Beastmen: She Tames the Land-Chapter 152: The Beast Speaks

Night came sooner than anyone expected. Visha had already prepared the herbs she needed while she was preparing for the pack bonding ceremony. All she needed to do was put the correct herbs in the brazier and prepare the tea. She would also use the Rite of Vitality as she had before.

While they did not have brands, she believed she needed to perform the ritual exactly as she did before to meet whatever conditions were necessary for the howl to occur. Preparing everything she needed, she made her way to the square.

Uri and Xeno had gone ahead to ensure everything would be ready for her. The pack members were also waiting. For this night, they did not allow a patrol, just as they had the previous time. Previously, it was a risk, and it would be a risk now, but Vish wanted to replicate the ritual as closely as possible.

Because there were more people this time, the ritual would begin just before dusk. To aid herself, Visha also went in search of the blue bush she had previously seen at the waterfall. She had not touched it before because she knew it was special.

This particular plant helps her to replenish her priestess power. One leaf was enough to bring her back to full power. She left it in its original position because it was the only such plant she had found. According to her own calculations, this plant must be special.

"Today, we will perform a ritual of cleansing. Some will be familiar, and some will not. Today, we do this ritual for our newcomers," Visha said. "There is no right or wrong to the confession you make. What matters is that you are genuine in what you say. And what you say must be felt from the heart."

She lit the brazier as she spoke. "After your confession, you will walk through smoke." The smoke began to drift upwards and outwards. "After passing through the smoke, you will drink ritual tea, receive vitality, and be embraced by the pack."

"I hope you will all take this seriously."

Visha stepped back, leaving an open space for those who would perform the ritual. She gestured to Crosvil to begin. She was aware that although they were one pack, Crosvil still had a measure of respect among the people of his former tribe. Roc would follow him, as the same was true of him.

Over time, through the pack bond, the pack member will come to truly recognize Uri, Xeno, and herself as their true leaders.

The ritual proceeded in an orderly fashion. Unlike those who were previously branded, the stories these people shared were not of the same caliber. However, Visha could feel the depth of emotion when they spoke of their own struggles.

Some teared up while speaking. Some cried after being embraced by the pack. Visha, Uri, and Xeno were especially vigilant during this time. Previously, the ritual was performed as a form of therapy. Knowing that there might be a phenomenon, they felt the air around them.

Their sense should be able to pick up subtle changes. Those who were unsure would be unaware of the changes unless prompted. The moon was high when the last person finished the ritual.

The trio detected no changes. Disappointment washed over them. Visha used the Rite of Vitality on the last person. This person made their way to the pack, willingly accepting the embrace of those around them.

Visha had not spoken when Willa’s voice filled the silent square. She knelt before Visha, "Priestess, I wish to go through the ritual."

Visha was confused by Willa’s sudden willingness to do the ritual. "Why?"

"I wish to make my own confession," Willa whispered, her head down.

"So do I." Cato stepped out.

One by one, those who had not participated came to stand before Visha.

"You all want to confess?"

She couldn’t understand why they would want to confess. But she allowed it. In her mind, it might be the atmosphere. It was an atmosphere of emotional release. Visha nodded, gesturing for them to do the ritual.

She briefly glanced at Uri and Xeno before gesturing for them to join. This night would be a night of total confession. She herself would also be involved. In this way, everyone in the pack will have gone through the ceremony.

Her heart felt happy as she thought about it. This would be another way of bonding. A way to bring each person closer together. She watched as, one by one, the pack members went through the smoke. They received the tea and experienced the embrace.

Even Kit, Nimo, and Lila, Biron’s daughter, went through the ritual.

Just as everyone thought the ritual had ended, Xeno and Uri walked forward. A hush fell over the square. The people being consoled and those consoling abruptly went silent. This was a scene no one had expected to see.

Uri was the first to step forward. Through his confession, Visha saw a vulnerability he rarely showed to outsiders. Throughout everything, as he walked, Uri possessed a softness that the pack had not seen before.

The first to come forward to embrace were Kit and Nimo. They had spent a lot of time with Uri. They respected him as a leader, but they were not afraid to be soft with him. Their embrace signaled the rest of the pack.

Xeno went through next. The usually dominant and commanding man put away his authority. He stepped into the smoke as an ordinary man who was willing to open up. His first embrace came from his mother, Willa.

Visha watched it happen as she moved towards the brazier. Unlike Uri and Xeno, who caused the pack to become silent, Visha’s entrance set off a chain reaction of gasps.

She walked confidently to the front. At first, she intended to confess. Instead, her beast surged forward. Momentary panic seized her. Then she remembered she and the beast were the same. Although she could not control it now, there would be a day when they would become one. So, she allowed it to happen.

When Visha opened her eyes again. Her eyes shimmered brilliantly. The irises were a rich golden hue, and the fire danced in them as she stood before the pack.

"As we confess our hopes, fears, and truths, our bond becomes stronger. Change is on the horizon. We must become stronger. Our bond must become stronger. Thank you all for being a part of this sacred circle. Your courage and honesty are things to be carried forward."

Visha’s voice was sonorous, soulful

"I especially thank my mates, my anchors, for walking this path with me."

"To the land beneath our feet, the air that carries our whispers, thank you for witnessing this ritual and for holding us in your eternal embrace."

She stepped through the smoke. Reached out to Uri for the tea in his hand and stretched out her arms to embrace both the world and her pack.

As soon as arms embraced Visha, it began. The fire surged, the colours weaved, the howl sounded. The phenomenon before and now was a world of difference. If the first was a bonfire, this was a forest fire.

The howl echoed through every part of the continent. Heads snapped up in witness. Others knelt. Some sneered.