Zerine sat up in bed, wide awake. She was turning eight today and that meant it was the day for her crest ceremony! First thing she did was slide out of bed and moved to a mirror. She pulled off her nightgown and inspected herself.
Zerine had deep blue hair that shifted to shades of ocean teals and greens as it approached the tips, just like her mother. The loose wavy strands of her hair glinted like gemstones when hit by the early morning light, a trait of Celarians that she enjoyed. Her eyes matched her hair and were currently in the process of going over every inch of her body before she turned around and checked again. During one of the school classes, the teacher had mentioned that some people might manifest their crest without the ceremony. Zerine also knew that the crest could appear anywhere on the body, which was why she was currently inspecting even the top of her head, parting her hair while using a hand mirror to see.
“Well, the priestess Ai did say that it was a rare thing,” Zerine muttered, sighing disappointedly after finding no mark on her body.
She grabbed a white with silver trim mage robe hanging next to the mirror, ready for the day. When she had hopefully put it on properly, she looked at herself again in the mirror.
“After today, you will be able to use magic,” she said to her image, grinning brightly.
A knock on her door made her jump.
“Zerine, are you up?” came the muffled voice of her mother.
Excitedly, Zerine opened her door, practically bounding out with a big smile.
Ava was a tall woman with a lithe figure who had matching hair and eyes to Zerine. She wore loose-fitting clothes rather than her normal leather and chain mail armor.
Ava laughed as she scooped up the hyper child.
“Happy birthday, Zerine,” she said, kissing the child’s head.
“Thanks! I can’t wait to start using magic,” Zerine replied as they moved along the halls, heading to what soon proved to be her mother's room.
“Now let me get a good look at you before you and your father go to the temple,” Ava said, putting Zerine down.
“I already checked, no crest,” Zerine said, her excitement faltering for a moment.
“I meant your outfit, silly,” Ava said as she walked around Zerine. She stopped and fix parts of the robes.
“There is one more thing missing,” Ava said as she pulled out a tiny crystal flower attached to a ribbon. She situated the flower on the right side of Zerine’s head before tucking the loose strands of hair behind her ear.
“Beautiful,” Ava said as Zerine looked at herself in a mirror. “Now I have to get going, but I wanted to see you before I went off.”
Zerine frowned for a second, but smiled as she said excitedly, “going to fight another giant serpent!?”
Ava laughed. “I still can’t believe your father told you about that. But Zerine, that type of event, doesn’t happen often, but I will keep people safe. Now come here so I can give you a hug and bring you to your father.”
Ava crouched, giving Zerine a tight embrace.
“Love you,” Ava said.
“Love you, mom,” Zerine said. The wind suddenly blew and her father appeared. An equally tall man to Ava, Callahan had dark teal hair and matching kind eyes.
“Hey let’s make that a group hug. I won’t let you sneak away, dear,” Callahan said. His dark teal hair was wind swept from the magic he had used to appear. After they embraced and said farewell to Ava, the two headed out to the temple of magic and knowledge.
They walked along a cobblestone road. Despite it being early in the morning, the streets were bustling. Familiars of all kinds drew carriages or had riders. Zerine saw several types of large salamanders, large colorful flightless birds, and much more. Zerine, normally fascinated by such sights of the different creatures and magic, found her attention grabbed by several older children wearing similar robes. She pointed them out.
“Will there be a wait for this?” she wondered, looking up at Callahan.
“In larger cities, there are more temples and they do this more often. As for our lovely small city, there is one temple and they choose a date once a year, so yes, there will be a wait,” Callahan replied. Seeing Zerine’s worried expression, he added hastily. “But that’s why we are up early. There won’t be that much of a wait.”
Zerine titled her head, confused. “This isn’t that early. I have those extra studies, oh and auntie Raith’s visits always have me getting up earlier than this.”
“And those studies and lessons are important, but not everyone does those, so it’s early for many your age,” Callahan said.
Zerine only nodded, her attention captured by a tall Elven girl wearing a white dress heading the same direction as them.
“Dad, is she also going to the temple?” Zerine asked, pointing out the girl.
“Hmm, Zerine, don’t point. She might find it rude. But did your mage teacher talk about the crest ceremony when you don’t get a crest?” Zerine’s confused looked answered that, so he explained. “This ceremony helps you to create your own crest. It’s not something guaranteed by the process.” Now Zerine’s expression turned fearful. “Everyone gets a crest, even monsters and creatures have them. So don’t worry, if not now, then it will appear later.”
“They said in class that Elves and Celarians get their crest earlier than most of the other races. But-” Zerine grabbed Callahan’s hand. “But if she didn’t get a crest and is older, could that happen to me?”
