GABRIELLA’S POV
“No, I can’t see the person clearly, but the image of the person looks familiar,” I answered, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and frustration. Margaret heaved a deep sigh, her brows furrowing in concern.
“How do we know who wanted to cause so much havoc between us?” Margaret said, her voice tinged with a sense of desperation.
“I don’t know,” I started to say, but before I could finish the sentence, Delilah, always the voice of reason, spoke up.
“We don’t need to know exactly, as the gods have said,” she revealed, her eyes filled with a glimmer of determination. “If there is a reason behind it all, we must trust that it will be revealed in due time. For now, we have a thorough search to conduct.”
Margaret nodded, her gaze fixed on the floor as she mulled over Delilah’s words. “But what are we expected to do to make her feel better? How can we get the person responsible to leave her alone so she can return to her normal self?” Margaret asked, her voice laced with worry.
“Hold on,” I muttered, feeling a surge of determination building within me. I closed my eyes, shutting out the world around me, as I delved deep within myself, seeking guidance from the divine.
As I immersed myself in the depths of my consciousness, the emotions within me intensified. Fear clawed at my heart, threatening to overwhelm me, but I pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. My mind was filled with echoes of our recent conflict, the pain and confusion that had plagued us all. It was as if the weight of the world rested upon my shoulders, and with each passing moment, the intensity of our collective emotions grew stronger.
Opening my eyes, I looked at my companions, their expressions mirroring my own turmoil. “We must confront this darkness together,” I declared, my voice firm but filled with newfound determination. “We will not let it tear us apart. We will find a way to bring her back.”
Delilah nodded, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes. “You’re right, Gabriel. We can’t let fear and doubt consume us. We must stand strong and united.”
Margaret’s features softened as she reached out to clasp my hand. “I believe in us, in our bond the one that ties us together as one. We’ve faced countless challenges before, and we’ve always come out stronger. We will not let this be any different.”
“I can’t see anything.”
The weight of guilt hung heavy in the air as Delilah’s intense gaze bore into me. Her concern was palpable, and her words reached the depths of my troubled soul. “Gabriella, why is your voice filled with such self-blame?” she questioned gently, her voice laced with compassion. “You mustn’t carry this burden alone. None of this is your fault.”
Margaret, always attuned to the emotions of those around her, stepped closer and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. Her touch was reassuring, grounding me in the warmth of her friendship. “You’re right, Delilah,” Margaret interjected, her voice tender. “Gabriella, it’s important to remember that we face these challenges together. Blaming yourself won’t bring us closer to the answers we seek.”
A surge of gratitude washed over me, their words breaking through the haze of self-doubt that had clouded my mind.
Taking a deep breath, I let their support fortify me, reminding myself that the strength of our bond could withstand any adversity.
Margaret’s voice took on a soothing tone as she leaned closer, her eyes full of empathy. “Listen, Gabriella, this is what you can do,” she whispered, her words a gentle melody. “Recite this chant, let its power resonate within you, and close your eyes once more. Trust in the guidance that lies within.”
As she spoke, Margaret shared the chant, her words carrying a sacred resonance. I listened intently, committing each syllable to memory, feeling the ancient wisdom infuse me with renewed determination.
This chant held the key to unlocking the secrets that eluded us, to uncovering the identity of the one who sought to sow discord among us.
With the chant reverberating within my being, I took a moment to steady myself. Drawing upon the wellspring of strength that lay within, I embraced the role I had been entrusted with. As I recited the chant, each word became a declaration, a proclamation of our unwavering resolve to bring light to the darkness that had befallen us.
Closing my eyes once more, I surrendered myself to the depths of my consciousness. Darkness greeted me once again, but this time, it seemed less daunting, as if a glimmer of illumination danced at its fringes. I reached out, grasping the ethereal threads of intuition, allowing them to guide me deeper into the mysteries that lay before us.
As the last echoes of the chant faded, a flicker of light broke through the obscurity. It manifested as an ethereal image, a fleeting glimpse that stirred something deep within me. The face I saw held familiarity, a connection to a memory buried in the recesses of my mind. Though indistinct, it ignited a spark of recognition, promising the potential for revelation.
