Lyde cautiously picked up the green vial. Sneaking a glance at his overseer, he saw the knight still staring, waiting for him to make a move. Lyde felt if he dropped the bottle, not only would the knight catch it, he might force the contents down his throat. Great.
Feeling powerless, Lyde gazed at the white ceiling. Blank and silent, unlike his inner feelings. Nothing to provide him solace from the gloomy worry within. Is this what purity is? He doesn’t know if he likes it.
He pulled the vial to his face for one last gaze. A light green shine with the thickness of water. Nothing clearly worrisome, at least to the visible eye. He pulled the bottle in, mentally bracing himself, but stopped before the rim touched his lips as Rhonda's voice rang from his side.
“Smell the bottle first before drinking the entire thing.”
Lyde verbally groaned in anguish, but Rhonda acted as if she didn’t hear anything. The result is never good when someone wants him to smell something. He still won’t forgive his friend, Hal, for that flower he stated he found in the forest. How could something so beautiful smell so foul? Resigning himself to his fate, Lyde inhaled the fumes of the liquid deeply. He regretted his decision immediately.
A pungent odor of old socks and spoiled fish dipped in milk filled his lungs. Lyde gagged, trying with all will to prevent himself from painting the floor in something other than white. The thought of vomiting his excellent ceremony breakfast felt both humiliating and sacrilegious. He hoped the knight would grant him a swift death if that happened.
“Breathe, breathe. You’re doing very well.” Rhonda assured.
Lyde grimaced as he knew the next step. He looked at the villainous drink imagining all the ways of disposing of the substance. He particularly liked the idea of dumping the liquid on the sword and seeing what would happen.
“No procrastinating. Drink the bottle.”
Lyde moaned as Rhonda saw through his plan. ‘Please, Mr. Knight, make my death swift if I vomit. My fate will be far worse if I go home after ruining my shirt.’ Lyde held his breath, closed his eyes, and drank the liquid.
The Lyde's eyes opened wide as he stared at the vial in disbelief. The liquid flowed smoothly down his throat, leaving a cool and refreshing gift as it passed by his tongue. But most importantly, the taste…
“Strawberries?”
Rhonda clapped in glee while the knight sheathed his sword.
“Congratulations. You completed the test of purity. Great Job, Lyde.”
“Wait, that’s it? I don’t feel any different.” Lyde checked his body up and down and discovered no noticeable changes. “Well, so much for wings.”
Rhonda burst out laughing. The silent knight chuckled alongside. Lyde, confused, looked at them until he thought about it.
“Did I say that out loud?” Lyde blushed as Rhonda laughed even harder.
“Oh, now that was a delight. I haven’t laughed like that in years. No child. Everything done was to purify you back to your origin. Any effects, if any, should be found tomorrow. Usually, people discover they can run further or think faster. Let me know if you sprout wings, hoho.” Lyde wished he could crawl under the table half his size.
A rectangular space opened in the empty room as if someone had cut through the void. A young blonde man entered and pointed silently at Lyde, calling for him. Lyde followed the young man and observed the exit as he passed through. He noticed the door always existed, simply blending with the walls as the other side was just a door.
As the door closed, Lyde heard a deep voice from the room.
“No complications so far. No si–” The door shut entirely. Only the young man's steps could be heard in the hallway.
‘That didn’t sound like Rhonda. Was that the knight?’ Lyde thought. He was curious about the conversation, but as the young man walked further away, he threw the thoughts to the back of his mind.
“Wait!” Lyde sprinted after the man, unaware that, for a brief moment, his blue eyes flashed gold.
The hallway the young man guided Lyde through led to a double door with unusual symbols engraved onto the arch.
“What do those symbols mean?” Lyde asked.
The young man did not reply to his annoyance. Only proceeding to do his job in silence. The doors groaned as he opened them and gestured for Lyde to enter. Being ignored so blatantly felt aggravating, but he could do nothing about it. This was their domain, and what they say goes.
He entered the room with anticipation. He imagined this scene all his life, and as he gazed at his future, he realized how lacking his imagination had been. A colossal book sat atop a podium on wide regal steps at the opposite end of the room. The book lies open to the world, with words appearing on its pages magically. Occasionally the pages flipped. However, the thickness on either side of the binding never changed as the cycle continued infinitely. Never stopping. Always turning.
Lyde walked step by step, his attention drawn to its majesty. The world disappeared around him. Only he and the book existed. His footsteps echoed in his ear, harmonizing with his heartbeat. He stopped dead in front of the book ten times his height. Words whispered in his ears. About the past, the future, and the world around. He reached to answer the call towards his soul. Only to touch an invisible barrier stopping his way further.