“Zerine, if not this time, then next time. Many that don’t get their crest during this ceremony get it before they go to the next ceremony, but if not even then, they try again,” Callahan said, giving her little hand a reassuring squeeze. “I know you're getting nervous about the crest and eager to learn magic, but there is no rush and it will come when it comes. Oh! I know! Think about the little celebration for your birthday you get to look forward to.”
Zerine’s bright smile returned. “That’s true! Thanks dad,” she said, her attitude taking a full one eighty.
They turned a corner to find themselves entering what locals called the temple district. There were many temples for the verity of gods and goddess. Verity of different architecture design made each temple stand out. The temple they were looking for was relativity easy to spot despite its rather plain design, as many of those wearing white robes were heading to it. It was a large square building made from a grey stone. A carving of a book with magical runes and sigils was above the entranceway, marking it as the temple of magic and knowledge. A curious Zerine craned her head to see the carving as they entered the temple.
They found a short line forming, which a slightly more impatient Zerine joined. A priest wearing brown robes and gold trim stood near the font of the line. The priest held a crystal tablet, which he used to take down information from those at the front of the line. When they made it to the front, the priest didn’t look up from the crystal tablet.
“Name,” he said in an almost bored voice.
“Zerine Trevel,” Callahan said, preparing for what would undoubtedly come next.
The priest stiffened for a moment, then jerked his head up. The priest appeared to be around his thirties, but Callahan knew the man’s true age was most likely older. A mage’s natural progression when gaining magical power would extend someone’s lifespan, meaning someones appeared age most likely did not match their true age. Callahan also knew the temple would ensure its priests were sponsored to a minimum of silver-rank. With a glance, Callahan confirmed his suspicion as he used his aura to examine the man’s own aura. As custom dictated, the man was tightly controlling his aura, but not concealing it. Even if the man had tried to hide his aura, Callahan would have easily seen through it, being well into gold-rank. His examination revealed that the priest's aura put the man at A-rank. Depending on the manner the priest progressed, meant he was probably closer to fifty years old or older.
Callahan felt a telepathic connection come from the man which he allowed.
“My lord baron, you don’t need to wait in line with the commoners,” the priest thought to him. The priest’s nerves clearing coming across the mental link.
“Well, we didn’t want to disrupt the normal proceedings and cause trouble,” Callahan thought back, ensuring his exasperation didn’t go through to the priest.
Callahan had once been a commoner. It all changed when he was given the title of baron for actions he made during a crucial battle. Even given the choice of larger lands, he had chosen the relatively small port of the Emerald Sky. The name sake coming from when major air and ocean Ley lines combined turning the sky to awe-inspiring emerald, which he had to remind himself they needed to start preparations for.
Being the baron meant he had to deal with politics that he would have rather just ignore. Luckily, he and his wife had made the political situation easier to deal with and had good people they trusted to help manage the city. Despite years of him trying to not have to deal with formalities all the time, here he was having to calm a priest down because the leader of the city just popped in with his eldest daughter.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“I should get an elder,” the priest thought to Callahan, who sighed.
“Just treat us like everyone else and please call her Zerine, not mis. Trevel. There is no need for special treatment alight?” Callahan thought. Their entire conversation had occurred within a split second.
The Priest's gaze searched for another priest or priestess. Finding no aid, he gave Callahan a shaky nod.
“Zerine here just turned eight today. There is no crest currently,” Callahan said out loud.
“Oh! Happy birthday Zerine,” the priest said, giving Zerine what he hoped would be a totally not fearful smile. Apparently, it worked because the child gave the priest a beaming smile in return.
“Thank you!” she said cheerfully.
“A priestess will be here shortly, so while we wait, I have some general questions for you Zerine,” the priest said, finding it far easier to talk to the child and not one of if not the most powerful mages on the coast. He had to remind himself that the baron’s wife was just as a monstrous. Just the thought made cold sweat go down his back.
“So, Zerine, have you found yourself sensing magic more strongly lately?” the priest asked.
Zerine looked thoughtful for a moment, but shook her head.
“Alright, then, what about sensing any stronger connection to ambient magic?” Again Zerine shock her head, looking a bit worried now. “Its alright Zerine. Plenty of children answer those questions like you and get their crest,” the priest reassured her. He asked some more questions.
** *
Priestess Ai approached where the children waited to be guided to one of the crest ceremony rooms. When she could see the line, she had to hold herself back from laughing. Priest Darryl was nervously talking to a Celarian child. The child’s hair glinted like gemstones, making her deep blue hair that shifted to shades of teal and green even more prominent. Even amongst other Celarian children, she stood out. Matching eyes were bright and full of excitement as the child answered the priest’s questions. A Celarian man with dark teal hair and eyes stood next to the child with a small smile and a glint of humor in his gaze. She, of course, recognized the baron and could only imagine Darryl’s internal distress at finding himself in such a situation.
