The once buzzing atmosphere fell into a tense silence as Hendrix's hand hovered over the surface of the monolith. His breaths quickened ever so slightly, a barely perceptible tremor running through his fingers as the weight of the expectation bore down on him. The eyes of the crowd were like a thousands needles pricking at this skin, their anticipation palpable, all waiting to see whether he would rise as another prodigy or falter in Viktor's monumental shadow.
The moment his fingertips brushed against the cool, polished stone of the monolith; a low, resonant hum reverberated through the courtyard. Thin lines of light spiraled up the smooth surface, their glow gradually intensifying until they blazed as bright as Aberon's twin suns. As the first word took shape, a hushed gasp rippled through the gathered applicants. With each additional word, the light climbed higher, the inscriptions glowing with an ethereal sheen that seemed to pulse with Hendrix's very heartbeat.
Then, with a sudden, blinding burst, the monolith flashed, briefly eclipsing everything around it in a dazzling display of brilliance. When the light receded, the lines of energy had carved out not seven but eight words upon the stone's surface.
Elder Valcun's lips quirked into a slight frown, his sharp eyes narrowing as they scanned the glowing inscriptions. His voice, when it finally broke the stillness, carried an edge of reluctant awe. "Remarkable. You have nearly reached the eighth star–a feat rarely seen. Another prospect of considerable potential." His tone held a subtle tension, reflecting both admiration and apprehension at the implications.
Hendrix, though his chest swelled with pride, could feel the intensity of the moment pressing down on him. He glanced toward the crowd, his eyes searching for Viktor's familiar face, and saw him watching with a grin that betrayed both pride and the burgeoning flame of competition. The flicker of rivalry sparked something deeper in Hendrix–a drive that pushed him onward, urging him to rise even further.
Just as Hendrix was preparing to step down from the stage, a ripple of power cut through the air, silencing all conversation in an instant. A heavy, oppressive aura descended over the courtyard, and the ground trembled with a foreboding energy that made even the seasoned Elders tensed with unease.
From above, a blinding column of light split the sky, crashing down onto the courtyard like a divine hammer. The crowd instinctively recoiled, leaving a wide berth as the radiant force coalesced into a figure adorned in flowing robes, embroidered with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and shimmer with the movements of her form. Her gaze was sharp and predatory, her eyes glinting like a hawk's as they swept across the gathered masses.
Elder Valeri had arrived.
With an imperious gesture, Elder Valeri's eyes locked onto Viktor, who found himself suddenly immobilized as an unseen force lifted him from the ground. The air around him darkened as the very essence of Elder Valeri's will seemed to bind him in place, rendering him helpless as he floated toward her outstretched hand.
"He is mine," Elder Valeri declared, her voice reverberating through the space with an authority that brooked no challenge. Her words sent shockwaves through the crowd, drawing gasps of astonishment and envy from the other applicants. It was an unprecedented claim, the likes of which had never been witnessed so abruptly in the Kunlun Sect's history.
Even Elder Valcun, typically composed, faltered for a brief moment, his brow furrowing in silent protest as his gaze flickered toward the other Elders who had now materialized above the courtyard. They hovered in mid-air, draped in robes of various colors that marked their affiliations with the different Peaks of Kunlun, their faces unreadable but their attention wholly absorbed by the unfolding events.
Without another word, Elder Valeri extended her fingers, and a shadowy mist coiled out from her hand, seeping into Viktor's skin. The crowd watched in stunned silence as the dark tendrils wrapped around Viktor's form, sinking deep into his soul before dispersing as quickly as they had appeared.
Elder Valeri's lips curled into a faint smile as she whispered, her voice carrying effortlessly across the courtyard, "Let us begin your journey."
With a single step forward, both she and Viktor vanished from sight, leaving behind only a faint ripple in the air where they had stood. The courtyard remained eerily still, the enormity of what had just occurred settling like a heavy fog over the remaining applicants.
The Elder floating above the stage exchanged unreadable glances before they too began to drift away, disappearing into the skies one by one, their interest turning elsewhere. Yet a few remained, their eyes trained on Hendrix, their curiosity piqued by the near-eighth star result he had displayed.
Elder Valcun, sensing the growing unease among the gathered youth, cleared his through loudly, the sound breaking through the lingering tension like a whip crack. His commanding voice cut through the murmurs, restoring some semblance of order to the proceedings.
"Enough!" he bellowed, his voice leaving no room for dissent. "Hendrix, your examination is not yet complete. Viktor's sudden departure changes nothing. Let us see your spiritual root–there is still much to determine about your future."
Swallowing his apprehension, Hendrix stepped forward to meet Elder Kecht, who stood waiting beside the azure artifact with a faint smile on his lips. The Elder's eyes sparkled with interest as Hendrix approached, his hand already hovering over the glowing sphere that pulsed with latent energy.
Elder Kecht gave him a small nod of encouragement. "Do not be discouraged, Hendrix. The path of cultivation is a long one, and we are only just beginning."
Hendrix placed his hand above the essence artifact, feeling the strange pull of its energy as it began to interact with his own aura. The artifact glowed brightly, pulsating with a rhythmic intensity that echoed through his bones. Golden and orange flames erupted from the sphere, twisting and curling around his arm like living fire, bathing him in a warm, radiant glow.
A voice emanated from within the artifact, resonating with a deep, ancient authority. "Helos Solar Spiritual Root!"
For a fleeting moment, the gathered crowd held its collective breath, awestruck by the brilliant display. The vibrant tendrils of light hinted at immense potential, perhaps even power to rival Viktor's Soul Devouring Spiritual Root. But as the golden flames slowly receded, the awe began to fade, replaced by murmurs of uncertainty and quiet disappointment.
Elder Kecht's expression grew more contemplative as the energy subsided. His voice, once filled with excitement, became measured and thoughtful. "The Helos Solar Spiritual Root is indeed a rare gift. However, its true strength remains largely…untapped. Few records exist of those who fully unlocked its potential."
Above the stage, the remaining Elders exchanged weary glances before beginning to drift away. Their interest, so briefly ignited, had once again been extinguished, leaving Hendrix standing alone under the weight of their silent judgement.
Hendrix's shoulders slumped ever so slightly, the earlier pride and excitement he had felt now tempered by a growing sense of doubt. He cast one look toward the empty space where Viktor once stood, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. Viktor had been chosen–marked by fate or something greater. But Hendrix…his journey seemed far more uncertain.
As the next applicant stepped forward to take their place on the stage, Hendrix quietly descended the steps, his mind swirling with thoughts of missed opportunities and untapped potential. Despite Elder Kecht's reassurances, the lingering taste of disappointment hung heavy in the air. Yet deep within him, a small ember still burned, quietly fueling the desire to one day prove that his path, though winding, could lead to a brilliance that would rival even Viktor's.
The courtyard slowly returned to its usual rhythm, but for Hendrix, time seemed to stretch endlessly. He moved through the crowd, like a shadow, his earlier bravado now replaced with quiet determination. His path had taken an unexpected turn, but he vowed that one day, he would ignite his flame into a roaring inferno–one that could stand alongside or perhaps, surpass him.