Quiet. Ray-ray stroked her cloth doll absently as she stared out of the window into the dark night. Her eyes glanced at the moon and then back to the shadows in the distance. It was a night of waiting. Her head throbbed slightly, for some reason sleep had been fleeting over the last few nights. Devrion, as usual, was not in their room. Their shared bed was empty. Quiet. Forgotten. Abandoned.

 

The knock sounded, cutting across the room, startling Ray-ray out of her revelry. “Who is it?” She spoke with a muted voice. None of the Novices bothered knocking, choosing instead to shout their names out. Which could only mean…”

 

“It is Pia Sedai, Regalia.”

 

Ray-ray’s eyes widened. What had she done now? She took a quick look around the room and made sure no evidence of last night’s activities remained, before walking briskly to the door. She opened it and dropped to a quick curtsey before beaming at the Mistress of Novices. But the look of severity worried her. The frequent visits to the Mistress’ room had made the Aes Sedai at least motherly to the Novice, so the lack of her usual warmth gnawed at Ray-ray.

 

“What have I done, Pia Sedai? Is it my mother…?” Ray-ray said with a hushed voice. All along the corridors, other Novices had gathered and were beginning to whisper with hushed voices.

 

"Regalia Frantelle, you are summoned to take your test for Acceptance.  You must follow me with haste, and speak to no one in passing."

 

Ray-ray’s jaw dropped. Her eyes widened, and she forced herself not shiver in fear. The test for Accepted? I’ve only been here four years. “I…” She stammered.

 

“You must follow me with haste, and speak to no one in passing." Pia Sedai intoned again warningly before gesturing for the girl to walk with her.

 

Ray-ray’s heart throbbed insanely as she walked behind the Aes Sedai. Around her she could see her fellow Novices giving her encouraging smiles. Some of them looked envious. Others looked shocked that she had managed to get to this day so soon. Too soon. She wished Devrion were around. Her pillow friend would give the best advice. Ray-ray wondered why she was being tested before her roommate, who had been around for ages before Ray-ray. But there was nothing to do but to follow the Mistress of Novices. At least she was to do this with the Mistress.

 

Ray-ray had no idea what to expect. Questions with regards to the Accepted testing were fielded with vague answers, and none of the Accepted would speak about their testing experience. Ray-ray clenched her fist in determination. She would do this, and she would pass. She had heard horror stories about the test, Novices never returning from it, their belongings returned to their families in mourning. She recalled the names of two Novices who never came back. Brasila Carivinda and Morheni Wanstang. Brasila had been a close friend and Ray-ray had had to spend a night in quiet conversation with Pia Sedai to get over it.

 

And now it was her turn.

 

They walked down and down and down to basement levels Ray-ray had never been to, finally arriving at an age darkened door with bronze handles. They opened to an enormous chamber, where four sisters stood. Three she recognized. Zarinen Rafaliva, a Red; Eqwina al'Caupthn, a Yellow and Loraine Kilaines, a Green Sitter. A forth, a Gray, she did not recognise. Not that it mattered. They were a blur, each Ageless face, serene and cool. More importantly was the great glowing ter’angreal , made of three arches.

 

"I will now tell you two things that no woman hears until she enters this room. Once you begin, you must continue to the end. Refuse to go on, and no matter your potential, you will be very kindly put out of the Tower with enough silver to support you a year. You will never be allowed back. Second. To seek, to strive, is to know danger. You will know danger here. Some women have entered, and never come out. When the Ter’Angreal was allowed to grow quiet, they… were… not… there... And they were never seen again. If you will survive, you must be steadfast. Faltering leads to a failure."

 

Ray-ray swallowed hard. Brasila Carivinda and Morheni Wanstang. The two names burned in her heart. But she had no choice did she.

 

"This is your last chance, child. You may turn back now, and you will have only one mark against you. Twice more will you be allowed to come here, and only at the third refusal will you be put out of the Tower. It is no shame to refuse. Many cannot do it their first time here. Now you may speak."

 

Speak. “I… I… the Light willing, I shall be Accepted this night. I am ready. Or at least I wish to be. The Light willing.” Ray-ray’s fists clenched hard, her nails digging into her flesh. She would not fail. Brasila Carivinda and Morheni Wanstang. I will be Accepted! “I will be Aes Sedai.” She hoped for a flicker of emotion from the Mistress of Novices. But she got nothing but a cool stare. Pia Sedai was Aes Sedai to the bone tonight, the one night Ray-ray wished she could be more.

