Rite of Passage
Rite of Passage
For over two hundred generations, the clans of the summer lands have enacted a silent, if uneasy agreement between each other. A war that had once raged across the entire continent was now little more than a horrific memory, the grudges of long ago nothing but tales to frighten children at night.
An Age ago, Clans gathered for combat with their allies stared in wonder as mist thicker than any had ever seen before sprang up in the middle of the planes between them. The ground heaved and split, sending all gathered scrambling for footing until silence fell again, the earth ceasing its motion. As the mist cleared, many fell to their knees making signs against evil on the ground or in their air before them, chanting under their breaths. Where blood was to be spilled, a small mountain had appeared, structures unlike anything the clans had ever seen appearing here and there, walls of worked and rough stone running hither and thither along its surface, sometimes vanishing in the black mouths of caves. Shamans and magick users from both sides approached with caution as the warriors stayed back, uncertain and fearful of what had just happened. At the two entrances found, a single pillar of stone had been raised, the surface polished and marred only by the markings the clans used for language.
'Hatred a poison that slaughters all,
Land and people innocent fall,
Night of darkest dread approaches,
Dawn of hope reborn coaxes,
Change in bloody belief still held,
Turn to friendship, strength now builds,
A meeting of minds,
A meeting of ways,
A future whole till end of days...'
The shamans touched the obelisks and in that instant knew of the purpose this mountain had, giving silent thanks before informing the clans of what had been done.
Every year, as a rite of passage, the young approaching adulthood in the clans would be sent into the mountain to face the trials within and emerge as worthy members of their people. Any arguments or confrontations between the clans would be settled on the mountain, the people to be left out of it, so that no other innocent would be slain for vengeance or anger. So it was to be...and so it has been for many years...
Seth: Riding the feral Auren, I pulled the reins to stop him as my companions and I crested the tall hill, my gaze going immediately to the mountain ahead, squat and low but still imposing in regards to the surrounding landscape. In the midst of vast plains, it stood out in more ways than one.
"Not as many here as when I was tested," Aldra remarked, scratching his grizzled muzzle idly as his eyes glazed, memories of the past coming to him. I smiled, my own eyes searching the small settlement below the mountain, studying the activity that could be seen. As a dragon, I could see farther than my companions, but I didn't boast about it. There was little need to and on this particular day, it could make things far harder than they had to be. Glancing at me, the grey wolf laughed and shook his head before urging his mount onwards toward the town...
...Herbs, curing meat, and smoke from the forges filled the air along with the sounds of those that lived and worked beneath the Mountain of Trials. Men, women, and children of many clans waved in greeting to us as we rode towards the largest structure in the entire town, round and low to the ground in the traditional form of a spirit lodge.
As we approached, a group of people emerged from behind the tattooed flaps of animal skins. Shamans and magick users stared at us, some of their expressions cold while others smiled openly as my companions and I dismounted.
"Who comes before us now, in the spring of their life?" asked a battered ram in skins, bone choker rattling a little as he shifted his stance. His single bright amber eye gazing at us intently, one hand holding onto a staff, also decorated with bones and a few feathers.
"Seth, of the Morning Star Clan approaches," Aldra intoned, keeping behind me with the others. "He wishes to prove himself worthy and to gain the knowledge he will need for the rest of his days..."
"So shall it be. Welcome once, Seth of the Morning Star," the ram replied, nodding as the others also join him in the words. I bowed my head in thanks as the formalities ended and I was ushered into the Spirit lodge alone, all of my companions turning to find other places to stay.
The shamans had one of their apprentices guide me to a secluded room and remind me that I was to remain in quiet contemplation for the rest of the day. Someone would be back to fetch me at midnight for the start of the rite. Removing my clothing, I sat down on the only cushion in the room facing the mirror and closing my eyes. Thoughts swirled up from the depths of my mind and I tried to relax, dealing with each one in turn as I had been taught by my father...In the Rite of Passage, there was no room for doubt or uncertainty...
***
Alyssa: "Remember, whatever you do, the only one that matters in the Rite is you," My mother said for the hundredth time as we rode into the second settlement, our cloaks barely shifting, even in the light breeze that passed around us.
"I know," I said, exasperated and rolling my eyes as we headed for the spirit lodge by the mountain entrance...
...Sighing once I was in the meditation room, I quickly shrugged out of my cloths, shivering a little as the cool air of the room helped clear my mind and take away the plain's heat I had felt for the last few days. Going to a basin of water resting against one wall of the room, I splashed some of it on my face purring a little as the weariness faded. 'Much better,' I thought, sighing and moving to the only cushion available, that which rested before a large mirror.
Closing my eyes and relaxing, I slipped into a meditation that my mother and mentor had shown me, clearing away all thoughts and emotions...
***
Seth: I woke slowly at a gentle touch on my shoulder, blinking rapidly as I looked around in the near darkness. A single candle had been lit near the room's only door, the light reflecting dully upon the mirror and I received two shocks almost at the same time. The first was that I was still sitting upright on the cushion; the second was the figure that had awakened me.
Wearing only a long set of golden chains, the unicorn female smiled gently to me, raising a finger to her lips to remind me that I was to keep silent. Nodding, I stood up and followed her without getting dressed as the rite required, leaving the spirit lodge and almost freezing as I stepped outside.
