Chapter V The Ascension

Yes. The day had finally come when Akhenahi would return. She knew the capacity of the Council and they knew her. Well, they knew her as she was, but now it would be different, now they would know what she had become.

Raldrak was astute and knew that if she rose to the position of leader, he wouldn't rule again. After the message he received, he knew it wasn't just a matter of governing. It was, in fact, a matter of survival.

No one flew over the city to reveal the attack. No exorbitant number of people came close to the city so there would be no suspicion of a possible onslaught. No one except Akhenahi was walking on the road that would lead to Ghard.

The sight the guard had of her and her black cloak with some purple details, which reflected the moonlight, made him remain silent. She, on the other hand, didn't lift her head until she approached the entrance. The guard came out of the watchtower and asked:

- Who are you?

Akhenahi looked up, directly into his eyes:

- Who I'm matters enough to answer your question, so I don't have to say my name. Look closely.

She opened her cloak slightly and the guard could see the sword that belonged to Galm. There was no way not to recognize that she was responsible for winning the championship.

- Akhenahi! - He spoke surprised.

- The one.

His eyes moved towards the bell, but Akhenahi made him look at her again when he said:

- There are two possibilities: your attempt to get to the bell before you're killed, which I can guarantee will actually happen, or open the gate and avoid being killed.

There was no hesitation in his eyes. The guard knew that if she was able to kill her brother, killing him wouldn't be a problem:

- If I allow you to enter, Akhenahi, I will be condemned to suffer at the hand of the Council. I have orders not to allow, but to warn.

Sharp as a blade, Akhenahi spoke again:

- I can enter anyway, although it will reveal my arrival or I can enter without making a noise, you remain alive to see the Council being killed and its punishment forgotten. Make up your mind.

Moments later he opened the gate and had the last vision of his life. In a quick hit with the dagger, the ritualist attacked him in the jugular:

- Be content with the idea that you are going to be the first. - Akhenahi whispered as she looked at him closely and sank the dagger in his throat more and more, mercilessly. - Of so many others that will be executed for being loyal to the Council.

After throwing the body into the tower's dormitory, she took the keys, locked the door, and continued on her way to her old magic tower, always on the lookout and avoiding places lit by torches. Before entering the courtyard, she investigated the entire perimeter for a long time. She decided to wait for someone to leave the tower. Moments later she saw the door open and Adarsac appeared through it. As agreed with her, Adarsac came towards her:

- Welcome back home. - She spoke with respect.

- It isn't my home until I do the necessary cleaning.

Adarsac smiled to herself:

- As always relentless both in the sword and in the answers. - She took a scroll from the cover and showed it to her. - Here you can find information about the Council's plans. Now that I am part of the members close to Raldrak, I decided to write down what they intend to do to face it. Such plans were drawn up on the same day that I delivered your message. His intention to have them carefully prepare their plans had the desired effect.

Without saying anything, the ritualist took the scroll in her hands and read it for a while. She tried to imagine the measures that Raldrak would use to carry out each action in that plan. Then she looked at Ardasec:

- An interesting, if audacious, plan. I must act as soon as possible. Go to the lower city entrance and leave the gate unlocked. Gather the Followers and tell them that I'll be with them soon. Do the other part of the plan. We must neutralize any aid without exception.

- Yes. Mrs. Akhenahi.

When Adarsac left the dark alley, Akhenahi entered the tower and went to his brother's old room. She hadn't come because she missed him or to hide until the plan started to be carried out. No. She came, exclusively, to find her brother's things. She came to try to find something that would deliver where, exactly, Qlarf had gone. Perhaps an index of what he had planned was possible. Among many books and scrolls, the ritualist found a volume of teachings. It had been written by Galm. Akhenahi read it and saw that Qlarf had told him about other worlds, that there were many more teachings to learn and a man he should join. This man, Akhenahi read attentively, was called Erdhamek and according to what was written, such a man was a very powerful being, owner of a fortress that used rituals to collect energy or to destroy his targets, who aimed to collect all the energy from Kehrashc, the world of which, Akhenahi was currently on. He understood that Qlarf had offered the world to collect energy, as in an arcane ritual. From that moment on, the ritualist learned that Qlarf should pay for his mistakes and Erdhamek should be killed for his attempt to sacrifice the world for his ambitions. The world mattered little to Akhenahi. What really pissed her off was that if Qlarf's plan had been successfully implemented, she would have been killed. An attempt to take her life, even if indirectly, was an unforgivable act.

