They lunge at each other, tumbling to the ground, their weapons clanging.
I don’t hesitate. Taking advantage of their distraction, I rush toward Calia, intent on seizing the crystal in her hands.
She turns, her feet still within the ritual circle, her eyes now a blistered black. "I call upon the Great Wiitch, Carobon. You are free to enter your vessel," she intones.
A blast of light erupts, hurling us backward. Calia is thrown from the ritual site, landing near Elrod, while Nolan and Silas are blasted to the farthest corner. The impact slams the rest of us against the walls. Dust fills the air, blurring my vision as I struggle to find Silas and Maines in the chaos.
"Gods," I cough, patting the stone floor, desperate to find them, to ensure they are safe.
When my vision clears, I see Silas rising, darkness emanating from him like black wings. Relief floods through me, despite the pain screaming for attention. Nolan lies motionless, blood seeping from his injuries, his breathing uncertain. I crawl toward Rohhit, his chest barely moving.
"Rohhit," I whisper, pressing my hand against his chest. His heart responds faintly. "You need to wake up. Now," I urge, my voice laden with desperation.
He stirs, his dark eyes looking into mine, clear and seemingly untouched by the ritual. Relief washes over me as I exhale deeply.
Calia quickly recovers, springing to her feet and lifting Rohhit with supernatural strength. "Great Wiitch, Carobon, you are free to come forward," she announces, holding him aloft.
Rohhit shoves her away. "Get away from me."
Calia steps back but watches him intently, like a hunter eyeing its prey. The room holds its breath, the wards lifting as magic flows freely once again.
Light encircles Rohhit. "I guess your little ritual failed," he declares, his body radiating anger.
Silas rushes to my side, wrapping his arm around my waist. "We need to leave. Now! Rohhit can handle himself," he whispers urgently, pulling me toward the exit.
I look back at Rohhit, his expression serene yet changing. Suddenly, his eyes glaze over, and a rush of dread fills me. We step back, ready to flee.
Calia observes from a distance, a twisted grin spreading across her face as she anticipates the unfolding events. Rohhit's body sags, his movements sluggish.
"Rohhit?" I call out, stepping forward.
"Do not go closer to him, Briar," Silas warns.
"Rohhit, can you hear me?" I continue, ignoring Silas's caution.
He rises slowly, his neck cracking unnaturally. A chill sweeps through the room, carrying a charge of electricity.
"Oh Gods," I whisper, gripping Silas’s hand tightly. "Rohhit?"
Silas meets my gaze, his expression grave. "Briar, that’s not Rohhit anymore."
Maines grips our shoulders from the hallway, her voice urgent. "We need to be ready to get out of here. I don’t think Carobon will be thrilled to see his long-lost rival, Briar."
Magic pulses within me, responding to the presence before us. I step forward, despite every instinct urging me to flee. "Rohhit, are you alright?"
He looks up slowly, his eyes glowing an unnatural white.
"Rohhit, you can fight this. I've managed it for years. You can lock him deep down," I plead.
A dark laugh echoes through the stone chamber. "Kalix, you fool," his voice booms, rich with malice.
"I'm not Kalix. I'm Briar! Your friend, Rohhit! Fight this," I shout, desperation coloring my voice.
For a moment, his gaze softens, his eyes flickering back to their normal dark brown. A heavy sigh of relief escapes me, but it's short-lived.
Rohhit's expression shifts suddenly, his posture stiffening as if an invisible force grips him. His hand lashes out, snatching my throat with terrifying strength. His eyes, now shimmering with a silvery glow, pierce through me. "Lies!" the voice that isn'tRohhit's hisses. "Kalix, I smell you. You are a liar, a sinner, and this time, I won’t let you escape."
Panic courses through me as I claw at his iron grip, gasping for air. Behind Rohhit, Silas growls, his sword drawn and pointed at Rohhit's face. "Let her go, or I will make you," Silas warns, his voice a low rumble.
