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Chapter Seven: Bridge to Cross

1200 Years Ago

Kana walked alone through the market area, clutching the small satchel she was tasked with bringing to the leather working station. The small white wolf moved between the others easily enough, but still got bumped or pushed into by the packs of wolves that didn't care to change their pathing. A large male strode into the girl, knocking her down into the crowd as he kept on without a bother for the white wolf he, and the others chose to be wary of.

The leather satchel in her paws was also knocked free, making the young wolf reach for it in the sea of footpaws. She bit down a yelp as one stepped on her grasping paws, but she held fast to the item tasked to her, even as a kick came past her hip, then tail.

"What is wrong with you lot, did your mother raise you each with such little love? Stand aside!" Called a powerful, but motherly voice above the marketplace that made all pause to look up at the sight of a valkyrie hovering aloft on wings of air. The wolves blinked, parting in steps back as the warrior descended to land beside the now curled up child.

"Kana...this is no place for an aspirant, rise child." The young valkyrie smiled with an offering paw to help Kana rise from her place, much to the gasps or growls at hearing she was to train as a new valkyrie, something sacred to their ways.

"F-forgive me, Ynaria, I fell and-" Kana was hushed instantly by the warrior.

"Non-sense, I saw that wolf push you down. Stop making excuses for them, they foolishly choose to be ignorant of your coming to us." Ynaria looked at the male who she spoke of, glaring with disapproval that a mother would, "Let them hurt you not in word or gesture, child. You will prove them all wrong, some day."

"Thank you, I shall remember that." Kana sniffled softly, paws hurting from having been stepped on, yet they clung defiantly to the leather purse between them.

"I know, child. Let us finish your task, then head home, yes?" Ynaria smiled, her stormy features soft to the young wolf as bright amber eyes looked her over for injury. The valkyrie was new to the role herself, having only become fully-fledged last season but was no less respected by other Canai. What a valkyrie said carried weight, what they saw was judged, and where they tread was revered.

"Yes please." Kana muttered with a small smile forming at the word home, the place felt safest in the care of Ynaria and the other wolf-warriors, where the only judgment came from how hard you worked, not where you came from or looked like. When the pair rose, the market resumed slowly, soon back into the busy and noisy courtyard of trade, bartering, and swapping of tales.

Kana approached the large stone doorway that acted as entry to the Canai vault, banking of sorts for valuables or coins. Passing beneath the rock archway, Ynaria waiting just outside it with a proud smile, Kana padded up to one of the four huge oak stalls a wolf worked at, an old wolf tending to it as he noticed her approach.

"Hello there, young one. What can I do for you, mm?" The male smiled down at Kana, features furrowing into an aged smile with a set of cut glass circles on his muzzle, helping focus his sight.

"Good day sir, I was tasked with bringing the earnings I made this month. May I please store them here?" Kana asked in a soft, shy voice up to the kind old wolf, chewing her lower lip while holding the satchel up above herself to the banker.

"My word, you have already earned this much?" The teller asked when he took the leather pouch, feeling the few coins jingle inside as he set it down, pouring them carefully onto the desk. Four large, gold coins rolled into his other paw as he looked them over.

"Yes sir, I work hard to earn my keep. I want to make my home proud." Kana answered with a glance to the valkyrie waiting for her, smiling at Ynaria who returned the gesture with a wave to the young and old wolf alike. The teller blinked, adjusted his glasses before looking back to the girl before his desk.

"Well now, a valkyrie in the making eh? What is your name, then?" The seasoned wolf asked gently.

"Kana, sir." She said with a splaying of ears as each time someone heard that name, it had been followed with a look of bitterness, shock, or disdain but never a reason for it.

"I see, I see." The wolf kept up his smile, taking up the four coins to turn and place them into a newly crafted box. He took up a slender tool that had been sitting in a miniature furnace, and etched the name into the front of the oak box. He turned to show the young wolf, "I shall remember this name, and expect great things from you, heh."

Kana's eyes widened with a gleaming of tears, nodding swiftly with a bright smile for once in many weeks, "Thank you, sir! I will not let you down, thank you!" She said, running off before he would normally ask the rest of the process, but only chuckled as Kana jumped up into the arms of Ynaria who embraced her tightly. The two turned to go home together as the teller went to finish making a little banking slot for the white wolfess.

"I have not seen a smile that beautiful since my own daughter, please protect her." The old wolf said as he clutched a paw about the talisman hanging on his neck, a half-moon with two small markings like the ears of a rabbit embedded into its surface.

