A New Kind of Army

Chapter 32: Moments of Joy, Concern, and Confusion

The rest of January passed quickly. I continued with my training but life went on around me.

Timothy completed his studies and officially became an adult. His ceremony was held in the center of Nexus. It was honestly something I don't think I'll forget, watching this young man, along with all his peers, walk up to the stage, and receive his mask was a beautiful site to see. Christin didn't even try to hide the pride he felt for his son. Even from the crowd I could see the happy tears in his eyes. For a second I thought I could hear Steve whisper in my ear, "That will be you next year."

The after party was even better, though. Once the public ceremony and formality was over, all the families broke from the crowd to have small parties of their own, to complete the coming-of-age ceremonies for their individual family lines. And for Timothy's Christin went all out. There were fresh flowers weaved into garlands, that hung off of every roof, rail or tree branch. Strings of golden glowing stones formed a gleaming web in between the deck's covering and burning bright torches. A food spread that looked and smelled like something out of dream, rested underneath a decorated canopy.

However, the highlight of the night, was when Christin called the Timothy to the dance floor.

"Ladies, gentleman and all who attend," Christin called out the crowd of close friends and family, "Tonight we celebrate the masking of my fourth born child, young Timothy."

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the quiet boy's cheeks blush blue.

"Timothy my son," Christin continued, "You've always made me proud with every accomplishment you've made and lesson you learned. I will forever treasure every memory you've given me. The first Christmas, the first birthday, they first words you learned to speak to us.

Christin put a hand on Timothy's shoulder, "Now, I look forward to seeing everything you will accomplish in your life; the future you will build for yourself, and maybe one day for others. We shared no blood, but you have always been my child. Some might deny this, but they have their eyes closed. You have always been part of this family, and tonight no one will ever doubt that. Tonight, you become a member of our family line, not as someone's child, but as your own person."

Christin nodded to the musicians in the corner, and the first few notes of a joyful song were played. Nico and the adult children gathered around the father and son, dancing in a circle. They singed in unison a chant foreign yet beautiful, and clapped their hands to the beat of the song. Within the circle Christin and Timothy began to dance. The father and son mirrored each other's movements, twisting and flipping in time with the music.

It was honestly such a stunning thing to watch. The familial dance, every child part of an existing familial line would preform it along with the other members on the night they received their mask. It was a sacred tradition, part of the mask code itself, in order to promote unity within families. Each dance is unique to its family. Children are taught the steps as early as it was possible, in preparation for the night where they would be welcomed as an adult into the folds of their family.

Taiga had explained the tradition to me, as I would need to make up my own once I earned my mask. Due to starting my own family line in the clan. Unless I chose to join Christin's family line. Though, I was probably going to go with the former option. I wanted for Black Sheep to have a dance of his own once he came of age, and earned his own mask.

Everything hurt.

My lungs burned from gasping in the cold midwinter air. The head spun wildly, while my gut churned. The bitter taste of wet metal flooded my tongue. Each blow to my body was like a thunder clap on my skin, aching and burning all at once. Nothing had broken yet, but it felt like it had.