Zerine spotted priestess Ai and ran up to her excitedly, saying, “Ai! Good morning!”
Ai chuckled at the child’s bubbly energy. “And a good morning to you, Zerine. I didn’t expect any of my younger students to be here so early.”
Zerine proudly smiled. “I get up earlier some days.”
“Sorry priestess, she could hardly wait,” Callahan said, giving the high priestess a quick bow.
Zerine, seeing what her father had done, hastily followed suit.
“Nothing to apologize for. But follow me, I’ll lead you to the room,” Ai replied, gesturing with her hand to a hallway. The two fell into step with the priestess as they moved through the temple.
“Now Zerine, I know your excited, but the ceremony doesn’t guarantee awakening your crest,” Ai said.
“I know,” Zerine replied cheerfully. “But I also know Elves and Celarians get their crests earlier than the other races.”
“True, but this will simply help you get a feeling of magic and potentially you may even experience something. The trance induced during this ceremony has led to some interesting tails.”
Zerine’s eyes shown with wonder, looking up at Ai. “like what?” she asked curiously.
“They are dependent on the person, but some experience glimpses of their future, while others see the greater cosmos,” Ai said.
“Oh, wow!” Zerine said in awe.
“And some get glimpses of their very soul,” Callahan said, which Ai nodded to him in acknowledgment. “I was ten and experienced something similar to that during the ceremony when I got my crest. But that was when I was allowed to attempt the ceremony,” he added.
Zerine tilted her head with a confused expression.
“Before you were born, depending on where you lived, commoners had restrictions on when they could attempt the ceremony. And before your father was given the title Baron, he was a commoner. He performed several incredible feats that lead to him gaining that title, which came with one request he could make of the queen. Your father chose to force all parts of the land to allow commoners access to the ceremony at the traditional age, no matter what,” Ai said, answering the unspoken question.
“I knew about the commoner part, but didn’t know you did that Dad!,” Zerine said, which got a sheepish look from Callahan and an apologetic one from Ai. Zerine was giving her father a look of awe.
“It was…different times, but we can discuss that at another time,” Callahan said as they stopped in front of the plan wooden door.
Ai taking the opening took over. “Zerine, do you remember what I taught in class?” she asked.
“I’ll sit in a chair for a bit. If I get a crest, I’ll have gone through some changes. If I don’t, then once the ritual is done, I should come out,” Zerine said cheerfully as Ai opened the door.
The room was empty but for a plain wooden chair. There was a circle with magical runes and sigils etched into the stone floor. All the different symbols and patterns were arrayed around the chair which was in the center of the circle, the focus of the magic.
“Good. Your father and I will wait outside, so just relax and let’s get this started,” Ai said, leading Zerine to the chair.
Eagerly, Zerine sat and closed her eyes. Ai crouched down next to the magic circle, then placed her hand on it. She closed her eyes, pouring energy into the circle, which shone with golden light. When Ai felt the ritual start, she left, closing the dorr quietly behind her.
***
Zerine found herself sitting in a fog filled space. Wispy, cloud-like tendrils drifted around her. She shivered, as a pervasive feeling of emptiness filled her.
Where am I? Was this a vision or is this my soul? she thought.
She peered through the fog, straining to see something, anything.
Boom!
Distant thunder reached her ears. Then again closer this time.
Boom!
The fog faded as the thunder’s sound rippled through her body, startling her with its sudden change. When the fog cleared, Zerine stood in a void. Distant flashes of color and light appearing for a few seconds before vanishing. Unseen by Zerine, disembodied glowing emerald eyes appeared above and behind her, followed by a mouth.
“Well, well, well,” a woman’s voice said. Zerine started searching the surrounding void, not finding anything. The voice came from all around her as it came again. “A mortal child projecting her soul this far is peculiar. Hmm,” the voice said.
“W-what do you want?” Zerine stammered.
Laughter filled the space around Zerine. “Sweet child, it is you who sought me out. Although it is clear that you aren’t ready yet.”
“Ar-are you saying I won’t get my crest?” Zerine asked, fear flooding her.
The voice made a tsking sound. “That little ceremony only explains partly why you arrived here. Hmm, oh, I see!” the voice said excitedly, not acknowledging Zerine’s question. Seemingly, the being realized what Zerine had asked, then said reassuringly. “I have no say in how your soul awakens its power, as the soul is inviolable. Even if you opened your soul to me, I wouldn’t be able to change a thing regarding awakening its potential, as it is fundamentally tied to your origin. Also, never open your soul to anyone, just general advice.”
Zerine had never heard about opening her soul, let alone the words inviolable or origin, and yet she understood vaguely what the voice meant. It was as if part of her instinctually knew that everything the voice said was true. The feeling sent a tingling sensation through her, making her shutter.