"No one will take what is mine and sooner or later, Erdhamek, we'll meet. I'll make you understand that an attempt to kill me even if I never knew who I'm is not enough reason to get away with it." She thought.

She gathered the necessary notes and left. Even though she didn't locate where his brother had gone, she theoretically found out who he should be with. She stopped walking the moment her mind understood why they wanted Galm. Everyone in the Sect has traces of magic in their veins, spells that have been passed down from generation to generation, a whim that Kiranara made a point of transcribing, and those same traces of magic are something that contains arcane secrets, as a guarantee that if something happened to her, someone, at some point, would find her secrets. The Genesis of the Legacy. In her years of training, Kiranara hadn't commented on this, but Akhenahi didn't need to know through her, since she already had access to her notes and research tomes.

"They want Genesis and its secrets are a fact. Secrets from which it took me years to learn. Nobody but me will have the Legacy. I became the Legacy. As soon as I solve the problem with the Council, I'll go after each one of them. Whoever they may be " She thought, angrily.

She left Galm's old quarters. She turned to the hall and heard someone open the door to his old quarters. She observed, from the dark corner, that they were Council guards. Two in total. The ritualist wouldn't intervene until she knew the reason for that visit.

- Master Raldrak ordered us to make a pile with all the junk of that heretic woman. None of this would have to be done if Galm had won. Go call the rest to help take everything out. While I separate things.

- I won't be long. We'll solve this and we'll go back to drink. That damn woman who only worked since the day she won that damn championship. If Galm had won, I would've had a good amount of money, I wouldn't have to do this kind of service and I would still be in the tavern with the girls.

- Yes. Galm can only have lost because he took pity on her. There's no other explanation. Now go.

Akhenahi listened to everything in silence. When she heard the guard come down the stairs, she came out of hiding, went through the door and put her hand over his mouth, and struck him with Galm's sword. Akhenahi told him:

- If you liked Galm so much, then have the honor of dying for his old sword, but for the hands of the woman, you despise so much. – She twisted the sword and abruptly removed it. Blood splattered on the carpet, the guard fell, life leaving him. Akhenahi stepped on his head and rubbed her foot on his face. She spoke again. - This is your true place, lying under my feet, agonizing like a worm that is about to die.

Only when the guard stopped struggling did she stop rubbing her foot.

When the others came, they were killed and dragged to Galm's quarters. After taking what she needed, Akhenahi cast an illusory spell so that the place would appear to be without furniture and books. Such a spell would take long enough for the Council to know of its presence. She took Kiranara's Ancient helmet and put it on. Before going through the door, she saw her reflection in the mirror, stopped, and observed how majestic she was. The helmet looked like a crown. She looked like a queen. The time had come.

- It's time to keep my promise.

And she went out the door.

Meven had explained the configuration of the structures to the others. Ryarx, for his part, already knew about them, since he had thirty years to explore the city in which he served as the original structure. He left them and went to prepare his drake.

Long after the night's silence reached them, Ryarx noticed that his drake was peering into the cave's entrance. There, hidden as a murderer who assesses her prey, Syhr stared at him in silence. Ryarx turned to her:

- I know very well that you have been watching me for a long time, but I didn't want to show that I already knew.

A painful laugh came in response, but Syrh didn't move. Ryarx spoke again:

- By watching me, she hopes to learn about me, it seems. I remember I told you about it when we were still in your city.

