A power that she never wished for. She never desired it, but that nonetheless manifested inside of her, pulsating within.

"Have I ..."

Vendrick pulled Viktoria's arm forward and frowned in realization.

"Fulgur's grace, you have broken through the First Step girl."

"It is neither warm or cold to the touch." Viktoria said.

Vendrick straightened and reapproached.

"Raise your palm like this," Said Vendrick as everyone listened attentively. “focus your inner thoughts, your darkest emotions, all into a single point.”

Tristan and Jin watched that scene with open mouths. From Viktoria's palm came unique energy. Giving the impression of a viscous, dark, and gloomy aspect. To viewers, it looked more like an elemental sphere that hovered over Viktoria's palm.

Glowing and moving in the air. Defying the powers of gravity, it kept moving around as if it had a life of its own without any clear sign of drifting away. An elemental power that glowed dark purple, the fruit of Calamis' blessing.

However, much to everyone's surprise, Viktoria's reaction could not be less predictable. With those heavy feelings showing in her eyes. The disappointment that she was chosen as a soldier in a war she didn't want to be a part of. She looked at the elemental energy hovering over her left hand with that deep anguish she felt while clutching her own chest with her right.

“Your elemental affinity is with Shadow.” Vendrick clapped. “It is truly remarkable! Such an uncommon element to awaken these times. His yellow eyes then turned at Viktoria’s elemental sphere with amazement.

The contrast of emotions between Vendrick and Viktoria was stark. While Vendrick was congratulating the amber-eyed girl's prowess for awakening elemental powers, the pink-haired girl didn't seem to match the sentiment.

At sixteen, she didn't know exactly what she would like to do with her life when she grew up. Of course, she had "goals", as she liked to call it. Finding a man, he didn't even have to be handsome to begin with. He didn't have to be strong or have an attractive height. He did not need to be thin or to be born in a privileged position at the top of the kingdom. As long as his personality was interesting enough to keep her interested.

That would certainly be enough.

Since Viktoria had left on this pilgrimage to Sanctum, she had built this facade around herself. Wanting to avoid building as much as possible any kind of relationship with these people she met along her journey. There was no reason to be friendly with such people, even making friends in the wrong places could possibly stray her from the path that she desired.

Why would she make friends in a place like this, where humans play heroes, glorifying themselves with gratuitous violence against other races?

All of this made her feel sick to her stomach.

She didn't want to be a part of it, and goodbyes would be easier if she shut herself off from the world. Being as cold as possible during the Trial. Wearing arrogance over her pretty face like a mask. That not only protected her from caring for her friends; but it also protected her from spending energy in a friendly relationship that had no place in her desired future.

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Crossing his arms, Vendrick turned towards Tristan and Jin who were looking at each other nervously.

“Two out of four of you have already awakened some kind of elemental power. First Eliza claimed the attention of the Herald of Storm and now… ”

"And just now Viktoria with Shadow." Jin figured, thoughtfulness filling his mind.

“Indeed. However, there is an important point that I need to warn you about. Jin and Tristan. The two girls awakening elemental powers does not mean that you will too.”

Vendrick resumed his speech. “Not to bring anyone down. But to match the reality of the situation and level their expectations. Sometimes it is best to avoid jealously and suffering entirely by just accepting that the elemental gods spared you from the frontlines.”

"I for one had a strange dream…" said Jin.

“The High Elders did their best from their point of view, throwing an obstacle in your path. And although you all came out on top at the end of the battle, I can’t guarantee anything. As much as I want my brother to become an elemental warrior, all we can do is wait until you feel it. ”

"If you feel it at all."

"I guess you have a point." Nodded Jin, gulping down his own jealously deep inside.

Vendrick was right.

Since the beginning of times recorded, elemental gods had been the givers and takers. One could not master the elements without theirs and the High Elders guidance. For more than a thousand years it was they who decided those who were blessed with the elemental way. And with his squad, it had been no different. They were no different.

The first of them had been Eliza. The girl from Melkor Theocracy who was only here for tourism or something. She talked too much and too fast for Jin to keep up with. Being honest with himself, most of the time her presence seemed enough to steal his attention from what was being discussed. But without delving too deep into her life, one thing was certain. Without knowing much about Eliza's past, all that remained for Jin was to speculate. Perhaps she had had a very painful journey to Sanctum. After all, according to the High Elders, elemental gods saw through the past, present, and perhaps even the future. At least that was what was preached at Sanctum.

But even Vendrick's message hadn't been able to contain Tristan's anxiety. Having been born in the golden crib of the Loriat family, he could not contain his anticipation.

“Oh, man! I can’t wait to see what my powers are!”

“If it’s the fire that chooses me, let’s see. I might be able to cook food without even leaving my bed! ” Tristan pondered, his eyes shining bright. “Awakening Lightning would also be amazing, I guess I’d just have to be careful in the shower not to get electrocuted?”

That would certainly be problematic.” Said a feminine voice.

“Wait you guys had showers at your houses? I had to clean myself in the river near my house! Wait did someone just… ”

Yawning behind them and slowly reclining from a chair she had been in for the past hours in worry. The sound came from the corner as a faint moan of respite. He could see her chest slowly regaining the composure of calm.

Jin turned back reacting to it and there she was. Finally showing expressions of ease, in seeing them all safe.

He hadn't awakened any sort of lighting, but seeing her now in front of him was like feeling a shock from within blast his emotions asunder. A pleasant surprise, that was all.

The blonde girl with blue eyes.

“Hey, Eliza! That chocolate cake was superb! ” Said Jin with a nervous smile.

Eliza smiled with her face tilted slightly to the side.

“I'm glad you enjoyed it Jin! But next time let me know once you’re up, I was quite upset for not being awake while you were all reunited here. For a moment I thought they had barged in just to grab the food that I had made for your recovery.”

Tristan looked at the two of them, hands raised, demanding an explanation.

"So there was a chocolate cake?"

“And when was this exactly?” He angrily asked with a blush.

“In the name of House Loriat, I demand an explanation at once! ”

Eliza and Jin's laughter echoed around the room until a hooded figure approached Vendrick.

"I enjoyed it far too much it was gone in minutes." said Jin.

"Vendrick, I'm sorry to interrupt the commotion," said a strange new voice coming from the eastern hallway.

Vendrick prontly raised his head and nodded. "Hey, no issues Garphas so what's this about?"

"The Sage Council has given word." said Garphas.

In his hands, a piece of paper, looking more like parchment.

Vendrick received the scroll and nodded at the figure. Quickly sliding his mellow yellow eyes over the contents inside the scroll. A quick glance at it was enough to cast a grim shadow over the room. The air suddenly had gotten heavy as they all turned to hear it.