The Curse of Ravenglen

: The Price

ering through the trees as if the forest itself knew what was about to unfold. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat heavy with the weight of her decisi

clutched the silver dagger Mira had given her-a relic of the ancient pact, forged in the blood of the or

ing herself, a familiar vo

ut from the shadows once again. His eyes gleamed wit

I'm here to end this

eak the curse? It's not that simple, girl. The forest, the curse-it's all intertwined w

spite the fear rising in her chest. "This villa

you even understand what you're giving up? The sacrifice isn't just your life, Lena. It's y

he cost, but hearing it aloud made it feel all the m

akes," she said soft

d, the air around them shifted. The ground beneath Lena's feet trembled, and the stones in the circle began to glow brighter,

his voice now cold and emotionless. "Once t

e dagger to her palm. As she pressed the blade into her skin, blood welled up, dripping onto

people who had cast the curse so long ago. Their faces were stern, their eyes glowing with po

laced with urgency. "The pact is not broken b

weight of the curse pressed down on her. The spirits of the ancient people whispered in her ears, their voices filled with sorrow and anger.

t wanted to claim her, to bind her soul to its curse, but she refused to let it win. W

l end

a glimpse of light. She focused on that light, pushing back against the curse with all her might. The shado

't expected this-a sacrifice that wouldn't submit to the curse but fight agains

t of the ritual. The earth trembled one last time, and then-silence. The wind died, the glowing sy

, gasping for air. She had d

orward. His expression was no longer mocking, but solem

t him, her visio

ened. "You are free of the curse, but you will not leave th

d known this would be the price. The vill

t settle within her. She had broken the curse, but she would always carry the shadow of it in her heart.

e village was over, her s