The night air was thick with anticipation. A pale silver moon hung high above the great ceremonial grounds, casting its ethereal glow over the thousands gathered. Despite the supposed unity of the Five Universes, small divisions were evident.
On one side stood the Murim warriors, clad in traditional robes, their presence exuding raw, unshackled strength. Beside them, the Cultivators, silent and regal, bore their immortal pride. Magicians from Verneville chanted under their breath, their staffs glowing with dormant power, while Technologists from Nova Terra murmured about the ceremonial devices they had brought to monitor the event.
And then, there were those of Abyssia. Cloaked in shadows and secrets, their very existence was a mystery to most. They were the silent observers—the ones who always seemed to know more than they let on.
Tonight, the heirs of these worlds would awaken.
---
The Ceremony Grounds
The massive stone platform at the center of the grounds pulsed faintly, engraved with ancient runes that glowed in rhythmic patterns.
"Each child shall stand within the circle," a voice announced, magnified by magic. "They will awaken their innate power, a reflection of their true self."
A ripple of energy surged through the air as the ceremony began.
The first to step forward was Jovhan. The eldest son of the family's main branch, he carried the pride of his lineage. His dark blue hair gleamed beneath the moonlight, his amber eyes burning with determination.
"Jovhan of the Raizen Family. Step forth."
He stepped into the circle, the runes igniting beneath his feet. The air grew tense, trembling in response to his presence.
Blue flames erupted around him. They danced wildly, crackling with power, before merging into a massive silhouette of a flaming blue phoenix. The mythical bird screeched, its wings spreading wide. The audience gasped in awe.
"A Phoenix Flame Awakening..."
A blessing. A symbol of both destruction and rebirth.
Jovhan grinned. He was satisfied. But deep down, a flicker of something else remained. He wanted more.
---
The Plum Blossom Awakens
Next was Luna. The daughter of the strongest martial artist, her silver hair and violet eyes shone under the moon's gentle light. Even now, her aura was calm, like a frozen lake—beautiful yet dangerous.
"Luna of the Plum Blossom Sect. Step forth."
She moved without hesitation. The moment her foot touched the circle, the surroundings grew unnaturally silent.
From the center of her chest, a violet light bloomed. Like petals unfurling in the wind, they swirled gracefully, emitting a delicate fragrance.
"Plum Blossom Sword Qi..."
But it wasn't just ordinary sword qi. A purple hue—a rare phenomenon—signified an evolved form. It was both a symbol of elegance and overwhelming destructive power.
Luna's gaze remained calm. She knew she had far to go.
---
Sebastian's Turn
Finally, it was time.
"Sebastian of the Raizen Family. Step forth."
The crowd shifted, curiosity and anticipation mingling. Unlike Jovhan, Sebastian was not from the main branch. His black hair and calm brown eyes held no arrogance, only a perpetual disinterest.
To most, he was unremarkable. A boy who rarely spoke, content to stand in the background. Yet those who knew him well—Luna, Jovhan, and his small circle of friends—knew better.
He was... different.
Sebastian stepped forward, his hands lazily stuffed in his pockets.
"Let's get this over with," he mumbled.
The moment he entered the circle, the runes flickered.
Then, they stopped.
A heavy silence fell. The air grew thick. Even the stars seemed to dim.
"What is this?" a voice whispered.
The runes did not glow. They simply cracked, as if unable to handle the force beneath Sebastian's feet. Then, without warning—
A pulse.
The ground trembled. Waves of energy exploded outward, distorting the very air around him. The force was overwhelming, crushing down on the spectators. The Murim warriors staggered. The Cultivators gasped. Even the Magicians instinctively raised their hands to shield themselves.
Sebastian stood in the center, completely unaware.
His black hair, once dull and unassuming, turned a brilliant shade of silver-white. The soft strands gleamed like the moon itself. His body emitted a glow—a presence that was neither magic nor qi. Something beyond.
Then, it happened.
Visions.
Flashes of war. The screams of countless beings. Blood dyed the earth. And above it all—
A figure.
A lone being stood atop the battlefield. Neither man nor god. His very existence distorted the skies, commanding both fear and awe. The sight burned itself into Sebastian's mind.
But before he could grasp it—
"Wake up."
Sebastian's eyes snapped open. The energy vanished. His hair returned to black, and the glow faded. Only the fractured runes remained, their light dim and powerless.
The ceremony was over.
And yet, the weight of that moment would linger forever.
---
Aftermath
The ceremony's conclusion was chaotic. Rumors spread instantly. Some whispered of a forbidden power. Others feared the return of ancient evils. The elders, despite their immense strength, chose silence. None dared speak of what they had witnessed.
Sebastian, however, said nothing. He returned to his family estate, pretending as though nothing had happened. The visions haunted him, yet he brushed them aside. After all—
"It's probably nothing."
But somewhere deep within, a slumbering force stirred.