Aeress

Hours passed in silence. Her anxiety worsened each mile they crept closer to the location.

Then finally they came to a halt. Once again surrounded by a full circle of terrifying guards, they were escorted into shiny, black SUVs. She sunk into the vanilla leather seat, looking over to find Warrick to her right. "First a jet, then a fancy train, and now an SUV. Is the yacht next?"

"No, but would you like a yacht?" he looked at her, and she laughed, until she realized he wasn't joking.

Aeress shook her head. "In light of recent events, I am not a strong swimmer. In fact, I am not a big fan of swimming to begin with. This means that being on any kind of boat, in any body of water is one of the last things I want to do."

"Being a weak swimmer is the least of your worries, Aeress."

She frowned, once again reminded of what awaited her. "Knowing my luck, I don't think so," she decided to respond.

After a good thirty minute drive, they pulled onto a trail, which lead to a structure of gigantic proportions. Even from far away, Aeress could tell this building was enormous, crafted from ancient stone.

"This is my temple," she whispered. She had no idea why those words came to mind.

She felt Warrick whirl around to stare at her. "You know what this place is?"

She nodded, but then shook her head in uncertainty. "What is it?"

"The Temple of Godhead. This is where you-she is worshiped. It is our greatest place of religion and loyalty to all werewolf kind. Think of this place as the most hallowed ground."

Her eyes were glued to the structure as its details became more clear. Emotions flooded her chest, ones she couldn't begin to understand. "So many love me and so many hate me. Why would they hate me?" she muttered to herself as she felt a great sadness. Like a disappoint only a loving mother could feel for their child.

"Your eyes are glowing, Aeress."

"Do you think I am Godhead?" she turned to look at him, ignoring his comment. "Do you truly believe I will pass these trials?"

He sighed. "You are my mate, and I sense the power within you. I cannot deny you your truth."

That was not what she wanted to hear. "But is it your truth? Their truth?"

"It will be." Finally she could be consoled by his confidence which seemed to be lacking before.

The car rolled to a stop.

There was a low, almost undetectable roaring which burst all around. Aeress didn't understand until she saw the surrounding people which were racing toward the temple.

"Move!" Warrick commanded, pulling her out of the car harshly and up the stairs to the grand double doors.

She could hear what everyone was shouting, or at least the bits which were most prevelant.

"Godhead, is it you?"

"Mother, I love you!"

"Our prayers have been answered!"

"She is a fake!"

"Kill the imposter!"

She was barely given time to register the throng of people as she was ushered inside. The guards just managed to shut and seal the doors behind them. Their expressions were as cool as ever, rather like the presence of so many people did not surprise them.

Aeress struggled to control her breathing, clearly the only person caught off guard by the barrage of people.

"The Guides are ready to see her."

She turned to regard the male, whom was young and handsome with blue eyes and blonde locks, but not even Aeress could be tricked by his boyish good looks-this male was one to be watched. How someone so young could be in such an archaic background baffled her.

He bowed lowly before Warrick. Aeress kept having to remind herself that the male which she shared a night in a cave with-naked as the day she was born-was more than a step above royalty, and that was a humble description. "Please, Sir, I will direct you to them."

Warrick surprised Aeress by taking her hand. His fingers were warm and strong, covered in unmistakable callouses. "Go on."

The young man bowed again and lead them through the enormous facility. His posture was perfect as he walked in even, measured steps. He succeeded in making close to no noise as he traversed. Whoever this character was, she was fascinated by him.

While the exterior had a more gothic theme with dark hues and perfectly planned shadows, the inside came across romantic, decorated with beautiful paintings of nature and other otherworldly art. There was the outline of a woman with blue flames engulfing her which reoccurred avidly. It reminded Aeress of the blue skin she had once before found herself wrapped in.

So much love and worship. Aeress felt at home and more comfortable than she had ever before. She felt pride for the artists which put together such a home with an overwhelming amount of passion and love. This was the comfort she seeked since her first trauma, the cradling, loving kind.

The ceilings arched, covered in blue candles and the most realistic blue flames, to the point where she could practically feel the heat radiating off. It was like many churches except it had a twist to it, more vibrant and lively when compared to so many other buildings crafted so long ago.

There were also many sculptures and statues of wolves planted with such pride. They were built with care and a determination to add in as much detail as possible.

They finally came upon an archway.

Everyone paused and bowed. Aeress didn't understand but followed their actions anyway.

When they entered, the warriors stayed behind so that it was only the two of them. Their steps echoed in such a place.

