The bones of the gods were a literal hole in the world; everything in the mountain valley slanted down into the opening maw lined with Blackstone. Had the valley flooded, everything would have been washed down into the abyss below. But something was different from the last time they walked by to examine it. Sure, there were more priests on guard, and decorative torches were lit all around, but the Blackstone itself almost seemed to have a shimmering crack of white light just under the surface.

The four arching pillars of Blackstone that rose from the ground and arched just above the opening were also lit with lamp fire, and Michael could see priests standing above with ritualistic staffs in their hands, overlooking the arriving procession. Something he had not noticed before was a series of stairs on the northern face of the pit that went downward a few steps. Already, two people were standing on the steps, one adorned in gold and white, another in brown and silver.

“Ok, so here’s the plan. I’m going to deactivate myself, and you’ll carry my Mobile emitter into the ruins. Once you’re inside, you reactivate me.” Archie whispered in galactic common.

“Gotcha. And how do you expect to deactivate in a crowd full of people? Better yet, what if the dispersion field is stronger underground and I can’t re-activate your mobile emitter?” Michael inquired.

Archie huffed at these questions, but did not have any chance to retort as from behind they were drawn to the shout of the Commander’s name, “Lord Michael, Please Wait!”

Michael and Archie turned to find a young warrior clad in red and bronze armor trotting up to them. From his glimpses in both Rundolf and Vigdis’ minds, Michael could tell that without a doubt, this was the Raudulfur Champion, and heir to the throne: Bui.

“Bui!” Michael called out, as if addressing an old friend.

The familiarity caught Bui off guard, but it was a pleasant surprise as he caught up to the pair. “I am glad I found you before we descended. I was told you would make an excellent ally in the trials to come! I just wanted to introduce myself properly before the ceremony sweeps us up.”

Michael couldn’t help but think, ‘Is this kid REALLY Rundolf’s?’ The sincerity, the calm, the jovialness he exuded was polar opposite from his father. Nonetheless, the three completed their trek and were greeted by members of the Svart Augu, who stood guard over the ritual grounds. “Champions and their Successors to the stairs please.” The priest announced as the guards moved their staves to let them pass.

Rundolf was already there, waiting for Bui. Ravkina and Hakon were also present behind their respective champions, each giving a nod to Michael and Archie as they moved to their places. The stairway was narrow, just enough for the four of them, but with very little personal space as they stood side by side. The champions stood on the second-to-last step, looking down; they could see the sea of mist that enveloped the pit below.

Remembering the talks of how the Svart Augu were forged, Michael began to consider the possibility that they were going to be asked to jump into the pit. ‘On second thought, maybe Archie SHOULD go…’ he thought to himself, before the sound of a loud gong snapped his focus.

————–

The Svart Augu priests descended on all sides of the outer ring of the pit. Looking up, Michael could see two members of the Nemandi posted atop each of the four arching spires with a single large staff between them. The coup de gras of the whole show was the emergence of the Synsmadr, settled in his chair that hovered just over the open surface of the Bones of the gods, making Michael now wonder if there was some form of forcefield at play.

“That’s strange…” Hakon commented from behind his champion.

“What is?” Archie inquired.

“He’s never appeared from there before. Usually, he takes his place behind us at the top of the stairs. And even then, it’s rare if he ever speaks. If he stays there, he’s liable to…”

There was a sharp -Shush- from Ravkina as the Synsmadr began to speak. As before, when Michael first met him, it was as if the elder’s voice echoed through the Blackstone like a loudspeaker.

“Honored bannerman. This year’s Awakening has come to us far earlier than ever before. The Nattsteinn rattle with power and echo the whispers of the old gods. This is not by chance, but by fate and decree that our current course is no longer adequate for our station. Change must come from all of us. The gods demand it.”

The sound of a gong reverberated through the stones, as the white shimmers of power flowed up through the earth and to the tips of the towers where the Nemandi stood.

“We must let go of our hate. Let go of our past and embrace the change to come. We have been blessed by the gods to have lived in the world we have for so long, but to accept the power inherited by the Heilagt Auga, means to accept the truth of our being.”

Another shudder of power fluxed through the black stones, brighter than before as the Synsmadr continued his speech.

“By decree of the old gods, we must change. And for that, I hereby revoke the Old Testament. This year’s awakening shall be open to all who choose to brave the darkness, to harness the light!”

There was an outburst of murmurs from the surrounding crowd. Michael could feel the relief coming from Archie behind him. But there was a mixture of shock and disdain from the House Leaders as they watched on. They, too, were still in awe that the Synsmadr himself was presiding over the ceremony. At least, Michael felt, he wasn’t the only one out of the loop this time. This meant that anyone, not just the champions, could compete in the trials to come.

“Why now?! Why the sudden change?! Is it to protect your new pet?” Rundolf barked from behind his champion.

But his bravado was quickly squashed when the Synsmadr slowly began to stand in his chair, a feat his frail form did not appear to be capable of doing. “This change comes not without great cost, and I gladly bear that at the behest of the gods below. Do not think a man of my stature is without repercussion. Mark my calling into the veil, for this night, a new Synsmadr shall rise from the Awakening to usher in a new era. And for that, I must be willing to make the first step…”

The priests of the Svart Augu made no move, showed no emotion, as their elder stepped off of his hovering chair and slowly fell into the pit below. There were screams, gasps, and mental fireworks of emotion from the procession as the frail Synsmadr’s form plunged into the mist below. His disappearance was followed by the echoing shouts of the Nemandi, who raised their staffs high and dropped them down onto the Blackstone, shouting “VAKA!” in an echoing unison.

The strike from their weapons ignited the Blackstone, causing the pulses of white light underneath to shine through predominantly. The earth began to tremble lightly under their feet. Archie was quick to grab the back of Michael’s tunic so he would not accidentally fall in, as a beam of golden white flame erupted from the maw of the ritual site. The energy surge rose just over the height of the arching stones before crashing back down underneath the surface.

There was no longer a ‘pit’ before them, but a large circular Blackstone platform that hovered over the opening. Bui smiled brightly, nudging Michael with his fist. “Come friend! Glory awaits us!” he cheered as he rushed onto the platform. The other two champions followed behind as the House leaders slowly parted, making way for many others who stood witness to the flood through. The sacrifice of the Synsmadr shook the leaders to their core, most notably Rundolf and Ravkina. Hakon, however, ran past and joined his champion.

“Not going to join us?” Michael asked the red and gold leaders.

“Hakon is one of many leaders of his tribe…but we…” Ravkina began to explain.

“We must remain, to meet this new Synsmadr, and prepare our people for the change to come.” Rundolf finished. Michael could feel the acceptance in their minds as they came to terms that everything they wanted was finally coming to fruition, and the reality of it all was not what they had envisioned.

“So…no arguments then?” Archie smirked, readying his bow and a lantern and stepping down to the same level as Michael.

“Yeah. You’re definitely coming with me on this…” Michael said, looking at the platform that now housed over 50 challengers.

As Michael and Archie made their way to the landing, Bui and Hakon moved to join them in enthusiasm. After a brief exchange of them all agreeing to stick together, Michael could not help but look up to the top of the spire where Arnorr stood.

The elder Nemandi, now the current de facto leader of the Svart Augu, looked down upon Michael and gave a respectful nod. He then raised his staff, along with the other sets of Nemandi, and brought them crashing down once more onto the Blackstone.

“VAKA!”

Another wave of energy pulsed down from the tops of the spires, all the way to the platform under their feet, and in a bright flash of golden white flame, everyone standing on the platform vanishes without a trace…

[To be continued]