The hall was colder than Aaron expected, the air heavy with something he couldn't name. Magic, maybe? He wasn't sure, but it made his skin prickle.
The cloaked figure led them through the towering stone doors at the back of the Sanctum. Beyond them was a circular chamber, its walls carved with glowing runes that pulsed faintly in the dim light.
At the center of the room stood a pedestal, and on it sat several orbs — about the size of a basketball, each one glowing faintly in a range of colors.
Aaron's breath caught as he looked closer. The orbs weren't just glowing — they were alive, swirling with light and shadow like tiny galaxies trapped in glass.
"These," the figure said, gesturing to the orbs, "are Resonance Orbs. They will help awaken your latent potential and grant you the power needed to survive in this world."
"What do you mean 'awaken'?" Darius asked, crossing his arms.
The figure tilted their head, as if the answer was obvious. "Each of you carries within you a unique resonance — a spark of power connected to your soul. These orbs will amplify it, shaping it into something tangible. A class. A skillset. Something you will need if you wish to survive."
Aaron adjusted his glasses, his heart pounding. The idea of a "class" sounded cool in theory, but the way the figure said survive made his stomach churn.
"What if we don't want to use them?" Mira asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The figure's gaze turned toward her, cold and unyielding. "Then you will die. The rifts do not care about your reluctance, nor do the demons or dragons that emerge from them."
The group fell silent.
"Step forward," the figure commanded.
Nobody moved at first. The weight of the moment settled over them like a heavy fog. Finally, Darius stepped forward, his jaw set.
"Fine," he said. "I'll go first."
The figure extended a hand, and one of the orbs floated off the pedestal. It hovered in front of Darius, its pale blue glow reflecting in his eyes.
"Place your hand on the orb," the figure instructed.
Darius hesitated for half a second, then reached out.
The moment his fingers touched the surface, the orb exploded with light. Aaron shielded his eyes, squinting through his fingers.
The room filled with a low hum, and a faint breeze swirled around them. Darius stood frozen, his face illuminated by the orb's glow.
Then, as suddenly as it began, the light dimmed, and the orb returned to its original state.
"What… was that?" Darius asked, his voice unsteady.
"You have awakened," the figure said simply.
One by one, the others stepped forward. Each time, an orb hovered in front of them, flared to life, and faded again.
Naomi was next. Her orb glowed a deep emerald green, casting her face in sharp shadows. When it was over, she stepped back, her expression calm but her hands trembling.
Ethan's orb was fiery orange, flaring like a miniature sun.
He grinned after it was over, trying to play it cool, but Aaron saw the way his shoulders stayed tense.
Mira's orb shimmered with soft pink light, almost gentle compared to the others. She looked more terrified after her awakening than before.
Sophia, Victor, Lena — they each went, their orbs glowing in brilliant, unique hues.
And then it was Aaron's turn.
He swallowed hard as the last orb floated toward him. It was different from the others, its glow a deep, inky black with streaks of violet that twisted like smoke.
Aaron hesitated, his palms sweaty. He could feel the others' eyes on him, the weight of their judgment as heavy as the air in the room.
"Go on," the figure said.
Aaron reached out slowly, his hand shaking. The moment his fingers touched the orb, it pulsed violently, the light inside twisting and writhing like it was alive.
A sharp, burning sensation shot up his arm, and he gasped.
The room erupted in a whirlwind of energy, the air crackling with electricity. Aaron's vision blurred as the heat spread through his chest, his heartbeat pounding in his ears.
Images flashed in his mind — fire, darkness, and something massive with glowing eyes staring down at him. A voice, deep and ancient, whispered words he couldn't understand.
When it was over, Aaron collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. The orb had gone dark, its glow completely extinguished.
"What the hell was that?" Ethan muttered, staring at him.
Aaron didn't answer. He couldn't.
His hands were still trembling, his chest burning like an ember had lodged itself inside him.
The figure stepped forward, addressing the group. "You now carry within you the power of your classes. These abilities will grow stronger as you hone them, but remember: your power is tied to your will. Without discipline, it will consume you."
Aaron sat back on his heels, his mind reeling. He didn't feel stronger.
If anything, he felt more fragile than ever, like his body might shatter under the weight of whatever had just happened.
"Now," the figure said, "you must choose how you proceed. Keep your classes hidden if you wish, but know this: the truth always finds its way to the surface."
The words sent a ripple through the group. Darius and Ethan exchanged a glance, unspoken agreement passing between them.
"I'm not telling anyone," Naomi said, breaking the silence.
"Same," Sophia added quickly.
One by one, the others nodded. Aaron stayed quiet, unsure if he even wanted to know what his class was.
The figure stepped back, their presence somehow darker. "Very well. You will learn soon enough that trust is a fragile thing. I hope, for your sake, it will not break when you need it most."
The group was dismissed to another part of the Sanctum — a long, dimly lit corridor lined with doors that led to private chambers. Aaron walked in silence, his glasses slipping down his nose.
"Hey," Naomi said quietly, falling into step beside him. "You okay?"
Aaron hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. Just… tired."
Though he was surprised, Naomi… never tried talking to him before. Sure there was a bit of standing up for him from time to time… but no direct conversation until now thatis/
She gave him a small smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Me too."
When they reached their chambers, Aaron stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
The room was sparse but comfortable — a bed, a desk, and a single candle glowing faintly in the corner.
He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his hands. The warmth from earlier had faded, but the weight in his chest hadn't.
What had the figure called it? A class, right?
'How do we check our classes again?'