The Fire Within

The Dark Rite

Cirice's nose burned, the smell of smoke filling her nostrils. Echoing screams pierced her ears, pulling her to the present and forcing her eyes open. She was staring up at the night sky, bright orange flames licking the sides of her vision.

Cirice pushed herself up and took in the battlefield before her, images of the Vale burning in her mind. In the distance, she could see the church again, once more aware that she was meant to go there. A black horse raced past her, forcing Cirice up and out of its path.

She turned, another building far in the distance but blocked by that all too familiar mirror. It stood looming, glowing unlike before when it was in the depths of the forest. Cirice's vision blurred momentarily and when it cleared she wasn't staring at herself anymore.

"Mom? Mom?" Cirice asked, panic rising as the person in the mirror, who looked somewhat like her mother, mimicked her movement. Cirice pressed her hand to the glass, burning bodies reflecting behind her.

"Mom? Can you hear me?" Cirice asked, noticing that the reflection was mimicking her words as well. Cirice's brow furrowed in confusion as a dark, clawed hand appeared on her mother's shoulder. A towering dark figure came into view, Cirice looking up, up, up to meet its horned head.

A goat-like figured glared down at her, it's eyes crimson and breath fogging the glass. She beast sneered at it and yanked her mother back into the abyss of the mirror.

"No!" Cirice screamed, her mother's hand that had been mimicking hers was now replaced with the long hand. Cirice's chest rose and fell in panicked breaths as a voice rang out.

You have to get to the church. Cirice glanced behind her, taking in the looming building just as a hand seized her wrist. She jumped, her head snapping back to see the claws digging deep into her skin.

"Argh! No!" Cirice cried as she pulled backward, fighting to break free. The beast's grip was too strong as it pulled her forward and into the mirror. Her world blurring as if she had been pushed underwater. The best looked down at her, its lips curling in a devilish grin.

"You're too late, little lamb."

Cirice jolted awake, her hair tangled around her face and neck like black tentacles. She pushed it away and propped onto her arm as she centered herself. Tonight was the night, her last moments on this earth were imminent as the sunset cast long warm beams across the room.

Cirice was surprised she had slept so soundly and for so long. A knock sounded at the door and Delphine appeared, her expression tight as Cirice looked at her. "We must prepare you,"

Cirice was extracted from the bed and stripped, a lukewarm bath prepared and peppered with different herbs and liquids. She stayed silent as Delphine helped her bathe. Cirice felt detached--as if she wasn't actually in the room or even in the same universe.

Soon, she was wrapped in a towel and sat in front of the vanity. Her long hair was brushed until it was tangle-free and stretched into waves. Cirice watched her reflection in the mirror as Delphine went to the wardrobe and withdrew a black piece of fabric. She held it up, giving a small smile.

"Your ceremony dress is absolutely divine," she commented, walking over and extending her hand to Cirice. Cirice took it and stood, dropping the towel as Delphine placed the dress over her head. It was floor-length silk with a plunged neckline that showed off Cirice's two necklaces. She toyed with the grucifix around her neck as Delphine turned her to the mirror.

"The perfect lamb," she hummed, adjusting Cirice's hair as another knock sounded on the door. By now, the sun had set, the darkness outside only broken by the large, bright moon. Delphine went to the door and opened it, Mason stepping in. Cirice noted how she tensed as she watched the two in the mirror.

"It's time," Mason said tightly, his eyes floating to Cirice. She turned to him, somewhat chilled by the room as he smiled.

"You look enchanting," he commented as Cirice smirked.

"Never thought I'd be alive for my funeral. Guess we better get this over with." Cirice simmered as she pulled on the velvet slippers that went with it and followed the two out of the room. The dark, cavernous corridors seemed different this time. They felt alive, abuzz with energy that only came with the Dark Rite. As they neared the ballroom, voices could be heard--fevered excitement spilling into the corridor. Delphine came to the barely ajar doors and peeked through.

"I'll go and alert Cardinal. Keep her here." Delphine warned, still convinced Cirice was going to run. Mason put a hand on her arm as Delphine slipped in, Cirice eyeing his action.

"You don't have to do that. I'm not gonna run," she said softly, glancing over at him. Mason's brows were furrowed.

"Why? That is so unlike you." Mason noted, still not releasing her arm. Cirice shrugged.

"There's no point. There's nothing left for me in the Vale. Alex is gone, my father can't bear to look at me." Cirice said sorrowfully, her shoulders falling as Mason watched her. For a moment, he felt genuinely sorry for her. She couldn't know how much pain her absence had caused--it would change everything.

"Soon you won't have to worry about any of that," Mason was referring to his courtship with her, but Cirice took it as him validating the inevitable.

"Well it's been fun Mason, I still hate you," Cirice added just as the double doors opened. The room was bathed in warm candlelight, the temperature considerably higher than the hallway. A thick crowd blanketed the space, parting to make a clear path straight to Cardinal Copia. He gave Mason a nod and they started forward.

The crowd murmured when she appeared, some faces covered in masks and others bare. Cirice stumbled forward, Mason's iron grip on her wrist as they came to the center of the room. Cardinal Copia raised his hands in greeting.

"My fellow believers, I bid you welcome," he started, glancing about the room. Cirice took a moment to follow, noting the sheer number of bodies. They all quieted some eyes on Cardinal and others on her.

"Tonight, we gather to witness one of the oldest and most sacred rituals in our church. The Dark Rite is appeasement to our Lord. A plea for guidance and to restore balance," Cardinal continued as Cirice's breath began to quicken. Suddenly she was too warm. Mason noted the action and pulled her into his side.

"I have the utmost faith that our ritual will work, all thanks to our willing lamb, Cirice." Cardinal Copia gestured to Cirice as a wave of whispers washed through the room. Cirice looked over at him and then to the ground.

"Cirice has offered herself as a representative of her cowardly father. A beacon for New Vale," at his words, Cirice bristled. Sure she knew he hated her father, but certainly, he wouldn't indulge a smear campaign now.

"Cirice, we are ever so grateful for your sacrifice. We pray the Dark Lord may have mercy upon you for this sacrifice." Cardinal Copia said as murmurs of agreement rose.

"Delphine, would you please," Cardinal Copia asked, gesturing for Delphine to join the group in the center of the room. She stepped forward, opening the box Cardinal had shown Cirice before. He withdrew the dagger and Mason's grip tightened on her arm. Cirice frowned and shot him a look.

"Mason if you would, please assist Cirice." Cardinal Copia said, gesturing to the platform he already stood on. Mason didn't move for a moment, so Cirice scoffed and stepped up, yanking him with her. Mason lifted her so she was sitting on the raised table and then looked at Cardinal.

"You won't actually go through with it, will you?" he hissed, so quietly Cirice almost didn't catch it. A look of surprise befell her features as she took in his words. Did Cardinal Copia tell him something contrary to what he told her? Cardinal Copia gripped his shoulder, eyeing him as if he were a disobedient child.

Mason's shoulders fell as he joined the crowd as Cardinal Copia turned to the room.

"The time has come, my flock. We shall soon bask in all the riches our Dark Lord has to offer." Cardinal Copia turned to Cirice, gently pushing her back onto the table. She adjusted herself as her head rubbed against the harsh stone, her eyes focusing on the chandelier. A rush of hushed muttering began to fill the room as Cardinal Copia lifted the dagger.

"Stop!"