Meliana woke in a cold sweat, anticipating nightmares from her upcoming coming-of-age flashing before her eyes before dissolving into nothing else in the grey light of dawn.

The young girl's heart raced with anticipation as she prepared to embark on her journey, her thirteenth birthday marking a pivotal moment in her life. Shifting on her straw mat, the scent of freshly baked wild berries and black wheat pancakes wafted through the air. Her mother's special treat filled their mornings with warmth and nostalgia.

She could not help but smile before an errand thought threatened to waste her special treat on her special day. Even for her relatively well-off family, the price of eggs and milk wasn't exactly cheap. Her mother probably had to skip a meal or two to afford it, which was all the more reason for Melianna to fight off those dark thoughts and enjoy that moment to the fullest. She tumbled down the stairs only to be greeted by her father before reaching the bench.

"Watch out!" He shouted before dropping everything he carried to ruffle her hair with his big, callous hands. "Are you in a hurry, sweetheart? Has something good happened to you?" He said with a knowing smile.

Seated around the sturdy oak table, the family shared a bittersweet breakfast. Her parents exchanged glances laden with both pride and concern. It was a silent acknowledgment of the sacrifices they had made and the hopes they held for their daughter's future.

"Darling, I can hardly believe you've reached this milestone already," her mother said, a hint of wistfulness in her voice as she poured a drizzle of honey onto a stack of pancakes, her nimble hands flying over the hot plates.

Her father, a sturdy figure with calloused hands, nodded in agreement. "Time flies, indeed. It seems like just yesterday you were a curious little redhead, exploring every nook and cranny of this house."

The young girl's older brother, Judi, leaned back in his chair, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "And getting into all sorts of trouble, I might add," he chimed in, earning a playful scowl from their parents.

"He isn't entirely wrong, though," Her father said with a sigh, "I can't recount how many times I had to tell you scaffolding are not a child's playground. Whatever happens, don't you dare follow in Judicaël or Deniel's footsteps."

Her brothers had become a Mason and a Sculptor, respectively, all following in their father's footsteps in their own way. Something that her mother deeply ingrained wasn't a suitable job for a girl. Melianna rapidly glanced at the weaving loom and needles in the dark corner of the room, waiting for her until the following winter.

Her younger sister, Alana, lost in her own imaginative world, stirred her cup of warm milk with a dreamy smile. "I wish I could go with you," she murmured. "It sounds so exciting."

The young girl ruffled Alana's hair affectionately. "Don't worry, little one. I'll bring back stories that will make your imagination soar."

Amidst the laughter and sibling banter, the parents exchanged a knowing glance. They had long realized that their youngest daughter possessed a spirit that yearned for adventure and something beyond the boundaries of their modest home.

As the young girl finished her breakfast, savoring the last bite of the savory pancake mingling with the bittersweet taste of anticipation, her parents stood, their expressions a mix of pride and concern.

"Off you go now, my dear," her mother said, her voice filled with love and a tinge of anxiety. "Embrace this opportunity, and remember that our hearts are always with you."

Her father pulled her into a tight embrace, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "You have our love and support. We believe in you."

With her family's blessings resonating in her heart, the young girl gathered her belongings, a mixture of nervous excitement and determination coursing through her veins. The threshold of her home beckoned, the threshold of a new chapter in her life.

As she stepped out into the bustling streets of her hometown with the morning sun, the familiar sights and sounds welcomed her. The cobblestone paths echoed with the lively rhythm of the morning market, where vendors proudly displayed their wares and the aromas of spices and fresh produce from the port mingled in the air. The melodic strains of foreign accents filled her ears, a testament to the rich cultural tapestry that enveloped their lives.

And yet, despite the melting pot of culture, there was a themed uniformity and discipline to the streets bustling with energy. A passing Roman patrol in gleaming armor here, towering columns and elegant arches there, standing as proud reminders that everyone, Bretons, Venetes, or faraway merchants, all danced to the tune of the eternal city.

Her heart quickened with a mixture of excitement and nostalgia as she made her way to the plaza, where her friends eagerly awaited her. Among them was Erwann, a boy whose gaze often lingered on her a little too long, an unspoken crush evident in his shy smiles and bashful glances.

Erwann approached her with a crooked smile. "Hey, Melianna, ready for the big day?"

She returned his smile, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "As ready as I'll ever be, Erwann. Excited to see what awaits me inside the temple."

Beside him stood her group of friends from their rebellious period, a tight-knit circle that had explored hidden caves and challenged authority together. They exchanged knowing looks and shared laughter, their bond stronger than ever as they approached the threshold of adulthood.