Anger flooded his mind. His fist struck the barrier with a loud bang, wanting nothing more than to shatter the obstruction into tiny pieces. But the wall stood firm, unmoving, without a single blemish. Lyde attempted again, punching with all the force his body could muster, when his arm was grabbed from behind, stopping him in his tracks.
“Woah there, little legend. You’ll break your hand before you get through that.”
Lyde attempted to struggle, but the words drew his mind to a still. The ripping tornado in his mind faded, and he looked at the one responsible. A young man around mid 20’s with short black hair, common among laborers. Lyde’s attention didn’t stay on his hair for more than a second. No. The young man’s teal eyes consumed all his thoughts. Tranquil and still like an ocean void of wind.
Lyde had never been to a lake, much less the ocean. But he knew, somewhere deep inside him, this man’s boundless soul could only be described as such. Lyde regained control and removed his arm from the man’s hand.
“Thank you,” Lyde said softly. He didn’t know what came over him, but he did know that this stranger helped him.
The man’s eyes gazed at Lyde in curiosity. “That’s a surprise.”
Lyde cocked his head, seeking an answer from the mysterious elder.
The man smiled and explained, “With your reaction, I assumed you were just a hothead, but you composed yourself quickly. A little too quickly, I might add. Interesting. Is there any reason for the urgency?”
Lyde only felt more confused. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what you mean. Mr…”
“Avalo. You can call me Mr. Avalo. Why don’t you join the others over there? You will understand shortly.” Mr. Avalo pointed behind Lyde at a group of six children staring at him.
The children were split into two groups, one gathered by the wall sitting casually, whom he recognized as the kids who entered before him. The other group consisted of two girls and one boy sitting elegantly in the only chairs in the entire space. Each wore a unique garb with personal symbols: a lion, a lily, and a wolf sewn throughout. One scan and Lyde knew instantly who these children were.
‘Huh, knew I can always recognize Mom’s work. Nobles. Great. Three of them too. What awful luck.”’
Lyde knew better than to get close to the nobles. They lived in the city's crown, the top floor, completely separate from everyone else. Unlike the Ground and the Heart layer, where everyone could travel, the Crown layer needed special permission to enter.
Nobles were hard to meet but easy to offend. The last thing he needs right now is more problems, so he strolled over to his fellow attendees putting as much distance away from the Nobles as possible. The lanky boy appeared wary of him, while the other two stayed unfazed. Lyde didn’t take the reaction to mind as he sat slightly away from the group, waiting to see what Avalo was talking about.
It didn’t take long before another child entered the room. Lyde watched as the boy walked towards the book, but instead of walking through, he sat midway. His attention tilted upwards above the book, and he stared at the empty space. With a smile, the boy began humming a soft melody and swayed his head from side to side. A fulfilling joy flowed alongside the music, filled with thankfulness and grace. The song hung in the air with everyone listening, not daring to make a sound. It wasn’t until Avalo shook him that Lyde realized the child was in a trance.
‘Well, that’s embarrassing. Everyone here saw my freak out, and I don’t even know why I did it.’
Lyde looked around at the six before him and imagined their reactions when they arrived. He at least hoped his reaction wasn’t the most embarrassing. Lyde remembered Rhonda telling them there were children before them. The nobles probably came first to prevent any humiliation from their acts.
He glanced at the nobles and, surprisingly, caught all three staring in his direction. The lily whispered towards the lioness while the wolf glared at him with hostility. ‘Oh great, what did I do to get their attention?’ He knew his performance was odd, but that warrants them being curious or perhaps cautious, not hostile. Their reactions confused him until he caught the lily glancing down at him.
“You have got to be kidding me.” Lyde sighed in exasperation.
Lyde stared at the nobles until he made eye contact. He pinched his shirt and pointed at himself and them. “My mother is Sylvia, the Elite Tailor. She made my clothing and yours.”
The children looked at him in surprise, and even the lily’s jaw dropped slightly. Realization hit shortly after, and the young wolf’s hostility disappeared. Though he still projected his dislike clearly enough with his head turned away in arrogance. They really were as easy to offend as his mother described. He felt relieved that the situation was resolved with no conflict. At least until the lioness in the center stood up and walked in his direction.
Lyde watched as the girl confidently approached him, her head held high and her steps uniform. There was no arrogance in her demeanor, only valiance and grace.
“Hello, my name is Kaelyn Flarun, daughter of Earl Flarun. My friend over there requested to know if your mother can make her something of similar quality.”
Lyde was surprised. He did not expect her to introduce herself so respectfully. He looked at her and then at her friend. The girl, still seated, turned away, but he could see her peek at him from the corner of her eye.
