Chapter 9: Ritual Sacrifice

Andy was sitting reading when her front door was blown open. She stood quickly and started a spell but the men moved faster, grabbing her quickly and attaching something to her wrist.

"MOM!" Kona ran in, one hand ablaze.

One of the men murmured a word and the teen went flying. He slammed into the wall and fell to the floor unmoving.

"Kona!" Andy yelled as she was pulled away.

"Don't worry, you'll join him soon." One of the men laughed.

She was thrown into a van and driven away. When they stopped, she was pulled into a building. A large intricate circle was drawn on the floor and there were candles set up all around.

Another man pushed a set of twins to stand beside her. Both had yellow eyes and seemed familiar to her.

A few people in robes entered and began speaking a long spell. The men then pushed Andy and the twins closer to the robed figures who pulled out beautifully designed daggers.

The twins tried to stand in front of her, one whispering "Run when we distract them."

She nodded slightly.

They ran forward, trying to wrest the daggers away.

She turned and tried to run but one of the men pressed a button and the thing on her wrist sent violent shocks into her making her fall to her knees.

The twins also fell, twitching as they groaned.

The men pulled Andy back to the circle. The robed figures stabbing the three with the daggers as they went back to reciting spells.

Andy cried out. She pulled the dagger out and used it to cut the thing around her wrist before she began muttering spells. The figures and men all fell to the floor. She pushed energy into the twins to heal their wounds after she removed their daggers.

She finally got their bleeding stopped when she swayed. Blood was soaking her shirt and she opened her mouth to say something to the pair but she lost her balance and fell to the floor.

They crawled to her side and covered her in yellow light, healing her before collapsing themselves.

She tried to push herself up but was still feeling a bit dizzy from the blood loss. She sat there for a bit, trying to get herself feeling better.

The door slammed open, several figures racing inside.

"Rei? Yoshi?" A shorter man skidded to a halt, dropping to his knees in alarm beside the pair.

"You just can't stay out of trouble, can you?" Tet asked her with a long suffering sigh.

"Apparently not."

"You alright?" He looked worriedly at her.

"They healed me, just dealing with the effects of blood loss. They should be okay though, I healed them too."

"This is the second time you've helped both of them and the third for Rei." Tet smiled at her.

"Thought they looked familiar."

"Yeah. They don't stay out of trouble either. Is it a witch thing?"

The man on his knees let out a loud "Hey!".

Tet wagged a finger at him. "You're the worst one of all. Might I remind you of where you were found?"

The man instantly quieted.

Andy looked at the man carefully.

He looked up at her, then paled.

"Kenji?"

"Lady Andaka…" He dropped his eyes and scooted backwards.

She sighed, "Just call me Andy."

He shook his head, then addressed Tet. "Forgive me, but I must leave. Tell them I'm sorry." He began to stand.

Andy looked down, "Did I do something wrong? You were okay until you recognized me.." she sighed, "I'm sorry."

"It is not you. It is my fault. You should not be forced to see me." Kenji bowed to her. "I am unworthy to be in your presence."

"What do you mean?"

"I am the cause of your family's misfortune."

She was quiet a moment before asking, "How?"

"Section Z followed me to your family's home." Kenji turned away toward the door.

"It was Section Z? All this time I've been searching and they've been right in front of me.."

"I am sorry." Kenji sounded near tears as Tet watched in confusion.

"I don't blame you," she said softly. "I blame Section Z. It's not your fault."

"They would never have found your family if not for me. It is my fault." Kenji began walking quickly away, his shoulders hunched as if expecting a blow.

"I don't blame you. But even if you want me to, then I forgive you." Andy sighed, "And if this group are your friends, I can stop interacting with them so you don't have to see me again.. I don't want to remind you of the past."

"How can you suggest that?" He stopped and turned. "If not for you, I would have lost my brothers! I am glad you survived and appreciate your forgiveness even though I don't deserve it. It is I who remind you of the past and should disappear."

"Don't leave. I'm asking nicely but if you don't listen I will make it a command.."

Kenji's eyes widened, then he chuckled softly. "As you wish, my lady."

"I've spent all this time hiding, looking for the ones who did it.. I could have been home.." she said quietly, almost to herself. "I want to go home."

Kenji went to her side. "Then go, my lady."

Tet spoke up. "I have no idea what's going on, but if you need to go somewhere, we'll take Kona in." He helped the twins to their feet as they opened their eyes.

"I don't want to leave Kona. And I don't want to leave my house.. but maybe you should take him for just a couple days. Let me get things together.." She froze, "Kona.. He's hurt.."

Tet's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Kona was hurt when I was taken.."

"You should get back then. Just drop him off later if you want. Kenji, help me get them in the van."

Andy nodded before saying the teleportation spell. She got to Kona's side and checked him over.

There was no pulse, no heartbeat. His hair was matted with dried blood where he hit the wall.

She let out a small sob before focusing light into him. Purple coated him as she healed him and tried to revive him.

After several minutes, he twitched.

She moved him to the couch and worked on cleaning him up.

"M-mom?" His eyes cracked open slightly. "Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine. I just need to get cleaned up. Just rest and everything will be okay."

He nodded and let his eyes close again.