Chapter 31

In The Footsteps Of The Ancients

KC stood with Kel at the edge of the patio. Gwen was at the far end of a twin line of flaming torches, and four banners stood at the cardinal points. I stood by her side behind a black double cube altar.

"Bring the initiate forth." Gwen pronounced.

KC escorted Kel down the gauntlet of torches. She felt an almost electric tingle all over as she stepped foot into the described circle. Standing before the altar, Kel saw her book placed on its center.

"On this night, and in this place, we do raise the Temple of the Ancients. Know ye this, initiate. What you say, they _will_hear." Gwen intoned. "Is it your will to proceed?"

Kel stood a bit straighter. '_This was it. Last chance to bolt... Never!'_she thought

"It is my wish for I have entered here freely, and of my own will." she responded, trying not to smile.

"Then let us take this between the worlds, far from the eyes of the Mundane."

I went right and Gwen went left. We circumambulated the perimeter of the circle intoning as we went. For when we faced each other once more before the altar, we uttered a single word of power and the world outside the circle vanished--to be replaced with swirling gray mist.

"What is within the circle is now between the worlds, where the unformed takes shape."

Kel gasped, as she perceived a huge dragon shape prowling the mist outside the circle. The elemental banners blazed as if aflame with raw power.

KC helped Kel kneel at the altar.

"Place your paws upon the book" KC instructed her. With her paws over her book, Kel looked to Gwen. Her breath caught in her throat for Gwen's eyes were like twin pits of Blazing green fire. Kel wanted to scream, but nothing would come out.

"Behold the _POWER_you would wield." Gwen slowly raised her arms; her paws were engulfed in roiling spheres of electric blue energy as lightning bolts danced toward the sky. It was an impressive sight to see.

"Open your book, and read the Oath" Gwen's voice seemed magnified in this nether-space. She began reading in a clear voice, which seemed to echo into eternity...

I, Kelso, Amanda, Vixxen, Do of my own free will swear this oath before The Ancients, I shall, in life's name use these Arts, which are life's Gift, to ease pain and nurture Growth. I shall work to seek balance in all things. And to do no harm, unless those entrusted to my care are threatened. In the practice of my craft I shall restore hope, putting aside fear for courage, hatred for compassion and death for life, and I shall, if it is fit to do so, stand in the path of destruction, to preserve said life. This I swear to do, until the sands of time run out, and the world is no more..."

"As I will it, so mote it be!"

The Dragon reared up towering above the circle, a flaming orb in its claws.

" ACCEPTED!" it roared out and cast the orb at Kel. It blazed like a comet and struck the vixen square in the chest, exploding with the brilliance of a thousand suns gone Nova. Kel felt the energy infusing every molecule of her being.

"Stand Amanda." Gwen commanded. She was bathed in radiant Blue fire. It crackled and roared and danced on the tips of her fur.

"Do you accept your power?" Gwen asked, her eyes like living flames.

"YES!" Kel cried out in heartfelt declaration.

"So be it." Gwen clapped her paws together, The sound was akin to a thunderclap and the flames engulfing Kel infused themselves into the core of her being and vanished like water poured on sand.

Gwen came around the altar, her eyes returning to normal,

"Welcome to the path, Sister Kelso Amanda Vixxen." she hugged the radiant Vixen.

"All questions shall be answered at the feast that awaits us back in the world" she said, returning to her place behind the altar.

"Our purpose between the worlds has been fulfilled; it is time for the unwinding."

Gwen and I retraced our steps around the circle in the opposite direction. And when we were once more facing each other, we both stomped a foot forcefully and the world winked back into place.

"The circle now is broken, The spells have all been spoken, What is done by magic art, Must merry meet and merry part; For, We, Are, Done!" Gwen called and with a flourish of paws the torches winked out and all was as it once had been... _ Almost. _

For now, a new Sorceress walked the world.

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