Before the banquet began at the house of Erebus, General Leon Erebus and his wife Orsa had been in their chambers with the maids readying their best attires for the occasion. When they were alone, the two began to talk amongst themselves in private, unaware that one yellow hair maid with hair like wool had stayed behind to listen to their discussion. Although her wind mage abilities were limited, she could make out a very important part of their discussion that turned her face as pale as her flaxen hair.
“Husband, will you not reconsider your decision?” Orsa pleaded in desperation.
“It’s the only way to preserve the prestige of our family.” Leon firmly asserted. “If I show favoritism over one child, it could upset our current standing with a noble tradition. Instead, I’m giving them all a chance to prove their worth?”
“You’ve always treated Helena as your favorite. Would you have shown an interest in your son, if he had an ounce of talent as any of his sisters.”
“You presumed I do not love my child because he is not a mage, but I have given him every advantage to the best of my abilities.”
“Only after I told you what needed to be done. Yet, you treated him like a burden on his family instead of a blessing.”
“And how will his blessing be revealed unless we put him to the test. If he is truly meant to stand, this is the only way for him to prove it.”
“This test you’re proposing is archaic and dangerous.”
“It’s not up to us to decide anymore, it’s up to the Sacred Flames and that is my final decision.”
“Husband.”
“It is final!” Briar could feel the air taking on a hot and vibrate feel even from behind closed doors.
As this heated argument reached its climax Briar quickly rushed down the halls to join her fellow maids in waiting. As time passed it was time for the master and mistress to descend the master staircase to make their grand entrance. All the noble guests, statesmen, and various other staff were in attendance as the master appeared in his best attire.
Like his fellow generals Leon wore a coat made of demon hide, this one made of Chimera, his formal battledress. His wife accompanied him with a fine dress made of white myra ant shells, known to be prize for their diet of diamonds like minerals that made fabric sparkle like the stars. Although her smile did not reflect the elegance of a fine lady holding the hand of a loving husband, she still stood by his side as she walked into the crowd. As he shook every hand of his fellow generals and made his way to the Archduke, tradition demanded he would formally resign his commission.
“I just want to say it’s been an honor to be a high commander.” He shook the Archduke’s hand.
“The honor has been mine, General Erebus.” He smiled back exchanging these casual pleasantries. “I only hope that your house’s progeny will bring greater honor to your household.” He turned his head to Helena with an approving glance to everyone in the room. “Some, more than others, I imagine.”
Anthony watched as Helena gave a sleek smile to the Archduke, a subtle sign of his endorsements for Helena’s right to lead the family. His father simply turned his eyes to his family and signed a deep breath as he released his tight grip from the Archduke’s hands. It was then that the other Generals gathered around as Leon took off straight to the Archduke that he raised his hands in front of the general and formed a ball of fire above his palm.
“As a representative of his more honored majesty Emperor Zeno Psyches The Third, long may he reign.” The Archduke formally recited. “I, Archduke Pascal Melia, would offer you this flame as a symbol of your service. As it has guided you in your dedication to this great nation, may it also remind you that all flames must burn brightest only before they become extinguished.”
Leon reached his hand under the flame and proceeded to guide it toward his own palm and hold it to recite his part of the ceremony.
“As a servant of the Empire, protector of his majesty, his lands and his people I take this fire and turn it into a new light. Let it remind everyone to be a beacon for this country and inspire new hope that the Empire. May it prosper under the light of his lordship and all his servants.”
“Let it be so.” The Archduke stepped back as everyone watched the ceremony from a safe distance.
As Grand Master Fire Mage, Leon had long learned how to convert fire into light. He had learned in his time of service to use light to blind, lead expeditions and even light so intense it could burn and destroy with the power of the sun. For this ceremony he only required its lowest form, a light so bright that it could fill the entire room as brightly as morning day.
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He put both hands together below the flame and presumed to cradle the fire compressing it into pure electricity in his fingers. As sparks tried to escape from his hands like a wild snake, he controlled and compressed this light until it was a tiny as small grain of sand. With the light safety gripped in his palms he then released it like a swarm gnat that swiftly ascended to the ceiling. As they reached higher and higher, they began to grow bigger, stranger, replacing the pale glow with a collection of colors as beautiful as rainbow crystals. When the light was now a hundred times brighter than its original size it turned into brilliant white light that filled every crevice of the darkness. Leon, with his hands stretched out watching the light ascend, clapped his hands together in swift gesturing motions. The light then exploded like brilliant star dust across the entire hall, each freckle fading the moment it reached the surface.
