The doors swung open and the candles that lit the room wavered and flickered on their wicks, playing shadows on the walls. Her gaze fell to the floor at the subtle metallic rustle of the warriors armor, growing ever more discernible. As he reached the dais, ascending the steps to reach the platform where the grand altar gleamed, her rich brown hues did trail to along the marble floors to land on the decorated knight. In her periphery, she watched as he dutifully lowered himself to his knees, granting the elder a deep and humble bow of the utmost respect. His spoke his vow, a promise to accept her as his Eternal Bond, to be joined to her always. In many ways the ceremony mimicked that of an arranged marriage, though it was deeper and more binding that words could ever achieve. The Joining was two lives becoming one, a fusion of the minds, and a merging of the soul. While they would be stronger for it, being acutely attuned to one another, they would struggle-- like many new bonds-- to cope with how deeply entwined they would be. Fiercely independent and free-spirited, the ceremony signified something much different for than it did the eager mages of her academy, brimming with excitement to share their lives with a worthy warrior. Every spring festivals were held for the most prominent figures of their society, celebrations to praise the Joining of those who successfully bonded. Though she had no intention of participating in such traditions, she also had no intention of failing the knight before her.<br/><br/>He ingested the same sour liquid, a concoction that was so foreign to his system that he could not withstand the untamed currents of energy coursing through him. To no surprise on the part of the priest or the mage, the knight-- Tedric-- slumped to the ground. His armor clanged against the hard surface beneath him, a ruckus that was harsh on her ears. Still, she acted swiftly. The mana running rampant in him would soon threaten to rip him apart, but the unique and well-honed characteristics of his class would allow him the ability thwart death till the ritual was complete. It was what made warriors so well-suited for bonding, even with occasional casualties, which was written off as nature’s way of eliminating the weak. No such misfortune would befall the knight, for if he succumbed to the clutches of death she would surely follow.<br/><br/>At his side, she kneeled. Her rune-covered palms cradled his handsome face gently, fingers pressing into his temples as she closed her eyes. She could feel the energy in him, traveling through his being like the wild rapids in the mountains. It was the same fierce torrent that moved through her, though her body was accustomed to the ferocious force. Still, her hands trembled as she began to tame their mana, soothe it like a violent beast. A warm glow emitted from her hands as each of the symbols activated, opening a channel between her being and his. With an outlet, the energy residing in their bodies did not roar for release, but flowed freely between the two, churning and swirling until there was little difference in their essences. While the power that spiked in her as a result of the potent drink did not overwhelm her, the sensation of their merging threatened to.<br/><br/>She could feel the gates of her mind unlocking, opening to allow him access and entry. Alaria’s features began to display traces of distress. Her brows furrowed and her lips parted as her breaths deepened. It was difficult to resist the urge to pull away, to distance herself from the discomfort brought on by the links forming between them. Knowing that their connection would forever severed, she tightened her hold on him, refusing to release him till the process was complete.<br/><br/>“Steady, my child,” he muttered encouragingly, though he inched forward as if anticipating the worst.<br/><br/>As the final link established its hold, a powerful pulse rippled throughout the holy sanctum. The windows shuddered and the tiny flames that danced on the candles extinguished from the force. Pages from an open book on the altar fluttered and the golden chalice that once held the bitter fluid that was the catalyst for their Joining tipped over. The oaken benches scraped against the stone slightly, disturbing the perfection of the sacred space. Alaria snapped her eyes open, and the earthy orbs that once resided in them were stark white, backlit with an eerie, ghostly glow. When her hands fell away, the radiance behind her eyes faded and gradually her eyes returned to their usual splendor. She could have fallen over then and there, exhausted from the intense process. Alaria was much too eager to know if the ritual was a success. Before she could check with her own eyes, the priest swiftly reached for her hands, turning them over so that he could see her palms.<br/><br/>A smile slowly stretched across his lips. “A perfect bond.” He let her see for herself. The black symbols on her palms were gone. “Tedric Arlis Jacominus, Alaria Amina Everard, you are Eternally Bound by the Grace of God.”