Ruby red skies bled through the horizon as the sun slowly rose to begin its gruelling trek though its empire once more. Majestic and awe inspiring as the novices looked from below, admiring the bold statement of a new day and dreading what it signified with as much vigour as fear.
20 stood assembled before a podium of marble white to establish the adventure of a lifetime. Cocooned with 4 towering columns inlaid with delicate carvings of blazing animals of all kinds from small to colossal surrounded by engraved flames of water and fire and enveloped by vines of earth and gusts of wind. Spaced out to support a sturdy, well-built covering which sheltered the masses from the biting winter chill and contradicting beams of dazzling light. Radiant buttercups that shined like gold and small purple flowers of mystery sprouted along the four pillars of the structure - guarding and protecting, their small roots planted defiantly as other less adapt plants disappeared without a trace hardly withering before leaving the lavish foundations of blessing and curse - or maybe they were plucked out by the phantom that lurked in the shadows unable to grace the land with its essence driven away by something greater, better, purer. Lavish verdant vines shaped like flaming maple leaves climbed in a sophisticated manner up the columns winding up into its depths closely resembling a staircase leading to sanctuary and opportunity of hope and future. Rich green life grew throughout the acres of rolling hills and mountains home to rivers of healing and towers of recovery dotting the landscape with its tall points of moulded foundation.
Twenty souls of which ten would not survive, three which would betray leading only to pain and misery, disgrace and hatred warring in the hearts of those they held so dear, seven destined for greatness and responsibility that would cripple.
Dressed in emerald green shirts, stiff and crisp, overlayed with a cloak of the finest material inlaid with well-weaved wool providing a warm insulator against the biting bitter wind softly fluttered in defiance, determined to spread warmth and fulfil its aim, creating an air of regality and purpose. Onyx trousers with unique designs of vines of flame or wind of earth or water curled up the sides stitched carefully in golden strands, none the same as another's. Emblemed on the right directly above their hearts a golden phoenix rose its wings spread proudly behind it, signifying its rebirth, lined with gold thread that outlined the shield like shape and an obsidian background fit for the darkest of nights and hints of red, navy blue, dark green and light brown danced at the back a reminder of power and unity.
Whispers rose in crescenting waves of thoughts and ideas, of wishes and hope. For all of them had given space for the thoughts on what their true forms would be if the revelation took place. At the prominent age of twenty all of them were expected to receive the key to unlocking the true form - the reason why the most sacred of ceremonies immediate participants were always grouped in numbers of twenty. Therefore, only after a High Fae achieves complete mastery of their true form and growing powers with the help of their higher hearing range, keener eyesight, sense of smell and quicker movements would they be able to distinguish their fated mate although it wasn't uncommon for some to feel and unusual pull to someone who would later be recognized as their fated mate.
This was a day of celebration and surprise of grace and thanks.
Soon a hush spread across them all. Looking at the once empty podium a woman of ageless experience, her kind reflective unseeing eyes -well at least not in this world- smiled kindly at the future generation her face moving from one to another marking and recording possibility and capacity of fortune and fate. Her flowing robes the purest of white and gold embroidered on her right directly above her heart similar to the novices a flaming phoenix rose, however unlike the others hers had no black background but instead remained white. Her face lined with age gazed once behind her at the rising sun, an eyebrow raised as if to question and a small nod of understanding followed.
With a final shallow nod of acknowledgment to the royal family standing with the separate audience waiting eagerly for the revelation. She gracefully moved to face both the gathered and the sun, back toward the gathering audience of jittery parents and weeping eyes of happiness.
"The oracle Welcomes you and the future you create" she boomed the voice from within as loud as any military commander lording over they're soldiers reciting the sacred lines as engraved within her memory from countless ceremonies passed. " Today, as the sun rises before us and the darkness retreats once more, we gathered in dutiful diligence for The Revelation where the gathered unlock their true forms if it is destined or are fated to wait for their time yet to come " and with a flourish of her hand she called forth the first of the gathered.
