The moon was high in the sky when the Dragons set their masters on the flat plain of the Erabon Mountains.

They bent their wings and tucked them behind their back, waiting until their masters slipped off their backs before shifting back into glorious horses and hiding deep underneath the shadow of the trees, watching from afar.

"The moon is almost at its highest state. We need to move quickly" Yongui said, turning her attention over to Lucien. "Stakes, now" she demanded, holding out her hand.

The Hell Siphon reached into the bag on his shoulders and pulled out several sharpened stakes, handing them over to the hybrid who began impaling the ground with them, creating a circle. While she did, Draco instructed Venix to stand where the moon rays would align with her, keeping his hands steady on her waist.

"Don't move from there," he said, shaking his head at the BloodBone. "It's dependable that you stay where you are and perform the ritual until it's over."

The BloodBone raised her brows at him, planting a hand on her hip. "I am not deaf, Draco. Once is enough" she said, her violet eyes twinkling at him. The emperor scowled at the young witch but nodded nonetheless, backing away from her.

"Alesandria, get in the middle of the circle," Onyx said, dragging her friend into the middle of the plain they stood in. The village girl carried her floor-length garments in her hand as she was helped into the circle, her heels digging into the rugged surface.

"How long do I stand here?" she asked, passing a glance over to the Mind Siphon. Goldeyes flared at her and she sucked in a breath, watching with a beating heart as he friend squatted down until they were face to face.

"You stand here until the ritual is over. One move and the whole thing turns into a bloodbath so don't move a single muscle." Her words were a threat sharpened by a blade and the pure seriousness of her tone what her half-mortal mouth.

She nodded and looked away from those startling eyes, focusing her gaze on the ground. "Lucien, moon dust chalk. Now" Draco said, sticking his hand out. He nodded, reaching into the bag and pulling out a jar full of chalks the color of coal. He handed them over to the emperor who unscrewed the jar.

"Take one and draw the ancient symbols" he instructed to everyone. They did so, each immortal grabbing a chalk and outlining the ancient symbols they were to use in the ritual. The dark moon of the Black Magrus and the veins of the magic outlined the sacred ground until there was no spot to be missed.

When all was done, the chalks were put back into the jar and hidden away. The moon was approaching its highest peak when Draco placed a bowl beside Alesandria's knee along with the dagger. Castrin handed Venix a bowl of moon dust, squeezing her hand gently as he did so.

"You can do this" he whispered to her, patting her hand gently. The BloodBone smiled at him gently, nodding her head at his confidence towards her before be backed away.

The last missing piece was the dagger Draco had gifted her with. Rheynoak took it out of his pocket, gently stroking the ruby embedded into the weapon before walking over and placing it by the girl's feet. "Try not to die, please" he rasped into her ear, his touch brushing her shoulder before he backed away.

Onyx watched him with weary eyes, scowling but saying nothing more.

Castrin chanted a quick spell and the stakes around Alesandria lit up, ember flames that seemed to make the darkness around them a little less dreary.

"Now," Yongui said to Venix as the moon seemed one with the sky, moving perfectly into the middle so that the stars surrounded it and embraced it as one of their own. "It's time."

The BloodBone took a deep breath, directing her gaze over to the bowl of moon dust in her hand and back up to the girl standing in the center of the staked circle. She could feel it run slick through her bones, a magnetic feeling that gnawed at her.

It truly was time.

"We are all gathered tonight under the Catalyst Moon's rays to break the heavy lock that has been placed upon this half mortal's soul" she spoke with utter confidence, dipping her finger into the bowl.

"Alesandria Erovex has been chosen by the gods to leave her mortal life behind and start a new one, an immortal one with more power than she could ever imagine and we call upon the moon's rays to break the lock."

Swirling her finger around the bowl, Venix walked up to Alesandria, her violet eyes questioning her through the fire that flickered upon the stakes brightly. "Do you, Alesandria Cresian Erovex, promise to use the hybrid powers that run through your veins for good and nothing more than good?"

"I promise," Alesandria said without hesitation, nodding her head. The BloodBone nodded, pressing a thumb to her forehead and drawing a crescent moon. She continued to draw ancient symbols on her face, uttering the words on her lips as she did so. "To prove your loyalty, you must bleed the truth out."

Alesandria took a deep breath, licking her lips before reaching for the dagger at her knees. She looked around at those that surrounded her, pursing her lips before slicing the blade across the palms of her hand down to her wrist.

A strangled gasp escaped her lips as the blood pooled from her wound and into the wooden bowl that was also set at the base of her feet. She hissed at the pain, biting her lip as she continued to bleed out.

The BloodBone dipped both her hand into the bowl of moondust, stepping up to her. "Great Catalyst Moon, Alesandria has bled for you and proven her loyalty," she said, placing her dusted hands on either side of her head.

The moon seemed to throb, growing larger and beautiful designs etching its way across its milky white surface. The rays of the moon beamed down in elegant, diamond streaks, lighting up a path that showered down on the witch and the half-mortal being.

"And now she will suffer and know the truth of what it feels like to be a mortal. She will die for you." A radiating pain shook Alesandria's body, gnawing and aching at her bones until it exploded through her veins and tore her heart from her body.

