Chapter 2> The Awakening Ceremony

~Avery’s Pov~

I forced myself to keep walking. If I stopped now, I would break. "I will wait for you," Orion had once whispered, his forehead resting against mine. "I want my first time to be with my husband," I had told him.

He smiled and kissed my forehead.

"Then I'll wait. When I marry you, it will be worth it." I had believed him, what a fool I had been.

The Awakening Ceremony began like it always did. The High Mage chanted ancient words while incense filled the air, but I heard none of it. My thoughts were still trapped in the garden, where Orion had shattered my heart.

Neris slipped her hand into Orion's as they stood a few feet away. She looked at me and smiled, not a happy smile, but the victorious smile of someone who had stolen exactly what she wanted. I wasn't going to pay them any attention, but I couldn't help think about all the promises Orion made to me. Seeing him now he looks like a different person entirely.

Neris’s friends walked closer to me I was still standing there minding my business, “Look who we have here.” Valen said. She was very rude, her father is my dad's closest friend and he was rich too, Valen is a bully, she, Neris and the other two girls walked around Oakridge like it was theirs.

They have always looked down on me, they call me names and insult me in any given opportunity, even when I'm not around their sight. But I have lived through that as well.

Valen "accidentally" let her embroidered handkerchief fall at my feet.

"Pick it up," she ordered.Once, I would have obeyed without a word. Orion always told me to ignore them, to keep the peace. I listened because I believed he cared but not anymore.

I was long fed up of her constant bully, Neris put them up to this, she always does, she likes seeing me suffer but I wasn't going to give them the chance today.

"Are you deaf?" Valen snapped.

I slowly lifted my head and met her eyes.

For the first time in my life, I didn't move.

I saw a tiny flicker of fear in her face but then it disappeared immediately just like when it appeared.

Before she could say something else, the high mage began reciting the same story he told every year. The tale of the sacred relic, the blessing of the land, and the peace it had protected for three thousand years. The villagers listened with admiration, but I had heard it so many times that I could recite every word myself.

What he never mentioned was the Voidborn.

To everyone else, the Voidborn was nothing more than an old bedtime story. Parents told it to frighten naughty children into behaving. Children even turned it into songs and poems, laughing as they sang about the monster beneath the earth. No one believed it was real anymore. But I knew it was and that was the part of the story no one dared to tell.

Three thousand years ago, the kingdom was plunged into an age known as The Endless Night. The sun disappeared behind dark clouds for months. Crops withered, rivers turned black, and terrifying creatures called the Voidborn emerged from the shadows, destroying villages and feeding on fear. Humanity stood on the brink of extinction.

Just when all hope seemed lost, a mysterious mage known only as The First Arcane appeared. Unlike ordinary mages, who wielded a single element, the First Arcane commanded a forgotten magic older than fire, water, earth, wind, light, and shadow. After a long and devastating battle, the First Arcane sealed the Voidborn beneath the land.

“Now when your name is called, approach the relic and place your palm upon it," the High Mage instructed. His voice pulled me out of my thoughts.As each name was called, proud parents smiled and cheered for their children. I stood alone, with no one waiting for me.

"Neris Greymor."

She turned back to flash me a bright smile before stepping toward the ancient relic. The moment her fingers brushed its surface, my parents rushed forward and wrapped her in a proud embrace. Cheers erupted around them. I stood a few steps behind, watching. It hurt.

The ache settled deep in my heart, but I forced myself to swallow it. I'm fine, I lied to myself.

"Avery Greymor."

My name echoed across the ceremonial grounds.

I drew in a slow breath and walked toward the relic. Laughter rippled through the crowd. Some whispered behind their hands, while others pointed openly, as though my very existence was entertainment.

Keeping my gaze fixed on the ground, I ignored every mocking stare and took another step. When I finally looked up, my parents weren't smiling, their faces were twisted with disgust and disappointment.

Not a trace of encouragement, not a single look of love, just silent wishes that they never brought me back to their home.

I just wanted to touch the relic and leave.

My name had been called, and after everything that had happened with Orion and Neris, I wanted this day to be over.

I placed my palm against the Sacred Relic.

At first, nothing happened, then a strange warmth spread through my hand. I frowned and tried to pull away, but my hand wouldn't move. It was as if the relic had a mind of its own, holding me in place.

"P-Please," I whispered, panic rising in my chest. I pulled harder but it didn't move. The warmth turned into a burning heat, racing through my veins.

"High Mage!" someone shouted,the crowd erupted into murmurs. I planted my feet firmly on the ground and yanked my hand back with all the strength I had, the relic cracked. A blinding golden light exploded from the relic.

The force hurled me backward, throwing me across the stone platform. I hit the ground hard, knocking the air from my lungs, everybody went dead silent, the entire square fell deathly quiet.

When the light finally faded, I looked up.

The Sacred Relic, It was cracked,gasps echoed through the crowd."No,"

"Impossible.It can't be..."

One of the older mages stumbled to his feet, his face drained of color. "The-the Last Arcane," he whispered, his eyes wide with disbelief. Before anyone else could speak, the High Mage rose abruptly.

His expression twisted with fear. "She is cursed!" he bellowed. "She is a witch!"

The words struck the crowd like lightning.

People who had been staring at me in shock now looked at me with fear, some stepped back.

Without thinking,I turned and ran, "Seize her!" the High Mage roared. "Don't let her escape!"