Many young people in every kingdom have always anticipated being Unfecious—a privilege and another aspect of liberty that younger people do not have. A celebration called the Unfecious honory will be held for you once you've reached the right age. It is a ritual of a person's becoming, where not only privilege and freedom are given, but it also unlocks a power passed down to you by the An-known, a powerful being. The thought of being unfecious makes the young ones eager to turn at the perfect age and try things they normally couldn't.
It's a bright morning in the kingdom of Gardino. Guards marched around the Head House, stomping their boots now and then. Meanwhile, the people of the lower village made their usual radiating cacophony, which flourished the kingdom. Inside a wooden room in a house, a young boy sat, his chin on his palm, gazing at the sky from a nightstand near the window—unfocused, rolling a necklace around his finger.
"Saie!" a voice called out downstairs.
He froze; his head snapped around.
"Saie, where are you, dear!?"
Another yell from a feminine voice, its tone growing louder as it neared.
Saie looked towards the door. There, he saw a woman standing on his doorstep, wearing a scarlet dress adorned with patterned flowers. She looked adult. Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she extended her arms to Saie, a warmth in her expression.
"Saie," she said, her voice like a gentle melody.
Saie's eyes widened, a grin spreading across his face as he sprang from his seat and rushed towards her, as if he hadn't seen her in years.
"Aunt Gloom!" Saie exclaimed. His voice filled with joy.
He stood, his head almost reaching the ends of his aunt's dark hair. He wrapped his hands around her. Taken aback (or startled), she hugged her nephew back with a soft "oh," realizing how tall he had become. It was only when Saie was a baby that he met Gloom. After she moved out of Gardino, he never really got to know her personally, except that his father told him Gloom was his favorite of the three siblings he had, and that she'd fill her wardrobe with red dresses, which she loved to wear every day, without telling the reason behind her obsession with red dresses. And unfortunately, this was all Saie knew.
"Oh, Saie, you've grown," Aunt Gloom said slowly in admiration as she touched Saie's cheek before wrapping her arms around him again.
"I never thought you'd come, Aunt Gloom."
"Oh, come on now, I haven't seen you in ages!" Her voice grew, emphasizing how long they've been apart. "Come meet the others downstairs."
"Others?"
Saie didn't realize that anyone had come besides his aunt. Curiosity etched itself on his face before he asked, "Who is it?"
"Come now," Aunt Gloom said again as she walked away from Saie towards the stairs.
Saie slipped the necklace over his head before following his aunt downstairs. He never thought who had come as his father's family because they never really showed up, and certainly not his mother's, whom he also hadn't seen or known. He assumed they were his father's friends visiting, but not for him, until he turned to a voice calling his name in the kitchen when he arrived downstairs.
"Ah, this is your uncle Stuart," Aunt Gloom grinned, looking at the man.
Uncle Stuart was a short, funny man with eyes always slitted and a contagious smile. He often told jokes, laughing at them as if he were hearing them for the first time. Aunt Gloom gave Uncle Stuart a quick peck on his lips. Saie's lower lip stretched, and his brows twitched—not because of who but where—he realized that Uncle Stuart was Aunt Gloom's husband. Outside by the door, where Saie could see a little, a tall man who seemed to be filling up a wagon grabbed his attention. He was brawny, with every clenched fist revealing prominent muscles on the surface of his sleeves. He had a mustache and a stance that screamed bravery. After two or three parcels, he'd pause, adjusting his shirt and scanning the surroundings to see if anyone was watching him.
"That's your Uncle Dawn," Aunt Gloom almost whispered behind Saie's ear, her tone confidential.
"Morning, Saie!" Saie's father greeted him outside as he walked towards them.
"Morning, Dad," Saie replied, smiling.
"I see you've met your aunt Gloom and uncle Stuart now."
"Oh yes, he's such a grown boy. I was surprised by how big and tall he's gotten now, Pete," Aunt Gloom chimed in, "and of course, Dawn," she added, turning to look at Dawn by the wagon.
