IT au (Self insert)

CHAPTER TWO, PART FOUR.

The next day, the group gathered at Aspen's house, armed with books, notes, and any information they could find about the Ritual of Chüd. The tension from the previous night had dissipated somewhat, replaced by a determined energy. They knew what they had to do, and they were ready to face it together. Aspen spread out several old books and scrolls on the coffee table.

"Alright, everyone, let's go over what we know about the Ritual of Chüd. According to this," he pointed to a passage in one of the books,

"it's a metaphysical battle of wills. We have to enter its mind, confront it, and perform the ritual to trap or weaken it." Vinny, who had been flipping through another book, looked up.

"It says here that we need to gather personal items that are significant to each of us. Something that holds strong memories or emotions. These items will help us stay grounded and give us strength during the ritual." Sebastian nodded, and said;

"I have just the thing. My old locker key. It was with me through everything back then." Jordy looked thoughtful,

"I'll bring the walkie-talkie I used to keep in touch with all of you. It was our lifeline." Vinny added,

"I'll bring my old sketchbook. Drawing was my escape when things got too hard." Athien, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke up.,

"I still have the pendant my sister gave me. It's the only thing I have left of her." His voice was filled with a mix of pain and resolve. Aspen clapped his hands together.

"Alright, we have our items. Now we need to mentally prepare. This isn't going to be easy. We need to trust each other completely." The group nodded in agreement, their determination unwavering. They spent the rest of the day practicing meditation and visualization techniques, trying to strengthen their minds for the battle ahead. As night fell, they gathered in a circle in Aspen's living room, their personal items placed in front of them. The room was dimly lit by candles, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Aspen took a deep breath and began to speak.

"We're going to enter its mind together. Focus on your item and the memories it holds. Remember why we're doing this. We're doing it for ourselves, for each other, and for everyone it has hurt." They closed their eyes, concentrating on their items, letting the memories and emotions flow through them. Slowly, they began to feel a strange pull, as if they were being drawn into a different realm. Suddenly, they found themselves standing in a dark, twisted landscape. The air was thick with a sense of dread, and the ground beneath their feet felt unstable. In the distance, they could see a towering figure with glowing eyes, its shape constantly shifting and morphing. Aspen stepped forward, his voice strong and unwavering.

"This is it. Remember the ritual. Stay together." The figure let out a chilling laugh, its voice echoing through the void.

"You think you can defeat me? I have fed on your fears for decades." Athien stepped forward, clutching his pendant tightly.

"We're not afraid of you anymore. We're here to end this." The group joined hands, forming a circle. They began to recite the words of the Ritual of Chüd, their voices growing stronger with each passing moment. The figure roared in anger, lashing out at them with tendrils of darkness, but they held firm, their bond unbreakable. As they continued the ritual, they felt a surge of energy flowing through them. The ground beneath them shook, and the figure began to waver, its form becoming less solid. They could feel its power weakening. Sebastian shouted over the roar of the collapsing landscape.

"We're doing it! Keep going!" With one final, unified effort, they completed the ritual. There was a blinding flash of light, and the figure let out a final, agonized scream before dissolving into nothingness. The group found themselves back in Aspen's living room, gasping for breath. The candles had burned out, and the room was eerily silent. Vinny was the first to speak.