Durand, The True Name

“Come forth my youngest.” The patriarch’s voice ripples through the air as Joshua obeys, stepping forward beside his brothers and sisters. Looking around Joshua, sees the assorted expressions on everyone's faces.

“It’s been years since I’ve been down here.” Dialos jokingly comments as he looks around, his eyes glowing dark red.

Wallace replies snidely, causing Dialos to turn and face him with a flicker of wrath in his eyes. “Likewise, beast. It has been a long time. Although I’m sure you must be used to living in the dark around monsters.”

“Quit it you two, you’re acting just as bad as the twins.” Lysandra groans as she shakes her head, her long black hair swaying behind. Brushing the left-hand side of her crystalline blue dress with dismissal, she abruptly steps back in an attempt to distance herself from Wallace’s squabble. Her pearl necklace and bracelets glow in the darkened atmosphere with her shining blue aura.

Turning to face his elder sister Wallace smugly replies. “I didn’t know you’d be here Lysandra, I thought you were busy researching those useless ruins north of here.”

Hearing this she rolls her eyes again with a look of disdain on her face. “I couldn’t miss my little brother’s naming ceremony now could I, what kind of big sister would I be if I ignored such a fascinating offer from father. And don’t call my research useless, I’m sure if you had a brain in your dumb skull you’d understand what I'm trying to accomplish.” After glaring ice cold daggers towards Wallace, she eventually turns to the three youngest with a composed face.

“That’s enough brats.” Roxanne raises her voice. “I want to see what this whole thing is about; this is all very new to me. The fact that your father finally let me come see this place is hella cool.” Wallace in the background, eyes twitch at her mannerisms as he takes a deep breath.

Now ready to begin, the patriarch stoically calls out as he steps over to the edge of the pool basin. “Come forth Vilhelm Von Terra.” Vilhelm nods his head nervously as he steps forward.

Joshua watches him take a deep breath before stepping towards the basin as Draxis questions him. “Think he’ll be okay kid? He looks like he’s going to pass out.”

“Yeah, he’ll be fine. Last time we had the naming ceremony the only ones present were Lysandra and father. He actually was more nervous last time. I guess our actions in Blackwood brought forth some positive changes.”

Draxis snarkily replies. “That should be expected, after all last time you three barely survived last time.”

“Yeah, I just wonder what other surprises are in store this time around. I have a lot more growth to take care of if I want to keep my dysfunctional family going.”

The patriarch's voice reverberates through the cavern as he calls out once more to his son. “Vilhelm, are you ready to accept your true name? Let Durandal call out to your heart and soul.”.

At the mention of Durandal Draxis mentally screams. “Kid, he said the name of your clan, but did they really mistake the name for that of a statue.” Joshua rolls his eyes at the interruption, ignoring his master.

“When you are ready, step into the water and let it flow around you.”

Vilhelm closes his eyes before taking a step into the water. Slowly he descends into the basin as the water rises up to his chest. His clothes floating up around him. The water fluctuates between hot and cold flashes as the process becomes extremely uncomfortable.

Seeing his sons distress the patriarch moves onto the next step. “Now feel the aura inside yourself my son and channel it throughout your body and then into the water. Then open your eyes once more.”

Vilhelm does as Roderic commands as the water glows a similarly dark blue as Lysandra’s dress. The dragon statue’s eyes light up as a name forms on the surface of the water: Paratolmos. Just as quickly as it shines, it fades away as the name becomes seared on his heart. Vilhelm clutches his chest in pain, the action taking a further toll on his body.

The water then loses its glow as Vilhelm hobbles out of the water, his face now washed out and typically vibrant energy nowhere to be found. The patriarch seeing this stands quietly nodding his head in acceptance as Vilhelm makes his way over to a nearby seat and he slowly lowers himself onto it as he starts breathing in and out. His clothes, still soaking wet from the water.

Seeing the look on the other twin's face the patriarch calls out with a calm tone. “For some this process is more taxing than others. Come forth Wilhelm Von Terra. And don’t worry about your weapon. I see the look in your eyes, keep it brandished at your side as it’s also an extension of yourself and your true nature.”

“Yes father.” Wilhelm steels himself as he strides on into the water as it immediately turns steaming hot. The water illuminates with a green glow as it lights up the entire room causing Wilhelm to wriggle about in the water in complete amazement.

“Green, I wonder… I guess I’ll have to wait until Joshua enters to test my hypothesis.” Wallace mumbles quietly to himself as Roxanne overhearing it lifts her hand to her chin intrigued by the nineteen year olds comment.

“As with your brother, feel the energies in the pool and accept them into yourself, circulate your aura and close your eyes. Then you will receive your true name.”

