The cave's eerie stillness was broken only by the sound of footsteps. The group of young initiates stood at the edge of the glowing platform, staring at the ominous stone altar where it all would begin. Arun couldn't help but glance around the chamber, noticing every detail—the intricate carvings on the walls, the shimmering light from the symbols on the platform, and, of course, the faint, unsettling hum that seemed to come from the very air itself. It was as if the cave itself were alive, waiting for what was to come.
"Right," Sachin said, breaking the silence with an exaggerated sigh. "So, let me get this straight. We're supposed to eat this beast core thing, which might kill us, while you elders just stand there and... what? Cheer us on?"
Elder Oviya shot him a look so sharp that even Sachin flinched. "We don't stand there," she said coolly. "We channel our energy to slow down the violent flow of the beast's essence, giving you a fighting chance to survive. Without us, none of you would last more than a minute."
Sachin grinned nervously. "Well, that's... comforting. Thanks for clarifying."
Arun shook his head, half amused, half annoyed. "Sachin, maybe just stop talking and focus? You know, on the whole 'not dying' part?"
Sachin turned to Arun with a lopsided smirk. "Oh, come on, Arun. You're way too serious. I mean, if we're about to face death, shouldn't we at least enjoy the little moments? Lighten the mood?"
Mira, standing to Arun's left, snorted. "Somehow, I don't think cracking bad jokes is going to help when you're writhing on the ground screaming."
"Wow, Mira," Sachin said, pretending to clutch his heart. "Such faith in me. I'll remember this when I'm an Awakener and have a fan club of admirers."
"Assuming you live," Karan muttered from his corner, arms crossed and looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. "This isn't a joke, Sachin. Strength is what matters here—not your idiotic banter."
"Relax, Karan," Jorin chimed in, adjusting the strap of his crossbow. "If Sachin doesn't make it, at least we won't have to hear his flirting anymore. There's a silver lining to everything."
Sachin gasped dramatically. "Betrayed by my own allies! Jorin, you wound me."
Arun, trying to hold back a grin, raised a hand to calm the group. "Alright, enough. Let's focus. This isn't going to be easy for any of us, and we're all going to need every ounce of strength—and sanity—we've got."
Kaelan, standing with the other elders near the edge of the platform, observed the young initiates with a stoic expression. Despite his calm demeanor, he felt a flicker of unease. This wasn't just another Awakening ceremony. This batch of initiates carried more weight than usual. Mira, Jorin, and Karan were talents rarely seen in the tribe—each one possessing the potential to change its future. But Arun... Arun was the enigma. Even Kaelan couldn't read the boy fully.
"Three extraordinary talents," Vedan said quietly, standing beside Kaelan. "And Arun. I can't tell if we're looking at our brightest future or our biggest gamble."
Kaelan grunted in agreement, his sharp eyes flicking to Arun. "Oviya's right. He's shrouded in something. If it's protection, it might save him. But if it's something darker... it could consume him."
Oviya, listening intently, stepped closer. "We'll find out soon enough," she said, her tone cryptic. "The veil around him is unlike anything I've seen. It's almost as if the Aether itself is afraid to touch him."
"Afraid?" Kaelan echoed, his tone hard. "Aether doesn't fear. It rejects or it empowers. If he's different, we'll know soon enough." His gaze hardened. "And if he's dangerous, we'll deal with it."
A Beast Core is the result of a fascinating and ominous process linked to the omnipresent energy of Aether. When an animal spends enough time in an environment saturated with Aether, it begins to absorb this mystical energy through natural processes—such as breathing or interactions with its surroundings. Over time, the accumulated Aether concentrates within the animal's body, coalescing into a physical core—a dense, crystalline structure often referred to as a Beast Core.
The Beast Core acts as both a reservoir and a conduit for the Aether, granting the creature heightened strength, size, and often intelligence. The size and potency of the core directly correlate to the strength and evolutionary stage of the Beast. More powerful Beasts possess larger, more radiant cores, while weaker ones have smaller, less developed cores.
These cores are highly sought after by humans, as they serve as a vital resource for various purposes, including the Awakening ritual. However, obtaining a Beast Core is no simple task—it requires killing the Beast and extracting the core from its body, an endeavor fraught with danger due to the ferocity and intelligence these creatures gain from the Aether.
