gone. All ruined!"
Liveta glanced down and finally saw the spilled incense on the floor. She realized she had knocked it over when she grabbed his sleeve.But she hadn't meant to. She had no idea it mattered so much. And even if she had—how could he hit her for it? She was his wife. The one he had sworn to cherish for life.
Tears welled in her eyes. Her voice trembled as she whispered,"Adrian…"
His anger had not yet faded. He drew in a sharp breath and said coldly,"Leave. Stop bothering me."
Liveta wiped her tears and quietly turned to go. Her slender figure retreated step by step, proud even in pain. Adrian felt a twinge of guilt as he watched her go. But he pushed it aside and forced himself to focus.Nothing mattered more right now than completing the ritual.He promised himself he would make it up to her afterward, once everything was over. He would become the perfect husband again.
One month later, everything was ready. Adrian double-checked each item with great care, making sure nothing had been missed.
On the night of the full moon, he slipped out of the castle and crossed the empty streets to Saint Elmon Cathedral.Inside, the chapel was silent and cold. Even the air held its breath. Adrian stepped up to the altar. He lit the candles, sprinkled the sacred water, burned the incense, and began to chant the ancient invocation.The air grew heavy. Light around him seemed to dissolve. A force, unseen but immense, surrounded him. The whole space began to tremble, as if reality were slipping away.
The sigil's flames danced in the air, wild and unearthly.When the final ember died out, Adrian exhaled in relief.It was done. Everything had gone perfectly.
But before he could even smile, exhaustion overcame him. His body gave way and collapsed onto the floor.
When he opened his eyes again, he realized he couldn't move. Panic struck. Had the ritual drained too much strength? He tried to rise, but nothing responded.
A figure stepped toward him.Adrian tilted his head—and stared.
It was himself.
That body. That face. That strength.
His eyes locked with another pair—the same shade of blue, the same glint he had seen in the mirror all his life.
Those were his eyes.