This time there was no laughter. A clear voice came:

- In part, it's my teachings in the art of murder that makes me have this terrible craze. Partly because I'm not going to allow an enemy to kill him.

He stared at her:

- Don't worry. - He pointed to the drake. - Just like you just saw, he's my eyes when I can't see.

- In fact. - She agreed.

She walked over to him silently and looked up, directly into his eyes:

- But he's not the only one who cares about you.

- You're proof of that. However, those who lie down with an arazna won't live long enough to sleep with any other. You, women of your people, kill your companions as soon as you acquire enough to continue your species. That is reason enough not to get involved. Even if I promise it won't be, I won't give in. I am Akhenahi's guardian. If you're going to die, it's for your benefit and nobody else's.

Syrh moved a little closer. She ran her fingers over one of his arms. She felt his musculature, felt the heat that came from him, but she wanted more. A lot more:

- I'll change my murderous habits, at least, when it comes to killing my mate. We'll do so: I'll kill anyone who dares to lie down with you, for once it is mine. – At that time, her hands removed Ryarx's hood. His tattoos came up. She continued while still holding her gaze. – You'll see that no one will be better than me as your companion. Soon, like any pack, there will be a need for procreation, it's a fact. There is nothing more just than in honor of the master than to provide her with subjects to follow her in her goals.

At those words, Ryarx's irises shone in understanding with due approval. Yes, she had managed to make him understand how both could continue Srani's growth both in duty and in raising children who were devoted to the teacher in all aspects.

- Your thinking is sensible. All for Akhenahi and his goals. – He said serious and convinced.

- Forever. – She agreed.

Their lips touched and both entered a reserved place, guarded by the drake.

Meven finished explaining the plan he worked out with Ryarx. Then he dismissed them and went to talk to Larren. They discussed the possible flaws in the plan and the amount they could send back. However, something was bothering him. Perhaps Raldrak was cautious enough to protect the place from spells, as well as portals. If that were the case, the difficulty of getting the ritualists to the Council palace would be a problem. Therefore, sending support would be impossible. He would have to find out for himself whether that theory was valid or not.

He explained to Larren what he was about to do and told her not to send reinforcements if he didn't return. He said it would be crucial that this be tested and proven immediately. Before leaving Larren she gave him a big hug and said:

- I hope nothing happens to you Meven. To avoid this as much as possible, I ask you to be careful or else they'll testify of what I am capable of.

He smiled and hugged her back, then gently pushed her away and said:

- I know that place very well. The funniest thing is all the irony of knowing that where my old one is there in the same place where I have several enemies. I'll take care of myself, have no doubts. However, it is necessary to find out. I'll come as soon as possible. Until later.

Larren crossed her arms as she saw the ritualist leave the cave. She remained watching him until the night covered him completely. She returned to the others quietly, although she was very worried.

*****

Near the Council Palace, Adarsac had met with those who devoted their loyalty to Akhenahi, although there were no more than fifty followers. She didn't care about the small amount. After all, it was better than none. If it was necessary to sacrifice each one in that city to win, she would do it without hesitation. If some survived to serve her, even better. One way or another there would be a powerful action, which would have an overwhelming effect.

The ritualist spoke to them:

- You did well to stay on the winning side. Not only will we win, but we will do the biggest cleanup that this city has ever seen. We'll cut the bad parts of the whole and we will be reborn more powerful and I will make them stronger and better.

Akhenahi separated from Adarsac and ordered half to stay to assist her. The rest went with her and exchanged their cloaks with Adarsac and handed him the sword that belonged to Galm and took the scroll that had a request from more soldiers with Raldrak's forged signature. With the hood over her head, she camouflaged himself between them. The group headed for the entrance. A man named Irwri was ordered to say that the guard responsible for the gate had been killed and that the invasion alarm had not been raised. He reported that the militia had been sent by Adarsac to protect Raldrak and showed him the document. At the same time, a building started to catch fire and there was an explosion shortly thereafter. Next to him, he hears another who suffered from the same fate. Irwri spoke again:

- Akhenahi arrived earlier than expected! The doorkeeper was killed and so the alarm didn't sound. Look! She's already here! - He pointed in the direction of Adarsac.

