The entire village of Sharanya had gathered before the Temple of Awakening —
the white-stone shrine where, they said, the World itself whispered to the young.
Today, the Batch of Sixes would step forward.
Today, they would receive their Talents, their Ranks, and the truth of their Bloodlines.
Children clutched their parents' hands.
Elders whispered blessings.
The wind carried the sound of bells.
> It was the most important day of a child's life.
---
🌿 Inside the Temple
The air smelled of sandalwood, ash, and sweet smoke.
Candles flickered. Prayers pulsed softly through the stone walls.
At the center of the chamber floated the Pool of Revelation —
a shallow basin filled with light instead of water, carved with runes that shimmered like veins of gold.
It was said to be as old as the first Talent.
Each child would step forward, place a hand above it…
And the pool would answer:
Name
Talent
Affinity
Rank
Potential
Bloodline
The high priest, robed in gold and crimson, raised his voice:
> "Let the Breath of Aarunya reveal the truth."
---
🧒 The Children Step Forward
One by one, the children approached.
Some with hope. Some with fear.
The pool welcomed each with a glow.
---
🔥 Aditya Agnivansh
> Talent: Crimson Fang
Affinity: Fire
Rank: A
Potential: High
Bloodline: Agnivansh – Flameborn Warriors
He grinned as fire flared in his palm.
> "A true heir of flame!" villagers cried.
---
🌬️ Dev Vayunanda
> Talent: Gale Feet
Affinity: Wind
Rank: B
Potential: Moderate
Bloodline: Vayunanda – Messengers of the Sky
---
🌱 Ritu
> Talent: Verdant Touch
Affinity: Nature
Rank: C
Potential: Moderate
Bloodline: Common
---
🪨 Laksh
> Talent: Stonehold
Affinity: Earth
Rank: B
Potential: Low
Bloodline: Dhartiputra – Minor Earth Line
---
With each name, the runes pulsed, the air shifted.
Some children beamed. Others bowed.
Futures began to take shape.
Then the priest looked up.
> "Next… Meera, daughter of Gopal."
---
👁️🗨️ Meera's Turn
Meera stepped forward.
The hush in the temple deepened.
She looked once over her shoulder —
Shiva gave her the smallest of nods.
Her hand hovered above the pool.
She took a breath.
And the world… changed.
---
Golden-white light burst from the pool.
The runes turned silver, spinning like stars.
The floor trembled beneath their feet.
The priest gasped.
Glyphs not seen in centuries bloomed in the air.
> Name: Meera
Talent: Shantivaani – Voice of Divine Harmony
Affinity: Spirit / Light / Life
Rank: EX
Potential: Divine
Bloodline: Bhargavi – Soul-Born Healers of the Lost Era
Status: Source-Blessed
The crowd went silent.
Even the nobles in the back bowed their heads.
> "Bhargavi…" someone breathed.
"That bloodline vanished 500 years ago."
"She's a child of the Source…"
Meera's voice trembled.
> "I… I don't understand…"
The priest dropped to his knees.
> "You are not merely gifted.
You are chosen."
---
🕊️ Then Came Shiva
Still stunned, the crowd barely heard the final name.
> "Shiva."
He stepped forward —
quiet, steady, alone.
He placed his hand above the pool.
And this time… the pool did not glow.
It stilled.
No light.
No wind.
Just silence — thick and deep.
Then, slowly…
runes began to appear.
---
> Name: Shiva
Talent: Nirvana
Affinity: None
Rank: F
Potential: Unknown
Bloodline: Undetected
Status: Dormant / Incomplete
---
A ripple of unease moved through the temple.
> "F-Rank?"
"No affinity at all?"
"What does that even mean?"
"Is he… broken?"
A harsh laugh cut the silence.
> "The world gives one child divinity…
and another, nothing?"
The priest frowned deeply.
> "This record has… no precedent."
Meera stepped forward.
> "Wait, let me—"
> "Meera!" her father snapped.
"You are divine now. You must not lower yourself."
But she didn't look away.
And Shiva didn't flinch.
He only offered a small smile.
Then turned and walked back into the crowd —
without a word.
---
🌌 That Night
Beneath the glowing chandrapushpa tree by the river, Meera found him again.
> "Why didn't you look surprised?" she asked.
> "Because I already knew," Shiva said.
"This Talent… isn't for them to understand."
> "But it said 'Dormant.'"
> "Even sleeping lions wake."
She looked up at the stars.
Her voice was quiet now.
> "They want to take me to Amaravati. The capital. For training."
He nodded.
> "You should go."
> "And what about you?"
> "I'll grow in the shadows."
She reached out, took his hand.
> "Don't disappear.
The world might forget you…
But I won't."
> "Promise?"
> "Promise."
---
🔮 Far Away…
In the heart of the Duskwood, beneath blackened boughs, a figure in tattered robes watched a glowing orb.
Twin lights shimmered within:
One, brilliant gold.
The other, silver stillness.
The figure smiled.
> "The Divine… and the Void."
"Harmony and Silence."
"The balance returns."