morning arrived too quickly for Talon's liking, the twin suns casting streaks of gold and red across the city skyline.
He groaned as the light streamed through his window, yanking the blanket over his head in defiance of the new day. A soft thud on the bed made him peek out.
It was Cain.
"Rise and shine, Master Talon. A glorious day awaits." Cain's chipper tone grated on his nerves, as it always did.
"Cain," Talon mumbled, "if I ever gain the power to erase your existence, you're first on my list."
Cain ignored him entirely, striding over to the closet. "Uniform's pressed. Breakfast is prepared. Please refrain from sulking. It's unbecoming."
Talon sighed, dragging himself out of bed. "You're lucky I like pancakes."
---
After breakfast, where he successfully dodged his mother's pointed stares, Talon headed to the transport platform, where the family's flying vehicle awaited.
The first stop, as always, was to pick up Jason and Alice. Today, though, the usual chatter between them buzzed with extra excitement.
Alice leaned back in her seat, a grin plastered across her face. "Alright, today's the day. No more speculation. It's finally happening."
Jason threw his bag onto the seat next to him, practically bouncing in place. "Exactly! I'm telling you, we're all going to awaken. I feel it in my bones."
Talon smirked. "Optimistic, aren't you? Let's just hope at least one of us awakens, that's a stretch on its own."
"Well..." Jason began, glancing around the cabin with an exaggerated air of thoughtfulness. Then his eyes lit up, and he shot a finger toward the window with theatrical flair.
"I take that as a sign!"
The timing couldn't have been better as the outside world went dark for a second.
Talon looked out the window, and he loved the sight of what he saw.
A fleet of Concord warships soared overhead, their angular designs cutting through the morning light and briefly blotting out the twin suns.
"Wow…" Alice's voice trailed off as she leaned forward for a better look.
The warships were massive, their dark hulls reflecting streaks of sunlight. Each vessel was a floating fortress, bristling with enough firepower and Supers to turn the tide of a planetary campaign.
"Look at that," Jason said, his voice dropping to an almost reverent hush.
Alice's gaze didn't waver. "If we awaken, we'll fight on ships like those. If not, we'll fly them."
Jason grinned. "Hell yeah. Go big or go home, right?"
Talon kept his eyes on the fleet, his expression unreadable. "We'll see where we land."
Inside, though, his mind raced. He wasn't just imagining fighting on one of those ships. He pictured himself standing on the bridge of a burning fleet, making the call that turned defeat into victory.
The fleet moved out of sight as their vehicle passed a massive holo-screen suspended between two skyscrapers. A breaking news alert flashed across the display, the voice of a grim-faced anchor filling the cabin.
"-renewed hostilities in the northern territories of The Celestial Imperium as the Xa'tarii push deeper into contested systems. Casualties have risen sharply, and military reinforcements are being dispatched to bolster the defenses. Officials warn that a Xa'tarii breach into the next sector could cripple trade routes across multiple empires."
Jason let out a low whistle, leaning closer to the window. "That's rough. Imagine being out there, right where the fighting's thickest. That's where the real action is."
Alice crossed her arms, her expression steely. "It's what we've been training for. We'll be there soon enough to help. We just need to prove we've got what it takes."
Talon's gaze flicked from the holo-screen back to the warships, now fading into the horizon. His stomach leapt, he was still nervous about today, but he forced a nod.
"Yeah… soon enough."
---
The academy loomed larger than ever as they arrived, its domed structure looking massive compared to the backdrop.
Talon, Alice, and Jason joined the stream of students making their way inside, the atmosphere buzzing with anticipation. A display at the entrance flashed the numbers in stark white against a blue background, rising as everyone stepped inside:
11,361 cadets present for the Awakening Ceremony.
The main hall was vast, its ceiling stretching high above, reinforced with glass that allowed the suns' rays to filter through, casting a warm glow. Nervous energy filled the air, a mix of excitement and dread as the students took their places, facing the podium where Director Kellen stood, flanked by a team of instructors.
Talon's gaze scanned the stage, but his mood soured when he spotted her.
"Not her..." he muttered under his breath.
Standing among the instructors was Mira, his cousin, her posture stiff and her expression as cold as always. Talon felt a wave of irritation just looking at her.
Mira was no Super, yet she acted like she was superior to everyone else. It didn't help that she was practically a lapdog to his mother, carrying out every command with joy.
'Probably here to keep an eye on me,' he thought bitterly, crossing his arms.
His jaw tightened as Mira's sharp eyes swept over the students, stopping on him. He quickly averted his gaze, pretending not to notice, but he could feel her disapproval like a weight on his shoulders.
The director stepped forward, adjusting the mic as he began his speech. "Welcome, cadets, to the Awakening Ceremony. Today, some of you will discover new paths opening before you, while others will continue on the journey you've already begun. Remember, the outcome of this day does not define your worth, but it can shape your future."
Kellen's gaze swept over the assembled students lingering on their eager faces. "Let's put things into perspective. There are 11,361 of you present today. Statistically, around 2% of you will awaken a gene. The rest will remain as you are and continue the path you have already tread. That means, give or take, that only about 250 of you will move on to the second phase."
