Five seconds. An insignificant amount of time, considering the twenty-four hours in a day. About the same length as a deep breath, both in and out.

In that five seconds, Ellyas attempted to understand the situation before him. Being an Expert Hunter, he prided himself on his reaction speed, but this time, that prided reaction speed failed him.

Lyde propelled toward the crowd of people hovering around the marketplace. A wall of bodies fifty meters long stands between him and his goal. Open alleyways and an alternate main road curved to the right presented Lyde with additional routes to the objective.

The problem, however, is his father’s hunter instincts. For one reason or another, the number of times Lyde successfully hid from his father currently stood at a resounding zero. Hiding in the back alleys would prove equally hopeless. The difference in physical ability and speed also negates the alternate approach of running on the less crowded street adjacent.

The only option available is the direct approach, which also plays to Lyde’s advantage while turning Ellyas’ strength into his weakness.

“Lyde, No!!! Wait! You’ll hurt someone!” Sylvia screamed out.

Lyde felt his heart drop as guilt crept up his stomach. He frowned in annoyance and kept moving forward, focusing on the crowd. This guilty conscience was starting to become a bad habit.

‘Ok, fine. I won’t bother anyone. In fact-‘ Lyde scanned the mass of people. He examined their gaze, their positioning, and the gaps between each other. His mind absorbed and calculated, utilizing every piece of information available down to the slightest detail, all in a few seconds.

Then without hesitation, he crouched, shifting his center of gravity closer to the ground, and swayed. Lyde’s torso moved irregularly, like when he accidentally drank his father’s mead and couldn’t hold his balance. Up, down, left, right. His body shifted in every direction, but inexplicably, his feet never stopped running. His body avoided touching a single person the entire time.

He performed a graceful dance as he moved among the people on a path unseen, unnoticed. Where he passes, the eyes of those around are focused elsewhere. Whether in the middle of a conversation or glancing at the wares, questioning their desire against the weight in the pocket, each individual was unaware a small boy passed inches near them.

Sometimes Lyde bumped into someone, but by the time they registered and glanced at what they hit, Lyde was no longer there, their view blocked by another. He continued passing person after person until, eventually, there was no one to pass anymore.

Lyde arrived at the goal successfully, untouched by his father. Tiny drops of sweat dropped from his forehead. His lungs constricted, burning from within as they desperately absorbed the oxygen his ragged breaths hastily provided.

It didn’t take long for Lyde’s family to catch up to him. First, his father and then his mother and sister. Ellyas examined Lyde, bewildered, while Sylvia rushed to her son in fervent worry.

“Lyde, are you ok!? Lyde! Dear, he is not saying anything!”

Lyde raised his hand, signaling he was alright. His breathing began stabilizing and turning into slow deep breaths.

“OK. I… might… need some… training…” Lyde managed to say.

Sylvia and Ellyas looked at Lyde dumbfounded before Ellyas burst into laughter. Monica’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at her brother.

“Woah, Lyde, that was amazing. You ran right into those people and disappeared. No one even knew you were there. It was like you were a ghost. How did you do that?”

“Yeah, how did you that?” Ellyas asked. He still couldn’t wrap his head around what had happened. Unlike Monica, who could only see Lyde from a distance, he had chased after him. When he reached the crowd, it was as if he had entered a swamp, constantly impeded and forced to move slowly. People, annoyed as he shoved his way through, only made the entire process more difficult.

Lyde shrugged. “Sometimes being small isn’t so bad.”

Ellyas still felt unconvinced, but there was not much he could do. Sylvia, on the other hand, grabbed ahold of Lyde. Surprised, Lyde instinctively tried to escape, but feeling the grip on his shoulders strengthen caused him to stop.

Lyde observed his mother as he felt her hands trembling. Why they were trembling, he was unsure.

“Mama?” Lyde questioned.

