The Rite of Ascension

Today is the most important day for any children in the kingdom, and Leonard is no exception. It's the day when a child takes their first step to reach adulthood, to receive such a gift called ‘Divine Blessing’ from the Gods through a sacred rite called, the Rite of Ascension. A grandiose ritual that was highly revered across the continent, held in the presence of the archbishop and its monks of the Sanctuary. For some children, their tenth birthday may be seen as a crucial moment to determine how their life is going to be. And it's up to them, whether to weave their fate for better or worse.

Like many other children of his age, Leonard had anticipated this procession since he was seven years old. He would love to partake in such an event and learn about Divine Blessing. Although, deep down he knew that it is not the rite that he was looking for, as this would be the first time for him to see the outside world, he waited for this moment very dearly.

"Leonard," a sweet voice called out, it was heard from behind the door —followed by the sound of gentle knocking. "Master Leonard," Anne slowly opened the door. As she entered, she was greeted by a dimly lit light coming from the bed lamp, a faint light seeping in from the outside through the creak of the curtains. She looked at the bed, a blanket stretched over the bed, from toe to head, Leonard, still sleeping soundly in the bed. She looked at him and sighed. She put his breakfast on the table beside the bed. She gets up and draws the curtains open as the sunlight slowly creeps into the room. She then opened the door, accessing the balcony as the fresh breath of air swirled up into the room.

"Wakey-wakey~ Master Leonard!" she said playfully as she tried to wake him up.

"Ten...more... minutes," he grumbled as he pulled the blanket over his head. She crossed her arms, feeling irritated by his action. Anne spontaneously flung the blanket to the other side of the room. "Now it's not the time, master Leonard," shifting her tone to more serious. "Don't you remember?" she leaned into Leonard and whispered into his ear. "Today is your birthday,'' he jolted out from the bed.

"Eeeeek... really?" he exclaimed out of excitement. She nodded with a smile. "Yessss! my key to freedom!" as he monkeyed around his room.

"Happy birthday, Master Leonard!~"

Touched by her words, he immediately stopped his antics. Without any hesitation, he approached her and hugged her dearly.

"Thank you, Anne," she gently stroked his hair.

He went outside to the balcony —a breeze of fresh air bustling up to his long auburn hair. He stretched his arms up to the air. "Hiyaaaa...."

"...fresh air in the morning." he put his hand on the stone railing and rested his chin on his hand. He took a long deep breath as he slowly renewed his energy. He fixed his gaze into the scenery, a lush prairie lying before him, stretched as far as eyes could see. A tranquil feeling slivered up as the grass waltzed, gracefully with the wind.

Anne looked at him from the inside, as she stood with her hands held together, trying to hold back her emotions. Her heart ached when she saw him all alone. It's been ten years, she thought. For most of that time, Leonard's life had been lived like a prisoner in his own home. He had no friends to talk to —other than her and a couple other servants. She took pity on the boy and truly cared for him.

It started five years ago, an experience that he will never forget, a devastating event of losing both his dearly loved mother and brothers, who all lost their life during the invasion that was instigated by the neighboring nation, The Kaiserrealm of Frexidonia. The war took much from Verdiora, its border, its people, much more someone that meant a lot to Leonard. The King was devastated by it, he couldn't bear to lose more of his family to the war.

Anne was tasked by the king to keep Leonard away from state affairs and as time went on, Leonard was forgotten for good. Since then Anne fostered him, and became like a mother figure to him. But it wasn't always easy for her. The boy shut himself, meddling with his own world, in his own room. He rarely converse with others, more so even with her at first. It wrenched her heart to see him in this condition.

At the age of seven, he was bedridden after he fell from the balcony. Fortunately, he survived the fall, but only a few broken bones in his legs, and had to be bedridden for almost seven weeks. During those times, Anne faithfully tended to his wound every day. Together with bringing a physician from the town.

While he was bedridden, he had experienced something otherworldly, a weird dream —a recurring dream. He shared with her about his dreams, he told her about the dream where he woke up in an unfamiliar place in the middle of nowhere, standing still, wandering under a glimmering starlit night. He could see the universe unveils its beauty in front of his very own eyes. It shines for him, he told her sincerely. It's the most beautiful dream he ever had, he told her and she smiled upon hearing that.

Since that accident and after he told all of his dreams, he became different. He is no longer a shut-in and apathetic child. His old demeanor became less apparent with each passing day. He became more open although still timid at a time.

All those weeks, he spent more on reading books on various subjects. Like how he liked to read a book by an adventurer named E. Numachi on their book about 'Traveled around the Occidan in less than 365 days,' he engrossed on the book. Reading each page one by one, fascinated by the wonders around the continent. He liked how every nation has its own unique spotlight within the books. However, one particular section caught his interest. It's about the Night of Thousand Stars, a rare phenomenon that occurs every fifteen years, where you are able to see stars raining upon the earth. Just like his dream he thought. It captivated him to learn more about the world.

Once a while he listened to more about the story of the Triumvirate Gods that Anne told him, and socializing more with the other servants. She was happy about all the improvement that he had. The dream that he had, for a reason that she couldn't understand, in some way gave him will and purpose to live, a purpose that he never wanted before and now he dearly wanted to go outside. He told her that someday he wants to venture out into the world. At that moment, He was no longer Leonard that she knew, the shut-in boy who was afraid of the outside world. However, she told him to wait. Wait until his tenth birthday which happens at the same time as the Rite of Ascension.

