The candidates separated into their different houses, following their paths as the wardens called out names. Adam ran toward where the warden and candidates of House Hexa were gathered(where the elemental wielders stood). Hoping to find Kira, he scanned the group but didn't see her. In disappointment, he rushed back to his own house. Upon reaching it, little Amber announced again, "There he is!" The whole group burst out in laughter.
"The Rhodes". Every one of them he had met on the first day: Amber, Kira and Kyle, Jade and Kade, Eva the archer, Kragen, Mylo, Flynch, Zaph, Cloe. All of them had been sorted into different houses, except for Amber, who was taken as an apprentice in Zina (the healers). How she had survived all this while was still a mystery.
Kira walked toward Adam, off to the side, leaving the group as they fell silent. A lot ran through both their minds, but they were unable to say anything until Kira broke the silence. "I'm sorry, Adam. I'm sorry for how I treated you, for letting you down. Thank you, Adam. I can't thank you enough for saving our lives."
Adam smiled, staying quiet for a moment before saying, "I thought you were gone without saying goodbye, little thief."
They both laughed, staring at each other. For a second, it felt like forever. Kira said, "You know, for a country boy and a squire, you look too good to be true. Let me see."
Adam stretched out his hand, showing her the rune of Kaios. "I can't tell where I've seen this," Kira said, still holding his hand, "but I'll tell Mylo to help me research it. This pattern looks like an urban myth of the God of War, long forgotten."
"There's a lot I don't know about," Adam said.
Looking up at House Hexa, Kira turned toward the group. "I think it's time I head on," she said. Adam's face showed disappointment, but all he responded was, "Oh yes, you're righh ,we should get going." Both still fixed to the same spot, not moving, staring deep into each other's eyes, they turned away at the same time and said in sync, "Yes! Yeah," in an awfully loud, weird manner.
Hurriedly taking steps that felt like a lifetime, they reached the group. Little Amber shouted again, "Go on with it already!" They all burst out with laughter. Saying their goodbyes, they each separated, taking different paths to their call.
Kira and Kyle were chosen by the Hexa sigil.
Jade and Kade to House Draga.
Zaph to Hexa, same house as Kira and Kyle.
Cole, a merchant's son, to House Octa.
Flynch to House Vexa.
Mylo to House Deca, seers and illusionists.
Kragen to House Vexa, master of combat.
Amber to House Zina.
Eva to House Vexa, same as Kragen.
Adam, reflecting on how far he had come, stepped into his own path . With no knowledge of the hell he was stepping into, and no one to watch his back. A house where highborns and royals dominated, a stronghold of power struggles and games.
The warden shouted, "Adam Bone!" pointing directly at him with eyes that told of hate and disgust.