Thoughts on a Ritual

By: Chryenth Posted on: August 27, 2011

The Deli was, unusually, packed beyond capacity. I hadn't seen many of the people here in ages, and there were several new faces. I had to try surprisingly hard not to grin with nostalgia when I noticed that, considering how long it had been since I was a novice in the Warlocks. The milling crowd included the current Guardian and several prominent council members as well as over two dozen Warlocks of varying ranks. I had been walking around, greeting old friends and shaking hands, when Ripley called me over.

'You ready to start?' She sounded a little tense. I didn't blame her - I was just as nervous, probably more so.

'Phe's given us the nod?' I whispered back. Ripley just nodded.

'Ok, then. Let's not keep everyone waiting too long, hey?'

I took to the center of the room, one hand raised for quiet. The hubbub gradually faded, and all eyes turned to me. Never before had I performed a group ritual of this scale, and the potential for disaster suddenly seemed far more than I had considered. I pushed that aside and started to speak, trying to sound confident.

My speech reeled off my tongue easily, me having memorized and practiced it until the early hours of this morning. I spoke of the trials and tribulations that had befallen our House, and how we must bounce back to remain strong. As I spoke, I looked around the audience. I saw Rean nodding in agreement, Luciano smiling and Phe watching the whole scene with a authoritarian air.

I concluded my speech and pulled aside a thick black sheet that lay over the floor. Revealed was a pathway of coals running through a square enclosed by a circle, both of red chalk. A few more words of encouragement, a brisk invocation and the chalk and coals both burst into hissing scarlet flame. A swift gesture, and a wall of contained water sprang into existence at the path's far end. With some deliberation, I took off my boots. It was odd, that such a mundane act could command such rapt attention, but it did so.

Walking over the coals was oddly exhilarating. I wasn't burnt, but I could feel the heat rising through me, body and soul. The disappointment, frustration and feelings of betrayal that had accumulated over the past weeks, months and years began to boil away, leaving my spirit lighter than it had been in decades. There was a sense of invigoration, of restless energy that was almost painful, but not unpleasant. That sensation built until I reached the wall of falling water. In one instant, the fire was washed away, leaving an overwhelming sense of peace and tranquility, along with a strong desire to sleep. I managed to hold onto my faculties sufficiently well to invite the next person to walk over the coals - Phe, the Guardian.

As each person crossed, I spoke a few words of encouragement. I only hoped that I wasn't slurring because of the exhaustion brought on by the ritual - maintaining the spellweave that held it together was just a little draining.

'We will not be held back by the past. May the Phoenix guide your path.'

The rest of the ritual flowed past. As the rest of the Council, and the rest of the audience passed over the coals and through the waterfall, I found myself smiling almost uncontrollably. It was infectious - a profound aura of joy emanating from those who had been cleansed. Already, I could see them standing just a little straighter, or looking a little more determined, or smiling just a little wider. It was curiously heartening to see.

Once the whole House had traversed the coals, I let the magic binding the ritual fade away. The coals went dark, the water vanished and the chalk faded, leaving naught but a dirty black smear on the floor. The Guardian took center stage and spoke to the assembly, praising their work and attendance. She spoke eloquently for some time before dismissing us all, and as people started to leave, I found many coming to me, congratulating me on a ritual well done, inquiring about the methods I used and - most gratifying of all - asking when I might next perform a rite of similar proportions. Soon, I was lost in the sea of camaraderie. With every passing moment I felt more and more assured that the future of the Warlocks was brighter than it had been this morning.