The awakening ritual is almost here again. It is all anyone at the mansion talked about. For weeks, her mother had been talking about her plans for the celebration
One time, passing by her mother's study, she heard voices. Hesitantly, she pressed her ear against the cool wood of the door. A nervous flutter rose in her chest.…the Datu will be watching," her father was saying. "This alliance is crucial.""And the visitor from the Second District," her mother added. "He could be a valuable contact."Ysa's stomach twisted. They never talked about alliances when it was her awakening, about her potential—it was about securing the future of the Montemayor family. The maids rushed around, busy with preparations for the party that would follow the ceremony. Decorations and fine linens were everywhere, but none of it was for Ysa.Ysa stood in the shadows, "Miss Ysa, what are you doing here?! You should be in your room. Someone might run into you, and you could get hurt. Off you go, now!"Ysa quickly stepped aside without a word. She wasn't meant to be here anyway. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, but she held them back, deciding to head to the garden. As she made her way there, the sound of the servants' gossip reached her ears."Did you see the dress Lady Sylvia will wear?" one maid whispered to another. "It's very pretty! The crest is hand embroidered in gold. Truly befitting of someone destined for greatness.""Of course," the other maid replied with a sigh of admiration. "She's the family's pride and joy."Ysa clenched her fists at their words, the sting of exclusion digging deeper into her heart. The family's pride and joy. Later that afternoon, Ysa found herself sitting alone beneath a large tree in the garden. The sounds of the maids bustling around the mansion faded as tears slipped down her cheeks. To avoid bothering the servants, Ysa went to the garden, her usual refuge when she felt lonely. Here, she almost felt at peace.She sat on the bench, burying her face in her hands. The colored lights appeared in her peripheral vision. They had been with her since her failed awakening, dancing and hovering around her all the time.She always wondered why she saw them—those specks of colored dust that floated around her, everywhere and anywhere. They were always there, whether inside or out. Frustrated, she swung her hands wildly at the lights, trying to swat them away, but they only swirled, unaffected by her attempts. She pauses for a moment, watching them float.Then she noticed something strange. The speckled lights appeared to vanish when she swatted at them and they touched her skin as if her body were absorbing it. Yet she felt nothing when the lights entered her skin.Slowly, she began to experiment, carefully capturing the lights. To her surprise, only the white and dark lights slipped into her skin, while the others simply bounced off.Fascinated, she began to play with them, swatting at the colored lights just to watch them bounce, and gently guiding the white and black lights toward her, watching as they seamlessly entered her skin. It became her secret pastime, something to distract her on the lonely days when she had no one else to play with. They were always there, swirling, waiting for her to engage with them.Morning has come, and it is Sylvia's awakening. Unlike her awakening where Slyvia was with them, now Ysa wouldn't be accompanying them. She also longed to go out, to be a part of the world beyond the mansion. She had not left in years, since her awakening on her fifth birthday.The mansion is busy, everyone bustling around in preparation. Sylvia was excited, twirling and jumping around with her new dress. You can hear her laughter filling the halls. Ysa wanted to join them—wanted to feel the excitement, to be part of the festivities—but her parents had made it clear she wouldn't be coming.As her family walked toward the portal they often used to travel through the city, Ysa stood in the distance, looking longingly at them. She waved, hoping they would look back and see her. She wanted to wish her sister the best. But no one noticed her. No one turned. Her wave hung in the air as they disappeared through the portal, leaving her.Meanwhile, as the Montemayors emerged from the portal at the Order of Sanggunian, Sylvia stumbled slightly upon the smooth marble floor. Lucinda quickly steadied her. "Be careful, Sylvia." The air was thick with the scent of incense, and a faint shimmer of residual energy lingered around them.An attendant immediately approached, guiding them toward the ceremony chamber. "This way, Sir, Madam," a woman with kind eyes and a gentle smile gestured towards a grand archway. "The ceremony chamber awaits."Excitement radiated from Sylvia, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. Unlike Ysa, Sylvia understood the significance of the awakening—Lucinda had made sure of it. Her mother had carefully explained every detail, ensuring Sylvia knew exactly what to expect and what to do.There was no fear or hesitation in Sylvia's expression. At just five years old, she was already spoiled and pampered, accustomed to getting whatever she desired. She knew that her parents favored her, and while she didn't quite understand why they treated her better than Ysa, she preferred it that way. It made life easier.Sylvia loved being the center of attention, the one with the finest dresses and the most beautiful dolls. She loved that her mother often took her out shopping, buying her everything she wanted. Shopping trips were her favorite, and today felt just as special, knowing all eyes would be on her for the ceremony.As they walked into the Order of Sanggunian chamber, the ceremonial hall glowed with energy. Sylvia, chin held high, marched towards the chamber doors. She didn't skip or hesitate, not even a little. It was as if she owned the whole place.Lucinda smiled proudly. "Are you ready, Sylvia?" she asked. Sylvia lifted her chin confidently and replied, "Yes, Mother." Her tone was as assured as ever. She was ready to shine.Slyvia's arrogance went unnoticed by her parents, who saw it as confidence. Greg and Lucinda exchanged approving glances as they neared the ceremony.