Eleanor Fontaine woke before the first rays of dawn kissed the sky, the quiet hush of the estate allowing her a rare moment of peace before the day's chaos began. Today was no ordinary day. Today, her daughters—Aria and Avia—would awaken to their abilities.
Her lips curled into a soft smile as she sat up, stretching her arms above her head before sliding gracefully from the bed. Twelve years. It had been twelve years since she had first held them in her arms, feeling the overwhelming love only a mother could know. She had always known they were special—two halves of a whole, yet as different as the sun and the moon.
A quiet sigh left her lips as she slipped into a silk robe, padding down the hall toward the twins' room. She had long since grown accustomed to their antics, their mischief, and most of all, Avia's boundless eccentricity. Even now, despite everything, Avia still refused to part with that ridiculous scarf wrapped around her left eye.
Eleanor hesitated at their bedroom door, then gently pushed it open. The sight inside warmed her heart.
The morning light spilled through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow over the room. Aria lay neatly tucked under her blankets, her silver hair fanned out against the pillow, her breathing soft and even. In stark contrast, Avia was sprawled out on the other side of the bed, half of her blanket thrown to the floor, her scarf somehow still secured in place as if even sleep could not strip it from her. One arm was dramatically flung over her forehead, as if caught in the midst of some grand, tragic dream.
Eleanor sighed again, fondly this time. Yes, this was exactly as she expected.
With practiced ease, she stepped forward and placed a hand on each of their shoulders, shaking them gently. "Girls, it's time to wake up. Today is your ability awakening ceremony."
Aria stirred first, blinking the sleep from her icy-blue eyes before sitting up with a quiet yawn. Ever graceful, ever composed.
Avia, however, let out a groggy groan, rolling onto her side. "Five more minutes, Mother... The darkness still lingers... I must not yet rise from my slumber."
Eleanor pinched the bridge of her nose. "Avia."
Avia let out a dramatic sigh before abruptly sitting up, flipping her scarf over one shoulder with an unnecessary flourish. Her crimson eye gleamed as she fixed Eleanor with a piercing stare. "Very well. The Crimson Eclipse Queen shall rise once more."
Aria let out a quiet, tired chuckle. "Good morning to you too, Avia."
Together, the girls prepared for the ceremony, dressing in matching navy-blue tunics adorned with silver embroidery—the Fontaine family crest stitched just above their hearts. Eleanor took a moment to smooth Aria's hair, then turned to Avia, hesitating only a second before deciding against asking about the scarf. If she had not taken it off after twelve years, today would not be the day she started.
With her daughters ready, Eleanor led them outside, where the ceremony was set to take place.
Their father, Cedric Fontaine, stood waiting in the center of the courtyard. A large, crystalline sphere rested atop a marble pedestal before him. The ability-determining sphere. It would reveal the nature of their gifts, marking the beginning of their path as awakened individuals.
Several family members and estate attendants gathered around, watching in quiet anticipation. Eleanor felt her heartbeat quicken with a mix of excitement and trepidation. She had no doubt that Aria would receive a powerful ability—her eldest twin had always possessed an air of quiet wisdom. But Avia…
She glanced at her younger twin, who stood at her side, arms crossed, chin lifted in defiance of the moment. The girl had always been an enigma. What sort of power would she awaken? And, more importantly, would she ever take it seriously?
Cedric gestured toward the sphere. "Aria, you will go first."
Aria nodded, stepping forward with confidence. She placed both hands against the sphere, and for a moment, nothing happened.
Then, light flooded the courtyard.
Golden and ethereal, it swirled around her like celestial threads, weaving intricate patterns in the air. Aria's expression remained calm, but Eleanor could see her eyes widen slightly in understanding. She was seeing it—the knowledge of her ability filling her mind.
When the glow faded, Cedric smiled. "Aria Fontaine, you have awakened Prophetic Echo. A rare and powerful ability." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Congratulations."
Aria turned to face them, her expression composed, though Eleanor noticed the faintest flicker of contemplation in her gaze. No doubt she was already trying to understand how to best utilize her newfound power.
Then, it was Avia's turn.
Eleanor had barely exhaled before her younger twin strode forward, flipping her scarf over her shoulder with a flourish.
Avia placed both hands on the sphere. Silence filled the courtyard.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then—
Dark crimson light erupted from the sphere.
It swirled like shadows given form, shifting and flickering as if it were alive. The energy pulsed, chaotic and untamed, before finally settling around Avia's frame.
And then—
She laughed.
A low chuckle at first, then a full-blown, triumphant declaration.
"At last! My true power awakens! The Crimson Eclipse Queen has risen anew! No longer shall my abilities be sealed—this world shall know my wrath!"
Eleanor instinctively took a step forward. "Avia—"
But her daughter wasn't finished. She dramatically extended an arm, fingers curling as if gripping some invisible force. "Behold! The manifestation of my Crimson Eclipse! This is fate! This is destiny! And no force in this world shall contain it!"
A stunned silence followed.
Cedric blinked. Then, slowly, he looked toward the sphere. "The result…"
The crystalline surface shimmered, revealing the name of Avia's ability.
Fate Distortion & Crimson Eclipse Manifestation.
Eleanor could only stare as the implications sank in. Her daughter's delusions… were real. Reality itself seemed to bend in her favor.
Cedric cleared his throat. "Avia Fontaine, you have awakened—"
"The power of the Eclipse Queen, naturally." Avia interrupted, crossing her arms. "You need not explain. This power has long slumbered within me. I knew this day would come."
Aria buried her face in her hands.
Eleanor exhaled slowly, resisting the urge to massage her temples. Twelve years. Twelve years of hearing about this so-called Crimson Eclipse, and now it was a reality.
Cedric looked between Avia and the sphere once more before sighing in resignation. "…Congratulations."
Avia grinned, tilting her head back with a laugh. "Yes! Kneel before the might of the Eclipse Queen!"
Eleanor had never been more tired in her life.