The Ascent
Once a year, midway between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice, the Kaphtori Aethry celebrate the ritual named I Anávasi (The Ascent). It commemorates their transformation from human to Aethry, and also serves as a rite of passage for young Kaphtori Aethry.
Preparation for The Ascent involves rigorous military training and physical exercises, designed to prepare the young people for their future roles as defenders of the city-state. All citizens of the Kingdom of Nisi are expected to be ready to defend the city, regardless of what other roles they take on in life. This training begins as soon as the children can hold a spear, and continues until their eighteenth year.
The ceremony itself begins with a recreation of the attack on Nisi by the Naga. The adults wear costumes and beat weapons against shields to awaken the city shortly after midnight (although few are truly asleep). This announces the beginning of the ceremony, known as Το κυνηγητό (The Chase). The young people must race on foot to Óros Ídhi, shepherding and carrying the children, keeping ahead of their elders. They climb the mountain, crying out to Ídhi for succor and assistance, until they reach the shrine of Iliana, the first of the Aethry. They gather at the statue of Iliana, and turn to face the army of adults pursuing them. This is the end of the Chase and begins the second part of the ritual, The Ascent. The young people begin to chant the motto of the kingdom, Ανεβαίνουμε (We Ascend). The adults assemble and surround the shrine, shouting and brandishing their weapons.
As the sun reaches its apex, a moment of silence descends. Then, the eldest among the children launches themselves into the air above the shrine, followed by the entire flock of young people. They launch a counterattack upon the adults, who flee before their children running down the mountain and running to the coast. When they reach the sea, they launch themselves off the cliffs and take flight themselves, joining the great flock of Aethry.
The day concludes with a great feast and celebration, and those who are eighteen years of age are welcomed into the community as adults. The night is filled with drink and music and dancing, continuing until sunrise.
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