Page 34 of A Second Roar for Love

The scene changed to show Ellie’s grandmother—a much younger version—with others gathered around a stone altar in the woods. The same items Ellie found in the attic, along with a beautiful silver chalice, sat on the stone top.

The pact with the White Scimitar signed by Witch Theren was to finally rid this plane of the evil, on one condition—the White Scimitar found humans worthy of its assistance.

Worthy? What did that mean? She was just a normal witch with normal powers. The angel-like being turned to her.

The White Scimitar watched as the witch and her mate willingly sacrificed themselves for the other. Love is the strongest force in existence. The White Scimitar will return this evil to the proper side of the veil where it belongs.

“Thank you,” Ellie said with a sigh of relief.

Good luck, mortal beings. There is a chance for you yet.

Like a puff of smoke from a campfire, the Scimitar and Mograth dispersed into the air and were gone.

Ellie sagged, her knees giving out. Reed caught her, his arms wrapping around her, holding her close. They sank to the ground, exhausted.

“You did it,” Reed murmured into her hair, his voice thick with emotion. “You saved us all.”

Ellie shook her head, a tired smile on her lips. “We did it. Just like the prophecy said.”

The first rays of dawn broke over the horizon. The sounds of battle had faded, replaced by the tentative chirping of birds and the gentle rustle of the wind through the trees.

Whispering Pines was safe. Battered and bruised but unbroken.

Their allies, their friends, surrounded them, their eyes shining with relief and admiration.

Celeste was there, her auburn hair disheveled and a fierce grin on her face. Kade stood beside her, his arm around her waist, pride shining in his eyes as he looked at Reed.

Luna and Cedric, the town’s elders, approached, their faces lined with weariness but their steps sure.

“Whispering Pines owes you a great debt,” Cedric said, his deep voice resonating with sincerity. “Both of you. Your courage and sacrifices will not be forgotten.”

Ellie leaned into Reed, her head resting on his shoulder. “We only did what needed to be done. For our home. For our people.”

TWENTY-THREE

Ellie and Reed shared a moment of relief and exhaustion. The battle against the dark force had been won, but the toll it had taken was evident on their weary faces.

Ellie felt the weight of the ritual on her body as intense ache took hold of her muscles, her powers drained, but her spirit was uplifted by the support of Reed and the townspeople. They had stood together united against the darkness, and emerged victorious.

The town gathered to celebrate with Ellie and Reed receiving thanks and recognition from the community. Heartfelt speeches were given, and small tokens of appreciation were pressed into their hands. Ellie felt a warmth blossoming in her chest, a sense of belonging she hadn’t experienced since she left the town years ago.

Amid the celebrations, Madame Sorina, the forensic mage, approached Ellie with troubling news. “There are residual dark energies and relics yet to be found,” she warned, her voice low and urgent. “They may still linger in hidden parts of the forest. Remain prepared. You never know.”

Ellie nodded, a frown creasing her brow. “I’ll investigate. We can’t let any remnants of this evil remain.”

The sun had barely awoken when Ellie pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders, the soft fabric offering comfort as she set out on her solitary walk through the streets of Whispering Pines.

She winced at her tender and aching muscles as wandered. Her mind drifted to the events of the previous day. The battle had been won, but the cost had been high. Lives lost, buildings destroyed, and a lingering sense of unease that permeated the very air she breathed. As a guardian of this town, it was her responsibility to help heal the wounds, both physical and emotional.

The streets, once filled with the chaos of battle, now bore the marks of healing and rebuilding. Shop owners swept away debris, their faces lined with determination as they worked to restore their livelihoods. Children, too young to fully understand the gravity of what had transpired, played among the rubble, their laughter a balm to the weary souls around them.

Ellie paused in front of a small honey shop, its windows shattered and its door hanging off its hinges. The owner, a plump, middle-aged woman named Mara stood outside, her hands on her hips as she surveyed the damage.

“Good morning, Mara,” Ellie greeted, offering a gentle smile. “How are you holding up?”

Mara sighed, brushing a strand of graying hair from her face. “It’s going to take some work, but we’ll get there. This old girl has seen worse,” she said, patting the brick wall of her shop.

Ellie nodded, understanding the resilience that flowed through the veins of Whispering Pines’s residents. She ignored the strain on her muscles and focused on offering help. “If there’s anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

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