Ynaria held a paw with Kana, the two walking for a short while toward the Valkyrie temple at the north of Tel'nase, built to look out over the sea as well as allow the flying warriors to dive off the floating land-mass for swift action. The pair stopped outside the open stone-carved doorway to look up at the fading light of the moon.

"I give us another day before we lose her light, we must make preparations as the others do." The valkyrie sighed at the encroaching darkness against the beautiful lunar circle, an eclipse that came every hundred years to the world, when the world shifted in front of Valhalla.

"Why do you seem sad? Will the moon come back?" Kana asked with a tilt of her head, ears swiveling in curiosity as well as concern.

"She will, but our connection to her means we shall be left weak, vulnerable. We prepare Tel'nase to defend us with its great runes and wards. Do not worry, we are safe here, and the bifrost is withdrawn." Ynaria smiled to reassure the young girl, remembering that Kana had no knowledge of this crucial celestial event.

"I hope our ancestors will be safe too." Kana looked up at the moon with wide, gleaming blue eyes before clasping her paws together in a silent prayer of thanks and protection. Ynaria felt a pang of sadness watching Kana do this, how the young wolf had no ancestors waiting for her in Valhalla, her entire clan lost in a pointless war. When would they ever be able to explain such, could they even?

"Come child, we have much to do yet." The valkyrie smiled at Kana when she nodded, then bounded off into the hall to attend to her duties as Ynaria followed the aspiring young wolf. The storm clan had welcomed the only remaining fire and sworn to raise Kana with their code, with a good heart as well as strong shield arm.

The rest of the evening was dedicated to all Canai preparing for a long sleep, that anything flammable was cared for, or animals tended to for the few days the wolves would be left as little more than newborn pups with their strength tethered to the moon.

Even once the eclipse began, they had already felt themselves waning, but in the final hour of the day Ynaria had gathered the valkyries inside the arched temple, their sleeping rolls unfurled in a circle to be together as they were in all things. As the motherly wolf turned to call out to Kana who had wanted to stay outside and see the celestial event happen, Ynaria gasped with a shocked awe at the sight just outside the stone doorway.

Kana was settled onto both knees in a kneel, but was easily three times her original stature, taking up most of the space outside the archway, facing her left side inward while the right faced the walkway toward the temple.

Her braided hair had become a living flame, flowing and crackling gently in the air. Kana looked inside when she sensed the gaze of her teacher, eyes glowing a soft molten gold instead of azure, but a smile came to reassure Ynaria there was no cause for alarm.

As the last of her strength bled away, the valkyrie counted her blessings that the child of Ragnarok had chosen to stand guard over them, when the Canai strength was at its weakest, she had taken it upon herself to protect instead of end her one time enemies. She would tell the others about this event, about how lucky they were that the child they scorned held love above hate in her heart.

-????-

Even after having visited once before Andulus was in awe of the mythical home of the Canai, how the immense island of earth sat alone in the air off the coastal cliffs in defiance of natural order. The only way to reach it was to be one of the twelve valkyries themselves, or as now, the bridge of aurora lights was summoned to life from one side of runes. The brilliant shimmer was even more so as the three travelers arrived at night to Tel'nase, the bifrost as man knew it, fully extended and awaiting their crossing.

"I'll never get used to this..." Andulus muttered aloud to himself as his great horse strode across the bridge as if the colorful lights were solid earth.

"We have not either, some things are always captivating." Kaenis grinned to the knight-king beside him as they crossed side-by-side, easily able to fit twice their number in width on the bridge, "It is good you respect it...one of the last great, yet sad creations of our kind."

"I wish to learn about your history, my friends. You have existed longer than any of our records, there is much we could learn from you." Andulus said with a smile to each of them, seeing Kana take a barely noticed moment to look and smile in kind from something on her mind, "Are you alright, my lady?"

"Yes, it is nothing. A lot to think about is all." The valkyrie offered a grin of reassurance, even if the ache in her temples had increased the closer they'd gotten to home. She wouldn't ruin the good tidings they brought back with something as fickle as a headache.

"Hail, Keaenis and Kana! Welcome home, you have been away for some time-" Came a call from atop the mighty, towering gates of stone woven about with oak carvings, "-who is that with you there?"

