Chapter 29: Ritual of Ascension
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The ritual of Ascension, a ritual that allows magi-trained knights to be imprinted with the souls of past heroic knights who fought for the humankind—whether old or new the heroic knights that bear the banners of humanity will come to heed the call to the new knights.
The ritual is not conducted in the Academy of Mesh. It is a sacred ritual thus it is held in the Castle of the Lord of Mesh. The Lord of Mesh, Galatheon Mesh has allowed the Academy to use the ritual chamber of the castle. The Chamber is located on top of the tower where the moon and suns light can enter. The light enters through the clear bevel glass roof. It illuminates the podium where the knights would stand to be blessed.
In the ritual, chamber stands five knights that will undergo the Ritual of Ascension. They formed a star as they stand at the podium. Each of them is dress in their family’s respected armaments. Making them look brave and noble as they should be.
The knights are from different families.
Kale Salamanca came from the House Salamanca—a respected house that has been one of the protectors of the realm ever since the first demi and human war. They stood tall with their sabers and have been protecting the realm ever since the first of the Salamanca’s.
He wore a medium size armor that covers his body and stood with his right hand holding his saber. His gold sigil embroidered on his chest proudly shines under the moonlight.
Dane Greyfur stood a few steps away from Kale Salamanca. Unlike Kale who bore an armor that shines under the light. Dane Greyfur wore a light armor with a fur cape that has the sigil of his house of Greyfur. The Greyfur has been guarding the realms as the rangers of the plains. They are scouts and highly trained marksman that has been called Greyfur’s for their ability to tame dire animals.
He wore the dire bear fur cape to signify his ascension.
Near Dane was Saul Darkgray. Saul is a member of the House of Darkgray. Black Velvet robe, long boots, two leather bracers made of dire wolf skin was all that he wore aside from the recurve bow and two pairs of daggers strap on both sides of his waist. The Darkgray is a rather silent house that has bore the title “Night Protector” and has been living in the shadows.
The light clothing he wore signified their simple skilled nature. Among the five in the ritual chamber, Saul can be considered as the second most skilled. If it wasn’t for the death knights disappearing before he could kill them. Saul would have succeeded.
And finally on the other side of the ritual chamber stood tall the Lady of House Asmara, Valera Asmara. Wearing plate armor and carrying a lance in her right hand. The Lady of Asmara stood still with her face revealed, letting her hair reddish brown hair flutter. The House of Asmara has served the Kingdom of Altria as royal guards that rode the battlefield with armor and armored horses. Carrying their banners and their lances, the House of Asmara has a strong cavalry that once called. Even the Orc Hordes would run in fear.
She wore her armor and Sigil proudly with boldness and confidence.
Lastly, the one standing in a gilded armor made of mithril and tempered steel stood defiantly in the center. Bearing a white cape while putting both of her hands on top of her sword named Astra. Sena, of House Saclea, stood with her chins raised while waiting for the ritual to commence. Her cape and skirt slightly fluttered alongside with the others.
The House of Saclea was once barbarians, nomads who live in dried wheat huts. But with the power and determination, they have proven themselves to be the glorious protectors that could rival even the royal guards of the Kingdom. Bearing the Sigil of a Sword Shining under the Moon—the proud Saclea House has been a protector of the realm and never has once fallen in despair.
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Now their daughter stands in the center of the ritual chamber. Holding herself up proudly like a firm Knight that she become ever since the years she has spent in the Academy. The other Knights respect her abilities while the only seething silently clenches her lance in order to protect her honor.
The five Knights’ gathered in wait for the Midnight's bell toll. The day has come for them. And with the end of the year where the year’s Moon ends its cycle mana’s disperses and the pore in the Academy renews its mana. The ritual will commence allowing the Grand Priest that stood in front of the five knights to proceed with the ritual.
The Grand Priest is a servant of Light. He held no name the moment he came a priest. He stood with his white knee length beard carefully calculating the moon’s light. His eyes were blue. He had no iris as it has already vanished from his eyes.
He could see the man around him in harmony and sensing that the time has come. The Grand Priest with no name taps his staff and made it echo around the chamber. The Lord of Mesh stood far in silence not daring to show his presence near the ritual chamber. For the ritual will bring forth old heroes of the past. Knights will judge the new ones before them. And so they will be then given their imprints as a gift for them to serve the realm in the name of the banner that humanity holds.
And so the grand specters of light came crashing down like a transparent waterfall on top of them. The Grand Priest that had no name had his body lit up as he channels the mana using his body as a catalyst to serve as a conduit that will allow them to summon the old ones in front of them.
Then they appear.
There the old heroic knights of the past appeared as phantoms. Wearing their equipment as they are in their past life, the knights of old appeared circling on top of the knights in a show for them. The Knights didn’t waiver as the old knights appear.
The Knights stood staring defiantly at the old knights meeting their gates. The old ghostly knights saw the bearings of the new ones. As if they understood what they are with a single glance. The knights of old approach their chosen knights and held their hand on top of their as if they are patting them. The Knights turned to the Grand Priest. The Grand Priest nodded as he channeled the mana of the pore and the dispersed mana to the old knights.
The Knights glowed as the imprint started. The Knights of Old has their eyes shot out a beam of light that somehow made the scene bright. The spectators in the distance could only see a blinding white light as the imprinting began. At first there was total silence, and the then screams started as the knights started to feel the imprints affecting them.
The Knights resisted the mana that was bearing down upon them, most of them barely were able to stand but yet they manage to pose themselves in complete utter defiance. However, one of them was raggedly breathing. This one has raised her guard down allowing things to go down.
The Spirits corroded her body and even though she felt like she was being destroyed. The one being ragged got an imprint and with how the imprints ravages her mind. It could be said that among the five Knights. Valera Asmara has begotten herself despite the brave face she have.
The ritual of Ascension was immediately over.
And the ritual has made the Knights look-like steam was raising from their body. It is not steam but the pure mana that has bonded with their soul.
The ritual was over and new knights were born