Ch.1 - The Woken Pt.2
Xavier looked around at all the others and nobody seemed to understand what was happening. "My Lord with all due respect we have yet to tell explain to them what the woken are. I was planning to-" The archbishops tried to explain before the King raised a hand and silenced him. "Yes yes, my friend how rude of me I am sure they as well as you and your bishops are all tired and hungry. Before we start let us begin the ceremony with a feast!"
The King raised his arms and slammed them together in an echoing clap as immediately what Xavier assumed was servants dressed in fancy suits and dress entered. They began bringing in tables and chairs as well as bounties of food, some Xavier recognized and others he did not. Once all the tables had been set and covered with food a maid or butler pulled out a chair and stood behind it bowing deeply. "You may sit and feast our heroes." Each individual said together in unison raising from their bow and walking to either side of the throne room waiting with their backs facing the wall evenly. All the people looked around before the younger boy from before went to sit and his supposed brother followed him closely. Soon others sat at tables and Xavier decided to sit as well unable to deny the feeling of his stomach turning in excitement for a meal.
The archbishop and his two followers took seats up with the king and they all watched as everyone there ate. The king requesting food for them as well and soon everyone was enjoying fresh fruits, roasted meat, baked vegetables and fresh warm bread. After what felt to Xavier like half an hour the king raised himself from his seat and cleared his throat. "We thank you all for your patience and cooperation as this is never easy for woken like yourself. I will leave the archbishop to explain the details but know that I am happy that so many of you awoke in my castle." With that, the king bowed something that Xavier did not expect to witness as he assumed most kings would see themselves above doing so to those, not of royalty.
"Yes now I shall get on to my explanation to you all of what the woken are, any questions can be asked and subsequently answered after. To begin in short you all are woken, and the woken are the heroes of our land. We call upon woken once every decade to act as heroes for us people of the land under our goddess's power. She has assured us and all woken who regain their memories agree it to be true, that you all chose to be here from a previous life which had been less desirable" Instantly several people became upset and outraged "We shouldn't have to fight your battles or save your people for you." Shouted the boy from earlier, John. "What do you expect us to do, most of us don't seem to be the most capable fighters." asked a taller thin woman looking to be in their later twenties.
The archbishop seemed to not take notice as he continued his explanation. "All of you will become heroes of the land, given gifts of power from the goddess herself which she deemed worthy on reflection of your soul. Each will be given an element to master and a weapon to aid you that fits you perfectly, as well as professions suited to the one you'd be more efficient with." with this Archbishop Ivan, snapped his fingers and his followers produced two clear orbs. Before their use could be explained the king snapped twice and shouted. "Enter." The doors swung open and in came several armoured personnel all carrying weapons placed in boxes on some kind of cloth. After they entered so too did several robed figures all without masks and some had items that appeared to be wands and staffs as well as more yet smaller orbs.
"It is with these that all will be decided, you will start by standing and giving your name. Then you shall walk to the bishop on the king's right and receive an element. " The archbishop gestured to one of the masked bishops. "Then proceed to find your weapon, you will not keep these as others may get the same but simply hold out your hand towards them and say 'Igdram Uthal Don' and your appointed weapon will fly to your hand. Finally to the bishop on the king's left to obtain your profession of Warrior or Elemental based on which you'd be more suited for. Now, who desires to go first?"
The older brother stood up and shouted. " John McCarthy!" Without hesitation, he marched with pride to the first bishop and placed his hand on the orb. At first, there was no reaction but as he waited a small ocean seemed to expand and churn in the orb before John removed his hand. He continued to the line of armoured and robed figures calling out. "Igdram Uthal Don!" And a brass knuckle flew to his hand. John then returned it and walked to the second bishop placing his hand on it as it quickly began to glow a royal blue. "Ah yes, a warrior indeed!" Exclaimed the king cheerfully.
