The Ascension Of The Celestial Priest

At first, it began as a spark in the horizon. It manifested in the darkness, coaxing Lukas to instinctively reach for it, to try and hold it within his arms. But the spark rebelled, growing larger and brighter against the prying shadows until it blinded him in a sharp brilliance and he found himself finally awake.

The light was mercilessly bright in the morning. He was in the midst of white sheets, on top of a very comfortable bed in what was seems to be a plain square room colored in white on every surface imaginable. For a second he thought he was in a hospital but the stained windows on his right; opened to allow the morning light through shattered his fantasy. It would have been too easy for him to wake up in his old world and treat everything that he had happened to him as a high, drug infused reverie.

He silently g.r.o.a.n.e.d in his drowsiness. His whole body felt as if someone drew his flesh, blood and bone through a straw leaving only a husk behind. Every part of his body ached and hurt and the only comfort he had was the warm sheets heating up his sore body, and the chirrups of birds outside notifying him that he was still alive.

And just like that everything came rushing back and his heart clenched into pieces. What happened after he passed out? Where were Ulqiorra and his bastards? What was the epitome of the fight that had followed? Was he able to defend until the very end? Was everyone okay?

He rose in panic…at least he tried to until his head swam; stifling the groan that almost escaped his throat in the process. Initially it had escaped his notice but someone was actually half seated on a chair while leaning on his bed. The short wavy hair and the glossy leather armor underneath made him recall a familiar figure and for a moment his heart stilled and he smiled. If he was here, right there beside him then that meant the worst surely hadn't happened.

Expending more effort that he expected, Lukas weakly raised his nearest hand and slowly laid it to rest on his head. He couldn't help bit slowly knead his fingers through his silky hair, feeling each strand softly c.a.r.e.s.sing his hand. Somehow that comforted him and he sadly smiled to himself. But in his action, it slowly woke Geoff from his slumber and before long he rose from the bed, stretching himself before yawning and turning only to see Lukas fully awake staring at him.

"Hey" Lukas breathed.

Geoff blushed before quickly recollecting himself.

"You are finally awake." he said as his way of greeting. "How are you feeling?"

Lukas gave a quick glance over the rest of his torso. "I feel like someone s.u.c.k.e.d my soul out of my body. But apart from a few bruises I'm surprisingly alright; mostly drained though."

Geoff sighed in relief. "I am glad to hear that." And he truly meant it.

Lukas slightly frowned. "What happened after I passed out? Are the twins okay?"

Geoff paused before he strangely asked. "Don't you remember?"

Lukas's face tightened with effort before he helplessly sighed. "All I recall was that I was trying my best to withstand their barrage…but there was a sudden flash of light….and I think that was when I passed out because my mind can't conjure up anything after that."

Geoff's face twitched before he gave him a reassuring smile.

"You saved our lives." he sincerity admitted. "That's mostly what matters." He held his gaze as he spoke every word, while deep with his mind; a warning flitted across once again.

'Beware…'

'…of loosing that which your heart d.e.s.i.r.es the most'

Stunned, Lukas hurriedly shifted his eyes elsewhere. "How-how long was I out?" he inquired as he tried to distract himself from the sudden spike on his c.h.e.s.t. Those deep blue eyes were so intense that he was rendered speechless out of the many questions that previously rolled in his mind.

"You have been unconscious for 3 days." he informed him. "The healers had to magically induce you to sleep just in case to make sure your body fully recovers."

Lukas took that piece of news with stride. Taking the context between his words meant that he was out cold for 3 whole days. Which means by now any vestiges of the previous battle must have been dealt with. At least it seemed so, judging by how Geoff seemed comfortable talking to him.

"I have so many things I want to know but first, where am I?"

He looked around as he asked. The room had a very simple décor. Adding his bed, the chair that Geoff sat on and the seemingly ancient table beside him Lukas almost felt peaceful, except for the butterflies fluttering in his c.h.e.s.t…

"We are back at Golden city. This is one of the countless rooms inside the Healer's Pavilion, where they extend their curing services to almost every injured adventurer within the city's walls." Geoff answered.

At least knowing where he was gave Lukas a piece of mind. He tried bracing himself into a proper sitting position but he nearly passed out from the effort. His body was severely weakened and it was taking almost of his resolve not to curse.

"Here let me help." Geoff offered as he rose from his seat and Lukas found himself held by strong hands that supported him on his back. But it was at that moment that something happened. It was like a shift of seasons, a transformation in the atmosphere where all of sudden Lukas was intensely aware of just how close Geoff was.

Hit with the lungful of his body's scent, Lukas's body reacted and he found himself leaning on him more than what was necessary. His woody scent made his mind heady forcing Lukas to forget just how much weak he truly was. At first Geoff stiffened but before Lukas could recollect his senses, Geoff slowly detached from him and they spent a moment where their eyes locked, their faces less than inch apart and deep within his striking blue eyes, Lukas sensed the irresistible hunger that pulled him in as much as it confused him.

