Kael's fifth birthday arrived with a sense of excitement and a touch of nervousness. The entire kingdom of Aetherium celebrated the day, but the palace was particularly lively. Servants hurried to prepare for the awakening ceremony, while nobles gathered in anticipation. It was a tradition in Aetherium for all children to undergo the ceremony at the age of five, the age when their bodies and souls were said to have fully formed connections to the world's energies.
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The Significance of Age Five
The elders often explained that before the age of five, a child's spirit was still too fragile to handle the process of awakening. Awakening wasn't just about strength; it was about aligning with one's essence. Forcing it too early could result in harm or even death. By five, the body and soul were ready to unlock the potential within, revealing the path they were destined to walk.
There were several paths a person could awaken to in Aetherium, each one defining their role in the kingdom:
1. Warrior
Those who awakened as Warriors gained enhanced physical strength, endurance, and combat instincts. They were the backbone of Aetherium's armies, wielding weapons with unmatched skill.
2. Mage
Mages awakened with a natural connection to mana and the ability to control elements like fire, water, wind, or earth. Their power made them vital for both battle and the kingdom's development.
3. Healer
Healers awakened with the gift to mend wounds and cure ailments, often by drawing on life energy. They were highly respected, as their abilities were rare and invaluable.
4. Summoner
Summoners formed bonds with magical creatures, calling them forth to aid in combat or daily life. These bonds were lifelong and deeply personal.
5. Scholar
Scholars awakened with enhanced intellect and insight. They were the inventors, strategists, and researchers of Aetherium, uncovering ancient knowledge and creating advancements for the kingdom.
6. Guardian
Guardians were protectors, awakening with impenetrable defenses and the ability to shield others from harm. They often became royal guards or protectors of sacred sites.
7. Seer
Seers awakened with the gift of foresight or heightened perception, able to glimpse into possibilities or see truths hidden to others. Their advice was often sought by rulers and leaders.
8. Elementalist
Similar to Mages but more specialized, Elementalists were attuned to rare or unique elements like lightning, ice, or shadow.
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Kael's Ceremony
In the palace's grand hall, Kael stood in the center of the ceremonial circle, surrounded by runes glowing faintly with golden light. The room was packed with nobles, advisors, and his parents, who watched with eager anticipation.
The royal priest stepped forward, holding a staff adorned with a crystal that shimmered in different colors. "Prince Kael," the priest began, his voice echoing through the chamber, "today, we will discover the path the heavens have chosen for you. Step forward and place your hand on the crystal."
Kael, dressed in fine robes, took a deep breath. His memories from his past life had faded somewhat, but a flicker of awareness still lingered. He wasn't nervous—just curious.
Kael stepped forward, his small hands trembling slightly, though his expression remained calm. The hall was silent, the kind of quiet that made even the faintest sound seem deafening. His parents, seated on their ornate thrones, watched with bated breath. The nobles leaned forward, their eyes fixed on the young prince.
The crystal in the priest's staff shimmered, casting soft rainbow hues across the room. Kael placed his hand on it, the surface cool against his skin. He felt a faint hum, like the crystal was alive, waiting for something.
Everyone held their breath.
Seconds passed.
The crystal remained dull.
The priest frowned, tapping the base of his staff lightly against the floor as though that might awaken the magic within. "Perhaps try again, Your Highness," he said, his voice a little tighter than before.
Kael nodded, pressing his hand firmly this time. He closed his eyes, focusing as much as his five-year-old mind could. The crystal pulsed faintly—but nothing else happened. No colors, no glow, no sign of awakening.
The room began to stir. Whispers rippled through the crowd like a rising tide.
"Is it broken?" someone murmured.
"No, it worked for the last child's ceremony," another replied.
The priest's face had grown pale. He looked at the king and queen, who were now visibly tense. The queen clutched the armrest of her throne, her lips pressed into a thin line. The king's jaw tightened, but he said nothing, his eyes fixed on his son.
Kael stepped back, glancing at the priest. "Did I do something wrong?"
The priest opened his mouth but hesitated, clearly unsure how to respond. "N-no, Your Highness. Sometimes… these things take time."
But everyone in the room knew the truth. The crystal was never wrong. If it didn't react, it meant one thing: Kael had no path. He wasn't a Warrior, a Mage, or anything else. He was… nothing.
A failure.
The whispers grew louder now, filling the hall like an unstoppable tide.
"He has no path?"
"Impossible. He's the prince!"
"What does this mean for the kingdom?"
Kael turned to look at his parents, his small face calm but his bright eyes searching for reassurance. The queen forced a smile, though her hands trembled. The king's expression was unreadable, his gaze distant.
The priest cleared his throat, his voice rising above the murmurs. "The ceremony is complete. His Highness… has not awakened." He paused, struggling with the weight of his words. "Perhaps this is a sign that his destiny lies beyond what we understand."
It was a weak attempt to soften the blow, but the damage was done.
Kael didn't cry or protest. He simply stepped back from the circle, his small hands folding in front of him. The room buzzed with speculation, judgment, and pity. To be born without a path in Aetherium was almost unheard of, and for it to happen to the prince was unthinkable.
As the crowd began to disperse, Kael felt his mother's arms wrap around him. "It's alright, my love," she whispered, her voice shaky. "You're still our Kael. Nothing changes that."
The king didn't say anything, his hand resting on Kael's shoulder briefly before he turned to speak with his advisors.
Kael looked up at his mother, her comforting smile not quite reaching her eyes. He didn't understand all the whispers, but he could feel the weight of their stares. For the first time, he felt small—not just because of his size, but because of the way everyone seemed to look through him, as if he didn't belong.
He didn't know what being "pathless" truly meant yet, but he could already feel its shadow beginning to stretch over him.