Rozeen, with her fiery red hair and a mischievous glint in her eyes, sidled up to Melianna. "So, ready to take on the world, are we?"

Melianna's laughter bubbled forth. "Absolutely, Rose! Nothing can stop us now."

They all gathered at the plaza, their voices intermingling with the melodies of the market. The air was alive with the energy of anticipation, and the young girl relished in the comfort and familiarity of her friends' company. They shared stories of past adventures, dreams for the future, and debates about the world they were about to step into.

As they walked toward the old temple, their conversation continued, filled with the noise of animated discussion and laughter.

Malo, a friend known for his thoughtful insights, chimed in. "You know, Melianna, this offering ceremony has been a tradition for centuries. It's fascinating how it connects us to our ancestors and the path they've paved for us."

Melianna nodded, her gaze fixed on the temple ahead. "Indeed, Mal. It's like we're carrying their hopes and dreams with us."

The lively streets led them past remnants of Roman rule, a visible reminder of the intricate tapestry of history in which they were woven. They shared whispers of the Bretons ousting the Venetes, their voices filled with a mix of pride and defiance.

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Alana, a friend known for her rebellious spirit, spoke up. "We may have had our differences, but look at us now, united against the Romans and carving our own destiny."

Melianna's heart swelled with a sense of unity as she walked alongside her friends. Their laughter and camaraderie felt like a shield against the uncertainties that lay ahead.

Melianna approached the entrance of the old temple, its weathered stone walls standing as a silent witness to the passage of time. The guardian, an elderly man with a wise demeanor, greeted her with a gentle smile as he balanced a basket of fruits in his weathered hands. Briefly, Melianna's gaze flickered to the fruits, a judgmental thought crossing her mind. They seemed less than fresh, their appearance a stark contrast to the bountiful harvest her family enjoyed. But she quickly pushed the thought aside.

As the young girl made her way past the six martial statues, her eyes caught a glimpse of the archer statues, their forms captured in graceful motion, arrows poised, preloaded, and ready to fly. The archer's path had called to her, an enigmatic allure she couldn't ignore. But that was before her younger self learned she would have to work for the local garrison to make a living, fighting off peasant rabbles of her own people.

Yet, Melianna headed straight to the back where the mage statue stood. There was a moral obligation that compelled her to make her first offering to the mage, a sense of duty ingrained in her upbringing.

If her offering were accepted, she would be inducted and sent far away from home to be trained and turned into a military officer, the cream of the crop of the Roman legion, and the golden path up the social ladder for both herself and her family.

She placed her offering before the statue, her heart heavy with both expectation and trepidation. When the statue rejected her, a surge of relief washed over her, providing an unexpected reprieve from the weight of societal expectations.

Encouraged by this small victory, Melianna turned her attention to the seamstress statue, her eyes filled with a glimmer of hope. Though she hated being trapped inside all winter, this was the path she truly desired, following in her mother's footsteps, weaving threads of creativity and skill into beautiful clothes and tapestries of her own. But as she made her offering, her hope wavered, and her heart sank as the statue once again denied her. Doubt gnawed at her, stirring questions of her future, purpose, and identity.

In the midst of her turmoil, a raven flew in from an opened window before negligently resting on the face of the statue that had just denied her, its ebony feathers shimmering with a subtle sheen. Its presence was both commanding and beguiling, and the young girl found herself drawn to its mysterious allure. The raven's eyes seemed to hold a knowing glint, implying more than its words could express.

"Melianna," it croaked, its voice a mixture of velvet and whispers. "The statues have spoken, and they shall continue to reject you. They do not see your true worth, your untapped potential. But fear not, for I can offer you a path that embraces your power."

Melianna's heart skipped a beat. The raven's words held a deeper meaning, a hidden truth that resonated within her. It was as if the creature saw beyond the surface, understanding her desires and her struggles.

Yet, she turned away and desperately tried another statue, then another, and another until she made her way back to the Archer statue. Surely, that very one that had called to her so loudly would not reject her too.

But she was soon disenchanted, defeated, and humbled. And so, she made her way back to the raven and asked it to tell her more.

"You see, Melianna," the raven continued, its voice weaving a web of intrigue. "The path of the witch beckons. Through darkness, there is power. Through shadows, there is liberation. Embrace this offer, and you will have the means to protect those you hold dear, to defy the judgments of the statues, and to shape your own destiny."

