The plaza roared with excitement.
Voices blended into a thunderous wave of cheers and laughter as banners floated high above the crowd, enchanted to wave without wind. Their glowing symbols shimmered in gold and silver. Music echoed from crystal instruments placed around the square, each note humming with magic that vibrated in Elara's bones. Thousands gathered beneath the rising Moon of Trials, its pale light spreading across the plaza like a sacred veil, pulsing slowly—steadily—like a living heartbeat.
Elara stood in the wide stone circle of chosen youths, her fingers clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms. Sweat dampened her skin despite the cool night air. She tried to breathe, but her chest felt tight, heavy, as if the Moon itself pressed down on her.
A boy beside her leaned closer, his glow flickering nervously around his shoulders. "What do you hope to get? Fire? Wind? Healing?"
Elara swallowed, her throat dry. "Anything."
He laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I want lightning. Imagine the respect. People will finally look at me like I matter."
Before she could reply, a deep voice echoed across the plaza.
The priest raised the Crystal Orb, its surface swirling with silver mist. "By the Moon's grace," he announced, "awaken!"
A hush fell over the crowd.
Then magic exploded into life.
A girl gasped as her body dissolved into glowing butterflies, her laughter echoing through the air as she reformed. A boy lifted towering stone pillars with ease, the ground trembling beneath his feet. Another summoned water that danced around him like silk ribbons, reflecting the Moonlight in shimmering waves.
Cheers erupted after each awakening. Parents cried. Friends embraced. Strangers shouted names and praises.
With every success, Elara's heart pounded harder. Her breath grew shallow. Her hands shook.
Then the priest turned to her.
"Step forward."
The world seemed to narrow to a single point.
Her legs felt heavy as iron, but she forced herself to move. The stone beneath her feet was cold. The Moonlight washed over her skin.
She stood alone beneath the glowing sky.
"Call to your core," the priest said gently. "Let your glow answer."
Elara closed her eyes.
"Please," she whispered inside her heart. "I don't want to be alone. I don't want to disappear."
Seconds stretched painfully long.
Nothing happened.
Silence swallowed the plaza.
Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.
"Is she broken?""No glow…""Impossible…"
Elara opened her eyes, panic flooding her chest. Her vision blurred.
"Wait," she cried desperately. "Please—just give me another second—"
Pain exploded through her body.
"Ah!" she screamed, collapsing to her knees.
Black-gold embers burst from her skin, swirling violently like living smoke. The air crackled. Heat surged outward.
People stumbled backward in terror.
"Monster!""Dark magic!""Ring the bells!"
The Moon flickered, its light stuttering like a dying flame.
Ancient warning bells thundered across the city, their sound heavy and full of dread.
Elara stared at her shaking hands, tears streaming down her face.
"What… what am I?"