Crucible Lanterns Novels & Stories

These crystals were smooth and perfect glowing with a red light that was pulsing in time with the frequency of Sector 2. Vesper said, "These are Solder-Cores. The Parliament uses them to power their machines in the factories. One of these crystals can keep a furnace burning for three winters without any wood. For the people on the border it means they will have warmth. For the smiths it means they can melt metal from the stars." Kaelen stepped forward. He was a man and his shadow was falling over the glowing crystals. He picked up one of the crystals and his hand was steaming a little because of the heat.

Altair could also see his own reflection full of wounds and deceit, refracted by the massive rock Mana. "This will never end," thought Altair. Duke Elrica stood firmly while holding the lantern in his right hand. After landing safely, Duke Elrica walked forward to another place because the room was very dark and cold. He put the lantern in a special container. It had a very unique shape similar to that of a cocoa fruit, it had cavities around it and the lantern that Duke Elrica was carrying was there. A light emanating from the splitting lantern scattered around the three of them, the sound of footsteps echoing away from the two of them.

What I truly wanted was to ascend to the Apex and be very powerful and respected. Lucan vanished after my cold rejection. Eryx and Corin left after him, followed by Dominic. Only High Chancellor Veylor was left. However, his mere presence was intoxicating. “You missed your first Crucible,” he said to me, in that dark, commanding voice and I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. “What is a Crucible?” I asked curiously. “Crucibles are monthly duels, debates, rituals, and seductions that Blackcroft students use to rise in rank. Those who pass many Crucibles get chosen to join the Apex Initiates or serve as their loyal consorts.”

“Do I need it?” “Yes, because it will reduce complications when there is one.” She sighed before sliding the tag on her neck, patting it. They walked inside the hall, the lights coming from the middle chandelier illuminating the entire building. The chandelier doesn't look like any type of modern one that she had seen. “It is ancient too?” She questioned, pointing at the chandelier. “Yes, it was made by a potter who migrated from a pack that was later dominated by rogues. It was made from the hot clay and then, fireflies were used at the Illuminators.”

“Let me show you the rest.” The rest of the cavern is surprisingly spacious, with tall peaked ceilings marked with stalactites. I almost expect to see bats overhead but it is surprisingly clean, only shards of stone and the occasional glimmer of gold veins shine above us. Within this entire space, the walls are enhanced with colorful images that were grown, not painted, including mosaics of stone and crystal shaped to resemble flowers and birds. Above my head are several crystal chandeliers hanging from chains of precious metals, each one lit from within by Primus’ signature green flame, which he explains comes from a gas that naturally exists within the stone itself and serves as fuel for a

CRASH…. The ceramic vase crashed into a million tiny pieces. “I think I made myself clear when I said I wanted Lucy Noah back in the mansion but you dogs you are telling me that she got away? Right under your noses?” Blaze Noah roared in anger at the muscular men who were standing with their heads hung low. “This is your last mistake, I don’t want you to repeat it again…….get lost and don’t show me your face until you have found her” He spat the last sentence and sent them away.

The metal glowed, then warped, then sank into the molten mass at the bottom of the crucible. “Going to make something good from that,” the smith said. “Door fittings for the sanctuary, maybe. Or a sculpture for the training yard. Something solid. Useful.” “Not a chain,” I said. “Not a chain,” he agreed. I stepped back, the heat on my face giving way to the cooler night air. Around us, more lanterns lifted, and latecomers added their light to the fading first wave. Children shrieked with glee as one particularly large lantern shaped like a wolf’s head bobbed precariously before finally catching the wind and soaring.

The floor beneath them trembled—and then split apart. --- The chamber dropped. Or rather, it transformed. One moment, they stood on stone. The next, they were standing in a vast circular arena of flame and shadow. Mirrors hovered midair, each reflecting a different version of themselves. Past. Present. Possible. Lena let out a breath. “What is this place?” Solen clutched his scrolls tightly. “The Memory Crucible. The Heartspire tests you… not with strength, but with truth.” Brin growled low. “Truth is deadlier than a blade.”

Because today, in the only class that matters, we just reminded the sky who actually owns it. First period down. Five more to go. College is going to be fun. Mythic Combat Tactics September 12, 2029 – 10:00 a.m., The Crucible Ring The Crucible Ring is a perfect circle of obsidian floating in a pocket dimension that smells like blood, ozone, and old glory. No ceiling. No walls. Just an endless red sky bleeding slow-motion sunsets and a floor that remembers every fight it’s ever hosted (scars, burns, claw marks, and frozen lightning veins glow under the surface).

Scarlett “You can’t reject your mate, Scarlett. You’re a lantern and your wolf is too weak to survive after the pain of rejection. You’ll die if you reject him,” Layla interpreted when I told her that I wanted to reject him. I didn’t want him to do a duel with the Alpha King for me because there was no way anyone could win against the Alpha King. “Doesn't lantern mean just late bloomers?” I cross-questioned, feeling despondent hearing what she told me.