Ascension - (Alarian Warriors)
The Ritual

Leaving the safety of the soft warm blankets she rose early. Today was the day. Finally, what she waited for, what she had survived through to get to this point. She felt exhilarated. However, she did have a few things she needed to sort out before meeting Vincent that morning, which included saying goodbye to a few people. She’d left Riku off the list, as she had seen the child yesterday and the brat had guessed her intentions well before she had even spoken to Vincent.

Aveyon spent a while searching for Elaina and Erosvent but didn’t want to venture to places with a great deal of people. The last thing she needed was to draw unnecessary attention to herself right now. She soon gave up and headed for the dining hall. At least that was easy enough to replace since she could smell the food. Spotting Vincent behind a large stone bench, he appeared to be rummaging through several things.

“I have failed, I cannot navigate this place too well.” She announced.

Vincent let out a small laugh as he turned to face her. “It’s nothing to worry about, I’ve let Eros know our plans, he will arrange for every one of importance to be at the gates to see us off.”

That was a relief, she sighed and sat herself down on a stool. She placed her elbows on the stonetop table and rested her head in her hands. “That is both good and bad but thank you.”

Vincent had stopped his packing and looked deep in thought.

“Something on your mind?” She asked.

“I was thinking, it might be wise to complete the ritual early to get used to the change before we head off...” He explained. There was also the fact that the spell wards didn’t work outside the gates and she would need the added protection.

“You seem to be full of good ideas.” She responded sitting up straight. “I am not sure how we are to go about this though?” She added a little nervous.

“Ah, that My Lady...” He gathered two small glasses from beneath the table and placed them on the countertop between them. “Is rather simple, I’m not a savage that would have us like animals at each other throats.” His canter did help to lighten the mood, and she was grateful for it.

But when he pulled a dagger from his belt and placed it on the table, she couldn’t help but stiffen. He went first, slicing into the flesh of his hand and letting a small amount of blood flow into the glass. Raising the hand to his mouth he licked the remaining remnants of the blood away, the wound closing as quickly as it was made. He placed the dagger on the counter for her.

“I... I do not think I can cut myself.” She admitted truthfully. An anxious feeling was creeping up inside, knotting her insides as she stared down at the knife. The feelings, the uncertainty, it was only inches away from suffocating her.

“Do you want me to?” His joking manner was gone, his eyes picking up every little detail in her movements.

She nodded slowly and extended her shaky hand to him. He was gentle when he touched her. His hand lightly clasped hers, his thumb caressed her wrist sending an unfamiliar sensation up her arm, it wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

He was quick with the dagger, and she had little time to respond. A small hiss escaped her lips as he placed her hand over the glass and the blood flowed.

The whole time their eyes were locked, with enough liquid in the glass, he didn’t let go of her hand. Instead, he covered it with his other and sealed the wound with his essence. He cleaned her hand of blood with a stray cloth.

Not once did she have the urge to pull away. But all too quickly the ordeal was over and regrettably he let her go. The warmth she felt from him disappearing, her skin returning to the cold foreign body it was.

She hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath until she let it out with a long sigh, relaxing again.

That was interesting, she thought to herself, rather confused with the sensations she had just encountered.

He lifted the glass with her blood and motioned for her to do the same with the other. She complied and waited for further instructions.

“Link your arm with mine,” he added as his eyes drifted up to meet her gaze.

She entwined her arm around his, having to stand as they bent their forms over the small table between them. He began, chanting an incantation in an ancient tongue she didn’t know.

She gasped as she felt her body heat up. She could feel Vincent’s essence wrapping itself around her like a warm blanket. As it spread through her, she felt a tingling sensation that was replaced with a warmth that had her in awe. The control he showed flawed her, she wanted that power. Needed it.

The glasses now inches from their lips, as they both were about to take in the liquid.

“I Object!” A voice boomed from behind her. Emerald burst into the room, arms flailing.

“I am not getting married, Emerald really?” Aveyon rolled her eyes.

“You might as well be, and I demand to be a witness.” Emerald crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.

Aveyon looked at Vincent who shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me.” He added.

“Fine, suit yourself.” She responded.

Emerald squealed at the acceptance and jogged her way to the side of the counter.

“Okay, please continue.” She chirped, happy motioning for them to drink.

“Bottoms up,” Vincent remarked as they both raised the glasses to their lips, arms still linked as they downed the thick liquid.

The metallic taste turned to a hot burning as it slid down their throats. Both their breaths grew laboured and heavy as they tried to breathe through it. Dropping the glasses as the intensity grew, they shattered as they hit the ground.