***

The Rite of Ascension is celebrated on the final day of the week of every month, it is a grand occasion celebrated throughout the Occidan continent and the nation of Verdiora as it is the birthplace of The Sanctuary. Traditionally, about a hundred children from across the continent with varying ages from ten to fifteen but mostly ten would participate in the procession, but since the war broke out between Verdiora and Frexidonia, the Sanctuary limits its pilgrims to only under thirty. The Sanctuary did not discriminate regardless of their bloodlines or background, from noble or commoner family, whether they are Human, Eruvan, or Feralkins, all children are regarded as equals in the eyes of the Gods. However, it costs a 'quite' small fortune of two hundred gold coins ,alternatively, the family could donate their livestock such as cattle or any commodities that have a similar amount, only just to be able to join the rite.

The rite takes place from dusk until night, starting from the bustling town square where the children will embark on their march and ending in the Temple of Agunos Basilica as the whole town gathers to witness the procession. The children will put on their finest clothes and the Sanctuary provided the necessary needs, including the traditional ceremonial outfits for each child. The boys were adorned in a white tunic, made from loose garments down to their knees, which represented innocence and purity. Draped over their shoulders with a crimson robe, symbolizes valor. The girls, on the other hand, were embellished in exquisite loose blue dresses, flowing down to their ankles, which represent beauty and grace. Adorned on their heads, a beautifully crafted flower crown symbolizes innocence and elegance.

Leonard, filled with nervousness, hesitantly prepared himself for the event. He then walked back and forth, thinking about how he should dress himself. Clumsily, he attempted to dress himself, swiftly rummaging through the ornate box given by the Sanctuary. With determination, he confidently changed his clothes into his ceremonial outfit, putting on the white tunic with whatever was there. He recklessly draped the crimson robe on his shoulder then hastily combed his long messy hair as he took a glance at himself in the mirror, he couldn't help but frown. "Heheh... I looked silly," he chuckled a little as he scratched his head.

A gentle knock heard from outside the door, a sweet warm voice was heard, "I think you look great, Master Leonard!" said Anne as she entered Leonard's room.

She looked around the room. It was quite a mess, with a lot of clothes scattered around his room. "Huft... I just left you for a couple of hours, and you already wrecked this room," she sighed a bit as she tried to stay focused and collected.

"Anne!" said Leonard, filled with excitement as he ran into Anne. She looked down at Leonard and smiled at him as she gently stroked his hair. She knelt and fixed the poorly worn clothes. She took a badge from her pocket, then took off the robe from Leonard's shoulder and swung it in the air. The badge was adorned with intricate details, a shining golden color with red accents, and in the middle of it there is the symbol of the royal family, a swan crest. She gently draped the robe over his shoulder. Delicately, she fastened the robe with the badge on the left of Leonard's shoulder. Locked it in place, so it wouldn't fall off.

"Now, close your eyes." As she grabbed the scissors from the drawer.

"Don't move a lot or I might accidentally cut your ears. You won't that to happen right?" said Anne as she started trimming his long auburn hair.

"You know Anne..." asked Leonard shyly.

"Hmm...?"

"Anne, I was wondering what's.. your.. blessing?" asked Leonard curiously.

"My blessing? Hmm.... let me think... I don't have one!"

"Huh? None? What do you mean?"

"Well, I actually never participated in the rite when I was a child," said Anne, almost finished with the trimming.

"My family didn't have a lot of money back then. It was only my oldest brother who was lucky enough to partake in the rite."

Leonard stood up excitedly "Aha!.. Anne, you can join me in the rite!" She was stunned by Leonard's answer, it left her speechless as she couldn't help but smile at Leonard, and was grateful for what he just said.

"Right Anne? you can come with me and get your blessing!" said Leonard excitedly.

"Thank you for the offer Master Leonard..." She said with a heavy heart, averting her gaze from Leonard. "...but once you pass your fifteen birthday you can't partake in the ritual." She said, taken aback by Leonard's offer, as his smile slowly faded away.

"Ohh... don't be sad, it's not your fault Master Leonard," she gently put her hand against his cheek, caressing him gently. "But I promise to accompany you in the procession!" He felt a bit better after hearing that.

"It's done!" said Anne. "Now you can open your eyes and take a look at the mirror," with a mixed feeling, Leonard slowly opened his eyes upon hearing Anne's words.

"Alright then," he replied with much anticipation as he opened his eyes. He gazed into the mirror, mesmerized with his new look.

"Whoaaa!" he exclaimed, couldn't believe what he saw as his eyes sparkled with delight at his own reflection. He barely recognized himself in the mirror, adorned white tunic with the complementary crimson robe draped over his shoulders, flowing down to his knees. Anne saw him glimmered, her heart warmed when he gestured her to look at him.

"Anne! Look! Look!" he grabbed his training sword and swung it as if he were a knight, standing proudly on the pile of clothes while the wind gusted through the balcony into the room. Watching him doing his thing, it brought tranquility to her mind. Leonard has never been this happier in his life, he finally will get a life that he deserved. A freedom that he yearned for years.

“Anne?” he looked back at her and reached out his hand. “Come and join me!”

Upon hearing that, she accepted it gracefully and smiled to her heart’s content.