Sirius stood in front of the crowd, along with Silver Song and her father. He was not sure why he was pulled over here, but he was given a ceremonial robe, that looked like a ring of cloth put over his neck. It had embroidery of the nature's circle, where people were born, grew up, became old and dried. The whole story of people was laid out in a spiral, to symbolise the many ongoing Paths of people living on this World. Elders, Silver Song, Whisper of Nature, and many other important people in the crowd had similar clothes, decorated with their families' patterns. The preparations were done, and almost everyone in the city gathered to witness the rite. The bonfire in the middle of city square was ready to be lit, and the mage responsible for that was waiting for the sun to set behind the far mountains.

  Sirius nervously scratched his side. His ribs and shoulder were itching like crazy after the battle. Whisper of Nature said that it is the process of healing, but either way it wasn't comfortable. Sirius looked at the setting sun. The fiery orb slowly drifted down, painting the city in crimson, its last moments of warm light reflecting in everyone's Lives. Some people wore their Life beads on their hair, like Silver Song, while others had in in a necklace or a headband. But every single one of them proudly demonstrated their Path, with all good and bad events shaping their experience.

  Low hum of wind instruments announced the last moments before the beginning. Thumping drums slowly began picking up the speed. The loud crescendo was heard in every corner, and people supported the instruments by clapping and thumping. Then suddenly the bonfire exploded with fire, that raised, licking the skies, and everyone fell silent. All Elders except for Wish of Nature stood around the bonfire, forming a circle.

  "Today one of our own achieved the feat of ascension!" said Calmness of Storm loudly, and the crowd simultaneously hit their chests with a short cry. Sirius felt goosebumps travel across his whole body, as he perceived the very mana shudder at the collective might of these people, like he felt at the cathedral in Kingdom.

  "Today we lose one of our own!" loudly announced Rain of Fire, her phrase also supported by crowd, like that of Calmness of Storm.

  "Today was the last day Daughter of Whisper was one of our own!" cried out Glint of Gold.

  "Today is the first day we welcome her to be one of our own in her new Name!" loud exclamation of Hears All resounded without her moving her mouth.

  "Today we accept Silver Song as one of our own!" stated Nameless Wind.

  "Today she has proven her will, as one of our own should!" said Indomitable Will.

  "Today Silver Song achieved the new strength... For she is one of our own..." Strength of Mind calmly added.

  "Today she carved her unique Path, like ever one of our own did one day!" Blizzard Bringer finished the collective speech.

  The crowd thudded into their chests one final time. Daughter of Whisper made a step towards the bonfire. Elders welcomed her into their circle.

  "Today is the day, Daughter of Whisper loses her Name! No more she is just a daughter. From now on she is known as Silver Song, as one of our own! Her Life grows long, as she continues to walk on her Path!" loudly stated Calmness of Storm once again. He turned towards her and took out the set of the beads he prepared. He lifted one brilliant white pearl, "Eyes of the Forest! She congratulates you on your full recovery! No longer shall you be hindered by the ailment, for it is in the past!" Calmness of Storm gave her the pearl and took out the extremely round and shiny mana crystal. "Whisper of Nature! He accepts your Path as his own! Show this World what you are capable of!"

  Silver Song was confused for a second, but quickly caught up to what she was supposed to do. She first hummed the World Shaper song, and then began singing. She sung uninterrupted, and her powerful voice resonated with the fabric of the World, shattering the air. Even the fire behind her began flickering with purple in tact with her words. When the song ended, the crowd cheered with thumping, clapping, yells of excitement, and battlecries. She was about to leave, but suddenly Calmness of Storm continued his speech.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "Friend of a Snake!" Silver Song stopped and turned back towards the Elder. "With his help you carved your own Path! Despite the tradition and the will of your father, you persevered!" The crown was unsure how to react. Against the tradition? Calmness of Storm took out the transparent orb, with the rough and uneven crystal sealed inside. Elder whispered to her, "He prepared the bead for your Life too. We, nine Elders, bless her Path! No one must doubt her achievement! If not for that, she would still be plagued by her ailment. Yet, she won the losing battle! For that we accept her as one of our own!"