Emerald was quick on her feet, she caught Aveyon as she was about to fall.

Vincent, however, landed with a loud thud on the ground.

The burning and breathlessness lasted for quite some time as their whole bodies burnt from the inside out. The feeling faded leaving a strange sensation behind, like every fibre in their beings was alive, on edge with a new connection.

“Ava! Hey! You okay?” It was Emerald’s voice. Aveyon could barely make it out as she came back to her senses.

Vincent groaned from the other side of the table as he pushed himself up. “I’m fine by the way.” He retorted.

“I... appear to be okay.” Aveyon managed a breathless laugh. “I just feel a little strange.”

“I knew this was a bad idea,” Emerald added with concern.

“Vincent is strong,” Aveyon admitted. “He was the best choice.”

Emerald teared up as she nodded before burying her head against Aveyon’s shoulder hugging her close.

Aveyon was a little shocked at the sudden change in her friend, but soon wrapped her arms around her and returned the gesture. It seemed to comfort the elf when she did this. Aveyon knew in that moment that she didn’t need to tell her that she was leaving today, either Erosvent had informed her, or the elf simply knew.

Emerald calmed down a little. “You know, you seem really different around him, he is still a man. Be careful alright.”

“He’s still here...” Vincent injected to no avail; Emerald ignored him.

Aveyon knew she was genuinely concerned, reaching up she wiped a tear from the elf’s cheek. Sitting up together. Their arms still entangled as they knelt. “I cannot explain it, maybe we will replace some answers about it. But I would not worry. It may have something to do with his body not being... normal.”

“Ouch, that hurts.” Vincent’s face held a mocking smile as he reached out his hand to help the girls up.

Emerald jumped to her feet and glared at him. Not accepting help. Her eyes were burning with an emotion that Aveyon couldn’t quite pinpoint or understand.

Hesitating for a moment, Aveyon took his hand. He pulled her to her feet gently tugging her into his arms. She gasped as her body slammed lightly into his, her hand landing on his solid chest. He did have quite a lot of strength behind him.

His arm wrapped protectively around her waist as the other framed her face. Her body so easily accepted him, his touch not repulsive in the slightest, it almost scared her. Why was he so different? Why did his touch have no effect?

“How are you feeling?” He asked concern playing across his features.

“Great! And now the man is trying to make me jealous!” Emerald exclaimed while rolling her eyes at the two.

“F-Fine, I actually feel quite... good, not drained at all,” Aveyon added truthfully.

She wasn’t sure what the two were up to, but did they have to put her in the middle? Oddly she didn’t want to move, Vincent’s hold was gentle and not possessive, and the grip on her was loose. She could slip out of it easily if she wanted, so why didn’t she move?

“But around any other man you still freak, you’re okay with women now sure, but that’s only half the population in this world!” Emerald protested.

Her thoughts seemed to mimic the elves. Aveyon frowned, that was something she still couldn’t control, she felt helpless, powerless, and insignificant. Perhaps that would change once she could defend herself confidently.

Emerald sighed. “So, what’s next for you then, where are you going?”

“To the elves, I need training and they are the only ones that have the knowledge, if we are to have any chance to fight back that is where I must go,” Aveyon Explained having run through this a million times in her head already.

Emerald seemed as though she wanted to protest, to say something, but in the end, she just nodded. “That does seem like the most logical plan.”

Aveyon averted her gaze from Emeralds as she answered. “I honestly do not know what I am doing... I just hope it gets me to where I want to be.”

Vincent’s hand that had been framing her face slid down her shoulder and grasped the hand at his chest. She had clenched it into a fist pulling his shirt tight around his form. They had a connection now and he could openly feel the sorrow she was feeling when she spoke to her friend.

Emerald’s voice was sharp, and she sounded hurt. “I know you don’t intend to return alive.” She looked to Vincent next. “If you can do anything for me, it is that you protect her.”

Emerald and Vincent had grown quite close it seemed. He nodded sternly, seeming to take the request as an order. But in truth, she could feel his determination. It was the strangest thing to experience. Her own emotions were not that strong, but his, they were almost overpowering.

Aveyon narrowed her eyes on the spot on the floor, not wanting to look at her friend. She knew this was going to happen, but she couldn’t help it. Emerald was the closest person to her; she considered her family. It actually... hurt to be saying goodbye. She thought she had locked away those feelings, but still, they kept rearing their head, clouding her judgement.

“Aveyon, you promise me. Promise me that you will meet my son...” Emerald pleaded.