Adarsac raised her sword and shouted:

- There is no more to fear Followers! The palace will fall together with the Council! I'll bring you down on top of them if need be, but today I'll have my revenge and you will have an appropriate leader to guide you!

Alerted, the guards cast the spell and the door's magic lock was unlocked. Meanwhile, on both sides of the palace, other militias ran down the stairs to meet the rebels and their leader.

The rumor of Akhenahi's attack ran throughout the palace as fire spreads in dry straw. To make the rumor true, they heard more explosions and screams. From one moment to the next, chaos ensued.

For Akhenahi, chaos would serve as an ally. When they reached the last gates, she could hear Raldrak's voice through them:

- The time is finally here. If she thinks she'll survive my fury it'll be her biggest mistake. Now that the Absorption rituals are about to be completed, soon, we'll have all the vital energy we need to overcome her! When everything is ready, we'll meet you and end this disagreement once and for all.

One of the captains checked the document and then cast the spell so that the magic lock was unlocked and went to Raldrak to inform him that the guards he had requested had arrived, from which came an answer that made Akhenahi smile triumphantly:

- Guards?! I didn't ask for anything!

"Nobody asks for death. It comes when it thinks it should come." She thought.

At that time, she took the lead and everyone entered the hall. The captain of the guard pointed at them and spoke again:

- That guard, master.

The ritualists drew their swords and began to surround the hall. Raldrak pushed the captain aside and stood up with the rest of the Council:

- What does that mean? He asked suddenly, enraged.

But they didn't listen and the advance continued and the circle of people was taking shape around them. The rest of the Council prepared to fight.

Akhenahi came forward with the hood over her face, when she approached, she raised her head and said, sharp as a blade:

- As I warned you in the message I sent, so it'll be done. As I had promised to return, so I did. Prepare to suffer.

Her tattoo flashed and the first magic blow delivered to Raldrak's face was so powerful that he was thrown against the furniture and hit his back against the wall in a crash that made the wall crack.

Akhanahi smiled at the others and ordered the ritualists with swords in hand:

- Don't kill them, but make them immobilized. They don't deserve a quick death, so I won't give them one.

In response, the Council members raised their hands and began to cast a spell. Raldrak gets up, grabbed his necklace, and shouted the orders:

- Ihrant send me all the vital energy that you have already accumulated. Send now!

But there was no response from the necklace. Akhenahi moved towards her, determined. He had no choice but to draw his sword and fight for his life. She explained why he hadn't received an answer:

- The energy you expect, will never reach you. Ihrant and all the priests assigned to perform the ritual were all killed. And if you think you can use the vital energy of most people on your own, don't waste your time, as I made a point of having them removed through the gates of the lower entrance to the city. You don't have enough mana to turn to and you won't be as powerful as I have become, even if you try.

Some of Akhenahi's devotees died from powerful strokes of magic. Others, however, returned magical attacks with magic just as powerful. Inevitably, some of the Council died, but no one regretted it.

In the end, only Akhenahi and seven members of the Council remained. Raldrak smiled and said:

- It looks like your all-powerful attack has failed, doesn't it? I think I should take the energy of your followers and use it against you.

Akhenahi prepared the sword:

- I don't need anyone but myself. You have spent a lot of your powers to prevent them from being neutralized and that is in my favor. However, there will be no sending of energy to recharge nor will I allow you to use any of that in the hall, which for you means that you'll have to fight with what you have or surrender.