“Well, you would have to ask my mother. Though I’m sure, she will be willing for the right price. Part of the reason she made this outfit is to advertise her skill.”
Lyde glanced at the Lion on her own outfit. His mother used the lace to exhibit dancing flames around the beast. He has to give credit to his Mum. She is as impressive as she always says. Kaelyn seemed to notice his gaze and smiled in pride. Thankfully so, as his actions could be considered rude. But who could blame him? His mother stitched the Lion in such an awkward place for him to look at.
“Vulca, the legendary lion of flames. The symbol of my family. Representing our explosive power and conviction to protect our kingdom.” Kaelyn paused before checking Lyde’s outfit once more. “What about you?”
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“Huh?”
“The one thing my friend enjoys more than anything else is fashion. Such knowledge is a must for any noble lady, she says. She happens to be especially fond of your mother as, and I quote, each of her pieces carries a story. Now I assumed that she always imagined such a thing. At least until I received this piece. Now I understand even more so after seeing you. What do the stars mean?”
Lyde lowered his head. He felt tempted to ignore her, to brush off her question with a lie to end this conversation quickly. But he didn’t.
He thought back to this morning; his mother’s words, her delicate actions, her love. He smiled gently, thinking about the care she gives in everything to the smallest detail.
“My mother said that on the day I was born, the stars glowed brighter than the moonlight. They connected together, forming a pattern of light throughout the sky. Never had she seen a sight so beautiful in her life. The muse that led her to achieve her rank of Expert and find her path to an Elite. The gentle light was her blessing from heaven, and I was her blessing on Direga. Her little star.”
Kaelyn stared at Lyde silently, ruminating the story in her head.
“Thank you. That was more than I expected. It seems I also need to start purchasing from your mother.” She gave a slight bow, to the surprise of everyone, before turning to walk back. Her steps stopped short as she turned towards him once more.
“May I have your name?”
Lyde paused for a second but understood he would be rude if he didn’t oblige.
“It’s Lyde.”
“I’ll remember it,” Kaelyn nodded and continued to her seat. As soon as she sat down, the lily began pestering her non-stop.
Lyde wasn’t sure how being on a noble’s radar would impact his life, but there was no reason to worry, at least for right now. He redirected his focus to the children entering the room and their odd behavior. Each one reacted uniquely. One child ran around the room with no regard for their stamina, one growled like a beast and pounced on air, and one even stood on their head and recited poetry. The poetry wasn’t bad.
None gave Lyde any insight into why they behaved that way. Too much information was missing. Unfortunately, the time to find the answer ran dry as the last of his group entered through the doors. The shortest of them all was a girl with purple hair and a timid personality. She prayed as soon as she entered the room and was stopped by Rhonda, who followed after.
“Ok, that is everyone. Let’s begin the main ceremony.”
Everyone looked at the elder, confused. The little girl who entered last raised her hand. “Um, what about everyone else.”
“Their ceremony will be later. Though large, this room can’t accommodate everyone. So we perform multiple ceremonies throughout the day to accommodate everyone. It takes time to complete all the tests and the ceremony in an orderly manner.” Avalo chimed from across the room
‘Orderly, huh?’ Lyde understood the elder’s underlying message. He couldn’t imagine having Crown Nobles and Ground children in the same room. Maintaining order would be almost impossible. But it had nothing to do with Lyde. He actually felt grateful since it means the ceremony starts sooner.
“Come on, everyone, gather around. It’s story time.” Rhonda stated as she gathered everyone towards the book. The nobles did not leave their chairs as they were already taken into consideration when Rhonda moved everyone. Once everyone was seated, Rhonda moved to the side, making room for Avalo, who stood in front.
“What you see before you is the book containing the stories of all living things. From the smallest insect in the plains to the mightiest Legends of Humanity. We call this, The Direga Records. Plants and fish included with no cost extra.” Rhonda and the other elders moaned in embarrassment as Avalo chuckled.
The children ignored the elder’s reactions as they were fascinated with Avalo’s words. The mystical book even shone brighter as if showing off its greatness to the children. But that might be their imagination.
The lanky boy raised his hand to speak. “So you’re telling me that even a bug and a tree have stories. Bugs are so tiny, and the grass is... well, grass. It’s not alive.”
“Says who? The grass is very much alive. They just don’t think the way we do. The energy of life flows through all of Direga. Why would the world care if you think or speak? I see people who refuse to think every day, but the world doesn’t judge. So be careful, or some grass might be the end of you.” Avalo stated with a smile, but Lyde noticed the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
The lanky kid shrunk back into his seat, afraid, regretting his previous question. A cough sounded from behind them, and turning around, Lyde noticed Ernest had walked in at some point during the conversation.
