Looking Glass || Stiles Stilinski ²

09 || Sacred Balance

Episode: Ice Pick

The warmth of the candle in her hands alerted her awake. No longer was she in the comfort of her bed; instead, her body was autonomously trekking along in a row of young girls wrapped in beautiful, white, flowy robes. Each held oil lamps, the flickering flame casting a soft, golden glow over their youthful faces. Thaís' heart anxiously thumped in her chest, her mind pondering what awaited at the end of their journey. She wanted to ask someone what they were doing, but something compelled her not to.

No one spoke; the girls beside her kept their heads low and walked silently along the trail of smooth, white stones. Moonlight filtered through the canopy of olive trees. The song of crickets chimed in the background of their graceful, light, and almost synchronized footsteps. Soft wind fluttered her hair, created goosebumps along the exposed skin, and brought along the smell of earth. A thick smell of olives, jasmine, and pine flooded her nose.

It took about five minutes before she saw a bright orange light in the distance. The light was accompanied by soft drumming and melodic, soothing singing that seemingly echoed against the white stone.

As they approached, crackling flames sounded. Her eyes widened upon entering the clearing — it was stunning. A massive oak tree towered over them, its branches spreading over the space like a protective embrace. They had built in front of the tree with white stone, making it resemble a temple: tall, white pillars, small steps, lit fire pedestals at the corners of the area, and an altar underneath the tree adorned with fruits and grains, surrounding an area that looked to be a bathtub. The strong scent of burning incense and fresh herbs nearly suffocated her.

Women in elegant white robes greeted us, singing tender songs and beating tympanum drums. Thaís followed behind the girls, who knelt in a semicircle before the altar, confusion and fear still looming in her system.

Behind them appeared an older woman wearing the same white robes, but above them, she was wearing a navy blue cloth and a modest golden laurel crown. She stood at the top of the altar with a firm watch, motioning to the women to quiet down, and an overwhelming silence took over. She then knelt with her back facing them, and the young women immediately bowed their heads, and Thaís did, too.

"King of the gods, ruler of Olympus, we call upon you," the older woman intoned, her voice loud and carrying through the sacred space. Her hands grasped stalks of grain, and she crumpled them, sprinkling them on the floor before her. "Heed our prayers and look upon these chosen ones with favor."

The woman whispered a few words to herself, lifting her arms to the sky. Inaudible murmurs filled the air, the soft crackling of the fire, the rustling of leaves, and the faint sounds of wildlife.

"Oh mighty king, who strikes with thunder and rules with justice, bless these initiates. Grant them strength to bear the burdens of their duty, the wisdom to guide their people, and the courage to uphold the sacred balance."

Thaís frowned, swallowing hard. Her mind spun in circles, and her heart raced, trying to understand the situation she had been forced into.

The older woman rose to her feet and turned to the row of initiates, who had looked up and were waiting expectantly. She grabbed a golden bowl from the altar and dipped her fingers into the blend of what seemed to be oil.

"Rise." She commanded, and in a beat, every girl did. "Step forward and receive your blessing."

One by one, the young women approached the older women, who anointed their foreheads with the oil.

Thaís felt her breath lodged in her throat as she approached, but she was at least grateful to be the last. Following the other girls' gestures, she kept her hands close to her chest and walked slowly, stopping at the foot of the altar. The woman dipped her fingers into the oil; at proximity, it smelled sweet and smoky. Her hand moved closer, the substance beginning to crawl down her fingers until it touched Thaís' face. The woman traced her fingers, laying down a smooth path from her forehead to the center of her eyebrows.