The Binding Vow of Lazarus

Chapter 17

Satoru nodded, watching her closely as she moved on to the next step of the ritual. She held out her hand expectantly. “The knife,” she said, her voice steady but tight. 

With a sigh, Satoru handed it over, the blade glinting ominously in the flickering light. “You sure you don’t need a professional for this?" He teased, "I’ve seen you trip over air, Sarah.” 

“Very funny,” she muttered, already pulling off her sneakers. Her hands trembled slightly, but her expression was all determination. She balled up her shirt, biting down on the hem to muffle what was coming. Then, kneeling on the cold stone floor, she lined up the knife with her pinky toe. 

“Okay,” she breathed out, the sound muffled by the fabric in her mouth. 

“Sarah—” Satoru began, stepping forward, but she shook her head sharply. 

Before he could argue further, she pressed the blade down hard, slicing clean through the joint. The sound of the knife against bone was sharp and sickening, and her muffled scream tore at his heart. Blood dripped on the floor as Sarah swayed slightly, but Satoru was there in an instant, steadying her with a hand on her shoulder. 

“Hey, hey, take a second,” he urged, his voice softer now. Her wide eyes were swimming with pain, but she shook her head fiercely, her resolve unbroken. 

“I’m fine,” she hissed through clenched teeth, tears streaming down her face. Without waiting, she placed the severed toe into the amulet, letting the blood from her wound drip into it as well. Then, with trembling fingers, she sealed it shut. 

Yaga stepped forward, handing her a small urn containing the ashes. She dumped them out onto the floor with care, forming a deliberate circle around the amulet. 

Finally, Sarah turned to Satoru, holding out the amulet. “You ready?” she asked, her voice steadier than he expected. 

He reached for it but hesitated, his gaze flicking back to her pale face. Something about the way her shoulders trembled, the faint quiver in her lip, told him everything he needed to know. She was terrified. 

Without thinking, Satoru stepped forward and pulled her into a tight hug. Her breath hitched as she stiffened in surprise, but after a moment, she relaxed, leaning into him. He could feel her heartbeat pounding against his chest, erratic and frantic. 

“Sarah,” he whispered, his voice low but firm. “I’ll fix this. I’ll do everything I can to get you out of this. I swear.” 

Her hands fisted in his jacket, and she nodded against him, her face buried in his shoulder. 

“You’re important to me,” he added, his tone unusually soft. “More than you know. So don’t worry, okay? I’ll see you again. Soon.” 

She didn’t reply, just held onto him for a moment longer. When she finally pulled away, her eyes were red but resolute. 

“Go,” she said simply, handing him the amulet, "Stand in the circle. I... I'll do the incantation."

Satoru took it, his usual smirk returning, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Don’t miss me too much,” he teased, playfully running a finger up her chin.

Sarah huffed a small laugh, wiping her face. “Just go before I change my mind, idiot.” 

With one last glance at her, Satoru stepped into the circle, clutching the amulet tightly. The room began to hum with energy as Sarah activated the ritual, her voice steady as she chanted the incantation. 

"By the blood that binds all fates, 
By the ashes of what has fallen, 
I summon the power to breach the veil, 
Where time is twisted, and moments are hollowed.