Liam had a fitful night sleep, his dreams a tangled web of uncertainty and anxiety. Each time he thought he might find rest, the flames of fear erupted into a raging inferno, faceless figures whispering doubts that coiled around his heart. He awoke, drenched in sweat, the weight of his fears pressing down on him like a mountain making his breathing labored. Dawn broke, the first light crept through the cracks in the orphanage's wooden walls. He lay in his narrow cot, staring at the ceiling, the events of the previous evening replaying in his mind. Sara’s words had stopped him from wallowing in despair, but those words were no quelled by the roar of his insecurities.
"Today is the day," he muttered under his breath, but the words caught in his throat.
He dressed in the simple tunic that only children of the orphanage wore, its fabric rough against his skin. The sounds of the orphanage; children laughing, the clatter of dishes, and the distant echoes of training drifted in from outside, but they felt muted, too engrossed with his own thoughts, "One foot in front of the other," he thought.
Liam made his way outside, the air crisp and alive with the promise of the day. The training field was already buzzing with activity. Other children, brimming with energy, honed their skills, the sunlight glinting off their weapons. He walked past towards the center of the town where the church resided. He caught sight of Ian and his gang laughing, their voices dripping with derision.
“Look who decided to join us! The one awaiting the hidden class returns!” Ian called out, his tone mocking. The laughter that followed was sharp, cutting through Liam’s fragile self esteem. He had once been someone hopeful, thought he could overcome all odds. As he aged without being adopted or without getting basic skills gradually wore on him.
He could feel the heat of humiliation rising in his cheeks, but he took a deep breath and pressed on. Just as he reached the church entrance, a familiar face broke through the crowd. Sara, her eyes focused on her own awakening.
She stole a glance at him, giving him a subtle nod, her voice warm. “I was worried you might miss the ceremony,” she whispered her own heart beating like a drum.
“Miss it? Not a chance,” he said, forcing a grin, even as he was laced with anxiety. The ceremony was a culmination of all their training, a moment when each child would awaken their powers, if they had any to awaken, that determined their fate. Deep down, fear gnawed at him. What if he stood before the gathering and nothing happened? What if he was the only one without any class?
As the appointed hour drew near, Liam found himself standing in one of the many neat rows of other children. The air crackled with anticipation, the children’s excitement palpable. He glanced around, catching glimpses of determination and hope in their eyes, a figure stepped forward to address them. A tall woman with electric blonde hair and a commanding presence. “Today is a day of great significance,” she announced, her voice echoing against the trees. “You stand on the brink of your futures. Today, you will discover your true selves. A fierce combatant in our fight for our survival, a combatant supporter, or logical supporter. ”
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
Liam noticed she did not mention the fourth tabooed option, his heart pounding in his chest. The woman continued, “As you awaken, remember that this is not merely a test of power, but a revelation of who you are meant to be. Trust in yourselves, and you will find your way.”
Her words faded into the background as Liam, he wanted to believe he was capable, that he could be more than just the boy who trained endlessly in the shadows. One by one, the children stepped forward to undergo the awakening. Some emerged radiant, their powers manifesting in brilliant displays of light and energy. Laughter erupted as they embraced their newfound abilities, joy radiating from their smiles. One such shining star was Ian, who announced that he had selected the hidden class Juggernaut. Revealing more than the name of the class was considered ill advised since humans could also be monsters.
Each child awakened; some combat, some logistical, but mostly support since they filled both a support and combat role. Liam felt a tightening in his chest. It became apparent that he'd be the last one left. When it was finally his turn he stepped forward. His legs more shaky than the disgusting jam the caretaker made at the orphanage, a cold sweat trickling down his back. The significantly smaller crowd fell silent, anticipation thick in the air. Liam had noticed that Ian was one of the few left behind to witness his awakening. The woman gestured for him to kneel, and he obeyed, feeling the ground beneath him cool against his skin.
“Focus, Liam,” she urged softly, her voice soothing. “Breathe. Touch the Sphere of Awakening the gift from the gods.”
He closed his eyes, his hand touching the ice cold sphere, the world around him fading into darkness. He felt the weight of their gazes, the pressure of expectations crashing down. With every heartbeat, the anxiety swelled, choking him.
“Please,” he whispered, not just to himself, but to the universe, to any deity that might be listening. “Let me awaken. I can’t be nothing.”
In that moment of desperation, a flicker of something deep within him stirred. A warmth, a pulse that resonated with his beating heart. It surged through him, growing stronger, and for the briefest instant, he felt hope bloom like a fragile flower in spring.
But as quickly as it came, the warmth flickered and died. He gasped, eyes flying open, only to find the circle of children staring back at him in silence. There was no flash of power, no brilliant awakening only a light blue status sheet in front of his eyes. The status sheet read:
Liam (No surname, no title)
Str - 1
Agi - 1
Will - 1
End - 1
Int- 1
basic talent -tenacity
Sara said nothing, she simply turned and left, what could she say to him? She had awoken to one of the two hidden class herself: War Priestess.
His heart sank. He could feel the crushing weight of failure settle around him like a shroud. He stood, the laughter and cheers of his peers fading into a distant echo. His mind raced with the realization that he had not awakened. "I knew you'd be nothing, just like always," taunted Ian.
He took a step back, the world blurring around him. He could hear whispers, feel the eyes of the children boring into him, and it was all too much. He felt physically ill, turning, he ran as fast as could, as if he was trying to outrun the laughter that seemed to stick to him. Tears stained the ground as he fled the field, the shadows that had loomed above seemed to deepen, swirling in the corners of his mind, ready to claim him. Somewhere, far above, the sinister figure watched, a smile curving his lips as the threads of fate began to tighten around Liam, drawing him into a darkness he had yet to understand.
"With your powers sealed, the outcome couldn't of been more obvious. I wonder if he'll be willing to make a deal with the devil," he thought fangs showing through his smile.