“ Stupid nobles, stupid ranks, stupid fancy titles…” Damon grumbled to himself as he stood in front of a mirror.

  Washing his face in the mirror, Damon felt emotionally drained. Throughout the journey he was constantly being reminded of the importance of status.

  Back in Sparking City, nobles and commoners got along well. They went to the same school, ate at the same table and conversed with each other as if there was no difference between each other. Excluding Miles and his like minded individuals, everyone was fine with interacting with each other no matter the status. That all changed once he stepped foot on the airship.

  In the beginning of his journey the lines of status and rank weren’t prominent. The Awakeners on board were too busy with their feelings of fear and excitement to care. The few cities that were picked up after Sparking city shared the same feelings. All except Miles who seemed to happily volunteer to be Draven’s assistant.

  Every time a noble would board the ship Miles would immediately greet the nobles before letting them know Draven Lyle was on board. The nobles would go and greet Draven as it was customary to let your presence be known to those of higher status. But that was it, as they went back to worrying about their future as they have never been in this position before.

  A thought that was not shared with the nobles they picked up as they traveled further inwards towards the Inner District where the lines of those with titles and those without became more distinct.

  Damon recalled the arrogance and disdain on nobles' faces as they walked through the ship as if they owned it. Those feelings must have been a disease as those nobles who once didn’t place much importance on status suddenly switched sides now carrying similar looks of arrogance and disdain.

  What hurt Damon more, was watching Amelia mingle with them. Although she never threw her weight around, the sight of her laughing and smiling created an ache in his chest.

  Damon never thought that the shy and kind Amelia would even give the arrogant nobles the time of day. Damon was very close to losing hope in the nobility until Tristan Grier appeared.

  Tristan Grier was picked up from the last city in the Outer District before reaching the border called the Golden City. The largest city on the eastern side of the Outer District. A place surrounded by golden sand with dangerous creatures lurking underneath.

  It was the last place someone would think of being a home to a Great House. But it was. And the reason for it, was because Tristan’s grandfather thought that it wasn’t right that the Outer Districts held no Great House to defend it unlike the earlier years of the Republic where Great Houses were found everywhere in the Republic, even the Outer District.

  Many advised against the decision and many thought of him as crazy but it didn’t matter to him as his family’s legacy held more weight than the words of those who couldn’t understand him.

  So, he took up the mantle and brought his family to the Outer Districts sixty years ago, a deed Damon thought was honorable and made him regret not reading about the Grier family instead of the Lyle.

  Just thinking of the Lyle family caused a frown to be found on Damon’s face. Recalling how the clerk, who was actually the eldest son of the Governor, grovelled at the feet of Draven hoping to get his attention. The constant glances and smiles sent Daven’s way irritated Damon who shook his head before walking away from the mirror to continue his grumbling.

  “ Stupid nobles, stupid titles, stupid Draven…” Damon continued his grumbling as paced the room waiting to be summoned. He didn’t have to wait long as a minute later a knock came from his door.

  With a jolt, Damon looked over his shoulder before rushing to the door, glad he could finally leave his room. Yanking the door open he greeted the maid he came face to face with, slightly startling her causing her smile to falter.

  “Greetings Mr. Beaumont. I’m here to escort you down to the Gardens as everyone is heading there now. Are you all Re-”

  “I’m ready” Damon interrupted her with an eager smile that took over his frown from earlier. The maid returned a smile of her own before turning around and walking down the corridor. Damon assumed this meant to follow her and so he did.

  They knocked on every door in the corridor to bring out a fellow Awakener who Damon greeted with a smile. Some returned the smiles and some just ignored him. Damon didn’t mind as his excitement couldn’t be doused as he knew after the banquet, the Academy will send a ship to pick up all of the Awakeners and send them straight to the Academy where he could finally begin.

  Damon took the time to observe his surroundings as they rounded up the rest of the Awakeners on the same floor as him. Although he already witnessed the grandeur and opulence of the corridor when he got dropped off to get ready, he was still in awe at the sights that greeted him.

  The corridors were lit up by the beaming sunlight passing through the multiple arched windows that had white curtains pulled back to allow the natural light to light up the soft sky blue carpet. The white curtains like many items of the house carried the five elements sigil of the Republic. Even the white and blue walls that held wooden carvings of the Republic’s sigil that were placed right next to an Illumination Crystal. Although the crystals weren’t as large as the ones from the stadium back home, the quantity was enough for Damon to let out a sigh of disbelief.

  After a few minutes, Damon was surrounded by around twenty other Awakeners as they made their way down from the 4th floor to the 1st but not before picking up the rest of the Awakeners.

  By the time they reached the first floor a crowd of nearly a hundred Awakeners filled the hall with excited chatter and worried murmurs.

