The Awakening Ceremony Begins
Orion entered his room, pulling open the big wooden doors. The chamber ahead of him was a reflection of serene lavishness— simple yet elegant. Walls were decorated with delicate golden themes, and hanging from the ceiling was a lavish chandelier that cast a cozy light. Silk curtains covering the big window provided a window through which the moonlight could peek in, instilling a calm atmosphere. There was a soft bed with satin covers in the middle, surrounded by exquisitely carved mahogany furniture. All in the room was an expression of nobility, yet Orion had never been one for excess.
Sighing, he went to his wardrobe and retrieved a new set of clothes. He removed his present attire and changed into a plain night robe, its fabric cools on his skin. He went to the bed and lay down, gazing up at the ceiling.
"Tomorrow is the ceremony. This time… I cannot fail."
His mother, his stepmother, and his little sister—he could not let them down. Above all, he could not let himself down. His fists gripped the sheets. He had suffered shame for two years, seeing others awaken their magic while he could do nothing remain powerless. Tomorrow would be different. With that resolute determination, he shut his eyes.
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The battlefield lay out before him endlessly—burned earth, shattered weapons, and bodies of massive beasts. In the midst of the destruction, a single warrior, not more than twenty years old, stood still, his sword dripping with dark crimson. Blood had accumulated at his feet, flowing like a river across the ground.
Orion's felt his breath hitch.
The warrior had on clothes befitting a noble prince—a cloak with embroidery flowing behind him, his stance regal, untouchable. But it was his very presence feel very overwhelming that hit Orion most. He gave off an air of total dominance of the battlefield.
Snappishly, the warrior shifted.
With a swing of his sword, a grotesque monster charged at him, only to be greeted by a Brust of fire magic. The beast was set ablaze, with the roar of beast slowly dying away. Another beast came forward, and this time, a bolt of lightning shot from the warrior's fingers, killing with accuracy.
But he did not only strike. He defended himself by upcoming attack of beast. A powerful barrier of earth magic burst forth from the ground, protecting him from upcoming attack. A watery sphere of blue light appeared in his hand, shooting out to repel attacking beasts while at the same time washing away the bloodstained clothes from his back. With one sweep of his sword, wind magic cut through a whole horde of beasts as if they were paper.
Then, something even more terrifying happened.
Soft white light poured from his hands to healing a wound on his arm. Holy magic. And then Black light shot from his hand covered fully the beast who attacked him from behind the black light look like shadows themselves wrapped around his, then in instant that beast just vanished from existence when Blake subsides. consuming them. Dark magic.
Orion's eyes grew wide with horror.
"Impossible… he wields all six affinities?!"
In Shanzia, awaking one affinity was the normal. And awaking two was extremely rare. Yet, Orion had once heard a story from his mother—an empress who had ruled on this land for centuries had all six affinities. Was this warrior somehow linked to her?
Orion attempted to glimpse his face, but it was shrouded in a weird haze. He stepped forward, but then the warrior spun around, his sword flashing towards Orion.
The world broke apart.
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Orion shot up, gasping. His forehead was slick with sweat and his heart was racing in his chest. His breath came in ragged gasps, panic gripping him. His hand pressed against his racing heart.
"A dream…?" he muttered, his throat dry.
He ran a hand through his damp hair. It had seemed so real—the battlefield, the warrior, the crushing power. Who was he? And why did Orion see him? He has many questions but he Shaking his head, he turned towards the window. The sun had risen in the morning, and its rays peeked through the curtains, bathing the room in a warm golden light. He could hear the sounds of movement far away—guards shifting, servants getting ready for day. Then sudden realization it struck him. "The ceremony… today is the ceremony!"
Orion hastened out of bed, splashing his face with chilly water to get his mind off things. He put on a spotless white and bluish robe, the material of which was embroidered with silvery linings. His bluish-white locks of hair, which fell beyond his shoulders, were left loose. He took one last deep breath and walked out of his room.
The Viscount's Manor was immense, with sections separated from each other. One mention He and his mother Aria lived on one side of mention with Mother Liren and Lyra on the other end The central mentions were the domain of the Viscount himself, who rarely stepped out of his mention.
On his way to the main hall, he came across three people waiting—his mother, his stepmother, and Lyra.
"Brother Orion! Finally, you're here!" Lyra exclaimed out, her bright blue eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
His two mothers looked at him. He promptly bowed his head. "Sorry for the delay."
Lyra pouted, folding her arms. "You know, Mothers and I have been waiting since morning. The ceremony is today! You should have arrived earlier!"
Before he could answer, Mother Liren put a gentle hand on Lyra's shoulder. "It's okay, dear," she said, and then turned to Orion with a smile. "Are you prepared for today, Orion?"
Orion nodded sternly. "Yes, Mother Liren."
Aria laid a hand on his shoulder. "Good. Now, let's go to the coliseum. We shouldn't be late."
"Understood."
Outside, there were two plush carriages. His mothers took one while Orion and Lyra rode the other. As the carriage rolled, Orion looked out the window and observed how the manor's estate roads transformed into the busy streets of Valeria city
The ceremony of awakening was conducted in the central square of the city, inside the Grand Coliseum—a location where many young people uncovered their magic affinity every year. Although Coliseum is not far from the estate, but he need to travelling from carriages were required in order to preserve their noble reputation.
"Brother?" Lyra interrupted his thoughts.
He faced her. Her black hair glimmered in the morning light, and her blue eyes shone with excitement. She wore a white robe she looking so pure and elegant.
"Brother Orion," she said again, inclining her head. "You were lost in thought. Are you anxious?"
"A bit," he admitted.
She smiled warmly. "Don't worry. I know you'll awaken your affinity today for sure."
Her faith in him was unwavering. He smiled back. "Thank you, Lyra."
Soon, the carriage came to a stop.
"We're here, Brother!" Lyra said excitedly.
"Let's go," he said, stepping out with renewed determination.
Guards stood at attention as they left, saluting respectfully to Orion and his family. The atmosphere hummed with excitement—gossip, whispers, and a rare cheer filled the huge arena.
An elderly but strong-looking servant approached, bowing. "Madams, Prince, and Princess, this way."
As they walked after him, Mother Liren asked, "Has the Viscount arrived?"
The servant shook his head. "No, Madam, not yet."
Liren just nodded her head and They strolled down a corridor to the VIP area. At the top, Orion noticed three thrones—his father's grandly decorated with gold and jewels, and his mothers' two luxurious but slightly less elaborate seats.
As they sat down, an announcement echoed throughout the arena.
"Presenting Viscount Theo Thorne of Valeria city!"
The huge doors swung open to reveal a tall man with black hair and eyes, his build like a battle-hardened warrior. His white and gold robes made him look even more noble.
Orion, his sister, and their mothers gathered in two lines, bowing respectfully. "Greetings, Lord Thorne. Greetings, Father."
The Viscount just nodded; his face indifferent as he proceeded to sit down. The ceremony was on the edge of beginning.
rousing one affinity was the norm. Rousing two was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. But Orion had heard a rumor once—an empress who reigned for centuries possessed all six. Might this warrior be her descendant?
Orion attempted to view his face, but it was hidden behind a bizarre haze. He attempted to take a step forward, but then the warrior spun around, his sword flashing toward Orion.
The world broke apart.