Sierra tries not to focus on the itchiness of the long lace sleeves. The off shoulder sleeves expose her collarbone and the scar on her shoulder from the last task. The white material is tight around her chest and flows out from her waist, the long material trailing behind her. Sierra swallows as she studies herself in the mirror – an action she's found herself doing a lot since coming to the academy. The dress would have been perfect for a civisal wedding, except tonight, it is not the dress's intent.

The salon workers hired by the council have straightened her hair, almost giving up on taming the curls. With dark red lips and subtle makeup, she is ready for the ceremony.

She sits there, watching the clock tick by. Sierra feels numb. She is an heir to the witches.

She closes her eyes, squeezing them shut. Sierra breathes, keeping the tears at bay, begging them not to fall. A part of her is angry; angry because she didn't ask for this. Another part of her is hopeful – hopeful that she'll avenge her parents.

Sierra Kingsley holds onto the hope and the anger. She will wield her anger into a sword and her hope into a dagger. Using them both, she will bring her enemies onto their knees. It doesn't matter what destiny holds for her and where fate plans on taking her, Sierra Kingsley knows what she wants. Even if destiny doesn't pay up, she plans on taking it anyways.

The clock chimes, and the council workers nod, telling her that it is time. With her heart pounding in her chest, she lifts the skirt of her dress slightly, and makes her way to the grounds.

The castle is deserted, everyone besides the heirs already outside, waiting. Waiting for them. With a deep breath, Sierra exits the domus tower, just as Amisha walks out of her dorm. Wearing the same dress, Amisha looks more uncomfortable than Sierra, which Sierra hadn't thought as possible.

"I always knew being an heir would be a bad idea," Amisha grumbles, shifting her dress. "Now I know why."

Sierra smirks, surprising herself. "The dress is the only reason?"

"The main reason."

Sierra laughs once, the incredulity of the reason bemusing her. Amisha leads the way out of the castle and Sierra sees that the boys have already lined up. They all wear the same white tunic with pants. The sleeves are lined with subtle golden embroidery and they like Sierra and Amisha, are also barefoot.

"You don't think they'll make us walk on coal to prove our loyalty, right?" Sierra hears Lucas ask, as they join the boys.

Day opens his mouth to answer, only to pause as he catches sight of Sierra.

"Hi," Sierra says, shyly, feeling awkward as everyone stares.

"Hey," he replies, his response coming out almost breathless.

"They better not, cause I'm not doing it," Amisha remarks, looking at Lucas once she realises that Day won't be answering.

"Great, you're all here." Professor Bane instructs, "Your names will be called one by one. Remember what Gwendolyn Highmore talked to you about yesterday. Anyone forget?"

They shake their head.

Satisfied, the professor steps back behind the curtains, and walks away.

Standing behind the curtains, Sierra can hear the Governor call for everyone's attentions.

"In the 1960s to 1970s, the revolutionary war took place. The society of witches were divided, resulting in many rebellions and many lives lost. Today we remember the lost and those that fought. Today we stand together, so that the Dark King does not succeed again.

"In 1988, Maria Costav, a Seer witch so powerful the academy commemorates her contributions through the statue in the courtyard. We hope that she blesses every student who studies at this academy. Maria Costav had a vision, that the Dark King would rise. However, she also saw the rise of six heirs who would fight to protect our kind."

The Governor pauses, and the crowd claps. Sierra gulps, knowing that witches from all over the world have travelled to be a part of the ceremony today.

"We have waited for thirty one years to stand behind our heirs. Today, I, Governor Nicholas Gilbert, ask you to stand as I announce our heirs."

The silver curtains open, and Sierra peers around Day's shoulder. She gasps, her eyes falling onto the stadium that had been charmed using magic. More than half of the witching population is here. Thousands of witch sit on the tiered seats, and Sierra is amazed that the academy and The Revealing council is able to pull this off.

"Alec Bacani," the Governor announces. Alec focuses on breathing normally, as he steps through the curtain. The crowd goes wild, as if he is a celebrity. The thought causes a bitter sensation to course through his veins.

A large cauldron, half the size of a bath tub sits in the middle. With one glance in the Governor's direction, Alec strides up the steps. A deep breath in, and a deep breath out. He dips his hand into the cauldron.

The gold solution swallows his hand and similar to the witching ceremony, there is no burning sensation. Gold wisps travel up his arm. A vestium in the shape of a white heather sinks into his arm, just a little bit higher and bigger than his healer vestium.

Alec remembers learning about the white heather in his botany class. The white heather, a symbol of protection. A symbol, that will now forever be on his body.

Alec steps away from the cauldron, and walks towards the Governor who like always is dressed in an impeccable suit. The Governor reaches for a metal crown, shaped like multiple white heathers intertwining. Alec remembers Gwendolyn Highmore's instruction, clear as day. He turns around, to face the audience.

The Governor places a wooden stick in front of Alec, and if Alec hadn't received prior instruction, he would've deemed the Governor crazy.

Alec speaks into the stick, his voice clear and confident, "I, Alec Bacani, vow to carry out my duty as an heir to my best ability and I will kneel before nothing but my duty."

The Governor pulls the voice amplifier away. Alec bends his left leg and kneels on his right leg, looking out at the crowd, his eyes searching for familiar faces. Perhaps, even his mother and husband number seven.

Nicholas Gilbert places the crown on Alec's head. Alec stands up steadily, and walks towards Gwendolyn Highmore who sits with the rest of The Revealing council. He takes a seat next to her and watches as Day walks out next, followed by Lucas. The boys sit next to him and watch as Amisha strolls out.

Alec is mesmerised as his eyes follow Amisha. The white dress flows behind her, and he can tell that she's itching to get out of the dress. She marches towards the Governor, each step as confident as the last.

She hesitates as she kneels on one leg, uncomfortable with the action in such a long dress. As the Governor places the crown on her head, he offers her his hand, allowing her support as she stands up.

Sierra Kingsley steps out next, and Alec doesn't miss the way Day's body stiffens, his eyes tracking her movements. And then Noah saunters out, repeating the same actions. Once Noah stands beside them, they march towards the cauldron.

The Governor yells into the amplifier, "Five to the sky!"

Alec's chest pounds with a sense of pride and his open hand rises to the sky. Wisps and light of different colours shoot towards the sky, and then slowly, one by one, until in unison, the crowd rains down the flowers on the heirs.

They are the Heirs of the Witches and they have been blessed by the Gods of the Cauldron.