"King of Men, Andulus Tyrn, our guest and speaker for his realm!" Kana called up to the Watcher, who peered at or even into the man before the gates for a long few seconds. This Canai was a rust-red coat, with several black markings across his body not covered with leather straps that held silver plates to vital areas. His head was adorned with a wolf-faced helm, metal fangs hanging over the end of his muzzle with slots for his ears and unblinking ruby eyes.

"Very well! Welcome home my friends and honored guest! I shall be keeping an eye on you." The male smirked down at the trio before the massive gates thundered to begin opening, slabs of rune-carved stone that were larger than most court floors cut in half.

The three companions were met with a swelling gathering of Canai citizens ranging from old to young, of all kinds of fur colors from black, white, or sky-gray. The names of two of their oldest warriors from the Watcher called out was enough to see the daily life interrupted for a welcoming. Pups ran up to the sides of Kaenis and Kana with paws grasping at them, a few being lifted up into their arms as the siblings laughed, waved, and smiled at the faces of their own kind about them once again.

Andulus felt his heart swell with admiration and pride for the two wolves, who had fought on so many fronts for his people, and to see his beloved Kana given praise alone instead of the initially cold reactions from his own realm. Soon enough, he was tugged along to meet the curious many, presented by Kaenis like an old friend.

"King Tyrn of Midgard! He fought bravely at the front, meeting every challenge with might and cunning!" Kaenis barked proudly, shaking or smacking a large paw onto the silver pauldron on the knight's shoulder. Many other large paws reached out to grasp Andulus's arm in a warrior shake as comments about his armor or deeds surrounded him.

"All right, that is enough for now! Plenty of time to barrage him at the feast, let us pass friends." Kana rolled her eye, parting the sea of canines while moving to guide her love through them with friendly nods or grins, "Yes, thank you. Good to see you as well! Thank you."

Kaenis lingered a while longer to offer a few more boasts of their adventures or of Andulus to bolster their view of him for their sake, but joined up with them in a few good bounding steps, "They are quite taken with you already, King of Men."

"Tch, he can tell his own sagas, no need to butter them up so, brother." Kana grinned at her sibling, then to Andulus who was still looking about at their realm in a child-like awe.

"Bah! I say make it clear Andulus is a hero, one worthy of your hand as our greatest valkyrie!" Kaenis barked out with a toothy grin right back at them, "You two get settled, I will handle all the details for the feast night!" The dark wolf winked, then dashed off in a swift pace to start getting ready a night to celebrate the coming news.

Kana shook her head with a shy grin after her retreating brother, before her ears perked when Andulus chuckled, "What amuses you so?"

"He cares for you a great deal, the love in his heart can barely contain itself." The king smiled warmly at the white wolfess, using the positive moment to get a look at her tired expression. Despite their victory and excited return home Kana appeared weary, making Andulus guess from a greater fatigue of her sacrifice then she let on, or a problem she wasn't sharing. He stepped closer to speak in a softer tone, "My lady, if you were unwell, you'd tell me yes?"

Kana's eye widened before the azure iris swiveled to look at the time worn street, "Of course I would, you worry too much." The valkyrie huffed softly, arms folded beneath her chest as her features warmed red with a lengthy swish of her tail.

"Aye, because you tend not to worry for yourself. You look tired, beloved. If you need rest-" Andulus blinked as Kana snarled at him slightly, cutting him off.

"I do not need rest! I can sleep when I join my ancestors, there is too much to be done, and for once..." The brief attitude guttered out as Kana sighed with a shrug of her shoulders, "...for once I am happy, I have a love I never expected nor dreamed of finding. Let us just savor this time, please? I am fine, I promise."

Andulus studied the features of the alabaster wolf, seeing a smile grace her otherwise stoic expression. The knight nodded with a swing of his arms outward in defeat, "Fine, fine. As the lady wishes we'll enjoy the festivities; but, don't think that doesn't mean I'm not watching you."

Kana groaned with a turn on a heel, walking away from the nagging man with a playfully annoyed tone, "Ugh, I am far too old to hear talk meant for a pup! But, by all means watch all you like!" The wolf glanced over her shoulder with a toothy grin, giving a sway of her backside at the knight on her way up toward the great hall ahead.

Midgard's king blushed with a stare after the Canai, before smacking a hand over his face to let it fall away as he took a few swift steps to catch up to Kana, "All right, point taken."

"Aye, thought as much." The valkyrie chuckled a triumphant growl with a nudge of her shoulder to one of his, but after a moment the two slipped an arm about their lover to stroll along in quiet company together.

