Scepter Priestesses- Part 1

Water spilled down my bare back sending rippling shivers up my spine. The water was ice cold and from the mountains. I took in a deep breath to calm myself down ignoring the cold that racked my body. I was in the middle of a ritual to purify myself and it was common to undergo cold water. I stood up and flung my long hair behind me. It was dark but I could see the lines of girls standing near me with cloth.

"Milady," Their voices echoed in the area I was standing.

I nodded in response as they bowed and dressed me in a typical cotton Kimono this time it was green in color. I pulled my dark green hair up into a ponytail making sure to add all of my hair into it to complete the look for the night.

"It's tonight Milady," One girl motioned. "Choose wisely."

I nodded while placing my feet out of the shallow river and onto the wooden walkway. I sighed and straightened my walk as I headed for the large building with sliding paper doors. I glanced at everyone I so happened to meet as they all bowed in respect. Turning into the silent hallway, barely lit from the dark, I walked and motioned to the door where my grandmother was staying. I stopped moving, waiting for permission to enter.

"Come in."

I opened the paper door and sat in my seat in front of the old women with my legs beneath me instead of cross-legged. "I'm ready." I stated.

My grandma looked up from her position and smiled. "Choose wisely. You were born with the mark of the Priestess and it is your duty to protect this world."

I nodded not wanting to spout off and ruin the moment. I didn't want to be chosen as a priestess but knowing full well the consequences of not I would take my chances with being picked.

"May you be wise dear girl."

She bowed and turned away signaling that I could go. I stood up on my feet and walked out of the grounds heading towards the meeting place.

***

"You ready Karin?" A familiar voice called from behind me.

I had arrived at the meeting place after taking a carriage through the dusty town and up along to the ritual grounds. The ground faced the dark mountains and was fenced off to guard all who entered. Inside were torches of fire on the stone towers surrounded the magic incantations. On the stone along your feet, green magic circles were inscribed.

I looked up and saw a familiar blonde talking to me. "Karin!"Sarai looked at me with her deep gold eyes. She was fiddling with her blonde hair in frustration. "You're not the only one with issues. Calm down and pay attention."

I nodded and saw the faces of everyone whom was also dragged into the prophecy of the priestesses. They were my friends and my team mates who were to suffer along me into this path not chosen but given as fate. I sighed remembering the prophecy.

Born along the same time and day, in five kingdoms they will appear. Chosen beside each other they must fight the evil that will arise. With the mark bestowed upon them. Their life is forfeit for the good of all.

Sounds great doesn't it. I knew it was inevitable being born the same day as the other leaders of each kingdom.

I looked forward in the line watching intently as our trainer, Kairan stepped forward. He adjusted his glasses and pulled his long brown ponytail back.

"Welcome all who have answered the call tonight. The night is high and the gods have answered. Today, our priestesses shall pick their partner and knight who will protect them with their life. Allow each one respectively to pick. Do not force them.  And allow them take the next step into protecting this life for all to enjoy."

He then bowed and stepped out of the center to the side. He nodded and motioned for us to start. We all nodded back and started with the words we had to memorize to activate the magic of the moon.

"With the dark
It wanes and waxes
The moonlight arc
Shows the power that we call
Moving along with our words
We will save all
Luna."

Instantly the ground started to glow and voices rang along the crowd. "All hail our princesses."

"You may begin," Kairan stated. He folded his arms into his kimono sleeves.
The first to act was Sarai. She stepped forward with confidence. In the center of the magic circle, a guy met up with her. He was tall and dark skinned. His silver hair seemed to glow green as they clasped hands in the center. Both their kimono's moved in surges as the wind started to pick up.

"Is this whom you have picked?" Kairan asked. He nodded without an answer. "One becomes two, Two becomes one.  One to save, one to give. Protection with light. Sun light and glory. Bonds."

They both disappeared then reappeared and the light died down. After he pulled her into a kiss and they walked out of the center hand in hand.

Next in the center Mariah. She pulled her dark blue hair back and wrapped herself into the hug of the guy she pulled out of the crowd.  He hesitated for a second to make sure it was alright before moving into the center of the circle. She touched his dark brown hair and pulled a fast kiss as Kai started his words again.

"One becomes two, Two becomes one.  One to save, one to give. A guiding path guides. Planets line and safety. Bonds."

And the same thing happened. After a blinding light they stepped out of the center.
Dankia was next.  She motioned her finger and a guy with bright red hair stepped out.  He nodded and they met in the center. He grabbed the tips of her auburn hair. And Kai's words echoed yet again.

"One becomes two, Two becomes one.  One to save, one to give. Bringing hope to a maiden.  Stars fall and Virtue. Bonds."

