Once I reached the area, I saw a group of children line up. It seems like there are a few minutes before they gather us together and from those groups, it looks like they are talking, the excitement and nervousness in their fame cannot be hidden.
I noticed a few children running toward the area, they most likely thought that they were late. A few minutes later, a man walked forward and he approached us. With a serious look on his face, he looks like he's gonna butchered us, when I felt his presence earlier it seemed to me like he was watching us and trying to determine who will be detrimental to the family and who will be threatening for the family.
"All for the family", or so they always said. And from the looks of it, I am more than insignificant in their eyes but they still put me under the list. I saw that one guy with auburn hair and black hair fidgeting, biting his nails while his eyes moved from mine to a woman with auburn hair and red eyes.
Those red eyes are a menace, tho. From what I could see, she's really angry and those deep seething hatred she has on me could only mean one thing.
"She wants me dead"
and she's not just any woman, she's my step-mother. It's understandable though, all she wants is to stop me from potentially endangering his son, too bad for him, they attack me first. I'm gonna retaliate, just not now.
"Who wants you dead?"
I slowly turned my head to the side, a child with fiery red hair asked. I'm startled by the sudden appearance of this child, if it isn't for the fact that I'm deeply startled to the point that I couldn't do anything in response, I'm gonna spout curses Infront of her.
"No one."
"That doesn't seem to be the case for me, though."
"Did I perhaps offend you, pardon me if I startled you."
"Shut up, will you?"
"What's with the sudden shift of mood?"
"Are we playing a guessing game now?"
She asked as she gave me a playful smile while slowly inching her face on mine. If she thinks I would get flustered then she's right. It's been a long time since someone has talked to me, and although I appreciate it, I find her annoying as time goes by.
I gave her a deadpan stare as she continued to do her act.
"Hmmpp! You're no fun at all. Do you know that"
"Actually, I do"
I reply as she turns her body and walks away but before she disappears she mouths something.
Sigh*
What a troublesome child. For a moment I wish I was alone, if it wasn't for the fact that she's a child, I would have punched her face.
"ATTENTION CHILDREN"
A loud voice caught everyone's attention as they turned their body. A man was looking at everyone with his crimson red eyes. From his hair that makes him look like a sleeping lion because of how it was styled, added to his overall aura, making him more intimidating.
"TODAY IS THE DAY. The day you will receive your name, many of you here should know that at the age of 6 you will receive the blessing of the family and the name that is rightfully yours.
"Names are the personification of your soul. Meaning, your name harnesses the power of soul, Some are abilities that could aid you, Trait, attribute, passive, that could help you in your goal. You must remember, there are souls that are significant and there are those who are not."
"Children from the main family, branch family, You children of the great families, noble children and children that are chosen by the family. Make sure to make us proud."
His speech isn't something good, infact it just masks another message such as 'children who receive a useless soul aren't needed for the family' or 'Make sure to be grateful to the family'.
When my eyes scan the children, I could see them whispering to each other. They are definitely excited, while I'm sure that they are excited. I'm also sure that once they receive their names and blessings, Hierarchy will appear and bullying will impact those who have weak blessings.
"SILENCE!"
The children whose voices are loud enough for me to hear, disappear the moment the man yells. Children shut their mouths and the place devoured by silence making the place feel heavy.
"Line up"
Once he said that we started lining up and I remembered where I was placed. I silently made my way to the back.
We marched our way, as we made our way to the temple. Trees surround the whole place and the temple is located at the very heart of the forest.
I could hear the murmur of children, talking and gossiping. Rumors surrounded the temple because of how secretive they are, and in the empire the land is evenly distributed for every temple to have their designated influence.
Of course the Imperial family is still above every temple. A balance, as things as it should be.
"we're here"
Once I heard the man's voice, I was pulled out of trance. I look at the grandeur temple that is built using obsidian stones. It is beautiful, especially those pillars that are embellished with black jewels. The temple really has a deep hold on the royal families, just remembering my room that is also similarly decorated with those jewels, I couldn't help but shake my head internally.
"Your Here"
"Bishop"
Everywhere my eyes darted, followers and devotees were scattered throughout the temple.
My eyes then landed on a Lady who was wearing an elegant black dress. The Dress covers most of her body, and aside from that she has a hood with a symbol of eye. The man said this Lady is a Bishop, meaning she's just below the dark saintess and the dark seer. She gave us a smile and started leading us.
"I will guide you to your respective area, do not worry for the moment you step inside the forest, the seer will be able to call you. Once it's your turn, you only need to wait for her to call you and you only need to respond to her and she'll do the rest"
The Bishop said as we walk, we reach a beautiful area under the canopy. Compared to the grim forest we saw earlier this place is much more relaxing than before.
She then talks to the man for a minute before she walks and disappears in my line of sight.
'She's strong, stronger than anyone I've met today, she's on another level compared to our guide.'
I stare at the man, before I look at the children. They started talking nonstop and the chattering slowly filled the area.