  Crowd was a bit divided at first, but with the first cheers it caught up. Their battlecries and thumping grew louder, but someone was pushing their way forward.

  "Stop that! Stop! What do you mean she went against tradition and got her Name?" some old man shouted as he pushed through the crowd, almost shoving Sirius at the elders.

  "That is exactly what I mean, Blue Skies! Her life was at stake, yet with her own strength Silver Song survived!"

  "She toppled over what her ancestors were creating for centuries! And who is Friend of a Snake? He is an outsider! You..." suddenly the old man stopped. His clothes were clinging tightly on his body, not allowing him to even twitch.

  "Blue Skies, say me..." loudly said Whisper of Nature, "With your life at stake, what would YOU do?"

  "What does it mean, Whisper?..."

  Whisper of Nature came close to him and whispered with spite, "You know what I mean. You were the only survivor of your tribe, and I know why. Do you?"

  "You won't dare..." Blue Skies' eyes were painted with genuine fear.

  "Why do you think so?" Whisper of Nature turned to the crowd, "Listen everyone! It is my daughter that found her own Path! I understand your apprehension, for I was like you! But I accepted her, as my own flesh and blood. She will achieve much more as Silver Song, rather than Daughter of Whisper! That is the source of our strength! Tribe of the Forest perfected Path of Nature for generations, so who but we should know the meaning of power!"

  "Blue Skies..." sounded deep voice, that pierced everyone's souls. Wish of Nature was sitting among the crowd, his presence hidden with his fur coat. The lanky Elder stood up, scaring some of the druids near him. He gracefully walked towards immobilised Blue Skies and continued, "You said that the Path Silver Song achieved is faulty because she was aided by the outsider?"

  "Y-yes..." pushed out words Blue Skies. "His magic is foreign, he has no right to meddle with our heritage."

  "Hmm... Would you accept her Path is Friend of a Snake ceased to exist?" Wish of Nature said and glanced at Sirius, who stood there is shock.

  "That?... Y-yes, of course! He will pay for his deeds!"

  "Very well." Wish of Nature came close to Sirius and looked down on him. "Friend of a Snake. This is the only way for people to accept Silver Song's Path."

  Sirius could only stand in silence, not finding any strength to fight back in front of a deity-like figure. He felt no hostility coming towards him, but that didn't make things better.

  "My name is Wish of Nature! With Blue Skies' blessing I proclaim that Friend of a Snake is to remain in the past! Today we welcome Child of the World to become one of our own!"

  Stunned silence was interrupted by the sounds of strangled Blue Skies, "W-wha..." Whisper of Nature tightened his grip and made the old druid shut up.

  "As the head of my family and protector of Path of Nature, I welcome Child of the World to become one of our own!" loudly announced Whisper of Nature.

  "As the founder of Plain Veins and Elder, I welcome Child of the World to become one of our own!" said Calmness of Storm.

  "As the lead healer of our city, I welcome Child of the World to become one of our own!" shouted Eyes of the Forest from the crowd.

  "As the person who was saved by him, I welcome Child of the World to become one of our own!" said Silver Song with her ringing voice.

  More and more people began joining in, stating their connection to Sirius. Over the course of two months he was in Plain Veins, he managed to help many of them. Whenever Sirius came to new family he was met with prejudice, but he proven to be a reliable mage. For some Sirius installed heating circuit, for others tilled a field or herded sheep, whatever he did - he did meticulously and gave his all. Even if it was the small, barely noticeable deed tasked by Elders, people joined in to welcome him. And now, they were repaying for his help. In daze Sirius looked up at the Wish of Nature.

  "As the emissary of the World's will, I welcome Child of the World to become one of our own!" Wish of Nature's deep bass resounded over the crowd. "It is my pleasure to see you grow."