Bla. It's been forever I know. I don't intend for this to be like my updates for DO, with a few months in between each one, because there is really no excuse. It's like...five-hundred to a thousand words - I could do that in my sleep, so I'm sorry. I shall not make excuses to you. Enjoy this one!

Chapter 7 - Ceremonies

Blood. There was lots of it. Covering the countless steps that lead skyward up to the very top of the great temple. On the people who had gathered. It was everywhere. It would seem to the untrained eye that the whole populace of the planet had gathered for the occasion, but it was only the select tribes that made their residence in the area that were in attendance. Fires were made; dark clouds of smoke filled the area in a dreamlike haze. The five commanders stood on the elevated platform at the steps' end, and all the way down there were the more common folk, arranged by rank in society. The five waited, eyes trained on the ground below, awaiting the arrival of their newest war-brother.

N'jaere viir Rahkah was exceptionally anxious, albeit very contented with the fruits of his labor, but he had his concerns that something would go wrong. It always seemed to.

It had been almost a month since Qymaen had brought General T'lit'co's family back from Abbaji, as had it been nearly longer since Rahkah himself had finally convinced the kid to make a name for himself and join ranks, making the five, into six. Six had been the most there had ever been - six high ranking generals to lead the people into war. Rahkah had great expectations for the young, fledgling leader, and with all of the others' help he would surely become a very powerful ally. They awaited his arrival eagerly, for an initial ceremony, consecrated and established just for the purpose of military affairs, was to begin soon for he and he alone.

When Rahkah's eyes locked on the lone figure approaching the bottom of the stairs, he gestured to the royal guard to his left. The guard knew what to do. They announced that the person of interest had made his appearance, and suddenly all was silent. From the center of the flawlessly straight line the commanders stood in, Voaga Dau-Maz raised his voice. It echoed out over the jungle beyond the clearing the temple sat in, and all who heard were overcome with a deep reverence, as they should have been.

"You see here today, a monumental occurrence will take place," he began. Rahkah kept his gaze centered on his young friend, standing deferentially where he was. "There are five of us. Five who lead our peoples' armies in a war that has gone on since before many of you even saw the light of day for the first time. Five who were chosen, by our divine gods, to make the decisions that have gotten us where we are today - equal with the enemy that for so long defeated and crushed us."

Rahkah dared a glance at Dau-Maz. The other four men were straight in posture, daring not to make one false movement. Their bodies were painted in blood, as his was, their faces masked with the skulls of monstrous creatures of the night. He turned his head back, returning his stare to the man below.

Dau-Maz went on, not missing a beat. "Today, the day the gods have willed, is to be the day there will be six!" At this, thunderous applause broke out, anticipated. It diminished when the highest standing general raised his hands for silence. Rahkah adjusted his bearing. "It is now with great honor that I welcome a courageous, vigilant and gallant young one into our ranks. His father has and always will be a dear friend to me, and is no doubt watching from the heavens today with an admiration that mere mortals cannot comprehend." Rahkah took a moment within the pause to remember the one he spoke of, Zalajjh, a name known to the far reaches of the planetary system. He had been a general worthy of esteem.

Dau-Maz's last words before praise that far exceeded the first round broke out were almost posed in a fatherly tone, as if he knew what this meant. "Come then, Qymaen jai Sheelal, and join your brothers of war..."

Rahkah looked proudly down on his friend as he ascended the blood-drenched stairs. Behind Rahkah, was a small structure, darkened within, housing the priest that would complete the ceremony. When Qymaen was finally close enough to look upon the face of his older friend, Rahkah smirked behind his mask, and he knew that it had been detected. The newest commander was greeted with many strong embraces and gracious expressions, though he did not see them. Subsequently, the crowds were quieted once more, and the five others ushered their new charge into the dark, diminutive building.

Rahkah watched from behind Aavok, as the horribly aged priest inside stood to meet Qymaen, then wasted no time. He was instructed to turn, and remove the cloak from his back. On a small fire there sat a branding iron. The end displayed a circular figure with an eight pointed star-like shape above it. Rahkah's arm absentmindedly went to his right shoulder and he ran his fingers over the long-healed scar in that very shape. It was their mark. It always would be. Taking the mark was a sign. A sign that one could never go back. A sign that they would forever be bound to ensuring the safety of their people.

Rahkah's young friend took the searing pain well after a prayer to the gods had been said, naught a flinch being observed by any of the parties present. The priest neither did nor said any more when the ceremony had been fulfilled, retreating back into the darkness.

The five general's let their new brother pass, and as Qymaen went out before the awaiting eyes of the public to receive their devotion, Rahkah looked long and hard at the new, unquestionably painful mark on the kid's shoulder.

And, for some odd reason, all that would come to his mind was a humorous yet curious thought: I have to call him 'General' now...

There ya have it. My original form of "initiation" into the high ranks of Kalee's military people...I certainly hoped you enjoyed it. Could you pretty pretty please leave me a nice review by clicking on the small button below? Thank you and have a nice day!