A Song of Darkness

Chapter 1 Part 2

    My dress is something that would have been my last resort. The delicate white silk hugged my hips ever so slightly. The thin straps seemed to have trouble staying on my shoulder. Thankfully I wouldn't be doing any physical activity, I do not want full-frontal nakedness in front of a bunch of puberty-stricken boys and horny warriors. Now it was only will power for the test, and do not allow my dress to fall.

    As we walked from the tower to the servant's entrance, I whispered under my breath. "I think I might look a tad overdone." Killian looked down from the first step of the staircase. Bobbing his head, "Well you'll be prepared for your funeral or birthday party." He still seemed unnerved about this. Oh Well.

    In normal Mistress fashion, she had a grand entrance prepared for me. Making me enter to form a secret door to present me on a landing at the back of the hall. Then walk down a wide staircase being presented as a doll. Hence going the back entrance. She really tries her hardest.

    The grand hall was filled with numerous bodies cloaked in red velvet. Killian left me with a final squeeze of the hand. Disappearing behind us to join the fray. Seeing all the covered bodies now, I felt even more naked. The low murmur was interrupted by the heavy thud of drums. All eyes fell on me, my body went rigid. I CAN DO THIS.

    Seven Hells. My decent was horrible. My bare feet and the marble were polar opposites. The cold stone pierced my soles, electrifying every nerve in my body. The drums matched the rhythm of my heart, sending a calming sensation through me. My nerves were magically stripped away, steeling into hard determination. I will do this.

    At the bottom, Grand Master Rhadamanthus met my gaze with a grim smile. He doesn't think I will survive either. Grand Master's voice boomed through the marble walls, "The Trials of darkness for Rhiannon of Vaughn are commencing. Through this journey, her physical strengths have been tested and now her true test is to come. The test of will and ultimately who she is. Will she survive and become one of the few who protect the many. Or join our ancestors in the afterlife. It is up to you, Rhiannon." At his last words he looks at me and motioned for me to join them on a small dais in the middle of the room.

    The bone basin was there, it all its horrific glory, it was utterly breath taking. We were all taught about the bones of the gods, still I was stricken into silence. Black liquid pulsed from within. Moving on its own like the tides. I wasn't scared till now. Bracing Grand Master's arm, I looked into the crowd of people. Recognizing a few boys, keloti, and patrons; but still couldn't find him. Mistress Naresh caught my gaze and gave a single nod.

    Steeling my nerves, I allowed for my foot to dip in the magic. Fire burned my foot, hot pure magic. A phantom hand grabbed my calf pulling me in. I braced my arms on the lips. I need to see him one last time. As if he heard me, he stepped through the sea of red, his violet eyes held my gaze. Everything went still, just by looking at him I could feel every emotion blur.

    With that notion, I pulled my other leg over the side and slipped into the black abyss. The darkness swallowing me whole. At first it was just black void. Then fire pumped through my veins. I tilted my head consenting to its control of my body.