Note: For this, and the next couple chapters, I will be doing things a bit differently. Why? Well, my first idea for this story was to merely recall Samus's past. Later I realised that I needed a frame, something to hold these memories, thus the story evolved. Funny how characters grow on you. In these next chapters I will be telling a part of Samus's past ( my idea), in an omipresent view instead of Samus's view,like I hadat firstplanned-for the purpose of easier reading and writing.
I really do like the characters I've created, do not think that I don't. And now that you know why I started this fanfiction, and hopefully agree with it, Read on!
Chapter 11: To Prove Worthy
During a single year on Creto, the Chozo's first home planet, thereare may feasts. The Feast of New Year, the Feast of Music, the Feast of Mid-day, the Feast of Life, the Feast of Planting, and the Feast of Becoming. All were important to Chozo life but right now Samus Aran, human raised by Chozo, was only concerned with the last two.
On the Feast of Planting 13 years ago, she had declared for herself the Path of the Warrior. That had been the day Gorbeta the Elder had made her prophecy. Now, during this weeklong celebration, the Feast of Becoming, it was time for Samus and all of her peers to show they were worthy of their chosen Paths.
And it was with this thought that Samus, the one sitting near the seashore, dove into her memory.
"Let this celebration begin!" shouted Tubela the Grand Councilor. As she did hundreds of lights blinded the night sky and then faded away to a comfortable force.
The lights had been so brilliant though, that it took Samus a couple seconds for her eyes to adjust. She had been to many Feasts of Becoming but this time was different, it was her own. When she could see again, Samus could make out the giant structure that was the Room of Council. All the community was here, everyone. They were all gathered on the Common, a large, circular area in front of the Room of Council paved with limestone.
All around the Common were large stone statues that held luminous orbs. These statues, depicting Creto's wildlife, were made by those that had chosen the Path of the Statue Maker. That was their Test of Becoming, later to be inspected by the Elders.
"Samus, are you coming?" asked a female Chozo.
"Yes Benach," said Samus as she followed her friend into the heat of the feast.
The test for the Cooks was delicious. They had made tantalizing entrees, wonderful appetizers, refreshing Chozian drinks, and unbelievable desserts, all for the opening meal tonight. Samus stood in front of one of these desserts, looking up to see its high peak. This confection was made of Chozian chocolate and vanilla spirals that flowered into youthful buds as they wove their way up the masterpiece.
"Samus," asked her friend. "Are you going to eat it or stare at it?"
Samus stood with her plate out and cutting knife ready, still staring. Coming back to reality she nodded and took a piece, careful to steady the dessert so it wouldn't fall. Samus and Benach traveled the numerous tables full of food until they were satisfied with their take and sat down.
The table at which they sat was made of a red colored wood. The table was smooth and finished, ornate designs in it's wood. All the tables in the Common had been made by last year's inductee Builders, while this year, all the would-be Builders were to make special requests for the Grand Council members.
"Hail Samus, Warrior Chozo! And Benach, the beauty that sings!" cried Uirlow as he slid down the table to sit next to his friends.
"Hi Uirlow," said Samus with her mouth full of food.
"Hail Uirlow, master of mischief!" said Benach with a smile. Her Chozo face looked so beautiful when she smiled.
The 3 friends ate and talked as all the Chozo around them ate and talked. It was such a wonderful time, especially for Samus. The whole community was gathered, starting the celebration of their children becoming true members of Chozo life.
Samus looked around as Uirlow and Benach were deep in a conversation. She could see her parents sitting together and felt a surge of love for them. She looked and saw the Council members and their spouses dining at the table nearest the Room of Council.. She could feel the night's weight and the brightness of the statues on her, all the things around her she could feel. Pausing for a moment she took it all in and sealed it in her memory. Suddenly she felt something next to her.
Samus opened her eyes, which she had closed, to see Leniox had sat down next to her. Now we're all here, she thought.
"Hello Samus," he said.
"Hello Leniox,' she replied.
Once again all the friends, now four instead of three, started to converse.
"Are you frightened?' asked Uirlow to Benach. "About singing before everyone?"
"No, I am ready, as are all the other ones who have chosen this path."
"What about you Uirlow?" asked Samus with a grin. "I hear you get to sit in on Ebur the Teacher's class. I bet that'll be fun."
For the first time that evening Uirlow took on a serious face, "it's really not that worrying. I know what I need to do, and I will do it. I am not scared, nor am I nervous. I enjoy working with the young ones."
"Yes," Leniox put in, "probably because you are one yourself."
They all laughed at this, even Uirlow, who could appreciate a joke.
The opening meal lasted for another hour until Tubela rose. She stood and so did the Grand Council. A silence fell upon the community, respectful and patient.
"Hear me Chozo!" she yelled so that all could hear.
"Speak!" answered the crowd in Chozian.
"This Feast of Becoming has begun. A joyous time it is, so let it be so," she told them. "Look to the edge my family," she said and pointed to the statues with their orbs of light. "The Statue Makers are proven. Taste the food of this meal. The Cooks have been proven. As these have proven worthy, may the rest do the same," Tubela finished and sat, the Council sitting with her.
"Yes, I hope we prove worthy," Uirlow said quietly.
Later that night, when the meal was done and cleaned up, the 3 Chozo and human were by the Fountain. Samus sat on the Fountain's edge listening to Benach speak. Leniox listened attentively as Uirlow stared into the babbling waters.
"Good luck my friends," Benach was saying. "I am the only one who must wait, you three must prove yourselves tomorrow. I'll miss you, Samus and Leniox, while you are away. I will see you tomorrow Uirlow." Then she departed for home, the stars guiding her way.
"I must go home and rest, although you two will need more rest then I. Good-night friends," said Uirlow as he too went home.