It would have gone on for quite a long time if it wasn't for the huge bang that f.o.r.c.i.b.l.y shattered the mood between them. The door was unceremoniously opened and Mira graciously stormed in, unaware of what she had just interrupted.

"You are awake!" She proclaimed as she crashed through the weird atmosphere like an ill timed guest. Geoff swiftly retreated from the bed like he was bitten while Moira followed behind her sister with a strange look on her face as she caught Lukas's slightly disappointed look, Geoff's guilty face and the glance they secretly shared afterwards.

Not breaking her stride, Moira nodded at Lukas. "You are still alive." She observed, "Good." She proclaimed. She didn't even add another word, as she stood beside the whitewashed walls, with only her bearing showing just how much she was relieved.

"It had taken too long." Mira complained as she sat beside the bed. "You had us all worried to death."

Lukas helplessly smiled. "How could I have known that I will be unconscious for 3 whole days…?"

Mira rolled her eyes as she chuckled. "What's important it's that you are on your way to full recovery. We wouldn't have been able to have peace from the huge debt that you owe us."

Lukas shook his head. "Don't worry about that. I can only be grateful that we are all here in one piece. All I remember was that I was being besieged by their spells before my shield finally gave out. I have no idea what happened next."

Mira paused as Geoff informed her. "He doesn't remember."

For a second Lukas could have sworn something passed between them as they shared a glance before her gaze returned to him.

"It's okay." Mira dismissively waved her hand. "We were lucky to be saved just after you passed out."

"Saved?" Lukas's attention was piqued. "By who?"

Mira took her time, almost as if she was recollecting everything that had happened before she answered. "All I can confidently say is that it was definitely an expert who lent out his hand against those bastards."

"Wait really?" Lukas couldn't be more dubious.

Mira sighed. "I'm not trying to make a joke here. I might have been holed up in that dome of mine but I was acutely aware of everything that was going on. There are no words that can truly portray just how grateful I am for what you have done for me, for us..." She paused before she went on.

"But just as your shield was finally overcome and that damnable Ulqiorra was making a move against all of you, a brilliant light manifested on the fields, heavily blinding everyone. It very nearly affected my refinement process but by the time it receded, the Vermilion spell Ulqiorra casted was effectively nullified and the sky had transformed into night filled with glittering stars…"

"Stars?" Lukas nearly jumped from the bed.

Mira nodded pretending not to notice just how much Lukas was worked up with her words.

"Right in the middle of the day, a grand starry spell glittered across the sky. It was something I have never witnessed before. Such magic spelled doom for Ulqiorra and his accursed followers. By the time they had the mind to escape the Stars were already falling, with limbs separated from their bodies, and blood flowing in their screams of terror."

Mira's face morphed into one of intense satisfaction as Lukas asked something that immediately crossed his mind.

"Are they… dead?"

Mira slowly shook her head. "Sadly no. But they were taught a lesson they won't easily forget. His followers were severely injured but Ulqiorra had a trump card that barely saved him in one piece. In the end he fled the valley with his tail between his legs."

Lukas sighed, a little disappointed than he let on.

"But don't let that fool you." Mira continued. "Knowing him and his devilish mind, he won't let this rest. He might not be a concern for us now but eventually he will be back. If it wasn't for you he would have obtained a lot of more than what he had lost. You will have to be even more careful in the near future."

A moment of silence dawned heavily as Lukas regarded the rest of his body and something red took place of the butterflies that once fluttered in his c.h.e.s.t.

He recalled everything that had happened prior to his blackout. Every uttered word, every spell cast, and every emotion that coursed through his veins when he thought it was all over. The helplessness he felt, the despair he tasted and the fact that there were people in this world who would easily claim lives of other people just for their own selfishness.

This time, he had to admit he was really naive. Presence of Magic in this world meant endless possibilities especially to a person like him who came from a normal world. But with such boon, came all of its dark side and terror. He was lucky enough to survive on this occasion but next time, would he dare let his life be decided by the whims of fate once again?!

He clenched his fist as he got his answer. He truly treasured all life despite its glaring shortcoming. Not once had he raised a hand when he was oppressed and ostracized by people who misunderstood what he was. Not once had he pointed a finger to people who were too blinded by their own beliefs to even understand what they were doing. But not anymore. Years of depression and suicidal thoughts had built his inner core to be stronger than most; resilient and stubborn in the face of adversity. Next time someone tried to threaten his life, he won't even hesitate to respond in kind.

He took a deep breath to quell the anger in his heart even as a resolute expression settled on his face. For now he will be patient…like a scorpion, waiting to deal a deadly strike against his prey. He had no doubts that one day their paths would cross. Call it intuition or 6th sense but he knew that that moment would surely come to pass and he would be fully prepared for it. After all it was with his own words that Ulqiorra reminded Lukas one of the most important truths.

'It's a Cruel Selfish world out there. And it's only the Strong that gets to make all the rules.'