Raldrak looked at her and smiled:

- Then we'll take yours, why. In this way, we will benefit in two ways: killing you in the process and taking the power you acquired by joining the three scrolls. It'll be ours. You brought the sheep to the wolf's cave.

Akhenahi smiled:

- They cannot take my power, precisely because I have the armor that Kiranara created to avoid attacks like these.

Perplexed they noticed that she had acquired Ihazedia, because no other armor like that had been created or copied since Kiranara didn't leave information about her creation even in documents of her own.

Glauverp, a short sinister-looking man with a sickly depraved look said:

- So, brothers, let's take control of her mind. She'll do as we say.

His laugh was strange and he looked like he was choking on a fishbone stuck in his throat.

- Enough talk. – Akhenahi pointed the sword at him. - Come to me or I will come to you. One way or another, it'll end here and now.

As they spoke, Vlaustri, a thin, balding man, cast his mind-control spell on the ritualist, using that conversation to prepare her so that there was no way she could resist. To his surprise Akhenahi continued to walk, as proof that his power didn't affect:

- Impossible! No one can resist my power! Nobody!

Akhenahi removed the hood:

- There is no reason to work since my mind is protected by Ihrederin, the helmet that protects the mind from magical attacks, also one of Kiranara's creations that I stole from the Sect's Chamber of Treasures when I was younger. For a mage, Vlaustri, their mind is their greatest weapon, as well as a weapon that can be used against them in the same proportion. Now that I have humiliated you by proving that your powers mean nothing, it's time for each of you to understand who I really am and how powerful I have become.

Her blade sliced off one of Glauverp's arms, who immediately grabbed him and screamed in pain.

Another received a magic blow to the face, blacked out, and fell, hitting his face full on the glass tabletop, shattering it in the process.

Raldrak raised his sword and moved forward. They all attacked her at the same time, but they were old and they were without power from vital energy, numbers didn't matter.

Akhenahi showed power, although it was a fraction of it and they felt incapable both from their tiredness and from seeing that she was, as Kiranara had once been. They understood, then, that there was no way she could have acquired so much power without having met the Ritualistic Archimage.

Unable to continue to fight, humiliated by Akhenahi, who did as she had promised and who destroyed the palace as proof that she had the power that the Council had, ceased to exist, as well as the Council.

The explosion caught everyone's attention. Pieces of boulders fell on some. Pillars were thrown aside and broke. The roof of the Palace, as well as the second floor, was decimated. The black dust rose to the skies and a purple-colored spark spread through the air.

She wouldn't stop.

One by one, she neutralized them, cutting them with precise cuts so that they would survive until at last, she turned her attention to Raldrak, who was fallen after being beaten to break the bones in his legs. People flocked around, leaving their differences aside since Akhenahi's victory was obvious. They watched in awe and awe was what Akhenahi gave them. Everyone came to watch and she made sure to demonstrate. She turned her attention to Raldrak and walked over to him. The man was lying on the floor and didn't even have the strength to stand up. The ritualist felt no pity:

- You lack recognition. - The sole of the boot hit him in the face and the silence remained among the people who contemplated:

- You lack the commitment to the Sect. - Again, the boot hit his face.

- You lack many things and, among them, power. - This time the sole hit his face harder and Akhenahi made sure to rub it in his broken nose and his bleeding mouth, devoid of several teeth, for a long time. She moved her foot away and looked at those around him:

- I'm Akhenahi and I returned to take what is rightfully mine. To the one who opposes this decision, come here and speak up. No one who opposes me will survive to see the sunrise again.

No one moved, except Adarsac, who made her way and knelt before Akhenahi, held Galm's ancient sword by the point and by the hilt and raised it above her head, in an act of total devotion and said to her:

- I saw such a feat with my own eyes, Master Akhenahi. I did my duty for the Sect and, above all, out of devotion to you. Accept me as one of your followers. Save me.

Akhenahi took the sword from her hands and said in a clear tone:

- You carried out my orders without question and successfully. You will be with me on my Ascension. Be content, therefore, you're saved.

