Page 37 of The Divine Shallows
“First queen of the Iron Hollows, we seek your favor to grant upon these seven children of the moon in their upcoming Trial,” Prince Thomys intoned.
With the lasttelaremoved from her possession, the High Priestess relaxed her arms and circled around the participants. After a brief examination of the seven newly marked fey, she turned to address the crowd again, a smile gracing her face.
“These seven divine fey will now tap into the reservoir of their newly claimed divine magic for the first time to channel the favor of the seven original founders of Neramyr. As they wield the divine magic of Caena for the firsttime, they must prove their ability to command such power, affirming their newfound status as divine warlocks and sorceresses.”
Addressing the seven marked fey, she continued, “Shortly, you will attempt to wield the ancient, primordial magic of the Moon Goddess for the first time. From this moment on, you are no longer ordinary warlocks and sorceresses; you are divine, chosen by Caena herself, the highest magical ranking a fey can achieve in their lifetime.”
The High Priestess resumed circling the fourteen fey standing on the stone platform.
“With these sacredtelayou now carry, you will imbue your newfound divine magic within them. Just as your ancestors did, you will strengthen thesetelaanew. Once draped upon the shoulders of the chosen candidates, you will ask the seven founding fey to place favor upon them.”
The High Priestess swiftly clasped her hands together and tilted her head skyward. Inhaling deeply, she filled her lungs and closed her eyes. The eight phases of the moon on her arms glowed brighter, illuminating the sacred markings only she could bear. Lowering her head, she reopened her eyes, their irises now clouded.
“I have invoked the Moon Goddess’ attention. Our newly marked warlocks and sorceresses will now summon their divine magic to bless these ancient relics!”
A pulse of divine magic resonated throughout the Den ofLunaris, and the High Priestess stood motionless, signaling her role in the ritual was halted. It was now the responsibility of the newly marked fey to continue the ceremony.
Farthest from Elowyn, at the end of the line, Prince Thomys was the first to shift. He composed his features into a mask of concentration, tapping into his newly bestowed divine magic. His aura was absurdly potent, befitting his status as the heir of the Iron Hollows and theprimis. Following his lead, the other six marked fey also began to channeltheir divine magic.
Prince Thomys remained still, seemingly calm, until his eyes widened in surprise. Elowyn’s attention snapped to him as the first Bloodweaver prince’s brow furrowed and then relaxed. The concentric reptilian markings on his body began to glow, starting from his chest and spreading outward. Despite the stretched effort, he maintained his focus, breathing steadily. Thetelain his hands faintly glowed as he channeled his divine magic into it.
Meanwhile, the other six newly marked fey struggled to keep up. Each radiated with a moonlit glow from their divine markings. Elowyn watched as the Skyborn sorceress trembled, gripping thetelatightly while breathing raggedly. The Mirthwood warlock faced similar difficulties, sweat beading on his forehead as he struggled to wield the magic.
Finnor’s expression was staunch, sweat gathering on his brow. Elowyn remembered his reluctance to tap into his divine magic yesterday. Yet, among the six, Finnor’s aura resembled Thomys’ the most—searing with resilience.
Thomys’telawas now shrouded with divine magic, the threads brilliantly aglow. The ornamentations woven into the silk shimmered with energy and vigor. As he beheld it, he released a breath, his tense posture relaxing as relief washed over him.
In the next heartbeat, Finnor’s silktelawas imbued with a strength and energy parallel to Thomys’. One by one, the other fey channeled their magic into the fabric until all seventelashimmered with divine energy, elegantly hanging from their grasp.
This signaled the seven candidates across from them to bend the knee and bow their heads. In unison, the seven divine warlocks and sorceresses draped the sacredtelaupon the candidates’ shoulders, the fabric falling down their arms and shrouding them in moonlight.
Elowyn observed some of the candidates wincing as the power settled upon their shoulders. Stepping back, the seven divine fey paused their part in the ritual, leaving the candidates to proceed.
Collectively, the seven candidates attempted to rise from theground, carrying the weight of the divine magic upon their shoulders—many of the candidates were panting as they bore the burden. First, Sylas stood up steadily with only a grimace and Elyria ascended shortly after with a grit of her teeth, but nonetheless, they both remained standing.
As the Skyborn candidate, Iva, attempted to rise, she faltered abruptly and staggered back to one knee, her face flushing in humiliation. Despite her fault, she mustered on and anchored herself on two feet, still wobbling under the weight of the divine magic imbued withintela. Of the seven candidates, only Sylas and Elyria were standing firmly.
Once each candidate had risen, they turned their backs to the divine fey.
Suddenly, a powerful magic erupted from the stone platform beneath them. Moonlight surged through the stone, forming a pattern that traced seven spheres beneath the candidates’ feet, resembling the sigils of the Divine Shallows. The moonlight continued to carve the sigils of the seven realms into the stone within the spheres. Once inscribed, a shimmering halo of moonlight enveloped each candidate.
The moonlight continued to flow like vines from the platform, suffusing the entire den. It radiated outward from the fourteen fey, reaching the seven royal families. Elowyn welcomed the moonlight’s embrace as it beckoned her, feeling the crescents on her palms began to shimmer.
The moonlight traversed the moss-covered stones, ascending each level of the den. This phenomenon continued until the den’s entirety was bathed in moonlight, and Elowyn swore she saw some individuals’ eyes gleam with silver while others drew in breaths. The pull of the Moon Goddess felt extraordinary, like a halcyon of heaven and bliss.
The High Priestess clasped her hands together once more. “These fourteen individuals have successfully completed the ritual of the Favor of the Seven! Our founding ancestors have bestowed favor upon these seven candidates as they embark on their Trial of Caena!”
The den erupted into deafening cheers as the High Priestess indicated the fourteen fey behind her. Slowly, the moonlight began to wane, and the glow from the sacredtelaadorning the candidates’ shoulders faded, marking the conclusion of the Favor of the Seven.
“Elyria, you looked amazing down there!”Elowyn exclaimed happily, holding her sister’s hands within her own as they stood in the Iron Kingdom’s Great Hall.
“Thanks,” Elyria smiled appreciatively. “The Moon Goddess’ magic is incredible, but taxing. I think I’ll head home to rest for the Third Day.”
Elowyn’s expression fell slightly. “Are you sure? I was hoping we could celebrate, but I understand if you’re exhausted.”
“I’m sure,” Elyria reassured her, pulling her sister into a hug. “I’m lucky to have you.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Elowyn responded, returning the hug tightly.
