The Test of Divinities

It was the morning of the test of divinities, and I awake, feeling excited, a ripple travelling through my body as I part the curtains of my window to let the light of the rising sun into my room. I dress myself in the fine clothing that Opal had bought for me in the marketplace to wear on this occasion. A deep black tunic with subtle threads of golden silk forming patterns across the seams. The matching black pants and boots complete the ensemble, all fitting firmly to my form as I view myself in the looking glass. Deciding to add one final touch, I reach for my mother’s sword from under the best, still attached to my belt, and buckle it around my waist, shifting it until it felt comfortable in the position which it hung from.

Unable to stop myself from grinning at the sight in the mirror, never having worn such fine clothing before, a far cry from the simple cottons that I would wear in the village. I open the door of the bedroom and see Korin in traditional Dwarven attire, the runic forms etched into the leather.

“Aha, how do I look lad? I knew she cared about me” Korin declares, glancing at Bella and giving her a grin as I look over both women. “Ya don’t look to shabby ya-self” he adds with a smirk

“Thanks Korin, I’m pretty excited about today” I say as I help myself to some of the food laid out on the bar surface, “And thank you Opal, these clothes feel so comfortable” I add as I chew on my meal

She quietly giggles as she looks at me, “Oh, it wasn’t all out of the goodness of my heart” she says grinning, stepping closer towards me and giving me a slap on my rear, “I got to tell that tailor where to make them tight”

I blush as Bella snorts out the drink she had been nursing and laughs at the sight, she glances at Korin, “Don’t even think about it” she says with a smirk

I finish my hasty meal and brush the crumbs from the new clothes, “Thank you for everything” I say as I turn my glance from Opal and then to Bella, “I don’t know how I would’ve survived here if it wasn’t for you” I add sincerely

“Oh, forget it” Opal says with a smile, “It was a pleasure, you’re always welcome here. And besides if you ever want to pay me back…” she trails off, grinning at me

For once I don’t blush and just smile, “Opal, thank you” I say and give her a hug, she seems surprised by my response and hugs me back

“It was nothing sweetie” she says, “now do you need any help getting to the citadel or will you manage?” she asks, her hands still holding me by arms as she separates from the hug.

“Ah, we’ll managed. Ah never got lost in the mines, don’t see why a human city could be any harder” the dwarf responds as he slides from the chair he was seated in and slams onto the floor, “Bella. Always a pleasure, I’ll try not to forget you when I’m a hardened adventurer”

The woman smiles at him, “I’ll try not to hold my breath”

“I guess we’re ready then, just got to take the test” I say, noticing that I’m bouncing up and down on my feet slightly before I control myself.

“Just one more thing before that” Opal says

“What’s that?” I ask, turning to look back at her

“A kiss good luck” she says with a smile, cupping my face in her hands as she presses her lips to mine. I suppose that it is a thoughtful gesture and let her kiss me, giving her cheek a gentle stroke. My eyes widen as I feel her tongue press into my mouth, giving me a bit more “luck” than I expected. I try to pull back suddenly but am held by her hands cupping my face until she decides to release me

I cough and clear my throat as I see Korin looking at me with an impressed look, “Right, uh, thank you Opal. We should go” I say turning my look to Korin, “but again, thank you for everything

The women hold us in the rooms for some time longer, saying our farewells before they finally let us go. We get a little lost in the city but eventually find a stream of people heading in what we assume to be the right direction and follow them to the citadel gates. The walls there are almost as tall as those that entrap the city, though these are intricately carved in decoration, making them appear more ornamental despite the imposing functionality of them being clear. The prospective adventurers that queue at the gates are mostly my age, some appearing to be a few years younger or older, some few of them are on the verge of elderly, presumably wanting to see if they could become an adventurer before their time passes, others being of the Dwarven or Elven species are more difficult to determine the age. The mass of people are being allowed into the citadel in groups on a periodic basis by the royal guards that protect the entrance.

