Whispers flew around the dark arena. A palpable tension weighed upon each and every individual seated among the crowded bleachers. All eyes focused on the single source of light within the theater.
Center stage held a golden chalice, within the masterfully crafted bowl sat a single light. The flame danced, a furious white flame casting shadows across the entirety of the stadium.
Suddenly a voice boomed, shaking the seats of everybody in attendance with the reverberating echo of its grand entrance. Beams of light cascaded upon the stage, igniting a single figure.
The man stood, arms spread wide, displaying a wingspan of mountainous muscles, each one brimming with strength and vitality underneath his plain white toga.
"Welcome to the Sun Blessing Ceremony of Carazon." The voice echoed with a resounding grandeur.
The man turned, gesturing both hands towards the luminescent chalice burning behind him.
'Today we bask in the glory of the blessed flames. Those who have the bravery may challenge the rite of fire. Deeming them holy enough to don the mantle of a sun blessed.'
The speech sang through the stands, finding home within the hearts of many aspirant young adults. Anxiety turned to inspiration within the crowd. Whispers quickly igniting as they transformed into declarations of grand dreams.
'Now before we move forward to the rite of fire, I shall present the ceremonial speech. The rite of fire will grant the blessings of Solara.
By bathing in the holy flames of Solara you will be reborn. Those who pass the rite shall be granted a blessing by the goddess herself. Those who fail shall be left with a remnant of their bravery. A burn mark etching their courage into the tapestry of their own skin.'
The man cupped his hands in front of his daunting figure. His Auburn hair began to dance as if wind fell on the motionless coliseum. His face lit up within the darkness as golden flames danced within his calloused palms.
'The flames of humanity dance within the face of darkness, the lunar scourge plunged this world into an age of catastrophe. Humanity went from apex predator to prey. Helplessly watching as the lunar gates opened. Releasing abominations strong enough to deem the firepower of modern science inconsequential'
The palms of the Radiant warrior clapped shut, cinematically snuffing out the golden flames within them.
'Yet humanity survived, as the timeclock of extinction ran low. Solara came in and granted her first blessing. Birthing the first of the Radiants. The radiants began to reclaim humanities territory, holding back the lunar scourge as they grew in strength.'
Iron cables striated underneath the olive skin of the man as his body lurched forward. Beams of light cascaded upon the stage, igniting it's whole. Yet the center shone as if all other light dulled in its presence.
'The radiants began to combat the lunar abominations, holding back their unnatural strength with the radiants own supernatural powers. But it all comes at a cost. The human body is not meant to withhold the power granted by Solara. Seeing her subjects suffer, the great goddess Solara granted a trial system. The more powerful and devout the subject, the more stages they would climb.'
'As such the life of a Radiant is short lived. Each stage of Solaras trials that are completed. Results in a higher power output but shorter life expectancy. Yet the lunar scourge presses on.'
'Birthing abominations and catastrophes so vast that even the strongest of the Radiants remain powerless to stop it. For that reason humanity calls upon you to help carry it into the future.'
"My name is Rosciel and I stand before you here, as a stage three Radiant."
The crowd was left stunned, one of two reactions left plastered to the face of every on looker. Half holding their hearts in reverance of his sacrifice, the other half simply staring in awe. Aware of the incredible might bestowed upon the individual within their gaze.
Aware of the audiences captivation, Rosciel made one last gesture. Stepping back and redirecting the crowds attention from himself. To the burning chalice sitting within the center of the stage.
'Now who here is brave enough to step forward. Who here is strong enough to let themselves be bathed by the flames of Solara. Who is willing to don the mantle of being a Radiant.'
Rosciels powerful figure stepped aside from the limelight, leaving the sole focus of the entire stadium on the flaming chalice. Swathes of young adults began to swarm the stage.
Ready to take the rite of flames.
Meanwhile one such young adult sat unperturbed, his gaze cast upon a single person within the line.
The first person stepped forward, challenging the chalice, a proud young man. Fire burning behind his unrestrained and confident eyes. Rosciel stepped toward the man.
As his gaze found the eyes of the youth, the young man's seemingly insurmountable confidence shook. The proud young man stepped forward.
"Are you ready to take your rite?"
The young man nodded. Rosciel stepped forward, the lean muscles of his wrist grew taught as his hand clasped around the young man's wrist. Pulling his arm overtop the chalice of white flames.
The young man pulled hard against the iron grip of the Radiant. Agony plastered upon his face as smoke rose from the sizzling skin of his forearm.
As soon as Rosciel let his grip lighten the young man's entire body fell to the floor, his hand cusping over the seared forearm.
"Take pride in that burn, for it is as close to Solara as you shall step."
The words rolled off Rosciels lips. Branding a seal of disapproval on the proud young man.
The young man scurried off stage, yet the next victim stepped forward with no regard of the formers failure. The whole line seemingly hypnotized by ideas of grandeur.
The whole crowd watched, completely enticed by the spectacle. All except one, the young man stared at the next person in line.
On the stage stood a blonde beauty. The silky golden filaments of her blonde hair sat perfectly framing the delicate features of her face.
Rosciel took a step forward, pulling the frail girl alongside his hulking frame. Her arm stretched out over the blazing white heat. Despite the flames licking the soft pale skin of her forearm, the young lady never winced nor budged.
Her eyes lit brightly as the pure radiant heat caressed her skin. A smile lit across Rosciels face. He stepped forward, holding the arm of the frail girl in the air with triumph.
Stepping to center stage, his voiced echoed across the seats of the stadium.
"What's your name, young ember."
The girl looked up, her expression remained calm and steady betraying the scale of what just took place. Her voice was strong as she looked up at Rosciel, a silky smoothness behind her it.
"My name is Alice, Alice Veilhearth."
As she spoke her name Rosciels expression changed slightly. Despite his change in demeanor her eyes were elsewhere. Glancing over the thousands of young aspirants in search for one specific person.
Rosciel continued to speak, congratulating Alice in receiving a blessing from Solara, the goddess of the sun. But his words became a murmur to Alice.
Her eyes locked on a piercing gaze in the crowd. A young man sat, raven black hair swept back revealing brilliant blue eyes. A deep mix of emotions visible behind them.
Despite the melancholic sadness behind his eyes a smile sat across the young man's face. His lips parted silently mouthing four meaningful words.
The cacophony of noise seemed to hush as the girl read his lips. While not even a whisper left their embrace, his words echoed deep in her heart.
"Good job, my love."
A mix of sadness and pride stirred behind her eyes, time seemingly slowed as Rosciel escorted Alice off stage. The eyes of the young man following her every step.
The ceremony continued, hundreds of young adults took their turn being embraced by the divine flame.
Most left with nothing but tears and a deep burn on their arm. The few who touched the flames without burning, sat at the side of the stage.
Realization settling in their young minds as they come to terms with the blessing. The knowledge that their very lives have been set ablaze with potential.
The final aspirant crossed the stage, the white flames of divinity embracing the young man's arm with a tender heat. Marking him as an ember.
Rosciel led the ember to the side of the stage before telling the 7 new embers, to step to the front of the stage.
"Bring your hands together for all who braved the rite of fire and give a warm welcome to these 7 new embers. These are the hands that will guide the next generation."
The arena roared into cheers, as the ceremony came to a close. Of the 1273 young adults gathered for the Corazon cities Sun Blessed ceremony.
7 young adults have taken the first step in the progress of becoming a beacon for humanity.
A Radiant.