Everyone departed shortly after Hugh announced Sync Research Center's groundbreaking partnership with the Hek family. This alliance injected substantial funding into the facility, securing numerous government contracts. The children were shielded from public scrutiny for an extended period before their formal introduction to society. The intricacies of their conception and development remained closely guarded secrets.Years later, two children were being escorted by two men. Bardon and David, their guides, were leading Aleara and Vastian towards an undisclosed destination. Today marked a significant milestone, a ritualistic passage that every family member was obligated to undertake.
Enveloped in antiquity, the Unveiling Ritual stands as the cornerstone of the Hek family's, and by extension, the global aristocracy's enduring power. Its origins are lost to time, a forgotten relic of a bygone era. This arcane ceremony served as a conduit to the Twelve. According to myth, these divine entities empowered humanity to conquer the cosmos and shield humanity from a cataclysmic fate. Yet, as centuries have eroded the annals of history, knowledge of the ritual and its celestial patrons has dwindled to a mere whisper.
The Twelve, cosmic entities, are the architects and engineers of reality. Nexus, the connective thread weaving the universe, and Quantum, the embodiment of infinite possibilities, form the foundation. Nova ignites creation, while Atlas preserves the tapestry of time. Iris bridges understanding, and Zephyr propels evolution. Terra adapts life to its surroundings, and Helios fuels its existence. Morpheus shapes perception, Chronos measures its passage, Athena strategizes its course, and Ares drives its dynamism. These divine beings, each a master of their domain, are the unseen forces guiding humanity's journey through the cosmos.
The Hek family is one of the few that still holds the knowledge of the ritual, and each member goes through it when they turn 8 years old. Today it was Aleara and Vastian turn to pass through it. Both kids had grown in a somewhat harsh environment, training and studying while many others were out playing, of course, they were not force to do so every second of every day, but they were certainly held to highers standards than most.
Today, Bardon and David were escorting the children to their unveiling ritual, a solemn ceremony to be held in a secluded part of the Hek House. Nestled amidst the dense forests and towering peaks of Gaia, the Hek House was a secluded mansion on the outskirts of Viridian City. This metropolis, the heart of Pangaea Verda, was a testament to sustainable living and technological advancement, serving as the planet's center for governance, commerce, and culture.
The ritual chamber was a discrete annex of the Hek House, hidden from prying eyes. An aged structure, it had weathered countless seasons and required frequent restoration. Overgrown with vines and shrouded by shadows, it was easily overlooked. Its austere exterior belied the enigmatic interior: a vast, square chamber dominated by a circular pattern etched into the floor. Intricate, arcane symbols radiated from its center, pulsing with an otherworldly energy. Twin spiral staircases ascended from the chamber's corners, leading to an upper level where the ritual could be seen.
"Welcome, Aleara and Vastian" Abigail greeted them warmly. As the current head of the Hek family, her position was by birthright, unlike her husband, Gerald, who had risen through the ranks. "As you both know, today marks the beginning of your Unveiling Ritual. You will soon have the opportunity to forge a bond with one of the gods," she explained.
Abigail took Aleara's hand and guided her to the center of the intricate circle. "Once I step outside this boundary," she began, her voice filled with gravity, "the ritual will commence. You will be isolated from the external world, cut off from all sensory input. Both mentally and physically, you will be alone." Her expression turned somber. "The outcome is uncertain. One of the gods will reach out to you, if they deem you worthy. Good luck, Aleara."
According to Hugh, Aleara was technically the elder of the twins, born thirteen seconds before Vastian. As the firstborn, she was to undergo the Unveiling ritual first. While Abigail stepped outside, several figures could be seen on the upper floor. Gerald, Arthur, Clara, David, and Brandon were present, along with Vastian. Notably, their firstborn, Jacob, was also there.
The teenager stood with an air of youthful arrogance, his attire as striking as his demeanor. Clad in an elaborate white ensemble, complete with a flowing coat adorned with intricate designs, he presented a regal yet androgynous figure. His short, silvery hair complemented the monochromatic theme, and his face, still bearing the soft lines of youth, held a mask of precocious confidence. Large, curious eyes, a shade of startling blue, peered out from beneath a curious headband, while his lips curved into a hint of a smirk. A complex array of belts and straps crisscrossed his body, giving him an almost otherworldly appearance.
