The morning sun painted the skies with hues of gold and pink as Prince Leander awakened on the day he turned sixteen. Excitement coursed through his veins, for this day would finally mark his official ascension to the title of crown prince. He had been eagerly awaiting this moment since childhood, and today, he would discover the hidden talent that destiny had in store for him.
Leaping out of bed, Leander dressed in his finest royal attire, adorned with the symbol of his lineage, the golden lion, proudly displayed on his chest. He felt the weight of responsibility and privilege intertwining as he prepared to visit the sacred Divination Temple, where all royalty awakened their unique abilities.
With each step, his heart beat faster, fueled by anticipation and dreams of grandeur. As he approached the temple's towering entrance, he spotted his younger siblings, Princess Amelia and Prince Cedric, already in attendance. They wore forced smiles, their envy thinly veiled by their polite greetings.
"Congratulations, Leander," Amelia said, her voice edged with a hint of bitterness. "May your awakening be as extraordinary as you expect it to be."
Cedric nodded in agreement, though his eyes betrayed a hint of jealousy. "Indeed, brother. We wish you the best."
Leander understood their feelings all too well. The weight of expectations on his shoulders had never been lost on him, nor had the knowledge that his siblings yearned for the same opportunities.
"Thank you both," Leander replied, choosing to remain gracious despite the pretentiousness of their conversation. "Your kind words mean a lot to me."
As the clock struck the appointed hour, the royal elder, a revered priest known for his divination prowess, emerged from the temple's depths. His wise eyes locked onto Leander, acknowledging the significance of this moment.
"Prince Leander," the priest addressed him with solemnity. "Today, you stand at the threshold of discovering your latent talent, bestowed upon you by the universe itself. Step forth into the Divination Chamber, and let your fate unfold."
Leander took a deep breath, suppressing the nervous flutter in his stomach, and entered the sacred chamber. The air was charged with an otherworldly energy, and he approached the Pool of Awakening with reverence. As he dipped his hand into the shimmering waters, he closed his eyes, focusing on the depths of his being.
But as the ripples spread across the surface, a strange chill filled the air, and dark clouds gathered ominously above the temple. A murmur of unease swept through the onlookers, and crows descended from the skies, their presence signaling a mythical grade misfortune—a fate that had never before befallen any individual in the universe.
The priest's face contorted with concern as he peered into the pool. "I see… I see darkness shrouding your talent, Prince Leander. The clouds and the crows foretell an unprecedented misfortune—a force beyond our comprehension."
The realization weighed heavily on everyone present, and Leander's heart sank with uncertainty. As the priest attempted to discern his talent, an inexplicable force disrupted the divination. The talent that should have been revealed was obscured, and the priest was left baffled.
"I-I'm sorry, Your Highness," the priest stammered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "It seems a strange force interferes with the divination. I cannot discern your talent. Leander's heart sank as the situation unfolded. This was an unprecedented turn of events, and he could feel the weight of his siblings' gazes on him, likely reveling in his misfortune.
"I... I'm sorry, Your Highness," the Oracle stammered, clearly taken aback. "This has never happened before. The temple is enshrouded in darkness, and your talent remains veiled from my sight."
Whispers spread among the gathered nobles, their hushed tones filled with curiosity and concern. Leander stood there, feeling a strange force surrounding him, as if the universe itself was withholding his destiny.
"I declare Prince Leander to be without any discernible talent at this moment," the Oracle finally proclaimed, his voice heavy with uncertainty.