The One True Commander [BOOK 1]

Chapter 20: Ascension

I entered a room on one of the upper floors and my nose was hit with the smell of herbs and candles. A bath tub was placed at the centre of the room, filled with warm soapy water and I guessed that was where my first step of my ascension would take place.

"You will bathe in the water where your purification will take place," Titus spoke then left the room to give me privacy.

I looked at the bath tub and I was glad to finally wash the blood off me. Slowly and through the pain of my aching muscles, I tore my amour off and undressed from my natblida uniform and chucked the bloody fabrics on the floor. Then I stepped into the warm water and slowly lowered myself until my whole body was submerged and my head rested on the edge. The water was very welcoming and it smelt of herbs, probably to do with the purification process. After letting my body bask in the water, I began to wash my face and as I brushed over my face with my hands, the water turned from a soapy white to a dim light grey colour as the remainder of my war paint and inky black blood of my opponents washed away.

Once I had washed my face and hair, I lent back again till my head rested comfortably on the ledge and I let myself think. Today's events didn't seem real, like it was a dream, but I could remember all of it, from my exact moments of killing the others and to the death of Cree. It was like it hadn't fully sunk in yet, but it felt like it had. It felt like I could just go back to the dorm and see them all there again. But I knew I wouldn't find anyone, just ghosts. These events would haunt me for a while and I wondered if the flame would help me cope, I knew it would guide me, but what else?

I let this thought distract from the lingering events of today and I just relaxed in the water, listening to the busy streets outside the tower and watching the sky turn into a fiery mixture of orange and red as the sun sunk behind the trees. My eyes began to turn heavy and I let them close so I could rest a little before my next stages of ascension. Just over an hour must have passed until I heard the doors open and Titus walked in with clothes in his arms.

"Y/N, you are now purified and must take the next step in the ascension ritual," Titus placed the clothes on the table. "These clothes are the traditional commander attire, but first we must apply the sacred tattoos before you dress. There are towels to dry yourself and clothes for you to wear while the tattoos are being applied."

I nodded in recognition and Titus walked out.

Carefully, I climbed out the bath tub and used the towels provided to dry myself. Then I dressed into my underwear and then put on the loose leggings and tank top. After dressing, I walked over to the door and opened them.

"I am ready," I spoke to Titus waiting outside.

The bald headed man nodded and walked inside the room with me, "lay down on the table," Titus ordered as he retrieved the tattoo kit.

I lay on my stomach on the table and allowed my chin to rest on the soft cushion and I waited for what would happen next.

"First, I will apply the sacred symbol on the back of your neck," Titus announced and I felt my damp hair being brushed to the side and the sharp needle carve into my skin and the wet ink that came with it. It was like a thousand needles were being stabbed into my neck and it was uncomfortable. "Remain as still as you can, this must be completed," Titus spoke in a concentrated voice.

I tried to remain as still as I could as the flamekeeper tattooed my neck and soon he was done.

"Your neck is done, now I must tattoo your back. Seven circles for each natblida that died and that the commander chose you and your rise as the new Heda," Titus informed me and once again I felt that annoying pain as my back was being tattooed.