A mix of unease and fascination coursed through Melianna's veins. She knew the raven's offer came with consequences, its subtle and cunning nature hiding the true extent of the contract it proposed. But in her heart, she understood that this was a turning point, a choice that would shape her future in ways she couldn't yet comprehend.

The raven fixed its penetrating gaze upon Melianna, its voice dripping with a sense of secrecy and intrigue. "Melianna, by accepting this offer, you shall become a conduit between two worlds. You will walk the halls of the Imperial Academy, disguised as a mage, your true purpose hidden from prying eyes. As you study among them, you will gather knowledge, observe their actions, and act as a dormant agent for the Old Gods. Your allegiance to the Old Ways shall guide you, and your true power shall remain concealed until the time is ripe."

Melianna's breath caught in her throat, her mind spinning with the weight of the raven's words. The realization of what she was about to agree to sank in, intertwining with her own conflicting emotions and desires. The path ahead seemed treacherous, and yet, she understood the importance of her role in protecting her loved ones and the ancient faith she had embraced.

"I... I understand," she stammered, her voice laced with uncertainty. "But what about the others? My family, my friends... Will they ever know the truth?"

The raven tilted its head, a knowing glint in its eyes. "It is best they remain unaware, for their safety and yours. The burden you bear shall be your secret to bear alone. The masks we wear often shield us from the world, but they also protect those we hold dear. Trust in your own resilience and the strength of the Old Gods."

Melianna's heart felt heavy with the weight of secrecy and the sacrifices she would have to make. The conflicting emotions swirled within her, a tempest of doubt, guilt, and determination. She knew that this path, illegal path, was not one she could turn away from, for the alternatives seemed to lead only to a life of shame, isolation, and lost opportunities.

With a deep breath, she steadied herself, a resolve strengthening within her. She would walk the treacherous line between deception and truth, her allegiance bound to the Old Gods and her true purpose shrouded beneath the guise of a mage.

With her decision made, Melianna stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the statues that seemed to judge her every move. As she approached the raven, a mix of emotions coursed through her veins. Guilt and uncertainty intertwined with a sense of determination and defiance. She had chosen a path that many would deem wrong, even evil, but she felt it was a necessary sacrifice.

With a soft flutter of its wings, the raven landed on her outstretched hand, its piercing eyes locking onto hers. "Remember, young one, that the darkness can be a wellspring of power and liberation," it whispered, its voice both soothing and haunting. "Embrace your new path, for it will lead you to places unseen and grant you the strength to protect what matters most."

Melianna nodded, her eyes shining with a mixture of trepidation and newfound purpose. The weight of her decision settled upon her shoulders, but deep within her, a flicker of excitement ignited. She was no longer bound by the limitations imposed by the statues, nor the confines of societal expectations. She had chosen her own fate, even if it meant treading a perilous path.

That's when thunder harmlessly pierce through the roof. Yet it happened so quickly that she felt it stabbing her straight through her right hand before she could acknowledge the flash and sound. The surge of occult energy burned her flesh as it mercilessly carved it way to her heart, the raven perched on her shoulder, a silent witness to her transformation.

It was only when Melianna recovered from the pain that the raven finally left her side, nod one last time and flee away back through the window it came from. And so, after a quick look at the witch mark, the brand covering the back of her hand, that she somehow instictively knew only a witch could see, she did the same and turned away from the temple and the statues that had rejected her.

Her steps carried a newfound resolve as she walked back through the plaza, her friends and the familiar sights of her hometown fading into the background. Ahead lay the Imperial War Academy, a place where mages roamed, and secrets lurked in every corner.

It was there that Melianna would weave her web of deception, her true purpose hidden beneath the façade of a mage. She would navigate the treacherous halls, all the while gathering knowledge and observing the actions of those around her.

She couldn't help but wonder how her family and friends would react if they knew the truth. Would they understand her sacrifice, her willingness to delve into darkness for their sake? Or would they shun her, their love and trust crumbling under the weight of her secret?

Only time would tell.

As Melianna continued on her path, her heart heavy with the weight of her choices, she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. In the shadows and secrecy, she would find the means to protect those she held dear. She would become the bridge between worlds, a conduit for the Old Gods' desires.

That when she heard the raven cawed softly in the distant, its presence a constant reminder of the pact she had forged. Melianna took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon. Her path was set, and she would walk it with conviction, guided by the whispered promises of the raven and the ancient faith that coursed through her veins.

And so, Melianna, the girl who once longed for the path of a seamstress or an archer, stepped into the unknown, her fate intertwined with the machinations of gods and the intricacies of a world on the brink of change.