Sylvia shivered but did not remove her grip. Then as if steeling her nerves, she stared straight into his eyes. Now Lyde could see her emotion, though he still didn’t understand. ‘Why was she afraid?’

“Lyde–. I need you to answer my question. Don’t ask why, and don’t think about it. Can you do that for me, honey?”

Lyde felt his heart quicken and his mind race. Curiosity and fear mix as his mind tries to understand an answer to a question unasked. He wanted to ask why, but one look at his mother and he knew he couldn’t. So he nods. To ensure his mother and himself that everything will be ok no matter the question she asks.

Sylvia takes a deep breath and tenses.

“You are my Lyde, right?”

Lyde glanced at his mother, confused. He then glanced at his sister, who appeared as confused as he was, and his father, who seemed confused and concerned. He tried to contemplate his mother’s meaning but failed to consider anything.

“Uhh…yes? Are you ok, Mama?”

Sylvia’s tense body loosened as she fell to her knees in relief.

“Oh, thank goddess.” Sylvia sighed. “Honey, do me a favor and behave for the rest of the day.”

‘Alright, I am now more confused than ever.’ Lyde thought to himself.

“OK… I don’t know what that was about, but I will join the others now if that is everything. Ok?”

Sylvia waved her hand, giving her permission as Ellyas helped her off the ground. Lyde waved goodbye to his family and left confused. Ellyas turned to his wife.

“Do you want to tell me what that was about?”

“Later,” Sylvia said as she hugged her daughter tightly. Monica didn’t react, lost in her thoughts and imagination about her brother being a ghost.

Lyde joined the rest of the children at the meeting spot. All the middle-layer children were waiting for the guide to lead them to their destination. Some were dressed in white like Lyde, while others were still dressed in everyday clothes looking at Lyde in wonder and envy. Looking around, it seemed it wasn’t just them as everyone was staring at him, including all the adults.

“Oh my. Look at those clothes. They must cost a fortune.” A woman whispered to her friend.

“Didn’t you know that’s Sylvia’s child?”

“The Elite! Do you think she’s here!?”

Well, this comes with the territory of having Sylvia as a mother. It was both a gift and a curse. Lyde sighed as he tried to ignore stares and whispers. Everyone quieted as an elderly man arrived from who knows where escorted by two knights. The elderly man was slightly hunched with a kind face dressed in a white vestment with golden tassels and the symbol of an open book on his chest.

All the adults bowed respectfully while Lyde and all the children observed the elder with innocent curiosity. The elder raised his hand to the adults signaling them to stop.

He scanned through the children and the area around, his smile remaining the same.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“It seems everyone has made it with no difficulties. Twelve new seeds this year. How promising.” The elder laughed himself.

He raised his right hand while the knights around him stood guard. His hand began glowing a silver light, and with a wave, the floor under Lyde and the children glowed in silver.

Lyde felt his balance waver as everyone, but the parents were slowly lifted by a solid silver platform that formed. The children grew excited as they studied the magic beneath their feet.

“Everyone stay still. We don’t want any accidents to happen,” the elder casually stated.

The children froze as their excitement changed to fear. Some even crouched on all fours wishing to be on the ground again.

“Hahaha, that’s always my favorite part.” the elder chuckled, seeing the children’s reactions.

The platform continued rising as everyone floated above their parents’ heads.

“Be careful up there!”

“Ty, make sure you behave!”

“Finney, it’s ok. I’m sure they have a change of pants for you at the hall.”

The parents waved and screamed to their children as they grew further and further away. Lyde waved goodbye to his family before focusing on the view as they ascended.

Never before has he seen his home like this. The city seemed so big even when the buildings looked so small. From this height, he could even see the outer wall, the only protection against the ferocious beasts of Star Forest. Well, for the ground layer, at least.

As they floated to the city’s peak, Lyde noticed other groups flying, each on their own magical construct. There was a ring of roots, a snake made of boulders, and even a giant sword.

‘That didn’t look safe. Thankfully we have a square to lie on.’

