章 2: The Day of Awakening
Morning broke over Eldenwood with the kind of fanfare only nature could muster—birds chirping in a symphony, the sun casting a golden glow, and Lennox tripping over his own feet as he scrambled out of bed. Today was the day, and his nerves were shot.
He yanked on his best tunic (read: the least patched one) and darted outside, barely pausing to chew on the chunk of bread his mother handed him. The Awakening Ceremony was the biggest event of the year, and Lennox wasn't about to miss a single moment of it. After all, this was his shot—his only shot—to leave the dusty life of an Eldenwood villager behind.
The square was already alive with noise and color when he arrived. Banners fluttered in the breeze, and merchants hawked everything from glowing trinkets to roasted meats that smelled suspiciously like they'd been "borrowed" from Old Farmer Jorvik's pigs. Lennox ignored the chaos and focused on the arena—a massive structure that seemed to scrape the clouds. It was grander than anything he'd ever seen, and, more importantly, it was packed with people.
Nobles and royals from across Eldoria had arrived in all their finery, their beasts lounging beside them like accessories. Lennox spotted a dwarf prince with a bear that looked like it could wrestle a mountain, an elf maiden stroking the neck of a silver-feathered gryphon, and even a giant who casually fed what appeared to be an entire sheep to a two-headed wolf.
"I just need something cool," Lennox muttered to himself, weaving through the crowd. "Not too cool. I don't want people to think I'm showing off. Just, you know, something respectable. Maybe a wolf? Or a hawk? Something with claws. Definitely claws."
His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp poke in his ribs. He turned to find Borin, the baker's obnoxious son, grinning like a goat who'd just stolen a cabbage.
"Hey, Lennox," Borin drawled. "Think you'll get something impressive? Or maybe just a chicken to match your scrawny arms?"
Lennox forced a laugh. "Better a chicken than whatever rat chooses you, Borin."
Borin's grin faltered, but before he could retort, the Master of Beasts called for silence. The arena quieted instantly, the hum of anticipation settling over the crowd.
"Today," the Master boomed, his voice echoing, "marks the awakening of a new generation. Step forward when your name is called, and let fate bind you to your beast."
The ceremony began, and one by one, children were summoned. Each time, a magnificent creature emerged from the shimmering Enchanted Gate. There was a girl who bonded with a flaming phoenix that squawked indignantly when someone called it "cute," and a boy whose dire wolf promptly licked his face with a tongue the size of a small blanket.
When Elara, the chief's daughter and Lennox's childhood friend, stepped forward, the arena held its breath. The gate shimmered, and a sea serpent slid into view, its scales glinting like polished emeralds. It let out a melodic roar that made the crowd cheer.
Lennox clapped along, but his stomach churned. How could he compete with a sea serpent? He wasn't even sure he could compete with Borin's theoretical rat.
And then, his name was called.
He stepped into the center of the arena, every nerve in his body on edge. The Enchanted Gate swirled with light, and he held his breath, bracing himself for something awe-inspiring.
What emerged... was a cat.
Not a fierce lion or a sleek panther. Just a cat. Black, with a lazy saunter that screamed, "I'd rather be napping."
The crowd fell silent for a moment, then erupted into laughter.
"Is that it?" someone called out.
"Maybe it's a magical cat!" another jeered. "Or maybe just a really hungry one."
Lennox's cheeks burned. He crouched down, trying to coax the cat into doing something—anything—that might salvage his dignity. "Hey, uh, buddy. Do you... want to pounce? Or glow? Or—"
The cat gave him a look. Not just any look, but the kind that said, You woke me up for this?
The Master of Beasts cleared his throat, clearly struggling to maintain decorum. "Every beast has its purpose," he announced, though even he sounded unsure. "Cherish your bond, young man."
Lennox muttered a weak "thank you" and shuffled off the stage, the cat trailing behind him like a shadow that couldn't care less. He avoided eye contact with the crowd, though he couldn't block out the snickers and whispers.
Back in the holding area, Elara approached, her sea serpent coiled gracefully at her side. She looked at Lennox, then at the cat, and managed to keep a straight face. Barely.
"Uh... congratulations?" she said, the corner of her mouth twitching.
Lennox sighed. "Yeah, thanks. I guess it's better than nothing."
The cat yawned, curled up at his feet, and promptly fell asleep.
"Well, it's definitely unique," Elara offered diplomatically.
"Sure," Lennox grumbled. "If by unique, you mean completely useless."
As the crowd began to disperse, Lennox stared down at the snoozing feline. Maybe this wasn't fate's cruel joke. Maybe it was just fate being lazy.
And yet, as the sun began to set, the cat opened one eye, flicked its tail, and stretched with the languid grace of someone who knew more than they let on. It wasn't much, but for a split second, Lennox thought he caught a glimpse of... something.
But before he could dwell on it, the cat closed its eye and went back to sleep.
Lennox sighed. "Of course. Just my luck."
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