The Awakening Hall was vast and magnificent, built from marble and other rare materials. The high ceilings were engraved with runes which were shimmering with a faint golden light. The air itself was brimmed with power, it felt as if the hall itself was alive, watching and judging every youth who came for the awakening ceremony.
Today was the day that every children in the kingdom awaited- 'The Awakening Ceremony'.
In the city of Veylora which belonged to the county of Solhaven, hundreds of boys and girls can be seen. Some were dressed in expensive clothing implying their higher status and the others were dressed in plain and simple clothes as they are commoners.
Their eyes were filled with expectations as this day will decide everything that is to come, their future, thier strength and others.
At the center of the hall stood the awakening stone, a gaint monolith crystal shimmering with light. This stone would decide - wheather they would awaken with power or wheather they would be condemned to weakness.
Somewhere at the back of the line stood a weak and pale looking boy- Arin Valen.
His hands were slightly trembling, though it was not from excitement. He was terrified.
Around him, the other youths spoke boldly:
"My family bloodline is fire. I should atleast awaken a B-grade talent in fire element"
"My brother awakened the lightning element. Maybe I will inherit it too"
"I heard even a D-grade is enough to join the city guards. That's all I need."
Their voices were loud and confident. It was full of dreams.
All this time Arin remained silent. He had no great bloodline, he could hope to inherit. His father was a carpenter, his mother a small flower shop owner. They were kind and hardworking people- but in a society built on power, kindness meant little.
All his life, Arin had hoped that he, by some miracle would awaken a power that could lift him from being average.
His breath caught in his throat when he heard his name being called by the priest. His leg felt heavy as he made his way to the awakening stone.
The priest, an elderly man with sharp eyes, gave him a nod and said "Place your hand upon the stone."
Arin placed his hand at the crystal. A tremor ran through him, as though his very existence was laid naked in front of the stone.
The stone began to glow, for a moment his heart raced with anticipation and hope.
But then, the light faded out.
Silence.
The Awakening stone stood dull and lifeless in front of him.
"Zero affinity. Next."
The priest said flatly, already turning his eyes to the next in line.
Those words fell like hammer blows to Arin.
Still frozen, his mind refused to understand what he just heard. "Zero affinity?"
Whispers spread through the hall-
"He didn't awaken?"
"Pathetic."
"Another useless thrash."
Laughter echoed through the hall from some of the youths, who quickly hushed when they saw the priest giving them a sharp look.
Arin chest tightened. He pulled his hand away from the stone. His eyes flickered to where his parents stood. His mother's hands were trembling as she clutched his father's sleeve. His father's jaws were clenched, his eyes were looking down.
It's not that they were disappointed at their son. No, it was a feeling of helplessness and weakness that they were feeling. They were aware of what their son's dreams were and they felt weak because they can't do anything to make it come true. They felt weak at that moment.
The ceremony continued without any pause. One by one, others stepped forward. The stone blazed with different colours- red for fire, blue for water, gold for lightning. Each new awakening brought cheers, applause, pride.
Arin sat alone at the edge of the hall. His mind was blank, his chest fell hollow, as if his very soul has been taken out and discarded. The future he dreamt of- gone. The path of a warrior, of glory- denied
He had thought that even if he wasn't special, even if his affinity was weak, at least he would awaken something. At least he would be worth something.
But now…. He was nothing.
The laughter, the sneers, the pitying gazes of people- all of it blurred together until it was just noise. He stared at the floor, unable to lift his head. His limbs felt heavy, his body numb.
He felt powerless.
'Why me?' He wanted to scream. 'Why only me?' But no sound left his lips. The weight of his failure pressed down on him, crushing what little hope he had left.
As the ceremony came to an end, the hall erupted with celebration. Youths talked about their bright future with their families, nobles exchanged promises and alliances with those who had potential.
No one spared him a glance.
Arin rose from his seat.. his legs where shaky, this time out of emptiness. He walked to the back of the hall where his parents were.
His mother tried her best to smile, but her lips trembled and tears streaked down her cheeks. His father placed a hand on his shoulder, but said nothing. There were no words that could be said to soften this.
They left the awakening hall in silence.
Outside the hall, the city was alive with joy. Bells rang to celebrate the newly awakened. Merchants shouted, selling foods and drinks for the occasion. Children laughed, playing in the streets.
It was the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the youth.
Except Arin.
Arin walked through the streets, their joy a cruel remainder that he failed to awaken. He wanted to disappear, to sleep and never open his eyes again.
When he reached home, he went straight to his room. His mother called him softly, but he didn't respond. He just sat on his bed and stared at the wall.
He had failed, not just himself, but his parents. His future of achieving something and making his parents proud of him ended even before it began.
Hours passed this way, the day came to an end. But he didn't move, he just sat there, he felt empty.
And only the hollow truth remained: he was nothing.