"This legacy of bloodshed shall soon be yours! But first, you must learn the way of this blade."
A harsh, commanding voice echoed out into the vast courtyard, speaking to the crowd of those who gathered around and expanded in all directions. Celestra's head hung low as she listened intently to the woman's declaration.
Celestra's eyes were shut tightly, kneeing before the commanding voice that spoke. She could feel the presence of the people watching her as soft mumbles were heard from the crowd of people, speaking about the ritual that was being performed.
This ritual was the action of bestowing a blade onto another, which in truth just meant bounding a sword to its user. This action has been passed down as a tradition for vampire nobles to start their paths as warriors. Of course, these are just traditions from the old...
The woman continued to speak, breaking Celestra out her thoughts to hear the powerful voice above her. The woman came closer to where Celestra kneeled on one knee.
"You shall continue this war and legacy you were born to bear!" Her voice grew louder and more intense.
Swish!
Then a sound of clashing metal could be heard as the woman who stood over Celestra held a beautiful and complicated sword. The sound of metal hitting against the sheath as the woman pulled it out.
The courtyard fell silent as only slight whispers could be heard along with the clicking of shoes that walked around her. Celestra was unsure of what actions were now being taken. Then she was startled by the gentle tapping of a blade on her shoulder. The cold metal of the sword tapped against her, sending a shiver down her, but she kept her same posture, not breaking her calm and graceful appearance in front of the crowd.
And then again the sound of the woman's footsteps entered Celestra's ears; she listened intently to the cue she needed to open her eyes for the next segment the ritual would enter.
Swoosh
The sound of the sword re-entering the sheath rang, giving Celestra the cue she needed to now softly open her eyes.
Air swirled as a cold breeze could be felt within the place that looked derived from light, the only source of light being the moon that glowed with intensity. Celestra then lifted her head, looking up at the woman who held a stern and fierce voice and stood over her.
The woman had white hair neatly in a back bun and a royal regal that was fully black in color; her figure stood tall over Celestra, looking down upon her, who kneeled; her strong, deep indigo eyes gave her a fierce look as her eyebrows were scrunched into a serious expression.
Celestra's eyes were soft as she slowly lifted her right arm, placing her hand on the left side of her chest. She looked at the fierce woman before lowing her head to bow and then closing her eyes once more.
"I understand." Celestra whispered softly, her words barely escaping her mouth as she had a tang of sorrow in her voice.
opening her eyes Celestra lifted her head again as she waited for the next actions to be done.
The woman lifted her arms up in the air, displaying the sword and surveying the crowd with a slight glance. She then lowered the sword, holding it like a baby, and gestured for Celestra to lift the blade.
Celestra took her hand off her left breast and swiftly held her arms both out as she kneeled.
Her eyes stared deep into the fierce woman who gently placed the cased sword into Celestra's arms, which were held perfectly out.
Celestra's held it, letting out a deep sigh, and then lifted up from her knee to stand tall. She was given a slight nod by the woman before she slowly turned around to face the crowd, some of which were familiar faces whose harsh gazes made her shutter slightly feel as if they were staring into her very soul.
She looked around for a moment more before speaking out to the crowd with the little confidence she had in her heart. "I will use this blade to write a new future! one in which exceeds the past!" Celestra voiced out, speaking from her heart, her voice shaking with nervousness and confidence.
Celestra eyes giving another sweep to the gaze of people who were all in her clan standing in the courtyard that was lined with many bushes that couldn't help but sway against the wind that blew through the area, many beautiful white rose bushes, and numerous elegant flowers, making the courtyard have a mystical feel. This was the place in which many gatherings were held, this space being large enough to accommodate many people at once and was also the main entrance to the gates of the clan.
The intense indigo eyes that glowed as they looked back at her. The crowd's silence made her lower her head slightly as the gazes only grew more intense.
The woman, now silently standing behind Celestra, slowly walked closer to her, standing right beside her as she spoke in a powerful and intense tone.
"As the chief and commander under this clan, my eldest daughter shall be first in line to inherit the name in which it had been crafted." The woman, who had identified herself as Celestra's mother, spoke fiercely to the people of the clan, who all shifted their gazes from Celestra to her mother. Their intense gazes turning to one of admiration mixed with some who looked at her with respect as they looked at their chief Bora.
Lifting her arms out, and giving a confident smile to the people around before echoing her voice to the crowd once more. "Our reign in this world shall never fade. For this clan will forever be ready to wage a global war, one that will never cease!"
Pausing for several seconds Bora, let her powerful words sink in for the members of the clan who stood around them in the courtyard within their territory. She then continued, "Not until our clan stands victorious at the top of the world and our enemies have all been slain!"
Bora spoke firmly, causing the crowd to erupt into cheer as everyone grew more intense at the mention of an overwhelming victory over the ongoing war. Celestra couldn't help but steal a glance at her mother as the crowd cheered. Seeing their admiration for her mother made her want to lower her head a bit more, but the mention of the outgoing war made her want to sigh even more.
Celestra was aware of her mother's wishes for her to carry on this war, but in her heart Celestra couldn't dream of taking another's life.
Sigh, I don't understand why it's me who's supposed to take over. She spoke to herself internally.
Compared to Umure, I am no martial artist, nor have I developed my skill in this war, for better or worse. She couldn't help but shake her head as she thought to herself.
Eventually, the cheers quieted down from their rowdy cheering, this silence snapping Celestra out of her thoughts as gazes shifted back onto her. The clan members anticipated the last part of the ceremony. She let out another sigh before looking around at everyone muttering again.
Moving her gaze back down to the sword that was still gently in her arms. Looking down upon it, Celestra held each side tightly and, in a swift action, pulled the sword out of the sheath once more.
Swish
The sound of the metal sword echoed out in the crowd again. She then placed the sword's sheath on the ground and held the sword tightly in one hand, holding it straight in front of herself, splitting her vision.
"I am the new and eternal owner of this blade. I shall forever carry it into battle for the dignity of our honor. My name shall be known in battle, as I am Celestra Calyndor of the Calyndor clan, the next successor," she said, her eyes still soft as she looked around, but her voice a bit more serious.
She then lowered the sword to her hand and winced as she prepared to cut a small slit on her palm. Celestra let out a small whimper before making a large cut on the palm of her left arm. The sight of the blood almost made her want to pull away and cry, but she knew she couldn't interrupt the clan. So as she winced from the pain, letting the blood start to gush out, she increased the speed of her actions, swiftly throwing the blood over the blade that she held with her right arm. Her wound quickly healed, stopping the flow of blood.
Finally, with one final action, Celestra lifted the blade high in the air, displaying it to the crowd as she closed her eyes, looking down, not wanting to see the blood that dripped.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Blood ran down her arm and dripped to the ground, making small tapping sounds as some of her blood hit the pavement. A smile could be seen on the ever-stoic Bora, who looked at the blade in the air, marking the end of the ritual.
The members of the Calyndor clan watched, clapping and cheering. The blood stained her formal dress and quickly soaked into the fabric. as the wind hurled and the moon's glow shined onto her.
The cheers of the clan ragged on proving the ceremony of bestowment had been concluded with a success.