The blinding light faded, and when I opened my eyes, I was no longer in the familiar training grounds where Zhal had pushed me to my limits. Instead, I stood in a vast, unfamiliar hall. Its walls were grand and imposing, adorned with intricate designs and shimmering symbols I couldn't understand. The air felt thick with power, humming with an energy that made my skin tingle.
I wasn't alone.
Four others stood near me, each one as disoriented as I was. I quickly scanned their faces. One of them, a woman with long, flowing dark hair that seemed to absorb the dim light around her, stood tall and regal. Beside her was another woman, her dark green hair flowing like leaves in a soft breeze, her eyes sharp and calculating. A man, his figure wreathed in cold energy, stood with arms crossed, frost forming under his boots. The last figure, a nervous-looking man, stood slightly apart from the others, glancing around with uncertainty.
Before any of us could speak, a voice boomed across the hall. "You have been summoned here by the will of balance, to protect the realms from the chaos that stirs."
The words sent a jolt of shock through me. Summoned? I hadn't been brought here by choice.
A figure stepped forward from the shadows, dressed in priestly robes adorned with symbols that glowed faintly in the dim light. He looked at us with solemn eyes. "You have been chosen through an ancient rite—a ritual that selects those with the potential to uphold balance. The last set of Primordial Pillars has been corrupted by the power of Demon Lords, and now we need new guardians to restore equilibrium to our world."
The mention of the Primordial Pillars made my heart race. This is what Zhal told me, but why was I here? I could barely control my own flames.
The priest continued, ignoring the confusion on our faces. "Your presence here is no accident. Each of you has been selected to become the new Primordial Pillars. But only those who prove their worth will ascend."
The others around me began to stir, murmuring to themselves. The dark-haired woman stepped forward first, her voice smooth and confident. "Luminous Lux of the Astralites," she declared, her tone unwavering. The moment she spoke her name, there was a brief flicker of light in the hall, as though the air itself responded to her presence.
Next was the woman with green hair. She stepped forward with quiet authority, her eyes locking onto the priest. "Sylvaria Elaris, of the Sylvarians." The power of nature seemed to pulse around her, though she remained still, rooted to the spot.
The frost-covered man was next. He uncrossed his arms and took a step forward, his voice cold and precise. "Aetherneus Blitz, of the Aetherians." Ice cracked beneath his feet as he spoke, the chill in the air intensifying.
The nervous man hesitated before stepping forward. He glanced around before speaking softly, "Falgran." His voice lacked the confidence of the others, but there was a sense of deep power behind his words.
And then it was my turn. All eyes fell on me. My chest tightened, and my mind raced. **What was I supposed to say?** I wasn't like them. They were clearly powerful, destined for something great, and I could barely summon a flame.
Still, I stepped forward, my throat dry. "Carrion, of the Flareon race."
Suddenly, the room grew silent. The priest's expression darkened ever so slightly, and I could feel the weight of the others' eyes on me, heavier than before. There was a shift in the atmosphere—subtle but noticeable.
The priest said nothing for a long moment, his gaze scrutinizing me. Finally, he cleared his throat and addressed the group again, but his tone was colder than before. "Each of you has been summoned for a purpose. You will undergo trials to determine your worth. Only those who prove themselves capable will ascend to the status of Primordial Pillars and fulfill the will of balance."
I stood there, the weight of their judgment pressing down on me. **What had I gotten myself into?** I wasn't like them—strong, powerful, confident. I could barely control my flames, and now I had to prove myself worthy of becoming a guardian of balance?
Lux turned to me, her dark eyes briefly scanning my face, but she said nothing before turning away again. Elaris gave me a sharp glance, as though measuring my worth in that single look, before shifting her focus elsewhere. Blitz didn't bother acknowledging me at all, and Falgran kept his distance, his own insecurities likely mirroring my own.
As the realization of my situation sank in, my thoughts drifted back to Zhal. **What happened to him?** Had he been caught in the chaos of the demons? Was he safe? I had left him behind without a word, and now I was here—pulled into a conflict much larger than myself. Would I ever see him again?
The priest turned his back to us, signaling the end of his speech. "The trial begins now. May the balance guide you."
I stood frozen in place, my mind racing. I had trained under Zhal for months, but none of that felt like enough. I could barely keep my magic under control, and now I was supposed to prove myself against others who had clearly already mastered their abilities.