| Chosen of the owl. |
It only bestowed over Varus that all those years of training had come to fruitions after he closed his eyes and received the marks of the clever owl. Elders chanted and danced around the young Ionian and behind him, his father standing proud as he watched his son follow in his very footsteps. Incense was heavy in the air; prays and chants meant to subdue the demon’s influence on the surroundings.
As the markings were branded onto his skin, Varus could sense how his perception began to change, sharpening, perceiving from auras to the edges of the spirit realm but most noticeable of all; The impending doom locked behind those heavy doors. It was overwhelming to say the least; sweat beaded across his skin, enduring the pain of the markings tattooed on his skin and the over stimulation of his senses.
As the last marks were drawn out on his skin, the elders encircled him to offer their blessing and pray for the warden’s protection. They placed a Lei of spirit blossoms around his neck before speaking up.
“Today, we renew the oath to the clever owl, may it watch over us and protect us from this ancient evil.” One of the elders proclaimed as they turned towards the crowd as they all bowed in respect.
“You may rise, chosen of the owl. Your duties await.” Varus hears one of the elders call out and his eyes open, needing a moment to adjust. His father approached and bowed in respect to his son. They couldn’t exchange words in fear that the demon would overhear any vital information. But the smile on his father’s lips was all that Varus needed to fill his heart with pride.
His wife and son soon followed, the young man throwing himself at his father, giggling as he was told not to say a word but took it as a game. The small family also bowed in respect to one another knowing they would celebrate upon Varus’s return.
As the sun began to set and everyone left the ceremony, only a few elders remained ensuring the successful heading over to the archer.
“Remember your training well, the demon will try to mess with your sense, but the owl will watch over you. and under no circumstances tell the demon your name.” They spoke and bowed, offering ancient scripts for Varus to study as he watches over the temple.
“Understood, worry not.” Varus replied simply accepting the gift before watching the group of elders leave the temple’s yard.
The young Ionian placed the scripts down next to his shirt, allowing his fresh wounds to heal before changing into his new attire. His gaze then turns towards the massive door, his palm resting against the cold steel feeling how it pulsed under his hand, such immeasurable power sealed behind those doors, and yet Varus is the only one chosen to watch over it.
His markings glow softly as he syncs with the temple’s seals; it hums softly acknowledging Varus’s presence. For a brief instant, Varus feels the presence behind the walls, heavy, powerful but also loneliness? Varus’s eyes open again, gazing up at the massive door out of curiosity and wonder. Now feeling more connected to nature, he can tell this demon is as old as the first lands itself.
Completing the seal, Varus sits down by the entrance and takes one of the scrolls, staying at the old manuscript, noticing how some words, names and runes were blurred out or erased. As Varus went through the scrolls, he could feel a pair of eyes, glaring at him, but Varus doesn’t bulge from his spot.
@thepallas