章 2: Awakening

From the opulent carriage emerged a slightly chubby man clad in pristine white priestly robes. His short, snow-white hair framed tired brown eyes, giving him an air of weariness.

"Welcome, Priest Graham. I trust your journey was pleasant," Zoran inquired as he greeted Graham.

Graham's gaze shifted from Zoran's eyes to the imposing mansion before them. The stone walls seemed to hold centuries of secrets, and the intricate carvings told stories of the glorious past of the Luppiter household.

"Thank you, Zoran," Graham replied, his voice steady. "The journey was long, but the sacred texts guided me safely." He glanced at Shin. "Today, we awaken Shin's affinities the elemental powers that lie dormant within him."

Zoran nodded solemnly. "The time has come." He led them toward the mansion's entrance, the heavy doors creaking open. Graham's heart raced as they stepped into the grand hall a place where magic pulsed in the very air.

Shin took a deep breath, his eyes wide with anticipation. "What will it feel like, Father?"

Graham placed a hand on Shin's shoulder. "Remember, my son, affinity awakening is both a gift and a responsibility. You'll feel the elements their essence surging through you. Embrace them, but also respect their power."

As they ascended the grand staircase, Zoran wondered what Shin's affinities would be. Fire? Water? Earth? Or perhaps something rarer, like time or space? The anticipation hummed in the air, and Zoran whispered a silent prayer to the ancient gods.

In the chamber at the top of the stairs, a crystal pedestal awaited. Graham gestured for Shin to step forward. "Place your hands upon the crystal," he instructed. "Open your heart and mind."

Shin hesitated for only a moment, then pressed his palms against the smooth surface. The room trembled, and colors swirled within the crystal. Zoran watched, his own heart pounding. Shin's destiny was unfolding the legacy of their bloodline, the magic that connected them all.

Graham intoned, "Affinities, reveal yourself." Then he tore the scroll he had taken with him from the church for the awakening ceremony in half, and in that moment, the world held its breath."

The crystal's colors swirled, merging and separating like cosmic tides. Shin's breath hitched as he felt the energies flow through him an exquisite blend of warmth and coolness, like sun-kissed snow. His eyes widened as the first affinity revealed itself.

"Water," Graham whispered, his voice echoing in the chamber. Shin's palms tingled, and he sensed the ebb and flow of rivers, the rhythm of raindrops. He wondered if he could summon a gentle drizzle or part the seas with a mere thought.

But the crystal wasn't done. It pulsed again, and Shin's skin prickled. Shadows danced across his vision, tendrils of darkness that whispered secrets. "Shadow," Graham declared. Shin's mind raced stealth, concealment, perhaps even the ability to traverse unseen between realms.

Next came a surge of warmth, like sunlight piercing through leaves. "Light," Graham said, awe in his eyes. Shin imagined healing rays and blinding brilliance and wondered if he could illuminate the darkest corners of existence.

Then, unexpectedly, a chill enveloped him. Time slowed, memories flickering like ancient film reels. "Time," Graham murmured. Shin glimpsed visions of the past and future—a tapestry of moments waiting to be woven.

The crystal trembled once more, and Shin's breath caught poison that seeped into his veins, a bittersweet knowledge of life and death. "Poison," Graham intoned. Shin wondered if he could heal with a touch or wield venom like a blade.

Finally, the air around him shimmered, as if reality itself bent. "Space," Graham said, his voice hushed. Shin envisioned distant galaxies and wormholes and wondered if he could fold the fabric of existence.

Zoran and Deborah watched, their eyes wide, as Shin's affinities settled within him. The mansion seemed to hold its breath, and the world outside blurred. Shin felt connected to the elements, the time, and the very essence of creation.

"Remarkable," Zoran said, breaking the silence. "Our bloodline has never seen such a convergence."

Deborah wiped tears from her eyes. "Our son," she whispered. "A beacon of hope."

Shin stepped away from the crystal, his heart racing. Six affinities the weight of worlds rested upon his shoulders. But he also felt exhilaration, like a comet hurtling through the cosmos.

As the room brightened, Shin met Zoran's gaze. "What now, Father?"

Zoran smiled. "Now, my son, you learn. You hone your gifts, protect the balance, and remember: power is a double-edged sword."

Shin nodded, feeling his affinities surge within. He knew the road ahead was long, but he vowed to master them and grow stronger.

Graham snapped out of his stupor, stunned by the number of affinities Shin had awakened. He knew he had to rush back to the church with this news.

Meanwhile, Shin was already engaged to Princess Valeri Lomidze, the first imperial princess. She, too, possessed remarkable talent, having awakened three affinities.

So he quickly excused himself from the grand hall, rushed to his carriage, and told the driver to hurry back to the church.

As Zoran watches him leave he can only sigh as he knows perfectly well why Graham is in such a hurry.

He also thinks that Shin's actions will create turmoil in the empire or maybe even the whole world. Despite Shin's disinterest in the throne, the crown prince, who has been competing with his brother for the title may not believe it and start seeing Shin as his rival.

***

After arriving at the church headquarters.

Graham sprinted toward the church meeting hall, breathless. Bursting into the room, he commanded everyone's attention.

"Shin Luppiter awakened six affinities," Graham panted. "Space, time, poison, water, light and shadow."

The room fell silent.

A sudden knock shattered the room's tension. Curious eyes turned toward the door, wondering who would dare to interrupt the scheduled meeting. The ancient oak door creaked open, revealing two women.

The first, older and poised wore a classic black-and-white habit that accentuated her curves and an almost perfect hourglass figure with a slender waist, a plump derrière, and an ample bosom. Her face was small and striking, framed by straight black hair cascading down her back. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of green held an air of mystery.

Following her, a girl around 16 years old entered. She too donned the traditional attire, but her body lacked the mature curves of her companion. Instead, she possessed an innocence her long black hair pulled into playful pigtails and her eyes a warm brown.

As soon as they saw who had entered the room, everyone collectively stood up and bowed, greeting in unison, "Welcome, Saintess Sharuna and Saintess Candidate Luna."

Sharuna nodded as she took her seat, with Luna sitting next to her. "What was the meeting about this time?" she inquired.

Graham stood up again and began explaining what had transpired at the Luppiter estate.

After listening to the entire account, Sharuna raised an eyebrow and began contemplating the church's next course of action.

クリエイターの想い
Yatenwhaleji

This is my first novel and I am going to do my best to improve along the way. So make sure to point out anything u think i did wrong / could do better or any spelling errors would be greatly appreciated :)

Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.

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