A murmur rippled through the hall as the weight of his words settled over the crowd. Talon shifted, glancing at Jason, who gave him a half-smile in return. Alice bit her lip, her fingers tapping nervously against her leg.
Kellen gestured toward a line of smaller, crystalline orbs behind him, each faintly glowing with a dim, pulsing light. "Today's awakening process is divided into two stages. The first is a preliminary test. You will place your hand on one of these energy orbs. It will draw out the latent energy within you. If the orb glows green, it means you possess a Super gene, and you will proceed to the second stage. If the orb glows red, you do not, and you will be dismissed for the day."
Talon clasped his hands together, eyes fixed on the nearest orb. 'Please glow green. I'll never complain about Cain's morning wake-ups again. I'll stop calling Jason an idiot… as much. And I'll even try to take Mira's advice from now on... Okay maybe not that one. Just… let this work.'
Kellen continued, his tone unwavering. "Those with green results will be guided to the waiting rooms to prepare for the next phase. Remember, there is no shame in a red result. Only two percent of people who use the machine across the galaxy ever awaken."
He paused, letting his words sink in, then continued, "The first phase will be swift. Step up when your name is called, place your hand on the orb, and the result will be immediate. Those who pass will remain for the second part of the ceremony, where the rest will be explained."
Jason leaned closer, his grin just as irritating as usual. "You look like you're praying for a miracle, Talon. Did you forget Mira's watching? If it glows red, she's gonna report it before you're even off the stage."
Talon shot him a look, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Jason. Real inspiring stuff."
From her position near the instructors, Mira raised her eyebrows, clearly catching the exchange. "Focus, Talon. You might want to save the snark for after you touch the orb."
Alice gave a low whistle. "She's got a point. Imagine if you waste all your luck on talking back to her."
Talon smirked despite himself, his nerves easing for a split second. "If I'm using luck, it's to make sure either we all awaken, or we all don't. Gotta keep balance in the universe."
Names began to be called from different directions, each student stepping forward, their hands pressing against the cold, smooth surface of the multiple smaller orbs. A few glowed green, a soft cheer rising from the gathered crowd.
Most, however, left disappointed, the orb's glow a dull, final red. Each time the red light flared, there were subdued whispers, sympathetic pats on the back, and resigned expressions as students made their way toward the exits.
Finally, Jason's name echoed through the hall. He gave Talon and Alice a quick grin, though there was tension behind it. "Wish me luck."
Jason stepped up to the orb, taking a deep breath before placing his hand against it. Talon and Alice watched with bated breath, their hands clenched into fists at their sides.
A moment of silence passed, and then the orb glowed green, casting a soft, verdant light across Jason's face.
A broad grin spread across Jason's features, relief flooding his expression. He shot Talon and Alice a thumbs-up before being guided toward the zone designated for those moving on to the second phase.
"YES! I knew I had one!" he yelled in excitement as he was brought into a waiting room.
Talon let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, a smile tugging at his lips as he watched his friend's success. But before he could linger on the moment, Alice's name was called.
She gave a brave smile, stepping forward to place her hand on the orb. For a heartbeat, the air seemed to still around them. Then, the orb glowed red.
The colour had never felt more sinister.
Alice didn't let the disappointment show. Instead, she stepped back, giving Talon a small, encouraging nod as she walked past him. "It's fine. The odds were low anyway."
She looked sad, Talon could not figure out if it was because she was not one of the lucky few, or because this comfirmed their worst fears of splitting up.
She turned to Talon, offering him a quick hug. "Good luck, Talon. I'm rooting for you." With that, she walked off, joining the stream of students heading for the exits.
Talon thought he heard a small sob as she joined the exiting students.
He felt horrible.
Talon swallowed hard, feeling the pressure tighten around his chest as he waited for his turn. He tried to crush the flicker of hope that rose in him, reminding himself that the most likely outcome was a red light, just like Alice's.
But as much as he tried to brace himself for disappointment, part of him couldn't help but imagine the possibilities if the orb did glow green.
Finally, his name was called.
He stepped forward, his palms sweating as he pressed his hand against the orb's cool surface. For a moment, nothing happened, and the fear clawed at his mind.
But then, the orb pulsed, and he felt a strange, almost tingling sensation as energy seemed to flow out of his hand.
whoom
It was a feeling he had never experienced before, almost like a gentle pull at the core of his being, going straight out of his hands. A warm green glow spread from beneath his fingers, casting its light across his face.
He decided then and there that green was his new favourite colour.
Talon's breath hitched, elation flooding his chest despite his best attempts to tamp it down. Green. The realization hit him like a lightning bolt.
He was in. He had a chance, a real chance, to escape his family's control, to carve out his own path.
He glanced back toward the exit, searching for Alice. He spotted her just as she was about to step out of the gigantic hall, a wide grin on her wet face, as she gave him a thumbs-up and shouted something he couldn't quite make out.
She looked proud, but there was a small sadness in her expression, knowing she was the only one who hadn't made it through.
As he was directed to the waiting room with the other green-lit students, the air around him buzzed with excitement and nervous energy. Talon's heart pounded in time with the rhythmic hum of the orbs, a single thought repeating over and over in his mind.
This is it. This is my shot.