Every moment was agony. There was no way to process the thousands of pain signals, they blended together into a blanket of torture. Liris could feel consciousness attempting to flee, but she forbade it. Minutes passed...seconds?...hours?...it was impossible to tell. Her airways seized up, not that inhaling more of the acid would improve the situation. Still, it drove the dagger of panic deeper through the fragile layers of sanity. Eyes squeezed shut, she convulsed against the pillar. That gap was still there. An edge of something else hovering above the stone surface. Reaching for it, physically and metaphorically, there was movement. Like slipping beneath the surface of a lake, it surrounded her and pushed the Brume away.

Pain continued, but it was lessened. In its place, that vibrating sensation was all that remained. Compounding on itself, it built to a crescendo before stabbing into the center of her mind. This was no burning...it was far worse. Liris recalled a distant memory of a cold winter morning. Someone had left a sealed jar of milk outside, practically begging to be stolen. As she had crept near, the ceramic had exploded and sent shards flying in all directions. A hundred of those going off at once wouldn't come close to the proverbial needles crashing through her brain. It was a wonder any thoughts survived the onslaught.

With a suddenness reminiscent of a soapy bubble popping, that respite from the Brume was gone. And with its retreat, the burning returned in vengeance. Searing, dissolving, it smothered her. Fully held captive one moment, the next, freedom. The Guardian had returned. With him, that welcome void in the Brume. Unpoisoned air filled her lungs which momentarily made the pain worse; every inch of her body was scraped raw. Existence was misery to be sure, but the familiar beat in her chest held immense comfort. Looking around, the same couldn't be said for all. Six figures stood, or crouched, meaning the remaining three...lay. Liris resisted the urge to glance down, even turning her back pre-emptively. Looking around burned as well.

Not from the Brume, clenching them shut had proved adequate, but from the light. White flashes danced around her line of sight. A strange tint twisted the visages standing before her into crude facsimiles of humanity. Hands reached out, brushing a cloth across her face. She choked down a scream. Firm movements wrapped it around her head, blocking some of the harsh brightness. The flashes however, continued their random dance. The Guardian's flat tone broke the comparative silence. There were still pain-filled groans and whimpers from the survivors. Flat though it was, there was an undertone of kindness. In the moment, it mattered not how affected it may be.

"You all have my congratulations and condolences. This is not a pleasant task, for any of us, but the worst is behind you. Indeed, your future will now be much brighter than it ever could have been. In time, you will even come to thank us...but for now, we must return to the city."

Thank them? Thoughts were murky, yet that one was clear as glass. What was there to be thankful for? Not dying as a result of their experiments? The absolute gall.

"As is tradition, you will each be blindfolded for our journey back. Your eyes are also hypersensitive to light so it is in your best interest not to remove them. Now, we will place you in a line. Do not take your hand off the person in front of you."

Nobody put up any resistance, being left out here was an option none wanted to entertain. A rough movement placed Liris' hand on a warm shoulder. The impact triggered two simultaneous hisses of pain. Never had her palm been this tender. Movement from behind her, another hiss. Apparently, neither had her shoulder. Movement from ahead threatened to rip loose her only tether to the outside world. Jolting forward, she maintained her grip as the whole line began the march back home.

The crunch of dry dirt was loud in her ears with each step. Louder than it had been before...she still couldn't comprehend this nightmare. It was too fresh. From the shaky breathing all around, she wasn't the only one. Strangely, there was nothing to smell. That is, aside from the normal smell of sweat and dirt. Everything else was sterile, dead, empty. Liris shivered. Whether from adrenaline falloff or the arrival of evening, she couldn't say. What could she be sure of? Blindfolded, awoken, enslaved? A jab in her head added another to the list. A splitting headache...as if the day wasn't miserable enough.

Once they did make it back to the city, if that truly was their destination, what would be waiting for them? She wasn't naïve enough to expect they would be released and go about their normal lives. No, that wasn't possible with the amount of effort dedicated to this ritual. Did the mines await her? Being a Keeper? Would she refuse? Did she have the strength to even try? She huffed. Of course not, but what were the alternatives? Although, a life in the mines would surely be an improvement. A regular supply of food and clothing? What else could she ask for? But when she failed at even that, what then?

The steady sound of crunching and a single cough were the only replies. It wouldn't work but she might as well try to use her new aptitude. Though it would fail, perhaps she could discover which one it was. Tentatively reaching with her mind, she pictured the person walking in front of her. Squeezing in her mind, that's how the Woken had best described it, she held her breath and tried to listen. Instantly the headache doubled in intensity, but she pushed on. Nothing. No outside thoughts. Letting out pent-up air, she was surprised at her acute disappointment. Obviously, that wouldn't work. Either she was too weak to hear a whisper of thought, or she didn't possess telepathy at all.

