Skyla stood in the center of the sleepy town of Appleby. All the townspeople had gathered, from 104-year-old Mr. Grushen to little Lana, who was born last week. Skyla reminded herself to stay calm. This happened every year: all the 15-year-olds gathered in the middle, surrounded by the townspeople, with guards standing around the perimeter to prevent anyone from running. Three members of the BDFA were on the stage, ready to test them. Skyla was used to observing from the crowd, as each 15-year-old went up to be tested for an Elemental Power, and each year, only one or two kids exhibited powers. If you had power, the BDFA would take you to be trained as a Slayer. Then you could choose to join a Guild or the BDFA, depending on your opinion and demand. Skyla remembered when she was eight; someone was found to have an Inferno power, but he concealed his ability before the test. He tried to run, but the guards killed him instantly. She told herself that if he ran, he might return to harm the town later, and that it was okay that he was killed. But deep down, she knew it was wrong.
A loud ringing bell rang out. That meant the test was about to begin. One of the BDFA members, a woman with striking crimson hair, dressed in a long black dress, approached the front of the stage before addressing the crowd.
"Greetings, people of Appleby, I am Conduit Ami of the Blessed Defense Force of Athset, and we have gathered here today for our annual elemental test. One by one, you will be called up to the stage, and you will put your hand on this orb."
She pointed to a large, shimmering, black orb standing next to her.
"When you touch this orb, one of two things will happen. It could do nothing, meaning that you get to stay here, or it will generate an elemental burst of energy. If that were to happen, it means that you have an elemental ability, and we will have to 'ask' you to come with us."
Elemental Powers emerged from the 11 Eternal Elementals after the Great Catastrophe 47 years ago. At the age of 15, every person in all of Athset is tested for one of these abilities. If you have an Elemental Power, it normally appears when you touch the orb, but in rare cases, it could activate before.
"Why are they going over this again? They explained it last time, and the time before that, and so on." A boy whispered to his friend a few spaces away from Skyla.
"I dunno. Maybe to remind everyone in case we were spacing out in the previous years?"
"Maybe they want our parents to suffer while they are praying that their child does not have an elemental ability."
"Yeah... It must be terrible to have your child or sibling taken away from you. I hear that they don't allow visitation before they leave."
Skyla definitely sympathized with that statement.
Skyla's brother, Draco Zioam, manifested the Elemental Ability Hydro when she was 11. He was taken away, and she never saw him again. It was a terrible time for her family. Their father had passed the year before, and their mother lost her job. They managed to stabilize themselves using the payment they got from Draco's paycheck. Every year, Skyla hoped that no one would have an ability, so no one could be taken away. But every year, at least one person had an Elemental Ability.
Skyla returned her attention to the stage, where Ami was starting to call names.
"Can I please have Margaret Anderson come to the stage?" Ami called out, reading off a list.
Margaret, the baker's daughter, slowly walked up to the stage. Skyla could feel her anxiety; it was written all over her. When she reached the orb, she took a nervous glance at her family before placing a hand on the orb.
Nothing happened.
Ami nodded, although she looked slightly disappointed.
"Alright, Marget, you may leave the stage and return to your family... next up is Jackson Amerson."
The process started to get rolling, going in alphabetical order of last names. Skyla, whose last name is Ziaom, was going to go dead last. With around 50 kids in front of her and each one taking about a minute, Skyla hoped she could go back to her family in under an hour.
Halfway through, a boy named Troth Harpfollower, a poor farmer, who everyone made fun of because of his foolish bravery, was called to the stage. He was the first to walk up with confidence. He always had that. He confidently walked to the orb, smirk on his face, and placed his hand on it.
The orb flashed turquoise and emitted a burst of wind.
Everyone gasped.
Ami looked at him with a smile.
"Well, congratulations, Troth Harpfollower, you have the power of Gale."
She motioned to one of her companions, a knight in full plate armor, who proceeded to cautiously approach Troth.
Troth looked horrified. He turned to look at his father before the knight grabbed his wrist and led him away.
"Dad!"
"Son!"
Troth's father, Garrow, ran to his son, but several guards intercepted him and held him away.
"Nooooooooo! Don't you dare take my son away from me!" He yelled, thrashing against the six guards pinning him down.
One of the guards grabbed their shield and bashed Garrow's head, causing him to collapse to the floor.
"At least let me say bye to him..." Garrow stretched out an arm to his son before losing consciousness.
The guards quickly dragged Garrow away, and the knight finished taking Troth away.
The townsquare was silent. Everyone is looking in horror at the brutality and covering their children's eyes. Something like this was common during these events, but no one was used to it.
Skyla secretly let out a sigh of relief. The most common number of people to get Elemental abilities from this was one, so now there was little chance that she had one or anyone else had one.
Ami pulled back out the list and called out the next name, pretending nothing happened.
As Skyla predicted, the next 15 kids were all normal. One kid tried to run when his name was called, but when they caught him and placed his hand on the orb, nothing happened anyway. Everyone was on edge for the last 6 kids, including Skyla. She held her breath as each one walked up, placed a hand on the orb, nothing happened, and they happily rejoined their families.
"And lastly, can I have Skyla Ziaom to the stage?" Ami seemed surprised at her last name; perhaps she knew Draco.
Skyla hurried on stage, eager to get this over with. She glanced back at her mother, who was holding on to a handkerchief. She gave Skyla a faint smile. Skyla approached the orb and looked at Ami, who looked disappointingly at the gathered townsfolk, muttered something under her breath again, and then looked at Skyla.
"Go on. Place your hand on it." Her voice was filled with a curiosity that terrified Skyla. She had a stern tone with all the other kids.
Skyla took a deep breath in, and then placed her hand on the orb.
The orb flashed deep purple, and mystical energy rushed out of it.
Skyla jumped back in surprise. She heard faint gasps in the crowd.
Ami smiled brighter than ever before.
"Maybe going here wasn't a waste of time after all..." She whispered and then spoke in a loud tone.
"Congratulations, Skyla Zioam... you have the power of Ather."
'Ather? But that's the rarest element! Only 13 people have ever had it! There has to be some sort of mistake...' Skyla frantically thought.
She opened her mouth in protest, but then Ami's other companion, a man in a black cloak and cowl, grabbed her arm and started to drag her away.
The crowd was solemn. They all knew that Draco was taken 4 years ago, that her father died 5. Now, it would be only her mother left. With no one to look after her. They all knew it must have been devastating to lose both of your children to the BDFA, but resisting would lead to death, and perhaps the extinction of the village.
Skyla looked at her mother, who was on her knees, sobbing, handkerchief over her face. Some nearby women leaned down to comfort her. The men started to angrily whisper to each other. First, the assault of Garrow, which is a level of violence that has never been seen before, and then taking both of a mother's children away without letting her say goodbye.
The guards tensed up and put their hands on their weapons. Ami, still smiling, addressed the crowd.
"Alright then! This concludes the annual elemental testing ceremony. You may all return to your homes and workplaces."
She turned and started to walk away. The knight picked up the orb and went with her. The man in black looked at Skyla with sympathy in his eyes before raising his fist and knocking the lights out of her.
...