“Hmm, your soul will awaken on its own timeline. It does seem an aspect has awakened, though. Not enough, but you're an interesting one Zerine Trevel,” the voice said curiously, with a hint of amusement.
Zerine’s shoulders slumped. “No crest then,” she said, the taste of bitter disappointment in every word.
“Give it time. But it seems our time together has reached its limit,” the voice said. Zerine looked confused. “Look at your hands.” Zerine stared at her hands, which had become transparent. “I will leave you with this. Follow your instincts. They won’t lead you astray.” The voice was fading quickly now. “Work hard and be seeing you Zerine,” the voice said in an almost singsong voice.
When the child was gone, the void turned into a star filled room. A female fairy with light green and gold insect-like wings stepped out of thin air. Her hair matched her wings, while her eyes had no pupils, but were all emerald with gold and silver flecks.
“Hmm, seems some plans might need adjusting,” the Fairy muttered, thoughtfully. “I am a fan of throwing some chaos into things, but hmm.” The fairy’s appearance flickered. For a moment, her wings changed to crimson with glowing orange flecks, while her eyes become blood red before they were back to normal. A smile grew. If any observed the smile, they wouldn’t be able to tell if it was one of delight or malice.
“Oh, this is going to be fun to watch. Isn’t that right, Great Mother,” the Fairy said. At her last words, stars swirled as a portal appeared.
A woman with nine fox tails made form translucent purple and pink energy step out. The rest of her features kept changing, never settling for longer than a second or two. One moment she had Elven features, the next human, rapidly changing between even more races. Eventually, even her tails turned into a long scaled covered tail before flicking back to the original nine tails.
“Taking to yourself again?” the Great Mother said, giving the Fairy a cheeky grin.
“Still haven’t settled on a shape even after all these eras?” the Fairy commented idly.
“Well, of course, Order and Chaos. Just like you, it keeps things interesting,” The Great Mother replied.
“Don’t call me that. It’s too long and freaks people out,” Order and Chaos replied, wincing.
“Then don’t call me Great Mother. But does that mean I’m talking to Eris Ma’at today?” the Great Mother replied, conjuring a chair made from the night sky. She sat, crossing her legs, giving Eris a raised eyebrow.
“Sure…Demetris, Cybele, or is it Mei? Or are we going by another name from another incarnation?” Eris Ma’at wonder lounging on a couch that rose from the starry floor.
“Demetris will do. But I felt your power ripple outwards. It’s not like you to be so overt, especially with all your little dealings, plans, and schemes,” Demetris remarked.
“I may have gotten a bit excited, but you will have to wait and see…although,” Eris’ gaze narrowed. “You already knew. I hope you won’t interfere with my plans.”
“I only threw in a bit of chaos. Something I know you appreciated,” Demetris said, which got an impish grin from Eris. “And it’s nothing that will change anything major. Well, if it works out, then it will only help us,” Demetris replied.
“Hmm, it will at least be entertaining, if nothing else,” Eris replied. With a wave of her hand, an image of Zerine sitting in the crest ceremony room appeared.
“What, no snacks?” Demetris teased.
“Doesn’t that fall partly under your purview,” Eris replied, making room on the couch as Demetris join her.
“Fair,” Demetris replied as a bowl of chips appeared. “Now, let’s see how fate will play out. So no spoilers.”
“I would never,” Eris replied, feigning shock and hurt.
“Sh, she’s coming too,” Demetris said lightly, waving a hand at Eris, who just shook her head, but watch as Zerine stirred.
***
Zerine opened her eyes to see that she was back in the crest ceremony room. There was a faint golden light that was rapidly fading from the ritual circle. She tried to remember what had happened, but there were more impressions than a clear image. Although she vividly remembered standing in a void with colors flashing in the distance. She sighed disappointedly as she slid out of the chair and headed to the door. One thing was obvious though: she did not get her crest. There were no signs of her changing. Magic energy still felt like a faint song you just cannot make out, but know it’s there.
No crest. Hopefully, it shows up before next year’s crest ceremony, she thought, trying to not let the disappointment get to her.
When Callahan saw Zerine’s downtrodden expression as she opened the door, he waved his hand. A gust of wind picked up Zerine, who let out a surprised squeak, as she flew up to sit on his shoulders.
“Alright, let’s go to the household and celebrate your birthday. Sound good?” Callahan asked as they headed back the way they had come. He gave priestess Ai a farewell wave who only nodded in return as she guided another child in a room across the way.
“Can we travel using your wind dash?” Zerine asked, perking up.
“When we get to the street and only if you hold on tight,” Callahan said, which got a happy cheer from Zerine.