7 Awakening (I)

The mood was very festive across the Nightray empire.

Shops were lined with their best product's, and food stalls and restaurants were prepared to serve up their best dishes for the awakening ceremony.

The day of Awakening wasn't just any average day, it was one which was celebrated by both nobles and commoners alike.

This was a day that signified the beginning of a child's journey onto the difficult road of cultivation. Your talent and hard work determined your path on this road and for some, this day was bound to be nothing but a scar etched in their memory.

For the gifted however, it meant the beginning of a meteoric rise. So, of-course it was no surprise That In the capital's center district, at the public awakening altar's location the surrounding area was filled to the brim with not only spectators but many children who finally qualified to undergo the ceremony.

The Nightray clan always had an elder oversee the public awakening just encase any surprise talents were to be found they could offer them the chance to join the Nightray royal clan as an external member.

The Nightray clan however couldn't allow there own members to do their awakening ceremony in the public because if assassins caught wind it would be nothing more than a disaster for those who actually had overwhelming talent for cultivation.

So, all empires had a private awakening alter meant specifically for their family alone that wasn't opened to the public in order to protect their members.

In the Nightray Royal Palace the location for their awakening alter was underground in the very heart of the palace.

This location would discourage nearly all assassins simply because even if they succeeded, the chances of them making it out alive would be very slim.

Outside of the palace gates, A queue was held for each king and lord under the rule of the Nightray empire. The people waiting were the many kings and other subjects that were under the rule of the Nightray empire. Normally for the awakening there was no need for them to show up, but since it was also the 2nd prince's birthday they had no choice.

The kings and Lords as well as a few of their family members dared not show dissatisfaction for the wait, as the empire had to root out all possible assassins that may try something. even though the chance was small, on a day like this nothing could be ruled out.

One by one the people waiting went past the gates and were led by servants to the underground awakening altar where they were seated according to their status. The emperor wasn't there to welcome them It was beneath his status to wait for each of his subjects to file into the awakening chamber. So neither him or his family arrived just yet their seat's at the main table were empty.

After a while each of the guest filled the chamber with many tables set aside for them, and a large main table in the middle of the room for only the most important members of the empire.

Even the lords weren't allowed to sit at the main table only kings and their direct family members.

After all of the guest sat only a few seats remained at the main table and that was the moment Regis, his wife and only son entered, greeting the many kings before taking their own place.

It was at this moment a shocking roar came from the sky in the distance. The citizens of the capital were shocked at the sight that greeted them in the clouds. It was a giant white lion with a red mane cloaked in flames, and wings as black as night.

"It's a Dark-winged fire-lion! only the Brightflame empire has them." The people below were in awe of this majestic and powerful demonic beast.

"Only the Brightflame emperor would dare to fly above Edelon like this it must be him. He has to be here to attend the princes birthday and awakening.

Almost as if the Lion was reveling in their awe it roared once more and with it flames erupted from its mouth causing the air to quake around it as it flew

After giving this arrogant display the lion shot down to the ground in front of the palace. Jumping off the Lion was 3 People with an extraordinary air of nobility.

One was a slight middle-aged man with black hair and smoldering red eyes. He had a Red Crown on his head the color of a burning flame, with even darker red jewels embedded within. He was dressed in a black robe with a picture of a red lion going from his shoulder to the end of his sleeve.

The other two people beside this man were youths one male and the other female. The male youth was dressed in a similar fashion to the man beside him the only difference was his hair was very long and red in color he gave off a flaming aura and his expression was arrogant as if he didn't think very highly of anything.

The girl beside them was a great beauty with dark red hair and translucent skin standing there she gave off a feeling of grace and ease. Her red eyes held curiosity as she gazed at the palace in front of her.

Klein, are you going to invite me inside? The Brightflame emperor asked with a light smile and even though he didn't yell, his voice radiated throughout the palace.

It was silent for a moment but after a while the Nightray emperor himself appeared along with his wife and children Riel was the only one absent from this line up.

"Relax old friend you seem quite impatient its unlike you. The Nightray emperor laughed and said.

"I'm surprised you aren't, it's your 2nd son's awakening day after all. speaking of which were is he?" The emperor said.

