The hall is packed to the brim. A crowd of about 300 recruits and soldiers fills the large and stuffy room.
The air is heavy with sweat, excited murmurs, and the electrifying tension of an upcoming grand ceremony.
Bright spotlights from the ceiling cast cold, relentless light on the scene, with a single beam focused on the girl standing in the center of the stage.
Seren Veylith strides forward with determination. Her white blonde hair reflects the light like a shimmering halo, and her icy blue eyes observe the crowd.
The audience stares at the stage, some with admiration, others with envy.
Seren is not just any recruit, she is the daughter of General Marcus Veylith and the face of a new propaganda campaign celebrating her bravery and valor.
The stage itself is minimalistic, a simple podium flanked by Kael and Samir in impeccable military uniforms, while other officers and soldiers in ceremonial attire stand stiffly in the background.
Their postures are rigid, their expressions stern. But no one pays them any attention. All eyes are on Seren.
Despite her confident steps and upright posture, Seren feels like she has butterflies in her stomach. And they are not from excitement but from nerves.
Before her stands a microphone, behind her looms the expectations of her father. Around her, the crowd waits for her every word and gesture.
She steps up to the microphone. Her lips part, but for a moment, she hesitates. Her gaze sweeps across the audience.
She sees faces filled with anticipation, curiosity, and blank indifference.
Most of them didn't know Lumen, yet they had gathered to celebrate the supposed hero who "fought a demon from the Abyss" - a story her father had carefully orchestrated.
Seren swallows hard and begins to speak. Her voice is clear, but she feels as though she is listening to herself from the outside.
"Lumen Eldareth was one of us. A recruit. A fighter. His life was taken from us far too soon."
She pauses briefly, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"He gave his life to protect our land. To protect us. His sacrifice will never be forgotten."
Her words echo through the hall, and the audience falls into a reverent silence. Seren feels her chest tighten as if constricted. She knows her words do not reflect the truth.
Lumen didn't sacrifice himself. He was murdered in cold blood by Ravyn.
"His courage and strength will continue to inspire us. May his light live on within us all."
With a final, determined look, she steps back from the microphone. Loud applause erupts, but Seren barely hears it.
Her heart pounds loudly in her chest, her thoughts are a chaotic swirl. She leaves the stage, weaving her way through the crowd.
After some time, she reaches her goal: Two blond brothers, Kieran and Finn, stand at the edge of the gathering and greet her with a nod. Since the incident two weeks ago, they have grown close.
Their bond is more than camaraderie, it's a quiet alliance that provides Seren with a sense of stability.
Kieran, the more outgoing of the two, pats her lightly on the shoulder. "You did great, Seren," he says with a broad grin.
Finn nods in agreement, his expression more serious than his brother's. "You were amazing," he says, sounding honestly impressed.
Seren forces a smile, though inside, she feels torn apart. She knows she cannot show her true emotions to the brothers.
"Be honest with us" Kieran suddenly says, leaning in slightly.
"We won't tell anyone. Did you like Lumen?"
Seren freezes, her carefully maintained mask slipping for a brief moment. She opens her mouth to respond, but the words stick in her throat.
Finally, she forces herself to remain composed, her next words should be cool and firm.
"What? No!" she says, her voice higher than intended.
"Lumen was arrogant, disobedient, and lazy. It was only a matter of time before he would have died in battle. Maybe even before that, while annoying me..."
Nearby heads turn toward them. Seren notices the curious glances and feels her cheeks flush with heat.
Speaking ill of Lumen, especially at a ceremony honoring him, draws unwanted attention.
Before anyone can react tho, the lights dim. The harsh stage spotlight shifts to her father, Marcus Veylith, as he strides onto the stage with a commanding presence.
The crowd falls silent, almost hypnotized, as the general begins to speak in his deep, authoritative voice.
Seren tries to focus on his words, but her thoughts drift. She feels something wet slide down her cheek.
She quickly wipes it away before anyone notices. Her facade cannot crack, not here, not now.
Kieran and Finn are too absorbed in her father's speech to notice her moment of vulnerability.
They stand at attention, their eyes fixed on the stage, as Marcus Veylith captivates the audience with his flawless rhetoric.
But Seren doesn't listen. Inside her, another fire burns. Her Stigma, Elyon, demands judgment, Ravyn must be punished.
The verdict reverberates in her mind: Burn Ravyn with the holy light of Aureth.
She clenches her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
Seren wants to bring Lumen's killer to justice.
"I will find and kill you, Ravyn," she thinks, as her father's words fade into distant echoes.
"I swear it on my life."