A cheer rang through the crowd as all people marveled in this spectacle of Grand Mastery. Even his children were impressed as they gathered around him to praise that someone in such advanced years could still perform such a phenomenal feat of pyromancy.
“Most excellent, father.” Vera said with loving affection.
“Very admirable, father.” Tundra said as a well ordered soldier.
“You should be proud, father.” Anthony said, patting him on the shoulder of his formal suit.
“Father, I believe there’s something you have to say now.” Helena whispered in his ear like a viper going in for the kill.
“Yes, my daughter there is.” He simply said in a way that Helena had never heard before.
It was customary at this point for his father to finally name his successor in front of all his peers and even the Archduke himself and everyone, especially the Archduke, was interested in what he had to say.
“As you know, the house of Erebus has a long history of services to this Empire.” He began to say. “While tradition dictates that the eldest and most powerful should lead, how can one judge the value of his children on strength alone.”
He turned to Tundra with a look of honor and respect. “My eldest daughter, who chose to fight for our country in the Free States to gain worldly experience.”
He turned to Vera with acceptance and understanding. “My second eldest daughter, who despite being a Fire Mage has chosen to share her enlightenment with other elements.”
He turned to Helena with a look of pride and appreciation. “My third eldest daughter, whose talent and dedication has fostered her on the road to being a Grand Mage more accomplished than even her mother.”
He turned to Anthony, with a stoic look that he had noticed his entire life. “And my son...I understand his ambition for learning rivals even the best scholars despite his aptitude.”
Although his words were not as encouraging as his sisters, Anthony felt that this was his way of saying he loved him despite him not being a fire mage.
“All these things consider there is no real way to decide, which of my children will lead this house into the next generation.”
“What are you trying to say, Erebus?” The Archduke’s prideful expression turned to one of furious contemplation.
“I’m saying as a father that this decision should not be up to me, but to a higher power.”
“Whose power are you speaking of Leon?”
“I speak of the ancient right of passage. The right of passage that dates back to the time of Hestia herself, the first of the Sacred Flames.”
“Surely you don’t mean...”
“Yes, Lord Melia.” He said standing his ground. “I invoke the rite of the crusade.”
An uproar went through the crowd, some in disbelief, some in utter shock. The Rite of the Crusade was a sacred tradition amongst mages, but had not been attempted by any of the houses of Neoptolemus in over half a century. Although there was no law forbidding it, it was considered dangerous and risky to any of the long standing houses as he explained to the crowd in attendance.
“In two weeks' time, I will divide a portion of my estate to my children and send them out into the world to find new magic that would strengthen our house. Within 5 years, whether it be learned or found or even taken that magic must surpass the boundaries of modern mage craft. If one of my children should accomplish this, I will bestow upon them the title of head of the house of Erebus. Yet, if none of them can accomplish this, they will no longer be bound to this house and be forbidden to claim the name of Erebus for the rest of their natural lives.” Before he could leave to mingle in the crowd, a strong arm grabbed him by his shoulder.
He recognized the dark reddish eyes of iron that came from his fellow general, Admiral Crimson Nyx staring back at him. Working closely with naval operations, the marine had a close comradely as well as rivalry with this man, but years of working had also made them as close to friends as possible. When he expressed his concerns, he knew that he was both sincere and genuine as his sudden declaration.
“Are you really going to do this, Erebus?” He whispered.
Leon knew he was the last son of his house, his two brothers, more talented than him, had died during the operations in the mainland leaving him as the sole heir of house Erebus. Firm to his belief that this was the best course he removed his hand from his fellow officer’s grip saying.
“It is already done.”
He ventured into the crowd to mingle with his wife amongst the curious guests. The rest of the night was rather restless, with guests asking question after question of his decision. Some called him crazy, some called him bold for his ideal for embracing a time honor tradition. His children on the other hand were practically speechless the whole night. With his father's final speech he had disowned them and motivated them at the same time. It was no longer a test of earning their father’s approval, but earning their place of honor by the value of their accomplishments.