Chapter 32 #2
His eyes went back and forth from Azahara to Akua, “What is the significance that it covers her back?”
“It isn’t obvious?”
“Apparently not,” he said flatly.
“It means that your connection with her is extraordinary. That’s what the legend suggests, at least. Only two people saw the mark that significantly for Rah: his wife and Ilkiz. The only one that can confirm that would be Ilkiz herself now.”
Jayce nodded, “I suppose that makes sense.” Not that he needed any more confirmation of his belonging to her, but it was nice, nevertheless. “How big is yours?” he asked, driven purely by curiosity.
“Maybe the size of a gold coin.”
With a heavy sigh, Jayce smiled so widely that his cheeks hurt. “Thanks for letting me know, Akua.”
“What’s that look for? Hey—where are you going?
!” He was walking away from Akua, not because he disliked the guy, but because his attention was required elsewhere.
The ceremony was commencing, and Akua would talk his ear off, given the opportunity.
Perhaps later, he would indulge, but for now, it was Azahara’s moment.
As he made his way through the crowd, he overheard the eldest descendant speaking to Azahara. Her voice was hushed, and he wondered how anyone other than him could hear anything.
“We welcome you to the family, Keeper,” she intoned. There was that title again, he thought, “Ilkiz has blessed us all. Sealing, while painful—”
Hmm… He didn’t like the sound of that but continued to listen. “Signifies a great deal to our people. It symbolizes the blood you will shed for us, and we for you.
“While our Spirit Riders have partners during their sealing, you have chosen to journey alone.”
“I have. It is my pain to bear.” Her voice held an unmistakable air of confidence and a hint of raw, unfiltered power, sending a shiver down his spine.
Desiring a more precise view, he navigated through the crowd, finding a spot off to the side. Although there were still people around, he now had a better view of her face.
“These are searing rods forged with natural elements, dragon scales, and the fire of Ilkiz. Place your hands together.”
His eyebrows pulled together while Azahara did as commanded.
“Stand your ground, pretty boy.” It wasn’t Azahara who leaned into his window; instead, it was the commanding voice of a Dragon. “If you go to her, I’ll eat you.”
His eyes widened in surprise, and he asked, How are you in her window?
“She allowed me through, knowing exactly what you would try to do.”
He observed her as she closed her eyes took a deep breath, and a profound silence enveloped his ears. The only sounds were the gentle rhythm of her breathing and her heartbeat.
What is this for?
“This will demonstrate to them that she embraces their traditions. She could have rejected it, and they would have respected her decision,“ Ilkiz said as he watched the searing rod placed over Kaen’s flames, the tip turning a bright red and yellow. “However, she insisted on it, asserting that her strength would be derived from those around her. If she couldn’t prove her worth to them, she believed she didn’t deserve it. ”
The piercing sound of flesh made him tremble, but he never looked away.
There was shock on her face at first, the pain registering instantly.
He expected the scream to come then and would have to fight to not go to her.
Every fiber in his body tingled, ready to physically restrain himself.
Except, it didn’t come. He just watched her back straighten, the expression on her face pained.
“As you bleed for us, we will bleed for you, Keeper,” the elder proclaimed.
The rod was removed from her hands, and her legs trembled as she bit down on her lower lip. She gingerly pulled her hands close, making sure not to touch her dress. Blood poured from them, and he took a deep breath.
“Ah, love.” Ilkiz crooned.
Oh no, not another one. I beg of you, Ilkiz—
“Shh—just accept me, as she has.” He threw her out, hearing a booming laugh as he did.
“You are now a part of us as we are a part of you.” The sounds around him came back, and cheers and excitement roared through the forest around them.
Kaen put her hands onto Azahara’s shoulders, turning her to the Ilkiz descendants, and she smiled out at them.
Sweat pooled at her forehead, and she was visibly as uncomfortable with that as she had been with the rod through her hands.
“Now it’s time for you to summon her, come! Come!” The crowd parted as Kaen pushed Azahara down the stairs and through them. Damn it. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes. The need to chase after her felt ironic, like another consequence of what he had done to her.
He made his way around, watching her being shuffled through by Kaen, and when they turned toward his direction, he stopped. As the last of the crowds parted, he crossed his arms and watched her face flush at being stopped directly in front of him.
She laughed nervously, “It’s a lot.”
“Do you want saving yet?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She shook her head adamantly, “First, summoning, then dancing, then my surprise.” She stepped past him, her hands held in front of her, blood dripping down her wrist. She was so casual about what had just happened that he would have thought he had dreamt it if it weren’t for the blood.
“You may want to back up,” It was Kaen, who was standing right next to him, unmoving. “It’s about to get windy.”
He swallowed and stepped away from her, but not from where Azahara stopped.
The circle was expansive, but he had seen Ilkiz, and it didn’t appear big enough.
When they returned through the portal to Ilkiz’s Tomb, and he witnessed her falling, his wings were readying to take him to her.
But when the Wyvern Dragon emerged from the ground to catch her, he felt like he was losing his mind.
It transported him back to the War of Ilkiz, and the sight of seeing her in the flesh again felt almost unreal.
“Alright, how do I do this again?” It was Azahara, and he shook his head, knowing that she was talking to Ilkiz through herself.
“I have holes in my hands… what do you mean clap them… fuck you, I know what clap means… Ilkiz, I swear on the Mother.” Jayce laughed, his hands in his pockets as he leaned slightly.
Watching her was heartwarming, and witnessing her come from such a dark place to this, was a happiness that had not been tapped into for many, many years.
“I’ll put a saddle on you,” she laughed, and before him, her skin began slowly turning to lavender flames.
He could feel the heat even from where he stood, but she didn’t seem fazed.
“Come on, enjoy the attention you so desperately crave while I indulge in my own fun.” He observed as her hands moved downward to the ground, and with what appeared to be a gentle push, the ground cracked beneath her.
Then came the quake that shifted the ground, and for the descendants of Dragons, they came to witness their Keeper bring alive their guardian: Ilkiz.