In the depths of night, an ethereal phenomenon swept through the noble district of the Darkus Empire. Houses glowed with mysterious lights of various hues, accompanied by a subtle, almost musical ringing that seemed to dance on the edge of hearing. As dawn approached, these mystical manifestations gave way to something equally powerful: the jubilant cries of noble families celebrating their children's awakenings.
Among these celebrations, none was more significant than the scene unfolding within the Briar household, vassals of the Imperial Kingdom of Darkus.
"Father! Father, come quickly!" A young man's voice echoed through the halls. Zen Briar, a striking figure despite his mere fifteen years, stood with his white hair catching the morning light and his flame-blue eyes wide with excitement. He thrust forward his hand, displaying a brilliant purple rune that seemed to pulse with inner light.
Lloyd Briar, a distinguished man in his forties who shared his son's distinctive features, burst into the room. His eyes fixed on the rune, and for a moment, he stood frozen in disbelief.
"By the sovereigns," he whispered, then broke into a broad smile. "The curse... Zen, my boy, you've done it! The curse on the Briar family has finally been lifted!"
"Armin!" Lloyd's powerful voice rang through the manor.
The elderly butler appeared with remarkable swiftness, his dignified bearing unchanged despite his haste. "You called for me, my lord?"
"Where is my wife?" Lloyd asked, barely containing his excitement.
"My lady is currently in Marquis Roswald's territory, attending diplomatic discussions with the Marquess and other noble ladies," Armin replied smoothly. "She isn't expected to return until tomorrow."
Lloyd's enthusiasm dimmed slightly. "Ah, yes... I'd forgotten. Usually, Sarella handles the arrangements for skill awakening ceremonies." He ran a hand through his hair, thinking aloud. "The children will need to be taken to the Imperial Temple for appraisal and registration..."
"If I may, my lord," Armin interjected with a slight bow, "please leave the transportation arrangements to me. You have your own engagement to attend to."
"Tess!" Lloyd called out suddenly. "Where is your sister?"
A young girl appeared in the doorway, her white hair disheveled from sleep. Theresa, Zen's twin, stood in her nightwear, rubbing at her eyes. "Father? You called?"
Lloyd's expression shifted to stern disapproval. "Theresa Amber Briar! A lady of House Briar, still in her nightwear at this hour?"
Tears welled up in Tess's eyes at her father's sharp tone, but before they could fall, Lloyd's expression softened. He crossed the room and gently patted her head. "I apologize, my dear. But what's wrong with your eyes?"
"They've been itching all night," she murmured, lowering her hands to reveal startling white pupils with glowing runes of the same shade embedded within them.
Lloyd gasped, and Zen's voice broke through the stunned silence: "Father... is this truly the revival of House Briar?"
As servants whisked the twins away to prepare for their journey, a guard announced an unexpected visitor. Baron Renier entered the study, dropping to one knee before Lloyd.
"Duke Lloyd, I greet the lord of the Briar domain."
"Rise, old friend," Lloyd said warmly. "How fares Ismay?"
After exchanging pleasantries, Renier revealed his purpose: twelve children in his domain had awakened their abilities. Lloyd's eyebrows rose at the number, but he quickly assured his friend that Armin would arrange transportation for them all to the Imperial City in two days' time.
As the Briar family's coach departed later that morning, Armin called out in concern, "My lord, you're leaving without your guards? Where is Carac?"
Lloyd's laughter boomed across the courtyard. "Peace, Armin! I may not be a Sovereign, but as the disciple of the First Son of the Blade, only a master could hope to challenge me. Carac will return tomorrow – tell him to join us then."
Watching the coach disappear down the road, Armin shook his head fondly. "Such carefree behavior hardly befits a noble," he muttered, "even if you are the Blade Sovereign's disciple."
The coach rolled through the Briar domain's main gates, its polished wooden frame catching the morning sun. The path before them transformed from the carefully maintained cobblestones of the estate to the broader Imperial highway, its ancient stones worn smooth by centuries of travel. On either side, vast wheat fields swayed in the autumn breeze, their golden heads bowing as if in deference to the passing nobles.
Zen pressed his face against the window, watching as farmers paused in their work to bow deeply as the Briar family's crest – a thorned rose wrapped around a sword – passed by on their coach's side. Tess, still gently rubbing her eyes, smiled at the sight of children running alongside the fields, their own dreams of awakening perhaps inspired by the passing noble family.
The road wound through several small villages, each one displaying the prosperity that came with being under House Briar's protection. Markets bustled with activity, the morning trade in full swing. Merchants' calls mixed with the clatter of horse hooves and the general din of village life. Each time the coach passed through, the local guards would snap to attention, their armor gleaming in the strengthening daylight.
As they approached the halfway point to the Imperial City, the landscape gradually changed. The fertile farmlands gave way to rolling hills dotted with ancient watchtowers – silent sentinels from an earlier, more turbulent era. In the distance, the majestic peaks of the Northern Mountains loomed, their snow-capped summits partially obscured by clouds.
Lloyd gazed at these mountains with a mixture of nostalgia and concern, memories of the Northern War flickering through his mind.
He gazed at his children with pride, knowing that their awakening marked not just a personal triumph, but potentially a turning point in the history of House Briar.