(ToB) Long Journey Home

Dec 18th, 2014 11:18 PM

Mace nodded at Aquinas, and settled in to listen as the others said their peace. All great sentiments, ones that she couldn't in good faith match. She hadn't known them, none of them. And she'd never been the greatest orator. But she had her own piece to say, and a ritual to lead. She'd have to be good enough for this.

She took a deep breath, and started talking. "The Path of Doom teaches us that Death isn't an ending. It's another transformation. We can take some small comfort in the fact that these five brave souls have passed onto something better. Something more." She reachedh into her bag and pulled five candles out. Each one was set into a small candle holder and placed upon a polished metal mirror. Glass and Silver for Jack, Iron and Brass for Qadesh, Bone and Lead for Mike, Steel and Gold for Rosh, and Wood and Copper for Triquetra. Symbols of the path, to reinforce their connections to the Supernal. For that was the goal tonight. "Their journey in the fallen world is complete. A candle to light their way, back along the paths of their soul." She lit each of the five candles in turn. She let the candles burn for a moment, contemplating her words.

"It's not an easy path for any of us, letting them go. It takes strength, to release them from their ties to us. It takes compassion, to allow them to seek their own path forward. And it takes pain, to remember them ." She raised her knife, her dedicated magical tool. She pulled at the supernal, weaving it into the ritual she was building and started to chant. She pricked her hand. Once on each finger, to place a drop of blood on each candle, snuffing it out. "As the flame passes, let each soul be released." She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and letting the magic build, and build, before releasing it with the last flame.

Dec 21st, 2014 04:18 PM

Aquinas is watchful and attentive, his own murmurs of High-Speech carry the resonant tone of power and Mastery. All of which are directed to the five who are as mentally scarred as they are physically. Every word is laden with a comfort, a salve to the soul, offering them the courage to move on.

The Hierarch slides his iron wedding band from his finger, palms it, and allows the fire and smoke to move over his fist. His Magical tool is a reminder of oaths taken, promises given, as it is his own connection to the Watchtower of Iron.

Power resides in the Blood as much as Iron does. Thick droplets fall from Mace's finger extinguishing the light and running down the sides. The power pushes to a crescendo and each jar crumbles to dust with a quiet sigh as the Souls trapped within escape and pass on.

“Rest and be free, your courage inspires us to greater heights.”

Dec 27th, 2014 06:36 PM

Mace focused on her awakened sight, tracking the souls as they started their journey. She'd done what she could, now she just wanted to see the fruits of her research would pan out. And the biggest question, would the souls let go of this mortal world and pass on.

Bump?

**Miach** · Dec 28th, 2014 08:59 AM

The words, the moves, the materials, none of it really mattered, of course. Those were all expressions within the Lie. All that really mattered were the Wills of those assembled, and of those moving forward onto their journey. Miach Willed them farewell, and peace. It took no Imago, no Mudras, no such crude things. Merely a soul's gentle carress to others. Be well.

It was hard to actually witness the passing of souls without sparing one to his former beloved, Menwel, whom he still cherished to this day. Moving on and forgetting were two different things, after all. Miach's expression was thus mixed. Sadness, compassion, hope, pain. At least, it seemed fitting.

Dec 30th, 2014 01:16 AM

Asp straightened as the final passing of the souls into the Aether occurred, bowing in a martial artist's salute to the ritualists and the departing Awakened essence as everything finished. She thought of those who had passed, of those who had died in the ambush in Las Vegas, of soldiers, of scholars, of people who had died in the service of the Pentacle.

One day, her time would come.

It came for all of them. She could only hope that when it was hers, people like them would remember her.

**Jonokuchi** · Dec 31st, 2014 02:16 PM

Standing tall and proud, Jonokuchi bowed after Asp, respecting those that had passed in silent tribute. There would be a time when he would fall and die. As long as it was defending those that mattered, the sacrifice would be worth it.

Jan 3rd, 2015 12:40 PM

Well past 48 hours...

With the ritual complete, Asp nodded to the Heirarch and Mace. "Thank you for inviting us, sir, Mace. Good evening."

Time to roll out. Things to do, places to be. Respects had been paid, now it was time to let the dead rest in peace.

Asp leaves the scene.

Jan 3rd, 2015 03:22 PM

A Guardian of the Veil might consider this the ultimate in compassion, to allow their souls to rejoin the Diamond Wheel and try again. A Mystagogue might mourn the loss of magic. Others might wonder what it is these Magi knew and what they lost by never knowing. Others still, might wonder what the other plain of existence is and how the beliefs of centuries fit in.

Never the less, as the Solemn ceremony concludes and the Souls depart -- freed of the shackles placed on them by the Insane -- leaves the attendees with thoughts they'll have to work through on their own.

Looks like this thread has reached a logical end point. Good scene! That should wrap a lot of ToB's main threads. Thanks!

(ToB) Long Journey Home

Members who have read this thread : 2

Similar Threads

The Long Way Home

Paradisum Journey to the East

Sanctum Journey's First Steps

Taking the long way home

The Long Walk Home