Adarsac bowed:

- I'll follow you wherever you go. I'll obey forever.

The rest knelt both in fear and in awe. They pleaded for mercy. They truly begged to be saved. These remnants took the place and everyone, kneeling before Akhenahi, touched their foreheads and pleaded in unison as Adarsac had done:

- Save us!

*****

A few moments before.

Meven noticed some people going out through the lower city gate as if abandoning it. He feared the worst and quickly opened a portal outside the city and went to the cave. His theory had been confirmed that the city was protected from portals. He suspected, too, that even magical creatures couldn't enter. However, that sudden flight of people could mean many things. He wasn't willing to wait to see.

When he resurfaced in the cave, he alerted everybody of his discovery and the people he saw leaving. Immediately, everyone stood by and followed through on the plan he and Ryarx had devised. Prepared, they used portals until the entrance to the city, Meven was ahead, precisely because he knew the ways to the palace. They ran apprehensively, but when they saw the palace explode and the ritualists collapsed, he ran to the aid of their master.

When everyone arrived close to the palace site, they were amazed that only Akhenahi was standing between them. They heard the pleas. Akhenahi looked in his direction and it was just that, starting with Ryarx, one by one, they knelt. They noticed that she was more. That she had taken what belonged to her rightfully. They'll come that their enemies had all been neutralized. Among all of them, only she had the right to rise above the others, to stand. On this day, Akhenahi concluded her revenge and all the things she had said. She spoke again and her words touched their hearts:

- As I said, I did. Part by part. Today, each of you has contemplated that I, Akhenahi, am the one who freed you from insignificant parasites and that I'm the only one with the indisputable right to rule. Now, I'll elevate you, along with me, to countless other worlds and, like you, many will witness to me. Come Ryarx, my first Follower, you haven't failed me and you have the right to be under my orders and no one else. Come Nagstt, the first Follower representing a people who came to follow me, you did much more than was ordered. Come Meven, the representative of the Sect who has made it a point to be my Follower. Come on Larren for being of the Ancient Lineage of Asthergan, the First of the Internal Cycle of Kiranara, and for being a Follower who proved that you live up to your Lineage.

One by one, they all went up the stairs and came to her. Akhenahi spoke again:

- These, my devoted followers are, from today until Eternity, my Internal Cycle. Only I'm above them. Obey them, for I'll, whenever it is my will, speak through them.

Ryarx felt indescribable. Taken by such an honor not only for being the First of the Followers but also for knowing that he would continue to serve her for Eternity. This was priceless to him. That day, for him, was the most memorable of his existence and he was forever grateful for that.

Meven looked at her and made a comparison of who she was when she entered the arena and won the Championship and who she was now. Magnificent, intelligent, powerful, unforgiving, and, above all, Unique. He admired Akhenahi both for her actions and for having met Kiranara personally. She had proved that she was part of the Sect, just as the Sect was part of her. He saw that she completed many of her goals and was proud of her. He remembered the day she left for her mission, given by her, how things could have been worse. However, through this mission, he was able to meet Larren and the others and was forever grateful for that. He would follow Akhenahi wherever he went.

Larren was proud of such an honor to be by her side, even though she didn't fight at her side against the Council. This, however, mattered little. Akhenahi had won. She became her greatest inspiration, as well as the woman she most respected in her entire existence.

Nagstt saw with her own eyes that Akhenahi was Power in person. She hardly thought of anything different, which could describe it so well. Still, she witnessed it with devotion and respect. She never, at any time, noticed her hesitate. Neither in words nor actions. And she kept her promise that her people were safe. From that day on, Nagstt saw that her people wouldn't be extinguished, on the contrary, it would be the first people that Akhenahi took for herself, that such a truth would echo across countless worlds and dimensions. What else would be so glorious for a queen?