  “This is a whole lot more than usual” Rodrick leaned down to make sure his friend heard his remark “ I mean from what we’ve been constantly told when we were kids the usual number of Awakeners that came from the Outer Districts never exceeded a hundred.”

  “You still are a kid.” Damon reminded his friend.

  Waving off his friend’s comment “Look at all these people.” Rodrick gestured to the crowd surrounding them. “ Let’s not forget there is another building just like this one. And if their numbers are identical to ours, that’s almost two hundred people. Counting the nobles as well, that's nearly three hundred from the Outer Districts alone.” Rodrick said with exasperation.

  “Don’t forget the girls” Damon reminded his friend of another group to add to the growing numbers.

  “THE GIRLS” Rodrick shouted. “ How could I forget the girls?” He looked up to the ceiling in shame.

  Damon laughed at his friend’s theatrics before spotting a familiar face within the crowd. More like a pair of familiar faces as one popped out from the crowd every once and awhile hopping up to wave at them. Damon waved at the pair as they made their way over where Damon and Rodrick greeted them with smiles.

  “Hey guys” Sunny greeted the duo excitedly with Baron right behind him wiping his sweat that came down from his slick back dark hair. Damon couldn’t blame him since he was always looking out for the energetic Sunny.

  “Hey Sunny.” Both Damon and Rodrick greeted the youngest of the group who turned twelve back on Awakening Day before sending smiles and pats on the shoulder of an exhausted Baron. Baron could only respond with a close lipped smile.

  “I wonder when we will leave. I heard the banquet is going to be filled with all types of delicious foods.” Sunny stared into nothing as he tilted his head up imagining the delicacies he would get to try.

  A flick on his forehead from Baron was enough to bring him out his trance. Sunny placed a hand on his wounded head and glared at Baron who responded with a glare of his own. “The banquet isn’t for you to find out your new favorite dessert, Sunny. The banquet is for you to find out a potential place for you in the world after the Academy.” Sunny’s response was simply sticking his tongue out and Baron could only sigh.

  Baron turned towards Damon and Rodrick. “What about you guys, you got any idea on where you would be interested in going to.”

  Damon’s eyes lit up at the question as if he has been waiting his whole life to hear that question. Taking a deep breath he uttered his answer with a tone filled with reverence. “The White Cloaks”

  The White Cloaks were famous around the world. They are the special forces of the Republic that are only deployed when the people of the Republic are in danger. And if there was no such occasion they would be watching the borders ready to take down whatever tried entering their home. They are considered one the most skilled groups.

  “The White Cloaks?” Baron widened his eyes at Damon before turning to Rodrick who shrugged his shoulders. Baron, noticing the over zealous expression on Damon decided to to ask Rodrick who Baron always thought was the crazy one but it seemed he was too quick to judge. “What about you Rodrick?”

  “Me?” With a chuckle followed by a shrug he continued “I don’t know. Maybe a soldier. My father was a soldier, so maybe I could follow the family line. And plus I heard they love Fire Elementals in the army.”

  “And you Baron?” Rodrick returned the question.

  “Well I Awakened with the Wind Element, so I thought maybe I can try to be a Captain of an airship.”

  “Well I don't know what I want to be but I’m sure I’ll do good at whatever it is .” The boys couldn’t help but smile at the optimistic ray of sunshine.

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  “ I agree and plus you have the next half a decade to decide. So no need to stress I guess. This banquet is simply a preview for graduation.” Rodrick said with his hands clasped behind his head smiling at the ceiling with no worries that could be found on his face.

  Damon noticed his friend's worry free attitude and felt happy for him. The last two years must have been stressful for him and Damon felt happy to see him like this.

  “Ok everyone follow me” The same maid that led Damon’s group downstairs took the lead with a hurried gait as if she were late leading to those behind her to hurry up and follow her trail out the twelve foot double doors where they were greeted by blazing heat coming down from the sun.

  Walking down the cobbled stone path they met up with the second group of Awakeners made up of around fifty to sixty children of bronze rank officials and merchants with a bit of status. But still no nobles in sight.

  After a few minutes they found themselves in front of a pavilion with its doors wide open to welcome its visitors. The maid that led them quickly left after they made their way into the pavilion.

  In front of them was a cobblestone path that had flowers arranged on either side. At the end of the path it opened up to a large clearing with ponds and statues placed here and there. At the center of it all was a platform Damon assumed will be used later on.

  The awe on the crowd of people must have been obvious seeing as mocking laughter was sent their way. Damon, hearing the laughter, looked towards the noise and found a group of adults and kids on a balcony on the second floor looking down with disdain.

  “Hey look, it’s Kira.” Rodrick, who ignored the snobby group of people, pointed out the red haired girl wearing a green dress that brought out the crimson color of her hair that was done in a bun being held by her phoenix hairpin her grandfather gifted her.

