Chapter Nine: The Gathering

  The streets were unusually quiet when they stepped outside.

  Most of Degan's townsfolk had already made their way to the town square, where the awakening ceremony was to be held. The air itself seemed to carry anticipation, as though the town were holding its breath for what was to come.

  As they walked, Adrian found himself glancing sideways at Carrera more than once. Eventually, curiosity won.

  "Were your parents okay with you not coming together with them?" he asked.

  It was common knowledge that most parents personally escorted their children to the awakening ceremony. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event—one that often determined the direction of an individual's entire future. No parent wanted to miss it.

  Carrera waved her hand dismissively. "I told my dad I'd be attending with you and Aunt Mira. He didn't mind."

  "And your mom?" Adrian pressed gently.

  This time, she hesitated.

  Adrian understood immediately. Her mother had always been more cautious, more sensitive to how the town viewed Adrian.

  "They said they'd wait for me at the square," Carrera replied at last.

  Adrian nodded and instinctively dropped the topic. The rest of the walk passed smoothly, the early morning breeze brushing against their faces as they approached their destination.

  When they arrived, the town square was already packed.

  Families stood together in clusters, parents hovering protectively over their children. Faces were tight with anxiety, excitement, fear, and hope—all emotions blended together into a palpable tension that hung thick in the air.

  Aunt Mira stopped at the very edge of the crowd. She clearly had no intention of plunging them straight into the mass of people without a plan.

  "I need to go find my mom and dad," Carrera said, eyes scanning the crowd uncertainly.

  "I'll go with you," Adrian said immediately.

  For once, no one paid him much attention. The townsfolk were too preoccupied with the fate of their children to spare a glance for a half-blood they would normally scorn.

  "Hold on," Aunt Mira said firmly, grabbing both of them by their collars before they could take a step forward. "Carrera, do you know where your parents are standing?"

  Carrera shook her head. "I don't."

  Aunt Mira turned her gaze to Adrian. "And you, Mister 'I'll go with you.' Do you have any idea how to search for her parents without getting yourselves lost in this sea of anxious people?"

  Adrian shook his head as well.

  He didn't know how—but he also wasn't about to let Carrera wander alone.

  "Then," Aunt Mira said calmly, "how about I take the lead?"

  Both teenagers nodded at the same time.

  Frankly, neither of them had the size or presence to push through a crowd like this without being shoved around. Aunt Mira, on the other hand, carried herself with quiet authority.

  She guided them toward a corner of the square where the crowd thinned. Only a handful of people lingered there, making it a safe place to wait.

  "Stay here," she instructed. "I'll find Carrera's parents."

  With that, she disappeared into the mass of people.

  Adrian and Carrera moved beneath the overhanging roof of a closed retail shop, finding some shade and shelter while they waited.

  To pass the time—and to distract themselves from their nerves—they talked. About anything. Trivial things, pointless things, things that didn't matter.

  For a while, it worked.

  Then he arrived.

  Edward stepped into their space with deliberate confidence, flanked by several of their peers. Blonde-haired, broad-shouldered, and undeniably handsome, Edward carried himself like he already belonged at the top of the world.

  He always had.

  Trailing behind him were boys and girls who had accepted him as the leader of their age group—everyone, that is, except Adrian and Carrera.

  Edward's eyes landed on them, and a cruel smile spread across his face.

  "Well, look what we've got here," he said loudly. "The freak and his bride."

  Laughter erupted from his entourage.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Carrera immediately noticed Adrian's hand clench into a fist. She stepped closer and placed her hand over his, squeezing gently.

  "Ignore him," she whispered.

  Edward had a habit of provoking Adrian whenever he could. And more than once, Adrian had taken the bait—only to be blamed afterward while Edward walked away clean.

  Edward was everything the town admired: full-blooded, charismatic, well-liked.

  Adrian took one look at Carrera's eyes and forced himself to calm down. He loosened his fist and let out a slow breath.

  "Go find someone else to bother, Edward," Adrian said evenly. "I'm not in the mood for your theatrics today."

  He had enough weighing on his mind already. Edward didn't deserve a place among his worries.

  Adrian lifted a hand and flicked it dismissively. "Shoo. Off you go."

  "Adrian," Carrera hissed, nudging his side.

  "What?" he replied quietly. "I didn't do anything wrong."

  And he hadn't—at least, not violently. This was his way of striking back without breaking the unspoken rule he had with her.

  Edward didn't take it well.

  His eyes narrowed, veins beginning to bulge faintly on his forehead as he struggled to maintain composure.

  "Don't tell me you're here for the ceremony too," Edward said mockingly, spreading his arms wide.

  Adrian didn't answer, but he didn't need to. His silence was enough.

  Edward scoffed. "Honestly, I don't know what's funnier. A full-blooded human choosing to hang around with a freak… or a half-blood thinking he has the right to awaken like the rest of us."

  His group nodded along eagerly.

  Adrian smirked.

  "I don't know what's more ridiculous," he replied calmly. "A full-blooded human wasting his time worrying about a half-blood like me—or the line of fools following you around like lost puppies looking for their mother's milk."

  The laughter died instantly.

  Edward's smile vanished.

