Belford's Heart

Chapter 35: Violet

The moons flew high in the East as Evelyn made her approach to the Eternal Peak's main corridor. The staircase built from the city's center was a mountain on its own, towering high above them as they made their ascent. The city followed them; a mass of eager bodies ready to bear witness to the gift of eternity, and the true birth of their Child of Creation. Tall poles of metal carried braziers to the sides of the stone staircase, following the pattern of light within the barrier of the gates. They passed each one as it painted their skin in each color; red, then blue, then violet. Under the violet flame, her and Kressida's eyes and dresses glowed vibrantly. As the ground beneath them became further and further below, Evelyn truly felt as though she were about to ascend into something far beyond herself.

The sky above her was so clear. Every star shone as brightly as the full moons to the East in their own way. She could see the long platform where Kressida had her look upon the city before joining the feast, and she heard the Westworm crash once again into the barrier behind them. The air smelled of the lovely food she had shared with her new people, and Kressida's beauty grew with every step.

"Look upon it, my child," Kressida said. "This is the place of your rebirth."

Evelyn paused at the word, quickly disregarding her hesitation and smiling widely. Rebirth. What a lovely word. The washing away of the anguish and hurt she still carried deep within her, and the full acceptance of the violet light within her. She began to cry, her tears splashing on the stone staircase beneath them. "Am I worthy of this rebirth, my lady?"

"The world is who remains undeserving of you, Evelyn," Kressida said in her impossibly warm voice. Even as they moved it blanketed Evelyn with comfort. "But we will see to them earning the gift you have given. All of creation shall bear witness to your beauty."

Evelyn's heart skipped, pulsing violet light quickly from within her chest as joy overcame her. The whole world was waiting just to look upon her. How beautiful had Kressida made her? She felt again as though the stone of the steps no longer made contact with her feet, and that she was flying high above even the apex of the Eternal Peak. She closed her eyes, basking in the warmth of Kressida's presence and kindness, and all she saw were sad, gray eyes looking back at her from the darkness. She held onto them, watching as a man grew onto them, and his body formed strong and tall above her. She knew this man once, looked upon him every day as he carried her through the world. His face was gentle, and she could still feel the warmth of his lips upon her.

Her eyes opened, the image gone as quickly as it came, and the joy returned to her as she floated alongside Kressida and before all of Thelos who joined them. At last, their climb was complete. Kressida halted, turning toward the city they had left below them and the entire city walking behind. She pointed to the sky above, holding on the moons that flew even further to the East and provided the night sky with bountiful light. "Our creator calls upon us for new life!" The city, now gathered in a mass of bodies filling much of the monstrous staircase, erupted into the air. Further proclamations of Evelyn's ascension, calls for worship to the Child of Creation, Evelyn looked down at them, finding warmth near to that of Kressida's voice as they knelt before them. Evelyn watched as the crowd moved all at once, leveling as one mass of bodies all the way down to the city street.

There was one man who stood alone for a moment, but he quickly joined the mass in their kneeling as he saw them. She was not sure where the feeling came from, but something deep within her reacted to the man. Her heart glowed slightly brighter when she looked upon him, though he was just another man of the city approaching to witness her ascension. The wave of warmth emanating from Kressida washed over her again, and she turned with a bright smile toward her highest lady.

"This is a power I have never seen before," Evelyn said. "All are truly gathered here for you."

Kressida shook her head, wrapping her left arm around Evelyn and squeezing her against her waist. "You will soon believe me, child, that they no longer gather for me in this place. You are to take my place, and follow as I show you the path that shall cleanse the world." She turned to address the crowd. "My people of the highest creator! As you look upon me now, know that it is by his grace that we stand within his lands. The power of his essence shall spread to the world by way of his greatest gift!" She held Evelyn's hand pulling her energy from within her. Both of their eyes began glowing in total-violet, and Evelyn's body truly rose from the ground as she felt all of the warmth and euphoria nearly tear every limb away from her. "To the sky, it shall be spoken! By his name I claim this final Rebirth!"