Wilhelm does as his father states, closing his eyes as the dragon statues' eyes light up. “Exousia.” The name glistens across the water as Wilhelm makes his way out. Water dripping from his clothes, drop after drop. The name sears itself on his heart painlessly unlike his twin.

Seeing this Dialos mumbles quietly to himself as the true names of his siblings come to mind. “Paratolmos, Exousia, Dipolikos, Philosophia, Adeiazo, Apate and Zestasia. I wonder what awaits my dearest little brother.” A soft smile creeps across his face as his eyes gaze on gently with curiosity.

“You ready kid?” Draxis questions as he knows Joshua is up next.

“I guess so.” Joshua sighs as he shakes his head.

“Joshua Von Terra, the youngest of my loins, descend into the water.” The patriarch commands with fervor causing Lysandra to raise an eyebrow to the passion in his voice. Even the air in the room grows still at his words.

“Let’s get this over with.” Joshua thinks to himself as he removes his boots and shirt and pants leaving him in skin tight shorts. Unlike his twins who now rest in fully soaked outfits. His physique catches the gazes of his elder siblings.

Dialos speaks quietly to himself with excitement as Wallace overhears. “That’s right little brother, keep training and catch up to me. Give me a real fight unlike these posers who share our blood.”

“You’re sick in the head beast, you’re only competition is me and Lysandra don’t worry about little o-.” Wallace retorts quickly before Lysandra cuts him off.

“Wallace, the succession battle isn’t completely about strength, intellect and worth, and talent play a huge part.”

The blond haired boy’s eyes glow green in the darkness as he glares at his siblings. “If only father hadn’t changed the damn traditions.” Wallace mumbles to himself as Roxanne shakes her head. “Dumb brat if he hadn’t, you’d already be long dead.”

Meanwhile the patriarch’s gaze rests solely on his youngest as he descends into the water without issue. “Yep, the water's lukewarm, just like last time.” Joshua closes his eyes and starts channeling his aura throughout himself and the water.

Everyone simply stares at the situation in confusion for a few minutes before Joshua speaks with faux concern. “Father, why is nothing happening?” With a look of worry in his eyes he looks down in disappointment. However, having already been worried about his youngest due to his knowledge of intruders the previous night, he turns to the Mercenary King and gives her a single command. Unbeknownst to Joshua, his and Vilhelm's exploits come in handy.

“Purify the basin Roxanne, we’ll discuss what to do with the treacherous bastards who decided to tamper with this sacred ritual.” A look of wrath covers his face before he recomposes himself after a lengthy inhale and exhale.

A dastardly smile spreads across the Mercenary King's face as she walks up to the basin and cuts her left hand open with one of her sharp nails. As the blood drips into the water everyone looks on with confusion, especially Wallace.

Shortly after, she draws a sigil on Joshua’s forehead as she forces his body underwater. Immediately his body tenses up and his muscles want to spasm as he starts holding his breath. Letting go of the teen, she places her bleeding hand over the surface and begins drawing. Her blood remains on the water's surface as she speaks in reverse once more another word of power.. “yfirup” The water immediately glows with a black and gold light as a strange white substance explodes out and vanishes into a mist.

Throwing his arm to the side the patriarch yells out completely breaking character. “My son, I know you can hear me, feel the aura within yourself and reach beyond yourself!” The other siblings look on with mixed expressions. Only Roxanne and the twins recognizing that Joshua is clearly the patriarch’s favorite.

Underwater, Joshua, hearing his father's voice, closes his eyes as he continues to circulate his aura, unaware of the things that occur above the surface of the water.

“Kid, stay completely still. Let me see If I can do anything with my draconic power. I can feel your heart and breath as you desire to panic at the lack of oxygen.” Joshua, hearing this replies mentally to Draxis, completely understanding the situation.

“Thank you master.” Joshua’s eyes immediately shift into draconic red as the water surrounding Joshua begins to freeze. The very surface of the water also starts to crystallize. Eventually a minute passes without him coming back up for air. This causes a look of concern on most of their faces aside from Dialos and the Patriarch. Both having confidence in the youngest.

As everyone’s eyes focus on the water as Lysandra speaks up to her father, actual panic in her voice. “I should step in; this is all wrong.” “Father, There’s no way he can survive like this. He won’t be able to breathe.” Drawing her thin black and blue rapier from her side she steps forward. Only for the patriarch to exert his own pressure causing the air to grow heavy as a blood red energy pushes her back. His piercing red eyes stare into her soul as she begins to tremble.

Recoiling in pain, Lysandra grits her teeth. “Damn it, father, he’s going to die down there!”