 

Pia nodded and turned towards the Ter’Angreal. Ray-ray was slightly familiar with this part, having been told vaguely what to do during one of her lessons.

 

The Loraine Sedai, the Green beside the table spoke solemnly and clearly, with Pia answering

 

“Whom do you bring with you, Sister?”

 

“One who comes as a candidate for Acceptance, Sister.”

 

“Is she ready?”

 

“She is ready to leave behind what she was, and, passing through her fears, gain Acceptance.”

 

“Does she know her fears?”

 

“She has never faced them, but now is willing.”

 

“Then let her face what she fears.”

 

Pia then turned back to Ray-ray, and the look she gave the Novice made Ray-ray lick her lips in nervousness. Her hands fumbled as she unbuttoned her first button. This was one of the few times that getting naked did not please her.  As her dress dropped to the floor, she stepped out of it and stood, slightly hunched, bare to the Aes Sedai before her. She gave Pia Sedai a weak smile, before walking towards the first Arch. Her mind lost in a vortex of chaos.

 

 

Regalia Frantelle touched the fabric on her sleeve and blinked her eyes in surprise. What had she been doing? The day seemed to have slipped right by. She looked across the room and was horrified to see her mother was curled on the floor crying. Her mother. Strong. Beautiful. Graceful. Curled into a ball. Weeping. Crying. Bawling.

 

“Mother!” She leapt forward horrified. “Mother!” And tried her best to hold her mother, making comforting noises. “Mother, what is wrong? You are scaring me! Mother!”

 

“Ray-ray…” Her mother managed through sobs. Her eyes suddenly widened. “Ray-ray, you must run.” The words tumbled out of her lips. “Run. As far as you can. You need to run. Just run!”

 

“Wha-“ Ray-ray barely had the time to ask properly when an invisible force threw her backwards across the room and into a wall.

 

The way will come back but once, be steadfast.

 

She shook her head, dizzy. The words seemed to burn into her retinas. But her back ached.

 

“Andara, my love, come to me…” Ray-ray looked up and gasped as the figure of her father filled the doorway. “Andara, don’t keep me waiting.” He sneered with an evil laughter. “I see you’re not alone.” Ray-ray choked back her tears and stumbled away from her father. She had never seen him like this. What was going on? How did she fly backwards-

 

“Your father is a male channeler! A MALE CHANNELER! He’s dangerous! Ray-ray, RUN! GO!” Her mother screamed and launched herself at her father.

 

The way will come back but once, be steadfast.

 

Ray-ray couldn’t move. Staring in terror as her mother flew backwards, her clothes suddenly flashing into ash. Her father laughed again. A male channeler! One of the Dark One’s minion. Ray-ray hissed and grabbed at a hair pin that had dropped off a table beside her. With a scream she ran forward and stood between her parents, the hairpin clutched tightly in her hands. She had little skill with any sort of weapon. A futile effort, especially against a channeler.

 

“Regalia… my darling daughter… why do you stand against me? I have awoken from my dream! All this around me is but an illusion. AN ILLUSION!” Her father laughed again.

 

The noise scared Ray-ray more than his expression did. Father, what has happened to you?  “Why are you hurting us? Why daddy?”

 

The way will come back but once, be steadfast.

 

Her father laughed again and held up his hand. A tiny flame flickered on it. “Do you see this, my sweet daughter? Fire. From nothing. I am Light itself. The Creator. Sent to the world to protect it. Your mother and you are so priviledged. Blessed by me. Blessed!” He waved his hand and a fireball formed in front of him. “All I asked was a little obeisance. A sacrifice or two. Perhaps even pleasure. Your mother denied me these things. If you were any older I would look to you.” He clenched his fist and the fireball became a ball of ice. “Now get out of the way. Or do not blame me for my cruelty. Daughter.”

 

“Ray-ray…” Ray-ray turned to look at the tearful face of her mother. “It… it’s okay. I will be fine. Go… go to the next… r… room. And wait there. I… I won’t be… long.” Her voice trembled horribly. But Ray-ray had no choice but to obey, she really could not do anything else.