-

Kaenis had done much in the long hours since leaving the pair behind to let Kana show Andulus about in a proper tour before they would part to be taken care of. Her brother called up many in help of preparing the vast hall with a bonfire with four immense tables reaching almost wall to wall, each spread with the finest food, mead, and seasonal items the wolves could prepare for such a day. Stone, Storm, and Ice clans had slowly been gathering in the feasting-hall while bringing gifts to honor both guest and Kana alike.

Although all unions were to be celebrated, this was a special one among the Canai, for Kana had fought long and hard to protect the realm against not just outside threats, but the early and quiet distrust of her own kin. Every Canai present felt guilt and pride in equal measure inside, for how they had begrudged the young valkyrie once, or now couldn't be more honored to have one that would do anything to see them well.

The myriad of gifts would be personalized, handmade items presented to the happy couple from leather harnesses, saddles, new pieces of armor, even poems written about the deeds that they'd heard. Each of these items would be laid at the first table in the far corner of the room for the couple to eventually come and browse across.

The two were separated so they could not see one another. Kana herself was attended to by shield-maidens, warrior-wolves much like herself but also different; they, similar in strength with a toned stature but not lacking in feminine curves within their cloth tunic-gowns. First she had to bathe, cleansing away not just the long road but to be pure to present to her lover.

"So, if I may Lady Kana...how is he compared to...you know, our males?" One of the younger maidens asked without making eye contact, the question causing the women to all snerk or grin.

"Not that it concerns you-" Kana huffed while several sets of paws massaged, washed her alabaster form, "-but, he more than measures up." The valkyrie chewed her lower lip a moment as now the other wolves were curious, "He can be as aggressive as any pack-mate, but...he is also more tender, and knows several ah...tricks."

The shield-maidens giggle-growled and delved into details beyond just the intimate ones, how the king handled battle, or treated his people. The Canai as a whole hadn't known the ruler had even visited before due to his secretive travel, so now got the full explanation before others as the sisterhood of warriors was due.

The valkyrie among them was dried, then presented with a fine dress made by her adoptive mother, Ynaria, who over the years had crafted it by hand in hopes Kana would have such a day. It would take some time to slip Kana into, weave or tie up inside the masterfully crafted gown. Snowy hair would be free from the braid it normally maintained, cascading and framing her face in alabaster, black-frayed falls. A wreath lay to top her head between her ears, with flowers woven into it from about the beautiful gardens of Tel'nase.

Before, during all of this process for Kana, Andulus was 'abducted' by Kaenis' close pack. Several males from differing clans honoring the tradition of raiding an ancestor's grave for a sword to bring back, proving his worth. Of course, to Andy the idea was horrendous, bordering on insane to what his own kind valued as holy ground where the dead rested.

"This is ridiculous...what if I get cursed or something..." Andulus grumbled to himself, stopped a few feet into one of the old, vast burial chambers of the Canai. He looked back at the three wolves standing with arms crossed for him to proceed, a smirk on each muzzle the knight intended to wipe off when he brought back his prize. With a torch raised Andulus proceeded into the carved tunnel, past several graves dug into the walls where many large skeletons rested with armor, weapons, and a few keepsakes rested with them.

"They said the further I go, the greater the warrior at rest...so, find the biggest and grab their sword...aye, nothing to it Andulus..." The king muttered to himself with a slight shiver, his breath before him in the cold stone place. It felt wrong, an unease in his core to be treading somewhere the dead were supposed to be at peace, his core felt cold and not for the temperature.

The cavern ended with three large doors, two smaller arches to the left or right, with a large oak door between them. Andudlus exhaled before he had to push with his weight at the door to get it to budge open enough to step inside, torch leading the way. He nearly dropped it when his eyes saw what lay within.

An immense Canai skeleton sat at rest upon a stone chair, large boney claws clasped the scabbard and hilt respectively of a great sword across its lap. It was dressed similar to the first day he saw...Kaenis? No. They wouldn't have put him up to that, truly?

Andulus nearly shouted as the chamber became alight with a soft blue glow, twin sapphires coming to life within the empty eyes of the wolf skull, which lifted slowly to stare straight at him.

"You...wish to claim...my blade?" A voice boomed out, clearly male as it asked in a delayed, ethereal tone without ever moving its jaws, canting its skull-head at the human trespasser.

"Oh my god..." The knight could only say with wide eyes and a weak grasp of the torch, before Andulus gathered his wits and courage with a deep breath, "Aye! I come to claim your sword, old lord!"