"Curses!" Alesandria cursed under her breath, feeling her powers and blood boil underneath her skin. The rays grew brighter, nearly blinding the witch herself and moon pulsed against the sky, the designs turning a beautiful shade of ruby as it claimed her life.

It felt like she couldn't breathe, like her head was being held underwater and her lungs were ready to explode on their own. The will to grasp the dagger in her heart was strong, her fingers itching until they met the steel curve of the blade.

Yet she fought, not wanting to die. Not yet at least.

"Alesandria, do it," Draco said from afar, his voice still soft as a whisper. "Do it and you'll be fine."

"No, I won't!" she protested, screaming when the powers of the moon twisted her spine inside her own body, the moon dust around Venix's fingers turning scarlet red. "I'll die and be gone from the world! I won't come back!"

"You won't know until you try, dammit!" Yongui hissed at her. "You have to do it, Alesandria before it's too late." The rays of the moon were growing stronger and so were her urges. Her fingers curled around the dagger and picked it up, pointing the blade to her chest.

She whimpered as it neared her chest, her arms shaking as she fought the forces of the Catalyst Moon. A power so strong, so manipulative that it used her own body against her. It was a new kind of power, a new kind of strength that overtook her.

"Screw this" Rheynoak said, shrugging. "I'll do it."

The tribe leader took two steps forward before the power of the moonlight twined with his powers. A scream left his lips as a painful sensation rattled his body, a spine-bending force throwing him back until he hit the ground, close to the edge of the mountain peak.

"No one can interrupt the the ritual unless the moon will unleash its wrath," Draco said, watching with fearful eyes as Alesandria fought against the power.

"Princeps bestia, merge sanguine eorum. Robore luna, qui facti sunt eos adiuvet. Princeps bestia, merge sanguine eorum. Robore luna, qui facti sunt eos adiuvet."

Venix chanted the words, pressing her nails deeper into her head. Her eyes were closed, her lips only moving quickly as she struggled to hold on.

Not being able to fight the urges of the moon anymore, Alesandria surrendered and let the blade fall, the sharpened edge piercing through clothes and skin and into her heart. A cry escaped her lips, her eyes burning as she held onto the dagger.

Scarlet blood pooled from her heart and lips, her body shaking as everything within her slowed down. The moon above throbbed as the rays danced around her body, strings of moonlight stealing her power away, little by little.

The ruby glowed brightly, matching the hue of the designs on the moon and the powerful magic pierced her through her soul and stole her last breath away. Under the bright rays, Alesandria fell, dead as a doornail.

It was only then that the Catalyst Moon truly released its rage.

The fire on the stakes flared brighter and the blood in the bowl where Alesandria was began to simmer. A raw, dangerous magic filled the atmosphere, thick and suffocating.

"Princeps bestia, merge sanguine eorum. Robore luna, qui facti sunt eos adiuvet. Princeps bestia, merge sanguine eorum. Robore luna, qui facti sunt eos adiuvet."

The moonlight burned brighter, dancing on the young BloodBone. "Great Catalyst Moon, now that Alesandria has suffered through the pain and truly knows what it means to be immortal, by your great powers, please raise her from her grave."

Those were the very last words that left her lips before a scream tore from Venix's throat. The moonlight of the Catalyst Moon danced against her veins and bent her powers within her body, digging deep into her bones as it slowly ate at her.

"Venix! No, Venix stop chanting!" The BloodBone bent over, throwing up enormous puddles of blood from her soul as she continued chanting the cursed, ancient words, only putting herself in more pain and perish.

"What the hell is happening, Draco?" Lucien hissed, pulling the emperor to his face by the collar of his cloak. "What is the true meaning of this?" The emperor simply shook his head, pushing the Hell Siphon off of him.

"If I knew why Lucien, I wouldn't have suggested the oath!" Draco ran over to Venix but was quickly blasted by the powerful energy surrounding her. He flew back, landing on his side by one of the flaming torches.

"Princeps bestia, merge sanguine eorum. Robore luna, qui facti sunt eos adiuvet. Robore luna, qui facti sunt eos adiuvet." Blood pooled from her lips, choking her words out as she desperately tried to stop herself, her hands trembling as they oozed crimson.

Lucien took a step forward to help her, throwing everything down and running over to her. "Lucien, come back here!" Rheynoak yelled, seething deeply. He directed his gaze over to Castrin who chanted spells under his breath to ease the pain. Beside him was Yongui, joining him to calm the rays of the Catalyst Moon.

"Foolish hearts. Chanting useless words won't help us!" The tribe leader took several steps forward but the rays of the moon held him back, shackling his body frozen and forcing him to watch the witch being tortured.

Onyx rushed over to her friend, picking up her dress as she did so. "Venix, please if you can hear me, we'll stop this mess for you." The Mind Siphon whispered, taking her friend's hand in hers. Violet eyes turned over to meet the Hell Siphon's gaze before she directed them over to her.

"There is no saving me" she hissed, groaning again when her back arched backward, her spine splitting into two. "There is no redemption. Just let me die." With those words on her lips, the BloodBone's body lurched forward, falling down beside Alesandria.

