The amphitheater was an embodiment of pride. A majestic structure of white marble, nestled in the heart of the Structure. Its tiers of seating rose high, each one adorned with intricate carvings of heroes of old and scenes of ancient battles. The stage was a grand platform of polished stone, surrounded by a dark stone with flecks of gold. The acoustics were perfect, allowing even the softest whisper from the stage to echo throughout the entire area. This was to make sure no announcement went unheard. To make each and every audience member feel like they were part of the ceremony. A path from the entrance to the center stage was inlaid with royal purple stones. It was customary for the new recruits to only step on these stones as they approached. The energy was palpable, or at least. It was supposed to be. It used to be. As each recruit entered the crowd would roar with excitement. A feast was prepared with endless flowing drinks. It was a true celebration. This time around, when the recruits entered. It was practically empty. The room could fill five hundred, easily. Skye counted. Forty-one. Why isn’t anyone here?
“I told you,” Bryn scoffed at the lack of attendance. It was customary for the group of new recruits to line the back of the amphitheater until they were called down one by one. “No one cares about duty or honor anymore,” she continued, Dorian nodded along. Until someone caught the corner of his eye, Myka. She had snuck in at the end of the line. Anyone of proper age was allowed to attend the ceremony, but it was frowned upon without the proper training. The recruit would just be a liability.
“And the trumpets would boom with adoration for our new heroes,” Dorian scoffed.
“Ha. Right,” Bryn responded as her eyes darted over to the pile of abandoned brass instruments in the corner. How they used to play such uproarious music. She thought.
“Who cares, at least we’re strong,” Skye said looking at each one of them. There were fifteen in total, a perfectly fine number. Regardless of the lackluster ceremony, he was glad to have them with him. A few others stood out among the bunch. Keltin was short and small for his age, but he had potential. Incredible with battle strategy and a vision for mechanics, he could build anything from anything. A seemingly unrelated set of materials into a masterpiece. That was a gift on its own. Hosanna Pydrima. There was a time when she was vying for the top spot. But cracked under the pressure of training. Her skill was still phenomenal, but her mental state had become shaky. Skye watched her eyes dart back and forth as if she was constantly surveying the room for potential threats.
“Gatha ya seats, let’s get started,” Almanon announced, he seemed bored, but then again he always had an overly nonchalant attitude toward most things. There were a few sparse claps as the recruits got ready, one of the elders had already dozed off, and his rhythmic snoring summed up the mood perfectly. None of this mattered. Soon they would all be gifted and out in the world doing what they were born to do. Out of the corner of his eye, Skye caught Myka and Dorian waving to their parents. At least they were enjoying themselves. Most of the recruits’ parents were there. Of course, his weren’t. A thought he quickly pushed to the back of his mind. Now was not the time to be reminiscent of old traumas, but to focus on the path that lay ahead. Almanon cleared his throat.
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“Ah. Yes, yes, Dorian Step forward. Hm, how fitting,” Almanon announced. Myka let out a blunted “Woo!”. When no one joined in she quickly retreated back into the shadows. Still, Dorian loved this about her. A sense of wonder and charm amidst the most tedious or tense situations. He made sure that each of his steps was precise, touching only the purple stones toward the stage.
“Now remember,” Almanon spoke to Dorian directly, but his words were loud enough for all to hear. “Once given the injection, head directly through the tunnel, once you reach the byway, you’ll see the Desacte. Place your hand on it and your Brilliance will materialize. If not, turn to your left, and take the hallway back to The Structure. ” he continued.
“How will we know, if we’ve gotten the gift?” Dorian asked.
“What? Oh. Right. uhm the Desacte will turn gold. Plus, all the training we’ve done. You’ve done. Has been to prepare your bodies and minds. Once you receive The Brilliance, it becomes part of you. As natural and intuitive as breathing. You’ll know,” Almanon finished as fifteen golden syringes were wheeled onto the stage. Dorian rolled up his right sleeve. The needle was administered gently and expertly. Once it pierced his skin. There was an immediate adrenaline rush, his entire body felt like it was vibrating, tingling. A warmth washed over his extremities. His lungs filled with air like coming out of the ocean for a first breath. Each sense was heightened, focused, if only for a few moments. “Next!” Almanon shouted.
