The village square was alive with excitement and activity as the village folk came together to celebrate. Banners and streamers danced in the gentle breeze, their vibrant hues and whimsical patterns contributing to the palpable sense of joy and merriment that permeated the air.
The cobblestone square teemed with people of all ages, their faces aglow with excitement and anticipation. Children dashed about, weaving between the throngs of villagers, laughing and shrieking with delight as they engaged in impromptu games amongst themselves. Meanwhile, adults exchanged warm embraces and hearty handshakes, reconnecting with old friends.
Food vendors encircled the square, their makeshift stalls brimming with an enticing assortment of treats and delicacies. The tantalizing aroma of succulent roasted meats and freshly baked breads wafted through the air, luring even the most discerning of palates to indulge in their culinary creations.
At the heart of the square stood an ornately decorated stage, its surface shimmering with myriad twinkling lights and sparkling adornments. Musicians regaled the crowd with lively tunes, their melodies intertwining with the sounds of laughter and conversation that filled the square.
An elaborate theatrical reenactment of the Nagamen battle unfolded before the captivated audience, recounting the harrowing tale of how their forebears had valiantly defended the village a century ago. The festival served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those brave souls and a celebration of their enduring legacy.
The awakening ceremony was well underway, the pulsating energy of the event drawing the entire village to the bustling square.
Amidst the whirlwind of activity and revelry, a solitary figure lingered on the fringes of the celebration. Osric observed the festivities from a vantage point of quiet introspection, his thoughts wandering far beyond the merriment that surrounded him.
Cain and Glucia had joined their family in the heart of the celebration, eager to partake in the various events and rituals that marked the beginning of the festival. The day would commence with a heartfelt tribute to the sacrifices of the village's ancestors, followed by a nocturnal ceremony that symbolized their hope for the future.
***
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky transformed into an expansive canvas splashed with a kaleidoscope of colors. The warm oranges and pinks of the setting sun gradually yielded to twilight's deep blues and purples.
Bloodmoon, akin to a colossal eye, observed the world below, its presence shrouded in an aura of mystery and that was impossible to dismiss.
The moon ascended higher into the sky as the night progressed, casting its deep crimson hue upon the landscape beneath. Shadows cavorted upon the ground, their forms contorting and frolicking in the moonlight.
The cave was an awe-inspiring sight, its towering rock formations reaching upwards like the pillars of a natural cathedral. A crystalline river meandered through the cave, its limpid waters glinting in the ethereal glow of the Lunari fireflies, which flitted about in their little pinpricks of light.
Osric, accompanied by a hundred or so people, steadily progressed towards the heart of the cave.
Venturing deeper, the rush of the river intensified, the pulsating cadence of its flow akin to a steady heartbeat that imbued the air with a sense of vitality and energy.
"How nervous do I look?" whispered Cain, walking beside him, his face pallid with anxiety.
Osric smirked, "Not at all. You look totalllly fine."
"Don't pander to him. He looks so anxious it's painful to watch," Glucia said, playfully chiding Cain.
Upon reaching the center of the cave, the echo of their footsteps reverberated off the walls, producing a rhythmic beat. The torrent of water crescendoed in volume, until at last they emerged into a vast chamber where the river had forged a serene lake.
"Look, that's the Veteran Association leader, Mr. Garnier. I see heads from the Mining and Military Association here, too," whispered one of the students, gesturing towards the group assembled in the heart of the cavern.
"And that's Remfiled from the Alchemy Association. I heard his potions killed an Embryogator single-handedly," added another voice from the crowd.
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Osric's gaze settled on the head of the Alchemy Association. Devising a concoction potent enough to slay a Rank 2 beast like the Embryogator, known for its incredible resilience, was an impressive feat within the village.
"The other council members are also here. Look, that’s Mr. Bagus! There’s Madame Deradier! I also see Moonhunter Montier there!"
"There's Elder Huron, Lombard, Yirus and Madame Dendiline as well. I heard she and Madame Deradier are sisters. And there's Mr. Lief! I've never seen all of them together like this before."
Various heads of the village were present; if they were not, their representatives were. No one was willing to miss the important event in the village.
In the center of the commotion stood a tall man with fiery red hair, blazing like the moon outside.
All the students bowed in unison.
"Greetings, Village Chief," they shouted towards the man in front of them.