To many, the Beast Core represents both the terrifying power of Aether and the opportunity to harness it. For tribes like Arun's, these cores are not just a source of strength; they are a key to survival in a world teeming with Beasts and other threats.
The ceremony began. Elder Oviya stepped forward, holding a small wooden box lined with intricate carvings. She opened it, revealing several small, glowing orbs—First Tier Beast Cores. The air around them seemed to thrum with energy, and Arun felt a strange pull toward the cores, the dark-gray energy within him stirring faintly in response.
"Each of you will take one core," Oviya instructed, her voice steady. "You will consume it, and we will guide the energy flow. This will not be easy. It will test your body, your will, and your connection to Aether. But if you succeed, you will emerge as Awakened—stronger, faster, and capable of harnessing Aether's power."
The tense silence in the cavern was broken as Kaelan, the tribe leader, stepped forward, his commanding presence stilling the quiet murmurs of the gathered initiates. The faint glow from the engraved symbols on the platform reflected in his sharp eyes as he turned to face Karan, his seventh son.
"Karan," Kaelan said, his voice steady and firm, "you will go first."
Karan's jaw tightened, his confident demeanor momentarily faltering as the weight of his father's words settled over him. For all his bravado earlier, the sight of the glowing Beast Core in Elder Oviya's hands sent a shiver of unease through him. The core pulsed faintly, its internal energy radiating an almost menacing warmth. It was a stark reminder of what lay ahead.
The other initiates stepped back, leaving Karan alone at the center of the platform. Arun, standing beside Mira, watched intently, his sharp eyes catching the way Karan's fists clenched as he approached the altar. Even Sachin, usually the first to crack a joke, stood unusually quiet, his usual smirk replaced by a pensive expression.
Kaelan placed a firm hand on Karan's shoulder, his expression unreadable. "You're ready," he said, though there was an edge to his voice that hinted at both reassurance and challenge. "You've trained for this moment. Now show us your resolve."
Karan exhaled sharply, nodding. His hand trembled ever so slightly as he took the Beast Core from Oviya, its faint glow lighting up his determined face. With a final glance at his father, he raised the core to his lips and swallowed it whole.
The reaction was immediate. Karan's body jolted violently, his back arching as the core's energy surged through him like a raging storm. Arun winced at the sight, the sheer intensity of it making his pulse quicken. The glowing symbols on the platform flared brighter as Kaelan stepped closer, extending his hands toward Karan. A faint shimmer of energy surrounded the leader's hands as he began channeling Aether to steady the flow of the Beast Core's violent essence within his son.
Karan dropped to his knees, his teeth clenched as his body twisted under the strain. His muscles tensed, his veins visible beneath his skin as if his very blood was boiling. A guttural cry tore from his throat, echoing through the cavern. The other elders joined Kaelan, forming a circle around Karan and channeling their energies in unison to stabilize him.
"Hold on, Karan!" Kaelan barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Control it! Don't let it overwhelm you!"
Arun could see the struggle etched across Karan's face—the battle between his will and the violent energy coursing through him. For a moment, it seemed as though he might not make it. Karan's breath came in ragged gasps, his body trembling under the pressure.
And then, gradually, the storm began to subside.
The light from the platform dimmed, the energy swirling around Karan settling into a faint, steady glow. His breathing slowed, his body relaxing as the pain ebbed away. When he finally lifted his head, his eyes burned with a new intensity, the faint glow of Aether radiating from within.
Kaelan stepped back, his expression a mix of pride and relief. "You've done it," he said, his voice quieter now. "You're an Awakened—a 0-Tier warrior."
The room was silent for a beat, then a murmur of awe rippled through the group. Arun felt a strange mix of emotions—admiration for Karan's determination, unease at the raw power he had witnessed, and a gnawing anticipation for his own turn.
Karan stood unsteadily, his usual confidence replaced by quiet exhaustion. But there was something different about him now, something stronger. He glanced at the other initiates, his expression unreadable, before stepping back to join the group.
As the elders exchanged brief, murmured words, the next name was called.
The Awakening had only just begun.