The grand arena of the Valor Institute buzzed with anticipation as the Awakening Ceremony began. The massive arena, adorned with banners and glowing with enchantments, was filled with a palpable energy. Cadets lined up in front of the stage, their faces a mix of nerves and excitement, each one about to discover the true extent of their latent powers.
Elara, a young woman with flowing, curly brown hair, was the first to step forward. Her heart raced as she approached the Awakening Orb, a shimmering crystal sphere that pulsed with an otherworldly light. With a deep breath, she placed her hands on the orb. A burst of light enveloped her, and the air around her began to churn. A gentle breeze, as if conjured by the orb itself, caressed her hair. The orb's glow intensified, and a soft, ethereal voice whispered, "Wind."
In a whirl of energy, a powerful gust erupted around Elara, lifting her off the ground. Her hair and clothes flowed like the wind, and her body glowed with a soft, blue light. The wind howled louder, swirling around her in a breathtaking display. As she hovered above the stage, her awakening was complete—Elara had become a Wind element user, commanding the very air around her with newfound grace.
Next, the arena turned its focus to Thorne, a tall, muscular cadet whose eyes burned with intense determination. He approached the orb with a resolute stride and placed his hands upon it. The orb responded with a deep, rumbling glow, and the ground beneath him began to tremble. The air was filled with the earthy scent of damp soil, and Thorne's body started to radiate a warm, golden light.
Suddenly, the orb erupted, sending rocks and debris flying as a mighty display of earth and stone took shape. Thorne stood amidst the chaos; his form illuminated by the raw energy of the earth. A powerful, towering presence of rock and soil seemed to rise from the ground itself. As Thorne's awakening concluded, it was clear—he was an Earth element user, his strength magnified by the very ground beneath him.
As the dust settled, Lyra, a petite cadet with raven-black hair and bright, eager eyes, stepped up to the orb. Her touch activated it, and the sphere glowed with a serene, aquamarine light. The air around her shimmered, and a wave of crystal-clear water erupted from the orb. Lyra was enveloped in the refreshing embrace of the wave, her body glowing with a shimmering blue light. Her hair flowed like the currents of the sea, and a fountain of water burst forth from her hands. Lyra's awakening as a Water element user was marked by the serene and powerful manifestation of her control over the element.
Following Lyra, Kael, a young man with a fierce, determined expression, approached the orb. His touch sparked a fierce, orange glow from the sphere. Flames erupted from the orb, encircling Kael in a blaze of fiery light. His body was soon illuminated by the intense orange flames, and the air crackled with heat. The orb's energy manifested into a dramatic display of fire, and Kael's awakening as a Fire element user was marked by the fierce and commanding blaze that danced around him, showcasing his control over fire.
As Kael's flames subsided, Mira, a quiet and reserved cadet, stepped forward. She laid her hands on the orb, which glowed with a cool, icy blue light. A swirling vortex of ice formed around her, and the temperature in the arena dropped significantly. Frost began to creep across the ground, and a colossal ice golem emerged from the orb, its crystalline body gleaming with a frosty brilliance. Mira's form was surrounded by a powerful, icy aura, and her awakening as an Ice element user transformed the arena into a breathtaking winter wonderland.
The ceremony continued with Aria, approaching the orb. Her touch activated a soft, radiant white glow from the orb, and the air around her shimmered with warmth. Aria's body began to emit a brilliant, golden light, and her hair shone like spun gold. A comforting aura enveloped the arena, creating a warm and uplifting atmosphere. Aria's awakening as a Light element user was marked by the soothing and radiant presence that she exuded, bringing a sense of serenity and hope to those around her.
Albright, with her flowing auburn hair and determined spirit, approached the orb. As it glowed with a fiery red light, she was engulfed in a cocoon of flames. The orb's energy formed a majestic fiery tornado that soared above the stage, its fiery winds casting a warm glow. Albright's awakening as a Fire Manipulation user was underscored by the powerful presence of the phoenix and the intense flames that surrounded her.
Elias Wren, a lean cadet with a calm demeanor, touched the orb, which revealed a brilliant, azure, blue light. A swirling vortex of water formed around him, coalescing into a majestic sea serpent. The serpent's scales reflected a myriad of blues and greens as it wriggled and coiled above the stage. Elias's awakening as a Water Manipulation user was marked by the soothing, aquatic aura and the majestic sea serpent that signified his mastery over water.
