The duel had ended.
But in Auric Spire, no clash was truly finished until the Crown gave it meaning.
That was why, two nights later, the ball in Sector 0 was called.
To parade strength.
To bind loyalty.
To remind all who ruled the lands.
A display of the future...but also what remained apparent presently.
Unlike Sector 2 (Eldris Academy's sprawling grounds), Sector 0 was the heart of Auric Spire.
No markets or commoners.
...In fact, few had the opportunity to marvel at it themselves.
Only minister halls, palaces and the Crown littered around, whilst marble avenues wide enough for armies filled gaps.
Every wall whispered influence, the air itself, heavier as if it signified its sacrality.
Towers gleamed with veins of gold.
Sigils painted across stone, shifting slightly as if alive.
Tonight, the gates opened for those of the future.
Creak Woosh!
The air vibrated atop smooth stone, as floating carriages were parked to allow descent.
Lanterns of azure crystals floated over head, guiding the procession towards the palace.
A long road of meaning.
It was a palace that dwarfed all others.
The Hall of Ascendance.
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The first to arrive were the ordinary first-years.
Carriages lined with the academy's crest emptied at the marble steps, and out...spilled boys and girls, dressed in their best outfits.
Their nerves portraying more than their pride.
Some whispered at the towering pillars and gates, pointing at the channels of gold that pulsed.
Others tried to stand taller, pretending nothing impressed them...their eyes betraying them of course.
A few nobles scoffed, looking down on the awe of their common-born peers, voices carrying mockery.
It was youth to put it simply.
Smiles, shock all the works.
Their chatter thinned against the background of palaces and towers, they were small in the grand scheme.
BRRP!
Then came the Elite.
An entrance that brought spins and turns, they descended down one by one.
Deliberate motions.
It was clear they would set the pace of the night.
Tap tap tap.
Stepping down from their floating transport, their formal wear immediately brought attention:
Jacob stepped out first; he wore a dark suit threaded with faint lines of silver, the kind that didn't glitter but caught eyes regardless. His ocean blue hair, normally rough, was slick and smooth, parted to the side.
He brought the weight of someone who didn't need to prove anything, as he exited with a blank expression.
Aelana Cael exited next.
Wearing a flowing gown the colour of a scorching fire, her appearance definitely sparked something in some of the onlookers.
Her snow white hair danced as she swayed forward, not looking at the crowd, clear in objective.
Seris Halden followed suit not far after.
Her colour strikingly similar to Aelana but noticeably different with her vibrant silver strands, she appeared poised, sporting a silver-blue dress that was clean and flawless; a reflection of her calm dignity.
She draw stares not by trying, but by existing.
Lyria Skorne followed; her gown, a midnight purple decorated with faint threads of beast-mark etchings woven into its trim.
It was elegant and sharp, a reminder of what followed her, as her dark ash-blonde hair was braided into a ponytail, bringing delicacy to her appearance.
Naeva Solene drifted down in shadowed black. Her presence was muted as if she carried the void. Her shoulder length raven hair drifted around as she glanced around, seemingly whispering to something.
Eyes slid towards her...then found themselves looking elsewhere.
Others followed : Rowen with his detached calm, a green suit to match his earthly presence.
Torin with a plain black suit with a bow-tie to go along his soft-pressed short hair and towering figure.
Izan with a dark suit fitted to his broad shoulders; a scar trailing his face.
Enyx with his red hair caught in the torchlight like embers, tattoos coiling his wrist. A white pressed suit adorned, showcasing his....colourful nature.
Stepping out in tandem was Mira and Caelun.
Youthful in appearance, Mira's pale blue gown reached short of her ankles. She moved with uncanny stillness.
At her side was Caelun. His suit was unremarkable, yet his presence drew some quiet tension.
His brown hair stayed still, not swaying in the air, something most didn't pick up.
Who followed them was Veyna Aris.
Always one for dramatic entrances.
She stepped forward, an emerald silk dress that flowed like water down to her feet swayed in the air; a faint shimmer clung to her shoulders, as though the fabric itself refused to be ignored.
Her short jet black hair danced as she scanned the surroundings with a cheeky smile.
The dozen of them walked slowly to the entrance of the Palace, opening a sea of standing students.
The crowd of students just stared at the whole scene.
Tap tap tap
It seems there was still more in the carriage.
Only a few of the students turned back and glanced.
A figure in deep violet emerged first.
Fayl Kera.
His suit cut sharp but not flamboyant, the rich fabric lined with silver along the cuffs. He adjusted the collar absently while his long black hair was tied neatly behind in a pony tail. His slender appearance carried something beneath the surface as he remained unhurried.
It was then behind him, a pale hand reached for balance.
He turned without hesitation, offering his own.
Selle Varn descended, her gown a flowing blue that caught hints of purple in the torchlight. The fabric rippled like water as she moved; her blonde hair doing the same against the wind as she moved with grace.
For a moment, the watching members of the crowd hushed.
It wasn't surprise at an overwhelming view.
It was the simplicity of it.
The way she accepted his hand without words.
The way he steadied her without an ask.
Together they moved with an unspoken harmony.
----------
CREAK!
The gates to the Palace had opened.
And so the doors to another world too.
The students were about to see the lavishness of the Hall of Ascendance.