Light filtered through the church’s glass artwork. Images depicting the goddess’ creations, like trees, animals and humans. It illuminated the gray stone walls and floor, with many wooden benches filling the space. A big circular spot had been arranged for the ceremony in the back of the room.

On the end of the church’s main corridor grew the Goddess’ Tree. A tree whose nurturing and care was left in the hands of the church officials, like Father John. Its green leaves shone under the sunlight, creating sparkles around its form. The trunk was thicker than three adults side by side, with deep lines etched on the bark. Inside the thick foliage of its top, hidden stars rested. Those must be the blooming gifts, ready to be bestowed by the Goddess’ Grace.

Lucas and Roy starred as Randy, in trying to impress Clara, had decided to carry lit candles. He was holding three candles in both hands, and one in his mouth. Clara’s white hair was gathered on an orderly bun. She wore an odd dress in contrast with her usual plain robes. A deep purple, with golden flakes fused with the fabric. Her blue eyes followed Randy, hovering around him as he precariously carried the candles.

“His bangs are starting to burn,” Roy commented.

“I think he just noticed,” Lucas added, as Randy noticed the flaming hair strand. Clara threw a wet towel on top of him as he rolled on the floor. “She’s smiling though.”

Roy shook his head. “Do you think Clara dresses everyday in a purple dress with golden flakes?”

Lucas frowned. “Isn’t that one of those dresses your mom brought from the capital?”

Roy smiled. “Let’s find our seats. We should make the best of arriving early.”

Lucas and Roy found a seat on the front. Both clutched their charms, praying under their breaths for the Goddess’ blessing. The prayers involved mostly thanking her for the fruits of the earth, the beauty of nature and the health to experience the joys of her creation.

Kids streamed in. All of them wore their best clothes, with some constantly scratching their itchy sides or backs. Others walked a bit bowlegged. Some were holding in their breaths, wearing clothing a bit small for them, but worth enduring for the ceremony.

Father John led Randy and Clara to their seats, as he walked up to the plinth. He looked around, nodding to himself as he ran an internal headcount. Once satisfied, he started his speech.

“Children of Blueren. All of you have come here for the first step on the road to adulthood. Some of you have started learning from your parents. To take in their crafts, their skills and what may one day be yours. Today is the day, where the Goddess will gaze upon you, upon what you can become and bless you with a Job. For those who are not up to date with their studies,”- his eyes roamed the crowd, lingering on some kids who found the ceiling to be oddly interesting -”The Goddess’ Jobs are her gifts upon us. They linger in our souls, give us skills and magic beyond our means, and shape our lives in ways we may never know.”

All of the kids started to rub their charms, praying under their voices for their Job to be what they wanted. Lucas was no different, focusing hard on his wish to be a cool adventurer. Roy did the same next to him, focusing his mind with a calm expression.

Father John finished his speech and moved the plinth to the side. He knelt in front of the tree, and started to pray. Above his hands, glowing water was conjured out of thin air. “Goddess, bless this generation. Nurture their present, so they can face the difficulties of the future. So their hearts can soar true, and their wills stand strong.”

The water ball focused into a single drop, falling on the ground. The church started shaking, as the stars hidden in the tree’s foliage shone bright enough to bathe all of the church with colors. Power crashed against Lucas and Roy, forcing them to take deep breaths.

Father John panted as he walked with shaking legs to the plinth. He cleaned the sweat of his bald head with a handkerchief. “Children, go ahead when the Goddess calls. You will know,” he explained in a weak voice, that reached them all the same.

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Kids, beckoned by an inner voice, walked to the tree. One by one, fruits fell from the tree and landed gently in their hands. Tools were conjured next to them, to peel the fruits and eat them. All of the kids devoured their fruits with delight, left dazed once they finished them. Their bodies walked back to their chairs, almost on automatic.

Roy stood up, walking up to the tree. A silvery orange floated on his waiting hand. He made an incision with a knife, delicately peeling each slice. On the insides of each slice, quotes and lines of poems were written in miniscule and cursive letters. Yet, Roy read each peel as he consumed the slices. He walked back to his seat, and Lucas could swear he felt more than he was before he stood up.