Opening my eyes, I found Delilah and Margaret studying me with anticipation. I swallowed the remnants of uncertainty, my voice steady as I revealed the fragments of what I had witnessed. “I saw… a face,” I began, my voice laced with a mixture of awe and determination. “It was brief, elusive, yet familiar. Though I couldn’t discern the exact identity, I believe we have taken a significant step forward.”
Delilah’s eyes widened with a glimmer of hope, her gaze unwavering. “Gabriella, this is progress,” she affirmed, her voice filled with renewed determination. “Every revelation brings us closer to unraveling the truth. We will discover who is behind this.”
“But in the meantime, let me see if there’s anything we could do to help her get back to her normal self.”
Amidst our shared desperation, Margaret’s voice swelled with ancient wisdom, carrying the weight of our collective inquiry.
The room fell into hushed reverence, and with each word, the air seemed to hum with mystic resonance. The chant unfolded like a sacred melody, a plea to the divine for guidance and a path forward. The words flowed from her lips, imbued with sincerity and a fervent desire for answers.
“O spirits of wisdom, hear our plea,
In this hour of need, we beseech thee.
Guide us now, with your sacred light,
Illuminate our path, banish the night.”
As the final words of the chant hung in the air, a profound stillness settled upon us. The room seemed to hold its breath, as if awaiting a response from the unseen realm. In that moment, we stood united, our hearts open and vulnerable, ready to receive the signs and guidance that would shape our next steps.
We held onto the flickering hope that our entreaty had reached the ears of the divine, trusting that our unwavering determination would be rewarded with clarity and a way forward.
Delilah’s heart pounded in her chest as she turned to Margaret, her eyes wide with anticipation. “So, what did you see?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Margaret took a deep breath, her face etched with concern. “Get me two Kenrianasita beads, three bottles of Periwaja concoction, and one bottle of Zentikiani,” she instructed urgently. “She’ll wear the beads, drink the Periwaja concoction, and then rub her body with the Zentikiani. That should help her regain her senses and return to normal.”
Delilah nodded, a mix of fear and determination evident in her eyes. “Thelma and Sharon,” Margaret called out to two young witches standing nearby. “Take her and apply everything as instructed.”
“Okay, ma,” Thelma and Sharon responded in unison, stepping forward to approach Dorcas, who lay motionless on the floor.
Just as they were about to touch Dorcas, Margaret’s voice suddenly rang out, filled with urgency. “Wait!” she screamed, causing everyone in the room to freeze and turn their attention toward her.
“What is it?” Delilah asked, her voice laced with concern as she moved closer to Margaret.
Margaret’s eyes darted between Thelma, Sharon, and Dorcas, her voice trembling. “Recite some protective chants over her, or else she might possess them and turn them into an evil squad,” she warned, her words heavy with dread.
“Oh, okay,” Delilah replied, her voice filled with a mix of apprehension and determination. She took a deep breath to steady herself before stepping forward toward Dorcas.
With fervent resolve, Delilah began to chant prayers, her voice echoing through the room as she poured her energy into the incantations. The intensity of the moment hung heavily in the air, as if the fate of their coven depended on the success of their efforts.
As Delilah’s words filled the room, a sense of hope mixed with trepidation gripped everyone present. Their eyes remained fixed on Dorcas, silently praying for her release from whatever dark forces had taken hold of her.
Finally, the chants came to an end, and Delilah stepped back, her chest heaving with effort. Thelma and Sharon carefully lifted Dorcas, carrying her away to the designated area where they would perform the necessary rituals.
With Dorcas out of sight, Clarissa, another experienced witch, turned to the group. Her voice was steady, yet the weight of the situation was palpable. “Let the process of the thorough search begin,” she declared, her words carrying a sense of urgency and determination.
The room fell into hushed silence as each member of the coven mentally and emotionally prepared for the task at hand. Emotions swirled through the air-a blend of anxiety, fear, and determination.