Chapter 20: Crow and the chalice
Selene stepped back into the heart of her dark, twisted woods, the gnarled trees bowing inward as if welcoming their mistress home.
The air buzzed with unnatural energy, and the sky above the canopy seemed to pulse with anticipation. Her laughter echoed through the blackened trunks,like a cold, spine curling sound that split the silence. It was the triumphant laugh of someone who had waited centuries for the stars to align.
With a casual flick of her wrist, she conjured a crow from swirling black smoke. The creature emerged mid caw and perched obediently on one of the crooked branches.
"Fly," she commanded. "Fly to the Blackmoon pack... Watch. Listen. Bring me everything."
The crow took off in a violent flutter of wings. Selene watched it disappear through the trees, then ran her fingers down her neck with slow pleasure. Her eyes fluttered shut, murmuring something only the forest could hear.
When she opened them again, the madness had returned along with a hungry glint in her eyes.
Suddenly, she spun on her heels and began rifling through a chaotic heap of relics and remnants....bones, broken mirrors, rusted blades, torn books, dolls with missing eyes.
Her hands trembled as they tossed item after item until she froze.
"My... my..." she whispered, pulling out a dust covered chalice. It was etched with symbols long lost to men and still stained with something dark around the rim. "Where have you been? I thought you were another wasted promise... but it seems you have borne fruit after all."
She walked reverently to a stone altar. Which was still slick with blood that had never dried, and placed the chalice at its center. Then she closed her eyes and began to chant.
The sky churned above her, turning black as ink. Wind tore through the clearing as her body rose off the ground, suspended by invisible strings. A single bolt of lightning split the sky, striking the chalice with a shriek of energy.