The next morning my mother sent me to Elder Irvin's house. Saying that he would guide us to the place where the ceremony would take place.
I was the first to arrive, but soon the rest of the candidates for the ceremony showed up. By now I managed to remember everyone's names, even though I barely interacted with any of them and I only know a bit more about Athala and Zawis. Ing, Sint, Irmin, Anaz, Wodan, Sarolf, Raidho, Donar, Nerthuz and Engilde. All twelve of them. I stared at them a bit awkwardly and I once more felt similar to choosing teammates in high school sports. Everyone ignores me and chatted amongst each other. Well fine! I am not that interested either! I will just stand here and wait while, doing... nothing.
At last Elder Irvin finally emerged from his house. He gave us a serious and stern look, signaling how seroíous today was going to be. He did not have to remind me after all amongst all of us my future was the most insecure one.
"Today is a great day! Today you will become a real part of this village! Today you will become even stronger than ever before!"
He looked at each of us with an intense gaze and I couldn´t help but gulp as my eyes were drawn in by his serious gaze.
"You all know by now what today will happen, but I will give you another summary! Today we will go to our most sacred places and the gods will judge you if you are worthy to join our ranks. Be respectful! They created the world and us and even gave us their blessings since the time of our oldest and strongest heroes! Do not talk unless talked to and whatever you experience during the blessing keep it to yourselves for the rest of your lives! Many experience illusions to test us and others will experience only the feeling of the blessing. Be aware and try not to embarrass our village!"
With that said he gave us a sign to follow him and we marched toward the edge of the village passing many people who gave us a cheer and wished us luck. Among them, I could see my mother giving me a smile, trying to appear confident, but the worry was written all over her face.
I really do wonder just what she experienced in the blessing ceremony that would give her that sort of worried look...
We marched out of the village into the forest and the only adult that accompanied us was Elder Irvin. I could sense a few animals here and there while marching into one part of the forest I have never been to because it was forbidden. That did make me more curious, but mother did talk me out of it. Many dangerous beasts seemed to prefer that particular part and she told me never to enter it. But I couldn´t sense many animals and those I did sense were actually pretty weak for the standards of this world. Still too strong for me, but not inescapable strong.
Elder Irvin led us to a cave and although the entrance was narrow it opened up into a large cave.
In front of us stood a life-sized statue of a man. He had his arms crossed and was a few heads taller than Zawis and was even taller than Elder Irvin. I couldn´t help, but let out a whistle out of surprise. I can´t really imagine how in the world the villagers could have made such a fine statue with their simple tools. The details were marvelous crafted and might have even put my old world to shame. It almost seemed like the statue could wake up at any moment... Just how did they do that?
"This is Wodan the destroyer. He founded our village and was the strongest hero of his time. And I dare to say, that he was even stronger than those before or after him. Be proud to be a part of his legacy!"
Elder Irvin´s loud voice echoed in the cave and for a short silly moment, I believed he would cause a small seismic event.
"Now settle down! We will start with the ritual shortly."
He went to the statue and I suddenly noticed four large bowls made out of rock in front of the statue. Elder Irvin put a rock in the first one while singing something I couldn´t make out. The echoes that the cave threw back obscured his singing so that I was unable to understand a single word. Even though the rest of my comrades seemed to understand a bit here and there but they did not speak.
He put water in the second bowl while singing and started a fire in the third. The fourth one stayed empty. Although I can guess with certainty what those bowls will represent.
He lifted his arms and his singing grew even more intense and even louder. Until he stopped and took a knee. While surprised I imitated him. And the others followed suit. If I know one thing about ceremonies if the priests kneel it is better to kneel too. Even more so if those gods are actually real and maybe the most powerful beings in this world.
For a long time, nothing happened and I grew sure, that this ceremony was actually just for show and I relaxed a bit.
Until the stone, water and fire rose from their bowls and took the form of human beings made out of the elements.
They looked at us and I felt... fear. Even I could feel that those beings are strong, stronger than even my mother. I did not dare to look up and stared into the ground sweat forming at my forehead and dripping to the ground.
Those are... gods?
Well, at least they feel similar to how god should feel?
There is something called the fear of God. It is a theme in the bible and even the most virtuous and important men weren´t able to see God's face. Mose tried to once and God showed him for one instance his back. But Mose couldn´t even handle it. He felt fear for that god and I believe it is a sort of respect and the feeling of absolute smallness. If that makes any sense...
And here I am feeling similar fear towards those... gods. It is quite frustrating for me, but mostly for my worldview.
I really hoped that those beings would not be able to read my thoughts. If they are that strong they might be able though...
but they can´t be real gods, right?