Rise of the Rejected Luna - Chapter 200

Chapter 200: _I’m Sorry, Negan.
We arrived in a different land. The sky was in shades of grey and black, as if we were starring in a black-and-white movie.

The ground felt both solid and liquid as we stood.

The air was heavy with mist and a strange energy that made my skin crawl. It didn’t feel evil, yet it wasn’t good either.

A huge, ancient structure stood before us. It looked like a tomb, carved with unknown symbols that glowed with a strange green hue.

Then, from the mist, out of the tomb—three figures appeared. Three witches, the ancient ones, I presumed.

As they moved closer, I couldn’t help but notice that each was strikingly different from the other.

The first witch was tall, her skin exuding youthful grace, and her long, dark hair shone despite the lack of color in the atmosphere. She had green eyes that looked like they could bore into one’s soul.

The second witch had a smaller stature, with a dark complexion and golden hair that seemed to move on its own. She had deep blue eyes that were cold and unreadable.

The third witch had a frightening and unsettling presence, her face looked like a cracked mirror.

Her skin was pale and her grey eyes didn’t blink, not once. Strands of white hair fell loosely around her shoulders.

I swallowed hard. These were the ancient ones, the very beings we had fought and suffered to find.

The first witches.

I don’t know if the others froze in shock or were simply too stunned to speak, but the silence was unbearable. I couldn’t hold it anymore.

“That ritual was cruel,” I snapped, trembling with rage. “We nearly died and one of us is still trapped. How could you put us through that?” I roared, my pulse quickening as I thought of Negan’s unmoving body.

The first witch stepped forward slightly, her gaze softening. “We understand your pain and apologize for your suffering, but the path we set was necessary,” she said in an eerily calm voice.

I scoffed, I didn’t know it was necessary to toy with people’s minds. Kaene put a hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me, but I could feel his frustration too.

“We need to leave here before I lose my sanity.” I muttered.

He turned sharply to the witches, his voice carrying power. “We didn’t come here for apologies. We came for the power of time travel, we endured your rituals for that reason.” His words were straight, sharp and absolute.

The witches exchanged glances. Then the cracked-faced one spoke, “We can grant you this, but there’s a price.” She said, hesitantly.

I stiffened. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Of course, they would want something in return. That was why they readily agreed to our request.

“What price?” Kaene asked softly, as if he were walking on broken bottles.

“To alter time’s path, a soul must remain behind.” The golden-haired witch explained.

“Negan must be left in this realm. He cannot return with you,” she announced.

What?! Is this some sort of joke, or did I hear her wrong? How could we possibly leave him behind?!

The words hit like a punch to the gut.

“No, absolutely not,” I said immediately, shaking my head and leaving no room for arguments.

Sir Elijah didn’t hesitate. “It makes sense.” He said.

I turned sharply toward him, so fast my vision blurred. “Excuse me?” I spat, anger burning within me.

He crossed his arms, his expression defiant. “He’s dying already. We couldn’t save him even if we tried, a single life for the pack’s survival is a fair trade.”

I clenched my fists. “Do you even hear yourself? How can you say that so easily? Negan is one of us!” I screamed.

“He was one of us.” Sir Elijah corrected nonchalantly.

Kaene stepped forward, glaring. “You don’t get to decide that. Negan fought and suffered with us, I don’t leave my people behind,” he declared, his voice sharp and laced with anger.

I turned to the witches. “Can you take him instead?” I asked, pointing at Sir Elijah.

He tensed, his once confident demeanor now vanished.

The first witch spoke again, “You misunderstand. Negan is already stuck between life and death, it would take another person’s soul to bring him back anyway.”

“There has to be another way, something else we can offer.” I insisted, my voice turning to a plea.

“There is no other way, this is the law of time. A balance must be maintained.” The golden-haired witch stated matter-of-factly.

I turned to Kaene, hoping he had a solution, but his jaw was clenched tight, his fists at his sides. I knew he wanted to argue, to fight it.

But deep down, we both knew the truth.

We had to choose now, the pack or Negan.

The witches weren’t offering a choice, they played us right into their hands.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. The witches would not see me weak.

My heart clenched at the thought of never seeing Negan again, I hated myself for agreeing to sacrifice him.

He was more than a friend, he was a brother.

Kaene exhaled shakily, his face pale. “I hate this.” He muttered. Then, after a long pause, he spoke the words I didn’t want to hear: “Fine.”

Our encounter with the witches had scarred us beyond repair, each of us would bear that burden until death came.

“I’m so sorry, Negan.” I muttered under my breath.

The witches raised their hands, their forms glowing faintly as their energy filled the air.

The first witch glowed with red energy, the second with yellow, and the third with green. Together, their energies formed a blinding light that enveloped us.

My vision blurred, and I could barely make out their shapes, but before they completely disappeared, they had one more thing to say.

“Be prepared.” They said in unison.

Then, everything vanished.

When I opened my eyes, I was back in my suite.