This room in itself could house hundreds if not thousands of people, capped off by a beautiful dome of blue jewels which allowed an angelic light to bleed through and grace the objects down below with the loveliest blue tint.

They walked down an aisle quite literally painted in gold, approaching an elevated area with a dark marble table perched on top. There sat four figures, two men and two women. Each had the most beautiful blue designs imprinted into their skin from head to toe, at least from what she could see. It was strange when their youth became apparent. She expected skeletons in their places.

Aeress didn't know how to feel when brought before the guides and whether those emotions were hers or not.

They all bowed to each other, though Warrick's was a very brief bow when compared to the others. Perhaps he did not owe the same respect they did?

The woman all the way to the left-she had a deep tan complexion with a strong face and prominent nose, so lovely in her own right-was the first to speak. "Premier, you honor us with your presense." Her accent had a middle eastern flare, which served to only add to her obvious sophistication.

Warrick nodded, and she could tell he respected this woman, as much as he can respect for a man such as himself.

Next to that woman was a man who was ceaseless in height. He had a starkly unique look to him. He was so pale, like his physical body lacked all colors, any kind of pigment. She could easily imagine him with a gorgeous brown skin tone and black curls. His pink eyes interested her most. "Yes, we thank you for coming." The other woman with very dark tan skin and silky black locks down her back chose not to speak, as did the man with a fiery red head of locks and heavily freckled skin.

The first woman cleared her throat and finally laid her eyes on Aeress. "It has come to our attention that you have recently displayed abilities which may indicate your identity as the beloved carrier of Godhead. This is a very high honor, the highest honor. To take this responsibility would be to become the most powerful figure this world has ever seen."

"But to accept your claim as Godhead," the red-haired man spoke up, "so easily would be foolish and would put our entire people at risk. To do so without question, would be direct rejection of our duty as guides. In order to properly address this occurance, we must be sure of your true identity as Godhead."

"If you are our Godhead," the pale man added, "you should pass these trials with grace, if not with flying colors."

"Based off of our centuries of worship of Godhead and the details she left behind before she departed," the last woman said with a silky voiced touched by a lilting spanish accent, "we have created trials which are personal to Godhead. She will be able to accomplish them for her abilities will allow so."

Aeress took it all in and almost fainted. She looked to Warrick and back to them. "I could lie and claim to be this goddess you think I may be, but I was never a good liar." She laughed to herself. "I also understand that the Candor Trials will arrive to test my abilities whether I want them to or not. I understand I must do this, but I cannot guarantee that I will be a great goddess or Godhead."

The first woman cracked a smile of sympathy. "We have also come to understand that when Godhead returns, she would return reborn and her carrier may or may not be equipped for such a position. If you pass the trials, you will have aquired all the crucial tools you may be missing. While we wish we could spare you these tests, it would be detrimental to our people who have waited so long for Godhead."

"To dismiss you or even to embrace you without credible evidence would delve our people into a chaos our world cannot afford. This is an overhwleming feat, but as fate decides it, you are here, and there is no reversing your presense. Do you understand why you cannot step away, why you must participate in these trials, even if you do not desire this role?"

Aeress wanted to scream. She felt stuck in a chair which was being rolled into a live fire. She looked to Warrick who had his eyes trained on her already. He tightened his hold on her hand, and in that moment, her panic subsided. "Yes."

"Guides," Warrick addressed them, "how many trials have you planned?"

The red head cleared his throat. "This is still to be determined according to her results. Each will increase in difficulty, including increased risk and reality." What did they mean by reality?

"And the schedule?"

The first woman looked at the other three. "This depends on Aeress and her physical and mental recovery after each trial, but note that we also take this process into account. All the other details will be delivered to you once you are settled, but I am certain you know majority as we do."

Warrick nodded, briefly glancing at her. "As Premier, I will do my part in preparing and training her."

"Of course, and we trust her counsel to be directed with you, Premier!" The second woman whose hair fell down and down.

"If there is nothing else..." Warrick began to turn around.

All four members stood. "Actually, Premier, there is." The male with bold freckles added. "Firstly, we would like to invite you to a celebratory dinner tonight. A Premier hasn't found their mate in centuries!"

"What of the latter?" Warrick's eyes narrowed in suspicion, and this worried her.

"The Guides have not been formally introduced to Aeress, our potential Godhead. We have decided participation in a pre-trial would suffice. Think of it as her first impression, testing the waters."

Warrick immediately tensed, so Aeress followed suit. "When?"

"Right now, without an audience."

Her veins ran cold with awareness. In a small whisper, Aress breathed out, "oh, God."