After Ciri was sure that she had enough, she placed a blood-red stone in the center of the Altar.
This Altar was made of twelve Pillars, each of which had come out of the ground.
Eleven of these pillars were of the same size, while the last one was not.
It was far bigger and more robust than the others. All the pillars were long and high.
At least eighteen feet in height.
On the bodies of the Pillars were Runic symbols.
These Runic symbols were all tiny, surrounding a Bigger one.
The moment that the Red stone was placed in the center, the entire atmosphere seemed to come to life.
A luminous red line traced from the red stone to the pillars, like Arteries carrying blood to the rest of the body.
Slowly, the Runic symbols on the pillars began to absorb the glowing red that came from the stone.
As it did, Ciri looked at it tenderly, with affection that was surprising for her status.
At this point, someone walked up to her from behind.
Surprisingly, it was Minnie.
"I see the process has begun."
Ciri was a good bit shorter and smaller than Minnie, but without a doubt, she carried an incredible presence.
Then again, there are currently 11 souls in this one body.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtCiri turned to Minnie; her voice echoed in different tones as she talked. "Are you ready now?"
Minnie nodded her head, "I am. Just don't forget our blood pact. I'll help you get rid of the pests that come to your door, and you give me that item." She pointed at the Red stone.
This red stone was obviously the other half of the Invitation stone.
Ciri sighed as she nodded at this.
From the moment the Ritual began, she could not leave this place.
It was part of the requirement.
Having helping hands like Minnie and her Coven was going to help a lot.
Ciri had already determined that she did not mind the sacrifice if the goal was sure to be achieved.
Minnie nodded as she turned to her sisters behind her, and they all leapt from the high hill.
As they did, Ciri could hear Minnie's voice echoing behind her: "And please, look after my pet."
Ciri turned to one corner, and there she was.
The so-called pet was none other than Athena.
She sat on the ground in one corner.
She was neither bound by chains nor shackles.
However, Athena was not so foolish as to believe that the liberty she had been given could be abused without consequences.
She would rather stay there and watch with very attentive eyes as her mind made careful calculations and considerations.
Without a doubt, she was waiting for an opening.
She was waiting for the slight opportunity that might present itself the moment Ciri was not focused.
Ciri looked at her a bit, her head turning left and right. She was like a curious child watching the movement of a probably new toy.
"You know, We heard you were the one that suggested the Ouroboros Coven come to me."
Athena did not answer, but she told Ciri that it was true.
Only a few days ago, Minnie and her coven suffered a terrible defeat in Ella's town.
Back then, they had lost two of their sisters in the coven.
Minnie had decided to finally hear what Athena had to say.
And truly, she had stood by the intelligence of her name, 'Athena'.
Athena's suggestion was simple.
As far as she was concerned, chasing after Lenny like this was not the most effective method.
Rather, she advised that the Ouroboros Coven wait at a place where Lenny would come and meet them on his own.
After all, he would have no choice.
Athena was not sure about Lenny's 'parental love' for Insect-B.
Neither was she sure of his friendship with Crusher or any of the others.
However, she suggested the Ouroboros Coven get along well with Ciri for one reason and one reason only.
Athena might not know Lenny well, but she could predict something about him.
It was simple. From his past actions, Athena knew that Lenny was a very Petty man.
And Ciri offended this petty man.
She knew for certain that since Lenny had gotten in contact with people on this plane, he was going to acquire information.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmOnce he did, he was going to come for her.
After all, the best time to face Ciri was now that she was not in her strongest form.
However, Athena did not know that she had only guessed half-right.
After all, Lenny was so interested in Ciri because the Satan System had given him the assignment of killing her to increase his power.
Meanwhile, Athena had her own reason for coming here.
She couldn't help but look at the Side.
Not so far off in one corner, there were some things in cages.
Among them were the Chimera ants that Lenny and his former teammates had used.
As one would expect, Insect B, Crusher, Perseus, and finally Hector were also in cages.
Each one of them watched helplessly.
There was nothing they could do.
Ciri observed Athena closely, and then she suddenly gave a shallow smile.
"You are not helping them for free, are you?" Ciri asked.
Athena pretended not to have heard the question.
"You know, We have been thinking about it... We may have a lot of troubles, but those troubles have made Us very keen on our surroundings. Therefore, We never forget a face.
It was you, wasn't it? That day when We smacked that holy one out of our cave It was you that Fell out with him."
She suddenly chuckled. "You know, We still have some time before the Invitation stone is ready. We don't mind some fun.
So tell me, Athena, why do you hate us so much?"
She suddenly grabbed Athena by the neck and pulled her closer to her face.
She came close and gave her neck a good lick...