"As you stand before us, let this day be known as the day you embark on your true journey. We, the people of Elkvar, have heard your tales. We know of the struggles you have faced, and just as you have brought knowledge to us, we shall offer knowledge to you. Let this day be great, and may the Lord bless us all."
Having spoken his words of wisdom, the town chief scans the crowd, his gaze settling on each person in turn.
"By the will of the Great Lord, let us begin the ritual."
Turning back, the chief nodded to a figure clad in a bright green robe, golden lines tracing intricate patterns along its seams.
'He looks like a cultist,' Noah couldn't help but think, the resemblance a little too uncanny for his liking.
Unaware of Noah's thoughts, the robed man stepped forward, cradling an orb no smaller than a bowling ball. With deliberate reverence, he presented it to the chief before bowing deeply and retreating back into line with the other robed figures.
Holding the orb before the marble pedestal, the intricate lines carved into its surface began to glow—a brilliant golden light surging through them. Wisps of golden sparks flickered into the air, drifting like embers caught in the wind.
The luminous wisps swirled toward the orb, cradling it in their embrace as if drawn by an unseen force. Slowly, the orb lifted from the chief's hands, rising effortlessly.
As it ascended to the top of the pedestal, the golden embers danced around it like fireflies flitting through the night.
As the orb hovered above the pedestal, the robed figures moved into position, forming a perfect circle around the platform's center.
Their flowing garments shimmered beneath the golden light, the symbols woven into their robes shifting and pulsing as if alive with mana.
Noah shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flicking between the figures. 'What is this, some kind of cult ritual?'
The way they stood—heads bowed, voices murmuring in eerie unison—set his nerves on edge. The whole scene felt surreal, like something straight out of an movie.
A single voice rang out—deep, commanding. The chief raised his hands, his voice echoing through the square.
"By the will of the Great Lord, bless thy souls!"
The moment the words left his lips, the robed figures began to chant.
The sound was unsettling. At first, it was a low murmur, like whispers carried by the wind. Then, the voices grew louder, layering over one another in a harmony both haunting and powerful.
It wasn't just a song—it was a force.
Noah felt it in his bones.
His breath hitched as the golden runes carved into the platform flared to life.
The ground beneath him pulsed, radiating heat—not the kind that burned, but the kind that settled inside, like something was crawling under his skin.
Glancing around, he saw the same unease reflected in the faces of the other students. Some stood frozen, watching in wary silence, while others shuffled on their feet, eyes darting between the pedestal and the chanting figures.
Even Devon, who normally had an irritating smirk plastered on his face, was watching with narrowed eyes, his fingers twitching like he was ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.
'At least I'm not the only one thinking this might go sideways.'
The orb, still cradled in the golden embers, began to spin. Slowly at first, then faster and faster until it became a blurred sphere of light. Sparks danced around it, weaving in and out of the swirling energy like restless spirits.
Noah clenched his fists. 'I swear to god, if this thing explodes, I'm going to kill Rudy.'
Then, the chief lifted his gaze skyward.
His voice boomed with divine authority.
"O Great Lord of the Heavens! Lend us your might! Let your power descend upon this sacred ground!"
The air stilled.
Noah barely had time to process the silence before—
BOOM!
A deafening crack split the sky.
Lightning tore through the heavens, a blinding bolt of pure energy striking down like the wrath of a god.
It hit the orb dead center.
The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the square, knocking some of the students off balance. A few yelped, staggering back, while others shielded their eyes as the blinding light flared outward.
Noah barely kept his footing, his heart pounding.
"HOLY SHIT!"
Before he could react further, a sudden pull caught him off guard.
Amanda flinched, instincts kicking in before she could think. Without hesitation, she grabbed at Noah, yanking him toward her—harder than she meant to.
His momentum carried him forward, and before he could stop himself, he collided against her chest.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Noah could feel the rapid rise and fall of her breathing, the warmth of her body pressing against him. His brain short-circuited. 'Too close. Way too close.'
Then, as quickly as it happened, Amanda realized what she'd done and let go, practically shoving him back as she took a step away.
"Sorry…" she muttered, barely above a whisper, her voice stiff—whether from embarrassment.
Noah cleared his throat, willing himself to keep a straight face. "You good…" he said, trying (and failing) to ignore the heat creeping up his neck.
Noah exhaled sharply, forcing himself to focus back on the ritual.
The orb pulsed, absorbing the lightning's wrath, its glow intensifying tenfold. Arcs of energy twisted around it, spiraling into perfect rings—not wild, not uncontrolled, but deliberate. Like it was alive.
Ava let out a low whistle. "Alright… that's sick. I need to learn how to do that."