  “Hey Kira” Kira, hearing this glanced over her shoulder only to roll her eyes once she saw the owner of the voice calling out to her.

  Damon didn’t know if his friend noticed but if he did, he was doing a good job pretending he didn’t as he dragged Damon along with a big smile with Sunny and Baron in tow.

  “What do you want?” Kira asked in an exasperated tone once she saw the group of boys approach her.

  “Well, we just saw you were lonely and thought you might want some company.” Rodrick explained their presence with a big smile.

  Kira hearing this puffed her cheeks in annoyance “I wasn’t lonely”

  Rodrick waved off her comment “C’mon no need to- “

  “She’s right. She wasn’t lonely” A voice from behind the group informed them.

  Tristan appeared with his golden hair in a ponytail and golden robes that probably hid his sword carrying a glass of water and made his way to Kira’s side to offer her a drink which she accepted with a slight blush. Damon was shocked at the sight as he couldn’t recall Kira and Tristan ever sharing more than five sentences together. Turning to his side he saw the big smile on Roricks face become stiff.

  “Tristan” Sunny excitedly said the noble boy’s name as he jumped up and down. After Tristan saved Sunny from Kesh on the ship, he left a good impression on the commoners and his continued respect he gave when he talked to them was a plus. Especially Sunny who thought of Tristan as a hero.

  “Hey little guy.” Tristan ruffled Sunny’s hair before sending smiles to the rest of the group.

  Damon held a fist to his mouth to hide the smile he was fighting to hold back as Rodrick was glaring at the closeness of Tristan and Kira. His eyes were set on their shoulders as they stood side by side hoping they would not brush.

  Damon, seeing his friend nearing heartbreak, decided to save him. “How about we go grab a bite to eat before this whole thing starts.” The group nodded in agreement before heading to the table filled with all types of food to enjoy.

  After grabbing his food Damon made his way to a table large enough to fit his friends and sat down. A moment later a plate was placed next to his causing him to look up to find Kira take a seat beside him and dig into her food.

  “ She’s up there.” Damon raised his brows after hearing her. Kira rolled her eyes before informing him of her observations. “Don’t try to pretend. Your head was constantly on a swivel and you kept staring at me as if you wanted to say something.” A look of embarrassment found its way onto Damon.

  Kira smirked after witnessing his reaction. Pointing towards the balcony overlooking the banquet on the second floor, she repeated herself “ She’s up there. With her fellow nobles and Sponsors.”

  Damon followed her finger to see noble children and adults that he guessed were the Sponsors he’s been hearing about, laughing and giggling together.

  “They were already there when we got here” Kira informed Damon who furrowed his brow in confusion. “That was half an hour ago. The Nobles and Sponsors have been up there for an entire hour enjoying themselves and not bothering coming down. Enjoying their shade. Amelia came down a few times but her noble friends kept calling her back up there.” Kira brushed the hairs that escaped her bun from her face but had a hard time due to them sticking to her forehead from the sweltering heat.

  “Wait, wait, wait. What do you mean an hour ago? I thought it just started and we just happened to be the last to show up. And what do you mean the Sponsors never came down? Aren’t they supposed to come down and try to recruit us for their organizations? Why would they do that?” Damon let out a barrage of questions after hearing this. His anger from before about status and titles threatened to come out before someone interrupted them.

  “Because they’re idiots.” Tristan placed his tray across from Kira with a smile before sitting down. Pointing up at the Sponsors up on the balcony he continued “All those Sponsors, really just recruiters, are idiots. The ones you see now aren’t that important. So don’t bother riling yourself up about the treatment.”

  Instead of explaining his reasoning, Tristan gestured to the food as if to tell them to eat first as he led by example by digging into his food.

  Kira and Damon could do nothing but abide. Soon everyone was eating. One by one they finished their food as they waited on Tristan who was still halfway into his food. Not bothering with the glare Rodrick was sending his way.

  Finally finished with his food Damon watched Tristan wipe his mouth from any residues from his meals taking his time. Tristan finished cleaning up and began “Right where was I?”

  “The sponsors are stupid.” Kira hurriedly answered

  “Ah yes those sponsors are stupid” Tristan pointed at the balcony correcting her. “ But the ones that are accompanying the Governor are a different story.”

  Tristan gestured for the group to come closer “ You see all those sponsors up there. Not a single one comes from an organization worth noting. Why? Well because not a single one of them comes from an organization that survived a Catastrophe.”

  “Why does that matter?” Baron wondered aloud.

  “Because it shows strength. Foundation. It tells the many powers around you that have the power to survive whatever comes your way.”

  “So what are you saying? We shouldn’t bother with sponsors.” Damon questioned Tristan who shook his head.

