The sacred hall of Ardentis Palace towered like a cathedral. Crystal chandeliers descended in tiers, scattering rivers of light across polished marble. Stained glass bled colors of crimson and gold onto velvet banners. And at the center, dominating the altar, stood the Crystal of Revelation—a prism thrice the height of a man, etched with runes that shimmered like constellations.
Incense curled faintly sweet through the air. Drums beat slow and steady, one pulse at a time, like the heartbeat of the ceremony itself.
Rows of nobles lined the chamber, crests gleaming on their cloaks—gold, silver, deep sapphire. Their heirs stood in rank, each gaze magnet-drawn to the altar where destiny would be unveiled.
Kai walked with his attendant into that sea of eyes. His new body held steady, his stride noble, yet his heart thudded so hard he could feel it in his throat.
Don't falter. Breathe first. he told himself.
The High Priest raised his tome, his voice deep and measured.
"At twenty years of age, every soul awakens its Spirit. Rank decides worth. Status decides destiny. Know well the hierarchy of this world."
He struck the floor with his staff. Runes flashed beneath his feet; silence fell sharp as a blade.
"Lesser Spirits," he began, "mere sparks—flame for cooking, drops of water, whispers of dust. Useful, but base."
"Warrior Spirits," his voice rose, "beasts of battle, hunters and blades, the arms of every army."
"Guardian Spirits," awe rippled through the crowd, "mythic beasts, sentient weapons, wardens of cities."
"Sacred Spirits," the priest's eyes gleamed, "rare, legendary, blessings of noble bloodlines."
"Imperial Spirits," his voice thundered, "commanders of nations, emperors of war. The pinnacle of mortal power."
Then his tone dropped, grave as stone.
"And lastly… Forbidden Spirits. They must not exist. Should one awaken, the world itself will rise to hunt the bearer. For they do not protect—they destroy."
The word Forbidden seemed to cool the hall by half a breath. Nobles shifted. Heirs glanced sideways, as though afraid of shadows.
Kai's chest tightened. He could almost swear the priest had spoken to him directly.
The Heirs' Awakening
The first heir stepped forward. A scion of the Iron Line pressed his palm to the crystal. Silver light surged, shaping into a broad iron shield, engraved with veins of living metal.
"Warrior Spirit," the priest proclaimed. Approval rippled through the nobles.
Then came Lyla Ardentis. Her stride was steady, her gaze as bright as the stained glass. She touched the crystal—light burst outward, forming a spear of radiant energy so brilliant it forced heads to turn away. Its tip left trails of star-fire in the air.
"Guardian Spirit of Light!" the priest declared. Cheers shook the chamber.
Next, Serina Valemont. Silent as a drawn blade, she set her hand to the crystal. Emerald light bled forth, swirling into the body of a venomous water serpent. It coiled, hissed, and a veil of chill moisture spread across the altar floor.
"A Guardian Spirit," the priest announced, voice thick with admiration. Murmurs of reverence followed.
With every revelation of strength, Kai's chest sank lower. His palms itched with sweat. His thoughts circled bitter and sharp.
Everyone shines. Just leave me something I can stand on. Anything but shame. I don't need glory. Just don't drag me into the mud again.
Kai's Turn
"Prince Kai, step forward."
The words struck like a hammer.
Kai's legs felt heavy, yet he walked to the altar. Hundreds of eyes speared into him—curious, skeptical, mocking already.
He laid his palm upon the cold crystal. It burned through his skin like frost. Light surged—then bent into a small figure.
A tiny girl. Translucent wings. Hair like drifting mist. She giggled as if playing with the breeze.
A Wind Sylph.
A Warrior Spirit—frail, playful, harmless.
Silence. One heartbeat.
Then laughter shattered it.
"A wind sprite?"
"Pathetic!"
"Royal blood, reduced to this?"
The words cut deeper than knives. Kai's breath caught in his chest. Not again. Not this. His fist clenched until nails bit flesh.
No matter the world, I'm the joke. No more. Never again.
The Sylph floated to his side, cheeks puffed red with anger. Her voice chimed in his skull, soft but fierce:
"Don't laugh! I'm not worthless!"
Kai's eyes widened slightly. She spoke to him. To him alone.
The Sudden Storm
The crowd's laughter swelled—but the Sylph snapped her wings.
Whoosh—
A whirlwind tore through the hall.
Flames vanished from a hundred candles. Velvet curtains slammed against the walls with thunderous cracks. The mighty Crystal of Revelation trembled on its pedestal—light flickering, a fracture racing briefly across one rune before sealing itself again.
Gasps broke across the chamber. Nobles staggered back. For a breath, the entire hall was swallowed by darkness.
The High Priest's chant stuttered. His eyes narrowed at the crystal, suspicion flickering across his face before he forced calm back into his voice.
"…That resonance—" he muttered under his breath, cutting himself short.
Then, as swiftly as it came, the storm dissipated.
The Sylph hovered once more, cheeks puffed like a sulking child.
Laughter returned, sharper, crueler.
"Candles blown out? How impressive."
"A kitchen fan could do as much!"
Kai's Vow
Kai raised his head. His eyes cut through the haze of mockery, sharp and unwavering. His voice carried, low but iron-bound:
"I've been laughed at all my life. But this time… I'll make sure you never laugh again."
The words rang across the silent altar.
Lyla's gaze narrowed, unease flickering across her face. Serina's eyes dropped to the stone beneath the crystal—had she seen a shadow slip through the seams?
The High Priest's hands tightened on his tome. That surge was no mere wind.
And beneath the altar, unseen, a vast darkness stirred—like a beast taking its first breath in a thousand years.
The world did not yet know—Kai's "worthless" awakening had just shaken its foundations.