  The tension between them thickened, sharp enough to cut.

  And somewhere in the crowd, the ceremony was about to begin.

  Chapter Ten: The Orb of Awakening

  Adrian's words were met with instant hostility.

  Edward's entourage glared at him with open malice, some snarling under their breath as though already imagining how satisfying it would be to wipe that smirk off his face.

  Edward, however, simply laughed.

  "It seems the half-blood freak wants a death wish," he said lightly, though his eyes were sharp. To him, insulting a whole group of kids wasn't bravery—it was stupidity. Especially when those kids outnumbered Adrian and were more than willing to get their hands dirty.

  Unless, of course, Adrian wanted to be beaten badly enough that he wouldn't even be able to stand, let alone walk to the place where the awakening ceremony would begin.

  Adrian didn't back down.

  "I am a half-blood Demi-kin," he declared boldly. "You might be dumb, but even you should know what that means for the likes of you—and the lost puppies tagging behind you."

  Edward's grin tightened, teeth grinding together. Adrian was doing a remarkably good job of getting under his skin, when it was supposed to be the other way around.

  Then—

  Smack.

  A sharp slap landed on the back of Adrian's head, knocking him out of his intimidating stance.

  "Car!" Adrian yelped, clutching his skull more in shock than pain.

  "Don't 'Car' me," Carrera snapped. "Are you trying to get us both in trouble?"

  When it came to violence, Adrian knew the truth all too well. Even if he won, the real victory would belong to Edward. The town would side with the full-blooded human, not the half-blood Demi-kin. Always.

  He knew that—and yet he was still pushing things, deliberately riling Edward and his crew. He was instigating a disaster that would inevitably blow up in his face.

  "But—"

  Adrian tried to protest, but one look at Carrera's deep frown sealed his mouth shut.

  "…Fine," he muttered. "No more words from me."

  And this time, he meant it. Not if he wanted to make her any angrier than she already was.

  Edward and his group burst into mocking laughter, thoroughly entertained by the exchange.

  "The pet calling us puppies," Edward said loudly. "How ironic can this get?"

  More laughter followed.

  Adrian's brow twitched, but before he could react—

  "Adrian."

  Just one word. Carrera's voice, calm but firm.

  It was enough.

  His gaze shifted away from Edward, pulling him back from the edge of the trap being laid for him.

  "See what I mean, guys?" Edward continued, clearly enjoying himself. "The half-blood's a pussy with a leash around his neck. An obedient dog with a human owner."

  Adrian's patience was hanging by a thread—one insult away from snapping entirely.

  Then Carrera stiffened.

  "Dad. Mom."

  She grabbed Adrian's hand and pulled him along, dragging him away from Edward and his entourage without hesitation.

  The timing couldn't have been better.

  Had Aunt Mira not returned when she did, things might have taken a very different turn.

  "Adrian," a familiar voice said warmly. "Long time no see."

  Carrera's father, Mister Gabe, stood before them with a welcoming smile. It had been a long while since Adrian had last seen him—Gabe's work as a peddler often kept him traveling far from Degan.

  "I've been well, sir," Adrian replied respectfully.

  Carrera nudged his side. "He's also been very stubborn and a handful to deal with," she added playfully. "But yeah… mostly fine. Mostly."

  Mister Gabe chuckled, easily catching the humor in her tone.

  Carrera's mother cleared her throat softly, casting her daughter a subtle look of reproach.

  Adrian immediately straightened. "Good morning, Miss Habata."

  "Good morning, Adrian," she replied evenly.

  The brief awkwardness was broken by a shift in the atmosphere.

  A hush rippled through the square as the town head made his appearance, climbing the tall podium erected at the center of the square. Though he was shorter than average, the height of the platform ensured he was visible to everyone, no matter where they stood.

  "It is a good morning for the people of Degan," the town head announced. "Wouldn't you all agree?"

  As he spoke, several adults carried a large, box-shaped object through the crowd and up onto the podium.

  A wave of applause and murmured excitement spread through the square.

  "Today marks over a hundred years of Degan's continued participation in the awakening program," the town head continued. "As always, we commence in the morning—and when noon breaks, we feast."

  The crowd responded with approving murmurs.

  "Remember," he said, his tone firm, "today is about awakening the soul core. It is a blessing if Bearers emerge among our children. And if none do—then we must not let ourselves be troubled by it."

  His words were deliberate. Many parents placed crushing expectations on their children, believing that awakening as a Bearer was the only path worth walking.

  After all, a Bearer could change everything.

  A child born into poverty could elevate their family into prosperity. A nameless household could rise into nobility. Power, status, opportunity—all flowed from the awakening.

  Today, for many, was a chance at a better life.

  "By my side," the town head said, gesturing, "is the instrument that will conduct the awakening."

  The box was carefully opened at his signal. Cloth coverings were removed, revealing its contents.

  A collective gasp swept through the crowd.

  Nestled within carved tree bark and surrounded by living leaves was a massive orb—smooth, perfectly round, and easily the size of two human heads combined.

  The Orb of Awakening.

  Adrian stared at it, heart pounding.

  Whatever awaited him today—failure, truth, or something else entirely—there would be no turning back now.