1 Awakening

A line of children extended out from a church like building, the children looked increasingly poor as it went down the line. The first few children at the doors wore plain clothes that looked clean, the last few could almost be said to wear cut potato sacks as shirts and pants. Despite this the faces they all wore held anticipation, fear and excitement.

The sun continued to rise and the line only got longer and longer. However the clothes the children in line wore stayed the same, the only difference was that the children in the front now wore noble clothing.

The line continued to get shorter as time passed, by evening there were only a few children in line. While they were inside the building a black carriage came to a stop outside, the carriage had the symbol of a lion's head with ruby eyes.

Inside the building there were still three kids in line, the door opened and all heads turned. A kid with a head of black hair and eyes as red as blood walked in. Every head turned and gazes landed on the kid. The three in line stepped aside, indicating for him to go first. Two of the kid's bodies shivered, surely the noble kids before had done something to stand in front. This did not escape the black-haired kid's attention.

"It's fine, I can wait."

The three quickly stepped back into line as they waited to be called. Soon the last kid dressed in cut potato sacks was called. Walking up to the device, an aging old man stood next to an orb gestured to the kid to go closer.

"Name, age."

"..."

"Name. Age." The old man repeated.

"Orizo."

"Age." The old man stated with an annoyance in his tone.

"I think 10."

The old man looked at the Orizo in silence. A heavy sigh escaped the old man's mouth before he grabbed Orizo's hand. Orizo didn't fight back, a moment later the old man let go of his hand.

"Yes, you are 10 remember that next time. Now put your hand on the crystal."

The old man took a step but before he could go behind Orizo the crystal lit up. The old man started for a second then looked at the crystal, it lit a black light. Soon the dark light escaped the crystal orb, the old man could feel the energy in the air rush towards the orb, faster than he had ever seen.

"You can stop now."

Orizo quickly pulled his hand away from the crystal. A look of anticipation on his face. The old man's mouth gaped a little, before he could form a word the black-haired kid introduced himself.

"Wait. Orizo I am Aaron Ruby. Son of the Ruby Duke, Blood of the North. I invite you to my mansion after this."

Orizo's eyes could be described as full moons at this point. The old man closed his mouth and gestured for Orizo to stand to the side. Orizo walked down the podium and waited to the side still a little dazed.

Aaron went up to the podium at the same time and waited for the old man to change it. Resting his hands on the new crystal Aaron pushed his internal energy into the crystal, a dark red light shone and slowly became brighter. Soon the red intensified to a blood red and the light spilled out of the crystal, exactly the same as Orizo's black light.

Orizo stared in shock, due to Orizo's humble beginnings his mental state had matured quickly and was able to comprehend matters better. Orizo knew the common things, the kingdom he resided in was called the Gemstone Empire, it was held up by seven noble families named after various gems. The royal family was represented by the diamond, the hardest mortal gem, the other seven were amethyst, topaz, aquamarine, emerald, amber and ruby.

Each gem family specialized in something different, from what Orizo heard off the streets the amethyst family excelled in magic, the topaz family were merchants, the aquamarine family held the navy military while the emerald family guarded the eternal forest and the amber family guarded the blazing desert.

Orizo lived in the north, where the ruby family ruled so he knew them a little more. The ruby family guarded the snowy peaks of the north, the family was tasked to defend the empire from the monstrosities that lived within the mountains. The family held a special ability to better defend the empire, the descendants of the family who had black hair and blood red eyes inherited the Blood of the Battlefield physique.

Orizo only knew that the physique was powerful, enough for the ruby family to keep their position in the north for the many years they had been stationed here. Stories told to children would say that before the ruby family came the monsters attacked by the day, of course Orizo didn't believe that.

However he understood that not once had the monsters gotten past the ruby family, the city he lived in was safe from the monsters. Lost in trying to remember information about the ruby family Orizo suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder and broke his concentration.

Aaron stood ahead of him with a concerned look in his eye.

"Are you fine?"

"Yes your highness." The hand on Orizo's shoulder tightened.

"Don't call me that, call me Aaron."

"No, I can't possibly..." Orizo looked down trying to avoid Aaron's gaze, realizing that Orizo still didn't feel comfortable calling his name Aaron released his shoulder and walked away.

When Aaron reached the door he found Orizo not following, still standing at the same spot staring holes into his feet.

"Orizo, are you not coming?"

Orizo looked up, his face revealing his feelings of confusion.

"I did invite you to my home didn't I?"

Orizo quickly nodded and did a small run to Aaron. Opening the doors Aaron led Orizo to the carriage and invited Orizo in, together heading towards the ruby family mansion.