As everyone waited, many began to hear footsteps. The footsteps were steady, each stride was exact in length and speed. Such that many were drawn to the sound, causing all conversations to wither as the steps drew closer.
Daniel opened his eyes as he turned to look at the figure. Daniel felt nothing when he laid eyes on the man, but the reactions of the many people sitting around him caused him to wonder if there was more to the man than he could understand.
Adora was sweating whilst holding his breath. Daniel noticed the abnormality and turned to observe the crowd.
'They're all perspiring and holding their breath... Why?' Daniel scratched his head as thoughts swirled about. He leaned in towards Anise and whispered.
"Hey, why are you sweating and holding your breath?"
Anise turned to look at Daniel quite stiffly. Her eyes went wide when she saw that Daniel was as chill as ever. She wanted to speak but all her jaw did was chatter, as if she were in freezing cold temperatures.
Right when Daniel was about to speak once more, the man that had stood silently at the entrance spoke.
"Welcome, young Neophyte Sentinels. I am addressed as Sentinel Captain Vios." His voice was deep, resonant, and firm. The man stepped forward so that everyone could get a better look at him.
He had a heroic face with a sharp and wide jaw and eyebrows that resembled swords. His height was close to Seven feet tall and had the body build of Thor before he got fat. He had a gold beard, gold hair, and piercing Hazel eyes.
"Today all of you will be participating in the Neophyte Sentinel Welcome Ceremony, where each and every one of you will be addressed personally by the Hearthfire and the Myriad Specter, along with any teachers that have claimed you as their disciples." Captain Vios paused for a moment before continuing.
"Afterwards comes the most exciting part of the Welcoming Ceremony. The Battles of Pertinacious and indefatigable Heart. Otherwise known as, The Battles Of Fate."
Silence. No one made a sound as the atmosphere turned from fear to anticipation.
From the moment the Myriad Sentinel Academy was founded, The Battle Of Fates was one of, if not the biggest event for the Academy. The Mystical Tower had powers that could circumvent the laws of Fate. Thus, these battles were a way to prove your worth and mettle. To grab fate by the ponytails and build your own life, from your own efforts. This was a legend that was spread throughout the world of Locbroalm.
One which carried truth.
As Daniel and the others reached the center of the coliseum, a rhythmic beat echoed throughout as the chanting and cheering of the crowd filled the air with noise.
*Boom *Boom *Clap, *Boom *Boom *Clap.
As everyone stepped on stage, a low but deep hum continuously played. Right after Daniel stepped onto the stage, trumpets played a minor but vigorous melody which brought the atmosphere to a feverish pitch.
Daniel looked around, and all the while his heartbeat quickened. The anticipation and thrill were infectious, it made him feel like his blood was boiling. Like molten metal was flowing through his veins.
*BOOM*
With a final hit, the drums and trumpets as well as the long low hum ceased to play.
Suddenly, the torches that lined the edges of the center stage lit up with a deep orange flame. In the sky, a giant flame sparked into existence. The crowd oohed and awed. Once the flames died down a man who looked in his forties appeared, casually smiling and waving at the crowd.
The crowd went wild, quickly chanting: Hearthfire! Hearthfire! Hearthfire!
After a moment of bringing in the spotlight, Hearthfire and everyone else saw a rainbow ripple in the sky. The ripple of rainbow light slowly shrank in size, like the reverse of a water droplet disturbing a peaceful pond.
The Myriad Specter materialized thereafter, calmly floating like a statue.
The crowd somehow got, even more, wilder, quickly chanting "Specter" "Specter!" "SPECTER!!"
The Hearthfire raised his hands, as a gesture of silence. Within moments the crowds still to silence, eagerly waiting.
"Welcome everyone, to the sixty-ninth Neophyte Sentinel Welcome Ceremony. For the first time in a long time, give or take twenty years, we have the Nobility, Royalty, and populous of the three kingdoms of Light, Nature, and Elements."
The crowd cheered as Hearthfire finished his greetings. The crowd quickly returned to silence as they waited for Hearthfire to speak once more.
"Now I will begin to introduce the fifty students who will be joining us this year." Mr. Hearthfire graciously floated down and stood on stage next to the Neophyte Sentinels. Captain Vios stood next to the students, giving encouraging nods.
"The first Neophyte Sentinel is Enfredos Von Klitz Second Prince of Illumina." Enfredos bowed towards the crowd and walked to the very center of the stage." This prince had yellow robes, with grey patterns. indicating that he had been taken in by one of the many teachers in the Myriad Sentinel Academy.
"The Second Neophyte Sentinel is Aldry Karizma, son of the Karizma Inter Noblility of the Suum Cuique kingdom." The boy walked over to the very center of the stage and bowed, greeting the Prince of Illumina thereafter.
"The Third..."
"The Fourth..."
Slowly but surely, Hearthfire introduced every Neophyte Sentinel. Inching closer towards Daniel, whose palms were a little sweaty, knees weak, arms spaghetti.