Chapter 72 - The Ceremony Begins

The first thing I noticed was how dark it was. The usual brightness of the birdcage was gone, though it wasn't so dark that I was unable to see. In fact, it worked perfectly since the roof of the birdcage was open, to reveal a sky full of stars that glittered like a thousand gems. The dual moons of this world glowed with their beauty and the unique aurora of colors added another layer of beauty to everything. It was quite the sight and I would have spent more time on it, but my attention was quickly taken to the kneeling riders, all wearing similar cloaks that the riders guarding the door had been.

They were set up in rows, fifty on each side, with a gap in the middle, that I guessed was for me to walk through.

They didn't raise their heads as I approached, and all had their eyes closed and their bodies perfectly still in a way that would take a normal human a while to master. There wasn't even the slightest shake in a single one of them, showing that they did have amazing self-control because I had no doubt they were excited about this ceremony.

The only rider who wasn't kneeling was Asara, who was stood atop a small platform that seemed to be made out of some silver-colored metal, that glowed dimly. Atop the platform stood a pedestal, which a glowing necklace stood atop.

My eyes quickly took in Asara, who was wearing a cloak like the others, and whose face was just as impassive, before I turned my attention to the necklace, which glowed like a star. It radiated a feeling of warmth and passion, unlike anything I'd ever felt before. My body started to warm up and by the time I'd arrived in front of it and next to Asara, I felt like I was a volcano that was ready to erupt. It wasn't a painful heat, but more akin to the feeling one got when stepping into a hot bath, just times a hundred.

I turned to Asara who didn't look at me or even acknowledge my presence. She stood still as if waiting for something. I looked back to the necklace and slowly raised my hands towards it, glancing at Asara to see if I was doing anything wrong. She didn't react so I continued. It was odd, reaching out for it because as my hands drew closer, it felt like they were moving through thick jelly that was pushing back against me. It grew harder and harder to move and the last few inches took all my strength to get past. It wasn't just physical strength though, I could feel the warmth growing in me, trying to overwhelm me.

I didn't let it, not pushing back against it, but embracing it, letting it spread through my body in waves rather than building up in one place.

After what felt like a long time, my fingers finally touched the necklace.

The world around me instantly vanished and was replaced by silver light. The sound of hawks was loud in my ears and tendrils of silver light, that somehow stood out against the light around me, rose from the necklace, and like needles pierced into my skin, hundreds all over me, from my legs to my arms, to my eyes and neck.

The warmth and surge of power that flooded through me was unlike anything I'd ever felt, not even the attack force skill felt like this. My body began to heat and it felt like every cell in my body was on fire, but unable to burn.

The tendrils of light grew brighter and brighter, and I didn't know how, but I was aware that it was trying to overwhelm me, trying to burn me up, testing me. It wasn't like it was communicating to, more like I had a sense of its intent, and while it didn't seem to be malicious, it was very aggressive, and there was a hint of confusion and frustration I could sense in endless heat, almost as if it was unable to comprehend that I wasn't burning at all.

I felt the sudden urge to laugh when I realized the reason why I wasn't burning or taking any form of damage, at least any lasting damage. I had Zombiemans attack force, which meant there was no chance whatever this necklace was could outlast me, or take me down.

The heat increased, but I didn't give in or let up. My body regenerated everything. I don't know how long it lasted, and eventually, I grew worried that it wouldn't end, but then something happened. The warmth stopped trying to overwhelm me and changed from a vicious heat that wanted to burn to a gentle warmth that comforted and felt amazing. It spread throughout my body, replacing the burning feeling that had just moments ago been trying to burn every inch of my body.

I felt an odd tingling through my body and slowly I began to lose feeling in my body, starting from my legs and ending with my head. My eyesight vanished and everything went black, and I almost began to panic, but a wave of warmth passed over me, and I somehow knew the necklace was trying to reassure me. I calmed myself down, and a minute later feeling started to return, and with it came strength.

I flexed my fist, and moved my legs, noticing how much easier it was and that I felt far lighter than before. I didn't feel any weaker because of it, in fact, I felt stronger, not in the traditional sense, but... well the only way I could describe it was like a bullet. A huge amount of power compacted into a smaller frame. In my case, it was the power of the necklace, the power, entering my body, the smaller frame.

Just as abruptly as the light had surrounded me, the world reappeared. I let out a long breath and whistled in appreciation at the feeling of strength and lightness I felt. My body was full of energy.

"And now the rite has been passed."

I was so absorbed in the new feelings I was experiencing that I didn't notice that all the riders had stood up and opened their eyes until Asara spoke from beside me. I turned to her, and while her face was impassive, I could see the joy, happiness and relief in her eyes. It was matched by the other riders. Cleary they had been worried I wouldn't be able to handle the necklace's power, which I was going to have to ask about. She had never mentioned anything like this, but then again it wasn't like she mentioned anything at all about the ceremony.

"Long have we waited, sisters," Asara said in a soothing voice. "Since the time of the first founding and when the first bonds were forged, have the talon riders sought out a sky lord. For it is in our very nature to seek strength and power in a worthy mate, a worthy lord, Like the primal goddess we descended from did so long ago. The relic has chosen its master and accepted him, not even it could best our master."

Her next word were filled with raw emotion and happiness.

"Sisters, the long wait is over. After all these years we have finally found a worthy sky lord. One who came to us at a time of war, who ended the war and slew the unworthy princess who would have surely bought this kingdom to ruin. None of the three heirs were worthy and we awaited a dark fate, but then he came to us, with his strong arm and power to sustain him. He did not speak to us in false words like so many others, did not lie to us or treat us as tools. He did not ask of us an impossible task. He wore his heart and emotions plain for us to see, even if so many others did not, and like a king should he stood alongside us in the field of battle, and with his power tore our enemies apart. All fell before him and his might, but he is no tyrant nor a man of greed. So many are corrupted by power and lose themselves, but not our king, not our lord. We have found him, sisters and it is time we welcome him, with our hearts, and our bodies."

The last word was spoken in a sultry tone and filled with so much lust and desire it sent a shiver down my spine though it was nothing compared to what happened next.

As one, every single rider, including Asara, dropped their cloaks, revealing a sea of glistening naked flesh.

"Let us show you our gratitude, sky lord," Asara purred.