"I am really just unlucky." A thin boy sat on the green grass beside a river. The water was clear blue and flowed steadily forward. The boy stared at the water, even though he could barely make anything out anymore. "I really am very unlucky."
Over time, his vision had grown worse and worse. Lux could now barely recognize his surroundings. If he had not memorized the path from his small house to the river, he would have faced far greater difficulties. Being by this river every day had simply become part of Lux's routine. He would sit here for a few hours, listen to the flowing water, and think about everything, because in just a few days the great crystal ceremony would take place. It existed to awaken his abilities.
The goal was clear. From that day on, the chains of the crystal would wrap around you. In return, you could become stronger. The crystal would give you trials. You would be teleported into a created world. These trials were dangerous and deadly. There were a few more rules, but those would be explained during the ceremony.
For Lux, it was almost irrelevant anyway, because he would not even make it through the ceremony. After all, not everyone simply received abilities. You had to earn them.
Lux stood up. He looked around and had difficulty recognizing where the way back was. It was midday. The sun stood at its highest point and shone over the entire village. Lux would give anything to see the beauty of the village one more time. As far as he remembered, it was built in a circle. The houses surrounded the great majestic crystal in the center. A large building stood before the crystal.
Lux grinned. "So I will never have the chance to climb the chains. What a shame." The smile quickly faded. Lux wondered how he was supposed to get away from here when he heard his name spoken by a familiar voice.
"Lux!"
And again, "Lux!"
The voice was far away, but it was coming closer. Then Lux heard it once more.
"LUX!"
Lux opened his eyes immediately. Panicked, he looked around and realized that he was somewhere completely different. He was lying in a bed in his house. Lux breathed heavily.
"Again this dream."
Lux was not well at all. His body would soon give out. He had been shaped by problems since his childhood. But there was one thing that always helped him keep going. His sister Fie.
She had turned sixteen a few days ago, so they were the same age. She had blond hair and blue eyes. She wore black trousers and a leather tunic. Around her neck she carried something very special. A scale from a powerful dragon. Their father had defeated the dragon, which was not surprising, because their father had made it halfway up the chains and was therefore very strong.
Lux smiled faintly. "Fie, have you trained diligently today?" Lux asked softly, weak and low on energy, but he could recognize a grin on her lips.
"Yes, I have."
Lux's smile grew a little wider. "Good. You know you have the potential."
That was the thing about Fie. She had inherited great potential. She could defeat entire adult warriors at once. She would succeed in claiming the chains. Lux was certain of that.
Then a thought came into Lux's mind. Lux stood up and held his arms forward. Fie took them and guided him to the door. They stepped outside. The sun shone brightly. Lux perceived the intense light of the sun and felt its warm rays on his face. Lux lowered his head slightly.
"Where are we going?"
Fie let out a laugh. "To the most important thing in our lives."
Lux cursed silently. The ceremony was today. He had slept and completely forgotten that it was today. Lux had thought he still had a few days left.
" it is today? I will not make it. I cannot even walk straight."
Lux could feel Fie's gaze on him. He was worried, and deep inside, Fie knew it was true. How was someone supposed to fight without eyesight? But Fie smiled anyway.
"You are very strong. You can do this."
On the way to the great building, they were both silent. Each of them was nervous, thinking about what the first contest might be.
The ceremony of the great crystal consisted of three things. First, you would be questioned. Then you would fight another qualified participant. After that, the crystal would call you, you would receive the chains, and you would be drawn into the first trial. From that moment on, you would gain your abilities.
Lux and Fie arrived. Fie tried to describe everything. "We are here. There are thousands of people!"
They stood before the great building. It rose high into the air, with massive stairs stretching upward in front of them. If one looked back, there were around a thousand spectators gathered, shouting and cheering. Many warriors stood among them. Lux desperately wanted to see it all. Sadly, he could not.
Lux sighed. "Let us go inside."
Fie took Lux's hand, and they began climbing the great stairs. Then Lux spoke.
"I will go up the stairs alone."
Fie nodded and let go. First, Lux tried to keep his balance. Then he slowly stepped forward. His foot slipped. Lux lost his balance and crashed onto the stairs.
"Argh!"
Laughter fell over Lux. Beside him stood a black haired boy with a sword at his side. His red eyes shone with delight.
"You cannot even walk up stairs. Just give up."
The boy's group laughed. Fie stepped in front of Lux and stared the boy in the eyes. Her gaze was serious and furious. The boy fell silent and quickly walked up the stairs.
"Are you okay?" Fie asked as she helped him up.
Lux did not answer. He stayed silent.
After a few minutes, they reached the top of the stairs. A wide open area separated them from the entrance to the great building. Around twenty people stood there in a large circle. Lux and Fie joined them.
In the center stood an older man. He had long black hair, a large scar over his right eye, and a long sword at his side. Everyone was quiet. The man stood still and began to speak. He held a shard of crystal in his hand and raised it to his mouth. As he spoke, his voice grew louder, amplified by the crystal.
"Welcome to the annual ceremony. Today, a total of five people will be chosen. We will explain everything once you have come this far. I assume you all understand the basics. You will be questioned. You must answer six questions correctly. You may lie once. You may answer one question incorrectly. That makes eight questions in total. Then you will fight. The winner qualifies and will be led to the crystal. Immediately, you will receive the abilities sleeping within you. After that, you will be drawn into the first trial by the chains of the crystal. Do not worry. The five of you will be drawn in together and can face it as a group."
The older man paused, then continued.
"LET US BEGIN."
Immediately, warriors approached from the sides. They were lightly equipped and carried swords at their hips. They took the chosen participants of this year and began questioning them.
Then Lux felt a hand on his shoulder. He blinked.
"Come with me," the warrior beside him said in a deep voice.
Lux nodded and went with him. Fie had likely already been chosen and questioned earlier.
After a few minutes, the warrior stopped.
"Wait. Stay right here."
Lux immediately stopped moving. He did not know where they were, but he knew they were standing in shadow. He could see no sign of light.
"Um where are we?" Lux asked.
The warrior answered at once. "In a safe place. We are in a special room inside the great building. Please hold your hand open."
Lux blinked a few times, then stretched out his hand. A small crystal was placed into his palm.
"Good. The crystal will glow green if you speak the truth, and red if you do not. You know the rules. You may lie once, and one question may be answered incorrectly. A total of two mistakes are allowed in eight questions. Let us begin."
Nervously, Lux licked his lips. Two mistakes were allowed. On the third, it would be over. Once you entered the ceremony, there was no second attempt. His entire life would be decided here.
Lux breathed shakily. The warrior noticed.
"Calm down. It is true that your eyesight will cause difficulties, but it is not impossible."
Lux stayed silent. The warrior had struck him emotionally. He surely meant well, but Lux's emotions burst out.
"yeah? H-how do you know that?"
The warrior was silent.
"Well," he said after a moment, "I have no eyesight myself."
Lux froze. He had not expected that.
"O-oh."
The warrior did not seem emotional. He smiled faintly.
"Well then. Let us begin."
Lux felt strangely motivated now. Was it true? Could he really become a strong warrior despite everything?