Althaia - the shimmering blizzard

"I was never meant to raise high in our coven, nor was I meant to get the chance of becoming a harpy-born. I was just a handmaiden, serving my Lady Valitja during her journey to become a powerful queen for the next generation of the Frostbite Coven at least. Her parents, prestigious supporters of the Frostbite Coven with far too much power, have prepared her since her very young days. She should have been the pearl of the family. A motivation to her younger siblings. As the firstborn, a lot of pressure weighed on Valitja's shoulders, but I never bothered her commanding me or the other servants around. She was always a bossy person. A perfectionist to the bone marrow, with the gait of a general, simply pushing people out of her way, if they stand between her and the Bloodflight ritual. But...I didn't bother. Until the very last days before the ritual would finally start. She was a mess. A chaotic disaster, running from one corner to the next, boss-bitching people around and trying to remain her pretty face in front of the potential kings that might rise with the Bloodflight. It happened two days before the great event that Valitja got into a chit-chat with one of the guys, placing bets on who would rise and who would fall. And who would never try it at all. I knew they were talking about me as well. After all, these young men called my name, to ask me if I would dare to challenge the ritual. I declined with respect. It was never an option for me, a handmaiden, to take part in the ritual. But he persisted in the romantic idea that it would be a wonderful moment to see me rise from my social place in the coven to a higher one. And something in me liked the idea; it loosened my facade and made me smile in front of my Lady. And she saw it. "Fine then! You will take part in the ritual.!Let's see how big your chances really are." she grumbled and waved me goodbye with her hand. "I will go and search for a new handmaiden, before the ritual starts. I guess, you will be busy doing animal things when you are awake again! And I don't see a reason to waste my precious time with that, after I am back on my feet again!" She was nearly yelling, but not loudly. Simply passive-aggressive, as always.
~
The day came, and I found myself standing in front of this crimson pool, to soon be drowned in it. Could I really make it out alive? Not losing all my human aspects? Not becoming a hybrid, or worse? I took a deep breath, sending a prayer to the Godwoken of my coven, Ji'vna. I knew he was somewhere in the back of this big hall, but for various reasons, the hall lights were dimmed and I could only feel Ji'vna through our bond. I prayed for his mercy and the guidance of the godwokens and looked around. So many participants. I saw Valitja, standing with her face to me, this downgrading gaze in her eyes. She was pretty. At least I thought so, all the years before. But now? I shook my head and tried to shoo away the thoughts. My view remained calm on the surface in front of me. It was exactly as my grandma had told me. Bubbles arose and burst, revealing hypnotic sounds. Voices? I couldn't tell. But they called for me. My heart got lighter. Whatever would happen...I would never be stuck with my Lady again. I closed my eyes in relief. Never again. Together with all the others, I climbed into the bath, blood-like liquid covering my body. Its smell was wrapping around my mind. It smelled like the first snow in winter. A wide forest. I looked up and saw a young man above me. Covered in ritual garments, his eyes were covered with fabric. He mumbled words I couldn't understand. His view traveled from me to the Godwoken in the back of the hall, all while he was painting my face with some runes. When he was done he nodded at me, and I nodded back. Free me from this life. Set me free. I crossed my arms on my chest, closed my eyes and smiled a last time, before he pushed me down, holding me firm under the surface. It was the worst feeling of pain I ever had encountered in my life. My lungs burned, as if I had swallowed living fire. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't. The pain scrawled through my body. Hitting its claws in my muscles, one after another. Slowly. As if, something was enjoying this torture. I saw Tyrna'Kaz. The god of the afterlife. His draconish, birdish masc, the old walking stick and the round back. And all these children...so close to him. He raised his hand, offering me the peace I didn't know I was seeking so desperately. But there was something else. I turned around. The liquid surface under my feet made small splashes as my bloody red dress touched it. And then I saw...The godwoken. All of them. Every godwoken the frostbite coven ever had. They were sitting on throne-like pillars. Avorex, the first, in the middle of them all. And something even greater lurked through the shadows behind them. I couldn't see it entirely, but it was gigantic, and it had this monstrous aura of power and might. My heart felt as if it was about to burst. Come to us, child. Come closer. I obeyed. Carefully walking closer to the godwoken. My gods. Avorex arose from his pillar, elegant, gliding down to me. His body was massive, and his presence as intimidating. He kneeled to me, raising his birdlike hand. I offer you an end to your life. My heart was racing, and I heard voices calling out my name. Like a choir, they emerged from the darkness, while rhythmic drums resounded between the pillars, mimicking the beat of my heart. A last time, I turned my head and watched out for Tyrna'Kaz. The protector of the dead placed his hand on his walking stick, remaining calm. I couldn't tell what I heard or saw, but there was this feeling. Like an intense pull. I nodded to the god of the afterlife and smiled, before I placed my hand into Avorex' gigantic claws. The godwoken tilted his head, and even though he had no mouth, I could see him smile. A tired, but relieved smile. Full of pride. The next moment I opened my eyes again, everything I saw was blurry and reddish. I moved my hand, trying to clean my eyes, but someone did it for me. A rag, with warm water and a scent of flowers, was carefully dabbed over my face. I could hear whispers around me and a scream. A desperate, destroying scream. Finally, I opened my eyes, seeing all the faces I knew so well. My friends, my Ladies family. They talked to me, but their voices were so different. And their hearts. I could see their hearts...! And there was another feeling... I felt gigantic wings on my back, so light, but also heavy enough to give me a feeling of safety. I observed my whole body. Feathers in a shining white, still covered with the ritual blood, golden markings and golden claws, that replaced my former hands. Still unable to process everything, I turned around in shock, looking for the Godwoken of my coven, Ji'vna. I found his relaxed body on the throne in the back of the chamber. His colors were faded and his eyes closed. He seemed relaxed. As if he would sleep. I searched for the connection I had to him, but I couldn't find it. The feeling was gone. Our great Ji'vna...was gone. SCREEEEEE!! There was it again, this disturbing scream. I turned my head, watching out for the source of it. And I found myself pinpointed by the same downgrading gaze I knew so well. "Valitja..." Was this my voice? I touched my face, but there was no mouth anymore. Still, I could hear my voice echoing through the room. A hand was placed on my leg, which was still hanging in the bath. "Great Daru. Please allow me and the others to take care of the fallen." I turned my head, not understanding what I was hearing. Daru - the one woken by the gods. Me? My head was spinning. I watched down to the human in front of me. The great weaver of the coven, Urutan. In reflex, I bowed my head, but the old man just laughed a little, touched by my gaucherie. He stretched himself, giving my chin a little uplift with his hand. "You are not the one to bow, Daru. You are now the lead of this coven. You are the new godwoken." "I am...the godwoken..." My voice echoed again. The weaver nodded. He turned around to the other members of the coven. The humans and all the newborns. Hybrids, a few kings and queens. A doomed one. "Althaia, the shimmering blizzard - the new godwoken of the frostbite coven." he raised his arms, presenting me. The gods had woken me...