"Devin, wake up!" Rupert said.

Rupert was already awake. Rupert decided the best way to wake me was by shaking Sky. For all his help, Sky was unflinching, lying in a giant ball on top of me. The floorboards of our shared bedroom creaked with every shake.

"Ugh, stop. Sky is way too fluffy to wake up this early," I said, my face deep inside Sky's fur.

Sky yawned in agreement with me. With a big stretch, Sky straightened out and began licking my eyeball.

"Okay, okay, I am up," I said.

I forced my way out of bed through Sky. Sky, on the other hand, stood up for a few moments, made a couple of circles, and then plopped back down onto my pillow.

"No, if I have to wake up, so do you," I said to Sky as I pulled his two front paws until he was leaning over the bed. Then, disappointedly, he followed suit and jumped off the bed.

Rupert, Sky, and I went downstairs and into the living room. Our father and mother were waiting for us in this room, with freshly made bagels on the table. Sky began going over to my father's plate and plopped down at the man's feet.

"Today is your big day, son!" My father said to me.

"Bark," Sky said in disapproval upon being ignored.

"I know I am kind of nervous," I said.

"Don't worry. No matter what happens, we will still love you," my mom said. Those words fell short, knowing they only accepted me as their son and nothing else. This reminder made me drop my gaze to my toes. I had to make sure that whatever happened today, I could use it to get away from here.

"But, don't forget, you will have more work to do around the bakery after today. You aren't a kid anymore, so you have to start acting like it," said my father. "After today, you won't be able to play or wear that idiotic paint anymore. Are we clear?"

"Yes, father," I said again, meeting his gaze. As I did, Sky used the tension in the room to make off with my father's buttered bagel.

"Sky!" My mother scolded.

"Just leave him. There is more where that came from," My father said calmly.

"I am going to head over to the estate now," I said, redirecting the conversation.

"Do you know if they will rebuild the church after last year?" Rupert questioned.

"No, why would I know?" I asked.

"Well, because you are always over at the estate."

"Well, when you are over there, give my thanks to the Lady of Hillcrest. Without her, this town would be nothing but rubble," My father said.

"Indeed, adventurers are good for one thing at least," my mother agreed.

I grabbed a bagel from the table and began to eat. Sky managed to finish the rest of the bagel and went with Rupert to go outside. My father gave me a stern nod followed by a pat on the back and returned to the bakery to prepare for the long day before him. So, it was only my mother and me alone in the family as I slowly and awkwardly ate my bagel.

"You didn't get home until late," my mother stated.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I was out."

"Did you go to the manor yesterday?"

"Yes, why does it matter what I do?"

"Because Cinthia is getting those delusions into your head!"

"They aren't delusions!"

"You can't keep walking around like that. People are beginning to talk. Your father and I love you but can feed into these delusions. God gave you that body, and you can't change it."

"Just stop."

"What?"

"I will be an adult today, and after, I will find a way to get out of here. Then you won't have to deal with me."

"That's not what…."

"It doesn't matter. Bye, mom."

I held back my tears as I exited the bakery. As soon as I was out, I dashed through the patchwork alleys. The loose gravel and cobbles made me stumble at times, but I slowly caught my momentum. I took the alleyway behind the other shops in town. I could already hear that the main streets were buzzing with activity.

It was an almost mockingly perfect spring morning. The birds were out in full force, singing to the rising sun. I knew one way or another today would be a day I would never forget.

Villagers swarmed the Hillcrest estate gate. Some people were wishing their children luck while others were lazing around. Near the end of the crowd, I noticed Alfonso. He was standing at the entrance of the estate's chapel.

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Alfonso was currently talking to Clive, of all people. As people funneled into the estate, I got close enough to hear their conversation.

"I hope my ability and affinity set are half as good as yours," Clive said.

"You know that every set has its use," Alfonso responded.

"Yeah, but not every set is an Elementalist hero."

"It's a big responsibility. Trust me when I say you wouldn't want something like that."

"That's where you are wrong. That is exactly the kind of thing my family is looking for."

"Well, then, I wish you luck. And no matter what, we are still on for tomorrow's hunt with Neil?"

"Yeah!"

Alfonso and Clive embraced in a half hug, the half handshake that many boys my age seemed to like. Clive let out a large breath and entered the estate's chapel. Seeing this as my opportunity, I approached Alfonso.

"Alfy! How are you doing today?" I asked.

"Good, I thought you were mad at me," Alfonso said, his iridescent white teeth beaming back at me.

"Well, I forgave you this time," I said, dropping the smile from my face.

"What's wrong?" Alfonso asked.

"No matter what, today has to be my last day in town."

"Oh, is everything okay at home?"

"You know how they are."

Alfonso nodded for a moment as if he understood. I couldn't help but admire his muscular frame and defined jawline at that moment.

"Before you decide where you are going next, my mom has a gift for you."

"She does?"

"Yeah, I don't want to give it away. But I think you will like it!"

