With claws nearly shaking from the anticipation, Kinsoriel etched Wex’s symbol upon the center of the convergent platform. One large circle and three ovals pinched at the edges like eyes. He then laid it in the center of the floor with a direct view of the sky. It was finally done. After weeks upon weeks of nonstop work, Wex’s glorious altar was complete. As if to confirm this, the golden strings of Zone Everlasting emerged to wrap the stone slab.
They had done it just in time too. Tonight would be the equinox, the only time he could perform the ritual. Had it taken any longer, they would have to wait a full year before they could do it again. With all the other gods scheming and working towards their own ends, it would end in disaster.
In an above-average volume, he called, “All who are present, assemble before me!” Within the next minute, the fifteen other dragons that were allowed to work on the altar appeared. “In just short of a month, we have erected this monument on behalf of our lord.” He raised a finger to the sky. “At midnight tonight, when his moon hangs directly above us, we will see the fruits of our labor! Spread the word amongst the others and I will see you all then.”
After giving their respect, they all dispersed. Elated cheers and cries echoed off the arena-shaped walls as they exited the grand structure. Kinsoriel nodded happily as he sat on top of the stone slab he had just put in place. Perhaps their well-earned mirth would inspire those rebellious ones to learn from their mistakes.
The last rays of sunshine had already started winking out. Taking a deep breath, he went over the ritual over and over again in his head. Practicing spellcraft for as long as he had made him the most suited for this. He could intone anything that he needed, but what most frayed his nerves now wasn’t the magical aspect; it was the speech. The only way to stamp out any doubts in him, this nation, and possibly Wex himself was through a confident and strong appearance. He needed to look and sound like perfection until Wex took the reins. There was no way he could forgive himself if he led others to lose faith.
As the hours ticked by, the mortal followers gradually trickled into the altar, taking their places on the marble seats. Dragons perched themselves within balconies that encircled the topmost ring. Kinsoriel paid them no mind as he continued mentally rehearsing what he would say.
A pale glow had started to illuminate the arena and only grew in strength. By the time all had seemingly finished entering, the moon, covered in a red-orange haze, neared its apex. Rising from his haunches, the divine champion stood on two legs while balanced by his tail. It was now or never.
“Disciples, scholars, gifted minds, and everything else, I welcome you to our Lord’s altar. We are a people united not for riches nor prestige, but for the rise of wisdom in all creatures.” He opened his arms to give off an approachable body language. “Our god loves to see us earn advancements ourselves and seldom reveals anything that is not needed. It is likely none of you know why he has chosen this land to be the cradle of his nation. Even those whose claws have wrought this very temple know not of its reason, or of its purpose. You’ve all had faith in him and in me. And so,” he started while raising his hands and wings above his head, “you shall be rewarded.”
He had timed it just right. The moon, looking larger than ever and heavy with possibility, hung directly over them. The mana-rich trees surrounding the altar would be exuding ten times the amount they normally did under it, radiating its light. The altar with its carefully positioned entrances and exits focused these lights toward the center, right where he stood. Though they weighed nothing, these lights saturated him with power above anything he could ever hope to contain, even with infinite mana. And he needed it.
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The mental image he needed had been provided for him long in advance. A hollow space within his being, open to a greater power. Taking one last moment to ready himself, Kinsoriel cast the spell. “Celestial Vessel.”
Once the words had finished leaving his maw, a large beam descended upon him straight from the moon. It was so concentrated that he could not see out from the light, and nobody could see through it at him. Kinsoriel had to shut his eyes as he was bathed in the reddish-orange glow. A comforting coolness and all-encompassing clarity welled up within him. His thoughts were clear and unmarred, but they weren’t his alone.
‘Open your eyes, my champion, and let us speak as one.’
The beam retracted as he did and drew a shocked gasp from the crowd. Where there once stood a dragon in the middle of the arena was something… more. His eyes had turned a solid white without any iris or pupil. He had returned to his original size, even becoming larger than he was before. The membrane of his wings had turned an impossible black, reflecting not even the faintest of light. In contrast, visible veins of mana streaked along the outlines of his scales, leaving a subtle afterimage as he moved. Without the use of his wings or any sort of spell, he was suspended above the ground, floating in place.
“I am here my children,” Wex-Kinsoriel spoke with both of their voices combined. “Through all of your efforts, I am once again connected to the physical. I will be with you all from now on, speaking through my champion whenever my domain is full.”
Their head turned towards a dragon in the top ring. The sudden gaze made the young dragon shrink back slightly.
“Sephir, I’ve heard your prayers, and I shall answer them now.” Kinsoriel never asked her name or what she asked of Wex, but the information flowed out of his mouth under divine influence. “I’ve amassed all of you in one place for one reason; war among the gods. You’ve already been visited by Dumarn. All the gods have a desire to claim the world for themselves and their ideals. We shall do the same.” This sent a wave of worry through the audience. “It won’t always be through open battle. They have their methods, and we have ours.”
Raising a hand, Wex-Kinsoriel cast a spell the dragon had never heard before. “Ethereal Replica.” A scale replica of the world popped into existence near instantly with a shimmering quality to it. “While they squabble, I want you all to continue cultivating your minds. True power comes not from fire and steel, but tactics, well thought out plans and ingenuity.” A blue wave started to spread from the top of the replica world. “Become the wisest, most knowledgeable people of them all, and there will be nothing you can’t do.” The wave completely covered the world as the crowd roared with applause.
The moon was no longer in as prime a spot as it was. Its light throughout the altar was beginning to fade rapidly. “Our time grows short, so that is all I can say for now. I will return on the next full moon. Go forth with my blessing and learn more.”
With that, the changes that Kinsoriel had undergone gradually reverted. His feet fell to the ground with a soft thud. The mana veins dissipated from around his scales and his wing membranes returned to their regular look. Any thoughts in his head were solely his own. He shrunk, but to his surprise, he didn’t go below his original size. A triumphant look stretched across his muzzle. Looks like he’d pleased Fayten today as well, enough to completely rid himself of that curse.
Pumping a fist in the air, Kinsoriel joined the excited roars himself. Today marked the true start of their kingdom. Their capital would become the envy of the world in time, and open to any who proved worthy. The coming years were sure to be eventful, and with their god behind them, they would also be fruitful. If his parents were still alive, he knew they would be proud.