Ascension of Blood

7

It was with an unwelcome relief that the blond woman helped Mijora to her unsteady feet, arms tights over her shoulders as she lead her away from the group of black cloaked figures, into the twisting depths of the temple. She tried to pay attention to her surroundings, but it was at this point her that her nervous system was beginning to shut down on her, and she was only vaguely aware of being joined by another figure with six eyes and a jug of blood.

Mostly, all she could hear was the Monster, it's voice a gentle humm filling her head, and words so soft she didn't know if they were real, I remember this place...

"We dont have time to fetch Two or Five. She'll need to drink it." Said blondie

"Messy business, Eve." Then some more things were said too hushed for Mijora to make them out. The humming, she told herself, focus on the humming. Then, "Im no Aimamancer."

"You don't need to be." Said the blond. "She is. Her body will know what to do with the blood."

"Messy, messy, messy." Said the second voice from the six eyed figure. Hands — Mijora didn't know who — tipped her head and gently lifted it up (when did she lay down?) and more hands — Mijora still didn't know who — brought the jug to her lips and poured into her slightly parted mouth.

First, she choked on it while one of the two figures shouted, "Drink!" at her in varying levels of impatience. Then she began to work her throat and drink the blood. It was the same feeling of blood siphoning, as though a great cloud was being lifted from her head and she felt like she had drank a potion that restored all of her stamina. She felt alive again. Alive enough to feel the great pain that her bruised and broken body was in.

"There we are I think. Leave the Jug on the side, Four, and see to her wounds." Said the blond woman. She was tall with a pale complexion and bright blue eyes lined with kohl. Beneath her parted black robes Mijora saw a floor length purple dress, slightly cinched at the waist, and when she reached out to Mijora, she saw her nails were painted in some black pigment. "How do we feel, Miss Harrow?"

"Probably how I look." Mijora said leaning away from her touch..

Her hand hovered between them for a moment longer before her claw curled into a fist. "Good." She said. "Those that get here easily do not need to be here. But those who struggle — struggle, but make it — they are the ones who shall do great things."

Too tired to follow her reasoning, Mijora stayed quiet.

"I'm Lady Evelyn Hyde, Headmistress here at Moonshade Acadmey. But you know all about that, don't you?"

Mijora nodded slowly. She was too tired to play the social dance her father taught her, and instead said directly: "You're supposed to get rid of the monster."

The woman, the headmistress, and her mothers old friend from school, nodded once. "I am."

"I don't think I need help." Mijora said.

Still smiling, the Headmistress only said. "We'll see about that little one." There was a quiet intensity about about Lady Evelyn that struck Mijora as intriguing. It was more than just her tallness and her effortless beauty, but something deeper.

Another figure entered in the room, it was the six eyed one. Only, as they drew nearer Mijora realised that four of the eyes were painted on over their cheeks to make them look like they have six eyes. They was carrying a tray with several jars and bowls and already she could smell their medicinal aroma.

"The initiation will be happening tomorrow morning at dawn." Said Lady Evelyn as Six-eyes placed the tray on the small table beside the bed and began mixing something in a bowl. "Until then, all Acolytes have been requested to stay within their dorm rooms. When Four is finished seeing to your wounds, they'll take you there."