"Ellyn Cabrera, come forth and awaken if decreed " A athletic figure bounded across to stand in front of the oracle smiling so wide her face seemed to grow to accommodate her new feature, her shocking red hair scattering in all directions. "Oh, Oh, That's meeee !" She sang, pulling a small smile from the oracle and laughter from the assembled and the audience. "This may hurt a smidge" the oracle whispered to the girl lifting a delicate hand before her hovering above her heart in silent question, with a firm nod from Miss Cabrera in a brush of a touch swept over her crested phoenix ripping a startled gaps and wheeze soon followed by a pained grimace and a predatory glimmer in now swirling hazel eyes. With a final curl of magic where Miss Cabrera once stood hovered a large eyed owl its wings flapping in the wind a powerful rhythm, diving and swooping and performing skilled tricks in the air leading to a thunder of applause and congratulatory murmurs finally settling on broad shoulders of who could only be called her father who similarly supported shocking red hair and a matching grin who placed a blue mask moulded to the top half of her face covering leaving space for the eyes and reaching up to the tip of her nose.
"Ulric Cabrera, come forth and awaken if decreed" Miss Cabrera's brother strutted towards the oracle " A pleasure," replied the smiling young man with an exaggerated bow earning more giggles and grins in front of her the resemblance uncanny to his family. With a wire smile the oracle muttered " Must run in the blood" turning back to stare at the still grinning-like-a-lunatic father with accusary eyes but a humorous smile. All new that she saw something more than just appearance but calculated future.
So, on it went, the process repeated many more times until all the assembled except two almost identical figures stood. "Prince Zoricus Voltrough Bellator and Prince Fravien Voltrough Bellator as twins come united, together and awaken if decreed" The two princes eyes blazing and strides determined in sync with one another took up position in front of the oracle and waited. A question, a touch, a gasp and a grimace a swirl of magics and an earthquaking outward spreading disc of light containing dozens of hidden colours disguised in white later where once the Voltrough twins stood, lounged two ferocious snow leopards both identical to one another if not for the star on one's forehead in red fading out at the edges and the others in light blue turning to a darker shade as it spread outwards.
********𝔒𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔰𝔦𝔡𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔨𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔡𝔬𝔪𝔰 𝔞𝔱 𝔢𝔵𝔞𝔠𝔱𝔩𝔶 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔞𝔪𝔢 𝔱𝔦𝔪𝔢.********
" Do you Queen Rhiannon Hensuanalticus , rightful heir and defender of Larnecian take General Eros Taltentros of North Larnecian, to be your lawfully wedded husband before the gathered nation of Larnecian and the ancestors watching from above, to be named defender of Larnecian, to stand and guide you in your time of need and counselling with better judgement and an honest heart pure of corrupt ways and deeds..
The golden robed priest - a diminutive man of slight structure and an even gentler voice asked the couple before him.His voice amplified by the dazzling white crystal attached to the colour of his ceremonial robes Silver hair greyed from years of loyal service reflected the bright sun as it witness the union. Bushy eyebrows rimmed the beginning of a vast forehead of wrinkled expanse and a hunched back due to age, or responsibility - no one acknowledged.
"I do " Came the reply bold in confidence, at ease with the millions of eyes upon her.
With a resolute nod and a joyous smile the priest continued.
" Do you General Eros Taltentros of North Larnecian take Queen Rhiannon Hensuanalticus , rightful heir and defender of Larnecian to be your lawfully wedded wife before the gathered nation of Larnecian and the ancestors watching from above, to be named defender of Larnecian, beside our most beloved Queen Rhiannon Hensuanalticus , rightful heir and defender of Larnecian to stand and guide her in your time of need and counselling, with better judgement and an honest heart pure of corrupt ways and deeds.
"I do " echoed the general Taltentros, his voice resonating through the small gaps in the very foundations of the gathering, whispering through the packed crowd of onlookers.
"Then so be it, may this union be witnessed and blessed ! " cried the priest slightly hoarse after the past hour of vows and promises. With exaggerated flourish extended his hands in welcome and revealed to the crowd gathered the new inked crest and promises on each of the participants arm.
a swirl of magic and an earthquake followed by an outward spreading disc of light containing dozens of hidden colours disguised in white flowed from the horizon ripping startled gasps of excitement from the assembled. Surely this was a sign - a future of prosperity and a blessing.