Before I noticed, the last couple, before me, had entered the center. I watched intently with my heart pounding. Next it would be my turn. But would I make the right decision? Who would I pick? It seemed as though everyone had someone already. I knew someone but then again. I had trained with a million guys who all were nice and had the same intentions of every other guy. They wanted to date. I wasn't up for that was I?

My ginger friend smiled at me. Her golden orange hair wrapped around her and her knight who had long red hair. "One becomes two, Two becomes one.  One to save, one to give.  Sincerity calls her field. Comets fall as stars and divinity. Bonds"

The light appeared and I blinked feeling sick to the stomach. I am soo not ready for this. I blacked out for a second as I started to hyperventilate.

"Moon Priestess!" A voice gently called out to me. I looked up and saw myself in the arms of a knight. He looked at me with his blue eyes filling me with warmth. "You alright milady?"

I nodded. "Sorry. I can continue."

He smiled. "Of course."

I sat myself up right and stood with authority to cancel the uneasiness in my stomach. I looked around and saw Kairan looking at me with unwavering eyes of gold. Continue he seemed to say. I nodded at him and pulled the knight's hand whom had saved me.

"Me milady?" he asked.

I nodded not really caring. I yanked myself to the center and looked carefully at the man who I had chosen. I let go of my hands and concentrated on what was to happen. My eyes instantly recognized the face and long green hair.  A smirk arose on his face and I started to blush. It was a certain perverted knight called Derek. He always cracked jokes and tried to steal a kiss from me. I was about to protest picking him but Kai's words cut me off as the wind moved along with him.

"One becomes two, two becomes one.  One to save, one to give.  A leader gives direction. The moonlight grows and love. Bonds."

This time the light didn't surround me blocking my vision. The green glow seemed to fill the insides of my body causing me to go numb. Derek looked at me with a serious look.

"You won't run this time will you?" He asked with a soft voice I could barely make out. I looked at him wide eyed and nodded understanding there was nothing I could do to stop what was happening. He walked forward a step and caught my lips in a tender kiss. I felt myself melt into his touch before I realized I was being sucked into him. My hands and whole body tensed and I disappeared from sight. I blinked and instantly his memories flooded my head. I saw events and his past. I saw death of his parents. I saw the death of his sister. I saw his pranks and jokes on the battle field. I saw his chivalry and kindness. And I saw his love. A love for me.  He saw me as a brave leader. One to be respected. He saw me as someone whom he would protect with his life. Wishing he protected his family.

Instantly, I appeared back at the grounds with Derek looking right at me. He smiled at me a half-hearted smile that filled me with sadness. He somehow knew what happened.  I felt tears weld up in my eyes as Derek stepped forward. He pulled his arms around me and comforted me before sinking into me.

"Wait," I stammered. "You cannot....;."

I knew full well that he was about to see my inner most thoughts. My feelings. My past. I fell to my knees and slightly sobbed. "You have no...;right."

My eyes swarmed and I felt a presence as my memories flooded my mind. The day I found out about what was to happen to me. The numbness of the words that came.  My dad threw me out. My mom cared but couldn't do anything. I was raised along my mother's sister who became my mom. Sandra. I was picked on as a young kid being chosen. I felt things change as he saw my training. My body was pushed to the utmost limit. The scars long my back was proof. He saw the friendship I carried with the other girls and him. He saw my impressions of him the first time we met. Then he saw my final feelings as I saw his memories and the companionship I felt for him.

After a moment Derek appeared. He placed his arms around me and apologized. "I'm sorry."
There is no reason to apologize I thought. You didn't know this would happen. Neither did I for that matter.

He smiled at me. You sure?

I blinked. "Did you just....;"

He pulled me into a hug and answered me with his thoughts.  I love you.

I smiled as he pulled me up and placed his hand in mine just before he kneeled. "I am your guidance milady. I will be there for you whenever.

One is us
Two for you
A knight's promise
Is just due
For you to know
That I am here
And close
my dear
To hold your heart
Protecting light
Tonight
Forever more."

He pressed his lips and a light appeared into my right hand. I pulled away and saw the complicated crescent moon shimmering onto my hand.

"What did you do?" I asked. "You better not of done anything…"

He looked at me with sadness. "You don't know?"

Kairan stepped forward with a look of panic. "Milady, Are you alright?"

I was about to reply when he noticed the colors glowing on my hand. "You made the knights promise."

"Knights promise?" I asked. I looked at Derek then at Kairan.

Kairan answered my question with slight awe. "It's a special bond made only by a knight of Calrys. It is made between the Knight and the one chosen. The promise can only be made once in a life time. This is a bond of protection. If you shall die the knight will take your place and you shall live."

My eyes widened. "You would do that for me?"

"I would do anything for you," Derek stated. And much more. He grabbed my hand and kissed it once more. "Will you accept me as you knight?"

I half smiled at his words. "I cannot undue what has happened. You are my knight Derek Miles."

He stood up and pulled me into a hug. "Thank you Milady."