-Somewhere in New Washington, Philippines…-
Milton’s head had held a blunt pain on the back of his head that woke him awake from his desk. It was his mother smacking him with a rolled newspaper. He was sleeping and drooling over the keyboard as he was playing all night. It was Sunday, so why did his mom wake him up? He didn’t have any work to do, so why? Raising his head and rubbing the back of his head, he greeted his mother.
“Morning, Mom. Why did you wake me up? It’s the weekend.” He says. “You didn’t listen to me last night, didn’t you? Today is the Awakening Ceremony!” “What?!” His sleepy eyes suddenly widened as he stood out of his swivel chair. “I didn’t know, I swear! If I did I wouldn’t have stayed up late!”
The Awakening Ceremony is a ceremony that takes place once per year in every country. For any teenagers 1 year above 16 years old, they are to participate in the Awakening Ceremony, although not mandatory, only teenagers are allowed to participate for free. Upon participating, they are given blessings by the gods, spirits, or any magical entity, granting them powers.
For Milton, it was his chance of getting a good blessing and getting friends, as he didn’t have any in preschool or middle school. Milton being 17 years old, will not miss this chance for the third time. Rushing to the bathroom to take a shower, his mother and his little sister helped him prepare his quick breakfast and clothes.
“Mom! What do you think is my blessing gonna be?” Milton asks loudly as his voice might be drowning out by the shower’s sounds. “The blessings either related to your traits or your family. Maybe you’ll get Blessing of the Fire Spirit, like your dad or Blessing of the Armored Bear, like me!” She replies just as loud as her voice for the same reason. “Or maybe Blessing of the Lazybones because you’re very lazy!” Milton’s little sister shouted as his mother laughs. “Your brother better pray that it wouldn’t be that one.”
Getting out of the bathroom, Milton had a towel around his waist and took the clothes that his family prepared on his bed. A polo shirt with black and white vertical stripes and grey cargo pants, matching with his black socks and grey rubber shoes that are on the floor. After wearing them, he walked out of his room and down the stairs, straight to the dining room, where his sister is already preparing the small square table and his mother is putting their breakfast, bacon, and eggs on it.
Milton sat on the left side of the table, his sister on the right, and his mother on the front part of the table.
“Father, I’ll be able to do what I promised with you. I’ll be able to take care of our family. Eve will be at a good school, and we’ll be living in a penthouse, just like you always dreamed of.” Milton looked at the side of the table where no one was sitting on. No one is to sit there as there is the seat of their late father. A picture of him is on the table, as they smile sorrowfully. “Milton is right, dear. You don’t have to worry about us. Come on, let’s eat.” The two slowly ate, as Milton munched down on his food while reminiscing the time with his father. For Milton, his father was the one who introduced him to video games. When he had no friends, his father was his best friend, playing games with him every time he comes home from his work.
Finishing his meal, Milton set his plate on the sink and immediately ran to the front door. “Be careful Milton!” His mother loudly speaks from the dining room as they were still eating. “I will, mom!”
Leaving his home, Milton plugged his earphones into his phone and to his ears and played one of his favorite music while walking to the bus stop. Upon reaching the bus stop, there were already so many people in it, all of them looking the same age as him. Milton wanted to introduce himself to them, gain a couple of friends on the way to the Ceremony, but looking at them, they were already happy chatting with each other, He thought that if he introduces himself, he might break their happy moment and so he simply stood at the end of the bus stop, listening to music as the bus arrived. Milton made sure other passengers got in before he did.
The trip from his neighborhood to the Ceremony was not that long; a couple of minutes only were taken to get to the place where the Awakening Ceremony is held, The Awakener’s Association Collective Church, home of multiple religions, from the ones born in this world, or from the tower. It is the Third biggest building, whereas The Awakener’s Association Building is the second and the Tower is the first. Anyone can see these buildings anywhere in the city. The Collective Church, the shortened name of the building, looks like 5 churches merged into one. Milton had no idea why the church is built like this, they could’ve built a smaller, more simple one.
Reaching the Church, Milton was surprised to see a lot of people already inline into the church. He sees people of the same age as him, with few people looking older than them. Just like Milton, they are waiting for a chance to become famous, to become rich, and to change their lives. He was astonished to see already a long line of people in 9 in the morning. “How long am I going to have to wait?”
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“Oh, the church awakens 10 people at the same time, so it’s pretty quick.” A girl’s voice said behind him. Milton turned around to look for the person who said it. He sees twins behind him. They both had blue hair, the right twin had a pony-tail while the other had their hair let down. The one with the ponytail wore masculine clothes, a leather jacket, and a white T-shirt underneath, and tight jeans and sunglasses, while the other had feminine clothes, a blue T-shirt with frills on its short sleeves, and jeans much more similar to the other one was wearing. Uncertainty on which twin talked showed in Milton’s face since both of them very much looked feminine.