"No, we will not let you fall" they whispered back to her, shaking their head. The BloodBone hissed, shaking her head. "Stubborn fools" she managed to say through her gurgling lips. Her grip tightened on their fingers, her veins glowing a bright magenta as she whispered so clearly.

"Then you'll go down with me."

Spitting blood from her lips, Venix took one last breath shuddering breath before collapsing against the lit ground, her heart beating one last time before it stopped.

And her words were a curse, a back-breaking curse that seemed to pass their way through her friends. The rays of the moon turned brighter as they made their way to Lucien and Onyx, still for a minute before tearing their souls from their bodies.

"Onyx! Lucien!" The voice seemed so far, so distant and they didn't bother to look up to see a certain pair of hazel eyes watching hem with fear.

The Siphons screamed, blood pouring from their lips and a bloody hole burning into their chest as they struggled to say words. The Mind Siphon's magic burned blue under her veins, growing dimmer as she began to die.

Lucien was fading quicker, his body jolting forward and a vomit of blood falling from his lips as he struggled to crawl over to Rheynoak, begging for mercy.

But the Catalyst Moon wasn't kind to either of them and their spines bent within their body, every single bone twisting and cracking unwillingly until the amount of blood pooling from their chests and mouth were too much.

Not saying so much as a single word, both Siphons fell to the floor, their bodies jolting before they became still once again.

"You bloody fool, help them!" Rheynoak turned his anger to Draco, fighting out of the shackles of the moon and tackling him with a powerful strength back on the ground again.

His fists balled into a tight ball and he struck the emperor once, maybe twice before unleashing his anger and sinking his nails into his skin to tear him apart. Punch after punch, blood poured and Draco struggled to breathe under the tribe leader's anger, the air in his throat cut short.

"You don't instruct me, you damn abomination!" Draco aimed a kick to the tribe leader and he fell to the floor, groaning to himself. The emperor passed a look over to Castrin and Yongui, blood dripping from their eyes and nose as they blended various spells together to break the oath.

"klouk dho kavk ad dho naav, va nalo kraak ak vookok."

Yongui let out a warrior cry, her veins glowing a bright gray before she soon began to choke on her own blood, her spine bending unwillingly as she fell to the floor by the rare, power that shook her body.

Her body jolted just as the others did, her words being choked out by her own blood. A thin slit, one that seemed like it could be made by a knife, etched itself across her neck and blood pulled from her wound as well.

Castrin caught her mid-chant and held her body close, pressing his hands against the slit around her neck. "Yongui, hang on! Please, don't give in" he begged, trying his best to stop the bleeding. Another cough escaped her lips, a pool of blood dribbling down her chin. "It is not me who has to worry about giving in but you. The moon already has you under its control."

The summoner frowned but followed her indigo eyes to see the dagger Alesandria had pierced herself within his hand. A gasp escaped his lips, not even recalling when or how he even obtained the weapon. But there were no stopping him when the rays of the moon conflicted his confused head.

Before he knew it, he plunged the blade into the hybrid's heart, twisting the end deep into her wretched skin without mercy and letting the weapon sink into her chest. Yongui screamed once more, her nails digging into the dirt as her bones twisted. 

"Ignis extinctor!" the hybrid screamed, her body snapping in unnatural ways as she suffered greatly. The fire on the stakes burned brighter, this time raging into a bonfire that seemed to swallow everything whole, even chase away the rays of the moon for a few seconds.

Yongui took one last breath and choked to death on her own blood, her body becoming still as she laid on the ground wide awake.

The Catalyst Moon, claiming five lives in what seemed like seconds.

The designs etched on its surface glowed brighter, more fire than ruby and the rays of the moon expanded, stretching across the flat plain of the mountain peak until no spot was missed.

A loud, shrilling ring rang through the air penetrated the rest of the remaining survivors. Rheynoak stumbled, blood dripping from his ears as he fought off the torturous tune while Draco and Castrin practically drove themselves made over it, coughing up blood and gritting their teeth hard.

Their suffering wouldn't be for too long, though.

Fire burned brightly, growing bigger and bigger until it absorbed the stakes rotted into the ground and exploded across the flat plain of the mountain, claiming the last three lives.

Silence filled the air and the Catalyst Moon soon fell from its highest point, completing its task and leaving the bowl of blood empty and gone. It looked over the immortals laying dead on the ground, not minding the celebrations and festivities that went on in its name.

Instead, it soon began to shield itself away from the world, leaving the immortals in the same blood and agony they have inflicted on others.

A/N: And that is the end of another chapter!

Well...this is the climax, the Catalyst Oath underneath the Catalyst Moon. This chapter was not at all planned the way it was written. I kind of just went with the flow of the story. But overall, I'm pleased with how it came out.

And hopefully, you all won't kill me.

*runs away and hides*

Thank you guys for all your constant support. It means so much to me that you enjoy this book. I enjoy writing it and to hear your feedback always makes my day!

So tell me what your thoughts are on this chapter and don't forget to comment down below and vote if you liked it.

Until next time Lovelies!

With love, May