James, barely making it in time, still catching his breath, stumbled over to Sophia. "Man… imagine what we could do once we get our affinity." He grinned, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Bet we'll be flying next."
Sophia's eyes brightened. "Really? That would be amazing!"
Noah ignoring the drama makers was still trying to process the fact that lightning just struck a floating ball of energy and that he indirectly touched a girl's boobs.
'Soft… Wait focus Noah there are more important matters at hand!' He shakes his head.
Looking back at the robed figures Noah sees how they didn't even flinch when the lightning came down.
Their chanting continued, undisturbed, as if calling down divine retribution was just another Tuesday for them.
The chief, now illuminated by the storm's lingering glow, turned his gaze toward the gathered students.
The chief's voice rang out, calm yet absolute.
"Who among you will step forward first?"
Silence.
The students exchanged glances, some shifting uncomfortably. Even the ones who tried to act tough earlier now hesitated.
Then—a voice cut through the stillness.
"I… I'll go."
The chief turned toward the sound. "Your name?"
The boy swallowed, standing a little straighter. "Ricky. Ricky Evans."
Noah barely recognized him—a shorter guy with a nervous but determined look, standing near the front of the group. He didn't seem particularly athletic, nor did he look like someone eager to throw himself into danger. But right now, he was the only one willing to go first.
The chief nodded. "Step forward, Ricky Evans."
Ricky exhaled sharply, then walked past the other students, stepping into the circle of robed men and women surrounding the pedestal. As he did, the figures adjusted their stance, closing in slightly, their chanting never faltering.
Noah tensed. This feels like an execution.
The moment Ricky entered the encirclement, the lightning that had been spiraling around the orb shifted.
At first, it crackled harmlessly, twisting around the glowing sphere like a restless predator. Then, without warning—
It struck.
A searing bolt lashed out, slamming into Ricky's chest.
His body arched backward, his mouth opening in a silent scream as the golden energy ran along his entire form, crawling like veins of molten fire.
The light didn't fade. It moved—spreading, digging into his skin like something alive.
Ricky convulsed, his limbs jerking as the golden energy coiled tighter, wrapping around him like living chains.
Then, all at once—
It collapsed inward.
The golden light imploded, twisting into a singular point before suddenly ripping downward—melting into the ground beneath Ricky's feet like molten lava.
A sharp hiss filled the air, the earth glowing red-hot where the energy sank through.
Ricky collapsed to his knees, his breathing ragged.
Silence.
For a moment, no one spoke.
The robed figures remained deathly still, their heads bowed in silent reverence.
Then, at last, the chief moved. Stepping toward Ricky, he knelt slightly, his gaze flickering over the boy before speaking.
"Let it flow. Don't fight it—let it take its course."
Ricky swallowed hard, then did as he was told.
A moment later, a beam of light erupted from his body, shooting straight into the sky.
Its dark brown glow burned against the heavens, its radiant hue illuminating the square.
As the last flickers of the dark brown light dissolved into the heavens, silence fell once more. The golden glow surrounding the ritual platform dimmed, leaving Ricky standing there, breathless. His hands were still trembling, his body stiff.
The chief studied him for a moment before speaking.
"You are bound to the Metal."
Ricky looked up, confusion flickering across his face. "Metal?" he repeated, glancing down at his hands as if expecting them to turn to Iron.
The chief nodded. "Not earth, nor stone—but the unyielding core that lies within it. Metal is the spine of civilization, the tool of war, the foundation of power. It is sharper than words, stronger than bones, and deadlier than fire."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Some students whispered among themselves, realizing how different this was from the typical elemental affinities.
Ricky flexed his fingers, his breathing still uneven. "So… what does that mean for me?"
The chief's expression remained firm. "It means your path is one of discipline. Metal is not wild, nor is it forgiving. It demands mastery, precision, and control."
He stepped closer, his voice carrying across the square. "Metal is both shield and blade, unyielding when struck, deadly when wielded. Its weight will slow the weak, but in the hands of the strong, it is unstoppable."
Ricky swallowed, nodding slowly, trying to process it all.
The chief's eyes narrowed slightly. "But be warned…"
The air grew heavier, the golden runes on the pedestal flaring slightly.
"If you lack control, if you push the metal beyond its limits, it will break. And so will you."
A moment of silence followed, the weight of his words settling over Ricky.
Noah shifted slightly, watching as Ricky clenched his fists. 'Did his hands look different? Were his fingers… tougher? More rigid?'
Ricky exhaled sharply, forcing himself to stand taller. His affinity had been revealed. It wasn't fire or lightning, but metal.
For the first time since stepping forward, he smiled.