Saie felt some weird tension from his father as he faced Uncle Dawn. Pete's smile faded, his eyes fixed on him. Pete gave a curt nod, but there was no anger on his face. It was only a joyless look, devoid of any warmth or welcome. Unlike Pete, Uncle Dawn's face lit up. He moved forward, ready to embrace him with open arms, while Pete greeted him with hesitation, as if unsure whether to hug his brother. Even upon their first meeting, Saie could already gauge his aunt and uncles' personalities. He observed that his Aunt Gloom was gentle and soft-spoken, radiating a serene calm as if she had never witnessed a bad day. Uncle Stuart was a funny man, but he didn't really say much about himself, aside from his affable face suggesting a light-hearted spirit. Uncle Dawn, on the other hand, projected confidence and a hint of arrogance in his stance and demeanor.
"Why do you look unpleasant, brother?" Uncle Dawn spoke in a facetious tone, as if trying to annoy Pete.
Pete didn't respond and walked towards the altar. He seemed to take a small bucket that Saie presumed was a paint bucket.
"I'll be back, Saie. I need to attend the place where the ceremony will begin," Pete said, walking out the door along with the bucket.
"Don't mind your father, Saie. He's just like that when he sees Dawn, but believe me, he loves his brother," Aunt Gloom said. "Now, why don't you step outside and meet your cousins?" She added, tapping the tip of his nose in a silly manner.
"I have cousins?" Saie whispered to himself.
A flying creature, no bigger than an eagle, gagged out a small ball before spitting it into the air. A small kid wearing leather gloves caught it, then passed it to another boy, who extended his gloved hand in the air. That boy threw the ball, aiming near a third boy who wore no gloves. But before it could hit the ground, a floating white hand, strapped in golden lace, caught it mid-air. Only the hand extremities were visible as it moved, as if being controlled by the ungloved boy. He threw the ball back towards the hovering creature. Flapping backward, the creature's wide mouth opened fully, centering itself on the soaring ball, ready to catch it. But the ball was moving too fast. It got stuck when it landed in the creature's mouth, choking it while it fell from its flight, flapping its wings frantically on the ground. The three boys gasped aloud, ripped off their gloves, and rushed to it immediately to help. It's stifling, accompanied by its face moving back and forth, grunting, while the three boys pound its back in an effort to dislodge the ball. Then suddenly, the ball flew from its mouth, sending it back to the air. This time, it was flying in Saie's direction. For a brief moment, he didn't know what to do—if he was to catch it or dodge it—but struggled, since the ball was faster than his eyes could follow. Deliberating at that very moment, he could only stand still, just as another hand, like the one with the boy wearing no gloves, appeared in front of him, catching the ball. He flinched, eyes closed, covering his face with his arms. A girl chuckled, holding the ball by the white hand. Saie got back to himself. His brows collected together when he saw the ball smoking but not out of heat. It looked cold, a round crystal ice. He shifted to the girl's face. She was smiling in amusement at how Saie reacted to the incident. Such magic is ordinary in Gardino, but the levitating hand made Saie realize how cool it is if he's the one controlling it—it won't be long enough for that realization to come true; he felt a pang of envy. He has never seen this person before: blonde hair, smooth skin like silk. Her eyes were flashing green as they met Saie's. The three boys and the creature ran towards them. She looked like she knew these boys and was familiar with the creature. She rubbed its rough head, moving her hand all the way back.
"You alright?" She asked, chuckling. "This is Goblet."
Saie forced a smile to hide his embarrassment before answering her.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for—" he breathed the words out, as if trying to find what he'll say next.
"Don't worry about it," she giggled.
"I'm Saie."
"I know who you are, Saie," the girl rolled her eyes, teasingly. "I'm Gaia," she added.
"Nice to meet you, Gaia," Saie replied.
"I've never seen you around here before," he added.
"Well, Seth and I are neighbors, and he owns Goblet," she responded.
Saie hasn't fully acknowledged the three boys looking at him beside her. They were quiet throughout their conversation, not wanting to interrupt; however, one spoke up, asking Saie if he was the "boy". He knew that these kids were his cousins, but he couldn't tell who their parents were. He didn't bother to ask them, then nodded to their question, assuming their parents had already said to them that they would meet him. The three boys went back to playing with Goblet, while the two took a stroll to a nearby beverage shop. Saie never went to buy anything here, nor did he want to get close to it. He was never fond of anything they sold there. One time, as he was walking home, he saw a man juicing a bird's head; a liquid ran down its beak while its tongue hung out, and it haunted him since then.
