The preparations for the ceremony brought the village to life. Though the sun had vanished and a clear night cast a veil over the desert sands, torches and small fires illuminated the village. The chorus of voices and songs danced in the air. The smell of cooked and seasoned meat filled the noses of the hungry while wine and liquor quenched thirsty mouths. Drums thundered and jewels jingled. The raucous of loud drums kept the trained dancers in step with one another as the beat of the alluring music lulled the village into a near drunken state. Though the Ceremony of Kuu’hash was the primary focus of the evening, it was preceded by a large party where all sponsoring families of the ceremony’s occupants led festivities and provided food and drink for the rest of the village. This was done both to gain favor for future potential bondings, and also to give thanks for the village’s familiar support which had allowed their children to safely reach adulthood.

The party began the moment the sun descended behind the lowest point of the horizon and would go on for several hours into the night until the Fire of the Youth went out. Said fire was simply a large decorated torch with a wick of a certain length. It would burn for three hours at the center of the village. Once the fire went out, the ceremony would begin. Until then, the village enjoyed the evening. Participants remained hidden, out of sight, as they were dressed and marked appropriately. Males were given skirts with special symbols and jewels embedded in the cloth. The symbols signified their family’s heritage and told the story of their bloodlines. The jewels were to show the family’s wealth and influence in hopes of providing the boy’s one last opportunity to court a woman during the ceremony. Families looking on would use the opportunity during the ceremony to make those final moves, as once the ceremony was over there would be fewer opportunities.

“Are you sure, Lyaha?” Auntie Rayne peered over Jake’s shoulder as she collected his hair into a shallow tail. He hadn’t cut it since leaving the Ravine still and had continued to let it grow. His sleek black hair now reached just beyond his shoulders and it was one of a few traits passed on to him by his mother. His golden brown eyes were from his father.

“Yes, Auntie.” He gave her a soft smile, meeting her eyes in the mirror. “Can you do it?”

“Of course. What Auntie would I be if I couldn’t?” She scoffed and playfully smacked his back. “Just don’t look at me if someone scolds you.”

Jake chuckled and shrugged. “No worries, Auntie. Even if they say anything, you know it won’t bother me.” Jake settled onto his heels and closed his eyes, relaxing as she gave his hair a few twists before using a thin black band to contain it.

“It’s me that will be bothered.” With that, she stepped away from him and picked up a soft white skirt from the table. It was blank white fabric, smooth and without pleats. The hem was neatly sewn to prevent fraying and the top had a slight hoop, allowing for a rope to be passed through to cinch it to the wearer’s waist. "But this is your ceremony, boy.”

“Thanks, Auntie.” Jake stared at himself in the mirror. Compared to six months ago, the color in his eyes had faded a little and sleep deprivation had taken its toll. The light brown in his eyes was much darker now and thin bruised circles surrounded them. The features of his face were still youthful but there were already signs of wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and lips. When he smiled, it almost looked forced.

There were a few cuts on his face still, tiny scars from where the Maedra had cut him. They weren’t visible unless one was up close and personal, thankfully. He had a few others across his body, all of which Elana had painstakingly sought out when they were together. She asked for the stories of them all and Jake told her what he could. However, he could already tell that his body was beginning to try and suppress certain moments in time. His memories of certain moments were hazy, foggy, and he struggled at times to pull the details out of his mind.

When he slept, however, he regularly relived those moments. A calm, quiet night’s sleep was long out of the question now it seemed. The aftershocks of his six months beneath the surface were going to be a problem for a long time, he guessed. There wasn’t much he could do about it now.

“Is he ready?” A soft voice flowed into the tent, pulling the attention of both occupants. Jake tilted to use the mirror to spot the newcomer and locked eyes with a slim-figured woman with her hair braided intricately down to the middle of her back. Her womanly features were subtle and the loose white dress carefully concealed her exact shape. A modest look.

“I am,” Jake answered and remained still in front of the mirror.

Auntie Rayne motioned for the girl to continue and she bowed her head briefly. She carried with her a light brown box with several golden marks lining its edges. She set it down in front of Jake and then positioned herself between him and the mirror. The soft smell of her shampoo and soap tickled the boy’s nose. In any other circumstance he would find her quite cute and attractive. However she was not here for such things.

