The Ascension Of The Celestial Priest

The warning 'Run' was almost like a spell that snapped Ulqiorra's followers out of their daze and set them on their legs fleeing for their lives. They possessed none of the vigor and power they had arrived with as they fervently tried to distance themselves as far away from the conjuration as possible.

During their flight, realizing they were setting themselves up to be a bigger of a target if they fled together as a group, one of them had the presence of mind to warn his comrades.

"Split up." he shouted and the crowd of five immediately split into 2 groups. The first group of three was led by the burly mage who once placed himself directly at the center of the spell barrage directed at Lukas. He was deceptively fast for his weight, followed by 2 other mages while remaining group of two was led by a tall lanky mage who was surprisingly able to eat up huge stretches of the ground with his long slender legs.

They barely noticed when their Maestro stopped in his tracks and took a stand. But it certainly caught their eyes when the l.u.s.trous bird made an entrance and their hearts tightened when they saw such an exquisite shield appearing on his body. They almost immediately realized that the bird must have been a hidden card their Maestro possessed and as a gesture of his sacrifice they might as well disappear from sight lest they drag him down with their weakness and helplessness. Not one of them had the thought to stay behind for him, something which was the exact opposite of what happened to Lukas when he truly fell in danger.

With the stars up in the sky, and the glittering lights all around him below, 'Lukas' almost looked like a Celestial God within the Starry Heavens. He indifferently watched as his spell unleashed two stars that streaked across the skies like comets, making for the escaping mages respectively.

He reminisced to himself of how much frail loyalties can be when despite the fact that their leader stayed back to put up a fight, none of his followers even paused their steps as they continued to make their escape, mostly probably grateful for him pulling the attention of their enemy off their backs.

But it was all to no avail.

BOOM!

A frightening sound was heard and the screams of terror soon followed. The first star immediately crashed right the midst of the three fleeing mages and it was only the cacophony of shrieks and terror that emanated from within the cloud of dust and blood as lacerating light spewed everywhere.

The second star descended almost instantly and the lanky mage was engulfed by the glaring light. By the time everything stilled and the remnant energy dispersed, none was seen running anymore. Only a pandemonium of groans and cries filled the chaos; with blood and limbs spread everywhere in their near vicinity. Unlike the Vermilion spell, the starry descent left none of fire and smoke behind but the concentrated energy within each star was strong enough to pierce through their defenses and inflict such heavy injuries that some came out with their limbs torn while only the lucky few were left with deep wounds that stretched all over their bodies.

The burly mage and his lanky partner were especially unlucky. It was almost as if the terrifying spell was aimed for them both as they were the ones with the most severe injuries among-st the five. The burly mage lost half of his right leg while the lanky mage was torn from his right hand that had held the very staff he had raised against Lukas and his entourage. The aftermath was filled with the wails of pain and whimpering with only those who lucky enough to still have their hands and legs intact desperately trying to help their severely injured comrades, so they can make their full escape amongst the ditches left by the starry descent.

Ulqiorra couldn't care less about his cowardly teammates as almost the second after the third star forcefully crashed against his glittering shield in a burst of light and power. The humongous force was only enough to crack his supreme defenses but he didn't even dare celebrate as the fourth star soon followed.

CRACK!!!

This time his shield was severely weakened. Sensing its impending doom a resonant cry was heard and the runes that littered across its surface shone in a harsh light, trying to mend some of the damage ensued.

But the fifth and the last star was particularly merciless as it whizzed across the skies with such momentum that it almost seemed as if it was controlled by the hand of god. The previous star had nearly toppled Ulqiorra off his feet but from this one, he could sense that his survival hinged on if his talismanic shield could hold against it.

HISSS!!!

It wasn't much of an explosion as it was an implosion of spells, a direct clash between magic of different nature as everything around Ulqiorra was directly annihilated. Ulqiorra's shield finally gave out with a dismal wail as the two powerful spells effectively canceled each other within the conflagration of bright white light that melted the surrounding ground with its hot searing energy.

Within the silence that followed, held by a morbid curiosity Geoff finally asked.