  “At least for these idiots, they don’t know the importance of you yet.” Tristan said with a glint in his eyes.

  “Importance?” Rodrick repeated with a frown.

  A horn sounded catching everyone’s attentions including those on the balcony who hurriedly made their way down.

  “Welcoming Governor Lennox of the Soaring City, accompanied by Lt. Margrave of the White Cloaks, Lady Gwen of the Mystic Bank, and Lord Kravis Laurel…”

  Damon observed the people making their way to the platform in the center of the courtyard. Damon saw the familiar round figure of the Governor walking into the pavilion. Standing to his right was a blond haired woman in her thirties wearing a purple dress that complimented her slim figure with a light purple shawl over her shoulders and a beauty mark near her lips that were the same shade as her shawl.

  On the other side of the lady was a man clad in white shiny armor from head to toe that bore the Republic’s sigil in the center of the chest plate. By his waist was a sword that nearly grazed the ground every time the man moved. A shock to anyone considering the man was nearly seven feet tall only being dwarfed by Captain Hedrix. Connected to his pauldrons was a white cloak signifying his specialness as the average soldier does not wear cloaks. Damon recognized the white cloak and armor. And the knight would have caught his attention if not for the man on the Governor's left.

  With his slick back black hair with streaks of blue he stood tall and proud wearing a navy blue robe over a black tunic and trousers. On the man’s left chest was a sigil with a navy blue backdrop and light blue nearly clear droplet of water in the center. Damon recognized the sigil as it was one of the sigils that is used for the Republic’s emblem representing the element water. A sigil only one family could bear.

  Kravis Laurel. The last name caught Damon’s attention and everyone else’s as the last name was famous across the lands and not just within the Republic.

  Damon was shocked. A descendant of one of the Five Ancient Houses was right here in front of him. Damon’s eyes were glued to the Laurel Elder who walked with a certain level of poise and grace that seemed lost amongst the others who stood beside him.

  “A Laurel? Here? Why would someone of such high status come down here?” Similar remarks could be heard everywhere. Damon, wondering why someone of such high status would be here, turned to the only person who could make sense of the situation except when he did, he found the golden haired teenager also dumbstruck.

  “Welcome young Awakeners” Governor Lennox wore an inviting smile “ Or should I address you as ‘young heroes of tomorrow’”

  The greeting captured their attention and sent a ripple effect through the crowd of proud kids. Damon being one of them as he tilted his chin up and puffed his chest out. A look he despised not so long ago.

  “It’s with great honor that I was given the opportunity to host a banquet for such distinguished guests of the Republic.” Damon heard a scoff from Tristan after the sincere statement.

  “As you can tell this is not just any banquet.” Governor Lennox gestured to the adults in the courtyard who let their presence be known by raising a glass towards the Governor who nodded at the gesture.

  “This banquet is a chance.” Governor Lennox spread his arms wide, staring at the proud proud and eager expressions on the few hundred children in front of him.

  “A chance to rub shoulders, to shake hands...” Governor brought his arms in front and clasped his hands. “And forge connections.” Putting his arms down he continued “ For you are the future. And you as one man” A cough came from Lady Gwen of the Mystic Bank interrupted the Governor who reacted with an annoyed side eye before continuing “ Or one woman, cannot withstand the weight of the Republic people’s hopes by yourselves. Our first Lords of Elements are proof of this.” All eyes quickly shifted to Lord Kravis Laurel who nodded in agreement.

  “They stood side by side to face the catastrophes ahead and behind them stood their trusted Divine Generals and behind them were the brave soldiers of the Republic.” Governor Lennox looked up into the sky as if he was imagining the scene himself.

  Damon and many others were familiar with the story of the founding of the Republic. How Demon Creatures from faraway lands came upon the shores and took over the lands of dragons, elves, dwarves and humanity. As time passed races were slowly being wiped out until humanity was all that was left.

  The Quint Empire, the last power of humanity and the Lords of Elements fought back against the creatures of chaos for decades before achieving victory. Sadly by the end of the war, what was left behind was a country that was on its last legs.

  Due to the Quint Empire losing all of their heirs, the remaining powers within the empire came together to form the now renowned Republic with the Lords of Elements spearheading the newly found power as they were seen as heroes who would lead them to a new era.

  “With their bravery and sacrifices, we were able to create a home for humanity. A home that has lasted for nearly three thousand years with the help of the many Elemental Lords and Divine Generals that came after them. We honor the heroes of yesteryear by following their example. So go fourth Awakeners. Find your fellow brothers and sisters in arms.”

  Governor Lennox stared into the eyes of every Awakener, ensuring he had everyone's attention for his next words carried only truth. A truth that he hoped they would remember.

  “You will need them.”