At first, the steam rising from the kettle was a dull, heavy grey, smelling of wet earth and old copper. But as the fire roared and the ingredients fused, something magical happened. The grey mist began to swirl and thin out, suddenly turning into a vibrant, shimmering scarlet. It looked like crushed ruby caught in the wind, glowing with an inner light that defied the darkness of the mountain."It's time," I breathed. The liquid had transformed. The root, the stick, and the shirt had seemingly dissolved, leaving behind a smooth, silky scarlet liquid. Monty grabbed a ladle that was hanging conveniently by the side of the kettle and handed it to me. With a steady hand, I ladled the shimmering tea into the Goemul claw. The scent was intoxicating, sweet like mountain flowers but sharp like a coming storm. Once the claw was full, I took the cork Ruben had given me and pressed it firmly into the opening, sealing the power inside. "It’s done," Monty said, looking at the sealed
Last Updated : 2026-11-04 Read more