Standing in the queue, we see Sara and Rayall together and go to join them, despite the fact that it means we will be let in a few groups later. We ask them of how they have been and how the city has been treating them, sharing in their excitement of the coming ceremony. As the queue shortens and the crowd moves ever closer to the citadel, we talk some more and are eventually permitted inside

Inside the citadel, I find myself in a world of grandeur and majesty, every corner of the sprawling fortress that we pass is illuminated by the soft glow emanating from crystals that adorn the walls. Tapestries of richly woven silk and velvet, depicting scenes of legendary battles and momentous occasions hang from the walls, the floor polished to a mirror-like finish, inlaid with patterns of gold and silver. Throughout the citadel, we catch glimpses of the royal guards standing to attention in their armour which gleams in the soft light of the crystals, servants and advisors rush hurriedly through the corridors, their faces etched with the weight of whichever responsibility they have been given. I can’t help but feel a sense of awe and reverence for those who call this palace home.

We are escorted to a room, sealed by two of the tallest doors that I had ever seen. As the group before us leave, some with faces of dejection and others with spirits prancing around them. I think I recognise someone as I watch them leaving and being taken down another corridor from the one that brought us here Is that… Kira? I think, recognising the blonde hair of the girl from my village. Before I can think any more on it or call out to her, we are ushered into the room that the group left moments before

Inside the chamber, we make up about thirty prospective adventurers, all looking different with clothing varying from those of nobility to those of peasants who simply want an opportunity to improve their lives. Seated in the centre of the room is what appears to be a giant stone goblet, water filling the basin as spirits surround the edge of the stone chalice, some swimming through the water, others sat on the edge and looking at the new crowd of candidates, some flying around the surface with mouths moving in silent laughter. Behind the pool of water is a man in expensive ceremonial robes marked by the royal crest and the symbols of the three temples, he has short black hair, a hooked nose, glasses sitting low on his face, and a spindly bearing to himself

He waits for everyone to enter the room and the doors close behind us, sealing us into the ethereal chamber. “I am Calendis, the royal appointee to conduct the test of divinities” he declares in a pretentious voice that by all measures has to be put on for the sake of the ceremony, “And you are all here because you wish to become adventurers and be granted the abilities to protect the three kingdoms from the malice that plagues us, both monstrous and mortal”

He continues with the formalities of the position he has been granted before revealing a golden chalice from within his robes, “You will each take this chalice and fill it from the waters before you, you will then drink from it, the entirety of the chalice. If you are granted the favour of one of the goddesses, blessed be their names, then with this drink one of their spirits will bond with you. You will be bonded together for life, sharing each other’s strength, in a way that only your fellow adventurer’s could ever understand” as he speaks, his spirit appears besides him. A fire spirit that flies around him, its light flickering in the water, showing him to be a disciple of the Temple of Soras like my mother. ”If you are not successful, then you will not have a spirit bond with you, but take heart as there are many ways in which you can serve your kingdoms”

He takes the chalice and offers it outwards for someone to accept, the crowd looks around nervously, unsure of who will go first. A young man in expensive velvets of a myriad of colours approaches, his head held high with a haughty expression on his face. Without a word he snatches the chalice from Calendis’ hands and dumps it into the pool of water, filling it with water and raising it to his lips, pouring the holy liquid down his throat. He looks around expectantly, his gaze moving over the spirits before him “Well?!” he demands in that noble dripping with arrogance, “Which one of you will be mine?”

Calendis clears his throat, “As I said, young lord Hirrell, not all will bond with a spirit. Though with your position I have no doubts that you will be given many opportunities to serve your kingdom”

The young man turns red from embarrassment and looks as though he is about to argue with the decision, but Calendis speaks again “Will the next candidate step forward” the nobleman drops the cup into the water and storms back to where he was stood.

A young woman steps forward to replace him, reaching into the pool of water for the chalice and swallowing the fluid, a spirit moves to join her “A shadow spirit” Calendis declares, “Most impressive, it appears we have a disciple of Cleonora” he adds and calls for the next person to come forth

One by one, the crowd fills the chalice with water and drinks from it. Some gain spirits and others do not.