Age: 12
February 12th, 1259
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The bells tolls for me, yet still, I must wait.
"Welcome, everyone, my family is glad to see everyone made it to my son's Awakening Ceremony. Today will be the start of his first real step in the world we will live in. He will gain his element, affinity rank, trait, build his mana channels, and awaken his core. Come down Kade, begin your awakening, no matter the result, remember—our love for you isn't defined by a crystal. What a heartfelt speech father. I'll make sure to live up to this family name and be the son you and mother know I'll become in the future. Slowly I stand up and begin my descent.
It's completely silent except for my steps on the hard dark wooden stairs. I walk past all the attendees and their families. Some have neutral expressions, some clearly don't want to be here but their name makes them, and the majority show interest in what I'll awaken.
In the last couple rows I see Garron, my physical trainer, Mrs. Rathyre my tutor, the Elowen family, and finally Cedric. My gaze meets his and he gives me a thumbs up and a confident smile that he always seems to have and I move on past him. In the last row right in front of the stage are my parents, my mother is obviously struggling to hold back her tears as I ascend past my childhood, my father gives me an encouraging nod and I finally am on the stage walking towards the crystal that will change my life. Every step echoes louder than the last. The weight of every eye in the room presses down on my shoulders.
The lights around the venue dim, save for the ones on the stage, and I'm completely in the spotlight. Slowly I arrive at the crystal and hesitatingly press it.
Instantly a searing pain washes over my body and what feels like a spike is being driven in my head.
Suddenly, everything becomes crystal—not to my eyes, but to something deeper. I feel space itself around me. The air trembles with shape and speed. Behind me, above me—within me—I see all. Then it slowly fades to black as the pain overcomes my senses and darkness claims me.
POV: Baron Orion Thalore
My son… my pride and joy is finally becoming a man today. Though I knew from what Garron told me of his training he already was, something about awakening day really establishes the feeling of becoming older.
As he walks down I give him an encouraging nod, he nods back though I can see the nervousness in his eyes but also resolve, he's determined to become the best no matter what he gets.
He hesitates for a second and then presses the crystal. Instantly he begins to twitch and seize, it's different when it's your own flesh and blood. Seeing them like this, in pain you also know so well hurts. But it must happen for them to awaken.
"Is that blood?" Miriel my wife sits next to me worried. But I take a closer look at the boy. She's right… he's bleeding from his nose, ears, and the worst is coming from his eyes.
"Valentine… that's not how awakenings usually happen." Something's wrong, what happened. The awakening screen flashes with information about his awakening and shocks fill the room as it's revealed.
Element: Space
Affinity rank: Mythic
Trait: Spatial Visionary; see everything in a ten meter sphere.
Of course…. That would explain everything.
"Valentine, his brain is being overloaded by his trait. But we can't try to help until his mana channels are done. Go and be next to him and as soon as his channels finish forming, start healing his brain. Heal it just enough to strain the tissue—then stop. Let the mind push its limits. Too much healing and the brain will never adapt. Not enough, and it will tear. He must walk the razor's edge between collapse and transformation. We must forcibly adapt his brain to the information his trait is providing him until it is suited to handling such power." He just needs to survive until his channels are done forming. If he can do that it will be fine. I hope.
POV: Cedric Elowen
Well, he definitely won't have to worry about being mediocre. Congratulations Kade, now let's just hope I can get close to that and continue by your side. For twelve years we've trained together. Now, he's racing into a world I can only hope to follow.
What's going on? I see the Thalore family discussing very seriously and looking worriedly towards Kades twitching form. I don't think I ever will get used to seeing that, especially when it's happening to my best friend. But I start to see why the Thalores are worried. Blood, all over his face from everywhere except his mouth, and it's especially flowing from his eyes, I see a flash of purple but ignore it.
I hope he's okay.
POV: Assorted Voices
"I'll be damned, I've never seen such a powerful awakening. The space element, mythic affinity, and even a powerful trait? This kid's going to go far."
"Ugh, I always hate to see the mana channel process but I think this one was worth coming to. He'll definitely be very powerful when he's older."
"I wonder if he'd be interested in Sunrest Academy…"
"What's going on? Why is there so much blood coming from his face?"
"This isn't supposed to happen… what's wrong with his awakening?"
"Somebody help him!"
"Is he going to die before even becoming a mage? So much potential… and it might already be slipping away."