“I hope you know what you’re doing Joshua; don't let my faith in you be in vain.” Dialos mutters aloud with a fierce gaze as he watches this all unfold.

At this point most of the siblings are either being repelled by the patriarch’s overwhelming aura or standing back in awe. As this occurs, Joshua shifts underwater. As ripples of aura rattle underneath the ice, the surface completely freezes over. Joshua on the other hand is still doing fine as Draxis forms a bubble of air around his head at the last minute.His skin grows cold as Draxis warms him from within.

The patriarch, still maintaining his aura, looks down curiously at the proceedings as his gaze turns to Roxanne who shrugs in response. “He’ll be fine.” She chuckles aloud, earning a look of ire from the twins.

Eventually another couple minutes pass as a massive surge of energy could be felt emanating from underneath the ice as it begins cracking. Red, black, purple, and gold energy begins leaking through the cracks. Shining and launching throughout the cavern into its ceiling.

As this goes on, the dragon statues' eyes shift into a piercing yellow with black slits. Everyone notices instantly the shift in pressure stops looking towards the light show as they turn their attention to the now living statue. Its Draconic form stretches its black wings claws as it gazes down at Joshua.

“Father, what's going on?” Wallace shouts in a panic, not understanding what was going on as he reaches for his own blade.

“I don’t know Wallace, but I think we’ll be getting our answer soon.” The patriarch replies as he gazes at ‘Durandal’ with an unreadable expression as the ice in the basin shatters everywhere.

The fragments of ice melt as they come in contact with his siblings and the light show ends as Joshua unknowingly resurfaces, his eyes still draconic with red slits down the middle as the cold-water cascades across his body. Lines of red energy trace the outline of his skeletal structure.

As this goes on, everyone else is still completely distracted by the dragon statue coming to life as it hums in an unknown language. “Durand.” An ethereal voice echoes out as if coming from the void itself. Everyone in the room shudders at the mention of the name not knowing what it means. The statue then turns its gaze to Joshua before speaking once more. “Know thyself and pierce the heavens. Only you!” Joshua, mentally exhausted, looks up as the dragon returns to its post and re-solidifies into a statue.

Thankfully now no longer submerged in water, Joshua lets out a sigh of exhaustion as he immediately clutches his chest as the name is seared onto his heart, his eyes shifting back to normal. His siblings thankfully don’t bring attention to his eyes. Draxis now able to relinquish control calls. “Kid, he just said your name is Durand.”

“I know Draxis. The very founder of our clan.” Joshua weakly speaks aloud catching a strange look from Wallace as he looks down at his feet, his breathing soon becoming erratic. It only takes one step before his world begins to spin. Roxanne, seeing this, quickly reaches her arms out and pulls him out of the basin laying him down on his back.

“That concludes receiving your true names my sons.” The patriarch speaks aloud. “Now to the rest of you, everyone leave the three youngest alone, let them rest. The next step of the ceremony will commence soon.

“Next step?” Joshua groans as he clutches his head. Unable to recall this happening last time. “Didn’t you get escorted out of here before?” Draxis questions.

“Yeah, I never made it this far. Last time Dialos carried me out of here himself.” Joshua mentally replies as he slowly sits himself up. His body was soaking wet. Seeing him regain some of his strength, someone offers a hand.

“You gave some of your siblings a fright back there. You’re doing well to keep them on their toes.” Roxanne smugly replies with a grin as she pulls Joshua back to his feet. Quickly recoiling, he clutches his head once more.

Joshua mentally groans to himself as he lets out a sigh. “I don’t want to ever do that again.”

Roxanne chuckles aloud as she pricks her left index finger. Spinning him around, she draws another rune on his back. Soon after a massive gust of hot dry air instantly dries his form as Joshua pats his body in shock. “I’d ask what went on in there, but you probably won’t tell me.”

Looking up to her with curious eyes his mouth instinctually asks his desire.. “Can you teach me that?” The question causes her to respond with a smirk.

“Sure brat, after you tell me how you know about blood magic.” Roxanne’s fiery eyes light up.

“Umm…” Joshua stutters as he quickly brushes her off making his way over to his twin brothers and takes his seat. Following him from behind, Lysandra walks over handing Joshua his clothes as he quickly throws everything back on and re-equips his blade. Waving to his eldest sister he calls out as she starts walking away. “Thank you, big sis.” This causes a look of satisfaction on her face as she nods her head smiling in response. Wallace's skin crawls seeing her smile.

Following the momentary break everyone gets up and heads over to the other side of the large space. On its edge a large black monolith surrounded by stalagmites and blood red torches stands tall, nearly reaching the ceiling of the cavern.

