The elder adjusted the parchment in his hands, the faintest tremor betraying his anticipation. His voice rang out, clear and resonant across the courtyard. "Elena Valcrest!"
A ripple of attention swept through the crowd as Elena stepped forward, auburn hair tumbling in loose waves, hazel eyes sharp and searching. She moved with a confidence that belied the tension in her clenched fists. Rachel watched her friend's every step, noting the subtle poise. She's holding herself well, Rachel thought. Better than most here.
From the crowd, whispers rose like wind through grass.
"Valcrest family, hmm? Minor nobles, aren't they?"
"I heard Elena is talented. Let's see if that's true."
Elena's parents—modest, dignified—stood off to the side, hope and pride mingling in their expressions. The elder gestured for her to approach. "Step forward, young lady. Let destiny reveal itself to you."
Elena placed her hand on the awakening crystal. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a soft cerulean light emerged, swirling with faint arcs of electricity. The air itself seemed to sharpen.
"Wind and Lightning elements!" the elder declared, approval in his tone.
A murmur of awe swept the audience.
"Dual elements? That's rare!"
"She's certainly not ordinary."
"The Valcrest family just rose a rung."
Elena's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. But before the crowd could fully absorb her awakening, the Veil Interface shimmered into view, drawing gasps. Elena hesitated, then adjusted the settings, letting her results be seen by all.
Veil Interface
{General Information}
[Name]: Elena Valcrest
[Age]: 16
[Realm]: Novice Realm
{Talents}
[Wind]
[Lightning]
The murmurs grew into a low roar.
"Her potential is listed as high! Incredible."
"The Valcrest family is going to gain so much attention."
Elena stood tall, composed as admiration and envy swirled around her. Her parents exchanged glances—relief and pride etched deep. Rachel's gaze lingered on the dual elements. She could be formidable, Rachel thought. If she hones it properly. She knows her worth already. That's rare.
The elder nodded. "Well done, young lady. You may return to your place."
Elena descended the steps, her stride steady. As she passed Rachel, their eyes met—no rivalry, just a shared understanding of what this day meant.
Speculation rippled through the crowd. "Two awakenings and already impressive results. Who's next?"
"I wonder if someone will awaken something truly extraordinary today."
Rachel's thoughts drifted again to the Veil Interface—always revealing, always mysterious. Even my father said it was tied to powers no one dares challenge.
The elder's voice rang out, now tinged with anticipation. "Next… Yvonne and Claire Thunderstrike!"
At the mention of the Thunderstrike twins, the crowd's energy shifted. All eyes turned as the sisters stepped forward, their movements perfectly in sync—a lifetime of discipline in every gesture.
Yvonne led, her silver hair gleaming, blue eyes cool and calm. Claire followed, her long dark hair a shadowy cascade, golden eyes burning with hidden fire. The contrast between them was striking: Yvonne, the moonlit storm; Claire, the thunder's fury.
"The Thunderstrike twins," someone whispered, reverent.
"Prodigies of the Thunderblood lineage."
"Their family's been preparing for this for decades. This could change everything."
Rachel watched with narrowed eyes. The Thunderstrike family—a military lineage whose name was spoken with respect even by the nobility. Their power was legendary, their burden immense.
The elder beckoned. "Yvonne. Claire. The moment of truth for the Thunderblood lineage is here. Place your hands on the awakening crystal and let destiny unveil itself."
The twins stepped onto the platform, unhurried but purposeful. They exchanged a glance—silent, unbreakable understanding between them. Together, they placed their hands on the crystal.
A hush fell. The crystal pulsed, its glow intensifying, then exploded in a storm of blue and golden lightning. Energy crackled, swirling around the twins, the air thick with power. The tempest was so fierce that even seasoned warriors in the crowd flinched.
"Thunder… Thunderblood Awakening!" the elder exclaimed, awe in his voice.
The crowd erupted.
"This is it! The Thunderblood lineage, fully realised!"
"They both inherited the power!"
"The gods themselves must have blessed them!"
As the storm stabilised, the Veil Interface materialised before the twins, its panels shimmering with the same electric energy. The crowd fell silent, straining to see.
Yvonne and Claire adjusted their settings, letting the world see what destiny had bestowed.
Veil Interface
{General Information}
[Name]: Yvonne Thunderstrike
[Age]: 16
[Realm]: Novice Realm
{Talents}
[Thunder]
{Special Powers}
Thunderblood Heritage:
The purest form of thunder-elemental power, gifted by Zerathis, God of Storms.
Blessing Note: "To the heirs of my storm, wield this power with strength and wisdom. Let no foe stand before your thunderous might."
Veil Interface
{General Information}
[Name]: Claire Thunderstrike
[Age]: 16
[Realm]: Novice Realm
{Talents}
[Thunder]
{Special Powers}
Thunderblood Heritage:
The divine manifestation of a storm's wrath, granted by Zerathis, God of Storms.
Blessing Note: "With the fury of my storms, I bestow upon you dominion over chaos. Let the thunder guide your path."
Gasps filled the air.
"Zerathis himself?!"
"This confirms it—the Thunderstrike family is chosen by the divine."
"To awaken Thunderblood Heritage… their potential is limitless."
Rachel watched, unreadable. The God of Storms himself… Divine favour ensures their power, but it also paints a target on their backs.
The elder's voice was solemn. "Yvonne. Claire. You are the living embodiment of your family's legacy and the will of Zerathis. The Thunderblood Heritage is not merely a gift; it is a responsibility. Wield it wisely."
The twins nodded, pride in every line of their posture. They descended to thunderous applause, the crowd parting to let them pass.
Rachel's gaze lingered as the twins rejoined their family. The air still crackled with the aftermath of their awakening. The Thunderblood… Power that commands storms, crushes mountains. But divine blessings come with divine tests.
She glanced at the Veil Interface, the words of Zerathis echoing in her mind. "Strength and wisdom… chaos and dominion…" The Thunderblood lineage had risen to new heights, but such power never goes unchallenged.
As the ceremony continued, Rachel felt the shift in the air. The stakes had risen for everyone. The path ahead, for her and all the others, had just grown far more dangerous.