"Hello, everyone." He motioned for everyone to rise up. "Today is an important day for the village. An important day for us. Today is the day you all become adults and truly apart of this village."
"You are all the lifeblood of the village. So I am pleased to oversee the awakening ceremony," he announced, his voice echoing off the river.
"Let us start. And make no haste," his voice boomed.
The students spoke in hushed voices, their anticipation evident on their faces.
"This will happen in batches. When I call your names, go to the elders who will give you the beads. When you step into the river, try to absorb as much of the mist as possible without losing consciousness," he spoke solemnly. "If you faint, it's over."
The faces of many were stricken with fear as they looked at the riverside.
The village chief started calling various names. Each student, upon being called, showing a hint of anticipation and fear.
"...Daimen, Stryer, Cain, Email, Semely."
Cain offered a reassuring smile to Osric and Glucia, his eyes glinting with excitement as he joined the first group. They approached the elders who stood held a small pouch filled with black beads. With expressions of determination etched on their faces, the students all waded into the shallow, crystal-clear river, the cool water splashing around their ankles.
They all stood still.
"Now!" the village chief commanded, his voice resonating throughout the limestone cave, echoing off the damp walls adorned with moss and glistening stalactites.
The students in the river obeyed, their hands trembling as they crushed the beads between their fingers. A thick, ominous black mist poured forth, seeping into their bodies like a sinister serpent. Each of them grimaced in pain, their teeth clenched so hard that their jaws ached, as they valiantly fought to remain conscious.
A few bodies slumped onto the bedrock almost immediately, their spirits defeated. The river's fast current washed away the lingering mist that clung to their bodies.
"I expected them to last longer," someone whispered from the shadows, their voice laced with disappointment.
Others, who had managed to endure the agony but could not absorb any more of the oppressive mist, sank onto the bedrock, grateful for the solace provided by the flowing water that washed away the remnants of their torment.
"Better yield than before. The number just seems to be going up and up each year," one of the elders mused, her eyes twinkling with pride.
"The rumors of the great era coming are not invalid after all," another voice chimed in, filled with hope and wonder.
Cain, the last person standing from his group, finally gave in, his legs buckling as he sat down, unable to take in any more of the suffocating mist.
"Done," declared the village chief, his tone authoritative yet warm.
The remaining conscious students, their bodies soaked and dripping with river water, left the water and headed to a separate area designated for them. Their expressions were a mix of happiness, relief, bitterness, and confusion as they contemplated their results.
Attendants rushed to carry off the unfortunate ones who had fainted.
"Leon must be pleased. His son did better than expected; that's 82% right there," someone said, nodding in approval.
Elder Leon maintained a stoic expression, but a faint, proud smile graced his lips.
"Next!" the village chief bellowed before reading out the names of the next batch of students.
"...Dailus, Glucia, Harune, Mitrus, Estim…"
Glucia, her heart pounding in her chest, nodded at Osric and bravely marched towards the river.
"That's at 50%, tsk."
"Wow, he's 71%. We have some good candidates."
As the mist engulfed her, Glucia sat down, her face contorted in pain, enduring until she could not absorb anymore.
"That girl is 76%, look!" someone exclaimed, excitement bubbling in their voice.
The village chief stood off to the side, observing the scene with a satisfied grin. "We got some good seeds this year, Lief,"
"We should have som-" Lief's words trailed off, his eyes widening as he noticed the last person still standing in the river, defying all expectations.
At that very moment, everyone's attention shifted to him, a mixture of awe and curiosity painted on their faces. He stood there, tall and resolute, the last person in this battle against pain and adversity.
"80! 85! 90!!" a voice called out, counting the increasing percentage in disbelief.
"Bless Providentia in her infinite wisdom, it's over 90%!" another onlooker exclaimed, their voice trembling with excitement.
The boy, continued to stand firm, absorbing the mist until his body could bear no more. Finally, he crumpled onto the smooth riverbank, his limbs weak and trembling.
"It's 95! He opened 95% of his nodes! That's a grade-A aptitude right there! " someone shouted, the astonishment palpable in the air.
"That's Mitrus! He's not associated with any faction. It's a free-for-all!" another voice rang out, igniting a flurry of whispers and speculation among the crowd.
"This year's yield is indeed extraordinary," the village chief declared, his smile broad as he looked upon the scene with pride. With a decisive wave of his hand, he motioned for the people to clear the river, making way for the next batch awaiting awakening.