Eternal Love - Isabelle Lightwood gxg

Echoes of Sacrifice

JORDANS POV:

The cool touch of the stone wall against my back echoed the reluctance within as I stood at the edge of Magnus's apartment, a witness to the unfolding ritual. Anticipation crackled in the air, an electric current heightening my unease. The nagging question of how I had ended up here, poised to witness the summoning of a greater demon, loomed in my mind. My gaze darted between the entwined hands of my comrades, annoyance settling in like an unwelcome companion. In that charged moment, I fervently wished to be elsewhere, any place that didn't involve sharing the same space as Izzy. The mystic symbols etched into the floor seemed to glow with otherworldly power, casting eerie shadows that danced on the walls, intensifying the gravity of the impending ritual.

Despite the eerie circumstances, Magnus's undeniable coolness drew my admiration. His apartment, a haven of otherworldly elegance, felt like a sanctuary compared to the stern barracks of Idris. The dim lighting cast a subtle glow on the carefully curated artifacts, creating an ambience that whispered centuries-old secrets. It would be a definite upgrade from the barracks back in Idris.

My mind briefly wandered to Theodore and Sage, my best mates from the rigorous training days. Theodore, with his unruly dark hair and a penchant for sarcasm, would have raised an incredulous eyebrow at the mere mention of a greater demon summoning. Sage, the ever-practical strategist, would likely have scoffed at the complexity of the plan, echoing the pragmatic wisdom of Hermione Granger: "That isn't going to work."

I could almost hear Theodore's dry humor, envisioning him saying, "A greater demon? Well, that's one way to spice up the weekend." Sage, the voice of reason, would have interjected, "This sounds like a recipe for disaster. Not going to work, mark my words." Their camaraderie echoed in my mind, a reminder of the bonds forged in the crucible of training.

As my gaze drifted over the ornate furnishings, I couldn't help but imagine Theodore and Sage navigating this surreal setting with a mix of amusement and skepticism. The air in Magnus's apartment carried the weight of their absence, a silent acknowledgment that some battles were meant to be fought together, even if it meant dismissing fantastical plans as sheer folly.

Yet, here I was, caught in the currents of a supernatural maelstrom, pondering the whims of fate that had led me to this point. The contrast between Magnus's luxurious abode and the Spartan reality of our training days with Theodore and Sage fueled a mix of nostalgia and apprehension. My admiration for Magnus's coolness was tinged with the bittersweet awareness that some battles were better fought with the irreverent banter of true allies.

Magnus's voice cut through my contemplations, demanding my attention. "Are you paying attention? You are our safety net," he asserted, emphasizing the vital role each played in the impending ritual. I nodded, my hand instinctively finding solace in the dagger strapped to my thigh. Navigating the challenges posed by a greater demon wasn't a novelty for me; I had confronted these formidable adversaries head-on in the past, each encounter etching a mosaic of resilience and battle-tested expertise into the fabric of my Shadowhunter journey.

The ritual began, a surreal dance of hand-holding that left me feeling like the perennial outsider. Magnus stressed the fragile nature of the bond that connected us. "I will lead the ceremony, and you all must do exactly as I say. The demon's name is Valak. At some point, he will ask for payment in exchange for Clary's memories," Magnus explained, setting the stage for a dark bargain.

Jace, ever the sceptic, questioned the nature of the payment, prompting Magnus to reveal cryptically, "We must each relinquish a beloved memory of the one we love the most." A chill ran down my spine as the weight of those words settled upon us.

Jace's urgency pierced the charged air, "What do you mean? What kind of payment?" Magnus's response was cryptic, "We will see," as he commenced the ritual, summoning the demon Valak. The atmosphere thickened, and a warning echoed, "Do not break the bond."