The Emerging Part I: Dream

Climbing the Spire, the Pentad observes multiple hallways and passageways branching out and away from the central spiraling staircase. They stare in awe at the Rniti that move with much ease and grace, as if no troubles whatsoever exist within the walls of the Injhihato.

Vaiqon and the Pentad climb higher where the branching hallways soon transform into massive arching domes high above their heads.

“There,” Vaiqon explains while pointing to their left towards a massive domed room basked in candlelight, “is a memorial to all the Rniti of the past. You will see in the Gallery later at your Ummkoniyo Initiation that only those that have proven themselves of great worth are captured for eternity in massive sculptures that capture their likeness perfectly.”

“The Gallery?” Pork asks as they continue to climb up the spiraling staircase.

Vaiqon chuckles, “It is the great dining hall of the Injhihato. It is where you will eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is also where we house the great statues to honor those greatest Rniti of yesteryear.”

“What’s an Ummkoniyo?” Fox asks.

“And an initiation?” Desert adds.

“Ummkoniyo is what we will become, the first level of a Rniti. An initiation is simply the name of the ceremony where we are introduced,” Hawk answers without hesitation, baffling even Vaiqon.

Vaiqon can only nod in agreement when they pass another massive domed room that echoes with the thundering clangs of a vicious duel between two hidden Rniti.

“Is the Injhihato haunted?” Pork asks, a quiver in his voice.

Vaiqon chuckles, “Of course not, Boar. That room merely is a most perfect place for Jayyojjeks, er, the level of Rniti just before Daijok, to practice their Meditation Podium training.”

“Meditation Podium?” Fox asks interestedly.

Vaiqon shakes his head, “Pentad, there is far too much for me to teach you in just such a short ascension to the top of the Spire. Save your questions for a later time. Preferably, when I am actually instructing you in the ways of the Rniti.”

The Pentad is quiet for some time. The massive domed rooms soon fade away beneath them as they continue to rise. Hawk, Desert, Santhemum, Fox, and Pork each feel anxiousness creeping in as they believe they are close to the end of their ascent.

“Are the Daijoks at the top of the Spire?” Hawk asks.

Vaiqon rolls his eyes, thankful that he is leading at the front of the Pentad and none of the children can see him. Nonetheless, Vaiqon answers, “Yes, Hawk, the Daijoks must be the first Rniti you meet. This is tradition and tradition must be followed without question.”

Hawk shrugs, his thoughts swirling inside of his head, ‘But what if tradition’s stubborn?’ he asks himself.

Vaiqon straightens suddenly, glancing back at Hawk. He shakes his head and continues to climb the stairs.

Vaiqon and the Pentad climb ten more flights of stairs where the torches lining the walls of the spiral staircase suddenly vanish to be replaced by the light of a magnificent scarlet red glass window set across from a most ornate door.

“Ah, the Chamber Rniti,” Vaiqon says opening his arms wide to the door behind him as he turns to face the Pentad.

The Pentad marvel at the door as they see an entire mural of plants, animals, people, weapons, buildings, and even the sun and moon represented in the door encrusted with emeralds, topazes, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and even amethysts. They see gold lining the cracks of the ancient oaken door, silver outlining the perimeter of the door, and bronze coating the entire wall around the door. The scarlet light of the stain glass window behind them bathes the wall and door in an eery yet serene light that calms all of the Pentad’s nerves.

Vaiqon smiles and nods as he then conjures an air current in his hand and throws it at the center of the door. A loud whistle is heard that transforms into melodious singing. The great door thunders as it breaks from its frame and showers the Pentad in blinding white light.