Everyone from the town seemed to have shown up; all wearing dark colors and holding stave long torches in the air. I looked around, spotting Aldra amongst them, his expression blank of emotion. The female touched my arm again and we continued up the only path through them towards the mountain...
Alyssa: ...Before the cave leading into the mountain waited the shamans I had met earlier upon my arrival. Their faces matching those around them, blank of emotion, their eyes intently focused upon me.
"You come to use during one of the darkest times of you life," the aged iguana intoned in a rasping voice, dark robe rustling like dried leafs. One of the silent figures approached with a rough chalice, raised it over my head and poured the contents upon me. I shivered and hugged myself as the crisp cool water ran over me and through my fur.
"Be cleansed of all you have done, for love or hatred," the panther holding the chalice said, stepping back into place as another came forward. I staggered as the bear slapped me, my cheek stinging from more than the impact. Raising a hand tentatively, I touched my face and stared at the crimson smears on my fingers.
"May this pain be the last of your harmful memories," he told me, caressing the same cheek, I gasped as energy surged through me, my face twitching a little as I felt skin knit back together quickly, leaving me with a pleasant sensation. "So that you can appreciate pleasure..."
"As you were born into this world, so have you come to us," said a badger, embracing me warmly before draping the ceremonial garb around my shoulders.
White wool in tight light weave came together around the front, the hem of it just a little below my crotch, the front could be tied together with a simple cord attached to the back of it.
"You leave us as a child now, to walk the path ahead," hissed the iguana female, the spirals covering her scales gleaming in the torchlight. "Return to us as an adult. Proudly sing your name to the night, remember your people, and who you are..." She raised her clawed hands as another held out a staff for me to take. Lifting it high, I threw back my head, gazing up at the mountain.
"ALYSSA!" I shouted, turning to face those gathered. "ALYSSA!" With that, I turned once more, for the final time and ran into the cave...
...The darkness itself closed around me and I slowed to prevent any chance of stumbling. For all of my heritage, my eyes were proving to be useless in this darkness. I could barely see three feet in front of me, and there wasn't a hint of wind or anything else that might tell me if there was an opening nearby. Taking another step-
-nothing, I twisted, summer salting in the air as I fell into darkness, landing hard of my back and sliding down, down, down into whatever pit lay below...
Seth: ...I landed hard, my shoulder hitting the stone floor first, the impact making me grunt loudly. Remaining still for a moment, I slowly opened my eyes, seeing faint blue light up ahead, a large opening revealing a path through trees beyond it. Rising up as my eyes began adjusting to the light, I saw that this was no simple cave. The walls carried almost every type of weapon I had ever seen, and even a few that I hadn't. On the floor, at the edge of the soft blue light from outside rested a large rough tablet.
'Those who enter here, Leave not without protection, for you shall need more than your claws, horns, and teeth. Minds sharp and weapons sharper, choose one to help and clear your way, choose one to protect and save not slay. Unless in danger your flesh be bound, then take the life, swift and sound.'
Rubbing my shoulder a little, I re-read the inscription before searching for something along the walls that I might be able to use. Settling on a strange whip that seemed to be made from obsidian with small silver spikes near the last three quarters of it, all together it measured just over seven feet long, but didn't weigh all that much.
"Well...might as well stick with my first choice," I muttered, carefully coiling it up and looking around one last time. Turning, I started off up the path, heading into the shadows of the night...
Alyssa: Dawn cast the mountain into dark silhouette's as the sky turned varying shades of orange, amber, and aquamarine. I was exhausted from running all night, trying to get as far as possible from where I had landed and the weapons cave. Something had chased me all night, but remained hidden, keeping out of sight as if it wasn't ready to attack me. That thought and feeling had driven me harder than I had ever trained for, and I had to find a place to rest. Every time I had tried to get off the path, I found my way blocked by dense foliage, even climbing wasn't possible, and that irritated me.
I saw a thinning of the trees ahead and raised the heavy bladed spear I had taken from the cave, the silver edge gleaming with the mornings light. The clearing was small, a pit surrounded by stones lay at its center with tinder already in place. Wary, I approached slowly, sniffing the air for any sign that another was near. Nothing.
"So afraid of everything already?" Whispered a soft voice, startling me as I whirled around to see its source.
The wizen cloth shrouded creature stared at me with bright violet eyes that showed little emotion besides amusement, the lower portion of the face hidden by grey wrappings. The hands and feet were covered with bright silver scales, palms calloused from years of hard labor or living in this forest. While the clothing was ragged, it wasn't as dirty as I might have expected.
"Who are you?" I demanded, leveling my spear at it.
"Just a person that has been trapped here for countless years," it replied in a soft tenor voice, shrugging and setting a bundle of firewood on the ground, arranging a few pieces above the tinder. Striking flint, the embers appeared almost instantly, giving birth to the flames. "You are welcome to join me if you wish..."
"Uhh...thanks, I guess..." I cautiously sat down opposite from the figure studying him carefully. The scent from him wasn't at all what I had expected from a scaled one, the fragrance more like a garden of wild flowers than an actual person, but I couldn't say why.
"I thought only the two that entered for the Rite of Passage were allowed to enter the mountain. No others may be here until it ends, by death or those participating in it leave through the exit...Wherever that is..."
