---
In the grand halls of the Valyrian Royal Palace, the air was thick with anticipation and pride. The twin prince and princess, Liam and Lila, stood at the center of attention, their ceremonial robes shimmering under the light of countless chandeliers. The Blessing Ceremony had just concluded, and the twins had received the blessing of the Holy Goddess, a rare and prestigious honor that sent ripples of excitement through the royal family.
"The Holy Goddess herself," King Aldric said, his voice filled with pride as he placed a hand on Liam's shoulder. "This is a sign of our family's divine favor."
Queen Seraphina smiled warmly at Lila, her eyes glistening with tears of joy. "You've made us proud, my dear. The gods have truly blessed us."
The twins exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of humility and determination. They had always been close, their bond unbreakable, but the blessing added a new layer of responsibility to their relationship. They were no longer just siblings—they were the chosen of the Holy Goddess, destined to uphold the values of life and light.
As the royal family celebrated, Liam and Lila noticed a commotion near the entrance of the hall. A young girl, no older than twelve, stood surrounded by nobles. Her simple attire marked her as a commoner, but the symbol of the Craft Goddess glowing above her head made her the center of attention.
"Who is she?" Lila asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Elena," Liam replied, his eyes narrowing slightly. "A commoner who received the blessing of the Craft Goddess. The nobles are already circling her like vultures."
Lila frowned. "We should talk to her. She could be useful."
Liam nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Agreed. But let's make it seem like we're just being friendly."
---
Elena stood awkwardly in the midst of the nobles, her hands clutching the hem of her dress. She had never imagined that she, a simple girl from a small village, would receive a blessing from one of the 12 Origin Goddesses. The symbol of the Craft Goddess above her head was a testament to her talent, but it also made her a target.
"Such a rare blessing," one noble said, his tone dripping with false admiration. "You must come and visit our estate. We have the finest workshops in Valyria."
Another noble stepped forward, his smile equally insincere. "Nonsense. Our family has connections with the Merchant Association. We can offer you far more opportunities."
Elena felt overwhelmed, her mind racing as she tried to think of a way to escape. Before she could respond, two figures approached—the twin prince and princess.
"Elena, right?" Lila said, her voice warm and inviting. "Congratulations on your blessing. It's truly remarkable."
Liam nodded, his expression friendly but calculated. "We'd love to hear more about your work. Perhaps you could join us for tea sometime?"
Elena hesitated, unsure of their intentions, but the twins' charm was hard to resist. "I… I'd like that," she said softly.
As the twins led her away from the crowd, two other figures watched from the sidelines—the representatives of the Ducal Family Aequitas and the Merchantry Marquis Family Prospera. These two families were known for their righteousness and neutrality, and they had already begun drafting a contract to support Elena, not as a pawn, but as a prodigy who could bring prosperity to the empire.
---
Far to the north, in the harsh and unforgiving Drakthar Plains, the beastkin tribes had gathered for their own Blessing Ceremony. The air was filled with the sounds of drums and chanting, the tribes coming together to honor their traditions and seek the favor of the Beast Goddess.
Rok's little brother, Taro, stood at the edge of the gathering, his eyes wide with excitement. He had always looked up to Rok, his dependable, hardworking, and talented older brother. Today, he was certain that Rok would receive the blessing of the Beast Goddess.
"The Fangtooth Tribe!" the shaman announced, his voice carrying over the crowd. "Step forward and receive the blessing of the Beast Goddess!"
Taro watched as the members of the Fangtooth Tribe stepped forward, their faces filled with hope. But one by one, they returned without a blessing. The same happened with the Ironclaw Tribe, the Shadowpaw Tribe, and the Stormhowl Tribe. Taro's heart sank with each failure, but he held onto the hope that Rok, the heir of the Bloodfang Tribe, would succeed.
Finally, it was Rok's turn. He stepped forward, his broad shoulders and confident demeanor making him stand out even among the other beastkin. The shaman chanted the prayer, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then, a powerful roar echoed through the plains, and the symbol of the Beast Goddess appeared above Rok's head.
The crowd erupted into cheers, and Rok let out a triumphant roar of his own. Taro jumped up and down, his excitement overflowing. "He did it! Rok did it!"
As Rok returned to his tribe, Taro couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. But he also knew that the blessing came with a heavy responsibility. The beastkin were oppressed across the continent, their superior physiques overshadowed by their lack of magical abilities. Rok's blessing was a beacon of hope, but it was also a reminder of the challenges they faced.
---
In the heart of the Central Kingdom of Luminara, the Blessing Ceremony was a grand affair, attended by mages, adventurers, merchants, and nobles from across the continent. The Rite of Sight was filled with an air of anticipation, the attendees eager to see who would receive a blessing.
One by one, the disciples and sons of famous figures stepped forward, but none received a blessing. The crowd grew restless, their murmurs filled with disappointment. Then, a young girl stepped forward—Sora, the disciple of the renowned mage Lady Aranis.
Sora's calm demeanor and kind eyes stood out in the sea of anxious faces. She walked up to the altar, her movements graceful and deliberate. The high priest chanted the prayer, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then, a soft glow enveloped Sora, and the symbol of the Nature Goddess appeared above her head.
The crowd erupted into cheers, but Sora remained calm, her expression serene. She returned to her teacher, who gave her a rare smile of approval.
"You've done well, Sora," Lady Aranis said, her voice filled with pride. "The Nature Goddess has chosen you for a reason. Do not let her down."
Sora nodded, her heart filled with a sense of purpose. But she also noticed the envious glances from the other attendees, a reminder that her blessing came with its own set of challenges.
---
In the grand council chamber of the Central Alliance, the leaders of the seven factions had gathered for an urgent meeting. The atmosphere was tense, the weight of their responsibilities evident in their expressions.
The Eastern Empire's Representative, a stern man with a sharp gaze, stood to address the council. "We have received troubling news from the northern mountains. The bodies of the adventurers sent to deal with the dragon have been found. There were traces of a dragon's presence, but no sign of the beast itself."
The Church Pope, an elderly man with a gentle demeanor, frowned. "This is concerning. The dragons have been dormant for centuries. What could have provoked this?"
The Magic Tower Master, a woman with an air of authority, leaned forward. "There are rumors of a curse affecting the dragons. If true, this could have dire consequences for the entire continent."
The council members exchanged worried glances, their minds racing with the implications. The Adventurers Guild Head, a rugged man with a scar across his face, spoke up. "We need to send a team to investigate. If the dragons are becoming active again, we must be prepared."
The meeting continued late into the night, the leaders debating their next steps. But as the chapter came to a close, the outcome of their discussions remained uncertain, leaving the fate of Eryndor hanging in the balance.
---
End of Chapter 3