The one with the pony-tail noticed it and spoke at him. “I’m the one who talked.” They chuckled lightly as they waved. “I’m Alice, Alice Wintermint. And you are…?” She asks, opening her hand out to him. “I-I’m… Milton.” He says nervously, never in his life talked to another girl other than his mother and sister. “My f-full name is Milton Parker, Nice to m-meet you.” He shakes her hand as the other twin opened their hand and started to talk. “I’m Alyx Wintermint, Alice’s Brother.” He says in a feminine voice, but the masculine tone can be vaguely heard. “I’m sorry, You said brother?” Milton asks as his eyes widened. A person with such features is a guy? “What? Just because I’m a man, I can’t wear a woman’s clothes?” Alice laughs and snorts from watching Milton’s surprised and confused reaction. “Alyx lost a bet with me and had to wear my clothes. So that he wouldn’t get embarrassed, I wore his clothes.” Alyx scratches his left shoulder before letting his right hand for Milton to shake. “Yeah, that’s right. Nice to meet you, Milton.” Milton lets go of Alice’s hand and shakes Alyx’s.
“L-likewise… Are you all going to partake in the awakening ceremony?” Milton lets go of his hand, scratching the back of his head.
“Yeah! Wanna awaken together with us?” Alyx says as he scratches his head.
“Whoa, the cold Alyx is taking the initiative? Never in my lifetime, I’ve seen you do that!”
“Sh-shut up!” Alyx’s cheeks turn red as Alice pokes his sides.
“Anyways, we should line up now.” Alice grabs hold of their hands and runs towards the line, pulling them both.
As the line progressed, the three talked to each other and already established their friendship.
“So, what are your hobbies?” Milton asked shyly. This was the first time he made friends and was unsure how to proceed. “Oh, mine would be playing basketball and videogames, the ones that are full of guns and shi- I mean… guns and the like,” Alice replied. “For me, I guess it would be listening to music and reading books. Especially books about forbidden love.” Alyx added as they move along the line.
“Hmm… what about favorite music genre?” Alyx says. “I like RnB and Ballad. It makes me calm.” He adds. “I like death metal and dubstep!” Alice says, Milton nods to himself as he thinks that Alice does look like a rockstar. “I like Lo-fi music. Any music that doesn’t involve vocals. That way I can focus on streaming.” The twins raised their right eyebrow at the same time that it somewhat unnerved Milton. “You’re a streamer?” Alice asks in a genuine tone as Alyx pulled out his phone. “What’s your streamer name? I’ll follow you.“
Milton hesitates. Should I tell them? Or not? If they found that I spend my days playing games, would they leave me? People tell people like me to ‘get a life,’ what if they say that to me too? Milton thinks to himself. As rubs his hands together, Milton shyly responds. “To be honest… I don’t really like telling my tag to anyone else… sorry.” Alyx nods and returns his phone to his pocket. “I understand.” He replies while Alice pats Milton’s back. “Don’t worry. Mil. When you get more comfortable, then you could tell us.” Milton nods slightly. “Sure… also… Mil?” Alice nods while saying “Mhmm” twice. “That’s my nickname to you. Oh, we’re moving again.” The three move along the line again as they were close to the Church’s entrance.
“What blessings do you want to have?” Alyx asks again as the two were deep in thought after hearing his question. Minutes after thinking, they’re already next to the Church’s large doors as Milton goes to answer first. “I want something like Blessing of the Calm Dragon. Like my mom’s friend. From what mom said, it makes me very calm and not panicking any time, which is a big problem of mine… I easily panic...” Alyx gave an agreeing expression. “Sounds like a great blessing. Mine would be Blessing of the Sun… anything. It turns me into strong people as long as I can see or under sunlight.” Alyx pointed upwards at the sun. “Oh, for me at least, I don’t need any blessings.” Alice answers. “I like a challenge; I want to be a part of the top 100 rankings, at least the Philippines, without any help from any stinking gods.” Alyx let out a small laugh. “Hah! If you anger the gods, the blessing that might give you might even be a curse.” A white-robed man lightly tapped Alyx’s left shoulder, then the three placed their attention on him. The man clears his throat as he pushes the door open for them. “Please walk inside and onto the front of the altar. Kneel and ask for a blessing and class and wish that you get what you want.” Class…? What’s a class? Milton wanted to ask but he’s already far behind the twins, whom already at the altar. Seven other people came in from outside before the man closed the doors. Inside, a lot of people with cameras are, The first thing that came to mind is that they were photojournalists or reporters that are recording them live. It made Milton much, much more nervous.
The twins were positioned at the far-left side while he was at the middle of the altar. The others started to kneel, and Milton followed and did the same. The others started to mutter their own prayer so Milton also copies them. “To those who want to aid me… I wish to gain a blessing that will help me and my parents so that we can live happily. Please…” A bright light suddenly flashes everyone in the church altar and also the people at the side of the Nave, when the light subsided, Milton was nowhere in sight.