13 The Succession Rite

One might assume that the higher the floor the more important it would be. Many yearned to be close to the sky which was why towering buildings were seen as more majestic and grand. In the Sanctum, the most important room was not at the, instead, it was deep beneath the earth. Hidden in the darkness and under the protection of the roots, laid the Sanctum's core.

The Matriarch, Liana, the elders, and the select few high-ranking sentinels were the only ones who knew of this place. When Liana's mother took the seat was the first time Liana beheld this grand place. High round ceiling, massive pillars out of thick roots, engravings telling tales long forgotten.

Liana kept her gaze low as she followed the Matriarch. The elders walked in a row behind them. They entered a circular hall with a domed ceiling. Countless crystal butterflies sparkled on their perch up in the ceiling, creating an illusion of night sky. As far as Liana knew they could only be found here at this place. Their beauty drove many to catch and sell them. Almost all died after capture. Liana had only ever found them in this place where rich energy permeated from the core.

At the center of the room, a green crystal supported by thick roots stood. Thin streams of energy flowed out from it. A massive array was etched on the stone floor, glowing softly with green light. The Matriarch stopped five steps away from the core. The elders spread out and stood at the edge of the array. Liana took her spot near the core facing her mother. Their eyes caught each other for a second before Liana lowered her head.

"Tonight we shall hold the succession ceremony," the Matriarch said. "My body may turn to ash but my spirit shall live on. I expect that all of you will help guide the next Matriarch to fulfill her duty."

"As the Esteemed Elder wished," the elders said in unison.

"Liana," the Matriarch said. "Raise your head."

Liana raised her head and forced herself to look straight at her mother. She had always avoided her gaze before, unable to bear her solemn and knowing eyes.

The Matriarch smiled. "You will do well."

With that, the ceremony began. There were no pomp or unnecessary gesture in the succession rite. The rite was always held when the current Matriarch was near the end of her life. To prolong the succession rite would with useless gestures only cause trouble.

The Matriarch raised her hands wide. With an echoing voice, she said, "From fire, I rise, and to fire I shall return." Flames began to rise from her feet and enveloped her in its embrace. The heat prickled Liana's skin from where she stood. The Matriarch's body began to disperse into small particles of light. The fire grew larger and brighter forcing Liana to cover her eyes. From the small spaces between her fingers, she saw the fire turned into a phoenix.

It unfolded its wings and rose, however, chains of light appeared from her tails, binding her to the earth. The bird opened its beak and blasted a torrent of fire at the chains. The chains broke into nothingness. The bird let out its proud call and flew towards Liana.

Liana gasped and took a step back. Forcing herself to calm down, she thought, 'This is part of the ceremony, I'll be fine.'

Heat and flame enveloped Liana as if she was being wrapped by the sun. Colorful flames danced around her. Although they were bright, they no longer hurt her eyes. Whispers of her predecessors echoed in her ears. Liana took deep breaths as the flame poured into her being. At first, it was warm but soon it turned into molten lava running through her veins. She clenched her fist, attempting to stay standing. Her body was on fire… no she was fire. All she could think of was the heat and the betrayed look on Nea's face. When the flame receded, Liana collapsed. The warm stone felt cool to her heated skin. She fell asleep hearing the elders' distant congratulations.

***

The moon's light breached through the gloomy cloud like a lantern showing the way forward. However, Nea had never felt more unmoored. Ever since she was a child, it was always her, her mother, and Liana. Then her mother disappeared, now Liana would be gone too. Even at the edge of this cliff, Nea could still hear the echoes of laughter from the village. Their joy only brought her mood even lower.

"Shut up will you!" Nea shouted. "Don't you see I'm sad!"

"They certainly cannot if you slunk off like a wounded cat."

Nea looked back and caught sight of Brianna leaning against a tree. Nea scowled. "What do you want?"

Brianna sighed. "You have always boasted at being the best at fighting. But understanding martial arts is only one part of fighting, the rest depends on your temperament. With your explosive character, you will die if we let you go out."

"Shut up! You have never seen me as an adult! I can handle it."

Suddenly Brianna appeared and hoisted Nea up by her scruff. "Then start acting like one."

"Put me down!" Nea tried to punch Brianna but it merely made her looked like she was flailing.

"I have enough of your attitude. Liana does not mind but I do. Do you think she's not scared? Do you think she wants this? Even Ava was afraid when she had to become the Matriarch. Everyone has their fears and unwillingness, but to be an adult is to accept that not everything can go your way. You have to sacrifice to achieve something."

"That's stupid! I will never sacrifice my friend!" Nea shouted.

Brianna said, "It is never your decision, to begin with. This is Liana's decision, you should respect that."

"Do you know what Davyn said? He said that the clan cannot be a coward and hides from the world forever! Liana doesn't have to be the Matriarch. If that old woman stopped being such a coward and accepted death, Liana didn't have to see her mother turn into a stranger. I don't have to see my friend turn into a stranger!"

"Perhaps in an ideal world she does not have to, but the world is never perfect. The Succession Rite has been done and Liana is the Matriarch whether you want it or not."

Nea ceased her struggle. Suddenly feeling that she had been hollowed inside out.

Brianna released Nea and said, "She asked to see you early in the morning. I reckon she has something important to say."

Nea didn't answer and only look at the crashing waves. Brianna left her to her silence.