The dead wolf laughed a bellowing sound, knocking Andulus against the stone wall as cold air buffeted him. Two azure gems glinted at the human, "You are...a small creature...a man, yes?"

"Aye, a man. I am King Andulus Tyrn of Midgard...I do this for my beloved, to prove my worth." The knight said after a few steps toward the huge, fallen warrior.

"A fine cause...what is her name...your beloved? Why come here...for a human wife?" The Canai seemed curious rather than upset as Andulus had expected, for which he was grateful at the moment.

"Ah, she is of your kind...her name is Kana, a valky-"

"Kana Firebrand!?" The Canai bellowed once more, staggering the knight into the wall with a gale of cold wind that nearly blew out his torch. Andulus couldn't tell if it was a reaction of anger or excitement, but as the ancient warrior began to rise from his resting throne, he feared the first. The bones of the ancient wolf were enveloped in the same blue mist, allowing him to grasp the hilt of his sword to draw in a swing that sent another wave of frozen air outward.

"I didn't come to fight you, or harm this place!" Andulus called out against the aura of cold, shielding his face with an arm before he reached for his own sword in hesitation, "I respect your ways, I merely wish to honor them so there can be, ngh, no doubts to my love for Kana!"

"Fool! You do not realize...she is a danger to you...everyone, it is just...a matter of time!" The Canai spirit roared and swung with its blade toward Andulus, not expecting the swift withdrawal and parry from a sword on fire, "What!? How is it...you hold that weapon?"

"Kana herself bestowed it upon me, trusting me! Whatever her fate, I choose to stand with her! I will bare any pain, pay any cost to be at her side!" Andulus growled, tossing aside his torch to clasp both hands about the enchanted sword, using his smaller size and speed to dive in close and swing hard for the midriff of the Canai.

A hissing sound filled the room as faster than the knight realized possible, the blade of ice had moved in time to clash against his strike. Heat and cold kissed in rebellious union as the knight grunted with effort just to hold his ground. With a swing outward, the Canai pushed Andulus away in a few steps backward.

"Another...fine answer, my boy..." The ancient male chuckled loudly, seeming to lose its strength to topple back into its chair of stone, "You pass my test...knight of man...take my blade, defend her honor...our home."

Andulus blinked at what happened, but sheathed the flaming sword to approach the yielding ancient, "I don't quite understand...you knew, erm, expected me to say that?"

"Not at all...but any soul willing...to stand beside...She who would burn the world?" The ancient laughed another bellowing sound, but the cold air was withdrawing as the blue glow of his eyes dimmed, "You are truly brave, Son of Midgard...holdfast to your oath then...bring back, your prize..." The last words of the wolf were a long rasp, before his figure went still once more.

Andulus made the sign of his belief across his chest out of habit, before stepping forward to rest free the sword of ice from the huge boney paws. He gave pause when he saw the name inscribed at the top of the immense stone chair: 'Kaenos, Lord of Winter'.

"I shall honor you, my oath, and the trust your people place upon me, lord Kaenis. Know your son does you proud, and your realm is safe in our care." Andulus uttered his oath of moment, a pledge as much as hope for the way these ancient wolves seemed to trust in him, a mere man. The knight turned to leave the burial chamber, ensuring the door was closed as he was to present the sword to the much surprised wolves outside.

"Ha ha, I knew it! Pay up you fools, you honestly think Kana would've picked some weakling?" The taller of the three Canai barked out a laugh, a stormy-coated male that gave a smack to the shoulder of the two ice clan wolves, black of fur like Kaenis.

Anudlus grinned at the canines as he hefted the large sword to shoulder it, "All right, let's return home already, can't keep my lady waiting or I don't think even this blade will suffice!"

-

After hours of preparation finally the ceremony could begin and all of the can I guess were allowed to be seated as canis brought in andalus to walk the hall and stand at the front of the space. Andulus felt the eyes upon him but not of judgment but of welcome and acceptance, many were the eyes and smiles that gazed his way grateful for the man that had brought back their Valkyrie.

After what felt like an eternity to endless the large twin oak doors swung slowly apart so that Kana could enter the room, many gasps and hush sounds of glee were made at the sight of the beautiful bride as she took her first steps between the four Great tables. Kana had tears in her eye with a bright smile as she looked upon the face of her future husband, blinking it away as she stepped down the aisle towards her beloved.

