Kaara was the first to step forward from the crowd, grabbing a spear and cutting her palm on its blade and squeezing the shaft. The wood absorbed her blood, a soft blue glow ran from the base back to the spearhead. Kaara gave her spear an elegant twirl, “Wow! These spears are awesome Tulos!” She swiped and jabbed at such a high speed it was almost intimidating.
Amaro never knew Kaara was so skilled with such a weapon. Her confidence seemed to break open the floodgates for the rest to follow, however. One by one the Tibur took up arms. Arik, Rorik, Tadios, Lioku, Corvio, Orsika, and everyone else. Not a single one of them stayed behind. The Tibur were anything but cowardly.
Amaro stepped forward, looking back at his siblings, “Just like getting past Absuos back home, the most difficult step to take is the first. Come, let’s do this.”
Amaro walked shoulder to shoulder with Deka, “I assume Kaara and I are still your bodyguards?”
Deka laughed dryly, “If you still intend to hold up that bargain I won’t complain. You have my sincere apologies that you were unable to gain anything from those scrolls.”
“Sounds more like an insult than an apology. You’re saying you managed to figure one out?” Amaro snickered
Deka nodded grimly, “I did, but I don’t think it will be useful here.”
“Well, I think all of us will be safer together, so let this be the last day we work together.”
“That much we can agree upon, Xirxus.”
The two of them cut their palms. For Amaro, a jagged channel ripped up the shaft in brilliant violet. Deka had a similar pattern in deep crimson. It was clear the wood had also been enchanted to recognize the element channeled through it. Perhaps that was Shiira’s handiwork?
Amaro looked to the crowd, seeing that there were still quite a few nobles left behind. The group of Noxa, now clad in white fur cloaks, light armor, and scarves, stepped forward to claim their spears. Seeing this, whatever remained of the nobility joined the group. Not a single spear was left unclaimed.
“It seems pride can be just as useful as courage for convincing people to lay down their lives,” Deka muttered to himself.
“Truly, this year is a special ceremony unlike any other. It has been more than a hundred years since we have had no one abstain from the ceremony,” Septis said. He had a strange look on his face that Amaro could not place. Was it relief? “This is truly a platinum generation of new warriors set to surpass their predecessors! Warriors, today you have taken the first step toward legend. At the stroke of midnight, you will shed the innocence of your youth, so that you may defend the world from that which seeks to destroy it. I will not lie to you, this path is wrought with thorns, blood, and the bodies of those who have perished before you. However, our strength as xiozians is that we accept death whenever it comes. We carry the hopes and dreams of the fallen, and use it as our strength, so that they may live on through us. It is because we accept the finality of our lives and who we are that we are able to challenge the gods themselves. Tonight, you will follow myself and the other leaders of our factions to the blood grounds. Not all of you will make it, that much is true. However, there is no more honorable death for a xiozian than one on your feet with a weapon in hand.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Amaro swallowed. Everyone knew about this, but they had already taken their spears. It was too late to go back now. Especially when the Noxa remained more stalwart than anyone else.
Septis gestured for them to follow, flanked by his hunt masters, and the heads of every noble house in attendance. Godslayers, champions, and living legends led their march towards the abyssal blood grounds. Between all of them was the power to slay an entire pantheon of gods. It was in those massive footsteps that Amaro and the rest followed. He gripped his spear, swallowing his fear as they marched ever closer to the inevitable.
As they arrived, Amaro noticed shapes and forms moving just on the edge of his vision. More than what he could see, however, it was what he could feel. A miasma of malice was threatening to suffocate him. Those dark shapes and creatures were starving, and they were numerous. He caught glimpses. It was like they knew he could see them. They were intentionally stalking at the very edge. How did they know? Was it coincidence or intelligence?
Even the trees themselves appeared to add to the monster’s ranks. Twisting and groaning in the wind like towering beasts. Perhaps the forest knew it would be feeding on the blood of mortals and Malaki alike? This was the forest’s feast. No, this was the Malaki’s feast.
“We will not be able to interfere until either two thirds of your number has fallen, or the sun rises. Your lives rest squarely in the hands of the great Ignon, and under the careful watch of Malikala the sun eater. Fight with honor and courage exceeding the call of duty, and may your ancestors fight at your backs so that you may push ever forward. Inkagloria ku Itaro!”
“Inkagloria ku Itaro!” They shouted together.
It was only now things registered for Amaro. This was not about winning. It was not about killing the Malaki. It was about survival. How long did they have until the winter sun crested over the horizon? How long were they expected to be left alone with these vile creatures?
Two thirds of them had to die before they were saved? As if they were prepared to see so much death every year.”
“Warriors! Tonight, you make your mark on the world. Carve your name in the stones of history so that the Malaki remember it! Let them know your might.”
A thunderous shout carried through the camp. Amaro could not help but join in if only to trick the cowardly beast within him. As the adults vanished, that darkness closed in around them. Amaro looked at the edge of his vision as the Malaki stalked forward. He needed to know what they looked like. He needed to know the danger they posed. His heart sank at what he saw. Rather, it was what he could no longer see. These towering monsters with grinning faces and hollow eyes were turning invisible.