Anwen seemingly has had enough of her dance escapades, as she made her way back to our table. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, like stars lighting up the night sky. She turned to us, her voice brimming with enthusiasm, "Let's make our way to the ceremony, shall we? If we're quick, we can snag a prime spot right up front!" Her suggestion was tempting. After all, being at the front of such a spectacle was a coveted position, offering an unparalleled view of the ritual and the chance to be first in line to place our crystals on the altar.
As we navigated our way through the enchanting city, I couldn't help but marvel at its beauty. The city was alive with energy, the air thick with anticipation for the ceremony. Shopkeepers greeted passersby with warm smiles, their displays bursting with an array of colorful goods.
Our path led us through the bustling market square, past the towering grand library, and by the sparkling fountains of the royal courtyard. Along the way, I admired the city's architectural beauty, its stone structures adorned with intricate carvings, each telling a different tale.
Finally, the grandeur of the ceremonial altar came into view, situated in the heart of a vast open space. It was a breathtaking sight, the altar standing tall amidst a sea of lush grass, its majestic aura radiating in the golden sunlight. The sight of it never failed to stir my heart. The altar, a testament to our faith and our hopes, stood waiting for us, ready to bear witness to our resolutions for the coming year.
As we neared the altar, I could feel the hum of anticipation building in the crowd. The chatter died down, replaced by an expectant silence. A single trumpet blast rang out, echoing through the square, marking the beginning of the ceremony. The sound sent a shiver down my spine, a mixture of excitement and apprehension. My friends and I exchanged glances, our faces mirroring the thrill of the moment.
Gathered around the altar, the High Priestess, resplendent in her traditional robes, raised her arms towards the sky, her voice ringing out clear and strong. "Children of Aranthia," she began, her aether shimmering around her as she invoked the gods. "We gather here today to renew our vows, to express our gratitude, and to seek their blessings for the year ahead."
As she spoke, the crowd began to move. One by one, people stepped forward, placing their crystals on the altar. The wide array of every crystal known to this world sparkled in the afternoon sun, each one pulsing with a life of its own. The air became thick with enchantment, the collective aether of the crowd swirling with the potent energy of the crystals.
My friends and I moved forward, each of us holding our respective crystals in our hands. As I placed my ruby onto the altar, I felt a surge of power, a tether of energy linking me to the god associated with my crystal. The sensation was intoxicating, a rush of magic coursing through me, filling me with a sense of purpose. Despite the crowd around me, in that moment, it felt like it was just me, my crystal, and the god to whom I was making my pledge. It was the year of the ruby after all and we where searching for blessing from Rubina, my respective goddess.
Suddenly, as the crowd began to chant the ancient blessing in chorus, my foot caught on the edge of someone's boot. The crowd's rhythmic chant hung in the air as I stumbled, falling forward into the circle of runes, drawn by the High Priestess. The crowd fell silent as all eyes turned to me. The runes were sacred, a hallowed ground where only the priestess was allowed to stand during the blessing and of course the person chosen to finish the ritual. Panic surged within me, a stark contrast to the calm serenity of the ceremony moments ago.
With the swiftness of a startled deer, I attempted to scramble out, but it was too late. With my accidental intrusion, the rune circle began to react. The ruby crystal I had placed on the altar pulsated with a sudden intensity, casting a red glow that danced with the shadows in the temple. The air thickened, filled with an energy that was palpable, and a sound, like the sweetest melody, echoed around us. This was the aether responding, the life essence reacting to my unplanned trespassing into the sacred circle, I thought. A surge of panic rose in me.
Suddenly, from the stillness, the High Priestess stepped forward. Her gaze was stern yet there was an inexplicable twinkle in her eyes, as if she had anticipated this very disruption. She lifted a hand, silencing the murmurs that were starting to rise in the temple. "Silence!" Her voice echoed off the stone walls, bringing an immediate hush to the audience.
She turned towards me, her eyes softening, losing the severity from a moment ago. "Child" she called out, her voice now a mere whisper that I wasn't sure was intended for me or the goddess. The High Priestess, known to be a prophetess, could see things before they happened, the gods allowing her to see.
"The gods have made their choice," she announced, her voice echoing in the vast expanse of the temple. The crowd gasped collectively, taken aback. The ruby crystal, she explained, was reacting to my aether, not a rare occurrence signifying that the gods' selection of a crystal bearer. I was chosen to be the one to bring the ruby to the Tourmaline Temple, to complete the ceremony.
This revelation was a whirlwind of emotions for me. My heart pounded in my chest like a wild drum, and my mind raced as it attempted to process the enormity of what this meant. I, Heloise, a simple girl from a speck of a village, was now the chosen one. The bearer of the ruby crystal, the avatar of the Goddess of Passion.
The murmurs turned into cheers as the realization dawned on the crowd. A wave of ecstasy swept through the temple, the energy in the room becoming infectious. Laughter, cheers, and applause filled the air, creating a symphony of celebration. A maiden rushed forward holding a garland decorated with rubies, a symbol of respect and admiration, which she gently placed on my shoulders, its weight a reminder of my newfound responsibility.
The crowd began to circle around me, their faces brimming with excitement and their eyes sparkling with awe. Some bowed their heads in reverence, others clapped their hands in joyous applause. The villagers, my friends, were laughing, their voices melodic against the steady rhythm of the drums that had started to play – a series of beats known only to be played for the special chosen ones.
The celebration swept me up in its joyous tumult, an ocean of merriment in which I was the buoy bobbing in its center. Sweet, smoky incense filled the air as the elders walked in a procession, swinging censers in their hands, while the children chased each other, their laughter piercing the air. Every face I saw reflected a kind of joyous expression, relief the gods seemed to favor us for another year.
Despite all the joy and celebration, a cold pit of uncertainty settled in my stomach. I, Heloise, was chosen, yes. But chosen for a task that seemed far greater than I could ever comprehend. Sure, I could feel the warmth of the ruby crystal, throbbing against my skin, and its power tugging at the edges of my consciousness. Yet, my aether, the life essence required to wield actual magic, had always felt lacking, a mere ember compared to the raging infernos others seemed to possess.
The chosen one was typically flooded with aether, a conduit of the gods' will, their magic a tangible, awe-inspiring force. But whenever I tried to cast even the most straightforward spell, my aether sputtered and flickered like a doused candle. I was like a bird that had been given the gift of flight, but lacked the wings to soar. How could I finish the ritual? Was I going to let my people, my friends, down once the gods realized that I was in fact not adapt at wielding the aether? The only thing one my mind, was one thing and one thing only. I was truly and deeply fucked.
YOU ARE READING
Red as Ruby
Fantasy"Red as Ruby" is an alluring tale of unlikely friendships forged in the crucible of adventure, as a group of misfits embarks on a quest that dances on the boundary between the ordinary and the extraordinary. A story where destinies entwine, and the...
