He helps me push out of the way what must have been a barrel before it got burnt, and finally, something interesting appears. A darker area on the floor. It's barely noticeable, but there are tons of ashes here, an abnormal amount. As if something burnt completely before the fire itself and stayed there. Moreover, it makes a human figure...
"Please tell me we're not going to find a dead body under that," mutters Kelsi. "I only like gore in video games..."
"Ben would have smelled it, don't worry. Also, they probably took all the bodies out already."
However, I still feel a strange pull toward those ashes... as if it was calling me. I get closer, Ben helping me clear more of the little debris around. I finally put my hand in the pile of ashes, and it's... strangely warm. I have a strange feeling in my body, as if I was familiar with this. Like I've been here before.
No, I've definitely been here before. I get down on my knees, my heart beating like crazy. It's like I can feel my memories, waiting behind that thin wall to return to me. It's... like a dark cloud, something buried that begs to get out. I want to know. Those ashes... I bring my fire closer to it, and they start moving. Kelsi squeals behind me.
"Oh, God, I don't know if this is creepy or cool, Mara, but it's impressive..."
I nod, but I'm more focused on what is going on. The ashes start moving as if something underneath was controlling them. Anywhere I bring my fire close, they suddenly move to go to that designated spot, as if it was pulling it back into a very special spot. It's not just going away, it's like the ashes are going back to their original place... I light both of my hands and bring them closer to the ashes, making all of it move. The wind starts to pick up around us too, and Ben growls nervously.
My heart is beating like crazy, but I know exactly what to do. My fire is sharing its memory with the ashes, putting the whole picture back in place. I keep my fire vivid and watch the ashes move around until finally, a shape appears. It's so familiar it's crazy.
A new circle.
This one is even more complex than the one I discovered in my room and much bigger too. Ben has to keep clearing the area around it as some of the ashes struggle against some of the wood to go to their designated spot. However, a few seconds later, I can really see the full circle. The design is so complex, it looks like it was done with incredible precision. Did I do this? It feels oddly familiar...
"It looks like the one from the book..." mutters Kelsi. "This one looks much more complicated, but... Wait, let me take a couple of pictures, okay?"
She takes out her phone and makes sure to get the entire circle in several shots. I don't even think of stopping her. Actually, it's probably a good idea as I feel like I will need to remember this. I can't transport it either, the ashes will probably not move anywhere to do this.
However, now, the circle is done, and I have to activate it. I guess this is a bit like déjà vu... I reopen the wound on my finger and let some blood drop on it.
"Mara! What are you doing?!"
"Stay back, both of you," I tell them, very sure of myself.
As soon as a few drops get on the ashes, they immediately turn to a strange silver color, almost as if they were becoming liquid. It's different from the previous circles, and... I have an odd feeling about this circle. Not just in that it's more familiar, but also... more dangerous. I don't know what this one will do. It's probably risky, but...
Once the whole circle has changed color, it looks ready. Ben is growling at it, but I came here exactly for this. I take off my jacket and shoes to hand them to Kelsi, who looks worried as well. I take a deep breath for some reason. I have this feeling that things won't be as quiet this time...
"Stay back, and no matter what happens, you two, don't intervene, okay?"
"Mara, what are you going to do...?"
I bite my thumb, a bit nervous. I'm not even sure myself, I just have a hunch I'm about to get some answers, but not for free. I can't explain. I'm simultaneously excited, nervous, and wary of this thing. The fact that the circle is bigger and more complex is probably a sign in itself. I hesitate, and turn to Ben.
"If something looks... wrong, wipe away part of the circle, okay? It cancels whatever is going on with it."
The wolf nods, standing on guard and ready for me. Alright, let's do this.
I take one step inside, but so far, nothing happens. I get in completely, and sit like I did with the others. I'm sitting alone in the middle, but nothing happens. Should I try a question like last time?
"...Show me the truth."
I wait a few seconds, but nothing happens. Alright, wrong question? It's a bit nerve-wracking. What am I doing wrong here? First, the circle feels a bit too big to be sitting... I sigh and lie down, Kelsi making a grimace. I don't care about how dirty the floor is at the moment, I just need to work this thing out. Stupid circle, aren't you going to answer?
Now both my head and my feet touch the circle, and it feels like it's the perfect size... I take a deep breath.
"Alright, show me what you’ve got," I mutter, more to myself than the circle.
Then, everything suddenly goes dark.
The sudden darkness takes me completely by surprise. I try blinking several times, but I realize I'm not even sure I am. It's like I'm suddenly dreaming, but very aware of it. I can't even feel my own body, or it’s more like I'm some doll. This is the weirdest feeling, like I'm floating.
I try to move, but my body won't react. It's as if I'm not really there. Something warm surrounds me, though. It's not a bad feeling, just... strange. Like nothing I have felt before. What's really going on...?