“Now, there is no need to scare the pages. I think it’s time to explain their role in this.”
“Just a lesson is perception is all. But I’ve digressed. Now as I explained before, every life is in this book. Now then, why are you here if you are already recorded. Well, I’m sure you have all heard the stories of legends, right?
Everyone shifted in their seats excitingly. Their eyes intensified with passion, and the room echoed with murmurs of glee. The nobles, though, remained unmoved, completely uninterested in Avalo’s speech.
“Well, this is where all legends begin. Before today, you were all minor characters in the stories of others, too young for the world to fully resonate with your life force and soul. Each race and creature have an age where their young are physically capable of accepting Direga’s blessing, and 12 is the age for Humans.”
Lyde nodded in understanding. His parents had already given him the basics, so Lyde knew he had to wait until he was 12. Now it makes sense why his parents always told him he wasn’t old enough. He literally wasn’t. Huh. He wondered if washing the dishes fell under a similar reason. Lyde resumed focusing on Avalo to see if he could find the answer to any more mysteries.
“Though every race’s age differs, the process of their path is still the same. Everyone is awarded achievements for feats acknowledged by Direga. Achievements lead to progression, and every race has the same progression ranks. We as humans refer to them as Novice, Fledgling, Adept, Expert, Elite, Champion, and the very top of humanity--Legend.“
Everyone clamored as they could no longer keep seated. Avalo relished in their reaction as he laughed in jubilation. This has always been his favorite moment.
“Now, hold on to your excitement, children. It will take many years before any of you even become an Expert, much less a Legend. Most can’t surpass Adept. Every step is more difficult than the next. You need a solid foundation and fortunate opportunities to fill your page with meritorious achievements for the next rank.”
This put a damper on everyone’s mood. Most of the children thought of their own parents and the struggles they went through. Lyde knew his parents were outliers, especially his mother. She often spoke about how fortunate she was to find her opportunity early to ascend the ranks.
“Right at this moment, you are all at the stage before Novice. A time of endless potential. You are blank pages, ready to write the story that belongs solely to you. One warning, don’t let the story write you. Let us create history, and fill your page with its first words. The words to let the world know that you are here.”
Everyone grew restless and could no longer remain seated. The children clamored in excitement about who would go first. Everyone except Lyde and the Nobles. The Nobles silently stood from their seat and waited while Lyde stayed seated, feeling unusual.
His heartbeat slowed, and every thump resonated clearly within his head. Avalo’s words resonated with Lyde in a way he didn’t understand. A hunger filled him, one desiring to move forward as quickly as possible. He hoped the ceremony would help him find the answer…fast.
“OK, settle down, everyone. Proceed in the sequence of when you first entered the room. We will begin with Ms. Kaelyn Flarun. ” Avalo said as he clapped to gather their attention.
Many of the children showed reluctance but didn’t dare to say anything. Lyde felt extremely impatient, barely keeping himself from disregarding instructions and cutting in front. Only the awareness of the elder's gazes kept the last thread of self-control from snapping.
Lyde watched Kaelyn walk to the elder first. Her demeanor was confident and proper, but the trembling of her fist exposed the underlying fire under her cool façade. Avalo tapped the invisible barrier. A rectangular opening glowing in white light manifested itself. She slowly entered the barrier as the opening closed from behind.
Observing from afar, the records dwarfed her completely. She was but a mouse in front of a mountain, intimidated but desiring the warmth she sensed within. She reached forward and placed her hand upon its pages. A soft glow emanated upon contact. The light pulsed and spread to the rest of the singular page. Kaelynn withdrew her hand and marveled as the compendium synchronized and recorded her existence word by word. Her full name written in flames at the top of the page signified her start to recording her story.
She might have stayed longer if Rhonda hadn’t woken her from her trance and guided her back.
The lily and the wolf followed shortly after. Each placing their hand on the Records and each being escorted back afterward. Now, however, was the tricky part. Before, no one dared to step out of line for fear of offending the nobles. But with them completing their turn, the line order became unfair for many impatient hot-blooded youngsters. People began pushing and shoving, creating a ruckus to get one step closer to the book.
The elders watched, not attempting to stop them. An understanding smile on their faces.
“Every time. Do they forget we even exist?” Rhonda sighed as she watched the mischief.
“Both you and I know how children are. It’s a surprise the first half went so smoothly.” Ernest replied.
“I know, but just once, I would like a well-behaved group with no fuss. I mean, look. Even young Lyde is joining in.”