 

“Mother…” She managed to croak out. She kissed her mother, slipping the hairpin into her mother’s hands and held her mother just a little longer. “I will be nearby.” She forced herself to still her voice, turned her back and walked out of the room.

 

The first screams broke her resolve to be strong. “Oh, Light! NO! PLEASE! NOOO!!!” Her mother’s voice cracked and seemed to be drowned by some sort of gurgling. “Kahlem, no! P… please!”

 

Ray-ray ran to the door and tried to open it. But something kept it closed. Firmly. She screamed and banged it. “MOTHER!! MOOTHER!!!”

 

Something glowed in her peripheral vision. A silver archway. Gleaming brightly at the end of the corridor.

 

The way will come back but once, be steadfast.

 

“No Light, not now! MOTHER! MOOTHER!!!” She banged the door harder. She needed a little time. Just a little. “MOOOTHEEER!!! I AM HERE!!”

 

“RAY-RAY! HELP ME!!!” Her mother’s desperate pleas came from behind the closed doors. “DON’T LEAVE ME!!! RAY-RAY!! I NEED YOU! RAY-RAY!!”

 

But Ray-ray knew she had no choice. Her screams echoed down the hall way as she ran towards the silver archway, pausing short of stepping in. The Light embrace her. Welcome her home. I’m sorry mother. Sorry.

 

I love you.

 

She clenched her fist till they bled, took a deep breath, and stepped through.

 

 

 

 

 

 

White. White light. Bright. Burning. BURNING!

 

Ray-ray did not realize she was screaming, sobs wracking her every breath. She was on her knees. Hysterical. Her very skin seemed to burn

Loraine Sedai, the Green,  came in front of her,  smooth faced, and poured water over her. The coolness was a welcome relief, but did nothing to stop her sobbing.  “You are washed clean of what sin you may have done and of those done against you. You are washed clean of what crime you may have committed, and of those committed against you. You come to us washed clean and pure, in heart and soul.”

 

They gave a little while as her sobs subsided. She wished they would leave her alone. The pain. Light. The pain.

 

“Was…  was it real?” She stammered out. Her mother. Light, Mother. I am so sorry. I did not know. I did not understand.I… It might not have been real, but the sacrifice her mother made in love for her, had been imprinted in Ray-ray.

 

Pia’s voice was ice as she spoke.  "There are those who say these doorways lead to other portal worlds. Places where things that could have been, happen. But there are also those who would deny their reality. What must be endured, must be endured." She took a deep breath and intoned, ominously. "The second arch awaits you child."

 

Ra-ray took a deep breath and forced herself to steady up.

 

"The second time is for what is.  The way will come but once.  Be steadfast.”

 

This time, Pia Sedai did not even look at her as she spoke. Ray-ray steeled her heart, stepped forward into the arch, and let the Light burn her away.

 

“Mother?”

 

Regalia turned to the Gray Sister beside her who had spoken. Aminem Prena. Kandori. A Sitter. She wondered why she was running this through her head. She looked down and fingered the seven striped stole that that looped around her shoulder. For some reason this amused her. Which was weird. She had been Amyrlin Seat for forty two years. And only today did it amuse her? Strange.

 

“Mother, we need your input.” Aminem looked at her with concern. “Mother, are you alright? Camigwen, Mother is not feeling well.”

 

Camigwen Klatsang Marivin. First Weaver of the Yellow. She looked around at the concerned faces. “I am fine. Just a bit tired.”

 

“Wouldn’t blame you, Mother, this bloody war’s whittling us down to nothing.” A Red sister grumbled aloud. Lakslim Perivina. Red Sister. Always had problems controlling her mouth. “But we need to deal with this now-“

 

“Yes we do! The southern tower has fallen and we have lost the Accepted Quarters. We’re losing sisters by the dozen. The dead amongst Accepted and Novices number by the hundreds. We need to do something NOW!” Mara Chandin. Green Sitter. Strong in the power. Strongest in the room bar Regalia herself. “Let’s stop being civil now. We need to some to a solution before the Tower falls! Mother!”

