“The seven wonders,” Ardal began, stretching his great wings and fluttering to the council floor, “are one of our most sacred traditions. While Lady Hagumi should have, through her teachings, been made fully aware of the exact specifics of the trials she is about to face, I shall now briefly overview them here for her witnesses. I do not think I need to remind each of you that this is a sacred event, one of the highest of our people. What occurs here is not secret, nor is it forbidden to speak of it once the ritual has concluded. However, we insist that during the it all parties remain silent out of reverence... and for the safety of those performing the wonders. Many have died attempting these challenges, and it would be a terrible shame to lose yet another seraphim here this morning.”

Stepping back slightly, Ardal turned his attention to the council, his back to Hagumi. “To be a member of the council, you must first show you understand what it means to be a Seraphim. The first trial is a simple one: explain to the council what makes the Seraphim people unique from the other races.”

With a flick of his hand, a small ember burst into life and floated above his palm as he turned to face Hagumi. “Once you have shown you understand the seraphim people, you must then show us you understand yourself. The second trial is to demonstrate some small form of your latent magical talent.”

Ardal snapped his fingers and the flame vanished. “The third trial is to show the council you know your limits. Perform the highest feat of magic you can demonstrate within your realm of expertise, without injuring any bystanders.”

“From here on out, the true trials begin.” Justica said from the stands, taking over for Ardal. “To stand above your peers and judge them, you must first show you can stand above yourself. The fourth trial is to exceed your limitations. Transform some portion of you no smaller than a limb into ice itself. Let your magical energies flow through you and become more than just a seraphim.”

“The fifth trial is to show restraint, and is simply to undo the effects of the fourth trial. This is where most candidates fail.” Justica said sternly. “Consider carefully which limb you can live without before proceeding, Lady Hagumi.”

Libertas was the next to speak, taking a few more gentle tone than her peer. “By the sixth trial, you will have shown an understanding of the seraphim people, and an understanding of yourself. You will have shown you known your limits, can exceed them, and have exercised restraint in controlling your powers. To stand on the council, you must have all of these things, but a simple mastery of magic and an understanding of oneself is insufficient. For the sixth trial, you must show you have wisdom.” As Libertas spoke, guards entered from behind with a tightly bound wolf daeva in tow. The daeva struggled and snarled, flailing wildly at its restraints but unable to break them, eyes darting fearfully across all the members of the chamber. “This daeva was found to have contracted feralism and was restrained for the safety of the city.” 

The daeva's restraints were fastened to the floor so it was unable to move. One of the guards drew a small knife and placed it at the foot of the feral beast. “This feral daeva has committed no crimes, and was restrained before harming or killing any individual. Under common law, as a daeva he cannot be executed. However, he has lost all control of his higher facilities and would no doubt attack and kill each and every one of us given the opportunity. The fact that he is a wolf is not lost to us, nor is it an accident, Lady Hagumi. For your sixth trial, you must show the council you are willing to do what is necessary for the good of all people, regardless of your personal biases, and be unafraid to dirty your hands in the process. He is feral, and unless you have a revelation for this council, there is no cure for his condition. Take up the knife at his feet, and slit the feral's throat with your own hands. End its misery and make the world a safer place. This is a reminder, not only of what we ALL fight against, but of the weight of the quest you have taken up until this point. A wolf dies today, because a cure has yet to be found.”

“And finally...” Ardal said sternly as he drew his blade, placing the tip into a slit in the very center of the room. The blade radiated warmth, permeating all corners of the room. “A seraphim of the council must be willing to go beyond their comfort zone in all things, from politics to social issues to magic. They will be faced with life and death decisions, not always simple and clean ones, and help guide the whole of the seraphim people in a positive direction. To do so means to understand not only yourself, but your opponent. As an ice mage, your final and most difficult test is to draw out the fire magic from Arach to create and embrace flame. You are ice: calm and collected. Fire is passionate and explosive. To sit among the council as equals, you must embrace your opposite and understand it. Should it consume you, the trial will have concluded, and you will be dead. Should you come to understand and respect your opposite, you will find home here among equals.”

Ardal stepped forward and placed a hand on each of Hagumi's shoulders. Gazing into her eyes, he offered a prayer in a language only the councilmembers understood. It translated roughly to “may the gods bless you on your journey and grant you the wisdom to find your way.” With a gently kiss to her forehead, Ardal took flight once more, making a grand loop around the chamber before settling back in his seat. Entwining his fingers and crossing his legs, he leaned forward intently. 

“You may begin.”