"Is it…finally over?"

Moira could only answer, this time her voice was as soft as possible.

"Perhaps…" she said but inwardly she fervently hoped that the worst had already passed.

As they were conversing a coughing sound came from the rubble. Once they peered through the settling dust, they saw Ulqiorra slowly picking himself up. His red robe was in tatters, his long hair disheveled and most of his entire runic shield was shattered, with pieces of it flickering away like smoke. He wheezed through the dust and grime, leaning on his staff that had seen more than its fair share of damage as with a lingering cry, the rest of his crimson shield soon disappeared. He knew that if it wasn't for the last flare of his runic talisman, he might have not survived the starry spell in one piece.

When it finally dawned on him that he was all alone and surrounded by his enemies, he immediately turned to flee. His weakened legs carried him as fast as they could; though he still swayed on his way, his gait unbalanced and precarious.

"You all... You all are going to pay for this." His voice trailed behind as he slowly disappeared from view.

Moira silently formed an ice icicle and it was just about to silently finish him off when she was stopped by Geoff.

"Don't do it." he whispered at her. "We were lucky enough that no one died but when a descendant from a great noble house suddenly vanishes, an inquiry would immediately be launched. Both of us and Mira might survive the supposed wrath but him…" his head silently nodded at 'Lukas' who was standing still witnessing Ulqiorra's clumsy escape "It might bring him more trouble than that its worth especially when they are so many witnesses left behind."

Moira reluctantly lowered her hand, dispersing her magic. It suddenly occurred to her that what had just happened was the best result out of all of the possibilities. No matter how much she despised Ulqiorra, she knew that his status could warrant a furious investigation led by his House of Firaun and the Tabernacle of Flames Sect. If even a wisp of their involvement reached the ears of the Patriarch of Firaun that was a spark enough to ignite a full blow war between the houses, shattering the relative peace that had existed for all these years within the Continent of Lush.

After Ulqiorra and his followers successful escaped into the forest, certain calmness descended once more on the fields that had witnessed far too much in an expanse of a single day. Only a lilting cadence broke through the silence and even then, a calm breeze passed through the bloodied leaves and the translucent motes of light, carrying his soft voice even further.

"It seems you weren't destined to fall by my hands…" 'Lukas' mused before he lowered his hallowed head to stare at his hands."If only he wasn't this weak..." He paused before he lightly shook his head. "This is already enough as it is, I can't d.e.s.i.r.e for more…"

He swiftly turned, his crystal glowing eyes landing on both Geoff and Mira in turn.

Summoning the courage he never knew he had, Geoff took a step forward before he bowed." T-thank you f-for saving our lives."

If he was later asked why he bowed against someone who was practically within the same age with him, he wouldn't have had an answer. But at the moment if felt fitting especially when he gave his respects to something that was surely more than human.

Slightly amused 'Lukas' only gave him a cursory glance before his attention shifted to Mira who was still busy refining the bird.

"It wouldn't be in my taste to leave so ungraciously before giving out a few gifts to remember me by. But first…"

'Lukas' placed the slender white staff in front of him before he lightly waved his hand over it, successfully lighting up the second runic ring on it. The first ring used to light up every time Lukas used it as a casting medium, limiting its power to that of a white ranked artifact. But the moment second ring went alight, a blinding light resurfaced, and the whole staff transformed in a wave of cascading radiance. Small intricate silver-like runes lighted up and they flowed throughout the stem, leaving the staff with a beautiful design that glimmered under the returning sun like diamonds.

Dazed they could only stare before he turned towards them and gave them a kindest smile.

"As his companions, just a little something would suffice." He lightly waved his hand and 3 starry motes of light that had fluttered and swayed with his every motion drifted through the air like iridescent butterflies to every one of them.

The 1st Mote went to Mira. It easily bypassed her defenses before unceremoniously merging with her in a soft radiance.

The 2nd Mote went to Moira her twin and she didn't even resist it. Her glacial aura had returned and she watched everything that was unfolding like an impartial observer. When it merged into her forehead, she only closed her eyes in appreciation.