 

“I know, Daughter. Do you not think I feel the urgency? I lost my Warder this morning.” Her Warder. She now recognized the extreme grief in her heart. Extreme. Her head was muddled. Her thoughts kept slipping away from her. “Valin might not have been important to the rest of you, but he meant the world to me.” She was Green to the bone alright. Her other two Warders, Cargen Bromin and Sheiran Vilas were outside. They could not attend a meeting in the Hall, but they reflected her pain. “What do you suggest.”

 

“Open the stores, Mother. We need every angreal, ter’angreal and sa’angreal we can get our hands on.” Shomira Hartkin. Another Green. A Blademaster. A Noble. Possibly Black Ajah. She would definitely want her hands on the Power wrought items.

 

But there was no time to call her out for it. A large explosion rang from behind Regalia’s seat. A large piece of mortar flew towards the group and instantly Saidar filled every sister. It hung in the air. But not for long. Regalia hardly realized it had dropped to the floor with a resounding boom and a shower of dust.

 

“I am Shielded!” Aminem cried in shock!

 

“As am I!”

 

“I am too!”

 

“Mother!”

 

Regalia’s eyes widened in frustration as she realized her own connection to the One Power had been severed.

 

The way will come back but once, be steadfast.

 

“What?” They looked at her, panic in most of their eyes. But the words dragged at her.

 

“Mother! We need to do something!”

 

“Mother! What do we do!”

 

From behind them came a raucous laughter. A figure, cloaked in shadows stepped out. And then another. A woman, beautiful beyond imagination. Rahvin and Lanfear. Forsaken! Regalia’s mind boggled as the unreality of it. Two Forsaken in the White Tower.

 

“Hello, Regalia Frantelle.” Lanfear’s eyes blazed as she sneered. “We finally meet.”

 

Regalia hissed through her clenched teeth. Every ounce of her will trying to break the Shield that held her from the Source. “Lanfear. You coward. Release my Shield, and I may spare you the wrath of the White Tow-“ She suddenly screamed. Falling to her knees, Regalia could not help hugging herself. Her Warders! Cargen! Sheiran! Light, NO! I cannot lose you now! My loves!

 

Rahvin laughed. “What a bunch of useless women. I don’t suppose you know where we might find the rest of your sorry little group?” He strolled casually towards a Yellow Sitter. Paravin Monstrelle. Known for her ability to Heal even those close to death “What might your name be then?” Startled, Paravin tried to move away, only in shock, to find that she had been bound with Air. “Nevermind. I always liked my women slightly matured.” He stroked her cheek and smiled. Twisting her head from side to side, he laughed. “Useless.” With a gesture, fire sprouted from her hair and she screamed.

 

“Rahvin!” Regalia tried to lunge at the man, but found herself bound as well. Looking at the anguish and tears in the other Sisters, they had all been bound with Air. Impossible, how could he be so strong? “You will die! You will never escape the vengeance of the-“

 

But she was interrupted with a gag of Air. With horror, she saw four other figures step into the Hall. Two women and two men. She recognized them instantly. One of them had been her captive, but now was freed. Graendal. Belthamel. Sammael. Semirhage. Regalia you fool, you should have killed Graendal while you still had the chance.

 

“Regalia. Mother.” Graendal definitely did not waste love on the Amyrlin Seat. “You held me once, but now you die!”

 

The way will come back but once, be steadfast.

 

Regalia saw no way of escape. Unless… The ter’angreal! Where? She looked around the room and spotted an age darkened sculpture of a cat. I need to reach it now.

 

“Let me see… this one looks…” Graendal laughed as another one of the Sitters turned to ash before their eyes. “Well, not so pretty anymore.”

 

“Stop killing them, Graendal. We need leverage. The ter’angreal that protects the Stronghold keeps us from finding it. Whichever fool made a ter’angreal that could hide a whole room infinitely should be Balefired.” Regalia recognized the speaker as Sammael.

 

The way will come back but once, be steadfast.

 

From the corner of her eyes a silver arch appeared. Light, not now! I cannot abandon the White Tower! This is insane! All I need to do is get to the ter’angreal! It’ll cut everyone off from the source, excluding the person holding it. I just need-

 

“How about it, Regalia?” Lanfear pursed her lips. “You may be as strong as I in the Power, but right now, you’re insignificant. Tell us.”

