Failed!
The words struck like a blow, leaving the boy frozen in place. His hands lingered on the orb, as if willing it to reignite, but nothing happened. He glanced at the girl, who looked at him with a mixture of worry and helplessness.
The murmurs around them grew louder, a mix of pity and indifference.
He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he forced himself to move. Stepping back from the platform, he straightened his back, refusing to let his disappointment show.
As he walked away, his heart felt heavy, but he kept his head high. The boy did not look back at the orb or the elders; instead, he focused on the girl waiting for him, her eyes filled with unspoken questions.
The boy stood his chest heavy with a mix of emotions he could not quite name. Disappointment clawed at him, sharp and unrelenting.