But it was with Geoff that 'Lukas' personally delivered his mote with a few words to tell him.

"Once the day will come where you will be lost and broken. This Star will be your guidance then and it will lead you to your destiny. Whether you decide to make the final choice will be up to you."

More than puzzled, Geoff could only stare, confused at the distance so easily crossed between them. But he hadn't the mind to care for it especially when the Star fused with him and he was left with too many questions to ask.

'Lukas' only gave him the warmest smile before a dire warning sounded into their minds.

'In return of these gifts, I ask only one favor. Never let a word of this reach his ears. It was only by fate that I was summoned, and only by fate that he is kept in the dark, until the destined day.'

They visibly shuddered. They were completely sure that the warning came from him except he never once opened his mouth. But for them it might have as well have been an order instead of a request. Geoff was just about to ask him one of his many questions he had before 'Lukas' swayed on his feet and Geoff found himself instinctively catching him into his arms.

It was like a switch had turned off in his body and no matter how much Geoff tried to wake him up, all he was met was silence as Lukas's face slowly paled in response.

"What is happening?" he fervently asked as he witnessed Lukas getting paler and paler with each passing second.

Moira could only watch before someone burst into the scene in a flurry of a crimson robe.

"I know these signs." Mira told them, already knelling beside Lukas with a host of potions already in her hands. "It's Mana exhaustion. Usually occurs if mage overdrafts their mana, forcing their body to hibernate as it tries to recover."

"How do you know?" Geoff asked as he gave Mira some space to work with.

Mira nearly rolled her eyes." It's something I have come across several times during some of my intense training. Not that you have ever attended any of my training sessions."

With deft movements she poured a few potions down Lukas's throat while she muttered to herself.

"Whoever that was…"she paused before she went on." …he must have used a lot of his mana to materialize such a spell leaving Lukas to deal with the consequences."

Moira slowly nodded, her hands lifting to her forehead where the star had disappeared to.

"True but who was he?" she wondered.

For a moment they all froze, before Mira briskly finished her process with a few words.

"He is okay, for now. A concoction of some healing and recovery potions has stabilized him but it will take an official healer fully heal his body."

Geoff slowly leaned down, tenderly carrying Lukas body into his arms, as he stared at the peaceful expression on his well sculpted face.

"They are some very good healers at The Healer's Pavilion back at the Golden City." He said. "If we hurry up we can make it just in time."

He slung him across his arms before shifting his weight to his back, his shield and sword given to Mira for carrying and safe keeping.

After just about everything they took moment, staring at the surrounding marks left of the chaos and battles that had just taken place. There battered rustled in the wind, with a peaceful atmosphere that had spread all over filed, belaying of all the dangers and the turns they had just faced.

"I thought you still had more than few minutes to finish refining." Moira suddenly spoke.

Mira sighed. "I did but it seemed whatever he did, it allowed me to fully refine it in a heartbeat."

They both turned towards her and with a sigh she realized she needed to tell them everything.

"I might have trapped myself within the dome but I could still hear and see everything that was happening."

Her eyes flitted over some of the limps left behind before she commented.

"Whoever possessed him, clearly had the power to kill but he didn't." she observed before she added, "It was most probably a transcendental figure of years past. We were lucky to be witnesses to such a momentous event in our lives. His arrival might be taken as an omen heralding for the things to come."

She turned towards them both, her eyes shining with hidden madness and d.e.s.i.r.e.

"His original strength was probably at a level we can only aspire to have." Her gaze got complicated once it settled on the fainted Lukas. "But with his gifts, it means that our fate is already entangled with him. It's a little disheartening that he won't know what had just happened..."

Geoff only shook his head. "We are already forbidden from telling him the truth." The warning had come from such a figure after all and Geoff intended to follow it to the letter.

"For now yes…" Moira agreed before she added while her hand softly flitted across Lukas's face. "Thus from now, we will keep our mouths sealed, just as instructed. We can only be patient and witness the rise of a transcendental figure of our own generation."

She finished but a thousand more thoughts passed through her mind. Because only time would tell if their involvement with him would happen to be a blessing or not.