The Day of the Naming Initiation had arrived. The preparation was complete. I put on a white outfit—a blouse and simple trousers—but over that, I wore a warm, long grey coat, as the weather had turned quite cold. Ready, we set off for the Sanctuary.
As we walked, the cold was biting, and our breath was visible in the air. More and more people gathered as we progressed, some whispering, others laughing with excitement. The feeling of participating in something monumental began to weigh on the atmosphere. The procession was set to pass through Luminous Cryst before reaching the Sanctuary. Other children were already prepared, and when we arrived, the Sontakai and Cremus families were already there.
Just as we were almost leaving the boundaries of Luminous Cryst, on my left, I felt as if someone was standing in the crowd, watching me. I stopped in my tracks for a few seconds. I turned, but no one was there. Then, two hands nudged me gently.
"Move along," a voice sounded behind me. "It's time to learn what name you will be given!"
I looked right—it was Hitomi. I looked left—it was Galaxia. I was flustered, but they hadn't noticed a thing. They were smiling eagerly. We were nearly at the Sanctuary, which was already visible from afar.
The Sanctuary was dazzling. The area was now rocky, and two huge hands, made of stone, seemed to hold it almost in the air. The staircase was visible, though I could see water running from the Sanctuary's base. We stood beneath it while people streamed in from all sides of Crystallphaos. When the Volkenhart family appeared, everyone stepped aside; they are one of the families holding the line against the attacks. They arrived with three daughters and one son.
Just as I was looking right, my mother nudged me, pointing out that my father was coming. My father was approaching in his uniform. Before joining us, he went to greet the Volkenharts. As an officer, he had to perform his duties.
Then he came to us. "Sorry I'm late, and sorry that I'll be leaving again soon, as you can see," he said, gesturing to his uniform. "Don't worry, my son. As difficult as it seems, these are your best years. Enjoy them – the rest will come later, along with their problems!" He smiled and stroked my hair, intentionally pressing down on my head. I tried to pull his hand away, giggling.
Just then, the Mystic ascended to the Sanctuary, beginning his address.
"Welcome to the initiation ceremony. We have gathered here today to bestow Names from the Energy of All Things... Why do you treat children as mere children, and not as individuals with potential? You often want to see them accomplish what you yourselves could not. It doesn't work that way, and you will see it in time, because these children are quite promising. Let us begin gradually."
Then a voice rang out: "All children of seven years old, come up to the Holy Circle."
As we approached the Sanctuary, the feeling of awe intensified. The rocks and crystals seemed to shine under the sunlight. The Mystic began assigning positions telepathically. I was the thirteenth child. My head was buzzing with anxiety! I was at the top of the circle.
I and the other children were standing on something like altars, forming what looked like the Sun embracing the Moon, with a large crystal altar in the center. He gave us all a parchment to hold, and people from the Sanctuary placed crystal crowns on our heads.
And then the Mystic began.
When the Mystic chanted: "O you who possess the high authority of energy that is always invincible... O Aether, who appear from on high, and are the best first element of the world..." The priests formed a circle. Their chants echoed like a resonance within my mind.
It was then that I felt a cool yet quite strong breeze surround me, passing through my entire body! From the crown of my head to my feet, our aura began to be released, my crown floated, and a golden aura flooded me, yet it also flooded those around me!
The Mystic looked at me very carefully.
Only Volkenhart's son and I looked strangely at our hands and feet. All the other people were simply relaxed.
What was that?