The girl popped open the box and from within, three trays extended outwards. Brushes and paints were organized neatly by size, color, viscosity, use, and were even labeled for further organization. Jake observed as she looked him over. Her button-like nose wiggling a little as she examined his figure. Her small fingers brushed over his skin as she sampled the lines of his muscles and she motioned for his hands. A hand even went between his bare thighs as she examined his manhood briefly. The soft hand nearly encouraged a reaction but Jake promptly clenched his jaw and core to fight against it.

“These markings…” She spoke softly up to him, her fingertips gliding over the mana-charged ink etched into his shoulder. “They’re more than tattoos.”

Jake nodded. “If I told you about them, you probably wouldn’t believe me.”

The young girl smiled. “I wouldn’t be so sure.”

Jake felt her piercing gaze on his body as her fingers traced over the spider, their very tips causing the mana within the marking to stir. It was subtle, that sensation, and Jake couldn’t quite tell if it was her doing directly or just his mana flow fidgeting beneath her touch. However, the way her eyes shimmered was enough to make him aware that she wasn’t an ordinary girl.

After her careful examination, the girl plucked her first brush and began to prepare her paint. “No wiggling.” She muttered to him as she swirled the brush through the light blue color liquid she’d mixed. Jake nodded and took in a slight breath as she started her work.

And wiggle he did. Plenty. The light strokes sent waves across his body. The tickling brush hairs made him squirm quite a bit as she applied lines of color to his figure. She traced over his pecs, up and over his neck, along his jawline, and down his arms. The broad strokes of blue were accented with thin lines of purple. Then, his core was inked with smooth, swirling lines of blue that collided into a single purple dot. She had him turn around and then did the same to his back, tracing a flow only her eyes could see. Lines of Ceres, they were called, but now Jake understood what they really were. She was tracing his mana flow.

“You can see it? My mana?” He muttered, closing his eyes as he mentally followed the strokes of her brush. Her curiosity towards his markings and now the obvious evidence of her sight.

“A little.” Upon looking closer at her eyes, one could see the faint glow within them. Her eyes were light blue, a color that matched the clear morning sky. Near the pupils, thin rings pulsed subtly as power flowed through them. Natural sensory magic, passed down within her bloodline as Keepers of Ceres. “If you know, then you must be able to as well.”

Jake nodded and placed his hands on his knees, gripping them as he released a controlled sigh. “Much more than a little.”

The girl hummed before her brush glided over his body. “A shame. If it were you, I would not mind.”

Jake looked over his shoulder at the girl but her expressionless face remained unchanged. He didn’t verbalize his question but she could see it on his face.

Without pausing her work, she answered him. “If you have the same curse as I, then our children certainly would as well. It is my duty to pass on my power to my children. At least with you, I likely would only have to produce one.”

The two were silent afterwards and Jake stared at the ground, searching the sands in front of him. Within the village, everyone had a purpose, a task. Due to the harsh environment, every mouth to feed needed to earn its keep. But, beneath it all at the very foundations of the villages was the need to continue the bloodlines within. The purpose of ceremonies like this was both to please the Gods, to show devotion to the faiths, and also to provide opportunities for families to ensure their bloodline is continued. And so the village can ensure key families with certain traits or talents produce heirs.

“Derna-” Jake opened his mouth, only for a small finger to poke into the very middle of his back. His heart thumped as his mana source stirred.

There were no words that followed. Jake lowered his head and waited patiently as the woman finished her work, tracing the subtle lines of his mana flow. Nearly an hour passed for her detailed work to be completed before one final line was drawn down the center of his spine. She remained quiet as she carried her used brushes into the kitchen to clean and Jake stood up to stretch his numb legs.

“Here, Lyaha. It’s finished.” Just as he rose to his feet, his Auntie also finished with his skirt. The skirt that was once blank was now covered in a story. A tale as far back as his family could remember.

Jake’s family, from what he had been told, had been a family of merchants originally. Travelers through the sand who boldly navigated the landscape in order to transport necessary goods from village to village. However, when they settled in Hawa, they instead became Guards and mediators between the caravans and resident merchants. That was, until Jake’s grandparents failed to birth a male heir. His mother and her sisters weren’t blessed with mana nor were they sturdy enough to be guardsmen even if they trained. Thus, it was on Jake’s mother to marry a powerful man worthy of giving her a child, a Son who could once more bring her family forward. All for that to further break apart with the appearance of Jake’s father, an Adventurer from beyond the sands. Though he gave her a son, a young boy to continue the work of their family, Jake would turn away from it. Instead, the blood in him from his father was far more prominent.

