The Broken Mate

Chapter 3: Spirit of time

Lucifer's POV

"Elder, why have we been called forth?" asked one of the elder Judgments as we stood in a circle in order of rank. I was one of the stronger ones so I stood right by the elders. It was more of a semi circle, the three Judgment elders stood in a row at the head of the circle. Third strongest elder on the left, second on the right and the strongest in the middle. And the circle started with me on the right and went down. The Judgment on the other end was my best friend and on par with me so the reason why he got the spot across from me by the Elders.

A lot of people were envious and jealous of us but I was envious of their positions more. Being here, meant more responsibilities and... well more jobs.

"It's time to distribute districts and give away new positions as some guardians are retiring or planning in taking a vacation, as they say in the realm of living." The head elder replies.

"There are more deaths in the past 6 months then there has been in the past 20 years. We need have promoted a couple of our Judgment trainees and they will be given to each of you. You will be their mentor and when you feel they are ready, you may give them more responsibilities." Melody, second elder speaks in a gentle voice as she waves her hand and our disciples appear but the numbers are odd. there's only 10 and 12 of us.

"Lucifer and Griffin will be given new jobs apart from their current districts and will follow me to the alter while Melody and Herald will oversee the bond between mentor and disciple." The head elder speaks and motions for us to follow him.

"Elder Lupin, what kind of jobs are you bestowing us that we need to go to the alter?" Griffin asked in curiosity as we followed the elder through the bright clouds of the spirit realm, up a set of stairs, and down a long hallway until we reached the alter. As you can see the spirit realm was a vast place, it was endless. And yet you could only go straight. No turns, no downs, no ups, just straight. And when I mentioned stairs, it was three steps that led us to a cloudy path leading straight to alter. Without it we would be walking on and on without a destination and only the elders were strong enough to conjure up these steps.

Silence was met and I glanced at Griffin and raised an eyebrow at him, confused as well. We both ended up shrugging because we both knew we weren't gonna get any answers.

"High elder, I see you brought your top disciples." The spirit of nature chuckled as she popped out of nowhere by the alter. Then, an ominous feeling grew as the spirit of time poofed in surrounding the place with black smoke. I had a bad feeling about this.

"As you probably know, these two are in need of heirs as they will be retiring soon. You will choose a mentor and work with him or her for a month while continuing your jobs as Judgment for your respective districts. Your mentors will choose who they want. Please choose." Head elder gave them the floor. Both spirits stared at me and glanced at each other.

"Come." Spirit of time pointed to me and crooked a finger towards him. I nodded and walked up to him and he placed a hand on my head and chanted something in an ancient language, I did not understand. I felt a dark winding feeling flow through my body and sharp pain as the symbol of time was embedded next to my symbol of Judgment. Together, they entwined and became one. I removed my cloak as per tradition and let it drop, embedded on my chest was my scale of Judgment held by a hand, when I welcomed souls into the door, the scale tilts left (bad) and right (good) depending on what I saw in their memories. But now, the scale was surrounded by a clock and if you listened closely enough, you almost hear the tick took of a clock sounding. That was just in my head though. What surprised me most was the vines that grew around the frame of the clock and spread out, wrapping around my arms and wrapping around my abdomen before blooming into a large bouquet of different flowers on my back. The vines on my arms had thorns and small roses growing on them.

"What an interest symbol." The head elder spoke while rubbing his chin.

"It's so beautiful!" Lady aurora, spirit of nature spoke as she clapped her hands, "It's my turn! Come Come." She waved Griffin over and went forward and bowed respectfully, unlike me.

She closed her eyes and chanted the same thing but in a different ancient language and I watched as Griffin took off his cloak and dropped on floor allowing it to disappear. Vines snaked out of the same Judgment symbol as me and wrapping around his body. Buds appeared but did not bloom and his main symbol remained a bud as well.

He grinned still, knowing that if her powers did not accept him, he would kneeling over in pain. I grinned with him and we high-fived each other with matching grins.

"There is only one downside to this new jobs. You are not allowed to mate." My eyes widened slightly at this revelation but I nodded. I didn't want another mate anyways. Not after my last.

"Of course, your current mates out there will still be your mates but the bond won't be there for them to know. Their memories will have no recognition of meeting you along with the people that have met you as well. However, you stay near them and if by chance you fall in love without the mate bond in place, we will reinforce the bond and may stay together while doing your jobs. The only downside is that you won't be able to see them as often as you like." The elder explained and I nodded.

"Lucifer, you will be in charge of the shifters and other mythical creatures, including witches. I will take care of the humans as there are more of them and you already have a lot on your plate with the America's. But mind you, you will be incharge of all creatures, all over the world. I will teach you the basic and then you're on your own for a month. If you do a good job, I shall promote you and you may have more power over your... well new powers." The spirit of time spoke and Spirit of nature jumped around Griffin while explaining to him how things would work on their side.

"Now, if you take the dagger of bonds and slit your palm. As your blood touches the stone amulet, your bond with your mate will severe and his or her memories of you as well as those around them will disappear. It up to you, whether or not you want to save your bond or leave it as it is." Elder Lupin spoke as he handed me the dagger first. I gave him a sad look and with a shaky breath, I slit my palm and let my blood flow. The tablet glowed bright before dimming until nothing was left except an anguished howl. A red tear slipped down my cheek but I didn't show any other pain that the break caused me.

"I see, you have met your mate already..." Elder Lupin gave me an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

"Must I?" Griffin hesitated and I knew it was because of his love for his current mate and daughter.

"It is part of the process." Elder Lupin spoke in a sad but clipped voice.

"May I find her love again." Tears ran down his eyes as he slit his palm and watched as the light dimmed before burning out. He let out an anguished howl as an even more anguished howl echoed in the air, along with a babies cry.

"The ceremony is done. May you find happiness... From now on, you are on your own unless your mentors call for you. You will not be required to attend the Judgment meetings. You will be gifted with a spiritual weapon from the lot." He waved his hand and rows and rows of different weapons appeared. I solemnly walked through the rows when I heard a rattling sound. A wooden staff flew towards me and three swords unscathed themselves and vibrated.

(Master, Master, Master) Three different voices spoke at the same time. Before they sheathed themselves again I grabbed it and shrugged. I guess this would be my spiritual weapon.

I watched as a mace chose Griffin. I chuckled. It definitely suit his personality. We returned with our mentors after bidding farewell to the elders and to each other. We would meet again.