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Jacob was the family's pride and joy. Talented, disciplined, and with an ethereal beauty, he was the epitome of the Hek family's ideals. At seventeen, he was on the cusp of adulthood, having just completed his formal education. His heart, however, was set on a different path. Driven by a desire to support his mother, he yearned for the rigors of military service. The moment Abigail stepped out of the circle, a luminescence intensified, casting an ethereal glow over the entire chamber. Aleara, seated at its heart, was enveloped by an isolating silence. Her grandmother's words echoed in her mind as sensory deprivation set in. Sight, sound, and touch seemed to fade, leaving her adrift in a void of perception. A profound solitude washed over her.
Aleara was a bundle of sunshine, a child filled with boundless curiosity. She loved to explore, ask endless questions, and indulge her sweet tooth. Her hair, tied in a cheerful ponytail, bounced with every movement. Like her brother, she was dressed in pristine white for the occasion. The adults, too, were adorned in white, their attire more intricate and elaborate. Her grandparents, in particular, stood out, their garments shimmering with an almost ethereal quality, reminiscent of the exalted mages she had read about. Only her twin brother matched her simple yet elegant look.
Vastian observed his sister's ritual from the floor above. Unlike Aleara's, his hair cascaded freely past his shoulders, a deliberate choice made years ago for reasons he couldn't quite articulate. Unlike his sister's inquisitive nature, Vastian preferred the solitary pursuit of knowledge. Countless hours had been spent within the family library, devouring texts and seeking answers. Now, he watched as his family gathered, their quiet attentiveness a stark contrast to the dramatic scene unfolding below. With Brandon and David absent, the upper chamber offered a sense of intimate seclusion despite the ample space.
As timed passed, the luminescence intensified kept intensifying, it was a white glow, but then, it turned purple, at the sight of the new color Vastian could see the expression on the others change, he was well aware of which good this color represented, Nexus.
Nexus, the god of connection and pattern recognition, was known for its purple hue. It was a being of infinite wisdom, capable of perceiving the universe as an interconnected web. A bond with Nexus was said to grant the chosen individual an unparalleled understanding of the world's intricacies.
A few seconds later, the ethereal glow faded, leaving the chamber bathed in normal light. Aleara slowly rose to her feet, her expression a mixture of confusion and awe. Before she could fully recover, Abigail took Vastian's hand, leading him to the center of the now ordinary circle. With a gentle touch, she guided Aleara upstairs, allowing her time to process the extraordinary experience.
Vastian had listened intently to his grandmother's explanation of the ritual, anticipating a similar experience for himself. Yet, as moments turned into minutes, the expected reaction failed to materialize. The circle remained inert, its arcane symbols seemingly dormant. A growing sense of unease crept over him when a loud bang echoed through the chamber. His father stood in the doorway, his expression a mask of anger and concern.
"Disappointing, but expected," Arthur murmured, his voice tinged with frustration. "Let's go. Wasting any more time here is pointless." His disappointment was evident, but a sudden, immense pressure filled the room, cutting off his words.Gerald's expression hardened. "I agree we should leave," he said, his voice low and measured. "However, your rash actions are concerning, son."
Arthur's face paled dramatically. His father was renowned for his stern demeanor, and it was no secret that their relationship with their children, particularly Vastian, had been strained. The Hek family was a lineage steeped in tradition, with every member bonded to a deity. Even the most lowly guard possessed a connection to the divine. This bond was forged through the manipulation of Amrita, a cosmic energy channeled through an individual's Anima, or soul. Yet, Vastian had always been an anomaly, unable to tap into this essential life force, let alone influence it. Gerald's sudden exertion of such power was a stark reminder of this familial disparity.
Perhaps it was due to their unconventional origins, or perhaps it was Vastian's apparent lack of aptitude for the arcane arts, but a chasm had grown between father and son. Arthur, despite his outward stoicism, had always been disappointed by Vastian's inability to master the family's ancient knowledge. Gerald, more vocal in his disapproval, had often reprimanded the young man for his perceived negligence.
"Vastian, let's go. We can try again when you turn thirteen," Gerald said, a forced smile playing on his lips. Despite the obvious disappointment in the results, he couldn't bring himself to blame the child.
That night, solitude was Vastian's only companion. From his room, a panorama of Viridian City unfolded beneath him, its twinkling lights the sole illumination in the enveloping darkness. While the ritual's outcome was not entirely unexpected, a sense of disappointment lingered. His father's reaction, marked by a familiar blend of disappointment and detachment, had only deepened the chasm between them. Once a beacon of hope for repairing their fractured relationship, the day's events had extinguished that light. With a heavy sigh, Vastian retreated into sleep, seeking respite from his troubled thoughts.
As Vastian drifted off to sleep, an otherworldly glow illuminated the ritual chamber. A vibrant emerald hue pulsed through the room, its intensity growing with each passing moment.