But, due to Jake having already begun his life, there was more to the story than his ancestors etched into the threads. His Auntie had included a depiction of the Ravine, a symbol of a spider, other individuals to represent those he had met, and she had even included markings of battle and struggle within the tale.

What she had done was far more than Jake could have anticipated. Though most skirts ended with a new beginning to signify the new son picking up where his father had left off, Auntie Rayne instead included the acknowledgement that Jake was already well on his way. The story of his life was already being written.

“Auntie-” Jake opened his mouth to speak, the words lodging in his throat as it clamped shut.

“Lyaha, you have always been the little thorn in my side. From the moment your mother left you in my care, I’ve watched you grow. You’ve always struggled with life here in the village and I always knew that one day you would look out beyond the gates and yearn for it.” Auntie Rayne collected herself before patiently rising to her feet. She took the skirt and motioned for him to raise his arms so she could wrap it around his waist. “I told you before you left for the Ravine of what your mother wished for you and that has not changed. All I ask of you, my dear boy, is to come home.”

She paused for a moment, her lips curling into a smile as she placed a hand on his cheek. “Preferably in one piece, yes?”

Jake’s jaw clenched. He nodded. “Yes, Auntie.”

“Good. Now, let us go. It’s almost time.” Auntie stepped away from the boy and quickly prepared herself for the ceremony as well.

Derna finished with her cleaning and packed away her brushes and paints. She left on her own once she was ready and then Jake and his Auntie stepped out a short while later. As they walked side by side, several passersby turned to look at Jake. Their eyes were wide as they gawked at the amount of paint on his body. Jake already knew how odd he must look, how unheard of it must be for him to be nearly covered in it. Yet, it was not him who had performed the painting. It was a Keeper. Thus, this was his reality and though many who had seen him fight in the desert could attest to his strength, everyone in the village would soon be made aware as well.

“I’m surprised she didn’t just soak you in it.” Elana met them near the end of the main road, just before the center area of the village. There, she stared at him and looked over the blue and purple paint slathered along his figure. “Oh? Auntie, this is gorgeous.” She then moved down to look over his skirt, her eyes and fingertips following the thread of life that she had stitched.

“Thank you, dear. Have you done your preparations?” Auntie Rayne stepped up to the young girl and looked her over as well. Jake wasn’t the only one who had been dressed for the Ceremony.

Though Elana had already participated in a Ceremony, she hadn’t danced. At the time she had no suitor, no companion to dance for as she had refused to marry. However, after their many discussions and her persuasive hands, that had changed. Thus, when it was time for the courting dance at the end, Elana would participate. She was dressed in her Magi robes but wore a few markings on her belly and had several pieces of jewelry to accent them. Her hair was braided in a neat tail and wrapped at the base with the same colored bands as Jake’s.

After Auntie Rayne checked the girl over, Elana and Jake made eye contact. Her lips curled and Jake naturally felt under threat.

“No more running away from me after tonight, boy.” She teased and leaned forward to give him a kiss on the cheek. Then, as if it were natural, she entwined her fingers with his and saddled up to his hip.

Jake didn’t fight or resist, nor did he flinch this time. “I think my chances of running were spoiled the night you climbed into the bath.”

Auntie Rayne looked at Elana, flabbergasted. “You did what?”

Suddenly feeling cornered, Elana smiled and tugged hard on Jake’s arm. “Oh uh, you know. A little courtship before a night of passion. Just a bit of fun is all!” A nervous, shaky laugh escaped her lips as she dragged Jake on ahead. “Hey, why’d you say that?!” Her voice lowered into an angry whisper as she growled at him.

Jake shrugged and rolled his eyes. “I know I can’t fight you, but she can.”

“Oh that’s cheating!” Elana hissed and slapped his arm.

Before she could get much further with her contempt with his obvious betrayal, Auntie Rayne stepped up behind them both and grabbed onto their waists. With a firm push, she began nudging them along. “This is no time for your bickering, you brats. Hurry up and get to where you need to be. You can argue later.”