Alaric, with his broad shoulders and stoic expression, touched the orb to reveal a vivid green light. Vines sprouted from the orb, rapidly growing into a colossal golem made of living flora. Alaric stood amidst the verdant growth; his powers revealed through the vibrant, flourishing vegetation that surrounded him. His awakening as a Nature Manipulation user was highlighted by the lush and life-giving energy of the earth.
Lila Voss approached the orb, which glowed with a soft, violet light. A graceful wind spirit took form, accompanied by a harmonious melody that echoed through the arena. Lila was enveloped in a swirling vortex of wind, her hair and clothes billowing as if caught in a gentle storm. Her awakening as an Aether Elementalist and a Sound Manipulation user at that was marked by the soothing and musical breeze that she commanded.
Jaxon Hale, a muscular cadet with a fierce glare, touched the orb to reveal a vibrant, electrifying blue light. The orb surged into a display of electricity, forming a powerful lightning dragon that crackled with arcs of lightning. Jaxon's form was surrounded by a crackling aura of electrical energy, showcasing his awakening as a Lightning Manipulation user with the raw power of a storm.
Elena Kaneko, with her icy demeanor and pale blue eyes, approached the orb, which glowed with a chilling, frosty light. A colossal ice golem formed from the orb, its surface gleaming with crystalline brilliance. Elena stood amidst the frozen landscape, her aura radiating an intense cold that transformed the arena into a winter wonderland. Her awakening as an Ice Manipulation user was marked by the breathtaking and frosty beauty of the golem.
Finally, Orion Black, with an intense gaze and commanding presence, touched the orb to reveal a deep, ominous crimson light. A massive, shadowy titan formed from the orb, its swirling darkness and crackling energy creating an overwhelming force. Orion's awakening as an Aether Elementalist and Gravity Manipulation user was highlighted by the oppressive yet awe-inspiring presence of the titan.
More cadets had their awakenings, showcasing their hidden potentials to the spectators and their friends.
As the ceremony drew to a close, the arena was alive with the dazzling displays of the cadets' newfound powers. Each awakening was a testament to their unique potential and the bright futures that lay ahead. The Valor Institute stood as a beacon of hope and transformation, its walls echoing with the promise of greatness for the newly awakened element users. The arena erupted in cheers and applause, celebrating the remarkable journey and the dawning of new legends.
But before they could officially end the ceremony, the sky suddenly turned dark. Before any of them could react, a loud crackling sound of lightning reverberated in the surroundings, followed by a loud boom of thunder which shook the institute. Golden lightning struck down from the dark clouds on to the institute. The lightning was so majestic that it overshadowed half of the institute making those there feel like they would be buried by lightning. As the lightning reached the institute, it crackled intensely, shaking the institute greatly.
To everyone's shock, the lightning struck a figure who had suddenly appeared in the skies. Golden light burst out from the figure and fuse with the lightning forming a massive figure of a muscular but athletic man in the sky. The man held a bolt of lightning while a glow which rang with the sound of thunder enshrouded his body.
It stayed there, bathing the figure in lightning for 5 minutes before it vanished. The figure, no longer held by that invisible force started falling but was caught by a brown-haired man.
"You did well my son." The man said with a wide smile.
"Dad?" The figure, who happened to be Echo said in a weak tone.
"It's okay. Rest now."
"Mm."
...
"What the hell was that?!"
"I thought I was a goner there."
"Someone was being fried by that lightning."
"That symbol... no doubt."
"That was the god of Lightning's image as we've seen in the history books."
"Someone was being blessed by Lightning."
Everyone was talking about that phenomenon which didn't lose out to the previous Naturae awakenings. It could be said that it was even more intense than them.
...
Lord Arkonius carried Echo back to the clinic, shocking the doctors. Echo was as black as charcoal, but his body was radiating a golden glow while his hair had turned a shade of gold.
"I will place him in your care." Lord Arkonius said to the lead doctor while putting Echo on a bed beside Kaiden. He then thanked the doctor and disappeared from the place.
...
"You are calmer than always." A green haired man with dark skin said to Lord Arkonius or Arcturus.
"Piss off, Greg. My son was being fried there and I could do nothing."
"That was the doing of a god, bro. You are ant in front of that power."
"And I hate it. That was my son."
"Relax bro. He's alright now."
"He's black!"
"Hey! Don't be racist."
"..."