Divinity: Transcendence: Book Two (The Divinity Saga) (20 page)

“
What is this garbage
?” Nay asked.

He
jerked the book from her hands effortlessly and scanned its cover with an eye roll.

She screamed, fell to her
knees, and began to pray. Nay proceeded to rip out several pages, destroying each one in a flash of fire. “
Useless and worthless. Fabricated of course. I’d get her twenty nine ninety five back if I were her.”
He said.

That made the o
ther demons snicker, though many had actually fled upon hearing her words. Her holy incantation had actually been effective on the weaker dark ones.

“
I think we’ve traumatized them enough. It’s safe to say…that they truly believe now. Come on Mac don’t humiliate her. ”
I said referring to the nearly nude Samantha.

             
              Dark smoke began to ooze out of her nostril, taking the shape and full form of Mac. He finally materialized himself to us, though still cloaked.

“You’re no fun Cam,
this isn’t like you. She’s hot and she’s actually getting off on this. Her fear is part adrenaline rush. A few more minutes and we could have seen the new Brazilian wax job.”
Mac smiled.

I found that curiously amusing. Mac had been able to
read a few thoughts and memories while he took possession of her.

“We’ve
done more than enough.”
I replied. But he was right. Back in the day, I would have done the same, and been the first to cop a feel—among other things.

“Yeah I suppose
so; I mean dude did wet himself in front of everyone. Priceless. Nay ruined my fun with the red-head, she’s hysterically scared shitless now, so— hold on a sec…”
Ry then said.

W
e all lingered and waited as Nay destroyed and warped all of the audio and visual evidence that they had captured of our activities— with the exception of Dylan’s actual marked cheek.

The women w
ere helping to cover up a shocked, frightened, and freaking out Samantha, when suddenly— she shrieked and gasped, “Oh dear God…there’s something sliding in between my breasts!”

VIII: Starling:
 

                          
 
I
was anxious, excited, nervous, and scared. I didn’t know what to expect. I don’t think that what I was now, was going to hit home until I had been branded. For now, I was pleasantly pleased with the selections that I made, as far as my regular and training wear went. After the tailor and her assistant took my measurements, I got to pick out my own styles and colors. I decided on three form-fitting outfits, which were similar to the ones that Lorelei was wearing earlier.

Diana suggested that I change for the oath ceremony
. It would be brief and non-traditional based on my circumstance, and it would take place right before the weapon choosing session would begin.

Jamie wasn’t in the room, but she had already made her bed up, and set her things on the available chest of drawers. My lily remained untouched, still floating in the bowl of water. Checking on it, I noticed that it was indeed beginning to return to life. Parts of the petals were returning to its natural white and speckled pink color.

I g
uess Jamie had been wrong in assuming that it wouldn’t survive.

                            Diana walked with me down the length of a wide, arched breezeway, which extended into and connected to a balcony walkway on the second floor. The view gave way to a breathtaking scene on the right. The lushest, greenest, most colorful fields of flowers and trees, painted the landscape in an almost unrealistic, lifelike splash of vibrant colors. It was gorgeous. I would have to remember this route and return later, so that I could admire the raw beauty.

I saw what appeared to be a sprawling,
open field beyond the gardens. It reminded me of some sort of expansive amusement park, situated with a unique, complicated looking obstacle course set-up. There were many other warriors out there right now; all running, jumping, shooting weapons, and dueling all over the place.

“We’ve just passed the gardens. Everything we grow there is edible and completely organic, even the flowers.” She smiled.

“It’s gorgeous.”

“You’ll get you
r turn to help plant and gather.” She smiled and then pointed. “As you can see, the fields beyond is where everyone trains daily, and at night too.” She then finished.

Movement swiftly caught my eye.
It was a large, white cat. The fur was so brilliantly white, it appeared to almost be…glowing. It slowly stretched, arching its back, and then began walking with expert balance along the stone balcony railing.

“That’s the first pet
that I’ve seen around here.” I commented, watching the cat. I found it a little creepy that its face had a human quality to it. There was something supernatural about its expression, as its intense blue eyes met mine.

“
They aren’t pets. They’re divine elementals and messengers.” Diana said.

