Breathing True Life: The Ritual of Awakening
In the shadowed culture of The Children, Breathing True Life stands as a sacred, transformative ritual that is entirely distinct from their usual feeding. This isn’t about consuming life energy; rather, it’s a rare and revered act that allows The Children to grant another being the profound ability to “Breathe True Life”—an awakening of unparalleled depth. Those chosen for this ritual become capable of drawing life force from others, embodying the powerful essence of The Children themselves. To be bestowed this gift is to cross a threshold between ordinary existence and the heightened, almost celestial awareness that defines The Children.
Unlike standard feeding, which can and does take place in any setting, Breathing True Life unfolds only in the hallowed spaces of Sacred Grounds. These locations, steeped in ancient energies, are revered by The Children and hold the kind of cosmic power necessary for such a monumental transformation. Here, in the depths of these sanctuaries, the ritual takes place, binding predator and chosen in a moment of shared energy that resonates far beyond the physical.
The Process of Breathing True Life: Granting the Gift of Power
The ritual to awaken another’s ability to Breathe True Life follows three meticulously orchestrated stages: Selection, Preparation, and The Ceremony. Every step reflects The Children’s profound understanding of energy, precision, and control, marking the initiation of the chosen being into a world of unparalleled power.
Selection of the Recipient
The ritual begins with the careful selection of a recipient, as only those who possess certain qualities are deemed worthy. First, the chosen must embody traits of “great beauty” or value—whether through physical allure, rare talents, or an innate charisma that resonates with The Child’s own energy. But aesthetics are only part of the equation; compatibility of energy is essential. The recipient’s life force must resonate with the essence of The Children, creating a seamless foundation for the transfer. Without this alignment, the ritual cannot succeed, and the energy exchange could result in catastrophic consequences.Preparation and Alignment
Once chosen, the recipient embarks on a seven-day journey of purification. This phase is designed to ready both body and spirit, as the recipient consumes only herb-infused liquids to cleanse and align their energy. During this period, ancient runes are tattooed onto their skin, symbols in the forgotten language of the Angels, known only to the most initiated of The Children. These mystical runes serve as conduits, channeling the energy required for the gift to take hold. Both participants engage in psychic alignment exercises using obsidian and silica stones, attuning their mental and spiritual states to ensure their energies harmonize perfectly.The Ceremony on Sacred Ground
When the ritual commences, it takes place on Sacred Ground—a site of cosmic and historical significance, where the ancient energies of The Children flow most freely. Here, surrounded by whispers of the ages, The Child and the recipient begin the ceremony with an invocation to the Mother of The Original Seven, a figure of reverence within The Children’s culture. This invocation is followed by a series of chants that resonate with the universe’s own rhythm, attuning their intentions to the cosmic forces that empower them.
As the ritual reaches its climax, The Child visualizes their own life force, channeling it through the runes and into the recipient. This isn’t a taking, but a giving—a deliberate and measured transfer of the ability to draw life energy from others. For a brief moment, their life forces intertwine, pulsating in unison, as the runes glow and signal the awakening of this new power within the recipient. A closing verse seals the bond, marking the end of the transfer and securing the energies in their new alignment.Post-Transfer Integration
Following the ritual, both The Child and the newly initiated enter a 24-hour period of isolation, allowing the energies to properly settle. This period of solitude is essential, as it creates a safe, undisturbed space for the recipient to fully absorb and harmonize with their new power. Within this brief seclusion, the recipient’s energy aligns with their new capability, their essence expanding and adapting to the heightened awareness that comes with breathing true life.
The Profound Significance of Breathing True Life
Breathing True Life is not merely a bestowal of power; it is a rite of profound cultural significance, a mark of The Children’s complex philosophy and values. To grant another being the ability to Breathe True Life is to forge a rare connection between the cosmic and the mortal, a reflection of The Children’s belief that power must be granted with respect, ritual, and restraint. This isn’t a gift they bestow lightly. The decision to share their most sacred ability embodies their balance of strength and discipline, a reminder that even the mightiest powers are bound by codes of reverence.
The ritual is an affirmation of their control—each step measured, every motion intentional. For The Children, power without restraint is a dangerous force, and only those who truly understand the weight of Breathing True Life are granted the right to share it. The ritual is both a testament to their mastery of energy and a way to uphold the ancient principles that guide them.
The Risks and Responsibilities of the Gift
The ability to Breathe True Life is as dangerous as it is potent. Those who receive this gift must navigate a delicate balance of power, as any misstep can lead to destructive consequences. The Children teach that with such energy comes responsibility, and they instill the knowledge necessary to handle this gift without succumbing to its dangers.
Psychic Residues: With this new power, the recipient becomes susceptible to psychic residues—lingering fragments of memories and emotions from those they draw energy from. These residues can offer insights but often carry haunting echoes that the newly initiated must learn to manage.
Energy Overload: The awakened ability to take in life force requires careful moderation. Without discipline, the new initiate risks energy overload, psychic backlash, or uncontrollable surges of power, each of which can endanger them or those around them.
Breathing True Life, then, is not merely a gift but a profound responsibility. It demands control, respect, and a continual dedication to balance. The recipient’s journey does not end with the ritual—it begins there, as they learn to wield their power under the watchful guidance of The Children.
Breathing True Life: The Cultural Apex of The Children
For The Children, the ritual of Breathing True Life embodies their most sacred values, representing beauty and danger, discipline and transcendence. It is a powerful reminder that they are more than hunters; they are custodians of cosmic forces, bound by a philosophy that elevates control and reverence as virtues above all else. The ritual allows them to pass on their legacy selectively, ensuring that those who receive it are worthy of the heightened awareness and power it bestows.
To outsiders, Breathing True Life might seem chilling or enigmatic, but to The Children, it is a rite of honor, a means of sharing their heritage in a way that transcends mere feeding. It captures the essence of who they are: powerful beings who balance on the edge of cosmic grace and primal hunger, masters of energy who protect and revere their powers even as they wield them. In the end, Breathing True Life is the ultimate act of creation within a society where energy is everything, a passage into a world where life itself is the most precious and potent force of all.