The forest loomed around Lisa, its shadows pressing closer as the last sliver of twilight faded. She clutched the worn grimoire tightly in her hands, its pages filled with ancient symbols and warnings. Her breath fogged in the chilly air, each step toward the ritual site heavier than the last.
This had to work. It was her only hope of severing the bond between her and Liam—a bond the necromancer was using as a weapon. If she could break it, she could protect him.
But the weight of her choice gnawed at her. Memories of Liam flooded her mind: the way his eyes lit up when he laughed, the warmth of his hand in hers, the promise he had made to never leave her. She blinked rapidly, forcing the tears back. Don't think about him. Don't think about what you're losing. Focus on what you're saving.
The clearing came into view, a patch of barren earth surrounded by gnarled trees. Lisa set the grimoire on the ground and began laying out the components for the ritual. Black candles, a circle of salt, and a vial of her own blood—each item felt like a piece of herself she was sacrificing.
As she lit the candles, their flickering flames cast eerie shadows on her face. The ritual's incantation echoed in her mind, its words strange and heavy, like they carried a power older than time itself.
Lisa hesitated. Her hand hovered over the open grimoire, the sharp edge of the dagger catching the candlelight. The next step required her blood, the final connection to sever the bond. She stared at the blade, her reflection fractured in its polished surface.
What if this doesn't work? What if I'm making things worse?
Her heart clenched, Liam's voice ringing in her ears: "I can't do this without you."
She almost stopped. Almost turned back toward the town, toward him. But then she thought of the necromancer, of the ultimatum that hung over them like a noose. This wasn't just about her and Liam. It was about everyone—the whole town.
Gritting her teeth, Lisa gripped the dagger and sliced a thin line across her palm. Blood pooled, warm and dark, and she let it drip onto the center of the circle.
The air around her seemed to change instantly, thickening with an oppressive energy. The forest fell eerily silent. Not even the wind stirred.
Lisa knelt, placing her bloodied hand over the grimoire and beginning the chant. Her voice wavered at first, but with each word, it grew stronger, more resolute. The symbols on the page began to glow faintly, their light casting an otherworldly sheen on her pale skin.
As she chanted, memories of Liam surfaced unbidden—his laugh, his stubborn determination, the way he had looked at her by the lake, as though she was his entire world. Her voice cracked, her resolve faltering.
"No," she whispered to herself, shaking her head. "Focus. Finish this."
She resumed the chant, forcing herself to push through the ache in her chest. The circle of salt began to hum with energy, the candles flickering wildly. Lisa could feel the power building, coiling like a serpent around her.
And then it happened.
A sudden, chilling gust of wind snuffed out the candles, plunging her into darkness. The humming energy turned violent, surging outward like a shockwave. Lisa gasped, clutching the grimoire as the ground beneath her trembled.
"No, no, no!" she cried, trying to stabilize the ritual, but it was too late.
The energy spiraled out of control, twisting and writhing like a living thing. It struck her like a physical blow, sending her sprawling backward. The grimoire flew from her hands, landing several feet away.
Pain seared through her body, as though the dark energy was clawing at her very soul. She tried to scream, but no sound came out. The force seemed to envelop her, crushing and suffocating, until she thought she might shatter under its weight.
And then, as suddenly as it had begun, it stopped.
Lisa lay on the ground, gasping for breath, her vision swimming. She felt drained, as though the ritual had siphoned every ounce of strength from her. Slowly, she pushed herself up, her entire body trembling.
The clearing was deathly quiet again, but something was wrong. The air felt… different. Heavier. Colder.
She staggered to her feet, her eyes scanning the circle. The salt was scattered, the candles extinguished, and the grimoire lay open and singed, its glowing symbols now dull and lifeless.
"No," she whispered, stumbling toward the book. "No, no, no…"
As she reached for it, a sharp pain shot through her chest, and she cried out, clutching at her heart. It was as if a dark hand had reached inside her, squeezing with merciless intent.
A voice echoed in her mind, low and menacing, dripping with malice.
"Foolish girl. You think you can escape me?"
Lisa froze, her blood running cold. She recognized the voice—it was the necromancer.
"Your pathetic attempt has only made things worse. The bond is stronger now, and your precious Liam… oh, he will suffer for your defiance."
"No!" she screamed, her voice raw with panic. "Leave him alone!"
The voice laughed, a cruel, hollow sound that sent shivers down her spine. "You've sealed your fate, Lisa. And his."
The presence vanished, leaving her alone in the shattered circle.
Lisa sank to her knees, her mind racing. She had failed. Not only had the ritual failed to sever the bond, but it had strengthened the necromancer's hold on Liam.
Tears streamed down her face as the weight of her mistake pressed down on her. She had tried to protect him, to save everyone, but all she had done was make things worse.
For the first time, she felt truly alone.
Staggering to her feet, Lisa stumbled out of the clearing, her steps unsteady. The woods seemed darker than before, the shadows closing in around her. She clutched her arms to her chest, her breathing ragged.
As she emerged from the forest, the distant lights of the town flickered in the horizon. She stopped, looking back at the woods, her heart heavy with despair.
She had no idea what to do next.
But one thing was certain—she couldn't face Liam now. Not after this.
With a heavy heart, Lisa turned away from the town, disappearing into the night, her mind consumed by the realization that her actions had only brought more danger to the people she loved.