The trumpets blow loudly as the sun emerged. It was time, the day has arrived. The time to give all destined child their gifts. The yearly ceremony is held at the great Hall of Zath, where all children the age 17 will gather to connect with the Spirit, gifted by the ancestral eternals to Man, and receive their gifts.
Children dragged their parents as they rushed into the hall. The ceremonial hall was a grand structure, built to inspire awe and respect. The walls were made of smooth, polished stone, carved with symbols of the four Orders—gold for Zenith, red for the Valourblade(warriors), green for the Sylvan (healers), and silver for the Forgeborn(workers).
Tall pillars rise to the high ceiling, each engraved with ancient runes that glow faintly in the torchlight.
The room is shaped like an oval, with rows of seats arranged in tiers, allowing everyone a clear view of the dais in the center. Noble families and other attendees sit according to their status, with the most powerful houses closest to the front.
The dais itself is a circular platform, slightly raised, made from pure white marble. At its center stands the Spirit Core, a large, crystalline orb that pulses with soft, shifting light. The Core rests on an ornate pedestal, decorated with gold and silver filigree, and surrounded by four smaller flames, each representing an Order.
Above the dais hangs a massive chandelier, its crystals reflecting light like stars scattered across the hall. The ceiling is painted with a mural of the Eternals—the mythical beings who gifted the Spirit Core to humanity.
Torches line the walls, their flames steady and warm, casting long shadows that dance across the hall. At the far end of the room is a pair of grand doors, carved from dark wood and inlaid with gold. These doors are opened only for the ceremonial procession, when each child is called forward to meet the Spirit Core.
Every detail of the hall is designed to remind those inside of the importance of the ceremony and the legacy of the Orders. It is a place of history, reverence, and power.
The torches in the ceremonial hall flickered softly, the air thick with tension and anticipation. All the noble families had gathered, their children standing proudly as they took turns approaching the Spirit Core.
All the order members were seated in their designated seats as their rulers sat on the highest of chairs.
The Zenith ruler—Soverign Lord Darius Orion, The valourblade ruler—General Thalorion Xalor, The Sylvan ruler—Green Mother Isilwen, and the Forgeborn ruler—Master Thorak.
The ceremony begins with cleansing the children.
"You are now cleansed of all things impure," Mother Isilwen said as she placed the mark of Zath on their foreheads and gave them the holy water that ran through the valley of Zath.
After the cleansing, the children stepped forward as their names were called. They had placed their hands on the orb one by one, and the room had been filled with cheers as the Spirit glowed.
"Valourbalde," the High Keeper shouted as the orb glowed red. Cheers erupted from the warrior's chamber as the children took their place in the order.
"Sylvan, Forgeborn" The High Keeper kept chanting as each child moved to their order.
"Caius Orion son of Darius Orion, Come forth and place your hand on the orb," The High speaker said as the son of the Sovereign Lord went forward.
He placed his hand on the orb. The orb hesitated for a while making the crowd murmur.
"Zenith!" The whole room went quiet for a while before cheers erupted from the Zenith order.
The High sovereign Lord who is the ruler of all Orders and protector of the land of Zath, sat on his mighty chair, his face pleased as they announced the result of his son's placement.
Now, only one remained. Khaelith Vaelthorne.
The Vaelthornes were the most renowned family in the realm, their bloodline tied to the Zenith Order for generations. They served the Sovereign Lord for years and were noble to him. Khaelith's father had stood where his forefathers stood. His brothers had touched the Spirit Core and emerged as part of the Zenith order. And now, all eyes were on him.
He was the last to go. The tradition was clear, the most noble house always completed the ceremony. It was both an honor and a pressure.
He remembered the talk he had this morning with his father and mother.
Lord Vaelthorne's voice was calm but firm. "Remember who you are, Khaelith. The Spirit will recognize your strength. It always does."
"I know you will do us proud son. You always have." Lady Vaelthorne laid a kiss on his head before adjusting his robe.
Khaelith nodded, his throat dry. The hall was silent, the crowd watching him with a mix of admiration and expectation. He adjusted the ceremonial tunic that bore his family crest and stepped forward.
The Spirit Core sat on the dais, its light faint and pulsing, as if it were waiting for him. The High Keeper gestured for him to approach.
"Khaelith Vaelthorne," the Keeper said, his voice echoing through the hall, "step forward and let the Spirit reveal your place."
The steps to the dais felt heavier than they should. Khaelith's heart raced, but his face remained calm. He had practiced this moment in his mind a thousand times. The flame would glow gold, and he would take his rightful place in the Zenith Order.
Reaching the orb, he hesitated for only a moment before placing his hand on its cool surface.
At first, nothing happened. Then, the light flared gold, and the crowd began to cheer. Relief washed over Khaelith.
But just as quickly, the gold shifted. It turned silver then red, then green, cycling through colors faster than the eye could follow. The cheers turned to gasps.
Before anyone could react, a deafening boom filled the hall. A blinding light erupted from the orb, shaking the ground beneath them. People shielded their faces, some falling to the floor as the energy rippled through the room.
When the light faded, the orb was grey. Lifeless. Silent.
The hall fell into stunned silence. Khaelith stared at the Spirit Core, his hand still resting on its surface. He couldn't move. He couldn't breathe.
The High Keeper stepped forward, his face pale with shock. He grabbed Khaelith's hand away from orb, dragging him away from the center.
The crowd erupted into whispers, confusion spreading like wildfire. Khaelith turned to look at his father, who stood frozen, his face a mask of disbelief.
The High Keeper signaled his father to follow him into a private room. He set down a chair for Khaelith to sit as his father entered.
"This... this has never happened before," the Keeper said, his voice tinged with a mix of fear and curiosity. Khaelith's father stood motionless, both amused and slightly afraid.
Back at the hall, the Spirit Core remained grey. Whatever had just happened, it had never been seen before in the history of the Orders. And it had left a question no one dared to ask.
What did it mean?