Oh don't worry he's preparing he'll be there when the time comes. Never mind him, come inside we'll start the ceremony in a moment lets head down now.

After saying this the Emperor lead them down to the chamber. Once they were inside everyone that was sitting previously got up and bowed toward the two emperors.

"Alright, today is an important one for all of you children this day will decide your future. Master Edic will be conducting the ceremony follow his directions and you will be fine, don't be nervous. Now every child that is 8 years old line up at the alter."

After their emperor spoke the children dared not hesitate and instantly lined up at the alter. "Go ahead Dorian don't disappoint me boy." Said Regis very strictly. The boy nodded and headed up the toward the alter along with the other children.

Regis looked at the children ahead and noticed that there wasn't a single blind one among them he looked toward his brother with a mocking expression but quickly hid it.

"Brother where is your son he doesn't seem to be with the other children as a prince he shouldn't be this late maybe you should go send someone for him it would be troublesome if he were to get lost."

No one else commented on what Regis had said but after noticing it to be true everyone was a bit annoyed, even the Brightflame emperor's expression changed a bit.

"My son doesn't need your worry, he will be here soon." The emperor said with a relaxed tone. He was already used to Riel's behavior he really didn't like crowds so he expected him to be late.

After a minute or two light footsteps finally entered the chamber and Riel finally appeared before everyone. Not saying anything he walked calmly toward the alter were the rest of the children were and stood in silence not even bothering to greet his parents or siblings.

People were dazed when they looked at the prince not many had seen him since he was born as he only left the palace a few times before and that was when he was much younger looking at him now, they felt like they were gazing at an angel his looks were far to stunning and unique.

Emperor Nightray chuckled at the reaction his youngest son brought he always knew how to make an entrance. "Master Edic that's everyone the ceremony can begin."

"That's interesting Klein how did your son know were to go?" Emperor Brightflame said with a raised brow slightly interested in the boys demeanor and calmness. Hearing this those that hadn't noticed it before were shocked and even Brightflame's own children were surprised at once their father asked this question.

"He's practiced since a young age that's all, his senses are incredibly high." The empress answered with a proud gaze toward her youngest son.

The emperor Nodded agreeing with his wife and said nothing more as he looked toward master Edic to explain the ceremony.

"Now children i'm sure your parents have explained to you lightly about the awakening but even so now that it is finally time ill say it once more so you are fully prepared. The awakening has two parts, one is the affinity test which determines your talent in the elements this is almost directly linked with how far you will be able to travel on the road of cultivation. If your elemental affinity is low it will be very hard for you to climb to the higher ranks in qi cultivation."

"The affinity you have for elements will be ranked with red, orange, green, blue, black, and gold which is the highest with red being the lowest.

"The second part is the Spirit test. During this I will attempt to see inside your soul and stimulate the spirit inside of it. Your spirit could be anything a beast, a plant, even things like rain or clouds. Usually the talent your spirit has is directly linked to your elemental affinity but in some cases your spirit's talent could be weaker or stronger. The Spirit you awaken will be used in your future battles and grow alongside you as you continue cultivation."

"What abilities your spirit will have is only something you would know and using it will come natural to you."

Hearing this part the children were incredibly excited and chatter started festering among them as there parents had never told them about this part.

"Don't be to excited at this prospect not everyone awakens a spirit, in fact it is a rare trait that's why your parents probably haven't explained it to you. This time there are 20 of you doing this ceremony out of all of you maybe only 2 or 3 of you will actually awaken a spirit."

The excited children instantly felt as though cold water had been poured on them and they immediately calmed down.

"Don't despair however, not having a spirit doesn't necessarily mean you will lose to those with them or that they will enter a higher plane than you in the future. not all spirits are great in fact some of them can be quite useless. That's why this is a secondary test and your parents didn't explain. However if your spirit is strong you will have a large advantage over your opponents."

"The talent ranking for spirits are much more simple than elemental affinity the ranking is earth, sky, heaven, and lastly the legendary god ranked spirit."

"This is everything the Awakening ceremony will include hopefully you all do well and remember even if your talent is high without training hard enough everything is useless, With that out of the way line up properly and lets begin!"