Seven Years Later...
Chapter 5 Part 3
"Damned Warrior"

You know the Drill!
Author's Note: Beware, for much more is coming... And much more shall be learned...

The household gathered around the freshly made pyre in the backyard. Artimis stood on a stone amidst the wood as Andres Callabella's body was brought out. She was dressed in a long, flowing, white gown, her hair draped down her back and no adorning items. Apollo lovingly laid his father's body on the place made for him and backed up, bowing his head to Artimis.

Artimis opened an old worn book, her fingers tracing over the letters that were of an old language, the language of the Entingo Clan. She took her fathers wand and laid it on his chest, kissing her hand and laying it to his cool forehead tenderly. Apollo lit the pyre and she stood tall, breathing deeply as she began to speak the Language. She heard the gasps around her but did not pay attention, she only knew that she must follow tradition. She called to Mother Earth in her family's old tongue, begging the Earth to take her father's spirit into the air, to make him truly free. She held back tears as she spoke the words that her Aunt had for her mother, the flames growing higher and warmer around her.

She drew the ceremonial daggers as the book instructed, drawing it in a crescent move over her hand and letting her crimson blood drip into the fire. Then in English, she spoke, "My father, for death another shall come now."

She heard the unease of her watchers, but there was still more to do. She called to the spirits of the Earth, The Wind, The Water, and The Fire, in her native tongue, all of them to protect her father on his journey to the Great Beyond. Then she stepped back as the fire leapt up towards her feet. Apollo helped her down and she sat where she knew to. She sat upon the ground, her legs crossed, her arms crossed as well as Apollo stood behind her. They stood there for an hour, and as the fire died, Artimis arose and walked barefoot through the cooling ashes, picking up the untouched wand. She walked back to her brother and tied the wand to his leg, and with a sigh of relief, threw a warm cloak on and smiled.

"I'm glad that's over." She spoke as she wrapped her hand. Everyone just looked at her, flabbergasted.

Artimis dragged Alexis and Draco to her room and began to explain what was about to happen. She told them about the fire, the pyre, the burning right of passage, and somehow, none of this surprised Alexis.

Somewhere in her she felt like this was proper and right, even though her other half was screaming that this was heathenish. These thoughts warred with each other Artimis explained that they did not have to go, and that she wanted everyone else to have the same option of not coming. Artimis was holding something back though, Alexis knew it, the mind block was enough to say that. She did not like this ideology, she did not like that something was about to take place that she did not know enough about to be prepared, and she did not like that somewhere in her mind she knew exactly what to expect.

Alexis stood amidst the rest of the Family as they gathered around in the backyard. Her gazed darted from side to side, already feeling uncomfortable. Remus stood off to her left, feeling her agitation, but remaining silent as he too shifted uneasily.

She wrapped her hastily thrown on cloaks around her tightly, feeling chilled even with the burning pyre in front of her. What uneased her the most was Artimis as she stood within the flames atop a raised stone, alone, holding a very ancient book. And Alexis knew books. This wasn't one you could find a copy of. It seemed centuries old, yet held together and unbroken, like new. Gazing upon it made Alexis vaugely recall memories that she never knew she had, but not enough of them to understand them. She shook her head roughly to clear it, the knowledge frightening her.

She watched with sparkling green eyes her friend tracing something on one of the yellowed pages, noticing the others fidgeting as well. Everyone was out here, no one wishing to remain inside, out of due respect.

She tensed as Artimis drew in a breath to speak, but no familiar words were spoken. Alexis involuntarily stepped back in cautious awe, the language spoken totally unfamiliar, yet known to her in the deep, dark recesses of her mind. She trembled slightly, not knowing what to expect as Artimis continued the reading, Alexis actually catching on, but not knowing what to.

Then Artimis drew a ceremonial looking dagger, and Alexis stiffened defensively, watching Artimis's movements in protective uncertainty. She flinched in unfelt pain as Artimis drew the dagger across her palm, scowling at her friend for the action. This wasn't a funeral she had ever heard of, this was something darker, more ritualistic, and that didn't sit well with Alexis at all.

The vow, she felt it was a vow, was spoken, and Alexis was chilled to the core, having made such a one a long time ago, and knowing its importance.

Apollo helped Artimis down from her stone pedestal, and Alexis let out the breath she forgot she was holding, the feeling of unease and caution strong within her. Together, everyone watched the fire burn down, Alexis's gaze though lingering warily on Artimis, as she too watched the flames.

As the last of the flames died down, the ashes settling quietly, Alexis noticed the wand atop them, untouched. As did Artimis. What she did next pissed Alexis off pretty bad. Heedless to her own pain, Artimis stepped gracefully into the still warm ashes, slowly walking the length of the burned pyre to the untouched wand. She tenderly picked it up, then turned and calmly walked back to Apollo. Alexis clenched her fists angrily, glaring at her best friend with such an intensity that those around her grew uneasy as she folded her arms.

Why the hell she had to hurt herself more, Alexis would never know, but it was practically torturing her to watch. In her fury, Alexis turned around and stalked off towards the house, in a very Snapeish manner.

Severus had very little knowledge of the events he was about to witness. Artimis was very much disturbing him, but then again, she did PICK him up and THROW him, a feat all had thought impossible. He listened intently as Artimis spoke the language, trying to catch on to the words, but having no luck whatsoever. He felt someone near him wince when Artimis slit her palm and turned to see an irritated Alexis. Remus caught his gaze, and they both shared a look, before Severus turned back in slight confusion.

He looked back once again and watched Alexis grow steadily angry. The cause he figured was when he saw Artimis treading hot coals. Looking back to Alexis, he had to take a double take. She was leaning back proudly, her arms crossed tightly in front of her, lips pursed. She looked like a mad McGonagall-Snape Hybrid. He uneasily shrugged it off as she stalked away, looking in surprise at Artimis as she made her statements, Remus looking to Alexis in his in worry.

Artimis looked up from the ground, looking for Alexis and seeing the telltale white hair dashing towards the house. She could feel anger emanating from her, yet did not understand. She looked around to her family and smiled.

"Thank you for standing by our side. I hope our little ritual did not change your perspective of me too much." She spoke shyly. Then her eyes darted to the sky, and she stood tall and proud.

"Tomorrow, We will fight, those of you who will stand by my side, be ready, those of you who wish to stay, be not afraid, my anger you will not face. "And with those final statements, she stumbled to the house up to her room, preparing for what she believed to be the last battle of her life.

Deep Shadows: MWAHAHA CLIFFY EVILNESS!

EckoStalker: HEHEHE, FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT! WOOHOO!

Severus: AHH! No more sugar for either of you, do you hear me, NO MORE!

The Girls: --look at him like he nuts and throw a pillow at him.-- NAY NAY!

Severus: --sigh-- I hate New Years Eve...

EckoStalker: --gasped-- I think we're out of Chocolate Syrup!

Deep Shadows: Nope... I brought my stash.

EckoStalker: Thank CHEESE! I thought we were going to die! Don't scare me like that, oh my cheese!

Deep Shadows: OKKKKKKKKKKK... READ AND REVIEW, YOU PEOPLE YOU!

Remus: --walks in with bags of chips and syrup-- I'm back from the store!

The Girls: YAY! FOOD!

Severus: I think that means goodbye in their language...not sure...

Deep Shadows: Toodles,--stuffs mouth with chocolate covered chips--

EckoStalker: --Drinks syrup-- Bye, me mou mwater --swallows quickly-- see you later...