 

“I’ll tell you if you unbind me and my Sisters.” Her voice was ice cold, but Regalia felt a glimmer of hope.

 

The way will come back but once, be steadfast.

 

NO! I cannot abandon them. The arch was on the opposite side of the room from the ter’angreal. She would never be able to reach both before they realized she was deceiving them.

 

“No. You’ll get unbound, the rest of them are my hostages.” Belthamel spoke. His voice were like bees in the air.

 

“I…” Regalia gasped as she realized her bonds were loosened. Light! What do I do? “It’s over here.”

 

“Mother! No!” “Mother! There’s no way we can win if…”

 

It only took a second, but as the Forsaken all turned as one and faced the group of Sisters in the middle of the floor, Regalia ran. And ran. And ran. And with a sickening last thought, realized she had run in the wrong direction and into the silver arch.

 

The screams never stopped even as the white light took her.

 

 

 

 

 

White. Fire. Balefire?

 

Ray-ray stepped out from the arch. Each step deliberate. Each breath a choke. Her mind was lost. She had given up on the whole White Tower. With horror she realized she had actually thought the situation so futile that she had subconsciously ran to the arch instead. She was not worthy. Not worthy at all to be Aes Sedai. BUt she had to be Aes Sedai. She just had to.

 

"You are washed clean of false pride. You are washed clean of false ambition. You come to us washed clean, in heart and soul."

 

She didn’t realize the cool water had washed over her.

 

“I betrayed the White Tower.” She whispered as she looked into Pia Sedai’s eyes, wet faced. This time, the Aes Sedai’s gaze flinched. “I let it go to ruins. I gave it up to the Forsaken. I…”

 

“Hush child.” Pia knelt down beside Ray-ray- no, Regalia. “You must hold on. You have done well for the first two arches, but the third…”

 

“I… will go on.” Regalia took a deep breath. No tears fell from her eyes. But when she looked to the Green Sister who had poured the water over her, the haunted look made even the Sister looked away. Gritting her teeth, she stood up. “The Third Arch was it? The last one?” I will be Aes Sedai. “Light, I will be Aes Sedai!”

 

“The third time is for what will be. Be steadfast for the way back will come but once.  Come back to us.”

 

She straightened her shoulders, took a deep breath and ran forward with her arms open. But the light that engulfed her did not feel like an embrace.

 

((OOC: Sorry, the third arch will come tomorrow. HAHA.))

 

It was evening in the Borderlands. The setting sun covered buildings and nature alike in an orange hue, giving a blanket of anticipation. Today would be the day. The day the Dark One would be sealed forever again in the Bore. The day the Last Battle would begin. For it was an end, if not the end.

 

Regalia sat on her palanquin, staring through gauzy fabric at a world so corrupted by the touch of the Dark One it was no longer recognizable. Her hands fingered the Blue shawl about her shoulders. A Blue Aes Sedai. Now why did she think that odd. She had been a Blue sister for close to two hundred years now. About seventy of those years had been as a Sitter, and the most recent twenty as First Selector. However none of that compared to the last three years, where she had run herself ragged as the personal Advisor of the Dragon.

 

Even on this dreary day, she felt hope burn in her heart. She had had to do so much in her life to get here. Killing her fellow sisters had been worst. But the Black Ajah was a distant memory now, the last had been Stilled and executed two weeks before. A memory that would forever haunt the dimunative Blue.

 

“Regalia Sedai?” The speaker bowed low before the palanquin, one of the Dragonsworn.

 

“Yes, Orivin?” Regalia pulled aside the curtain and looked upon the man.

 

“We are to begin shortly, the Lord Dragon advices all the Aes Sedai, especially yourself to ready yourself.” The Dragonsworn held the chief advisor of the Dragon in high esteem, but kept their distance. She was Aes Sedai after all.

 

“Thank you. Tell him I am ready to depart.” Regalia let the curtain fall. A dismissal.

 

The man’s mouth hardened and he retreated.

 

Regalia took a deep breath. She could feel her Warder Chargen somewhere in the distance. The Warders had been out scouting. None were as skilled as her Chargen. At the camp there were Aes Sedai who walked about without their Warders. Many of them would have to live without another Warder for a while, the pain visible on their faces. But there had to be sacrifices.

 

The way will come back but once, be steadfast.