Lyde stepped forward in a daze, his heart beating louder and louder, drowning the children’s complaints. Images flashed in his mind. Ones he knew all too well. ‘The dreams, they have something to do with all this.’ The devil whispered in his ear, seeking to confirm the truth. The last thread of his sanity snapped. He needed his answers now.
A large hand held his shoulder in place. Without looking, Lyde’s body reacted, grabbing the wrist and twisting the owner’s arm. The muscular child caught unprepared, groaned in pain as his body shifted instinctively to prevent his arm from breaking. Everyone stopped. They watched in fear as Lyde disabled the largest of them. Their excitement doused as they stepped back with reignited patience.
“Lyde, let go. Don’t hurt him. I promise you can go next..” Avalo pacified. His body tensed as he noticed Lyde's eyes. Blank like when he first entered the room.
“Avalo, what are you doing!? No one is supposed to be affected anymore?” Rhonda exclaimed.
“I don’t know… The skill should still be in effect. Otherwise, everyone would be affected.”
Lyde did not react to the conversation but let the boy go to the surprise of the elders. His focus zeroed in on the compendium. He stepped forward steadily as he distanced himself from the group. All eyes in the room centered on him as the barrier shifted open, allowing him passage.
“What!!?” Rhonda gasped. “We can’t let him through like this. Who knows what would happen?”
Edward shook his head. “There is nothing we can do. We have to wait until he is registered. Then we enter and rescue.”
“Register… Do you still believe it will be that simple?” Avalo said.
The elders turned silent. They understood best how mysterious the records are. As long as the barrier remained, they could only watch as Lyde made his way to the compendium.
Lyde arrived at the book, stopping to look at the artifact in its entirety. The Records loomed over imposingly much larger in person. The book remained unchanged, repeatedly flipping after organizing magical words onto a page.
Lyde reached forward, his fingers twitching in anticipation. Some lucidity returned, and his thoughts raced through all the possibilities. ‘Will he finally understand the dreams? What if it doesn’t work? What if he will never find the answers?”
Many doubts passed through his mind, but his arm didn’t stop. His middle finger brushed against the paper, the slight tingling of the contact followed by dry smoothness. His arm relaxed, placing his palm on the page.
Like with the other children, a soft glow formed. Warm energy pulses gently, guiding itself through his fingers. The energy moved slowly, brushing against his insides, soothing him before moving deeper within. Up his shoulder, then splitting into strands to send the rest of his body. The book scanned every inch of his body before attempting to go even deeper.
The light maneuvered through the doorway to his soul, allured by the source that lay beyond. Lyde’s body jolted as the gentle energy turned violent. The energy jerked through his system as it tried to retreat from his body. However, the next moment, it froze. The energy pulled back into Lyde’s source and synchronized. A thousand images per second flowed in his mind. Meanwhile, the book shined with renewed vigor as words appeared on their pages.
“Alright, Go!.”
Once the elders saw the reaction they were waiting for, they all moved swiftly to secure Lyde. The children couldn’t even see them move as they flashed by so quickly. However, the barrier remained closed against their efforts.
“What happened? Why isn’t the barrier open?” Rhonda screamed.
“I don’t know. This has never happened before. The barrier should have opened by–” Avalo’s remaining words stuck to his throat. He shakily pointed, directing the other elders to his sight.
“The light… it’s golden….”
The elders snapped their attention towards Lyde. Lyde remained unmoved since the beginning, eyes dazed and unfocused. The glow emanating from his hand shifted colors from a soft white to a brilliant gold. The gold spread, transforming the paper into a solid gold sheet shimmering in metallic glory.
The elders’ minds exploded. If before they had a small inkling of the phenomenon, then now they were utterly clueless. Such a showy change had never been recorded in the last thousand years.
“Look over there!” Edward exclaimed, pointing toward the page on the opposite end of the binding.
As Lyde’s page shined gold, the other page reacted. In the center, a black smudge materialized as if ink dripped onto the page. The drop soon spread, dyeing the white fibers in darkness until the entire page lay corrupted.
Black and Gold sheened, complimenting each other while contrasting the surrounding white room. Every child gazed in awe while every elder stared in fear. The situation, unprecedented, smelled of intense danger. Before they could react, though, a wave of golden black energy blasted, knocking everyone into the walls unconscious.
Only Lyde stayed standing as he remained frozen since the situation originated. The golden aura around him faded as the light returned to his eyes. His iris, previously blue, now gleamed in a golden shimmer.
“Ah, so that’s what it was.”
Lyde collapsed, causing the room to loom silently over the motionless bodies.
Only the sound of the flutter of a page-turning