Waiting beside the human king at his right was Kaenis, beaming with pride to finally see Kana so happy. At the head of the great hall, the entire gathering was Ynaria, who would facilitate the wedding. Once Kana stopped and stood before the great gathering and her brother alike Ynaria began to speak and hush the room.

"We gather this day to celebrate the union of this alliance and couple alike. They have met on both sides of, and crossed a difficult bridge to get here." Ynaria said with a proud tone, "I bestow the blessing of the mother upon my adoptive daughter Kana, whom I could not be more proud of today...truly, I wish you only happiness and may this union be a long lasting one. Now do we have the Rings?"

Kaenis grinned, nodded, and presented a ring to the pair of them, allowing the couple to accept and then properly place them on each finger before Ynaria took out a small strip of white cloth and wrapped it around the wrist of each, closing them in a loop.

"Now speak your vows to one another and pledge yourselves to be true." Ynaria spoke softly to each of them in turn before falling silent with a nod to Andy to speak first.

"By destiny we are aligned. Our love eternal and true, we will face challenges together and find strength in our union. By the sun, moon, and stars our love is blessed. May we always be as happy as we are today." Andulus he spoke his vow loud clear and to the surprise of the gathered wolves to believe he would invoke the right or power of his one God but instead it seems he had done his homework on them and chose to invoke what was most sacred to them.

Ynaria smiled with a bow of her head respectful of his choices then gave a look for Kana to speak her vows in turn.

"You cannot possess me for I belong to myself, but while we both wish it, I give you that much of mine to give. you cannot command me for I am a free person. I pledge to you that it will be your eyes in which I smile every morning. I pledge to you my living and my dying days each, equally are in your care. I shall be a shield for your back, as you are mine. I shall honor you above all others. This is my vow to you a bond of equals." Kana exhaled after she spoke her vow, feeling both relieved that she managed to get through it or that it was happening at all.

Andulus turned to Kaenis, who lifted the sword of ice for the knight to present to his lady, "My beloved, I braved and earned the trust of Kaenos, to present you this blade on our day."

Kana smiled with utter pride at his accomplishment, the respect for traditions from her lover. The valkyrie in turn shifted to face one of their guests, a mountain cat who was seated up front beside the couple. The tall feline withdrew from a cloth a masterfully crafted sword to hand Kana with a bow of his head.

"My knight, my silver protector, I offer you this sword forged by friend and ally. May it shine with the love, loyalty, and trust we all hold for you." Kana beamed as she traded swords with her mate, her husband, and friend as her kin had done for countless ages.

Ynaria gave them both a reassuring smile, "Well done. And now, before the eyes of our kin and clans, you are one in the eyes of the ancestors!" The last word was followed by waves of praise, cheers, and howls. With that, the Canai began the festivities in earnest; feasting, telling of their sagas, and dancing about the great bonfire in the center of the great hall.

Kana performed a dance learned just for a wife to her husband, gracefully weaving about to the drums and chants of her kin as Andulus watched with absolute pride. Afterward Kaenis, then the knight himself took turns dancing with the valkyrie as the night would be forever one of the best, brightest moments for the realm to date.

• ????-

Archbishop Reignir unfurled the last scroll received from Brother Beyron and that far off front, the words were hastily scripted, lacking the confidence prior letters carried. Inside, it read about how he had finally found the key to finding God. Reignir leaned forward in his chair, holding the letter closer to the candle light as Beyron had listed a set of instructions to open the way, the bridge to speaking to...her?

Odd as the choice was to call their God a woman, Beyron had always followed through with results, and for such an almost panicked letter to have been sent meant something profound had happened. Reignir ordered in a dozen sisters of their order, arranged them into a circle about a table in his chambers.

Just as the letter described, Reignir placed a cut on each of their palms, took a drop of vitae from each into a vial to mix with a few...exotic ingredients, and after standing before a full-body mirror in the center of the dimly lit ritual, he drank the vial.

Beyron before experienced the transfer into pitch blackness, where slowly embers grew to life in the realm of nothing, and the voice of a victorious female called out to the head of the Tyrn Church.

"Welcome, Reignir of Midgard...your follower, Beyron was it? Informed me all about your order...about you, I think you will find my offer quite tempting." Sakana Firebrand spoke out from her molten, charred throne with a single gleaming eye of fiery gold. Her clawtips grasped the slope of each armrest as the Archbishop stared in horrified awe of the unholy creature. He took a few steps forward before he knelt before this clear deity, who radiated malice and power in a way Reignir had never experienced before.

"I'm listening."