He saw that amount of children on each platform outsized his own. He never knew there were so many children his age in the city.

Lyde noticed one more in the distance. It was hard to miss as no children could be seen. Only a massive shadowy haze. The sight was a bit suspicious, but as their elder’s expression did not change, Lyde assumed everything was fine.

The flight didn’t take long as the peak was near and on it the Origin hall. A sole building as large as it was grand. Made of white pillars and bricks that dwarfed all standing before it. Lyde doubted the hall was even manmade as the effort to create such a monstrosity would take well over 1000 men.

The platform arrived at the peak, where more elders in robes awaited the children at the entrance. The silver magic disappeared as everyone but the elder fell unprepared on the hard stone floor.

“Alright, we have arrived, young ones. As some of you have noticed, there is more than one guide here. Elder Yoland, on the left, will take the children without formal wear to get you outfitted with some simple ones. Don’t worry, they won’t cost you anything. Elder Forest will be in charge of those needing some… cleansing before undergoing their ceremony. They will be all pristine and fresh once he’s done with them. For those who came prepared with their own clothing, Elder Rhonda will be your guide to have you complete some final procedures before the ceremony begins.” said the elder with golden tassels.

Each elder stood under a banner with their own colors: blue, green, and yellow. The elders underneath bowed to the young children once their name was called.

“What about you, sir….” One of the young girls said.

“Oh, how rude of me. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Ernest, my dear, and something still needs my attention before your ceremony begins. I hope to see you all in the main hall for your big moment.” Ernest exclaimed as he bowed. He and the other guides gathered by the edge. A large golden circular formation appeared beneath their feet. The area’s edge spread upwards, wrapping around them in a luminescent tulip before floating over the edge, gliding out of view.

‘Huh, I thought I saw only four groups besides ours.’ Lyde thought as he counted six guides when they left. His thought process didn’t last as his body started glowing yellow, stealing away his attention. Looking around, each of the children present shone in one of the three colors matching the banners above the elders. They were all somehow categorized before he knew it.

“Note to self. Thank Mama for the bath suggestion.” Lyde said as he watched children shining green rush to their designated banner, some hiding their faces in shame. It didn’t hide much, as their cherry faces didn’t match the green glow around them.

Lyde walked toward Elder Rhonda as the obnoxious glow of a campfire in the dead of night on his skin clearly dictated he was her responsibility. She opened her arms to them as they gathered with a warm and gentle welcome.

“Don't you all look lovely? Thank you for preparing beforehand. I am always worried if we will have enough clothes for everyone.” Rhonda said as she inspected everyone with approval.

The children relaxed and smiled happily at the compliment. They felt pride in their clothes; Lyde knew he did, and Rhonda cleverly knew how to make everyone more comfortable.

“Now, dears, can everyone follow me? We must do just one more thing before you can join your fellow ceremony mates.” Rhonda snapped her fingers, and the yellow glow around Lyde faded.

Lyde followed Rhonda alongside the six other children as they entered the pearly maw of the majestic hall. Looking around, he felt in awe. The high ceilings, the arch hallway, and the tiled floors were all intricately designed, magnifying the building's presence. Each surfaced depicted a different story, telling grand tales of old, all in a simple white color.

“Alright, we’re here. Now, if you all can, please stand in an orderly line. The process needs to be done one at a time. Let's see… yes. How about in order from tallest to shortest, starting with the strong lad– right there. Yes, you.” Rhonda pointed at a child that Lyde could only describe as a wild beast in white.

Calling him tall was an understatement, as he was already almost the elder’s height. His shirt was cut off at the sleeves showing off thick muscles, and his head held a thick brown mane of rough black hair down to his mid-back. Two large incisors poked out the side of his mouth, pitch black contrasting the paleness of his skin. If the child shaved his head and hid his teeth, he would disappear entirely into the white hall.

