On the night of the first full moon, the entire empire held its breath, for this was the sacred night when mortals dared to call upon the gods. This annual ritual brought every soul—from lowly commoners to seasoned Ki practitioners—together under a shared hope: to be seen, to be empowered in this world where only the strong truly thrived. Tonight, Ki saturated the air, blanketing the lands like an invisible mist, thickening and swirling most intensely around the Phoenix Academy. Here, the Ki was so densely charged it shimmered faintly in the air, a sign that this was a place where even fledgling disciples of the outer court might feel the gaze of the deities they longed to join.
Thousands of amateur cultivators gathered at the Phoenix academy. Even other sects throughout the empire would send their best and brightest here during this time to increase their chances they would have. The Elders made this a huge event for it decided who would stay in the outer court or move up into the inner court which would have an enormous impact on the politics of Kuro as nobles would try and secure loyalties of powerful new disciples.
As the moon climbed, casting its silvery glow upon the gathering below, anticipation thickened in the crowd. When it reached its zenith, a radiant light burst forth, illuminating the heavens with an ethereal splendor that bathed the shrines of countless deities in shimmering silver and stardust. Each shrine pulsed with divine energy, forming a constellation across the academy grounds. In that split second of celestial illumination, chaos erupted like a tidal wave. Thousands of disciples rushed forward, racing to find the shrines of their chosen gods, eager to be the first to offer their plea and catch the attention of the divine in the fleeting window before the moon’s light dimmed.
The Phoenix academy was massive much like the Palace; it was almost a city on its own with small forest within its walls. The amount of shrines was never truly calculated over the years.
Seito Mei stood by wandering and observing where many of them went. As usual the more popular deities were filled to the brim of people doing various prayers and rituals. After a moment, she took a breath and turned her gaze forward. Her goal lay ahead: Bishamonten, the goddess of war. Bishamonten’s shrine gleamed with fierce energy, her name a beacon among the shrines.
Looking at the crowded shrine, Mei's heart was content. She had clearly chosen a popular deity with many people so it was a positive sign to start off. Quickly getting into position she crossed her legs one over the other and began to chant the prayer inscribed on the shrine dedicated to Bishamonten.
“Goddess of war, Bishamonten maiden of battle, conqueror of Nai’pen, the winged lion of conflict, hear this servant's plea and grant me your blessing to join your familia.” Mei prayed earnestly as familia were those who were commonly blessed by the deity often joining a so-called adopted family. This would allow Mei to finally find someplace that didn’t reject her outright due to her eyes.
After eight arduous years as an outer court disciple, the hope of finding her place—of forging a true bond that could not be stripped away—finally seemed within reach. The possibility of becoming familia was like a lifeline in her chest, a chance to belong somewhere at last, where the shadows cast by her unusual eyes wouldn’t matter. She closed her eyes, letting herself sink into that small, shining hope.
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A voice rang out, rich and authoritative, echoing within Mei’s mind alone. “I see you, child.” Mei’s eyes flew open, her heart stuttering. The voice was a low, steady murmur, yet it bore an undercurrent of fierce strength that commanded instant respect. “I am Bishamonten, and I shall now assess your request.” Mei’s pulse quickened as the goddess’s words resonated through her, a presence vast and fearsome. It was an entirely new sensation, and, caught off guard, Mei flinched as she prepared for something unknown. It was said that some blessings came with…pain.
Suddenly a force put an immense pressure on her body as if gravity had increased by several times the weight on her shoulders caused her to feel as if she would suddenly collapse onto her back, but it still didn’t put any strain on her actual muscles. As swiftly as the pressure came it rescinded.
Silence after only three seconds which seemed like an eternity Mei’s heart beat seemed to slow down.
“Child, I do not accept you into my familia I believe you would not be suited to the blessing I would give to you. Leave now and allow me to attend to others at my shrine.”
Mei’s heart fell like a rock as she heard those words. While it wasn’t uncommon to be rejected it still stung her pride slightly. Remembering the next deity on her list she quickly got up and left the shrine of Bishamonten.
Walking swiftly she came to her second choice which was Xarasil one of the more popular gods of fire in the empire. Xarasil was widely considered one of the top gods in the Imperial pantheon.
As she approached his shrine Mei couldn’t help, but imagine herself conjuring flames with her Ki, sending fear into her foes as she walked through the flames leaving not a single scorch mark on her body. The thought caused her eyes to shimmer in anticipation, she was seriously glad she had read up on the deities she had seen in the tome before today. If she was going to go with a god of fire she wanted the real deal not some lesser fire god. Minor deities would often take advantage of unknowledgeable ignorant commoner children who were accepted into the academy or other sects to gain followers who normally would choose them as a second hand me down option.
Standing in front of the shrine which had a flame lit with no fuel in the brazer she read the name and prayer out on Xarasil’s shrine which was equally full of students as Bishamonten with over thirty disciples all meditating and chanting. As she was about to get into position one of the male disciples combust into flames his body looked like a black silhouette within, but was neither screaming or harmed by the flames themselves. Mei understood what was happening; he had been accepted by Xarasit and we were blessed by his holy flames.
Fire wisped off his body as he smiled contently, his clothes did not burn and his Ki began to change in nature. Everyone around could feel it as he sat there.
Mei, not wanting to waste anymore time, closed her eyes and began to beseech the fire god Xarasil. “Great fire god Xarasi—”
“No!” Mei’s eyes snapped open as she heard a voice that sounded like a raging inferno “you are not one I will accept. Be gone child!”
Mei was still dazed; she was rejected before even finishing her prayer... What the hell was that! Mei stormed away from the fire god's shrine, her feet pounding the ground hard as she went to the next shrine on her list. She felt very much slighted by the rudeness the god treated her heartfelt prayer, her lips pursed as she thought about how angry she was at the whole situation. Rejected by two of the major gods on her list, but she still had hopes for some of the others on her list.