All members of the Council, dead or not, were carried and locked up. Two days later, the Graduation Ceremony was prepared. During those two days, there was no food or water for them. They were arrested so that they couldn't commit suicide. Akhenahi personally arrested them, assessing the possibilities so that they wouldn't do anything before their trial.

Finally, Ascension Day had arrived.

That day, the location chosen for the Ceremony was a replica of the Altar of the Initial Ritual from which Kiranara performed her first and powerful ritual assisted by countless witnesses, except that it had four pillars on each side and, on each of them, there was a member of the Akhenahi Internal Cycle.

In the center was a circle with magic symbols. In the center of this circle, there was an Altar of the Crossing, where the Members of the Council were chained so that they were on their knees. The ritualist went to them and said in a serious tone:

- Finally, they'll do something for the Sect. Finally, they'll be useful for anything. –She looked at Raldrak steadily. - You have become the greatest shame the Sect has ever known. Your name became the worst insult that the Lineage of Erlieus could receive. Now, however, you'll be sacrificed so that both I, and Srani, pass through the first portal to another world.

They couldn't answer, since their mouths had been gagged. She looked at the others who had entered the Sect as a parasite who attacks the host and said to them:

- As for you, parasites, know that I'll be smiling when your screams start. When they began to struggle with pain and agony, I'll watch them without even blinking, savoring every second. I'll record your pains in my mind, so that whenever I need to remember something glorious I can use that memory.

She walked away and spoke to the audience:

- Today we'll celebrate our Ascension. Today we'll get rid of these worms. Today we'll rise to a level never seen before.

She turned to the pillar on which Ryarx was standing and raised her hand slowly so that the people could contemplate that moment as if time had stopped. When the arm stopped, Ryarx made his eyes and tattoos shine a splendid purple, which stood out in his black robes. Both hands touched the floor and a magic line ran from the top and along the length of the pillar and passed where there were symbols marked as a line as far as Raldrak and the others were. When that purple energy touched them, a flame ignited and the audience saw it in awe.

This time Akhenahi raised her hand towards Nagstt, who performed the same process, and another purple flame was lit. They were suffering, but Akhenahi looked at them without mercy. Without delay, she raised her hand towards Meven and, a moment later, it was Larren's turn to end the ceremony.

The lines had been drawn. However, Akhenahi wanted more and drew Inazarhen, the dagger that Kiranara used in her first Ritual. She spoke again, but now with contempt:

- It's a problem that I have to get Inazarhen dirty with your filthy blood, but it doesn't matter. I'll do it anyway.

Raldrak saw the dagger in awe. Akhenahi smiled and delivered the first blow to his abdomen. Many more would come, of course. After the last blow, the dagger dug deep, it spun from side to side, while Raldrak squirmed. She took advantage of his agony and before he died he heard:

- For the Sect and, above all, for myself.

So, on fire and having his abdomen pierced painfully, Raldrak suffered to death. The rest had the same faith. Their energy was drained and spent to conjure the Portal that would take Srani to another world.

Akhenahi washed her hands and the dagger and went to prepare the energy that concentrated and made the air sizzle. The more energy Akhenahi mastered and applied, the more the portal took shape. After a while it hissed and exploded, then it took the shape of a circle and the ritualist knew that it was ready. Then she went to the portal at first. The others, of whom they didn't know about portals, were frightened and when they finished the crossing, they looked at the World they had just entered and, together with Akhenahi, looked towards a city above the clouds. The ritualist spoke to them:

- The mere mention of my arrival, wherever I go, is reason enough to despair. And wherever I am, it's reason enough to be indisputable. Worship me with total devotion or die in unimaginable ways.

Many from that world witnessed her arrival, due to the hiss and the glare that the portal made when it was opened. Akhenahi knew nothing about that world, but it hardly mattered since she had established a connection between her world and theirs. It would be hers anyway. When the inhabitants of those lands saw her draw her sword, they knew, to their unhappiness, that peace was over and that they would soon be condemned.