The crowd murmured in anticipation, their eyes fixed on the infant prince who sat calmly in his cradle-throne. A sense of expectancy filled the air, the nobles eager to see which element would favor the child. In the empire, the elemental affinity of a prince or princess was often a key indicator of their potential power and influence.
Moments later, several servants entered the hall, each carrying a container in their hands. These containers, though simple in appearance, contained the essence of each element.
The servants placed the containers in a line in front of the cradle, each one representing fire, earth, water, air, light, and darkness. The room fell into a hushed silence as the servants bowed and disappeared, leaving the containers behind.
Then, the bishop from the Church of Light stepped forward, dressed in immaculate white robes that shimmered with divine symbols. He carried an air of solemnity and reverence, his eyes trained on the emperor and empress as he offered them a respectful bow before turning his attention to Zeph.
The priest began to recite a prayer, his voice soft but resonant, filling the hall with a sense of sacredness. "By the grace of the gods, we seek to reveal the affinity of Prince Zephyron Eternis. May the elements speak to him, may the gods bless him."
With that, the priest approached the first container. It was the container of fire, the element of passion, destruction, and rebirth. Gently, the priest opened the container, and a warm, glowing light filled the space around the cradle.
The fire within the container flickered as the priest brought it closer to Zeph, its heat radiating outward. For a brief moment, Zeph felt the warmth touch his skin, but nothing happened. The fire did not respond.
A murmur spread through the crowd as they exchanged uncertain glances. Fire was often the most favored element among the imperial family, a symbol of strength and leadership. The fact that the fire had not reacted to Zeph was unexpected.
Undeterred, the priest moved to the next container, which contained earth, the element of stability, resilience, and growth. He opened it, revealing a soft glow of brown and green.
As he brought the essence of earth closer to Zeph, there was a faint tremor in the air, but once again, nothing happened. The earth did not stir for the young prince.
The crowd's murmurs grew louder, and Zeph could feel their doubt creeping into the air. He could sense the tension in the room, the disappointment that seemed to grow with each unresponsive element. Still, he remained calm, observing everything with quiet understanding.
Next, the priest approached the container holding the element of water. As he opened it, the air around Zeph seemed to change. A cool breeze swept through the hall, and droplets of water began to rise from the container. The water particles swirled gently, as if drawn toward the infant prince. As the water moved closer to Zeph, it began to form a small orb, floating just above the cradle.
The crowd gasped in surprise and relief. The water had responded to Zeph.
A cheer rose from the nobles, though it was not as enthusiastic as one might have expected. Water was considered a gentle element, more aligned with healing and adaptability than power or dominance. It was a valuable element, but in the context of the imperial family, it was often seen as secondary to the more aggressive elements like fire or earth.
The priest continued the ritual, bringing forth the remaining elements one by one. The feathers representing air fluttered softly but did not react.
The light within the container of the element of light shone brightly but did not reach toward Zeph.
The infinite darkness of the last container remained still, its inky blackness refusing to move.
With the ritual complete, the priest turned to the emperor, his expression somber but respectful. "Your Majesty, the gods have spoken. Prince Zephyron Eternis is a mage of water."
The crowd clapped, though the applause was subdued, and Zeph could feel the weight of their judgment. He sensed the disappointment in the air, the unspoken belief that a water mage was not what they had hoped for. Water was not an element of warriors or conquerors, and in a world where strength was everything, this result was far from ideal.
Emperor Solon's face remained expressionless, his blue eyes betraying no emotion. He sat on his throne like a statue, cold and distant, as if the result had no bearing on him. But Zeph, sharp as he was, knew better. His father's silence spoke volumes.
Selena, on the other hand, could not hide her emotions as easily. Though she maintained a composed exterior, there was a flicker of sadness in her eyes, a mother's worry for her child. She had hoped for more—perhaps not fire or earth, but something that would secure Zeph's place as a strong contender in the empire's future. The uncertainty of water left her uneasy.
Zeph, too, realized the significance of the ceremony's outcome. He understood that, in the eyes of this world, he would be seen as weaker, less capable of commanding respect and power. But deep within him, he felt a quiet determination. Water, though often overlooked, was an element of immense potential. It could shape mountains, carve rivers, and drown empires.
And he would learn to wield it with all the strength he had.