Finally the chalice was brought back to the high priest, who said a few words before spilling his own blood into the chalice, too. His recitations were almost songlike as he took the chalice from the two attendants. His hands were steady as he raised it over his head, before bringing it back down and taking a sip. He then raised it over his head again, before bringing it back down to Kida's lips. Kida knew he couldn't hesitate now, so he took a sip, closing his eyes. His legs were becoming shakier and shakier. He only had to stay standing for a few more seconds. The chanting seemed to get louder and louder by the second, as the high priest held the chalice in the air one more time, before finally pouring it over Kida's head, blood pouring down his body. He was told he had to keep his eyes open here, and he watched, until finally the blood touched the floor and the symbols beneath Kida's feet. He could finally let go now.

Kida's knees buckled as he crashed onto the hard floor. Only it didn't hurt. Nothing hurt as the dizzying atmosphere tugged at him. He was no longer awake, he was no longer even one with his body, he thought. There were terrible voices and shades of colours crashing around him, but they were all muted. There was something terrible that could get him, that fear and horror could not be muted no matter what ritual was performed, but right now he was safe and protected. If anything, the chanting and the sense of the ritual happening around him gave him a sense of comfort that was close to euphoria, even as he was oddly and acutely aware at how lifeless his physical body felt at the moment. The chanting itself seemed less strange to his ears and mind and heart and more like a language he used to speak but forgot somewhere along the way. He was safe, and when this was all finished he could keep his friends safe, too.