The Awakening ceremony Part 3

Lucas, Emily, Evan, and Lily sat together on the third row of seats in the vast ceremonial hall, the grand marble pillars and dimly lit chandeliers adding a touch of mystique to the awakening ceremony that was about to begin. As they waited, the tension among the young initiates filled the air, though Lucas felt an unusual calmness. For him, this wasn't just an ordinary ceremony; it was a moment he'd been anticipating with both excitement and trepidation. But for now, he was content to listen to the lively chatter among his friends and sister.

The four of them spoke in hushed tones, though their excitement seeped through every word.

"I hope I awaken the fire and shadow elements," Lily murmured, her eyes gleaming. She clenched her fists as if already feeling the warmth of flames coursing through her veins. "With fire, I can be powerful in combat, and with shadow… well, I'll always have a place to hide or surprise my enemies."

Evan, the most animated of the group, was practically bouncing in his seat. "Lightning and shadow for me!" he announced, his voice carrying just a bit louder than he intended, earning a few curious glances from the other initiates. "I want to be fast, powerful, and untouchable. Like a storm that no one can see coming."

Emily, ever the thoughtful one, looked down, a slight smile playing on her lips as she spoke. "I want to awaken the nature element... and maybe shadow too," she said softly, glancing at her twin brother. "With nature, I could heal Evan if he gets hurt, and with shadow… I'd have the power to protect him from the sidelines."

At her response, both Evan and Lily burst into laughter. "Bro-con!" they teased, nudging her playfully. Emily's face turned crimson, her hands coming up instinctively to cover her flushed cheeks. She stole a glance at Lucas, only to find him watching her with a warm, knowing smile.

Caught off-guard by the way Lucas's gaze lingered, she stammered, "W-what's wrong with caring about my twin brother? Twins… twins are like two halves of a whole! Isn't it only natural to want to protect him?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized what she'd said, and her face grew even redder. She let out a soft groan, her embarrassment deepening as she buried her face in her hands. Lucas chuckled softly, which only made her more flustered.

All three of her friends couldn't hold back their laughter, and Emily eventually joined in, her embarrassment giving way to the warmth of shared joy. The sound of their laughter rang through the ceremonial hall, briefly lifting the air of solemnity as other initiates cast curious glances their way.

In this moment, Lucas felt a profound sense of connection. His gaze swept over his friends, his twin sister, and their smiles — pure, unburdened, untouched by the shadows of the past or the worries of the future. They were young, full of life, and blissfully unaware of the challenges they would face. He wanted to preserve this moment, to remember this bond, for he knew better than anyone how the cruel twist of fate could change everything.

But then his thoughts drifted, settling on Emily. She was his twin, kind-hearted and cheerful, yet when he considered the character of the cold, unconquerable heroine from the novel, he couldn't help but wonder. "How," he thought, "could someone as caring as Emily become the icy, unapproachable heroine that equal to Ronan in strength and spirit?"

As Lucas observed Emily, his mind spun with curiosity. Does she really have… bro-con tendencies? he mused, casting a sidelong glance at her as she laughed with Evan and Lily. The thought made him both amused and puzzled. This vibrant, fiercely loyal sister — could her love and protectiveness toward her brother be the seeds of the future, where she would become the cold, unconquerable heroine?

Another thought struck him, one that felt like the missing piece of a puzzle. Did I exist in the original world of the novel, but something happened to me, pushing Emily down that path? He dismissed it quickly, but he was only inches away from an unsettling truth that lingered, just out of reach.

As the awakening ceremony approached and the murmurs around them quieted, Lucas's thoughts lingered on Emily's potential path. For now, though, he brushed them aside. She's still my sister, he thought, warm and alive, and I'm here to protect her from any pain that could push her to a dark path. Sharing a glance with her, Evan, and Lily, he felt a silent promise between them — no matter what happened, they would face it together in this life.

Just then, the hall doors opened, and the room stilled as Lucas's father entered, flanked by the ten elders. Their presence was commanding, each of them an imposing figure, and all either -SSS or +SSS rank, radiating an aura of power that filled the space. Lucas's father, the patriarch, led them to the center, his gaze strong yet calm, ready to oversee the ceremony.

As they took their positions, the lights dimmed, casting the hall in a reverent shadow. An air of solemnity filled the room, and every initiate fell silent, their hearts pounding as they awaited the moment they had all prepared for. The ceremony was about to begin.

Author's Note:

Hello, author here!

I know this chapter is a little shorter than usual, but I spent a good part of today preparing the arcs for the story. Yes, there will be four to five major arcs to look forward to!

The first arc will focus on introductions — it's about showing Lucas's early struggles, his bonds with family and friends, and setting up the background for the entire novel. It'll be around only 25 to 30 chapters, and I promise there's plenty to come in these early stages.

But the main story — the real heart of it — begins in the second arc. Thank you for sticking with it so far! Keep reading because the best is yet to come.

Feel free to give suggestions, as I truly need them to keep improving. Happy reading, and I look forward to seeing your thoughts!