King Theon sat in a meeting room, the sun angled low through the stained-glass windows behind him. Colored light refracted across the war table, dappling maps and royal crests with shades of gold and crimson. Twelve names were listed in front of him. Children, all of them. Candidates who had survived the divine affinity tests, the trials of magic and mental discipline, and the scrutiny of court.
His royal advisor, Lord Varric, stood nearby, holding a scroll in one hand, brows furrowed in focus.
"Your Majesty," Lord Varric began, "based on the test results, the top three candidates are clear: Artemis Estra for her overwhelming elemental command, Alben Eslor for his divine resonance with the twin goddesses, and Emrik Vane for his versatility and leadership presence. Their scores place them far above the others. I believe we should proceed with preparing them to join the Hero's party."
Theon's eyes flicked to the list, then back to the advisor. "What of Ross Taranis?"
Lord Varric's face tightened. "Your Majesty, the boy—Ross Taranis—placed first in the tests, yes, but his power is... unknown. Unpredictable. Potentially dangerous. His affinity and results defy all precedent and comprehension."
Theon's gaze hardened. "I am aware. And that is precisely why I will hear none of your caution."
"But Your Majesty—"
Theon raised a hand, silencing him. "No more objections. I want to meet every one of these children myself. Bring them to me. All twelve."
Lord Varric bowed stiffly. "As you command, Your Majesty."
—----------------------------------------
"Send in the first," Theon said, voice calm, once the chamber doors opened.
Alben Eslor
The dark-haired boy with steady eyes stepped inside. Healing aptitude.
King Theon watched him carefully. "You carry divine affinity from the twin goddesses, yes?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Alben replied, voice quiet but confident.
"And if the Hero falls in battle? What will you do?"
Alben hesitated. "I will keep him alive. No matter what."
"Even at the cost of others?"
Alben nodded slowly. "Yes. If he dies, we all do."
"Would you give your life for his, even knowing he might fail?"
Alben's eyes narrowed slightly. "Yes. Because the world has pinned its hopes on him. I won't gamble with that."
Theon gave the barest nod and motioned for the boy to leave. Loyal, resolute, perhaps too much so. Blind devotion could be a weakness. Still, his clarity under pressure was impressive.
—----------------------------------------
Artemis Estra
She strode in with her chin raised, a braid of white-blonde hair over one shoulder. Lightning affinity. Fierce temperament.
"Artemis," Theon said. "Tell me, what is more important: loyalty or strength?"
"Strength," she answered without hesitation. "Loyalty fades. Power doesn't."
"And if the Hero chooses someone weaker than you to lead the party?"
Her jaw tightened. "Then they better earn it fast. Or get out of the way."
"And if the Hero is wrong?"
"Then I will correct him. Even if he hates me for it."
"And if that correction weakens the party?"
"A team that follows a fool is doomed. Better a wound than rot."
Theon gave nothing away. Unyielding. Daring. Possibly dangerous. But perhaps that fire could be aimed outward, rather than inward.
—----------------------------------------
Cedric Halnor
Short, soft-spoken. Low magical affinity, but strong strategic instincts.
"Your affinity is low," the King said. "Why do you think you were chosen?"
"Because I see patterns others miss," Cedric said. "Tension. Mistakes. Opportunities."
"And if you had no weapons or magic?"
"I'd find the safest path. If there isn't one, I'd make one."
"How would you deal with internal conflict?"
"I'd remind them we only survive together. And earn their trust."
Theon allowed himself a small smile. This one thought like a general. Quiet, humble, but his mind was sharp. He would be invaluable in shadows and silence.
—----------------------------------------
Hailey
Wind affinity. Energetic, with a strong will. She bowed despite a limp.
"What are you willing to sacrifice for peace?"
"My life. My fear. Not my friends."
"Even if their deaths ensured victory?"
"Then it's not a victory I want."
"Would you abandon a mission to save a teammate?"
"Only if I believed both could still be done. Otherwise... I'd try."
Theon noted her fierce loyalty. Idealistic. Perhaps overly so. But she might be the soul that kept the rest grounded.
—----------------------------------------
Emrik Vane
Fire affinity. Charismatic and confident.
"Do you think you should lead the Hero's party?"
"If it's not me, it better be someone better."
"Would you betray the Hero if his path is wrong?"
"No. I'd change his mind."
"And if he refused?"
"Then I'd make sure others saw the truth. Leadership is about guiding."
"You crave attention."
"Yes. But I earn it."
Theon gave a curt nod. Ambition cloaked in charm. A dangerous combination—or a brilliant spark in the right hands.
—----------------------------------------
Rinna Valen
A quiet girl with stone affinity.
"You are calm. Why do you wish to join the Hero?"
"To keep him steady. Earth grounds storms."
"And if he shatters under pressure?"
"Then I will be the wall he leans on."
Theon made a note. Grounded, wise. A subtle strength. The party would need someone who wouldn't be swept up in the tides.
—----------------------------------------
Corin Drael
Water affinity. Cunning. Calculating.
"What is your greatest strength?"
"Adaptation."
"And your weakness?"
"Trust."
"Why should I trust you?"
"Because I know what happens when trust is broken. I won't be the one to break it."
Theon narrowed his eyes. Cautious. Self-aware. Perhaps too careful. But sometimes, the ones who feared failure the most worked the hardest to avoid it.
—----------------------------------------
Lena Marell
Light affinity. Energetic and idealistic.
"What would you do if the Hero ordered a retreat you disagreed with?"
"Obey. Then ask why. We learn from leaders we trust."
"Even if it meant losing lives?"
"He sees the whole board. I see only part."
Theon nodded thoughtfully. Loyal, obedient, not without curiosity. A follower, but not a mindless one.
—----------------------------------------
Dren Silas
Shadow affinity. Stern, precise.
"Why are you here?"
"To end the threat. Permanently."
"Would you kill to protect peace?"
"Only when there is no other way."
"Can you tell the difference?"
"That is the burden I accept."
Theon studied the boy's face. Cold. Calculating. But he carried the weight of his convictions. A blade in the dark, if properly directed.
—----------------------------------------
Yuli Fern
Nature affinity. Gentle, kind.
"What role would you play in the Hero's party?"
"The heart. Someone to remind them what they fight for."
"And when kindness fails?"
"I grow thorns."
Theon raised a brow. Softness was not weakness. Yuli might be the balance to others' violence.
—----------------------------------------
Milo Reth
Sound affinity. Distractible but creative.
"Why should I choose you?"
"Because I'll make sure we laugh, even at the end."
"You think this is a joke?"
"No. I think laughter keeps us human."
Theon stared at him. Odd, but sincere. Perhaps in times of darkness, someone like this was needed.
—----------------------------------------
Ross Taranis
Ross entered quietly. Polite. His presence was oddly centered.
"Your test results were unlike anything we've seen."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"What god do you serve?"
"I don't know. But it has watched me since birth."
"Would you follow a Hero chosen by another god?"
"If the cause is just."
"And if not?"
"Then I won't follow."
"Do you fear what you might become?"
"I fear what others might turn me into."
Theon sat back. Unshaken, honest. The boy knew the weight of power and had yet to abuse it. A rare thing.
"You will be trained to join the Hero's party."
The advisor, Lord Varric, stepped forward again. "Your Majesty, perhaps we should further evaluate—"
Theon raised a hand. "I have made my decision. It is final."
Ross bowed and left.
Theon turned toward the stained glass.
"We don't always choose the pieces the gods place on the board," he murmured. "But we do decide where they stand."