47 Blood Cardinal

12 undeveloped auras radiates around me as I looked at the girls. Their crimson eyes and blood red hair standing in sharp contrast to their pale bodies. A look of determination on their faces as they looked at me.

"We must take care of they lycans who are working against us. I have already sent Ash to spy out their locations. She should be back quickly with the information we need. When we have removed the immediate threat I have devised a training routine for you girls. It is based off of mine. You will need to master beginners telekinesis and to control your aura. Then you will go through the ritual to create your own Esper Blade."

I looked over the girls again, happy to see a few familiar faces in the crowd. "Aster will have temporary command of the blood knights during my absence. She will by my eyes and ears. Come with me"

I led Aster to Lotus's old room, and with her help I quickly moved the cluttered mess to the side. I looked over the room and nodded, there was just enough space. Using my telekinesis I sliced open my left wrist, allowing my blood the pour down my skeletal hand and I began to create a bloody symbol over the floor. Soon a skull with vampire fangs took form, and a mix of blood essence and death essence began to fill the room.

I looked at Aster, a confused look on her face as she could feel the energy from they symbol, even if she did not know what it was. "Before you is what is called the Dark Ritual, it is a method used to pledge your loyalty to Our Lady. She will grant you a gift. But death always has a cost. " I lifted up my skeletal hand as I spoke." The choice is yours, But the leader of the Blood Knights needs to have this gift, if you won't do it I will ask one of the other girls, but I do hope you will accept."

"Once you enter the formation you will enter into a world that is far different from this one. It is a world of death. Time will have seemed to have stopped, and rot will be everywhere. You will smell, taste, and see rot everywhere. But do not despair, among the filth is a single dark beacon of faith. Our lady Lucia will appear before you in her majesty. She will explain everything to you, and give you a one time choice. When you are ready enter the formation"

I watched as Aster hesitated a moment, looking back at me I could see the panic in her eyes. I smiled at her and nodded. Her face became determined as she stepped into the bloody formation. Crimson and black essence shined as Aster disappeared into the formation.

I could feel the pull on my essence as the ritual took place, a rapid decline of an essence every 6 seconds. No wonder this ritual was used by dying followers of Lady Lucia, the lost off essence would kill a normal person. My recovery, gifted by the Lady, was able to keep up. But I knew that I would not be able to do another of these rituals for a long time. Not until I had gathered sufficient strength.

My left hand throbbed as I stood there watching the formation in parade rest. Blood essence and Death essence danced through the formation, mingling together as they flowed. This was not surprising, as blood essence was simply a mutation of the abundant Death essence in the air.

Time passed, and the essence in the formation began to shiver. The blood and death essence seemed to be fighting for control, the black Death essence attacking the red essence, while the red blood essence passively absorbed the death essence. It became apparent as time went on that if the Death essence continued to attack it would eventually lose. The blood essence had no desire to fight, and remained passive regardless of what happened. Silently absorbing whatever approached.

Inside my hand I could feel the displeasure of my Lady, however there was nothing I could do. The blood essence she had created for me was out of my control, simply taking on my characteristics. I was after all not a god as she was.

The formation rippled as it rapidly dissipated. Inside I could see Aster's kneeling figure, her crimson eyes looking at me in reverence, as she lifted her blood red skeletal hand to her face. The Black death essence fled from her hand, as if faced with a demon. In its place an aura of crimson blood essence began to appear.

"Aster greets the Apostle" she spoke, her words firm, hinting that she would not speak of what happened within the formation. I did not mind, it was none of my business anyway.

Lady Lucia whispered to me from my hand. "Enjoy your gift my Apostle, may it help you attain victory. I call her the Blood Cardinal, and she will be the new mother of the vampires. Do not worry my apostle, she does not need anything from you, because in a way we are both her parents."

"I wouldn't dare put myself in equal standing as you my Lady." I whispered aloud, Lady Lucia's sultry laugh echoed in response.

"If you are ready Blood Cardinal Aster your girls await your instructions. I have left the manuals you need on Lotus's old desk. This will be your office from now on. Lead the Blood Knights well, and do not hesitate to ask Mcquire for assistance if needed. He is quite experienced on the training regime I have created for you"

I walked out of the office, leaving Aster to the problems they faced. I had given them the tools to survive. What they did with it was none of my concern. Lily and ash looked at me as I came down the stairs. Ash had already written a report of her findings on the lycans, leaving it on the round table for Aster to see. I nodded at the two, a true smile forming on my face as I admired the beauty in front of me. "Let's go home, our advancement mission will be beginning soon, and I rather miss our warm bed. "