With another shove, she sent them both stumbling. Jake corrected himself first and helped Elana regain her balance as well. “Yes, Auntie. I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, Auntie! Thank you for everything!” Elana smiled and waved as she and Jake began to walk towards the far side of the village to where they would be added to the participants.

“Yes, yes. Go on now.” With a smile of her own, Auntie Rayne returned Elana’s wave with a little shake of her hand. Then, she watched peacefully as the two children she held the most dear took their final few steps as children. The next time she saw them, they would no longer be boy and girl.

After a few moments of watching, once she was certain the couple was out of ear shot, Auntie Rayne raised her eyes towards the stars. “He’s done you good, sister. And I hope you’re as proud of him as I am.”

The wick on the Torch of Youth fizzled out, the final embers turning to smoke.

A heavy drum sounded, signaling to the village that the ceremony was soon to begin.

Music ceased, voices quieted. Eyes turned towards the Elders as they rose from their seats.

In a line, the boys were escorted by Captain Ada, the head of the village’s guard, and brought before the Elders. Neatly organized into rows of three, the boys all knelt down at once when signaled by the Guard Captain.

The Elders raised their hands to the air and the inhabitants of the village lowered their heads. A prayer was chanted and a blessing was given. Bravery, fertility, and prosperity were requested for the new men of the village. Loyalty to the Gods was promised, and servitude to the prosperity of the village was reassured. Then, one by one, the boys were called up to the Elders for an individual blessing. Each Elder gave the boy a kiss on the top of their head and gave them a cup of alcohol to drink from.

When the blessings were completed, each boy was given the opportunity to choose their profession and request an apprenticeship with a local merchant or craftsman. Those who were not Magi were given the chance to make a personal decision and control their own destiny for the first time in their lives. So long as their apprenticeship was accepted, they could break away from the confines of their family obligations. If it was not accepted, they would be forced to continue with their normal lives.

Jake, as expected, did not make a public decision. He simply accepted his blessing and then found his cushion along the edge of the bonfire pit. When he did not speak, there were a few rumblings within the crowd but not enough to cause a stir.

Once all of the blessings and requests had been completed, the Elders then called for the bonfire to be lit. The new men of the village were each given two glasses of wine and a plate. One glass was for themselves, the other was for the woman who would attempt to court them. Should he accept her, the man would offer her a drink. But he did not need to offer the woman in front of him a drink. He could offer any woman who danced the glass. Should she accept, their marriage would be mutually accepted and the families would bond.

Jake sat near the center of the line, comfortable on his butt and the thick cushion beneath him, and the bonfire burned strongly in front of him. At first the fire was fairly small but it quickly billowed into an overwhelming mountain of orange and yellow. The higher the flames climbed, the stronger the heat felt on his face. He stared into that fire, his mind flashing as the vision of a burning Maedra filled his eyes. He heard their screams, smelled the foul stench of their burning flesh. He could hear the screams of the Ewana villagers and he could feel the world close in on him as the pressure of his failures returned to the surface of his mind.

Mana leaked from his body, his magic bubbling beneath his skin as sweat dripped off his brow. His skin grew slick with it as tension wrecked his body. The air entering his lungs burned hot and nearly choked him. The world narrowed further, tunneling in front of him as he focused on the fire.

Suddenly, a face filled his view.

Elana placed her hands on his cheek. He flinched, jolting back to life. His mana dispersed and his eyes widened as she held him firmly in place.

“Hey… Look at me,” she whispered to him, smiling softly as his body shook. “Deep breaths.” She muttered, guiding him through a few cycles of controlled breathing. She kept her hands on his face, keeping him rooted and focused entirely on her. “There you go… Good boy.” Her voice was soft, calming, guiding. She soothed the demons in his mind and brought back the man she adored from his terrorizing thoughts. In moments, the air was clear and Jake dared to look around.

The men next to him had moved away and everyone was looking at him. The majority were confused, a few scared as his lack of control had caused the bonfire to surge for a moment. But those like Captain Ada, who had much experience behind their eyes, looked on with recognition.

“Ah… I’m sorry.” Jake lowered his head and swallowed. His mouth was dry.