"Hey, if my powers are anything like yours, who knows? You might even let me join you on your adventures!" I said the last part, already knowing he would deny my request. No matter how much I pushed him on the subject, he would never relent in taking me with him. It took every ounce of my person not to latch onto his legs and force him to carry me everywhere he went. I would then cry out that I didn't want to be apart from him now or ever. Maybe after all that embarrassment, he would see that my words were honest.

"Now, don't get ahead of yourself. Remember our conversation last week when you asked me the same thing?" said Alfonso.

"Aren't you the one always telling me it isn't the ability that makes you strong? But you can use the powers given to you!" I retorted.

Alfonso gave me a quick chuckle. His pleasure faded as he said, "Devin, the life of an adventurer is tough, and many don't make it past the age of thirty. It is not a life for everyone, but if you are serious about it, you must train your body and your powers. I'll let you join my party when you can beat me in a sparring match." Alfonso gave me a quick smirk.

"As if. Well, I will just have to sneak in your luggage."

"Oh? A real stow-away. Huh. I may have to lock you up in my family's dungeon and keep you safe."

My face turned fluorescent pink. I latched onto Alfonso with a zealous hug and quickly fled into the chapel.

They did not decorate the chapel with the sharp tones of the wealthy. Instead, it was an almost simple thing with its cold, weathered bricks. As I found my seat, I could not help but think to myself. There was no chance for a person like me to become an adventurer. But Alfonso's prisoner, maybe? Wait. No! I mean. NO.

I would have to awaken a powerful ability. I could never afford a tutor or the equipment to help offset my weaknesses. I heard that even new adventurers spent small fortunes on their armor and arms. They needed to since even the weakest monster or power could kill with a single hit. The world was not safe for adventurers.

As I awaited the ceremony proceedings, I looked around the chapel. Although the chapel was not extravagant, it had stained-glass windows. These stained glass windows held lingering affinities. Each was the work of long-deceased artisans. Elemental affinities were imbued into each grain of sand and carefully chosen by the Artisans. Therefore the sand was the source of the glass' affinities. This affinity now radiated out into the chapel. Each pane corresponded with an affinity to one of the four elements. Alfonso had explained that piece of trivia the first time he brought me inside the chapel.

I had picked a pew toward the middle of the chapel. I waited for a few breaths as the rest of the chapel filled in. As the chapel settled, a tall ghastly man walked in. He was wearing a plain brown robe with white accents typical of a priest of the awakening.

The priest raised his hands up, and the room quickly silenced. Everyone had stopped their small conversations and were now raptured by the priest and the man who would bring about their future.

"Today, we gather for your future," the priest boomed, "You all will dutifully serve the gods above and the king of Nucrestria. That duty begins today and ends with your last breath. If any among you are not willing for a life of service and gratitude, leave now. But know if you leave, you will be a reject of society. Your homes will no longer open up to you. Besides that, your prospects before entering today will also disappear."

Alfonso and my parents had warned me about this part. It was typical for priests to be over-dramatic for this ritual. As expected, no one stood up to leave. If they did, there might never be another chance for them to awaken their abilities. They also could not own property within the kingdom and be marked as lessors.

"Very well," the priest said, "You may now form a line to receive your blessings of the ceremony."

Beginning with the first rows of pews, people stood up and formed two lines before the priest. He put his hand above the first person, Clive, of all people. I had seen him push a few others out of his way to ensure he was the first to receive this gift.

"May the powers within you awaken so that you can serve the gods and your king," the priest prayed. With those last words, a bright green light engulfed Clive. As it dimmed, the priest said, "Carve, with an affinity for nature."

Clive lit up with a smile and pumped his fist into the air. His parents would surely be proud of that power set. Especially since they owned the lumber rights of the swamp, it might help to put him into the better graces of Alfonso.

The ceremony quickly continued, and I soon became lost in thought. There were so many different combinations people were receiving. Most, however, received none at all. I was in urgent need of finding out my destiny. I could get a holy affinity like Clive. With a good attribute, I could be a healer. That would make me invaluable to any adventurer's party. Even Alfonso would not be able to reject me if that happened! Before I knew it, my turn received a blessing.

"Holy. Holy. Holy," I whispered under my breath.

"May the powers within you awaken so that you can serve the gods and your king," the priest repeated. He held the same wrinkled hand over me.

A dark brown light came out of my body. It was more engulfing than the other awakenings had been. Why did the room appear to be getting darker? The thought only had moments to cross my mind when the priest said, "Shape with an affinity for undeath."

I stood still for a moment. Then the whispers began. I could tell a few of the conversations were calling me awful things. I ran because I could not stand in that chapel with all those eyes. Everyone seemed to step back out of my way. They had expressions of both fear and disgust as I pushed through the crowd.

Escaping the chapel, I moved with momentum past the front gate. "What was I supposed to do?" I couldn't think of what to do next but knew I had to escape. Heading out into the swamp seemed like a good idea at the time. I knew I could be alone there and take stock of my curse of an affinity.