My eyes
flashed with surprise. I turned to gape at her, and then back at the gorgeous cat. I kept forgetting where I was now.

“Oh, a
re there more?” I asked with fascination. The cat sat and watched me for a while, and then proceeded to lick its paw.

“Yes,
they’re everywhere here. You can speak to and communicate with them. They do hear and understand you but don’t expect an answer back…most of the time.” She mused with a smile.

She then pointed at the looming double doors ahead of us.
“This is one of the armaments. There are several throughout the Hall. I forgot to mention earlier, that even though you heal quickly, there are rare occasions where an injury or poisoning can occur via black and cursed magic. Treatment will require special medicinal herbs and ointments, sometimes even by the angels themselves — though that’s rare. You can get medicinal poultices and salves at the Herbalist, and there are several located all around the hall as well.” Diana explained.

As we neared the wooden doors,
I read the large calligraphy engraved lettering above it: ‘Armaments’. There was a notice carved onto a placard, set in one of the doors that read: Attention:

Only Branding S
miths, Assistants And Weapon Makers Allowed At Any Time.

B
randing Is By Appointment Only.

Two
Elder Advisor Witnesses Must Be Present.

Do Not E
nter While Branding Is In Progress, Vicinity Must Remain Clear.

Do Not Linger. Rules Will Be Enforced!

I swallowed hard. It was obviously serious business.

“This is
an important process. This isn’t even where we typically do the oaths, but since we aren’t doing things traditionally with you, it will all take place here today.” Diana began.

S
he opened the doors, allowing me to walk in first.

             
              I didn’t have to ask what she was talking about once I entered the huge room. The smell of burning metal and heat hit me full on. A large array of assorted wicked looking, shiny weaponry, adorned the walls. Beneath them, were numbered shelves with large, leather bound books below each row.

In the center of the room sat a
large, stone pit, with a conical shaped flue positioned above it. It was a rectangular pit of liquid fire, like lava, and a metal plate sat in the center of it. Beside it, was a reclining, padded lounge chair, with wide armrests. Brown leather straps were attached to and draped across each of them. I shivered. Something about it looked macabre, like some sort of torture device. It would have felt that way if it weren’t for all the bright lighting. I glanced upwards, noting that the ceiling was open, like a skylight, so the periwinkle blue and pink of the sky and sun, shone through warmly.

Durien was preparing something on a thick m
etal prep table next to the pit. It smelled coppery, metallic and cloying. He glanced up and immediately grinned at me, “Well, well, look who’s about to be branded already.” He commented.

He was wearing a tanned full body apron, black gloves that went all the way up to his elbows, and a device
strapped to the top of his head with an attached magnifying single eyepiece.

“We’re
still waiting on the others.” Durien then said to Diana. He finished whatever he was doing, and began removing the headpiece, and then peeled off his gloves.

“
Others?” I asked looking from him, to Diana.

“
Typically, there has to be at least two elder witnesses, not counting the metal smith assistant and the brander, and an elemental, present during the weapon choosing. A limit of five peers are always welcome, though most don’t want to stay and watch it until after the weapon has been cleaved. Many prefer not to witness the branding stage at all. It can be a dramatic and intense thing for everyone, so if you’d rather not have anyone here during the process, just let me know.” Diana explained.

I nodded with slight unease.
“I won’t have to get naked or anything will I?” I wondered.

             
              Both Durien and Diana laughed at my question.

“No, of course not.” She shook her head with a smile.

“Not unless you want to.” Durien grinned.

I gave him a wry glance.
“Right. Well, I don’t mind them being here then.”

“
Thank goodness because I already put the word out to them. I know they wouldn’t want to miss this for anything.” Durien added with a smirk.

By others, I knew who he was talking about.
I licked my lips, unsure why all of a sudden I was getting nervous.

I continued to gaze around the room in wonder.
I first mistook the white object in the far corner of the room as being a pillow or a stuffed animal, but seeing it move made me do a double take. An all-white creature was perched in the corner on a chair cushion. It was a furry, peculiar, smallish creature with a pear-shaped body, a thick tail, and large, attentive, human-like eyes that were round and golden in color. It stood easily on its hind legs in a relaxed meditative pose, with its little arms folded astutely across its pale belly. Another cute divine elemental.