"That was true at one time, but I was asked by those that created this place to lend a hand to newcomers on this side of the mountain," he said softly, pouring some crimson liquid into a stone cup and rising up to hand it to me. I sipped at it, my eyes widening at the sweet pleasant flavor before quickly drinking the rest. He smiled and poured another cup for me, sitting down and studying me with those strange eyes. "So what do you hope to achieve by your Rite of Passage?"
"I want to prove my worth of course, that I am no longer a child to be watched and coddled by those teaching me the magicks," I said, smiling as my eyes lit up with fierce determination. "I know that I'm ready for my place amongst the leaders of my clan, but no one seems willing to take the chance to let me show it openly. So I have to go through this bloody test to prove I'm worthy..." I shook my head a little, feeling a strange tingling sensation flowing through me. Why had I just answered his question like that? It was the truth but not the whole truth...was it?
"So you aren't doing this to become stronger?" he inquired, moving closer and reaching up to touch my cheek, the gesture childish but also strangely familiar.
"Well yes," I said, feeling my skin burn with a sudden flush, the tingling sensation growing as a soft purr escaped my throat.
"I can show you how to achieve such strength...and power beyond your wildest dreams," he murmured, gently pulling me closer to lay against him, hands slowly caressing my body, making me gasp as his touch sent flames of pleasure through me.
"Yes," I moaned softly, relaxing against him as he turned me around, taking his hands and clasping them, his touch still lingering on my body. I closed my eyes, feeling something caressing my torso again, cupping my breasts and squeezing gently to draw deep purring growls of desire from my lips. Something screamed at me from the back of my mind, crying danger and suspicion, but there was no reason for it. I let myself be wrapped in his embrace, breathing deeply of the flowery scent, so different from a normal scaled one...so different...
"Ouch!" a sharp pain in my lower back jolted me out of the pleasant sensations and I looked around, only to scream in horror. The scaled figure was gone, and in his place was an enormous twisted plant. It's petals opened and closed from time to time revealing rows of teeth and a pool of sickly green liquid that showed the remains of other beings that had fallen prey to the charms. Vines were wrapped around my wrists torso and legs, making it impossible for me to reach my weapon. It said nothing, and for a brief moment, I felt morbid curiosity as to whether it had actually spoken in the first place.
The plant seemed to sense the fact that I was completely aware and hoisted me up into the air where a single crimson eye glowed over the pod.
I hissed, anger replacing fear at the gloating sensation I felt coming from it, raw power answering my call. The vines holding my arms burst into flames and withered, allowing me to freely trace the runes in the air before me.
"Igna-thoris!" I roared, the sigils flaring to life as a high pitched shriek sounded from the plant. The explosion tore it apart, consuming all remnants completely as I was thrown free, twisting in the air to land on hands and feet with a satisfied smirk on my lips.
'Shit, that was close,' I thought, rising and staring at the smoldering ruin that was all that remained of the creature. 'I can't be so trusting, not here, not after that...' Picking up my staff, I continued on, not wishing to chance another encounter with one of those creatures...
Seth: ...I made good time since leaving the cave, the fact that I had fallen asleep during meditation having helped me stay alert long after sunrise. The forest had given way to a small ravine where a stream bubbled and wound its way towards the base of the mountain. It was a welcome sight since I had no provisions, and if there were fish, I could sate both hunger and thirst at the same time. Looking around carefully, I made my way down to the flowing water and dipped a claw into the surface hesitantly. Cool, wet, and refreshing. Crouching forward, I drank my fill, sitting back after a moment and looking around with interest. The mountain of legend and power...Yet it seemed like nothing more than a deserted forest haunted by little more than ghosts of ones imagination. Then again, even the most innocent looking child could prove to be a cruel power hungry brute.
Rising again, I decided to follow the stream towards the summit, the banks easy to walk along and my eyes darting to the waters in search of fish or something else that I may be able to turn into a meal. Up ahead, I caught the sound of splashing and moved slower, my whip gripped in one hand ready to uncoil and lash out at a moments notice.
What I saw surprised me and for a moment I was too stunned to move. Bathing in the stream was a woman with faint blue skin, aquamarine hair that shimmered as it fell down her back, stopping just above her hips. Though slight of build, she was still fairly attractive the small rivers of water drops that painted her skin sparkling, making it seem as if she wore a veil of diamonds in the sunlight.
She paused for a moment, her hands going through her hair and a smile creased the corner of her mouth.
"You can come out now," she said in a gentle voice, lilting and musical to the ear. "I prefer admirers to openly show their appreciation of my beauty..." I started at that but slowly did as she asked, staring like a week old hatchling that had just found his first gem. Her smile was beautiful, the right side of her face partially hidden by a wave of hair. "My, my...I didn't expect the one observing me to be so...hansom," she remarked, her smile growing even more and sending waves of heat through me as I lowered my head a little.
"I-I didn't mean to spy like that," I told her, voice a low rumble that seemed more like a sigh of awe.
"No one ever does, but in time you'll get over such notions of modesty," she said, leaning back against a large boulder, arms crossed to conceal her breasts as she gave me a thoughtful look. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to come closer and help me? I have a heck of a time trying to wash my back alone..."
"Uh-sure," I said, moving closer and setting the whip back on the loop of my cloth belt. A few steps away from her I grimaced as a foul stench reached my nose, like rotting flesh and feces. "Do you smell that?" I asked, looking around in puzzlement.
