The God of War and Sun on a Journey [P]

[Rowan]

ARES
Posts: 6 | Male | #arescrown
Purrks: None
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It was time. Time to officially become Crown, to live up to Saturn, to make the tribe—his tribe the best. He had ideas popping into his head here and there, all spawning as he spiraled through all the opportunities. Now he’d do his travels with Helios. He told cats when he’d be departing, Brutus was in charge. All was well, he’d return and get the tribe in order. He spotted the golden pelt of Helios and approached the cat. “Helios, are you prepared? Everything should be ready to leave.” he questioned the tom, his voice strong and sure.


@BEAR.

[BEAR.]

"Yes, sire." Helios had lingered by the entrance to camp, awaiting Ares dutifully. "The journey will take about a day, but that gives us time to discuss the ceremony that awaits you."

He beckoned Ares to join him as he slipped out of the camp, the beginning of the long trek ahead. "I have only escorted a Crown once, when I was an initiate under Kronos. The knowledge I have is second-pawed, but will hopefully be enough to prepare you for what's ahead.

"The first thing you need to know: do not speak within the confines of the Glimmerall. To do so invites the Spirits to accompany you back here, and that attachment is a curse. That is why talking now is so important." Come to think of it... had someone done just that? Desecrated the sacred walls of the Glimmerall and invoked the wrath of the Beyond? "Our luck is poor enough as-is, we do not need to bring the ill of the world upon us."

[ @Rowan ]

[Rowan]

ARES
Posts: 7 | Male | #arescrown
Purrks: None
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Sire…right. He was in charge. Discussing the ceremony would be great. Since he had never gotten the Claw of the Crown scar, would he get both scars from a spirit tonight? Probably…as long as he was accepted. He should be…why wouldn’t he? He wasn’t one to worry much, but he was simply going off the word of a cat he didn’t know much. Him starting to pad beside Helios seemed to help clear his head, instead focusing on the cat’s words.

He nodded at the formers instructions. “Yes, that is true. I’ll remember that—as soon as we arrive home I hope to do something about…” those monsters, those thieves of lives “the cougar.” he finished, simply imagining ripping the things throat out.

“For the ceremony, will I get both scars at once then? Also, will you wait or return home since I have to survive the night alone?” he questioned the older tom, seeking out guidance from the elder, wiser cat.


@BEAR.

[BEAR.]

"Of that I have no doubt;" these words were spoken with the slightest of smiles. "but ... there is something you should know. I believe there is more to the sign that named you Crown than just the death of the cougar's cub. The cub was damaged, severely by the lightning - and it caused a burn reminiscent of the scar you bear, but the cub was also trapped beneath a tree's limb." Helios would let these words sink in, a retelling of events not many bothered to witness. "It is my belief the Spirits are trying to tell us something more, but I do not know what the tree represents in this. Just that this puzzle is incomplete."

Aa for the ceremony.. "We are in an unusual time. There has never been a period in my life where we were completely leaderless, and had to start anew. Tradition dictates it would be the Crown leaving the slash on their Claw.. but you have no Crown to do that to you. If you'll permit and Spirits willing, it seems only logical as the sign interpreter I give you the starting mark. The Spirits will finish it if you pass their trials."

[ @Rowan ]

[Rowan]

ARES
Posts: 8 | Male | #arescrown
Purrks: None
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Hmmm…a tree…Helios was correct, it was a complete mystery to him what it was. Perhaps the spirits may speak to him about it? Or their medics…another situation I hope to do something about, he hadn’t seen either healer around much at all, especially in such a dire time he’d feel such would be required. Perhaps they needed new ones? A cat he’d seen loyalty from, endurance.

His attention flashed back to the former as he explained how they may go about the situation that was practically unheard of, if it ever happened at all. “I think that would be fitting. Do you know anything of what the trials may consist of?” he questioned, hoping to get some intel that perhaps the Crown would have been able to give him. Speaking of…curiosity pricked him. He didn’t think he saw the second mark on Nyx…then again he didn’t see Nyx much at all. “Was Nyx officially accepted by the Spirits?” he felt he should be aware of such details, but he wasn’t.


