The Blood Ritual: Part One

Aliyah and Elgin were sitting near Aliyah. Elgin looked at her and said, "Her power is increasing day by day. But, her body is still not capable of handling such immense power. That's why she acted so violent yesterday. Her brain was acting unwell and she couldn't recognise us." Aliyah said grimly, "It was a mild attack, that's why we survived. But, the main concern is that if she snaps during the Blood ritual. The ritual is as painful as it is important. Sage Vushataya will not tolerate such behaviour and will not complete the ritual. You perfectly know his temper." Elgin said grimly, "Of course, I remember. He scolded me and my father a lot during your blood ritual. You were insufficient and all the anger fell on me and my father. Your mother was drunk that whole day and King Alacapa was in some diplomatic meeting with some neighbouring state. Sage Vushataya and his younger son, Mayakin insulted my whole family as we took the oath of being your family instead of your real family. Sage Vushataya said that your anger and ruthless nature makes you imperfect for the Blood ritual and therefore he cannot make you the Blood Queen. Mayakin even insulted you by saying that you are not royal blood. You got so furious that you threw boiling oil on his face and burned half of it. Sage Vushataya and Mayakin immediately went away and three days later, Xao Chang attacked." Aliyah said grimly, "I hope this time, Sage Vushataya and his insolent son don't do anything stupid. This is our last chance and nothing can go wrong. Xao Chang is even more dangerous now." Elgin looked at Alice, who was breathing heavily and shivering a little. Elgin said grimly, "All wrongs that could have happened have already happened. Any more mishaps will be the end game for all of us."

Vexana entered the room and looked at them and said, "I have talked with Maester Jovelinus and he said Sage Vushataya will come three days later. Jovelinus insisted very much, but Sage Vushataya can only come after three days. Looking at the necessity of the Blood ritual, Sage Vushataya told his son, Mayakin to perform the Blood ritual in his place. Mayakin is also a very big sage like his father and Sage Vushataya said that he can do it." Aliyah said grimly, "Mayakin. I hate that rascal. Proud, brash and intimidating. He is not like what a sage should be." Vexana said angrily, "You hate a lot of people and a lot of people hate you. It has been like this since you were born. Mayakin is a sage who is coming here to perform the Blood ritual and help us. So, I demand respect and obedience from you towards him. Let bygones be bygones and finally end this whole matter tomorrow. Xao Chang is already here and nothing can stop him if we don't perform the Blood ritual."

Aliyah sighed, "Do whatever you want. I won't initiate anything, but if that bastard instigates me, I will throw boiling oil on him again." Aliyah rose and walked away. Vexana looked at Elgin and said grimly, "Keep an eye on her. Both Mayakin and Aliyah are troublemakers." Elgin said grimly, "I am sick and tired of this nonsense, Vexana. Every time Aliyah does something, I have to take the responsibility and hear all the scolding. Last time, Mayakin and Aliyah quarreled and me and my father had to listen to Vushataya's harsh words. This time, you take responsibility." Vexana said grimly, "I already have too much on my plate, Elgin. The whole ritual has to be organised within tomorrow and also I have to attend the cremation of the dead soldiers in place of Aliyah. If I don't go there, the local people will start hating us and we cannot afford their hate right now. Kayuba, Bayu and Phantom need to find a new place to stay for the next three days as Mayakin will never tolerate demons in his presence.

He will get a perfect chance to insult us and then Aliyah and Mayakin will start fighting and the whole Blood ritual will be dismissed like the last time." Elgin asked, "Why don't you tell Safi to keep an eye on her?" Vexana laughed, "Safi? Safi is still a child and I want someone who can reason with Aliyah and keep her calm." Elgin sighed, "Fine. But, I will not be responsible for any outbursts and scuffles. You have to take that responsibility." Vexana said grimly, "Just pray that no such thing happens during the Blood ritual or else whoever takes the responsibility won't matter as Mayakin will dismiss the ritual and go away." Vexana sighed and walked outside the room. Elgin looked at Alice and also walked away.

Everyone was standing near the gate of the palace. Nakamura and Kenchi were standing there and were watching Aliyah, Elgin and Vexana looking at them. Nakamura said loudly, "Surrender yourself, Aliyah. There is no point staying there. We are going to win the war and it is only a matter of time before your severed heads are falling near my feet." Aliyah smiled, "Why don't you surrender, Nakamura? I promise that I will give you an easy death. There is still time. The more time goes, the more impatient we will become." Nakamura smirked, "Oh, yeah? Your impatience is going to end with your life. Bacca will come here any time now and then, we will conquer your palace and end your pathetic lives." Aliyah smiled, "Then, come and attack. We are also waiting to end your pathetic lives." Nakamura smiled and walked away.

A large group of people soon arrived and four strong men came forward, carrying a palanquin on their shoulders. Aliyah looked at them and said, "What a show-off!" A large man with long hair and a huge mustache walked down from the palanquin and walked towards them. He stood before them and looked at them. Elgin and Vexana quickly bowed before him. Aliyah ignored him and said, "You are late, Mayakin. Learn to respect time." Mayakin smiled, "My time is hundred times more valuable than yours. That's why you called me." Aliyah smiled, "Yes. We called you. Just like a master calls his dog." Mayakin laughed, "Dog? You could have done better."