Raising his voice with evident pleasure at his son's performance, the patriarch calls out “My sons now that you have received your true names according to Durandal it's time to face yourselves.”

“What? How are we supposed to do that. All that’s here is a large rock.” Vilhelm questions as he tilts his head in confusion like a dunce.

Wilhelm eyes his father with equal confusion as his twin. “What do you mean, face yourself?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.” Dialos starts laughing with a twisted look in his eyes as he remembers his time here.

Wallace walks up behind the twins and pats them on the back. “Don’t worry about him. It’s not that bad.” He leans down between the two and begins to whisper.

“You’ll be entering the monolith, don’t worry you two will be fine. Whatever happened to him is unknown to me, clearly whatever he faced there was probably just as sick in the head as he is.” The twins shudder slightly at his words as the patriarch coughs to get everyone’s attention. Stepping back Wallace dusts his coat off.

Seeing this interaction, Roderic lifts his right hand to his brow and pinches the bridge of his nose. As he takes a deep breath, he mumbles aloud. “This must be why my father didn’t allow all of us children down here at one time.”

Joshua, hearing all this, is left perplexed as he doesn’t have much idea on what's going on. “Durand…. Why….” Looking down towards his boots, He continues reflecting on his ‘true name’ and what that means as the patriarch continues his speech.

“My sons, it’s time to face your true selves as tradition has commanded. What you are about to undergo will push you beyond anything you’ve ever faced before. This is not a trial for the weak. Show me that you carry my blood and cut down anything that stands in your way even if it means walking through hell itself.”

“I doubt it will be as bad as Blackwood.” Joshua thinks to himself, but Draxis stays quiet unsure of that notion and what will become of him in this mystic ritual. The patriarch’s eyes darken as he unsheathes what looks to be a giant black dragon's tooth from his side. His eyes then light up with a dark red. As his aura swirls around his body and blade.

All of the older siblings step back knowing what comes next and brace themselves.The twins however aren’t privy to this information as the patriarch is enveloped instantaneously by a black and red aura as he slams his blade into the monolith. Instantly a loud crash can be heard almost as if someone was shattering thousands of panes of glass.

The tiny fragments of red energy crash down over the twins cutting them as it sends them hurdling into the ground whereas Joshua instinctively draws his blade forward shielding himself. He grits his teeth as a small barrier of aura forms in front of him. “The hell is this.” Joshua’s eyes sharpen.

Roxanne eyes this with a smirk. “That’s right. Prove yourself to me brat. Show me that you're nothing like your dysfunctional siblings. Show me that you can be my disciple.”

“This… Father… This is who I remember.” Joshua recollects on the harsh stoic man from his past who expected strength and brilliance from his spawn. “Kid, something's coming. Ready yourself.” Draxis commands.

“Already doing that.” Joshua replies sarcastically as his grip tightens on his blade.

“I meant mentally brat. I won’t be able to shield you this time!” Draxis screams out as a bright light envelopes the three boys as they vanish into nothingness.

“Good Luck.” The patriarch states calmly as he walks over to Roxanne. The majority of his children head out as this next step can take a while. Dialos on the other hand, surprisingly volunteers to stand watch. “Father, I’ll watch over the monolith and the three of them.”

“We’ll that’s surprisingly responsible of you Dialos.” Wallace mockingly snickers whilst flipping his hair.

“Silence snake.” Dialos grits his teeth and looks at his brother with malice. Red energy dancing across his fists.

Lysandra sighs as she whips around, her hair flowing behind as the two of them head back to the manor. “Not right now… Wallace, let’s get going, we have guests to entertain.” Wallace shakes his head not wanting to let Dialos get away with his insult as he follows Lysandra back.

“Do you think they’ll be okay?” Roxanne questions Roderic. “The twins; yes. I don’t know about Joshua. That statue has never done that before, I don’t know if it’s a good or bad omen.Typically when inanimate objects come to life it's usually not a good sign.” Roderic looks down as she places her right hand on his shoulder.

“I think he’ll be fine. He readied himself on instinct and even formed a premature barrier unconsciously. Are you one hundred percent sure that you don’t want me to train him?”The patriarch looks at her with a deadpan gaze as begins walking off, leading her to start pestering him like a teenage girl. “This woman, just as persistent as Vivian” Thinking about his late wife, a soft smile creeps across his face as his gaze softens.

Finally after everyone else leaves, Dialos steps forward and sits in front of the monolith crossing his legs and closing his eyes. “Don’t screw up like I did Joshua.” A look of pain crosses his face as a single tear uncharacteristically rolls down from his left eye down his cheek. His black sword necklace glistening as the tear drop falls onto it.