CHAPTER 213 THE RITUAL

MINERVA Eleanor stood in the middle, her silhouette against the shimmering boundary she'd erected. Meredith and I were just outside the boundary, our fingers intertwined, drawing strength from each other. "We have to stop her," Meredith whispered, her eyes darting to the glowing boundary. "If she completes this ritual, the consequences will be disastrous." Eleanor's voice rose, chanting in a language that sent shivers down my spine. I stood beside Meredith, pale and trembling. I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of our task. "Ready?" Meredith asked, her voice murmuring softly. I nodded. We began the counter-spell, our voices blending into a harmonious yet strained melody—the boundary shimmering in response to our efforts. Eleanor's chant faltered for a moment, her gaze snapping towards us. "You cannot stop this," she hissed, her eyes blazing with a manic intensity. She raised her hands, the runes on the ground flaring brighter. "This is destiny." Meredith squeezed my hand, an