The Moonless Night 3D Render, Digital Artwork by voyeur19

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The Moonless Night

3D Render by voyeur19

Aoife had waited for this night for a long time. The night when the moon was hidden, and the stars shone brightly. The night when the veil between the worlds was thinnest, and the magic was strongest. The night when she could perform the ritual that would change her life.

She was a bandraoi, a follower of the old ways, a keeper of the sacred balance. She had studied the lore of her ancestors, learned the secrets of the elements, and mastered the arts of healing and divination. She had also felt a calling, a longing, for something more. Something beyond the mundane realm, something that would reveal her true destiny.

She had heard of the standing stones, the ancient monuments that marked the places of power, where the ley lines converged and the Earth's energy pulsed. She had traveled far and wide, seeking them out, hoping to find the one that resonated with her soul. She had visited many of them, but none had felt right. Until she came to this one.

It was a circle of twelve stones, each taller than a man, arranged in a perfect alignment with the cardinal directions. In the center was a single taller stone with a carved spiral symbol on its surface. She felt a surge of awe and wonder as she approached it, sensing its ancient wisdom and mystery.

She had prepared everything for the ritual. She had brought a silver knife, a crystal bowl, a flask of spring water, and a bundle of herbs. She had also brought a special gift: a pendant made of moonstone, her birthstone, that she had crafted herself. It was a symbol of her devotion and gratitude to the moon goddess, who had guided her throughout her life.

She waited until midnight, when the stars were at their brightest. She stripped off her clothes and tied the moonstone pendant around her neck. She took the knife and cut her palm, letting a few drops of blood fall into the bowl. She added some water and herbs, stirring them with her finger. She then lifted the bowl and walked around the circle, sprinkling some of the liquid on each stone, chanting an invocation in an ancient tongue.

She returned to the center and placed the bowl at the base of the stone. She leaned back against the stone and closed her eyes. She wanted to connect with the spirit of the stones, to learn their secrets, to receive their blessing. She wanted to open herself to the higher realms, to see beyond the veil, to meet her true self.

She whispered a final prayer to Rhiannon and opened her eyes. She gasped as she saw what appeared before her. A portal of light, swirling and shimmering in the air. It was like a window to another world, a world of beauty and wonder. She felt a pull, a beckoning, from within it.

Aoife did not hesitate. She stood up and walked towards it, reaching out with her hand. She felt a warm and gentle touch, like a lover's caress. She smiled and stepped through.