Leniox turned to Samus and said, "well, tomorrow is it. The Paths of the Warrior and the Astronomer are closely linked. I will see you in the morning." Then he went down the Eastern Path to his home.
Samus stayed at the Fountain for minutes more, contemplating the morning's task. They hadn't been given specifics, they would be tomorrow, but they knew it involved both the Warriors and Astronomers.
What could they do with both of us? Unless… no, they wouldn't do it. Or would they? Her thoughts still spinning in her head Samus headed back home to her parents.
The sun had just cleared the Qulox Mountains, for the sun rose in the West and set in the East on Creto, when Samus awoke. The sunlight filtered into her small room, casting light and shadow on the floor. She sat on her bed's edge and listened to the singing of Murlbirds outside her window.
Quietly Chonena came into her room, softly closing the wooden door. Her Chozo feet made light clicks on the red wooden floor. In her arms Chonena carried a new robe, Samus's Warrior robe.
The new robe had been tailored just for Samus's human body. She could remember how Veruk the Tailor had gladly accepted the challenge of fitting her slender form. The robe was light and soft, but Samus knew it would be extremely durable. A light golden color, it had long sleeves and would fall to her ankles. Simple patterns adorned the sleeve endings and bottom of the robe. It was beautiful to Samus's eyes.
"Hear daughter, prepare yourself for your test," said Chonena as she placed the gift in Samus's hands. "Be strong and prove yourself on this path you must take."
Here the Chozo mother took Samus's head in her hands and gently kissed Samus's brow. Samus had once thought a Chozo kiss uncomfortable, but now she understood it for what it was, a gesture of love.
"Your father waits for you," said Chonena who then left Samus to change. Samus solemnly changed into the Warrior robe, all the while reflecting on what this robe meant. I am nearly a Chozo Warrior. Samus the Warrior, that will soon be my name. Once I am a Warrior, wow, then I can do so many things. Warriors are given Chozo Power Suits and are taught to fly Chozian Fighter Ships. What is it like to fly? But I think too much .I must prove myself first, than all of that can be mine.
Veruk had also made an additional piece for Samus, a pair of soft, armored leggings for underneath her Warrior robe. She put these on first then the robe. As Samus put on the robe she could feel the subtle armor within the cloth. Chozian alloy armor was in her robe's torso, back, and legs
Samus took her Orcois staff from its resting place and preformed a simple spinning maneuver. The robe moved with her, not at all hindering, and so she deemed the robe acceptable. Like it wasn't going to be, she told herself sarcastically. Taking a final deep breath she went out to her father.
Kerune was waiting patiently outside, standing under the tree. When Samus came out they started to walk to the Room of Council.
"Now is the time Samus," said the Warrior, " to prove yourself."
"Yes father, I know," replied a humble Samus.
"You will do fine," said Kerune as they reached the Fountain.
"Yes, I know," sighed Samus. "I'm just a little nervous about what we'll have to do."
"Do not be," Kerune told his daughter. "You have strength and will come to have wisdom as well, so do not be afraid. There is a force that flows through all things and it is the truth that guides our ways, the Ways of the Chozo. If you ever have fear you can call on it, and it will answer."
They crossed the bridge and came to the Room of Council. At its entrance Kerune stopped, and Samus was reminded of how Chonena had done the same years back.
"May truth guide you," said Kerune, the same inscription that was above them. He took her head in his hands and like Chonena, kissed Samus's forehead.
"Thank you father," said Samus. She then turned and went into the Room of Council.
Samus stepped into the large circular hall and peered up at its high domed ceiling. Large windows high up on the walls spilled pale morning light onto the gathered beings. She saw all of the Chozo standing before the Grand Council, which sat in their stone chairs. There were many other golden robes as well as many silver ones.
"Listen well my children," spoke Tubela the Grand Councilor. "You are no longer children, you are true Chozo, and now you go to prove yourself worthy of that honor."
Tubela paused and managed to find Samus amongst all the Chozo.
"Every year this Feast of Becoming comes to be and so the Test of Becoming comes to be as well. Other paths that are chosen may have to do different things each year but the test for you, Warriors and Astronomers, always remains the same."
Tubela dropped her gaze and continued.
"For your Test of Becoming, you shall journey to the Qulox Mountains," she said and silent apprehense filled the room. "Warriors, your mission is protect, guide, and provide for yourcharge. Astronomers, you know the Warrior who will take you and your destination. Find your escort.You leave now, and will reach your destination on the third day of the week. There you will spend a dayreading the cosmos, and then returnby the sixth day so that you may join us in the closing feast."
Tubela paused.
"You go with nothing but what you carry at this moment. Go safely, remember your training, work together, and may the truth guide you."
The world swirled around Samus as she waited for her Chozo Astronomer to meet her. Is it Huyf, or maybe Coulap. Maybe...
"Greetings Samus the Warrior," spoke a voice from behind her. She turned and saw Leniox. Leniox! shouted Samus's mind.
"Hi," she said in a newly confident tone. "Shall we start?"
"Yes, Samus let us go," replied Leniox. And so the Human and Chozo started off on their journey, Leniox a good foot taller than his guard.
After all of the Warriors and Astronomers had left Tubela stood alone near her dark, stone chair.
"Do not have fear, my prophecy will stand," said Gorbeta from besides her.
"I am not afraid, it is hard though to watch them leave," Tubela said. "I have watched her, them all, and now... now they leave. They leave on a quest that they cannot even comprehend, not even the enlightenedChozo."
"The Test of Becoming is not that difficult my dear Grand Councilor."
In a hushed voice Tubela said, "the quest I refer to is life."
A bit melodramatic, but I really enjoyed writing this chapter.