A World Beyond My Reach
The view from the balcony was breathtaking. Lumis sprawled beneath me, a city bathed in the golden light of Solara, our sun. Its towers gleamed with magic and technology, while the Celestial Academy's spires loomed in the distance, a beacon of hope and power. The Astral Mountains framed the skyline, their peaks shrouded in a soft mist. I had always admired this view from afar, but today, it felt more like a distant dream.
I turned away from the balcony and walked into the opulent study where my father, Lord Dekus, was immersed in his ancient texts. The room was filled with relics and artifacts, each a testament to our family's storied past. My siblings had all achieved great things, their Zodiac abilities making them the envy of 9th Star Realm. And then there was me—an underdog struggling to live up to the expectations placed upon me.
"Avant!" My father's voice cut through my thoughts. "How are preparations for your coming-of-age ceremony?"
I stiffened. "Everything is ready, Father."
His eyes, hidden behind his glasses, studied me with a mix of hope and concern. "You know this ceremony is crucial. It's not just a formality. The Zodiac Constellation will choose its champion. It's your chance to prove your worth."
I nodded, though I couldn't meet his gaze. The thought of manifesting my powers was daunting. My brothers, Aiden and Alden, had displayed incredible abilities—as the wielder of the Sagitarius zodiac. Their powers had shaped their futures, and now it was my turn. Or rather, it was supposed to be my turn.
As the days edged closer to the ceremony, the mansion buzzed with preparation. Staff and servants scurried about, making sure every detail was perfect for the grand event. The anticipation felt like a tangible thing, pressing down on me and making it hard to breathe.
I spent my time alone in the estate's gardens, trying to summon any flicker of power. My attempts were futile. My aura, usually a dim gray, remained stubbornly dull. It was as though the Zodiac's constellation had overlooked me.
When I found moments of solitude, I would gaze at the Celestial Academy from afar, imagining what it would be like to train among the elite. The academy was a place where power was forged and legends were made. The thought of being part of that world was both exhilarating and tormenting.
The night before the ceremony, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. My room was adorned with banners of our family crest—symbols of our strength and nobility. The House Dekus motto "Aim High, Strike True" written clearly on the insignia. Yet, despite the grandeur, I felt small and insignificant. The weight of my family's expectations pressed heavily on me, and I wondered if I was destined to fail.
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The morning of the ceremony arrived with a grandeur that felt almost ceremonial in itself. Our estate was transformed into a scene of opulence and splendor, decorated with floral arrangements and magical lights. The guests arrived in elegant attire, their conversations filled with a mixture of excitement and speculation.
I stood in the ceremonial chamber, flanked by my family. The air was charged with magic and expectation. My father's gaze was filled with pride, but there was an edge of apprehension in his eyes. My mother offered a reassuring smile, though her eyes were filled with a silent worry.
The high priestess of the Zodiac Universe, draped in robes shimmering with constellations, began the ceremony. Her voice resonated with ancient power as she invoked the Zodiac spirits and prepared to reveal our destinies.
When my turn came, I stepped forward, my heart pounding. The high priestess performed the ritual, and a radiant light enveloped me. This was the moment when my powers, if they existed, would be revealed.
The light intensified, and I could feel a strange energy coursing through me. The air crackled with anticipation as the light slowly faded, revealing the truth of my power. The chamber fell into a stunned silence.
Instead of the common Zodiac signs, my aura radiated an otherworldly power—Ophiuchus, the rarest and most enigmatic of all Zodiac signs. The high priestess's eyes widened in awe and disbelief.
"It seems the Constellation has chosen a most extraordinary path for you, Avant," she announced.
The room erupted into whispers and murmurs. My family's reactions were a whirlwind of shock, pride, and uncertainty. My father's eyes were shining with fierce pride, while my siblings looked on with a mix of admiration and surprise.
I stood there, feeling a blend of exhilaration and bewilderment. My powers had been revealed, but their true meaning and implications were still a mystery. As the crowd began to disperse, I noticed a shadowy figure lingering at the edge of the chamber, their gaze fixed on me with a secretive intensity.
The figure's eyes glinted with a cryptic light, and as the room slowly emptied, they slipped away into the shadows, leaving behind an unsettling sense of unease. Who were they? And what did their interest in me mean for my future?