Aveyon’s eyes widened; she looked up locking eyes with Emerald. “But I...”

“Don’t give me that bullshit! You come back, and you meet him. Once I replace him of course, damn it, I won’t have you die before then! Promise it!” The elf raised her voice.

“Emerald, I can no-.” She began but was cut off.

“Aveyon! Promise me, say it!” Emerald stared at her, a fire in her eyes.

Aveyon swallowed, opening her mouth slowly she let out a whisper. “I promise.”

As she said the words, she regretted the lie and she felt her heart breaking, she didn’t want to come back. This existence was too hard, too painful. She saw herself reflected in the elf’s eyes. It was just too... ugly.

Vincent could feel everything. Aveyon felt lost in this world, it was shattering his own heart. Her emotions were becoming jumbled with his. “I will protect her, till the end. Whenever and wherever that may be.” He spoke.

“You better!” Emerald shot back before turning on her heels and leaving, clearly angry with the conversation.

“I should go pack a bag of clothes, you do the same and meet at the front gates?” Vincent incurred.

“Sounds like a plan.” She agreed grateful that he didn’t continue the earlier conversation.

Parting ways Vincent walked his way to Erosvent’s room deep in thought. He had agreed to the bond with her, knowing full well that he may not come back alive. He understood that it was her choice but at the same time, he wanted to replace a way to help her heal if he could, not for the sake of his own life, but hers.

It was going to be a mission in itself to make her see that her life was worth living, by her own choice. His heart ached for her, for what had been done to her and for what was to come. Just the mere thought that she planned to end her own life was horrifying to him. But honestly, who was to say that they would survive that long to begin with?

The door was opened even before he reached it, Erosvent stood by the door looking smug. “Progress this early in the morning, way to go!”

Vincent pushed his way past and into the room. “So, you saw this too?” Vincent answered dryly. He didn’t see it as a joking matter.

“No smart ass! It’s the way she is around you, you’re special to her, don’t ask me why. I don’t see it.” He lied.

Vincent was different, everyone he came in contact with he put at ease. It was just something he was good at, must be something in his character.

Vincent half laughed; he’d like to think that was the case. But he knew the truth of the matter. He was a mere tool for her to use, and he was letting her. He would never allow anyone else to do such a thing, so why was she so different? He had completely given himself over to her in a moment. His life was now in her hands.

Erosvent whacked him on the back of the head. “Hey scatter brain, are you listening?”

Vincent glared at him. “I don’t quite understand all this myself.”

“That’s because...” Eros began but wasn’t sure how to phrase it.

“Because?” Vincent asked.

“It’s hard to explain. When I found you were encased in a ball of energy. Fully grown and butt ass naked-”

Vincent groaned. “I know the story.”

“Yes, but what you don’t know is that when I approached and touched that energy, a flood of memories filled me. It was the oddest thing.” Erosvent shook his head. “But from those memories as jumbled and messed up as they were, it was a calming warmth I felt. That energy was only there to protect, to contain you. Maybe to even create you.”

Vincent sighed, he’d heard it time and time again. He was special. It was a miracle; he was a miracle. He was destined for great things. “I’m just doing my job, the one I like to do. It’s better than sitting around and doing nothing.”

“You picked quite the career,” Eros muttered. “Save the Princess, save the world.”

Vincent nodded with a grim look on his face. “Someone’s got to do the dirty work, can’t leave everything to the gods that don’t care or may not even exist at all.” He added.

Erosvent raised his brow. “Oh, they exist-”

Sitting on the bed, Vincent cut in. “I don’t believe that. They are probably just another race, something powerful enough for the humans to think that they were gods. But where are they now? The demon lord is more fitting for Ashera since that is what he is. A bastard that lives for the torment of others is no god.” He ranted, his blood boiling. If there were really gods up there, where were they now? Why weren’t they helping with the fight?

Erosvent laughed. “I have always admired that side of you, seeing the world through different eyes. What’s what we need more than anything right now? That’s what she needs more than anything.”

“I get it, I get it.” Vincent sighed frowning. He didn’t buy it. Laying back on the bed he looked to the ceiling as more confusing thoughts came. He drifted off into a light sleep as he searched the ceiling for answers that would not come.

Erosvent shook his head. “Boy, stop working yourself so hard, you’ve worn yourself out. You didn’t even sleep last night. She’s that important to you, huh?”

He sat in a chair across from the bed. “Goddess, if you’re still out there, please look over these two.” He prayed. “They need all the help they can get, and their journey together has only just begun. Please help her to ascend the throne, help her to live... help her to heal.”