Ceremony Approaches

Kalem woke up feeling the weight of the day pressing down on him. His stomach was a mix of excitement and nervousness, twisting like a storm inside. It wasn't just the ceremony he was about to face—it was everything that came with it. His whole life had been leading to this moment, and today, it would either all pay off or crumble into dust.

He hesitated for a moment in his room, staring at the ceiling. The thought of the awakening ceremony felt like a final test, something he could either pass and rise above the Dregs or fail and remain nothing but a forgotten thief in the streets of Jexi. It would change everything. 

When he finally got out of bed, he took a deep breath and walked out of his room.

The moment Kalem stepped into the main hall of the den, he felt the eyes on him. It was like walking to the gallows, a parade of people standing in waiting, their stares heavy with anticipation. He couldn't help but feel like a *human sacrifice* in that moment, about to be torn apart by the eyes of the Dregs.

Sid, standing smugly near the door, flashed his usual cocky grin. "Well, well, well, look who finally decided to wake up," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "I wonder what part of you is worth the most, Black Rat." His eyes gleamed, and Kalem could tell he was enjoying this, savoring the power imbalance.

Kalem shot him a glare but said nothing. Sid's taunting didn't bother him as much as it used to, not with the strange new sense of purpose swelling in his chest. He was about to become something more than just a street rat. He was about to step into the world of power.

At the far end of the hall, Gorrin and Big John stood waiting, their expressions unreadable. Gorrin's face was gruff, but there was something in his eyes that Kalem couldn't quite place—maybe it was curiosity or maybe something deeper. Big John, on the other hand, was as intimidating as ever, his large frame imposing in the dim light. But there was a flicker of something in his gaze—a hint of uncertainty, like he was waiting to see how things would unfold.

Kalem took a slow breath, his pulse quickening. Today would be the test. The moment he stepped into the arena of gods, monsters, and power, there was no turning back.

The tension in the air was thick, but Kalem stood tall, ignoring Sid's insults and the heavy weight of expectation. He had come this far, and now, he had to face whatever came next.

The scene outside the Awakening Tower was a stark contrast to the tension inside the Dregs. Kalem stood at the foot of the grand structure, watching as families and children filed past him, their faces full of hope and excitement. The square outside the tower was alive with cheer and energy, the air thick with the buzz of people wishing their loved ones good luck. Young boys and girls, some no older than Kalem, ran toward the steps with wide eyes, while parents clapped them on the back and wished them well.

It was a moment of joy for everyone—except Kalem. For him, the ceremony was a death march, an inevitable trial where the odds were stacked against him. Here, surrounded by others who belonged, who had everything handed to them, he was just a rat in the gutter, trying to pretend like he was part of the game.

But Kalem wasn't alone. He could feel their eyes on him. Big John and Gorrin stood at the back, watching him with a mix of expectation and cynicism. It wasn't their first time, but they were curious about how this would play out. Sid, of course, had his usual smug look, like he couldn't wait to see him fail.

Kalem stood on the threshold, feeling the weight of the eyes upon him. Every step toward the steps of the tower felt like a burden—each one was a step closer to whatever fate awaited him inside. He looked around at the families laughing and joking with their children, the boys and girls lined up with their awakening stones, some clutching their artifacts and trinkets, looking hopeful.

But Kalem? He had nothing but his own determination.

Before he could even take a step, Big John's gruff voice broke the silence.

"Don't even think about running off, Black Rat," he growled, his tone dark. "You better finish what you started. I'll make sure you don't get away if you try."

Kalem straightened, his heart pounding in his chest, but before he could respond, Gorrin spoke up, his voice low but calm.

"Let him be, John," Gorrin said, the words laced with a kind of begrudging respect. "The kid's smart. He knows what he's doing. No need to threaten him. He'll go in there on his own terms."

Big John shot Gorrin a sidelong glance, but said nothing. Kalem could feel the weight of the older man's words, but it didn't ease his nerves. *Smart or not, he was still just a street rat*—and today, he was about to face the gods themselves. He clenched his fists, taking a deep breath.

For all the cheering around him, Kalem's world had narrowed to the massive steps before him. Each one was a reminder of the price he had to pay—his life, his fate, all wrapped up in the ritual that could either elevate him or leave him in the dust.

With a final glance back at the Dregs' crew, Kalem turned and began to ascend the stairs, the sound of his footsteps blending with the buzz of excitement around him. This was it. The point of no return.

The door to the Awakening Tower loomed at the top of the stairs, and Kalem knew that once he stepped through it, nothing would be the same. Whether it was divine power or a cruel twist of fate, only the gods would decide.