Aliyah smiled, "There's still time. My insults will get better with time." Mayakin said, "I heard the girl is ill. What happened to her?" Elgin smiled, "Nothing serious, Mayakin. Just a little fever. It happens commonly in this season." Mayakin said grimly, "Call me Sage Mayakin, you incompetent fool! If the girl is unwell, I don't think she can attend the ritual today. Father told me complete the ritual before his return, so I will stay here for the next two days. I hope my room is ready." Aliyah said, "Yes, why not? We have perfectly decorated your whole room and even send our horses to stay with you." Mayakin smiled, "I will stay where this bitch is staying and she can happily stay in my room." He snapped his fingers and walked inside the palace. Elgin said angrily, "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU TRYING TO DO?" Aliyah smiled, "Just testing the waters." She smiled and walked inside, smiling.

Mayakin sat on the floor along with his followers and started chanting some words. Aliyah said, "Mayakin. First, bring Alice. She has to be present here." Mayakin opened his eyes and said, "There will be a time when I will call her, Aliyah. But, now let me make some preparations." Mayakin finished his chanting and then rose up. He sprinkled water on everyone and walked towards Alice's room. He looked at Alice and poured the water on her face. The water turned red and turned into vapor. Mayakin said grimly, "There is indeed some problem with this girl. For some reason, the Blood Spear is not able to connect properly with her body. I think we have to call her parents." Aliyah said grimly, "She is an orphan." Mayakin said grimly, "In that case, tell me something about her parents." Aliyah said grimly, "We don't know much and also didn't try to know much. If Mother Manaca chose her, then she must be good." Mayakin looked at her angrily and said, "Bring me information about her parents within the next hour or else I will go away." Aliyah said grimly, "It is impossible to do this in an hour." Mayakin said grimly, "Then, it is impossible for me to perform the Blood ritual too." He walked towards his room.

Aliyah looked at Elgin and said, "Do whatever you want, but bring me something about Alice quickly." Elgin said grimly, "Bring what? Rachel is her mother and her father is unknown." Aliyah said grimly, "Unknown is not going to work. Mayakin will need her blood to do the ritual and I don't want it to cause problems for us."

Elgin disappeared and appeared three minutes later. He gave Aliyah a certificate and said, "Her mother's name is Rachel Cooper and her father's name is Marcus Cooper." Aliyah took the certificate to Mayakin and said, "Here. Satisfy yourself." Mayakin read the certificate and said, "So, she is a mortal. I see, that's why her body is reacting abruptly to the power of the Blood Spear. Well, in that case, I have to check her blood." Aliyah asked, "Why? Isn't this certificate enough?" Mayakin said, "No, it is not enough. Her blood has to be pure if the ritual has to go unopposed. Bring her here."

Aliyah walked away and minutes later, Aliyah and Elgin brought Alice on a movable bed. Mayakin took a sharp knife and cut Alice's small finger and took some blood. He then put it inside a flask filled with water. The blood soon got mixed with the water and the water turned black in colour."

Mayakin said grimly, "Not pure. Apparently, your chosen warrior carries impure blood in her veins." Aliyah said grimly, "Her blood is different from ours. So, your little experiment is not practical." Mayakin smiled, "What are you hiding, Aliyah? Tell me everything. Hiding anything from me is not going to benefit you." Aliyah sighed and told him everything. Mayakin laughed, "Arrogance and dimwits always destroy good things. Fine. I will not tell my father about your stupidity but I cannot do the ritual." Elgin asked, "Why?" Mayakin sat on the bed and said, "The Blood ritual takes three days to complete successfully. The first day, the Spear is mixed with the host's blood. But, since the Spear is already inside her heart the first step is already completed. The second day, her chastity is checked.

She has to be a virgin and has to stay like that all her life. The third day, the oath is taken and the Blood Spear is connected with the host body by powerful mantras and a sacrifice of an infant calf. But, in your case even though the Spear is connected with Alice, the impurity of her blood is prohibiting the connection. You say that you don't know about her father. But, I say I need to know about the father. What type of creature is her father? A mortal? An ogre? An elf?" "A demon." A voice came from behind. All turned and saw Kayuba, Bayu and Phantom standing there. Mayakin looked at them and said, "Demons. So, her father is a demon? Which one of you is her father?"

Phantom raised his hand and slowly walked forward. Mayakin looked at him and smiled, "So, let me guess. You met Alice's mother one night and felt intense lust towards her. Since you are a demon and she is just a normal mortal, you raped her and she got pregnant. She was so devastated by the unknown pregnancy, that she decided to end her life to avoid stigma from society. She was about to kill herself when a noble man, Marcus saved her life and married her. He gave Alice a father's name and you never even realised that you have a daughter till recently. Am I correct?" Phantom said grimly, "No. You are completely wrong."

Phantom narrated his sad story and everyone looked at him with pity. Mayakin looked at Alice and then looked at Aliyah. He took a long breath and said grimly, "Whatever the reason might be, it doesn't matter now. Her blood is not pure and therefore this ritual cannot happen. But, fortunately there is still one way left." Aliyah asked, "What way?" Mayakin looked at Phantom and said, "Alice is a child born out of wedlock and thus is considered impure. Therefore, if Phantom and Rachel get married, Alice will turn pure and the ritual will happen without any hindrance." Aliyah said grimly, "But, that is impossible. Rachel is not going to marry a demon. Not at least, willingly." Mayakin said grimly, "That is the only way, Aliyah. Do it or regret it. Your choice." He walked outside the room and his followers followed him. Aliyah looked at everyone and everyone looked at her and sighed....