 

She whipped her head around at the memory. Something is going to happen! I better warn the Dragon! Quickly she got up and barely touched the earth with her foot when the ground beneath her shook with such intensity she could see the buildings in the distance collapse. She embraced Saidar, the Power filling her to the brim and further still, through the charm-bracelet of leaves. Weaving Earth she stabilized the ground around her, and reached out with Saidar. She located the Dragon and immediately ran towards him. Light, I hope he is alright. Her eyes hardened at the sight of the injured and dead around her. But she had no time to worry about them now. The Dragon was far more important.

 

“Jarrod!” She shouted at the distant figure. The Dragon turned to face her, fixing her face with his intense gaze. She hardly flinched and wove Delving. He seemed fine, except for his old wounds. Wounds she could not Heal no matter what she did.

 

“I am alright. The Shadow strikes. We have to move. Now.” He barked commands at the people around him. Ashaman saluted and dispersed with their orders. The few Warders who hung about him came to attention and ran off to find their Aes Sedai.

 

“We move.” Regalia said with a nod. “Light, Jarrod, the wounded and the dead-“

 

“Will have to be left behind, Regalia. We have no time.” Jarrod gestured a dismissal.

 

Her mouth hardened, Regalia ran to her palanquin and climbed aboard.

 

“LEWS THERIN!” A voice boomed over the camp.

 

Regalia hissed and leapt off her palanquin.

 

“LEWS THERIN!” It echoed off the buildings. Many had to cover their ears to avoid going deaf.

 

The way will come back but once, be steadfast.

 

“YOU THINK THAT WAS SOMETHING. IT IS NOTHING!”

 

The air… shimmered. That was the only thing Regalia could think as a description. And suddenly they were amongst the army of the Dark. Fades and Trollocs ran in random, killing people. Lightning forked from the sky as the army of Light retaliated.

 

Regalia screamed in frustration and wove the deadly weaves. Fire. Air. Water. Earth. Spirit. Often trollocs died where they stood. She danced about them, leaving a trail of destruction, aiming for the centre of the clearing where the Dragon was. Surely he was alright. She cursed her mad decision not to Bond the man. She should have. She should have.

 

But she was not alone. Fire erupted about her. She stood face to face with a dark haired woman, who sneered at her.

 

“Hello, Aes Sedai.” Her face was beautiful, if marred by an expression of pure evil.

 

“Who are you? Get out of my way.” Regalia snapped.

 

“Have you heard of me? I am who they call Mesaana.” She raised her hand and sent a streak of fire towards Regalia.

 

Regalia hardly had time to feel the shock of facing a Forsaken. The woman was so much stronger than she. Had it not been the angreal around her wrist she would have died. No! The Dragon must fight the Last Battle! Weave after weave she flung at the Forsaken, her own hair singed by a few counterweaves that came too close.

 

“An angeal? I understand now why you aren’t so easy to kill. That even Semirhage died in your hands. Now I face you I can tell you are not strong at all.” Mesaana laughed. She was obviously toying with Regalia. “Give up and embrace the Dark, Aes Sedai. There is a better life here. You could be my m’aeshadar. I will treat you well.

 

The way will come back but once, be steadfast.

 

No, she would not go. She would stay this time. The Dragon needed her. She could see him in the distance fending off two men. Her Saidar sharpened eyes saw the heron marked blades. It was a wonder he hadn’t fallen. Hold on Jarrod. With a hiss of frustration, she drew deeper yet. The charm-bracelet on her wrist seemed to heat up. It was close to dangerous levels of Saidar. But she had to try. If all was lost, then there would no longer be a reason to hold back.

 

At the corner of her eyes a silver gateway had appeared. Light. Again? She had no idea why she thought “again”. Surely it had not happened before. Surely they didn’t expect her to-

 

Without warning, a man burst forth from behind Mesaana and suddenly leapt on her wrestling her to the ground. She growled and flicked her hand absently. Regalia recognized the man as he flew into the sky a great distance away. Chargen! NO!! Her body shook with grief as the Bond snapped. She howled. She needed to get to the Dragon. But Mesaana had dusted herself off and gotten up. Regalia felt the chagrin as she watched one of the heron marked blades pierce the Dragon.

 

The way will come back but once, be steadfast.