As if knowing this, Elana grabbed a wine glass and held it up for him. She coerced him to drink and then leaned forward to give him a kiss on the forehead. “Don’t be sorry. It’s okay.” She urged him to take another sip and then placed the cup down at his side. She then grabbed the other and took a drink of her own. Except, she didn't swallow the wine. She leaned forward, pressed her lips to Jake’s, and fed him a mouthful. Wine leaked between their lips as she caught him by surprise. He swallowed what was offered, however, and then settled comfortably on his cushion.

“Good boy. Don’t look at the fire. Look at me.” Elana gave him another comforting smile before slowly turning and walking back towards the bonfire. There was another woman there directly in front of Jake but with a few careful words, Elana was able to get her to move away.

Captain Ada, standing a few paces away and behind the line of new men, turned and made eye contact with Elder Juul. They both exchanged a brief nod before Elder Juul motioned for the initiating drum to be struck.

Thunder rumbled through the village followed by an enchanting melody that stirred the ladies into motion. Jake and Elana maintained eye contact for a long time during the initial few moments, as the first few steps were subtle. She stepped forward, away from the flames, her long legs causing her entire body to sway. Then, she lowered her body into a respectful curtsey, one that was paired with a personal smile towards the man she would do her best to entice for the rest of their lives.

Her hips began to sway. The jewels around her neck and on her ears glimmered. The robes fluttered. Sand kicked up faintly around her feet. Jake gripped onto his knees and watched as his breath was stolen away by her. With each thump of the drum, Elana’s hips twisted and her legs carried her body along. Her hands and arms twirled and her eyes opened and closed with moments of focus, allure, and taunting as she took several opportunities to drag in her man’s gaze with her sultry stare.

Yet, there was more going through Jake’s mind than the sight of the dance in front of him. His mind toiled and fumbled over his memories. The memories of the past week he’d spent with Elana, the youthful years he had spent growing up with her. Then, he remembered the time in the Ravine. He once more replayed his moments with Yae in his mind and allowed himself one last time to think of her.

One final time to let himself loiter on those feelings. One final time to let himself be happy to have met such a woman and been loved by her so dearly. One final time to let himself feel the sorrow that had paralyzed him and driven him to rage. He would not forget her. He would never forget that beautiful smile. However, he wouldn’t let himself be frozen in time anymore.

Not by those feelings nor by his memories.

Elana danced with all her heart.

Jake watched with all his being.

At the concluding drum, the music ceased and the majority of the men rose to make their choice. A few made an obvious and daring step towards Elana. Yet, she was focused on only one man. The one man who had remained seated. Her glistening body sauntered over, her sweat covered legs bringing her in front of him. Jake plucked her cup from the sand and raised it for her to take. In a single motion, she raised the cup and emptied it, drinking its contents in a single breath.

“No more running,” she said.

“No more running,” he answered.

“Good,” she smiled. “So, when are you going to give me a child, hm?”

Jake smirked and set the plate in front of him, a sign that an agreement had been made. He then took his cup and sipped from it. “I think we’ll need to discuss those terms a little more before we make a final decision, wife.”

Elana raised an eyebrow as she lowered down onto her knees in front of him. She crossed her arms just beneath her breasts and glared at him. “I didn’t think you had a choice in this matter, husband.”

“I leave tomorrow, Elana. I don’t think I can give you a child by the time I leave. You won’t even know you’re pregnant until I’m long beyond the desert.” Jake sipped more from his cup.

Elana raised hers as an attendant approached, offering to refill it. The attendant also brought a few small finger foods for the pair to share. Elana began to eat them without hesitation. “Then you make an attempt tonight and come back in a few months to see if you are worthy of giving me a child. If not, then I guess I’ll need to find another man.” She shrugged as she took a mouthful of wine.

Jake let out a sigh and set down his glass. He reached for a piece of rolled meat and cheese, plucking it off the plate with the wooden pick that held it together. As he raised it up, Elana reached out and placed her hand over his. Jake paused, his eyebrows perking up as she slowly stole the pick from him. She then extended it towards his mouth, feeding him with a careful hand.

She smiled as he chewed and lowered the pick onto the plate. “Good boy.”

Jake let out a grumble and swallowed the snack. He then sipped his wine, hoping at some point it would get him drunk enough to deal with the troublemaker of a woman sitting in front of him.