"Smell what?"
"As if something was dead-" I didn't finish my sentence as I looked back at her, horrified by the sudden change in her appearance.
Like some terror dredged from a nightmare, the beauty was now a hideous creature of sagging flesh and bone. White hair flew wildly around her like angry clouds, the flesh of her skull stretched taught, giving a hideous smile filled with jagged teeth. One breast had rotted away completely, exposing organs that pumped and moved feebly in a mockery of life. Eyes all too living met my own and I almost vomited from the vision they presented. Countless dead just to feed her lust for blood and beauty; those unlucky enough to accept her offer dying slowly as she made 'love' to them, draining their souls.
Howling, I leapt back, whip in hand and lashed out at her, the barbs turning bright blue instantly, slashing through her as cleanly as a hot blade through butter. The shriek it made caused me to stagger, clutching my head and roaring in pain before it died. Whatever malevolent force had raised and controlled the body faded from its eyes and it sank into the river, quickly turning to dust. Panting for breath, I sat down beside the stream, shaking my head. It had been a long time since I had been scared of anything, but that had been too close for comfort. Getting to my feet, I started off again, as fast as I could. Eating could wait. I had to get to someplace safe before I thought of food again...
Alyssa: ...I stumbled and caught myself against a tree as I looked back, panting for breath and wincing as the few cuts and bruises made their presence known. Twice I had just barely escaped from other illusions that seemed to have minds of their own; the last one twisting my stomach in revulsion at what it had nearly done to me. The sun was setting, casting fleeting shadows that seemed to move with a life of their own, the thought making me shudder again. The silhouette of a structure loomed ahead, a large dome topped with a single broken spire rising above the treetops. I hoped to find shelter there, regardless of whether it was occupied or not.
Approaching slowly, I held my spear at the ready, point slightly down with my arms prepared to raise it at a moments notice. Entirely made of stone, I heard water coming from somewhere ahead, a gentle echo giving the impression of peace. Something that I couldn't trust, not until I knew it was safe.
Emerging into the main area of the dome, I saw that there was a fountain in the center with a small pool surrounding it. To the right were cushions piled high with so many colors I wasn't sure if they were real. As I stared at them, I caught the scent of spiced meat and fish, my head turning to stare at the low table laden with food. This...had to be another hallucination. It just had to be. Taking a step towards the table, I stopped, becoming aware of something else in the room.
Turning slowly, I looked back at the pool and the figure kneeling beside it, cupped hand halfway to his scaled lips dripping water, his blue eyes meeting my own gaze searchingly. Draconic, he stood a good three feet taller than I and was powerfully built, the ceremonial garb as dirty as mine felt and torn in more than a few places. I noticed his other hand slowly moving to a coiled object at his waist and leveled my spear tip at him. He grinned slightly and dropped his hand, leaning back from the side of the pool, his eyes wandering over my form and making me blush as I realized just how little I had covering me.
"Who are you?" I demanded, trying to keep the anger I felt towards him and myself under control. "If you don't leave this place at once I will kill you!" The dragon remained silent, golden scales gleaming in the light from the setting sun, showing darker patterns of bronze along his neck and shoulders. I felt another shiver, but not from fear or embarrassment as I thought of what it would be like just to feel his arms wrapping around me. Shaking my head, I pushed the thought away gritting my teeth. "Answer me!"
"I'm Seth, and I am here for the same reason you are if I'm not mistaken. So it's quite impossible for me to leave, M'Lady," he said in a soft baritone voice that made me quiver again.
Seth: The female was quite beautiful, but experience had taught me that I shouldn't always trust appearances, especially not in this place. My eyes were looking for tell tale signs that she was another illusion or creature trying to hide its true appearance. I had learned that such beings gave off a faint blue aura, but there was nothing of the sort around her, only a strong sense of magick energy from within. Strange. Shorter than I was, the Tigress didn't appear to be all that threatening, and from the way she held her spear, it was clear that she would be passing out from exhaustion if she didn't relax. Taking the handle of the whip, I pulled it out a few inches, taking a deep breath, then clenching a fist around the blades, growling as I felt them biting deep into the scales and slicing through them.
Holding up my bleeding palm, I met her eyes again. "I give you my oath as a son of the Morning Star Clan that I mean you no harm and will not try to injure you in any way," I said, keeping my breathing controlled to ignore the pain I was feeling. She seemed to start at these words, her expression becoming calculating for a moment before she raised her spear and followed suite, gingerly slicing her palm open and raising it in kind towards me.
"I am Alyssa of the Night Singer Clan, and I accept your oath," she said, a weak smile crossing her lips. "I-I didn't know when I would meet the other taking the Rite of Passage, or if I would even encounter you."
"Same here, though I wasn't that worried if I would meet the other taking the Rite. I was more concerned with staying alive," I told her, going over to the pillows and tearing one apart. I took the pieces of woven fabric I shredded to the pool and dipped them in the water.
"We need to bind these cuts before any Feral's or other creatures come hunting us," I told her, tossing a few of the make shift bandages to her. The tigress shook her head, going over to the feast and searching around for something on the table. Turning back to me she came over with a strong smelling spice.
"This will sting, but it's the closest thing to a cleansing salve that we'll be able to find here," she told me grimacing a little as she smeared some on one of the bandages. "It'll sting like brine wind on bruises near the sea, but infection would be something far worse."
I said nothing, allowing her to bind my palm and giving a deep growl as I felt the paste stab into the wound like burning brands from a forge fire.
After a moment the pain subsided and I breathed a little easier, looking up to see that she was trying to bind her own hand without much success.
"Here," I said, taking her hand gently and getting look of surprise from her as I deftly wound the bandage around her palm and tied it off gently.
She continued to stare at me for a few moments longer before looking away, muttering her thanks. I said nothing, getting up and going over to the table where I grabbed one of the pitchers smelling of mead and took a long drink from it. It was incredibly sweet almost to the point where it burned on the way down, but still tasted better than the river water I had been drinking the last few days. I paused, waiting for something to happen in case the drink was poisoned, but felt nothing aside from a comforting dull ache coming from my injured hand.
"We might as well eat something before it gets much darker," I remarked, looking back to the tigress and gesturing to the table. "I can see fairly well in the dark, but there's still the chance we might mistake each other for an enemy or something once the moon rises. Just hope that this place is...safe..."
"I doubt any place on this mountain could be called that after what I have witnessed," she told me with a shudder, looking up at me quickly then away, the fur of her face darkening a little more. I nodded quietly and sat down on one of the cushions placed around the table, looking up at her intently.
'Just what has she seen?' I wondered, my face calm and impassive. My own experiences were far from desirable to remember, but I would. For the rest of my life I would...
Alyssa: I felt my skin flush hotly as he looked at me, not with the admiring, lustful glances and stares that most males had given me when I had become a woman. This was different, and it made me both uncomfortable and thankful at the same time. Going to the other side of the table, I sat down, folding my legs beneath me and slowly started eating, eventually working up enough courage to start speaking with him. Fear was the last thing on my mind, and that wasn't the reason I was hesitant to speak with the dragon. Our two clans had held an uneasy peace for nearly forty years, even with the Rite of Passage being a means of settling disputes. Part of it was the face that they distrusted the magicks both males and females practiced amongst the Night Singers during the yearly rituals. The rest of it was due to something that took place decades before I was born.
Chief Hallarend of the Morning Star clan had come across a group of women performing the spring rites while traveling. In truth, the ritual for welcoming spring started just after sundown, with both men and women participating in the dance to stir emotions and revel in the pleasures of each others company, the energy of the season and the joys of new life. At midnight however, the second part of the ritual takes place; each female bathing and being bathed by the others, singing to invite the blessings of the spirits and life while washing away the darkness of pain and the long winter before. Hallarend had found the women bathing and like most males, took the opportunity to stare in appreciation of their beauty. One of the women however caught his attention and unwittingly stole his heart. Ulandis, high priestess of the Night singers was said to have beauty given by the stars themselves, and that night, the chief of the Morning Star's saw why.
The dragoness had scales of darkest ebony that shimmered with both torchlight and starlight, soft blue hair falling in waves down her slender form like a waterfall. Yet it was her eyes that held his attention the most, pure white without any noticeable pupils to them, the impression they gave was of deep knowledge and something more.
Hallarend swore to take her for his own by any means necessary and so, lay in wait for her to leave the company of the other women performing the ritual. Once it was over, the females of the clan left for their homes and families, calling out farewell to Ulandis who remained behind. The wolf chief crept forward; prepared to snatch her up from where she sat and ride home when she turned her gaze upon him. He froze, unsure what to do or if she could even see him, but a soft smile answered his silent question.
Next morning, he woke to find himself alone and unclothed near his mount which stood grazing at the edge of a small clearing. Sitting up, he found a small wreath of flowers beside him on his discarded clothing, a silent message for a night he would never remember. The tale itself had put distrust between the clans, even more so when the child of the union approached the Morning star clan to ask for his fathers blessings, causing the council to debate as to whether Hallarend was still fit to be chief. There was some truth to the story, but Ulandis was never seen or heard from again after the birth of her son.
...I quickly seated myself and grabbed one of the rolled balls of meat, biting into it and sitting up with surprise at the many herbs and flavors I could taste.
"I wonder who prepared all of this?" I said after having a fourth meat roll and feeling somewhat better with real food in my stomach.
"Probably the ones that built this place," he remarked, glancing around and eyeing the worked stone. "Thought that would make this food ancient..."
"Unless it's whatever magicks are within this mountain. I swear, I have never been in a place with so much raw power in it," I told him, also looking around and shuddering. It was true, the more time I spent here, the stronger the feeling of power coming from everything and everywhere at once. "Could also be the reason for some of the creatures we've encountered as well." Seth shrugged, gnawing on a large chunk of meat, his face still expressionless but his eyes said that he was thinking...
Seth: We talked for a little longer, eating our fill like a couple of starved travelers before the night, food, and drink decided that it was time for sleep. I staggered over to the pillows and fell unceremoniously onto them with a sigh, eyes closed. For the moment, the Rite of Passage didn't matter, or the thoughts I had mulled over while speaking with the tigress, all I wished to do was sleep.
Something dropped beside me and I opened one eye, staring in surprise and confusion as I saw Alyssa just inches away with her back to me, snuggling down into the pillows herself. She had removed the somewhat useless robe each of us had been given the night we had entered the mountain challenge. I waited for a long while before hesitantly moving a little closer, draping one arm carefully across her side, hand lightly caressing her furred belly. She sighed and pushed back against me, a low soft purr coming from her throat as she quickly fell asleep. I smiled, laying my head down and breathing deeply of her scent before sleeping myself...
...Sunlight woke me and I yawned, reaching out to caress...nothing. Blinking, I looked around as I sat up, finding that the tigress was gone. For a moment, I almost believed that she had somehow seduced me with the magicks her clan was known for, but I dismissed that almost at once, seeing that she hadn't done anything to keep me from continuing on with the rite. Stretching, I yawned again and rose to keep going, heading further up the mountain and following what I hoped was her trail...
...I reached the side of a cliff just after midday, finding an archway leading inside of the mountain itself, faint tracks telling me that Alyssa had already passed this way. Giving a slight grin, I took my whip in hand just in case and proceeded into the mountain, emerging in a cavern that shouldn't have been possible.
Cavern was an understatement, for it space was far vaster than any cave I had ever seen. The ceiling rose high, becoming lost in grey vapors that concealed the entry shafts of soft sunlight, illuminating the valley below. It was no forest that stretched out from the outcropping I stood upon, but a dense jungle that made me pause, mind wondering what sorts of dangers lay in wait for me.
As if in answer to my thoughts, a high pitched shriek came from somewhere ahead, followed by a feline roar of rage. Growling, I leaped off the ledge and ran as fast as possible towards the sounds, the ringing of steel on steel filling the air along with other shouts that had no intelligent words to them.
Crashing through the undergrowth, I burst into a small clearing and almost skidded to a halt at the sight before me, something that came close to costing my life. A looming figure lashed out at me and I rolled, just avoiding a jagged sword of ivory that shattered the log beneath it. I had time to register an insect like face, massive upright torso's supported by even larger abdomens, powerful arms, and twin sets of spear like legs crooking out at awkward angles from underneath.
My whip uncoiled and struck in one motion, snapping the sword in two and tearing through the creatures shoulder, spraying everything with a brown ichor. The figure gave a high pitched scream and swung with the other sword it held, swifter than I thought its segmented body could move. Ducking, I spun, the tip of my weapon lancing out and burying itself through the black luster carapace, the creature freezing where it stood for a moment before crashing to the ground, legs twitching.
"Behind you!"
I rolled again, coming up just in time to see another one of the creatures split in half after a flash of silver hit it from behind, Alyssa standing a few feet away panting for breath. Any words that I might have said were driven from my mind as movement caught my attention and I focused everything I had on just staying alive. Part of me kept track of where the white tigress was and what she did, admiring her movements and the power within her small form, my whip tracing complex patterns in the air as I attacked, defended and moved from one insect like creature to another.
Alyssa: I fought almost back to back with the dragon, spinning, reeling, and keeping the attackers at bay, part of my mind repulsed by the mere sight of them, while the rest of me snarled insults. Spells came quickly to mind and I gave them life, flames blasting two apart at once, showering the others with burning debris. Stabbing the last of them in the chest and wrenching my spear to the side, the blade cut through the carapace easily.
Looking around I saw nothing but corpses and Seth standing over his own kills, panting for breath and giving the same searching looks to the clearing.
"What the hells are you doing here?" I demanded after regaining my wind, glaring at him as if being attacked without warning had been his fault.
"Apparently making a mistake by helping you," he said softly, face cool and emotionless, frustrating me since I couldn't tell if he was angered by my words. "We're both here to complete the Rite and there's nothing to say that we can't at least help each other out..."
I bit back a sarcastic remark and turned away, going over to one of the corpses to examine it.
There was little difference between the dead and the living that I could see, the mottled colors of the hides having made difficult to tell that I was being tracked aside from their strange sweet scents. The corpses smelled putrid, like rotting meat left out in the sun too long.
"Have you ever seen anything like these...horrors?" Seth asked, coming up behind me and grimacing with disgust.
"Never," I replied, tilting the head of one such corpse to the side to get a better look at its face and shuddering. Twisted into a humanoid likeness, there was still something alien about the black luster eyes that gleamed even now that it was dead. A high pitched whistle sounded from somewhere behind us and I whirled around, spear at the ready. Seth glanced back, then ahead to the center of the strange cavern.
"We should get moving," he remarked, coiling his whip but not hanging it upon his frayed belt. "From what I remember, we need to reach the center of this mountain to find a way out of it and be marked worthy." I raised an eyebrow at his words but said nothing as another whistle split the air, only nodding and heading off in the general direction of the strange source-less light...
***
"-come on!" I shouted, reaching down to help Seth up the ledge I had climbed onto. There were clicks and whistles coming from below as the first of the insect hunting party reached the cliff's base. Seth growled as he grabbed my hand, using it as more of an anchor than to help pull himself up beside me, both of us looking over the ledge to see the creatures ascending quickly. "We can't out run them," I said in a dull voice, broken by gasps for air as I wiped my brow. He nodded, looking around for something before turning back to me.
"How's your magick?" he asked, eyes concerned though his voice was as calm as ever.
"I need time to rest. At the moment, I can barely make a spark," I said, pulling back as a badly aimed spear arced towards us only to fall short a few feet. "Bastards!" I hissed, glaring down at the things and tempted to hurl my own weapon down at one of them.
"Brace yourself against the cliff," Seth told me, moving close to the ledge and digging his claws into the stones.
"What are you-?" My question was cut off by a sudden blast of pure white light erupted from his mouth and struck the rock face of the cliff below us. I staggered, barely catching myself and grabbing another wide crack above me as the stone ledge gave way beneath the impact of the dragons breath.
"SETH!"
There was a flash of gold and a shadow passed over me.
"GRAB HOLD!" He roared from somewhere overhead, long slender tail dangling down by my side.
Seth: I felt her tentatively grab hold of my tail and felt a few bones pop back into place as her weight hung on it. My claws dug deeper into the cliff for purchase and I gritted my teeth against the pain. "CLIMB UP TO MY SHOULDERS!" I shouted, trying to ignore the burning in my arms legs and throat.
"OK! JUST-"
Her words ended in a loud shrieking roar and I felt her starting to lose her grip on my tail. Instinctively wrapping the end around one of her wrists, I chanced a look down and saw the tip of an ivory spear sticking out of one shoulder, her white fur already becoming stained with crimson.
"ALYSSA!" I felt a cold knot of terror tighten in my gut eyes hurriedly looking around for another safe ledge, and only finding the lip of the cliff above. Swearing, I struggled to pull her up close enough to grab her carefully with one arm, hissing as she cried out in pain again, the butt of the spear tapping against the cliff face. Wrapping one arm carefully under her opposite shoulder and over her stomach, I bit off the haft carefully before making my way up the cliff.
Once over the edge, I took a moment to look over her injury, her breaths quick and shallow, eyes shut against the pain.
"Alyssa, look at me. Look at me!" I told her, slapping the side of her face lightly to get her attention. She looked up at me with glazed eyes dulled with pain, the slits expanded almost to the point where she had no iris's. "I need to remove the spear. Take a deep breath on the count of three. Ok?"
She nodded slowly, eyes closing again and I could see how hard she was struggling to gain control of her breathing.
"One..."
A shuddering breath as I grabbed the remains of the spear butt.
"Two..."
Her teeth bit into her bottom lip and she drew a deeper breath.
"THREE!"
Alyssa's roar was muted this time, and her back arched as I wrenched the spear blade quickly from her shoulder, flinging it away at the same time. Fresh blood welled up from the wound and I removed what remained of my ceremonial garb, tearing strips to fashion a crude bandage. "Hold on...I'll try and find a pool or something to cleans your wounds," I told her soothingly, picking her up as gently as a mother cradles a child. Looking around, I could see another building ahead, like the first, the gentle light we had seen from a distance emanating from it. "Just hold on..."
I didn't move as fast as I could have without Alyssa as a burden, but I was concerned with not having any further harm come to her. Blood from her wound trickled down and over the scales of my chest and I feared that I might not reach the safety of the structure in time.
Nothing jumped out at us and no surprises appeared as we finally reached the steps and entered. Alyssa was breathing shallowly and shuddering despite the warmth of the place. I was sweating and panting for breath when I finally entered the inner chamber, the sound of running water and scent of herbs filling the air. It was no different from the first one we had entered except for the long low table, covered with a white cloth, pillow, a small assortment of bandages and clay pots. Laying the tigress down carefully, I was surprised to find everything I needed to help close and cleanse her wound was there. Not wasting any more time, I set about doing just that...
Alyssa:...Wincing, I reached to touch my left shoulder and felt a thick wad of cloth bound against it, my eyes opening wide as I remembered what had happened. "Seth?" I said in a cracking voice, thick with exhaustion and dulled pain. I sat up slowly and looked around, finding that he was asleep, head resting on his crossed forearms as he leaned against the table. Checking the bandages again, I pulled them off after a moment and smiled as I noted that the wound was little more than a thin angry line of scarlet; the salves Seth had used working to their intended purpose.
My eyes went to Seth again and this time wandered over his form slowly, taking in the dried trails of blood down his arms and shoulder. For all that our clans had been at odds, I couldn't find any reason to hold contempt for him or look down on his clan as my mother had. The stories about what had happened between our clans were true, but it hadn't been done out of spite. For a moment, I was tempted to give Seth a taste of the legend before he truly woke...but thought better. I don't know how long I sat there watching him sleep, as I did so, my mind thought about what it would be like to see Seth during a celebration of my clan and some of the rituals performed.
To have him next to me, arms pressing us together, our lips tasting, bodies moving together within and without. The simple pleasures and complex emotions, the desire for more of the same with each passing moment. I shuddered, trying to push such thoughts away but not whole heartedly.
Taking one of the unstained cloths nearby, I moistened it in a basin of water and slowly, gently washed away the blood and dust from Seths' scales.
He stirred slightly, mumbling something and I smiled, pausing to make sure I hadn't awoken him before continuing, humming an old tune passed down among my family, from mother to daughter. It was a soothing sound, soft and strong at the same time, and I couldn't help but feel the knot of desire growing with it, eyes following the lines of the dragons form.
"Mmm...wha-?" Seth raised his head groggily, mumbling in confusion as he looked around to see what was happening. I chuckled at his dazed expression, sliding my hand up along his back lightly as I sat beside him.
Leaning close I kissed his lips passionately, tongue slipping out to taste him for a moment, his eyes widening in surprise. Breaking off, I looked into his sapphire eyes with my gold ones, reaching up to caress his cheek.
"Thank you...for saving me," I said quietly, my voice sounding ten times louder than it actually was to my ears.
"You had me worried," he said giving a relieved smile and reaching up with his own hand to mimic my own, making me purr loudly as I pressed my cheek into his palm. Taking his hand and kissing the palm of it gently, I moved closer, gently settling myself in his lap, arms wrapping carefully around his neck to pull his head closer for another kiss. Any reservations he might have had about my actions left him the moment our lips touched and I felt him wrap his strong arms gently around me...
Seth: I kissed along Alyssa's neck lightly, nibbling on her fur from time to time, making her arch back a little, my claws dragging along her back. She ground herself against me, and I could feel the vibrations of her purring throughout her entire form, my body shuddering with desire for her as my member hardened. My lips continued on to her breasts, tongue snaking out to taste each of her nipples much to her cries of delight and desire. Feeling a soft touch at the base of my throbbing shaft, I groaned loudly eyes closing as I sought to please the tigress as much as possible...
Alyssa: I was lost to my instincts, the urge to tease Seth almost as strong as the burning desire in my loins. Taking his draconic length ever so carefully in one hand, I slowly started massaging his member with long slow strokes, pausing from time to time to rub in the pre that seeped from its tip in pearl like droplets. Crying out again, I pressed my breasts against his muzzle, reveling in the pleasure and joy the sensations his tongue and teeth gave me. Watching the rituals and even learning about the best ways to perform them had never felt anything like this, my entire body felt as if it tingled with energy. Pushing Seth back suddenly, I kissed the golden dragon fiercely, hands pinning his shoulders to the ground as I rubbed my flowering slit against his erection. Both of us groaned loudly and I felt him shift a little beneath me, my mind racing for a way to make this last a little longer-
Seth: -I thrust into Alyssa hard, hands pulling her hips to mine as my member tore through her barrier, claiming her virginity. She gave a sharp yowl of pain, arching back again, her face a mixture of emotion. Keeping still and crooning to her for a few moments, I pulled back just a little before grinding myself back up into her. Gods she was so tight, so hot around me; her eyes reflecting the same emotions and sensations as mine when we looked at each other. The tigress ground herself against me, shifting her hips and making me groan loudly, head back as I felt myself pressed as deep as possible within her, all sense of control quickly fading. Rising over me, she moved her hips slowly, setting a rhythm that I quickly matched, my hands reaching up to cup her breasts and squeeze them a little from time to time, thumb and forefinger toying with her nipples. We moved as one, our breaths, voices and hearts sounding louder and faster with each passing moment we shared, bound together body and soul...
Alyssa: I cried out again as he hilted himself deep within my body, the pain having faded with the rising pleasure as I gazed at him through half lidded eyes. My hands slid up and down along his arms as we moved, each thrust into me sending lightning racing through my body, making me quiver around him. I pressed myself against Seth's hands and rode him faster, wanting to feel him go even deeper, to feel his warmth erupt within me, taking me completely to be his. Chanting under my breath and between the moans and screams of pleasure, I felt the energy between us gathering, heightening all sensations, shared and alone. Rising up one last time, I slammed myself onto the draconic member and screamed with wild joy as I was pushed over the edge, a look of astonishment appearing on Seth's face before he too roared, thrusting up as hard as he could into me.
Seth: I shuddered, curling forward as I erupted within Alyssa, giving her all that I had as her body tightened around my member, squeezing and massaging like nothing I had ever felt before. My roar drowned out any cries she made and echoed within the stone building. She pulled me upright and hugged me tightly to her, my arms wrapping around her back as both of us shook from the pleasure and exhaustion our lovemaking had brought. Shifting even a little caused us to cry out together and we silenced the sounds of joy with out lips, sharing in the moment and eventually...losing ourselves to a night that we would remember for years to come...
Alyssa:...Sunlight shone into my eyelids and I grumbled about how bright it was, turning my head back to rest in the crook of Seth's shoulder, my right hand idly rubbing his chest, claws tracing the scales ever so gently. Someone was speaking nearby and it was in a voice filled with awe and joy, something that was shared by others that seemed to come and go like the waves on a shore. Damn wind...
I sat bolt upright and almost doubled over, my head swimming with exhaustion, the light of early morning not helping me focus on the figures around us. Seth woke almost the same instant, standing unsteadily beside me as he blinked the sleep from his eyes. There were shouts of joy and pride by the people gathered beyond the semi circle of shamans and magick users, all of their faces filled with relief and silent praise for both of us.
Seth gently helped me to my feet and keeping a hand on his arm, I watched as the iguana and a ram approached us, both of them bearing a necklace of beads with a single rough gem.
"You have passed the trials and come back to us," the iguana said, draping the necklace with obsidian over his head and around his neck.
"Let this be an end to old wounds and the beginnings of a wondrous time for you and your clans," the ram added, placing the amber crowned necklace over my own head.
"Returned as adults, may what you have learned about each other also be used to live everyday life. Blessings of the Earth Mother and Sky father be yours," they intoned as unison, bowing to us before stepping back. Looking up at Seth, our eyes locked and I could see that things had only just begun...