Randy jogged to the tree, where a banana bounced on his shoulder, then landed on his hand. He stared at the metal banana, whose tip was red hot. He grabbed the red hot side, peeling it with a smooth motion. The sound of a sword being unsheathed filled the room. He ate it all in one go, and walked back to his seat. His hands wriggled, feeling empty.

Clara walked up to the tree, with a mango delicately rolling down the trunk. She waited until it hit her shoes to pick it up. She started to take small bites. With each careful bite, the mango grew juiciest and tastiest. Clara felt brighter with each portion, until the last bite filled her mouth with enough water to bulge her cheeks. She sat down on her chair, looking mighty satisfied.

Lucas felt the calling inside his chest. As if a string was gently coaxing him towards the tree. His steps felt light as he walked up to the trunk. He looked up and found there were no stars shining for him. He blinked, very confused. He looked around, seeing no fruit appearing in his sights.

Father John looked worried, on the verge of moving away from his plinth. Then the ground shook again. The ground under the tree bulged. As the earth ruptured and cracks appeared on the dirt, light escaped its underground prison.

A root punched its way up, slamming next to Lucas. He stared at the thick appendage, as a green bulb popped out of it. It bloated bigger and bigger, until a watermelon as big as Lucas was resting next to him.

A long, sharp knife appeared on Lucas’ grip, and he started to carve it. He thrusted his head into the big, red slices. Drinking the sweet juices, and chewing the flesh. Once he carved out the first slice, he saw the red flesh was dotted with glowing star-like seeds. He ate them all, as each swallowed seed felt different.

Sometimes he felt as if he was in a faraway land, standing on a high cliff overlooking the wilderness. Wind whipping at his body, dust trying to find its way inside his adventuring gear. Other times, sweat and mud caked his body. He charged forward, swinging his weapon at a monster. And in a quick flash, he felt himself sitting on an uncomfortable chair. His shoulders were heavy enough to make him lean forward, even as if he felt he had to make very important choices.

The moment passed, and he was left with one bite sized chunk. This chunk had a black seed, which he swallowed like all the others. An uncomfortable sensation ran along his spine, as the image of him standing on a field, surrounded by shadowed lumps and standing on top of a broken banner, assaulted his mind.

Lucas shook his head, realizing he had eaten the whole watermelon! He returned to his seat, cheery. He looked inside himself for what kind of blessing he had received, but he couldn’t quite find anything concrete. So, he sat down next to Roy, waiting for the others to finish their fruits.

Once everyone had their fruit, Father John walked up the tree. He kneeled and once again prayed. “Goddess, thanks for your Blessings. Let these children have bright futures, and for their paths to be illuminated by your Grace.”

As if unlocking a door, Lucas felt his chest throb. Words appeared in his head, as light motes gathered in front of him.

Job: Tuner

He blinked, as he didn’t understand the word. His spear necklace absorbed the motes, until it shifted into a silvery whistle. The whistle had a bird carved into it, to Lucas’ confusion. Many kids around him were going through the same, some of their charms being bathed by light as they shifted.

Lucas brough the whistle to his lips, his curiosity giving way. He blew a note with one thought in mind. ‘Please, let this be a cool job!’. The note silenced the church, as the whistle rang crystal clear. It glowed softly green, before losing its light.

Everyone heard the sound before they saw them coming. A dozen doves burst through one of the top windows, diving towards Lucas. They landed around him, some on his body and one of his hair. They stared at him, with Lucas feeling expectation coming from them.

“Uuuuh…help clean up?” Lucas said, weirded out by the sudden birds.

The doves flew up and surrounded Father John’s plinth. Like a coordinated crew, they grabbed it with their claws and flapped mightily.

Roy starred as the doves managed to lift the plinth. He looked as Lucas stared at his whistle, his expression between confusion and a darker disappointment. Roy extended his hand and squeezed Lucas’. He gave him a firm smile and a nod.

Lucas wasn’t sure he had got what he wanted, but knowing his friends were there for him, made that dark ball inside him break into butterflies in his stomach.