Might as well try the other one. Her heart quaked, if this also failed then the future was all the more uncertain. Focusing inward, she pictured her hair as best as she could remember it. The rippling pond had obscured the features, but after all, it wasn't someone else's hair she had to recall. Gritting her teeth, she squeezed again. Did a few strands move? Was it only due to the natural motion of walking? The jabbing in her head was worse this time. What a waste. Slumping, she imagined the ground passing beneath her. It didn't care, didn't hurt...only existed. Was life truly any better? Maybe she would become like the dirt, moved and ordered about by others, content to simply obey.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Her mind yearned for such simplicity, but her heart cried out in anguish. That wasn't existence, it couldn't be. Gathering the shreds of willpower remaining, she squeezed one last time. Emotions, it was rare but maybe? If she was honest with herself, she didn't believe it was possible. One in ten? How dare she assume it could be her? All the same, there was no harm in trying...besides more discomfort. Listening, reaching out, she tried to sense those nearby. A feeling of anger, disappointment, fear, anything at all.

She felt all of those in turn, and intently too. But alas, they were only her own. Well, there was nothing else to attempt. All had failed, or she was so incredibly weak that any of the three she did possess would be of no use. Typical. Maybe they would let her go free once they learned she was worthless. With an abruptness that begged for attention, the steady sound of footsteps changed drastically. Now, sharper slaps rang out with a slight echo. They had returned.

A few murmurs as they passed through the gate, and then the sounds crashed over them like a wave. Shouts in all styles and intents, both distant and close. The creak of wagons and clops of horses. Faintly, the ever-present clink of gems impacting stone. For better or worse, she was alive and she was home.

Their pace quickened, whether at the behest of the Guardian or if it was the city bringing new energy to their steps, was unclear. In any case, they marched on. A few turns, stairs, a curve, they came to a stop...somewhere. Firm hands guided them apart, perhaps into rows? To her right, she could hear crying. Not the loud wailing of a toddler, but the silent kind which was all too familiar. As quietly as she could manage, she forced out a whisper.

"Are you alright?"

What a stupid question. Of course they weren't alright. None of them were. Unsurprisingly, silence was the only response. She opened her mouth again, trying to pose a more suitable inquiry when a new voice intruded on the silence.

"Greetings, I am Councilman Ingvoth. Though you may not see me, I'm sure all of you have heard of me."

A pause, no laughs. Liris pictured the faces staring at the councilman, all as blank as their blindfolds. That almost made her chuckle.

"Very well, I shall get to the point. Each of you have been given an opportunity, one which you have succeeded in thus far. Let me be the first to congratulate you on joining the Woken. Your exact gifts and strengths will soon be tested, and then your lives will truly begin! This city is in need of many things, some of which will perfectly match your gift. Worry not, there is a place for all! Few get this opportunity so early in life, it shall propel you to success and great achievement in the many years to come. For our wonderous city of Belltend!"

More silence.

"Fine, fine...I'm sure you're eager to begin, and begin we shall! As I speak, I'm giving a nod to the Guardians to start the testing. Do your best to make us all proud!"

Clicking steps fading away, quieter shuffling. Liris could feel exhaustion creeping in; physical and otherwise. Far to her right, a door slammed closed. Minutes passed, it squeaked open followed by more shuffling and another slam. This cycle repeated twice more before a gentle hand on her back caused her to jump. Moving with the pressure, she was guided across the stone...courtyard? The slam was far louder this time, directly behind her.

"Alright, you may take off the blindfold now."

If the previous Guardian's voice was as flat as a slab, this one was a field. Though similar in age, it held many secrets in the furrows and bumps that called out with vivacity and wisdom.

"I'll admit I never understood the custom. The eyes show all regardless of hiding them away, at least for the hour it takes to make it back."

Liris slid the blindfold off, a sliver of annoyance as it caught in her hair. The audible gasp that broke out diverted her before the feeling could reach anger.

"You are a blessed one, child!"

She blinked. The room was pitch black, no that wasn't true. There was a very faint light, teal in color, by which she could make out an older man standing before her. Both hair and beard gray, his expression was exuberant. Or, the dim room was warping her perception. He took a step closer and she instinctively backed away.

"My apologies, I only need to inspect the brightness. I haven't seen a teal in over five years so you'll have to excuse my lapse in manners."

The brightness of what? Was that the light? Her eyes? That made no sense, but what else could it be? The Guardian produced a small golden apparatus, it looked like a miniature funnel set at an extremely sharp angle. He lifted it to his eye and peered through at her.

"A shame. Only point one four. However, a teal is a teal. Don't be discouraged!"

"I don't know what you mean...my eyes?"

"They didn't tell you? Those speeches get worse every week. The color determines the category of your gift, and the brightness the strength. However, in your case, strength is certainly not everything."

"My case? What does teal mean? Some variation of telekinesis?"

"Ah, I see you made the connection with their blue emblems...no child." He smiled. She couldn't determine its meaning. "Teal is a whole separate category. It's a cheap term but surely you've heard of a unique before."

A unique. The stream of thoughts, which that revelation instantly produced, split in two. Branching out, it split again and again until there was a flood of them crowding her mind. Far too many to sort out. The pain in her head flared up at the same time. It was too much...she needed out. The walls were moving closer, closing her in. Trapped.

"That appears to have been quite the shock. Here, you may go now and more answers will come tomorrow. It's best if you rest and let your body recover from this monumentous day."

He opened a smaller door on the other side of the room, warm light spilling through the arched opening. With a wave of his hand, he directed her through. She rushed to escape.

"Any of the open doors on the right. Rest well, child."

Stumbling down the hall, she could feel her legs giving out. Raw, everything was still so raw. An opening, she fell through, swung it closed. A pillow beckoned, she collapsed into its embrace.