CHAPTER 109: 109. SACRIFICE OF LIFE

Hadizah stood tall, meeting the woman in the plain white robe with unwavering eyes. "Yes, I accept your test," she said firmly. "But I have a condition for the Temple of the Holy Ones."

The woman’s face hardened in offense. "Who are you to place conditions on us?"

Mrs. Spencer quickly stepped forward. "It’s not about defying your authority. She is risking her life for this. It’s only fair she makes a request—one that will benefit us all."

The woman’s sharp gaze flicked between them. Silence lingered before she finally asked, "What is your condition?"

Hadizah’s voice remained steady. "If I fail, let my blood be used as a cleansing for this temple. But if I pass, the temple and everyone in it must grant us the help we seek."

The woman fell silent, her face unreadable as she weighed the request. After a long pause, she finally lowered her staff slightly. "We accept."

Two men approached and silently gestured for Hadizah and Mrs. Spencer to follow. They were led deep into the temple. As they entered the sacred room, thick white smoke curled in the air, heavy and tangible.

The elders formed a perfect circle, their expressions calm but focused. The woman in white stepped into the center, raising her staff high as she chanted in an ancient tongue. Her voice echoed softly through the smoky air.

"Let the spirit of truth and righteousness come upon us now. Reveal the true nature of the soul that stands before us."

She turned to Hadizah. "Walk into the smoke. If your heart is pure, you will return alive. If not, you will perish."

Without hesitation, Hadizah stepped forward into the dense fog. Mrs. Spencer’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched her friend disappear. Fear gripped her as the room grew louder with chanting.

The elders’ voices filled the chamber. "Let the spirit of truth and righteousness test the one within the Holy Smoke."

Suddenly, the white smoke began to twist violently, and Hadizah’s scream pierced the air. Mrs. Spencer nearly rushed forward, panic rising within her.

’Please let her survive. She’s not evil. I know she isn’t,’ Mrs. Spencer pleaded in her thoughts, her hands trembling at her sides.

The chanting continued. Moments later, the smoke dissipated and was replaced by roaring flames. Mrs. Spencer gasped in terror. ’Is she gone? No, she must have passed... she must have survived.’

Another scream rang out, and then—through the fire—Hadizah emerged, completely engulfed in flames but unharmed. Her skin bore no burns. Her face was calm.

Everyone stared, stunned by the impossible sight. The flames danced across her body but left no mark. Slowly, the fire began to die out as Hadizah’s eyes fluttered open.

Mrs. Spencer surged forward, but the woman in white quickly stopped her. "Do not approach. The final rites must be performed first."

Mrs. Spencer reluctantly stepped back, though her relief was written all over her face.

The woman in white lifted her staff and spoke with reverence. "Thank you, spirit of righteousness and truth. You have not led us astray. As we promised, we will honor their request."

The elders draped a plain white cloth over Hadizah’s shoulders as a symbol of her purity. Only then was Mrs. Spencer allowed to approach. She rushed to Hadizah, pulling her into a tight embrace as tears of joy rolled down both their faces.

Together, they were led to another chamber where two elderly men awaited, dressed in long white robes. Their presence commanded respect, and it was clear they had been expecting them.

The woman in white stepped forward and bowed her head deeply. "She has passed the test of righteousness. As the temple promised, we are now bound to offer them our assistance."

One of the elderly men frowned. "This is not the time to offer help to outsiders. We are in mourning for our late High Priestess. We cannot afford outside distractions now."

Mrs. Spencer stepped forward, her voice steady and commanding. "I am Regina of the Ethanos. I come with great respect, but I bring a warning—a chaos is coming that could consume us all if we do not act."

The moment she revealed her Ethanos heritage, the elders and everyone else bowed low to her, their eyes wide in reverence. Mrs. Spencer’s eyes glowed briefly with a brilliant blue light, further confirming her lineage.

"Gracious are you among mortals and the supernatural," the elders chanted in unison, their respect undeniable.

"What is it that brought you here?" one of the elders asked, now fully attentive.

Mrs. Spencer gestured to Hadizah, who explained carefully.

"We healed a child—brought her back from the other side—but in doing so, we opened the path that connects our world to the past. We forgot to seal it. Now, souls of ancient legends are escaping into our world. Their purpose is unknown, but we must act quickly."

The elders exchanged grave looks. "Such powerful forces cannot be controlled easily. Closing that path will require great magic—a magic that demands a price."

"We understand that," Mrs. Spencer said. "That’s why we came to you."

Hadizah added, her voice urgent, "We know the stone of light is here—the only power strong enough to seal the path. Please, grant us access to it."

At her words, both old men reacted instantly. "No. Never. That request is forbidden. If the stone falls into the wrong hands, it would bring destruction beyond imagination."

Hadizah’s voice rose in frustration. "But if we don’t use it, we’re all still in danger. The souls of the legends and the demons crossing over will destroy everything!"

"There is another way," one of the temple elders spoke from behind. All eyes turned to him.

"Since this mistake came from you, a blood sacrifice from either one of you is required to close the path and send the souls back. That is the price."

Hadizah’s face contorted in shock. "No. There must be another way! Why can’t we use the stone of light as it was meant—to protect the world?"

The woman in white shook her head. "The stone cannot be used. It is too dangerous. A blood sacrifice is the only way."

The room fell silent. The tension weighed heavily on everyone’s shoulders.

Finally, Mrs. Spencer stepped forward, calm and resolute. "I will go for the sacrifice. As an Ethanos, my life has always belonged to the service of the world. If this is how it ends, then I accept it with peace."

"No, my friend," Hadizah protested, her voice breaking. "You don’t have to die. We can find another way."

Mrs. Spencer gave her a soft, reassuring smile. "I’ve lived long enough. Let me do this."

She walked forward and knelt before the elders, closing her eyes in surrender...