Chapter 30: Ritual
After seeing John off, Harold headed upstairs. As he approached Alex's room, he could hear the faint sound of toys from outside. Letting out a weary sigh, he pushed open the door and entered.
"Son, didn't I tell you to memorize the script that I gave you?" Harold reprimanded his son.
"Dad, I've already memorized it," Alex replied, then he began reciting the lines from the script.
Harold listened to his son and corrected him in a few areas where Alex made mistakes and couldn't pronounce correctly.
After they finished this session, Harold spoke again.
"Alright, let's head out. Follow me, son."
Alex reluctantly trailed behind his father. He didn't seem eager to go wherever his father was leading him, but he knew he had to follow his dad; otherwise, his dad would become upset.
Harold and Alex reached the cellar, which had previously been used as a wine cellar and was located on the bottom floor of the house. Harold opened the door, and simultaneously, they both noticed the disgusting odor emanating from the cellar.
Alex held his breath and made a disgusted expression as he slowly stepped back. Seeing this, Harold gently pushed his son into the room, saying, "Son, there's no need to run. It's okay. You'll get used to the smell in a minute."
Alex nodded and allowed himself to be pushed by his dad.
Once inside, they found a lush room illuminated by candles placed around it. In the center of the room, on the floor, there were inscriptions carved, forming a large circle with various shapes of both regular and irregular geometric carvings.
At the center of this circle, a haggard man lay with his limbs attached to four points in the outline of the circle using chains.
Harold walked toward a desk and pulled out some tools, while Alex continued to watch the man who started thrashing around upon realizing that people had arrived.
Alex pointed to the man while saying, "Dad, he woke up."
Harold turned his head and saw the man. Then he spoke to his son, "It's alright, son. It doesn't really matter." Harold returned to his desk, continuing to organize some tools.
Alex started to circle around the chained man on the floor, curiously examining him. Meanwhile, the man, who was lying on the floor, moved his eyes wildly, trying to request help from the little kid circling him.
Harold retrieved his late wife's notebook once again and meticulously checked everything, ensuring he had followed the instructions precisely as stated.
After finishing everything and double-checking, Harold headed towards his son's side and crouched down in front of him, bringing him to eye level.
"Son, do you remember what you need to do?" Harold asked gently, and in response, Alex nodded.
To be certain, Harold explained everything to his son again, and after seeing Alex didn't have any difficulty remembering everything he needed to do, Harold placed a dagger into his son's little hand.
Alex felt the cold touch of the dagger in his hand and reflexively released his hand, but Harold applied pressure to his son's little hand while reassuring him, "Son, it's okay. There's no need to be afraid. Just do it like you did last time."
Tears welled up in Alex's eyes as he shook his head. "Dad, I don't want to do it again. I'm scared. I have nightmares every night."
Harold wiped away the tears with his thumb and hugged his son. "It's okay, son. It's okay. I know you can do it," Harold said, his words stuck in his throat.
Harold composed himself and released Alex, then looked into his son's eyes. "Alex, don't you want to see Mom again?"
Alex nodded his head.
Harold took a deep breath before continuing, "I too want to see Mom again. That's why we have to do this."
Alex cast his gaze downward and spoke hesitantly, "Dad, can't you do it? I don't like this."
Harold shook his head and replied, "Dad wants to do it himself too, but like I told you, son, I can't do it. I am an adult. It won't work with me."
In a childish tone, Alex inquired, "But why, Dad? You can do anything."
Harold almost let his tears, trapped in his eyes after seeing his son still thinking of him as some kind of hero, but he composed himself, patted his son's head, and explained, "Son, for this task, it needs to be a child. It won't work on adults. Our souls stopped growing when we became adults."
Harold continued, "But it's different for smart and good children like you. Your soul still has the potential for growth."
Alex's face lit up with a glimmer after hearing once again how he was a good and smart child and forgot all about his reluctance. "Okay, Dad. I'll help you and bring Mom back," then started to head towards the man on the floor, centered in the circle.
Harold stood up and got down to business, placing some plants and totems at the key points of the circle and lighting some unique candles within it.
Alex courageously headed toward the man after receiving encouragement from his dad. However, after looking into the man's eyes again, he started to tremble in fear.
Harold looked up from the ingredients he was preparing and noticed his son becoming terrified once more. To distract him and make him feel like some kind of hero, Harold began to explain who the man in the circle was.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone