Priscus - Outside the town of Vale
Clash.
Steel could be heard colliding with each other in a distant quiet forest outside of Vale, where a boy and man challenged the other's skill. The boy wielding one sword, while the man wielding two, effortless in his motions he would occasionally strike the boy with a flat edge of the blade as to not hurt him but aid in his understanding of what could happen in a fight to the death. An art is what it could be considered, blade dancing, both figures moved with purpose, wasting little energy and conjuring intensity behind every swing. Three blades locked into position, sparks ignited off the edges, two were crossed as to catch the single blade in between being wielded by the boy.
“Shorter movements young one, purposeful strikes, ones that require strength, or speed, are only successful if your opponent is weaker and slower. We do not rely on these qualities as they are chancing, you are a student of I, and thus makes you a student of your grandfather...we do not rely on chance.”
The older man shifted his weight to the right, redirecting the single blade down to the ground, while swinging his right leg for a low round kick, sweeping the boy off his feet. Before the boy could react, his opponent’s blade was to his chest. Shock was what surged through his body and flooding into his eyes, he could not believe the level of carelessness in his technique. A blade swiftly transitioned into a helping hand.
“Understood father.” the boy nodded, accepting defeat.
Alastair reached over to pat his boy on the shoulder, “Nasargiel, you are an Icariat, you have been taught by both your mother and I, and tomorrow you meet the God-Queen as your rite of passage that has been tradition for all Icariat’s, we are a strong bloodline and not many are going to miss this opportunity to see you, my son.” Alastair took a moment to let that sink in, “You will do us proud, I believe Exeo Aismael will also be attending, I like her, and she may be looking for someone in the future to assist her with Medius.”
Nasargiel listened closely to his father’s words, hanging onto each one as his anticipation for the gathering tomorrow heightened, “Medius? Isn’t that far from Priscus?”
“Yes, Nasargiel, but we go where we are needed as Icariat’s, and you will go, you will serve, and you will prove your worthiness to hold our name as your own.” Alastair had a smile in the corner of his eye and stopped Nasargiel in his tracks, placed both hands on each shoulder, “You are one of the finest Prae in Priscus, you do not know it yet, but you are, so if there is a time where Exeo Aismael or any other Exeo calls...it will be your time to be the GREATEST Prae to have ever been in Priscus.”
Nasargiel nodded at his father’s words, such expectation, and trust his father had over his son’s future. The two would walk home in mostly silence the rest of the way, once arriving they both would be greeted by Nasargiel’s mother, she would take Nasargiel to the side and begin his spiritual and psychic training for the day. She too would have her own words for Nasargiel to listen for and she would help him understand that tomorrow was going to be the start of entirely different life than he has had since.
Ominar - The Spire
Nasargiel stood tall over the observation deck located just outside the peak of the 'Spire'. You needed limited access to venture this high above the city, in the 'Spire'. Standing with perfect posture, back and neck straight, chest raised, with his hands resting on his belt. Wind whipping from East to West, he was pondering, travelling through his own mind as to the future of Ominar and Medius. It had seemed ages ago when his rite of passage was complete, the God-Queen imbuing him with all of his potential accessible but yet still too young for complete mastery. Yet, here he was, in Ominar just as his father had mentioned he might be. It actually didn't take long after he was imbued to be offered a position. He wasn't sure if it was because of his last name, his father's reputation, or they actually saw potential in him. Regardless, he was here, standing high above the city of Ominar in the very far distant place from home, called Medius.
When Nasargiel looked down from time to time, he almost deceived himself by how tranquil it was from his position. It almost seemed as if peace had reigned over Ominar, except for the occasional honking or yelling. In reality, Nasargiel knew what those paved roads below held, humans, licentia, and prae, all mixing together to create a chaotic bond of everlasting conflict. He wasn't quite sure on his Exeo's plans for the Licentia, he did know that humans would always play as pawns, and Prae were first and far most important than anything else when preserving life in Medius. Nasargiel did have his own opinions on the matter, he wasn't necessarily sold entirely that all Licentia were evil, nor that all humans needed to be manipulated and controlled, but it was not his place, only the Exeo could weave Medius into what was best for the Prae.
War was imminent in Nasargiel's thoughts, he knew that Licentia being as individualistic as they are would fight for their individuality before giving up any ground. Of course the reason that Prae had such a stronghold in Ominar was because that personality of Licentia was also their downfall, unable to coexist even with each other as each of them had their different set of morales and values. It was as if Licentia lived in their own world, within another world that just happened to exist around them. Then again, maybe Nasargiel's understanding of Licentia wasn't all that great as his entire life since moving to Ominar was confronting them on his Exeo's orders.
His coat still whipped in the wind, hair flowing, eyes peering off into oblivion. The observation deck was always a solid place to comb over his own thoughts. Reflection was one of his mother's teachings,
"Always question what is around you, who is around you, and reflect the decisions, thoughts, and judgments you have made." Nasargiel thought to himself, replaying his mother's exact words.
A loud crash snapped Nasargiel out of his current state of pondering and shook his head a little to the left and right. Slowly, he turned his back to the sun that had been warming his face and shoulders. Approaching the door that allowed him back inside, pulling out a key card and pressing a pad for identification verification. An A.I. said some pretty generic A.I. gibberish, searched through the database and opened the door. Walking down the halls of the 'Spire' were more confusing than any haunted maze could be in the dark. A labyrinth of corridors and entrances that were built to make sure intruders would get lost getting in and lost trying to find a way out. Nasargiel's coat flapped behind him, walking with purpose and strength in each step, not a very large Prae, 5'7" and only about 160 to 170lbs, but it was his aura or Vis that would have most notice him. H
It would be a few minutes before the boy reached the office of his Exeo, upon his approach a female Prae exited the room, she seemed uncomfortable, overwhelmed, and intimidated. A sight that was familiar to Nasargiel in his younger days, when he had first met his Exeo.
Priscus - Grand Hall of the God-Queen - Collab (Yoshua, Celaira, and I)
As the guests were brought into the Chamber of the God-Queen, they would be greeted first and foremost by her twelve Raesori, the prae who alone had been chosen to always be at her side. Allowing the three to pass into the chamber, their forms being ushered between two of the twenty four pillars that ringed the God-Queen's permanent abode. Above all else the resplendence of her aura would be apparent upon their entrance, and while they were, to a degree, shielded from her tremendous vis by Alastair, there was little he could do about the illumination. The same however, could not be said of the elegant prae woman who stood to the Queen's right. With an unseen smile, and a whisper from Amana Van, the God-Queen herself, she gestured and to the visitors the resplendent aura of the Queen would diminish in its intensity.
Of course, they would still be bathed in its warmth. It was clear that the Queen was pleased to see them, to see her children.
"Welcome Alastair, Maeve," she nodded her head to Nasargiel's parents before settling her eyes upon the young prae to-be. Her smile was gentle and everything about her, from the elegant dress, to her smile and aura, was welcoming as she looked him up and down. "...and of course our special guest, Nasargiel. I am so pleased this day has finally come for your son," she said, stepping forwards from the God-Queen's side for a moment to offer a hug to both of Nasargiel's parents.
Yet, she was an Exeo, and with her closeness, came the sensation of her aura. Yet, unlike that of the God-Queen, it was oddly chilling, though welcoming in and pleased in its own way. There was a beauty to it as there was a beauty to sunlight refracted off of ice in winter. After a moment she backed away from the trio to look upon Nasargiel from a proper angle. "You've grown well young one," she said, a warm smile on her lips, one that met her eyes.
All the while, the God-Queen Amana Van sat in her throne, one that appeared to have been created with equal parts comfort and beauty in mind. The throne was gold and white of the purest sort, made of pure crystallized vis, and reinforced thousands of times over the ages. It was the same throne that the very first God-Queen had lit upon, and it would be the throne that all those who preceded Amana sat upon as well.
This made it not only sacred, but revered and more ancient perhaps than any other object in Priscus, with the exception of two, but those were hidden way and guarded almost as fiercely as their eminent Queen. As to Amana herself, well her form was beautiful, surely, but far more notable was the golden figure that encapsulated her. Composed entirely of vis was a flickering image of the God-Queen's Manifest, or her equivalent at least. The reality was that it was her Anima made external, at least in part.
The winged figure was representative of the God-Queen's position and power both, revealing just how tremendous the amount of vis she held within herself, all for the sake of her kind's continued prosperity. Such was her role.
It would be days such as these that defined how important her majesty is, her role among Prae society, to continue the legacy of their proud, ancient race. The chamber defined by Nasargiel as he walked in with his parents was "glorious", it eminated a sense of security, tradition, and honor, but the light from the God-Queen's vis is what stood out the most.. It was a place that not all Prae would even see in their own life time, to be standing not only in this room, but to be present with the very God-Queen herself, Amana Van, was a privelege, one that Nasargiel would not forget and forever cherish.
A prestine kept floor, almost too nice to walk on, it looked as if it had been buffered one hundred times over in a single day. Nasargiel wanted to run his hands over the carvings that branded the pillars as they entered, these carvings had to of had some meaning but beyond Nasargiel's comprehension. Alastair, Maeve, and Nasargiel all reached the appropriate distance from the God-Queen and with one arm in front, and one arm bent in to the lower back, they all bowed their heads in respect to their Majesty.
Nasargiel observed as an Exeo broke rank from her majesty's side and made her approach, graceful in stride, beautiful in figure, and yet she held such a dominant presence. He could not quite put his finger on what pulled him to her but it was something that the hairs on his neck reacted to by rising just as his interest. The Exeo greeted his parents as if she had known them from previous years, of course, the probablity was quite high that she had known them for quite some time, it was Nasargiel's first time and he had to remember this. His world was about to become a whole lot larger than before he entered this room.
The Exeo's voice was rewarding as she praised Nasargiel's growth, he hoped his skills matched her expectations too, he wasn't sure why he cared, but he did, and that was enough to have a sensation of eagerness grasp his body for the moment. He felt ready for what was next, for the next step in his evolution, not as just a Prae, but as a servant for the greater good of his people.
"Thank you for accepting my request your Majesty, here is my son, more of a man than the days you first spotted him." Alastair spoke with admiration in his voice as he looked over to Nasargiel, "introduce yourself." The three stood in a row before the Queen and her Raesori, eyes having adjusted to the light, both Maeve and Alastair look over to their son.
Nasargiel was caught off guard with his eyes trapped and fixed on the throne that seemed to be alive, there was so much vis, an overwhelming amount that his tongue tied for what felt like aeons, but he finally collected himself, looked up toward Amana Van, and spoke, "Your majesty, and her most beloved, my name is Nasargiel Montius Icariat, Son to my father Alastair Icariat, to my mother Maeve Icariat, and Grand Child of Avaryius Vale Icariat. I come today to pay homage to my God-Queen, and ask for her Grace to grant me to become a full Prae under her rule, so that I may be a loyal servant of her and Priscus."
Despite the Exeo's efforts, the room brightened as a smile formed upon the lips of their God-Queen, her luminscent eyes regarding the young prae before they glanced to Aismael. The Exeo smiled in response and stepped forward, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder before meeting his eyes, a calmness radiating from her and through him. After he met her gaze, she would guide him forwards and alongside her, walking him towards Amana until he was only a foot or two away from her, the throne of their esteemed God-Queen right before them. Below his feet was a rune of power, as old as the throne itself it resonated with ancient power.
Aismael lifted her hand from his shoulder and took a step back, smiling at him, before she looked to their monarch, her expression and demeanor dictating that he should as well.
"You are received by our God-Queen, Amana Van in all of her resplendence. Your request accepted, know that today you will walk away a true Prae, and know too that given unto you will not only be her majesty's most pure of vis, but also the responsibility for your kind so long as you live." She looked to the young prae once more, pausing before she asked, very seriously, "Do you accept these offerings?"
The moment was surreal as the Exeo smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder. He was trying to contain his excitement, he had waited many years for this moment described to him by his parents and others alike from where he grew up. His feet were guided by the Exeo as he found himself standing above old runes that he could only assume would play a part in bestowing him the Vis he trained hard for. The throne of the God-Queen was a hands distance away as it pulsated with energy whose amount Nasargiel could not even begin to comprehend. It was when the hand ceased to exist on his shoulder that he caught what the next step was. He saw his Exeo look at their God-Queen and it was in such a way that Nasargiel knew he should follow suit. His eyes touched the God-Queen's and behind him Aismael began to speak, her benevolent voice carried with her strength that Nasargiel could only respect. The Exeo had yet to disappoint his expectations since his arrival.
The Exeo asked Nasargiel in reply to her speech, if he was willing to accept the responsibility of his kind and understand that he would be receiving the most pure of Vis that a Prae could ask for. Nasargiel for a second looked back at Aismael and then forward at his God-Queen, he nodded, "I accept these offerings."
Behind him, her back to his parents, and his back to her, Aismael's gaze met Amana's and a smile spread over her lips. It was one meant only for Amana, but it was fleeting, for a moment after she closed her eyes and took several steps back and as she came to stand beside his parents, she stopped and the ritual began.
Vis flowed in increased amounts from the God-Queen, and she bent forwards till her forehead met with Nasargiel's. In that moment she met his eyes, before closing her own. As her eyes closed, her Ostium opened and the chamber was flooded with exquisite vis. For a moment the young prae might feel as if he were drowning, until the calm and serenity of Amana's mind took hold, soothing his nerves. In that moment of calm and clarity, she spoke--her voice a whisper--though to him it would be as a thrumming call to arms. "Be careful my child. What I give to you now is my legacy to you. Use it wisely...and most of all, follow your heart."
She withdrew and in that moment a rush of energy surged through his form, filling him to the brim, before settling throughout his body. He was glowing, a halo of white light surrounding his form, before it began to dim as his body took it all in and made the vis its own.
Amana leaned back into her throne and watched him with a maternal smile, a sort of pride in her eyes while her Exeo, Aismael Vea-vartari, watched with a different sort of happiness entirely, one that his parents would not notice within the spectacle. "Wonderful," the Exeo whispered, and while the word would sound breathless and reverant to all who heard it, the almost greedy pleasure in her eyes told a different story.
However, as the light faded, so too did her expression, until it was but a thing of the past, with no one, but the God-Queen herself the wiser.
Nasargiel could feel the Vis begin to lift from beneath him and wrap around his legs, it swiftly crawled over his entire body as his Exeo took a step back. The God-Queen began the ritual as the room began to become submerged in her majesty's Vis. Nasargiel felt the gentle touch of his God-Queen, his eyes fixated on hers, they were like magnets channeling their charge to a metal surface, locked, until she closed her eyes. Nasargiel's head felt light, his body was experiencing feelings of levitation, bright light, and the pouring of Vis began overwhelming Nasargiel as he accepted the Vis that had been channelled his direction.
It was a success, Nasargiel could feel his body begin to balance itself out. Energy coursed through his veins with power he had never felt before. To be a full Prae, it was what he had worked so hard in achieving. His Majesty leaned back in her glorious throne, a smile sliding across her face. It assured Nasargiel that he had done her proud, the light surrounding him began to diminish but a new glow certainly resonated around Nasargiel's being and presence.
He even felt as if he stood a little taller, although compared to everyone else in attendance, his accolades did not compare.
"Thank you, your Majesty, I shall not disappoint." The certainty in his voice carried strong as he looked at his God-Queen with unwavering loyalty behind those rare eyes.
Ominar - Aismael's Office
The young Prae boy opened the door with his security clearance and walked in with a strong presence. Head held high, body at attention, ready to show his respect and loyalty to the Exeo at all times.
“M’lady Exeo Aismael Vea-vartari, Nasargiel Icariat reporting for service.”
A slight grin slipping across his cheek as his relationship with Aismael was far beyond formalities at this point, she had been with him every step of the way since his full Prae status.
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