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Myka could barely take the anticipation. Freedom was right there, right through that tunnel. She couldn’t take her eyes off the stone archway. Endless possibility. Truth be told when Myka was called she barely listened to a word Almanon said. No one expected much of her, even her parents weren’t watching. Far in the back row they chatted and laughed about one thing or another. For in their minds, their sweet daughter would be back by their side soon enough. They were a little taken aback when she asked if she could be a part of the ceremony, but overall they seemed supportive, even if they were lying through their teeth. They were probably just trying to protect her from disappointment.
“So farewell, make us proud,” Almanon finished, now directly looking at Myka.
“Yes. Sure,” Myka said as she stretched out her arm. When the serum entered her bloodstream she couldn’t help but wonder. What is this supposed to feel like? Waiting for something, anything, but there was no sensation. Save for a split second when her arms and legs went numb. Myka half bowed towards Almanon and sprinted towards the tunnel. Only once the darkness completely consumed her, and she could no longer see the light of the amphitheater behind did she stop. The tunnel stretched out a little over a mile, in the direction of The Structure’s outer wall. Almanon’s words kept playing over in her head. Their powers were supposed to be intuitive, and become part of them. Keep walking, the Desacte will show you. Then, in the middle of the tunnel, a small mechanical podium stood about four feet high. It split the tunnel into a fork, turn right and leave, or turn left and go back home. A hand pad was mounted on the top. Myka placed her palm on the Desacte and prayed. If it turned white, she was un-gifted. If it turned gold well. This meant her dreams were finally realizing themselves. The Desacte beeped. And. Nothing. No color was emitted. She lifted her hand and placed it once more. Beep. Nothing, no white nor gold. She tried her left hand. Nothing. Myka kicked the Desacte in frustration. She gazed down the tunnel on the right and smiled.
“It’s not my fault the machine is broken…” Myka said softly to herself. It was time to choose her own fate.
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Without the nervous chatter of all the recruits the room was surprisingly quiet. Shoulders back, chin up, Skye was the last one called down, and while it shouldn’t have, it bothered him deeply. Not because it felt like some form of rejection, but because of the sinking feeling in his stomach that grew and grew as each recruit before him was called down. Then, in a blink of an eye, Skye was on stage and Almanon administered the injection. He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. When his eyelids opened darkness crept in from the edges of his sight. Blindness? The sensation of panic slipped through.
“What’s going on?” A stranger shouted from the crowd. It wasn’t just him, the whole room went dark. But it was more than that, the darkness came from within him like he was sucking all the light out of the room. Then, as quickly as it had come, his vision returned. Everyone seemed to be a little more alert, but not by much. Almanon had his head cocked to one side. As if a monumental decision weighed heavily on him.
“Sorry, Skye… I’m afraid you’re. Un-gifted,” Almanon said loudly, for everyone to hear. Skye smiled and headed for the tunnel until he was stopped in his tracks. Like he walked into an invisible wall. Damn his gift, gravity manipulation was no joke. “What are you doing Almanon?” Skye strained every muscle in his body, but couldn’t move an inch.
“You’re uhm. Un-gifted. Go back to your bunk and you’ll uhm, be assigned a labor duty tomorrow,” Almanon’s voice was soft but stern. Why is he doing this? Only the Descate can read our genetic code. It scans our bodies to see if our genes have made the proper mutation. Giving us our Brilliance. This scan was done simply for efficiency. In a day or so it would be clear if Skye had a Brilliance or not. Before then. Well, no one could determine it this quickly though. Not even Almanon. Skye thought.
“I don’t know what you’re up to. But come tomorrow morning when my Brilliance is in full force, I can’t be held responsible for the damage I cause to The Structure,” Skye said. It was rather childish. Threatening to throw a tantrum because he’s not getting to play with his new toy.
“I know this isn’t the outcome you were expecting. I’m sorry. Truly. But may I suggest you come to terms with your new future as quickly as possible,” Skye had no choice, he was helpless against his powers.
“This isn’t over,” Skye said curtly, the invisible force finally easing up, allowing his legs free motion once again. Almanon whispered one last thing that lingered with him. Quietly enough that the acoustics of the amphitheater wouldn’t project its sound.
“Forget all this. Go back to your bunk. Take pride in upholding the standards we’ve worked so hard over the decades to maintain. Forget about your Brilliance. I beg of you. If not. You’ll kill us all.”