October 12th might be an ordinary day for most, but for two specific boys, it marked the culmination of a lifelong journey. Today was the day Gabriel Frate and his best friend Larry Gasper had long awaited, the day they hoped to ascend and join the illustrious ranks of the Weavers.
For every child, two months before their fourteenth birthday, they have the chance of sleeping and waking up with a magical aspect. Although there are chances of awakening later than that, the likelihood is extremely slim. Gabriel woke up and jumped out of bed, already fully dressed, picked up his surfboard, and sprinted towards the kitchen.
"Dad! It's today!" yelled the boy with a goofy grin on his face.
The early morning light filtered through the kitchen windows, casting a warm glow on the cozy space. Alastor, Gabriel's father, was already up and bustling around the kitchen, preparing breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of sizzling bacon and pancakes. One could say many things about the village captain: how he was a pristine example of a Weaver, an outstanding warrior, and a just and fair officer. But without a doubt, the area he most excelled at was the kitchen.
Turning towards the boy, Alastor shared the same goofy grin as Gabriel.
"Good morning, future apprentice Weaver. Take a seat!" said the father, pointing towards the table.
Gabriel eagerly sat at the table and started to munch on his breakfast, his father shaking his head.
"You know, when I was your age, I acted the same way. My brother and I spent the entire day trying to sleep and activate the awakening process. The crazy bastard even stole Granny's liquor. The only thing he accomplished was getting an earful from Mother while puking at the stables," the man chuckled. "So what I'm trying to say is, don't try to rush it. Enjoy the day as it comes."
Turning back, he couldn't help but frown, for Gabriel and his surfboard were nowhere to be found. Shaking his head again, Alastor flicked his wrist and a small wind djinn, the size of a basketball, started to appear. The djinn looked like a tornado with claws and a toothy wind mouth.
"CLEAN" commanded Alastor, pointing towards the dirty pile of plates.
The djinn made a sloppy military salute and started cleaning the dishes right away, while Alastor began putting on his light armor and checking his scimitar, preparing for his patrol of Azure's border.
Gabriel, with a determined look in his eyes, sprinted down the sandy path, his trusted surfboard clutched tightly under his arm. His bare feet kicked up small clouds of sand, leaving a trail of excitement and urgency in his wake. Gabriel's heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing his anticipation and hope.
Gabriel darted past the white stone houses, their vibrant flower boxes adding splashes of color to the village's picturesque streets. He could hear the distant sound of laughter and chatter from the village square, where the weekly market was in full swing. But Gabriel had no time to stop; his goal lay ahead.
Breathing heavily, he reached the village center, a charming area with cobblestone streets and a large fountain that sparkled in the morning light. The heart of Azure Cove was alive with the hustle and bustle of daily life, yet Gabriel's focus remained unwavering.
"Hey, Gabriel!" a voice called out. It was Larry, his best friend, waving excitedly near the fountain. Larry was big, bigger than most people in the village, with curly dark hair and brown eyes. He was a bit chubby, but his sheer muscle hid that pretty well. Despite his intimidating build, Larry's grin was infectious, his eyes sparkling with the same excitement that fueled Gabriel's run.
Gabriel skidded to a halt, panting but grinning broadly. "I made it!" he exclaimed, holding up his surfboard triumphantly.
Larry clapped him on the shoulder. "Today's the day, Gabe."
The two boys shared a look of determination and camaraderie, the weight of their dreams and aspirations hanging in the air.
"Let's head to the port. From there, we can go to the beach," said Gabriel excitedly.
Larry nodded and started to follow Gabriel, unable to contain his enthusiasm. "What type of aspect do you think you'll get? I heard from my cousin that depending on what you eat the day before, it affects your magic type. So I've been eating spicy food non-stop for the last two days! Man, I hope I get a sick fire aspect, or at least a cool fighting path. Although, if I get healing like my dad, I might have to take a step back from fighting," rambled the big boy without a care in the world.
"Two days with only spicy food? I pity your toilet," joked Gabriel. "Besides, my dad told me that's a bunch of crap and that one's aspects cannot be guessed or changed. A person is their aspect itself, and you will always be yourself no matter how much you wish to change, or something like that."
"You could have told me that sooner," grunted Larry as they approached the port. The boy couldn't help but wonder, for there are many aspects, and even more paths.
Aspects are crucial in defining an individual's potential and path. There are ten mainstream aspects, which are widely recognized and sought after due to their power and versatility. These aspects are divided into two main categories: elemental and specialized. Elemental aspects, as their name suggests, are aligned with the fundamental forces of nature. They include fire, water, wind, earth, and lightning. These aspects are known for their raw power and direct impact on the physical world, making them highly coveted and respected.
On the other hand, specialized aspects offer unique and diverse abilities that go beyond the elemental. The five specialized aspects are poison, healing, nature, mind, and force. These aspects provide a wide range of capabilities that can influence, mend, manipulate, or even control various aspects of life and the environment. Practitioners of specialized aspects often bring invaluable skills to their communities, whether through their ability to heal, their connection to nature, or their mastery over mental and physical forces.
In addition to these ten mainstream aspects, there are rare and unique aspects that manifest in only a select few individuals over thousands of years. These unique aspects are highly unpredictable and often bring extraordinary abilities that can defy conventional understanding. Their rarity and potential for immense power make those who possess them both revered and, at times, feared. The discovery of a unique aspect can shift the balance of power and inspire awe and intrigue. And that's without even mentioning the paths you form, for they expand wider than one could hope.
Larry recalled while aproaching the port.
The heart of Azure Cove is its port, where colorful fishing boats bob gently in the clear, turquoise waters. Fishermen can often be seen mending their nets or preparing for the day's catch, their weathered faces telling stories of countless sunrises and salty winds. The air is filled with the scent of the ocean, mingling with the aroma of freshly caught seafood being prepared in the village's few cozy restaurants.
Grinning, Gabriel headed towards one of the small docks.