@BEAR.

[BEAR.]

Then it was settled. A shift in custom for a circumstance so odd. Helios hoped the Spirits would be forgiving.. unusual times called for unorthodox measures, yes? "I do not know what you will face.. that is not a detail the Crown shares, but I know that it is unique to every cat. It may be a test of strength or wit, or some nightmare you must navigate in order to prove your leadership. Whatever befalls you in their Realm, it is imperative you succeed - your life depends on it.

"The ceremony itself is simple, in its own way. We will stop outside the Glimmerall's entrance, and speak the Accords of Life. This offers your fealty to the Spirits, an oath to serve them faithfully and dutifully, to guide the Atari in their Image until you join them In Nature."

Helios furrowed his muzzle. "Then we enter, and speak no more. At this point the Spirits will be watching your every move, sizing you up for if you are worthy of their Blessing. You will step into the shallows, and watch: if the Spirits approve of you, the pool will begin to shimmer in the moonlight. If they do not... the cave will grow darker, and we must leave immediately." Helios prayed quietly his intuition was correct, and that the Spirits had selected Ares themselves. If not, the ensuring ceremony would be embarrassing at best. ..They could work around it, give the Atari a sense of leadership.. Helios didn't like this idea but it was better than a public failure.

"Once you have gained their initial approval, I will join you in the water and slash your shoulder. Then, I will dunk you into the water and submerge you temporarily before I pull you back onto land. At this point, you will fall unconscious - and the Spirits will visit with you. If you pass, you will wake up with the Crown's Mark in full. If you fail, you will choke, sputter, and die."

Hmm. Helios hadn't seen much of Nyx prior to the cougar taking her, but in a way the same could be said for Saturn. What he did know, was she never received the mark. "I do not think she pursued her ceremony to become Crown. She certainly never spoke to me about it, and she lacked the scar to prove it. The cougar may have been the Spirits deciding they had enough of her lackluster performance.. they Guide Our Paws, after all."

[ @Rowan ]

[Rowan]

ARES
Posts: 7 | Male | #arescrown
Purrks: None
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Strength…wit…leadership? All qualities the tom believed he had, it should be easier enough. He and a gut feeling, a gut feeling he’d make it out of the ceremony and trial alive. He was sure in his skill and the fact he’d be a great Crown, the best the Atari has seen in a while. He descends from the long like of Crowns, it’s already in his blood.

He listened to the wiser cat intensively as he spilled all the information Ares may need to know. He’d be sized up by some of the Spirits? He could handle that. He just had to be…himself. Death was on the line, but wasn’t it always? He was willing to risk himself for this opportunity, that too make the Atari stronger, better…more united. “Yes…yes probably.”he nodded in agreement with the cat’s theories.

@BEAR. (sorry this is a bit short! feel free to timeskip!)

[BEAR.]

Eventually, they would make it to the entrance of the cave. Helios peered into the darkness, past overgrown lichen, before he looked at Ares.

They were ready. Or at least.. Ares seemed like he was. Helios wished he had his confidence as he churned the age-old words over in his mind. How did it go? .. What if he misspoke? He was no healer, no Claw that stood above the rest. He was just some withered husk of a cat, soon to be forgotten in the wind.

There was no breeze right now. The realization made his pelt bristle, wondering if the Spirits were holding their breath too.

"Spirits, join us as we ascend into the Glimmerall. Guide our paws as we seek your approval for a new Crown. And should we fail, grant us asylum on our journey home.

"Ares." Helios would try to meet his gaze. "Are you prepared to face the Spirits, accept their trials, and if you prevail, lead the Atari until the day you reunite with the Spirits in the Beyond?" A confirmation was all he needed.

[ @Rowan ]