Many things had to occur before Gehenna could be entered, but the time to enter was approaching fast.
The ceremonies of the tribe were incredibly important. As a society that lived by tradition, they believed it absolute.
The events began three days before the day Gehenna appeared.
First came a tribute to the spirits, a ritual to request protection for the young ones entering their realm.
This took an entire day, and consisted of many tribal dances and ritual sacrifices where the best of the tribe's food and wine was burned at an altar while the entire tribe prostrated themselves around it.
On the second day, the actual entrants were all brought together.
Damien finally saw the other twenty or so youths who'd be entering the realm along with himself and Thalia.
They were brought together by the elders of the tribe and made to worship for a day.
Damien experienced many things he hadn't before.