Eager to follow his brother the younger one stood up. "Elliot McCarthy!" Touching the first orb it began to slowly frost over until it appeared to be a solid sphere of ice. Stepping to the weapon line he quietly muttered. "Igdram Uthal Don." Elliot closed his eyes tight and jumped back holding his hand out defensively as a spear sent itself into his hand. To Xavier's surprise, it was resting at a perfect balance within his grasp. Elliot timidly handed it over to the man who was holding it before and went to the second orb as it glowed a rich crimson. The King gave his input again "An Elemental, surprising for such an offensive weapon." Elliot quietly rejoined his brother and the elder one hugged his brother and ruffled his hair smiling and saying something to him Xavier couldn't hear.
Quickly a line began to form as people all wanted to know their element and weapon but Xavier chose to wait and eat as did another larger man at the table across from him. "Maximus Ludwill." Xavier heard from the front and seen a green glow from the front. Heard Maximus say the spell and watched a longbow fly across the air. Finally, Xavier noticed the Blue glow as he heard the king congratulate him. The rest began to blur together and Xavier waved to the man across from him and getting a response Xavier got up and carried his meal over to him. Sitting the man offered his hand and Xavier took it in his giving a firm shake and gave his name with a smile "Xavier, see we share a love for good food." The man chuckled a bit and through a small grin said "Yes I guess we do, and I'm Tyler pleasure to meet you mate."
Xavier and Tyler proceeded to talk about food while the ceremony continued and as the line shortened Xavier got up and gestured to the last two people. "You first Tyler I insist, I bet you'll get something cool like fire and a sword, or lightning and a spear" Tyler chuckled again and lead the way up giving a cheeky response. "I bet we'll have saved the best for last."
The first of the last two before them gave their name. "Kathleen woods." Kathleen ended up being a warrior who received a flail and the element of earth. Then the other gave his name. "James Richards." James proceeded to be an elemental who received daggers and shadows or rather the element of darkness, called otherwise to sound less evil for a hero to use. Finally, It was Tyler's turn and he walked up and presented himself to the king with a bow. "Tyler Adams." Tyler then went to the first orb and placed his hand on it.
Cinders began to flicker inside before life breathed into them and they burst into flames lighting Tyler's face with awe. "Told you so" whispered Xavier and Tyler almost broke out laughing but kept it down at the last moment. "Igdram Uthal Don." to his hand neither a sword nor a spear came to him but a shield to which the king responded. "A fine weapon for someone who seems to be smart enough to understand its true potential." Tyler smiled at the comment as he obviously did not appear to like it for the first moment it was on his hand. Tyler returned the shield and proceeded to the second orb and placed his hand on it as it shined red. "And an elemental?" questioned the archbishop. "I believe you to be the first woken of your kind in all history young man." Tyler bowed and returned to his seat now watching Xavier as all other eyes were also fixated on him.
"Xavier Howell!" Xavier presented himself and bowed to the king and nervously walked to the first orb and placed his hand on it keeping his eyes closed. He waited to see light through his eyelids but as he waited nothing happened. Hearing murmurs and whispers Xavier opened his eyes and noticed nothing was being shown in the orb. Xavier waited a few moments, the moments turned into minutes and still nothing. Feeling his heart start to pump faster he rushed to the weapon line. "Igdram Uthal Don!" Again nothing happened but Xavier wouldn't accept it. "Igdram Uthal Don, Igdram Uthal Don, Igdram Uthal Don goddamn Igdram Uthal Don!" Everyone started to openly talk and the king shouted "Silence, Let the boy finish!" Xavier turned to him giving a glare and marched to the second orb. Xavier lifted it from the bishop's hand and was ready to shout before he went blind from the light. He heard everyone behind him give sounds of discomfort as Xavier's eyes adjusted and he saw the bright red light from the orb. The King stood up and clapped again. "That concludes the first part of our ceremony tonight. Let us Celebrate with another feast."
The room filled with talking as everyone began to question what just happened. Xavier however heard not a word as he slowly returned to his original table, sank into his chair and looked into his reflection in the silver platter now empty of food. His voice cracking in disappointment and sadness. "I am... An elementless elemental?"