‘Wow, what did the Blasthir eat to get like that? That settles it. Training starts first thing tomorrow with Pops.” Lyde decided for himself. Rhonda guided the “kid” into a mysterious room while everyone else was comparing their heights to line themselves up.

Lyde’s place in line was closer to the front as he was the third child among the twelve left, right behind a lanky boy and a purple-haired girl only one inch taller than him. One measly inch. Nope, Lyde decided not to get hung up on it. Just because the girl acted smug with her stupid face when they measured doesn’t mean anything. After training with his pops, he will dwarf that little girl.

One by one, about every ten minutes, someone opened the door for the next child to go through. Shortly after the girl, Lyde’s turn came. No child came back through the same door, which means this door led to the ceremony room. He walked through and noticed the one who opened the door was not Rhonda but a little middle-aged man shorter than he was.

The middle-aged man seemed grumpy as he wore a permanent scowl. He gestured for Lyde to follow him as he hopped through a short hallway into another room. Lyde’s eyes widened when he entered. No walls, no ceilings: just white expanding endlessly into a blank abyss. Rhonda stood not far from him with the same smile on her face. Though now in this room, the smile felt chilling. Next to her sat a knight wearing spiky armor sharper than any needle and a small table with a vial of green liquid.

“Hello, over here. Ah, yes, the one dressed with stars in a white sky. Beautiful and quite fitting for a handsome young man such as yourself. What is your name, child?” asked Elder Rhonda.

“My name is Lyde, elder,” Lyde said. “Where are we?”

“Welcome to the Hall of Purity. Just as a soul is blank before birth, this room is tasked to purify you before entering the Hall of Beginnings, where the ceremony will take place.”

“Purify?” Lyde looked confusedly at Rhonda. She nodded her head and proceeded to continue.

“There are a couple of things we need you to do before you are guided to the main hall.”

Lyde observed the vial on the table in suspicion. ‘Green. Never a good color when in a bottle. I don’t think Mama would have sent me to get poisoned, so it should be fine… I hope’ He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and summoned his courage.

“Ok, I’m ready. What do I do first?”.

Rhonda smiled and gestured to the knight. “Please place your hand on his sword?”

The knight, with impressive speed, unsheathed their sword and stabbed the blade into the floor. The floor does not crack as the blade seamlessly plunges unimpeded, stopping once the tip disappears.

Lyde stared at the blade in front of him. He has always wanted to hold a real sword. Which boy hasn’t once in their lives? He watched people pass by the shop with weapons of all types. He begged his parents to let him try once, but they only allowed him to swing wooden swords when he played. However, at the moment, with a real sword being in arms reach, excitement was the last emotion he felt.

Lyde glanced at the knight looming over him by the side. Their imposing presence made him recoil in fear. Lyde could even feel him staring, observing his every movement and twitch. Without much choice, Lyde walked up to the sword under the knight’s intense pressure. He peered over to Rhonda, who gave a quick not-so reassuring smile and sighed.

“Here goes something,” Lyde murmured as he gripped the hilt.

Lyde tensed as a suctioning force grasped his hand, trapping him with the blade. He panicked and tried to free himself, only to discover his hand gripping tighter instead. He could only watch in fear as a small electrical current snaked up the blade through the hilt and into his hand. A numbing feeling traveled into every corner of his body before disappearing as quickly as it came.

Unable to adjust quickly enough, his body relaxed, causing him to collapse. His eyes teetered back and forth between the sword and his now free hand.

“What was that..?”

“Oh, he is calmer than I thought. What a fascinating batch we have today. Ok, good job Lyde. We can now move on to the final part.” Rhonda said, gesturing to the vial.

Lyde shivered. After his ordeal with the sword, he couldn’t imagine what the mysterious liquid would do. Maybe it will give him wings. He’d be ok with that.

Lyde picked himself up and looked at the vial with caution.

“Can I ask what this is?”

Rhonda smiled gently.

“Nope.”