Stiri awekening

About a week after we welcomed Stiri into our family, my father organized a ceremony to help her awaken. She had been taken away before she could finish her own ceremony. We all wanted to give her the comfort she had missed. 

For the occasion, my mother dressed Stiri in a flowing, sleeveless tunic that cascaded gracefully to her ankles, its fabric shimmering softly in the light. Her hair was elegantly styled in a simple bun, secured by a polished brass pin that caught the glint of the sun. As we made our way to the mausoleum, we walked for nearly ten minutes, the air filled with a mix of anticipation and reverence, as it was my first visit to this remarkable monument.

The mausoleum stood before us, an extraordinary blend of a Renaissance-era Catholic church and a stately Greek temple. Its façade dazzled with a pristine, marble-like material that gleamed in the daylight, untouched by the chaotic world around it. The pure white surface was intricately accented with delicate grey shades, which danced along the contours of the complex imagery that adorned the front. Three large windows punctuated the structure; two smaller, elegantly arched ones flanked a grand pentagon-shaped window at the center, each framed in white, allowing soft light to filter through and illuminate the interior with a serene glow.

At the entrance, there was an old man and a child dressed in tidy, clean white and gold robes waiting for us. 

"Finally, I can see your face, Marvin! You haven't been to a single mass since your son was born. Now I'm starting to question your faith in the spirit, especially since you seemed so zealous back then, just praying for him," the old man said, embracing my father.

"Sorry, Talker, but with my new responsibilities and all the stress my father is putting on me, I honestly haven't had a moment to spare to come here," my father replied apologetically, returning the old man's hug.

"Well, what matters is that you are here with your family. It must be nearly six years since your son arrived, right? Are you here to register his name in the district list for the next session?"

"Yes, but there's more to it than that. A week ago, my wife bought this little girl off the street. She's just six, according to the seller, and she hasn't had her awakening yet. We'd like to hold a quick and private ceremony for her today, if that's possible."

"Oh, oh, oh, absolutely! We always welcome new souls into our registry, but I didn't realize Elenna had a knack for gathering children. There's a new trend among wealthy ladies these days of buying children around six years old and trying to see who picks the 'best one' out of the bunch."

"Dear Talker, I think you're joking. I need her as a maid; I'm not one of those frivolous ladies," my mother said, shooting a challenging look at the old man.

"Of course, of course! Now, let's head inside and take care of the paperwork. Dillian, please show our guests in while I prepare the altar for the ceremony," the old man instructed the child lingering by the entrance. Dillian nodded obediently and guided us inside.

As we stepped into the grand chamber, a sense of awe washed over me. The room was bathed in a warm, radiant light, giving it an ethereal quality. It felt as though the mausoleum was open to the sky, its roof either vanished through some sophisticated ether-powered mechanism or by an enchanting spell. Lush greenery enveloped the space, with vines cascading from unseen heights, their leaves shimmering in the luminous glow. It was as if we had entered a meticulously designed garden, alive with vibrant colours from blooming flowers in every imaginable hue, their sweet scents weaving through the air. Towering trees stood like sentinels, their branches stretching gracefully overhead, completing the illusion of an enchanting outdoor sanctuary that felt both sacred and otherworldly.

At the far end of the expansive chamber, an imposing altar was meticulously crafted from the same gleaming marble that adorned the walls. Its surface displayed an intricate tapestry of golden reliefs, depicting vibrant scenes that narrated the grand tale of the universe's creation. Each image shimmered in the soft light, inviting viewers to lose themselves in the story of cosmic beginnings.

Six magnificent statues floated in the air, suspended elegantly above the altar, each representing a distinct essence and radiating a unique hue: pure white symbolizing tranquillity, deep black embodying mystery, vibrant red pulsating with passion, serene blue reflecting wisdom, warm brown representing earthiness, and an ethereal transparent figure shimmering like a ghost, signifying the presence of the ever-present air. Together, they stood as guardians of the altar, representing the six primary spirits that watched over the sacred space, their presence both awe-inspiring and humbling.

"Come along, child. The ceremony is ready. It's time for your awakening," the old man said, a kind smile spreading across his face as he addressed Stiri.

Stiri, confused and anxious, clung tightly to my hand. "I'm useful; please don't leave me," she begged, her voice trembling.

"Don't worry, you will return to us, Stiri," I reassured her.

Gently, I led her to the altar and entrusted her to the old man. I then took three steps back, joining my family as we stood together, awaiting Stiri's awakening.

The awakening process serves to unveil an individual's primary elements and assess their aptitude. Aptitude is quantified on a scale from 1 to 10, where scores of 1 to 4 indicate poor aptitude, scores of 4 to 6 signify medium aptitude, and scores of 7 or higher are classified as exceptional. Individuals with exceptional aptitude can continue their training toward ascension without encountering significant challenges. Following ascension, the importance of aptitude diminishes, as rebirth enhances one's connection to their element.

Among approximately 150 billion people, 75 billion exhibit an aptitude greater than 1, while 37.5 billion surpass an aptitude of 2, reflecting a gradual decrease in numbers as the thresholds rise. Notably, only 2 million individuals have an aptitude greater than 6. Although it remains uncertain whether an individual will achieve their targeted stage, being within the top 1 out of 75,000 is a considerable accomplishment. Additionally, possessing more than one aptitude elevates one's status to that of one in a million.

The old man gently took Stiri's hand and pricked it with a needle, causing a drop of blood to fall onto the altar. In an instant, the altar transformed to a rich brown hue, and six of the ten golden figures began to glow with radiant golden light.

"Congratulations, young one. It seems you possess a kind heart, and you're quite fortunate. Even if you're not selected by a narrow margin, your potential is impressive nonetheless," he remarked.

While Stiri didn't fully grasp the old man's words, her smile beamed with joy she had never felt before. She likely found comfort in the thought that she wouldn't have to return to the streets or be sold off again; she felt, "Now I have purpose."

My parents were also beaming with joy, although I could hear my mother quietly grumbling about how water and air were more effective for cleaning. With that, our little outing came to a close, and we made our way back home.

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I appreciate you taking the time to read my novel. I find myself in a dire situation and urgently need your help. Dark, otherworldly entities are launching a terrifying assault on my dimension, and there's only one thing that can save us: your incredible Powerstone. Please, can you send it to me?