 

But she just needed to-

 

She saw Mesaana fall as the arrow slammed into her throat. She turned and saw one of the Dragonsworn had shot the arrow. But even as she watched he died. Body bursting into flames. She had her chance. She could run and save Jarrod. They could win! THEY MUST!

 

The silver arch seemed to flicker. And her heart sank. She had no choice after all. None. In the distance the earth exploded into a piercing light. And when it ended the land was a flat barren thing.

 

In shock she turned. And ran.

 

“THAT’S RIGHT AES SEDAI! RUN! SAVE YOURSELF! RUN!” Regalia did not know if it was directed at her, but she her heart was broken. They had lost. They had lost badly. All hope was gone. Abandoned.  She had no right being Aes Sedai after all.

 

Laughter filled the air just as Regalia leapt through the silver arch. Her mind numb from grief, loss and resignation.

 

White. Light. Burns.

 

Ray-ray stumbled out of the Arch. Her mind was numb. She took a step back as Pia Sedai approached her gracefully. She clung on to the side of the ter’angreal, unwilling to let go. Her breathing was heavy. Her head felt like lead. In her mind-

 

Without warning, she opened her mouth and screamed. And screamed. And screamed. And screamed.

 

The scream went on and on, and would only stop when the strength holding her up left her. She fell, broken and limp, to the ground. Only then did she lift her head to look at the group of Aes Sedai before her. She had failed. Failed herself. Failed the White Tower. Failed the Dragon. Failed the world. And the weight of that failure crushed her tender body. She tried to get up, and started to cry, collapsing on the ground, her hair sweat drenched. Her fists refused to unclench. 

 

It seemed like an eternity of grief before she felt someone touch her shoulder gently. Pia Sedai looked at her. Finally with a look of love and warmth. There was a tinge of pride, and of joy. But mostly of acceptance.

 

“You have done it, Ray-ray. Incredibly well.”

 

But Regalia shook her head. “Please call me Regalia from now on, Pia Sedai. The time of Ray-ray has passed. I failed. I had to accept failure. I am no longer going to revel in the possibility of failure. There can only be one direction, and I will be Aes Sedai.”

 

"You did well, Regalia.” Pia said with an emphasis. Approval shone on the Mistress of Novices’ face. “You did not fail. Not an ounce of it. Now, remember what must be done."

 

Regalia took a deep breath and nodded. She let go of the grief and the pain. She set it aside. They will come later. Looking up, she saw Shevara Edosian, the Amrylin Seat, standing before her, with a sister of each Ajah at her side.  Brown, Green, Gray, Blue, Red, Yellow and White.  All were there.  And all were looking at her with Aes Sedai serenity. 

 

The Amrylin Seat took the last chalice of water, and poured the cold water over Regalia. She shivered slightly, partly from the cold and partly from the excitement of what the moment meant.  “You are washed clean of Regalia Frantelle of Dorlan, Tar Valon.  You are washed clean of all ties that bind you to the world.  You come to us washed clean in heart and soul. You are Regalia Frantelle, Accepted of the White Tower.”

 

“You are sealed to us, now. Welcome, daughter,” Shevara said.  Taking the Great Serpent Ring, she lifted Regalia’s hand gently and slipped the ring on.  “Welcome, Daughter”, she said, kissing Regalia on one cheek, then on the other.  “Welcome.”

 

Regalia smiled sadly, her eyes resting on the ring.

 

Suddenly Pia Sedai was beside her, helping her into her banded Accepted dress. With each singular movement, she winced. The pain was still too fresh, too raw. But it no longer mattered. She had walked her first step. Pia stood in front her and helped her straighten the dress.

 

“The pain lessens with time, Regalia. You have endured the worst for now, it is time to rest.” Pia smiled. “And remember, you maybe Accepted now, but I still have the right to summon you for punishment. The transgression will be greater, but at the same time there will be less tolerance. In any case, should you not be forcibly summoned, you are always welcome to visit. My door is open to you. And I shall watch your life as Accepted closely. So don’t think you are out of my clutches.” She touched Regalia’s cheek.

 

Regalia nodded, not daring to speak for herself, lest she suffered another breakdown. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she looked down at herself. She was Accepted now. She felt like she had gained something great. And in the process, lost a large part of herself.

 

*bump*