Friday rolled around slowly due to my impatience for it, but it is finally here. The day I find out whether or not I possess power has come and I am more than ready. Although at the same time I am terrified, terrified that I'll get nothing, I'll be nothing, and next thing you know I'm stuck here for the rest of my life.
I shook my head, wiping the thoughts from my mind trying to clear them. At the moment I stood in front of my closet, wrapped in a towel, trying to decide on a suitable outfit for today, before packing the rest away in my rucksack. All kids participating in the ceremony were requested to bring their belongings with them, as when they learn they possess a power they are immediately taken to the Calayan Academy following the ceremony.
Now usually I wasn't one to really worry about these kinds of things, but today was an exception. After a good ten minutes I finally chose a pair of black leggings, and one of my nicer white tank tops, this shirt was usually only pulled out for special occasions. I huffed, this was about as good as it was gonna get. I entered my bathroom to do my signature braid to the side before brushing my teeth and packing those essentials away as well. Taking a deep breath, calming myself of the excitement and terrible nerves, I headed out to the kitchen with my bag in hand.
"Are you two ready to go?" our dad asked as I grabbed a piece of toast on the table.
"Yeah, let's go," Thea responded. I couldn't get any words out.
"Oh before we go I want to wish both of my babies good luck, and have fun!" our mother cooed as she kissed both of us on the head.
"Thanks, mom," I smiled before we headed out.
The four of us walked through the town and down to the rock wall just at the edge of the village, not too far into the forest. The town was completely empty and soon we found out why when we approached the rock wall to see nearly everyone crowded around the small wooden platform of a stage. If I were Thea right now I would be even more nervous than I already was.
We weaved our way through the crowd of people and eventually got to the front. There were eleven chairs stationed in front of the stage for the kids who would be testing their abilities this year. We joined the group, taking our dedicated seats. Although, Thea was sitting in the middle and my chair was at the very end. I furrowed my brows before realizing the academy was going by my original last name, Zurke, instead of the one I've been going by nearly my entire life, Milano. I took my seat anyway as the ceremony was about to start. I sent a smile down to my friends who all looked just as nervous as myself before an older gentleman in a thick navy robe stepped onto the stage.
"Welcome back my fellow Visayans," he spoke up, silencing the chatter among the crowd. "As you are all aware, these eleven children will test their abilities by placing their palm on the rock. If a gem ignites they possess power and will come with us," he motioned towards the two other men and a woman that stood at the side of the stage, "back to the Calayan Academy. Although, if they do not possess an ability they will continue to live here, contributing to society as best they can." he concluded before nodding his head towards the lankier of the two men that held the list of our names.
He glided up to the platform, his grey robe hovering high around his ankles, he looked displeased with all of us, like we weren't worthy of the Calayan Academy. He called out the first name, Noah Argile. Noah exhaled harshly before standing up and stepping on stage with him. He walked up to the wall and placed his hand on the small imprint in the stone where so many people have placed their hands over the centuries.
The first placing was uneventful as nothing happened for the boy who walked away disappointed. It wasn't until the third kid, which was Rowen, that something actually happened. He positioned his hand against the wall and the green and black gem ignited, identifying that he had the elemental power of earth/nature and the manipulation of the mind. Rowen smiled, but kept his composure up on stage, stifling his excitement. I was happy for him and not in the least bit surprised, he had a clever mind, he was a person meant to do great things.
Following him was a petite girl named Ashlyn, she had no luck either. That means the next person up was Keegan, I was nervous for her. She nearly jumped up on stage as her short legs made it difficult for her to simply step up on the wooden platform. She very slowly made her way to the rock before the man pushed her along. She placed her hand on the designated spot and at first nothing happened. It wasn't until about ten seconds in that the purple gem lit up, representing air. Keegan wasn't as subtle as Rowen had been, and instead, she cheered for herself which caused an uproar of laughter from the crowd as they clapped. Although, I found myself frowning at the thought that my best friend was most likely leaving me behind.
The next kid to go was the first to get a long applause from the crowd as he received the ability to connect with dragons. The gold gem lit up to a bright piercing color, and Gage's family began to holler, which spiraled into the entire crowd congratulating him. As the line up narrowed down, the more nervous I became. Next up was Thea and the crowd went silent, everyone was on the edge of their seats to see what power their future leader holds.
"Thea Milano," the man called out.
She stood from her chair and straightened out her dress a bit before making her way to the stage. The man actually reached out his hand to help her up and she accepted before walking over to the wall. Taking a deep breath she placed her hand and we all waited anxiously. There was not a sound made by the crowd as they watched each gem. Although, we kept waiting as nothing happened. That's when it finally settled in, Thea had no power. She dropped her shoulders in anguish.
"Alright, return to your seat," the man finally instructed stuttering on his words. He knew that Dean Milano, Thea's grandfather, and his boss, would be displeased with this outcome. A chorus of whispers was heard from behind us.
Everyone was in shock. As Thea retreated from the stage I could see tears prickling in her eyes, but she held herself together for now. I turned around to look at my father, and his face said it all, he was devastated. Nearly no one paid any attention to the next two to go which was a girl named Lilith and Emerson. Once again the girl had no luck, but Emerson received the ability to shapeshift, which I found interesting.
Finally, the women standing at the side of the stage blew out of a loud horn that silenced the crowd of their whispers, properly bringing their attention back to the ceremony. The final kid before me was Booker and he actually looked to be the most nervous out of all of us. He took the spot on stage and reached for the wall. He waited for a few seconds, but nothing seemed to happen. Defeated, he returned to his seat and my heart sank for him.
"That leaves our final child, Addilyn Zurke," the man called out and I could feel my heart in my throat. The time was finally here, it was my turn. I stared at the floor, yelling at myself in my head to get up. Finally, I mustered up the courage to stand.
"Good luck," I heard a small mumble from Booker, which I thought was rather nice considering the news he just got.
Not much of the crowd was paying attention at the moment as they were too caught up in the idea of having a future leader without any powers, and to be honest no one expected anything of me to begin with.
I swallowed hard and stepped up on stage, it creaked as I walked closer to the wall. Standing just a couple inches away from it, it towered over me and looked a lot more intimidating from this angle. With a shaky hand, I gently pressed my palm up against the cold stone. I waited and prayed, prayed that something, anything would happen.
There was chatter amongst the crowd behind me and it seemed like nothing was going to happen. I sighed, defeated, I was stuck here. I was about to remove my hand before a gem began to light up, not just any gem though, the gold one. It started out as a small glow, almost unnoticeable before it slowly grew brighter and brighter. It got to a point where it was almost blinding, the aroma of its light filled the atmosphere and my hair nearly floated with it.
As the light grew stronger the people in the crowd were beginning to silence themselves once again, covering their eyes from its light. A humming sound emerged from the gem as it shone. The only thing to get the sound and light to stop was when a large crack split the wall from the pressure, shattering pieces of the gold gem. I immediately removed my hand from the stone as it burned a hole into my palm.
"I don't believe it," the man elder man gasped, "never have I seen something like this."