I scanned the table
next to Durien. It was arranged, neatly with a myriad of odd shaped tools and equipment that I wasn’t familiar with at all. Then, I looked at the intimidating lounge chair once again.

“What’s with the straps on the chair?”
I nodded and pointed at the chair.

Durien rais
ed a brow and gave a side smirk. “Just to keep you still, that’s all.”

“
Still? Is this gonna hurt?” I asked then.

“Kinda
.” He shrugged a shoulder.

I
swallowed hard and gave him a wry look. Anxiety returned in full force. I studied some of the tools, the molten fire well, and the chair once again. Judging by the looks of some of them, kinda hurt was a severe understatement. I shivered at the thought of how they’d be used, if they’d be used at all.

“You’ll be just fine.” Diana said as she walked across the room, over to a tall, light-colored wooden wardrobe and
opened it, searching for something inside.

I returned my gaze to
the wall of weaponry once again. “Those weapons are wicked tough.” I then whispered to him.

“I made many of them myse
lf. Those over there are displays though. That wall over there, is the where the weapon that chooses you will come from.” Durien turned and gestured a hand towards the longest wall. It was mounted with just about every single type of weapon you could think of, all gleaming with deadly glory.

“
I can’t wait to see which one of them cleaves to you.” He then smirked.

Me either…
I think.

“How will that work?” I asked him.

He grinned. “You’ll see. Just remember what I said, nothing is as you think it should be here.”

I
admired the perfect display of swords, double swords, curved hand blades, daggers, whips, axes, clawed looking devices, and crossbows. The display of countless, unique weapons, all in different shades of metals, sizes and makes, were all were crafted with much precision.

There were symbols and glyphs etched in
to the hilts, or the broadest sides of all of the edges. Now, I was really both curious and excited at how this whole weapon choosing me process was going to work. How was it going to be branded and then become one with me?

My eyes went from
the table of tools, the huge pit of liquid fire, and the chair, yet again, and I instantly frowned with apprehension.

“Let the
tort…I mean the games begin…” I heard someone say, followed by laughter, as the double wooden doors swung open.

Several more voices jo
ined in with additional commentary, and in paraded, Lorelei, Scarlet, Crystal, Anthony, Gabe, Lira, and—Jamie. She entered last with a smug smile plastered to her face.

Lorelei and Anthony were still dressed in their trainin
g wear. They were both mussed, dirty and perspiring, having eagerly come in straight from the fields, apparently.

Lira smiled and waved
at me, but there was a frightened look in her eyes when she glanced over at the chair.

“Well alright Starling, you’
re about to become official now.” Scarlet grinned.

“And I w
ouldn’t miss this for the world.” Gabe smiled.

In their wake, someone new entered
and closed the doors behind him.

             
              He was young, maybe early twenties? He was lean and definitely in shape. His hair was black, cut into a close Caesar fade, and he was—model gorgeous.

I caught myself staring a little too long, quickly turning away once his
pale, ice-colored eyes met mine, and he smirked.

“Is this everyone?” Diana asked.

She had shrugged on a gold colored, silk robe and cradled a large, leather bound book in her hands. Even the strange rodent creature crept in closer, and was now sitting adjacent to where she stood.

“Starling, you’ll need to
stand here,” Diana motioned to me, and then pointed down at the floor.

I followed her direction
and everyone else shuffled into place, forming a semi-circle around me.

“Are you excited?” Lorelei smiled.

“I, ah…yeah.” I nodded. It was a half-truth.

“This is the
most horrendous part. It’s gets better when your essence kicks in. Do you know what it is yet?” Crystal asked me.

Horrendous?
I shot a quick glance at Diana.

“We’re working on it,” She answered for me
.

“Well, she was slow to
rise; I wouldn’t be surprised if her essence is also delayed.” Jamie commented with a sarcastic smirk.

“
I’m sure there was a reason for that. I can’t wait to see what it is too.” The new guy flashed a flirtatious smile. He was definitely sizing me up with his piercing eyes; defined by dark brows, and thick, dark lashes. He moved over to stand next to Durien, leaning in as Durien whispered to him. He then looked at me with a curious half-smirk.