CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY SEVEN – THE ANCIENT TEMPLE

As night fell outside the temple walls, the group settled in for an uneasy rest, the question of sacrifice and the weight of their discoveries hanging over them like a shadow. The ancient stones whispered with secrets, and somewhere in the darkness, the power they sought awaited their decision. The group huddled around the ritual site, their faces etched with determination and fear. The ancient tome lay open before them, its pages flickering in the dim light of the temple. Laura took a deep breath, her voice steady as she addressed her companions. "I'll be the focal point for the ritual. It's the only way." Vivienne's eyes flashed with anger. "Are you insane? You're just a human. You can't possibly handle that kind of power!" "I'm not 'just' anything," Laura shot back. "I've come this far, and I'm not backing down now." Marion stepped between them, his calm voice a stark contrast to the tension in the air. "Ladies, please. We need to work together if we're going to pull this off."