Fate

After another year of waiting the entire clan came together in hopes that this year one of them would be chosen. Elders and the youngsters older then six, men and women, believers and skeptics alike all gathered in this hidden hall disguised on the outside as a rather uninteresting warehouse. It was the the strange alter in the center of the room that the clan turned their sight towards as the sun set and the moon began to rise.

It was a round alter made of clouded grey and black marble. Its surface was flat but polished until it shown with dedication and care. the feet of the stone alter held carvings of weapons and warrior scratched into the stone with meticulous care. the lights in the warehouse were dim an unlike most of the warehouses around the flood here wasn't cold cement or dirt, but dark wood flooring. It was large and fit the nearly 200 core members of the clan. A few were missing as being to old and weak to travel or simply being held up and unavoidably detained. Distant relatives and branch families were only allowed one representative to attend and most were young men in their 20's hoping to prove that their blood was enough to be chosen to help their family rise.

Elder Allen stood closest to the alter waiting and watching. No matter that this was his 56th year to witness this auspicious night he could never forget the magical wonder of it all as if he was a child again. This the night when on that very alter as the moonlight touched the stone the weapon of his ancestors would appear. The sword would glow in a blue ghost light that danced across the deadly sharp blade as if alive. One by one the clan would approach the sword and wait a few seconds if the blue light jumped forward to touch a person then they would be allowed to pick up the sword. And only they would be able to call forth the weapons powers. That person would rise in the family and reap all the riches that came with being chosen. Elder Allen watched as the moonbeams touched the grey slab and a blue mist gathered on the surface. The mist grew deeper and became more concentrated shifting until it formed the shape of a sword in the now steady rays of moonlight. The sword that appeared from mist and moonlight had once again appeared before their clan.

Gasps of awe and surprise swept through the hall. Those who had been non believers looked with widened eyes in surprise at the proof of the swords magic before them. It was almost as though a wave of childlike wonder had crossed their faces and the Elder felt pleased. As the sword became more solid its shining steel surface only dancing with the ghost of blue flames did he approach. As was tradition he stopped a few feet from the sword to reach out his hand. There was a hush and for five seconds the clan watched the blue flame to see if it would claim its master. Though he hadn't expected the Sword to choose him at this age he felt a slight disappointment and moved aside waving his hand at the next in line to try. And so the night wore on as the elders tried their lots first. Afterwards everyone watched the young men and woman who walked forward with determined gazes and shoulders drawn back with confidence. Most of the youths had been training for years in hopes that with their efforts they would one day be worthy of wielding the clan sword. One by one they left disappointed to watch their fellow clansmen step forward potentially stealing away what they thought was their fate. But fate had yet to reveal herself this night. It was starting to appear that another year would pass without the sword choosing a Master. Elder Allen sighed it had been many years since someone had wielded the clan sword and even then the man had only lived a short three years. However those had been prosperous times for the clan and even the youth had settled into their training lightheartedly and with extra vigor. Now it was harder to keep the youths dedicated to their traditions and life styles. More and more wanted to escape the strict teachings of the clan and to explore the outside world. He feared if they did not find someone to lead them and bring them hope in the next few years then it would become even more difficult to keep the clans youth from straying. Elder Allen closed his eyes and sent a silent prayer to their ancestors for their guidance as he often had ever since he had been recommended as leading Elder for the clan.

The Elders were searching the remaining candidates as they quietly spoke in hushed tones making their own predictions and weighing the skills of the youths that remained. Among those left to approach were two candidates that all the Elders felt good about. First was a youth of twenty two named Dorian. He was the great grandson of Elder Sampson who had lead the clan before Allen had taken over ten years ago due to Sampson's fading health. Dorian was tall at 6'2" with dark brown hair and piercing brown eyes that were prominent features among the clan. He had broad shoulders and was well muscled he had a confident charm that drew those around him towards him. And while he was slightly arrogant he had proven that he was studious and kept to traditions. If he were too be chosen it would not take much in order for him to lead the youths of the clan and even gain respect from the Elders.

The second candidate was from a branch family Alexander was only 19 but he took to the family training with an ease that had shocked the trainers. He was young and cheerful and had a friendly aura that seemed to help others relax around him. Unlike Dorian whose family was still tightly held by clad traditions as a branch family member Alexander had struggled for chances to gain approval from the core clan. He had light brown hair and eyes and was built with a slimmer frame then Dorian. He was 5' 11" with long arms and legs that almost seemed to be too long for his shorter torso. However he was all muscle and his training focused on his speed and agility in a fight. Were he to be chosen then his whole branch family would gain new power and wealth. However as a branch family member he would have to wait for the core members all to approach first. Elder Allen was not sure about him as his a leader since the branch families did not always follow the traditional beliefs as the core clan.

When Dorian approached there was a sharp intake of breath through the hall as everyone watched. His cold dark eyes stared at the sword as he reached out his large scared hand. He spread it wide as if he could summon the fire to himself. But after what was more then five seconds nothing had changed and he lowered his hand his lips drawn tight in disappointment. Many of the elders let out small disappointed sighs as well. They could only sit back and watch now that over half those gathered had faced rejection. Would this be yet another year of disappointment?

Everyone in good health remained standing and even some elders who should stubbornly stood out of respect or pride or sheer stubbornness. Another hour passed and it turned out that none of the core members had been chosen. So it was now time for the dozen of branch representatives to approach. Instead of going first Alexander waved the others before him in a carefree friendly manor. The young men laughed at their friend who seemed so aloof even at such an important event. However they knew how hard he trained and how he had been hoping to be the chosen one. However he was someone who didn't like to show his serious side and instead let those around him only see the playful side of him. When the other branch representatives had failed Alexander only nodded to his fellows resting his hand on one of the rejected candidates shoulders in a friendly brotherly way. Elder Allen caught the brotherly bonding an thought that a man who had the ability to draw a good relationship among the rather wilder branch families might not be such a bad choice.

Alexander stepped forward the last to stand before the stone for judgement. His face and body remained calm and relaxed while his eyes stared at the sword with a piercing gaze. He had worked for years towards this. To gain his family more wealth and influence and to show the elders just how much worth those members of the branch families actually held. He would teach them what a true family meant. His hear beat as he got close to the Sword it was only his second time to be here a feat in itself to be chosen to represent the branch family twice in his short life time. Everyone watched as the blue mist seemed to shift and move. It danced across the sword surface and held everyone captive.

The silence that had rushed across the hall was shattered however with the sound of the something crashing through the side wall. Alexander and everyone else turned their gaze towards the brightly colored race car that had crashed through the side wall of the building.