Chapter 2

The Crystal rose up above the square, an invisible weight Pressed down on us. It felt like a part of me was numbed. "First! Existing Guild members of Elements, Shadow, Restoration, and Incognitions." The opening ceremony started with Guild Representatives talking about what a family they are, yet how proud they are during the Rite. People fucking die, they wear the blood of their "family" on their hands.

The Harmony, is anything but, they sow the seeds of discord. They know that a world based on uncertainty, they can control us.

The Crystal Opened and refracted its light in front of all of us.

"This year, we will be sending the selected straight to a Guild of your choice, Out of thee charity of the Harmony this is the year of the people." His threw his cloak off it floated and the day turned into night. "Now, here is the battle grounds this year. Since it is the year of The Swelling, we will be having it at the origin of the world!”

The crowd gasped. This was not good, Many people make pilgrimages to the site where the Swelling Happens.

“I know you have the burning question, Wont that ruin the spectacular of the magic? It wont my dear friends, for this year we want to relive the time of The Swelling, where we took a foothold against the spellweavers! Since all magic is nulled, everyone will be on even playing fields. Those who do not have Magic, It is your year, to rise up and come out victorious.” The crowd began to mutter. But what this time it felt like normal. The Frelsari hushed the crowd.

The image in front of me flipped. The Rite was about to begin. Briar was shaking, for she had one in front of her as well. Her dad loomed over her, most likely spitting venom in her ear. Tears fell down.

“Now! Let the Rite begin! If you light up green you unfortunately wont be able to participate. This year The Harmony has Guaranteed 18 of you wonderful people will be able to join The Weave!”

The lights in front of everyone started to flash, slowly a field of green slowly lit up the square. Then the first person to cry rang out. The local Bakers wife. His Green, Hers Red. I could tell he was ready to storm the stage. This year, everyone was equal. It almost didn't feel random, for 10 years ago their daughter Rosa, was picked at the Rite and died during The Weave. They had every right to take to the stage and rise up.

But he was a coward, He looked at the Frelsari and shrunk. Their swords risen in the air to show reverence of The Rite. They Love to recreate the image of the Banishment of the Spellweavers in The Swell. They got rid of most, but rumours say they still linger around. During the original Rite, the Harmony all cast their magic into the Swell to finally defeat the spellweavers. Then each member of the Harmony took a relic from the site and built a city around it. Though the relics are no where to be seen, that's what they say are the origins of the four Cities. All surrounding Dura Vail to Represent the Harmony sealing away spellweavers.

More Green lit the square, with dots of red, 7, 8, 9. At least a few members of the city have the courage to fight, but the fights didn't last long as Falsari drove their swords into them to stop any interruption. The sea of those not selected dwindled. I still did not get mine, Neither did Briar. It always felt like an eternity waiting for your colour. Before I knew it, Briar and I were the last ones. 1 more Green and 1 More Red.

“Well would you look at that! If this isn't a Rare occurrence! We have 1 left of each! Shall we have the two of you come to the stage? What do you all Say?” The crowd muttered. I locked eyes with Briar. I mouthed, “You got this. Breath.” I mimicked a deep breath. She followed along with me. Behind her, her dad was smiling. There was something wrong with the smile. It was to sinister. “Now come on we can do better than that!” The synchronized moving metal of swords pointed at the crowd. Everyone got louder in fake cheering to satisfy everyone.

I felt a Metal hand grip my shoulder tight and push me. “Get to the stage Subject” I moved, it was that or death, and if I died, Briar would automatically be brought to The Weave.

We met on the stage, Torrel standing behind us. “Bri, its okay.” I held my hand out to her. She grabbed a hold. She looked defiantly at her father, His evil smile turned into rage. Even though he’s the Barron, he is still held to higher standards. Knowing this I looked at him also in defiance. I held her hand high, as I brought it down, I turned and brought my hands to her face and we came together touching our foreheads.”Bri, no matter what, I will fight for you. Weather you get chosen or I do. If you get chosen, I will fight to get to you and fight along side you, or if I get chosen, I will fight for you and fight to live to see your beautiful eyes again.” I didn't care, I kissed her in front of everyone. Our forbidden love now public.

“STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!” a venomous voice boomed out. Spit flying out of the Barons mouth. I Smiled and held on tight to Briars hand. No matter what I doomed myself. “I don't care Bri, What ever happens I will be punished. I wont loose you,” I whispered.

“I don't want to lose you Elandra, this is not fair.” I could hear her hold back her tears.

“None of this is fair, but no matter what I will always be here.” I whispered back.

“Well, Well, Well, This is touching, but we need to finish The Rite!” He moved us on the stage to face one another. “Lets make things exciting!” I got a closer look at him, he didn't seem to be looking at us. He was scanning the crowd. He wanted the city to look at him differently, like he owned them.

“Well Lets get this started!” Under his robes, Shadow Glyphs glowed. A Shadow Magus. I closed my eyes, as I say the light swirl in front of me. Take me, not Briar. She does not deserve this, she has had a hard enough life. It was a funny thought since I was a mere street urchin and slave. But I was use to the beating, being looked down on, and being treated like utter trash. She was nothing like me, she didn't deserve it.

The town gasped. I opened my eyes, green faded, and in front of Briar red. My heart broke, No… No… It was suppose to be me! I started to hyperventilate. No matter how much air I took in, it didn't satisfy. Despite having a Magic Dampener on all of us, I felt that weight lift. I could feel my Glyph get warm.

Then a wet warmth met my lips. “Elandra! This is not good bye, I Promise you the same, I will fight to Survive! I will come back to you.” She yelled as the Falsari Started to take her away. Other ones held me back so I couldn't chase after her. “I will come find you Bri…” I whispered under my breath. I took a deep breath.

I locked Eyes with Torrel, his eyes had a sense of pity, you will get what is coming for you. Once I join a guild and learn how to burn your eyes out, its what's coming for you. I thought. I was then Tossed from the stage, Torrel threw his cloak turning his back to me.

I hit the ground, it knocked the wind out of me.

I looked up and saw the Barron. That sinister smile was back, I nodded towards me as his lackeys started to move through the crowd. I got up and ran. Luckily the crowd tried to stop them and let me through, a few people cheered me on. I held onto those cheers like a flame to oil.

I Ran!

The dust betrayed me as I ran. We were now out of range of the dampening field. Fuck! A bolt of lightning crackled right passed my head, I threw myself into a vendor stand knocking over crates. A Bolt of Fire Exploded where I was as I pushed off. I scanned the street. The perks of being a Street urchin is I knew the ways to get away. I smiled, a familiar alley way, I knew there was a way to slid past a wall and be undetected, and be in the clear.

I turned and slid, but then I hit a Wall of stone that grew out of the ground. My leg collided with it sending a shockwave of pain up my spine. There at the entrance of the Alley, four of the Barons goons stood. Their laughs sent chills. I was cornered, this was the end.