LARA’S POV Eval led us to the room that has been prepared for the sacrifice. Everything has been set in place, everywhere with the colour red and black and a few touch of blue like an eye staring intensely at us. I shivered as I walked into this strange room. I still could not come to terms with the fact that we are still inside the palace here in Pixolands. Everything looks and feels so strange. It was as if they were forces gathered around us, strong and fierce forces watching our every move. My skin crawled and I have goosebumps all over my body. “Only women are allowed in here” Eval announced triumphantly. She signaled to Mia and she walked over to Scarlet and led her to the podium in the middle of the room. At the top of the podium was the same skull, this time larger and definitely the skull of an unborn child. But Eval came here with almost nothing, so where did she get all this stuff that she has been using? This is truly strange. I could see some red liquid substance dripping from the skull, is that blood? If so, whose blood was it? I inhaled a couple of times to take away the fear that has built up in me. We are all here for Scarlet, we are doing this for our Chamlar and must not allow ourselves to be clouded by fear. Mia left Scarlet on the podium, then she went and carried a red bowl placed at the corner of the room and took it to the witch. The witch collected the bowl and laughed for only a second. The laughter echoed and the sound rejuvenated the room, causing it to go on repeat a few more times. She then walks over to Scarlet slowly, taking one step at a time. When she got to Scarlet, she dipped her hand in the bowl, collected the substance inside, and then proceeded to rub it on Scarlet's face. Gradually, Scarlet face turned completely red. The witch dropped the bowl and then ripped off Scarlet’s clothes, leaving her in only her underwear. She grabbed a piece of blue clothes and wrapped it over Scarlet's almost naked body. She led Scarlet to a sit on the podium, sat her down, and then went on to tie her to the seat, and while at it, she laughed out loud. Once again, her laughter continued to echo around the room, sending cold chills down our spines. Finally, she stared at us and announced. “The ritual is about to begin. We must all be in tandem with this. We must have one mind as a single doubt might ruin everything” She turned to Scarlet and grabbed her chin forcefully causing Scarlet to wince in pain in the process. “Are you willing with this?” she asked. But I still think such a question is not necessary, we are here already, what other reason do we have to be here if we are not willing to go on? I gasped and tried to keep my emotions at bay. “Yes, with everything that I’ve got” Scarlet replied in pain. Suddenly she let go of Scarlet’s chin and screamed angrily. We were all taken by surprise, why would she scream that way? She walked down from the podium and went to stand in front of one of the mirrors. She spoke some inchoate words to the mirror and for a brief moment, everywhere became dark. When it became bright again, she walked back to the podium where Scarlet was seated. I can't really explain, but something felt completely odd. When she got to Scarlet, she started to loosen the rope quickly. “Stop, what is it?” Scarlet asked in fear and tried to stop her. She stopped and laughed again, this time for nearly two seconds. When the echo of the laughter dies down, she spoke. “The child is formed, by two, so two must decide...” she stopped abruptly and stared fiercely at Scarlet. “See all of us, we are already more than two... go on with this...” Scarlet urged her in a state of fear. What exactly is happening here, what game is this witch trying to play here? This better be good. SCARLET’S POV “Stop, what is it?” I cannot understand what is going on here. Why is she acting so strange? The time is ticking and she needs to go on with this right now. Why would she want to untie the rope, or is she done with the ritual already? But then, the ritual is yet to begin, it is not even midnight yet. Oh, moon goddess, this must not go wrong. She stared at me and laughed again. She is no more trying to loosen the rope and this brought me some relief. “The child is formed, by two, so two must decide...” she stopped speaking and stared at me again. I could feel the terror in her gaze. Why does it suddenly feel so strange? But this is not the time to think of that, I have to stop her first.“See all of us, we are already more than two... go on with this...” I tried to explain to her and make her understand that there was no need to stop. She has my support and that of everyone in Pixolands we all agree with her sacrifice. Now I am glad that everyone here supported me in this. At least they are all here to show their support. Even the elders did not try to stop me, they all want to see their Chamlee well again. The whole of Pixolands is in support of this ritual tonight. Everyone wants to see their Chamlee well and none would like to withhold their support. Yes, none... except for that... Even I was able to convince my wolf Stake to agree with me in this. I was able to make her see reason with me even in all her toughness. But it was not so for him. At the thought of it, I hate him so much. My anger towards him built up at a rapid pace. What does he even stand for, is he a friend or a foe? But I have already asked him out of my presence so his opinion holds no water around me. May heaven help him. I don’t know what I will do to Landon the moment I set my eyes on him. He should pray earnestly that the reluctance of Eval got nothing to do with his useless opinion else I would forget all that we have been through, that is a promise. When I saw that she was not saying anything, I went on nervously. “We are more than two here. Every one of us is in support of this. Even the elders are in support, the whole of Pixolands, we are all grateful to you. Please go on with this, no one will stop you” The whole room was dead silent. It was as if everyone is in a trance, all waiting for what will happen next. But I am not ready to wait, I don’t want to take any chances. This is about me, about my child, about my Chamlee. “Say something, Eval” I almost screamed in tears, gnashing my teeth. “No... no...” she murmured in fear. “Eval...” I called. What is going on with her? I should be the one in fear, I am the one that is about to lose a baby and not her. “It must be the mother and father it is only in that way that the soul of the child will be helpless and his spirit effective. The sacrifice can only be complete on the agreement of both” she replied quietly, her gaze trying to avoid mine. “And what does that mean?” I asked, trying so hard to suppress my already built-up anger. This is to save the Chamlee and if we need his approval, she should have mentioned that long ago. “You are the mother of the child and you have already approved this. The Chamlee must also approve of this for us to go on” she said.“Can’t I decide for him?” I asked with very little hope. “The word yes must come out from his own lips” she replied quietly. “Can you leave us now, give me a moment” I requested. She bowed and went out. “What are you going to do now?” Lara rushed up to me with tears in her eyes. “I don’t know, Lara, I do have no idea. But I can’t ask him, he is a pixie what does he care about his life. You saw the way that young man killed himself when we first got here. I know the Chamlee, he would rather die than to agree with this” I replied sorrowfully. “What can you do, dear? It is his child, he has to decide. Let’s give him that right” Lara said. I started to sob quietly. Walking up to the Chamlee now is the same as walking out of this ritual. What do I do? “I want him alive with me even if he does not want the same. He has no right to choose” I sobbed. “You have to do this now. There is not much time” Lara said. “You are right. I will go talk to the Chamlee now” I replied.