Nevertheless, he still headed there with the girl. Gaia, the girl Saie didn't think was his cousin, and seemed to be good-natured, bought an odd-looking drink from the old man in the shop. The drink was a swirling, iridescent blue, contained in a clear, transparent glass. A faint, rotten egg scent wafted from it, and tiny sparks danced within the liquid. Above all that was happening, bubbles lingeringly popped. Saie's curiosity warred with a deep-seated unease. His cheeks puffed slightly, almost imperceptibly, and his eyes narrowed, the corners crinkling in a way that wasn't quite a smile, but wasn't quite a frown either. Gaia was smiling, interested. Her mouth stretched on her face, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at the glass. It wasn't a mischievous smile; she was excited, but not to drink it first, but to give it to Saie.
"Try it, Saie," eagerness in her voice.
Saie hesitated; his gaze clung to the glass in Gaia's hand, contemplating whether he should do it or not. At the same time, she moved her hand forward near Saie's chest. But he felt he shouldn't resist the offer, especially from an anticipated girl whom he had just met, and on top of it all, he also wanted to impress her. He could do it. After a brief second, he slowly took the glass; his hands weren't trembling or sweating, but his jaw tightened, eyes narrowed with a forceful bravado. It's not gonna kill me. Saie chugged the drink as fast as he could, eyes concentrated on the ceiling. As the glass tilted, the sulfurous scent became overwhelming—the burning smell ran through the back of his nose. The liquid sipped from the corners of his mouth, and his throat felt like waves. Saie could only close his eyes. Halfway through, he slowed down, and a feeling of calm and composure lingered in his body. A relaxing sensation washed over. It was like a gentle tap from the back with a reassuring voice. The beverage seemed to change Saie's mood; he felt more pleasant than anxious. Was it from the drink, or is it because it already ended? Steadily, he put the empty glass on the table.
"Wha, what—" He stuttered.
"So, what do you think, does it taste good?" Gaia joyfully asked.
"It didn't, but I felt it felt good," Saie said, looking at her.
She laughed as if she'd just played a prank.
"It makes you calm, so drink it whenever you're nervous or anxious," she said. "I drink it when I have to face Pionter Wedness," she said.
"Pionter Wedness?"
"Is he so scary that you get nervous when you face him?" He asked.
"It's a he," she smiled, correcting, before saying Wedness wasn't strict, but ruthless in his control over Guardicts.
"He's difficult to get along with," she said, then muttered, "even to fight him."
One time, when Gaia had a duel with him for a final mark, he continued to draw offensive skills without any defense cast. A small, blinding bright orb flew over the grass field, repeatedly hitting her defense until she clung to the grass itself. It was truly dangerous if he had chosen to summon an entire Guardict that could hurt Gaia even more. Fortunately, Wedness only summoned the hands of his Guardict.
"You'll meet him soon, Saie, I hope you'll listen to the Pointers properly so you'll be able to defeat him once you face him," Gaia joked.
But she knows in her heart that he does need to prepare when he faces him.
"Wow, seems like he's too serious about his teaching," said Saie.
Shortly after, Uncle Dawn, by the doorstep, carrying another parcel on his shoulder, called Saie. This parcel was not massive but boxy, wrapped in smooth, plain brown paper. He lifted it from his shoulder and then gave it to Saie. After a few moments, Aunt Gloom came out wearing a different dress, but as usual, it was red. She was covered in gold. Around her neck, a golden necklace was torqued in sculpted leaves, along with another long golden necklace sitting on her chest. Her hands were strapped with golden bracelets on both arms, and earrings hanging from her ears. She looked bright with all that was on her. It was becoming clear they were going somewhere, but not to where his father had gone. His dad wasn't with him when he usually is. This is a trip to the traditional ceremony, where his father should be with him to comfort and soothe him with his advice. Pete would often encourage Saie with his positive, playful words whenever Saie would engage in something he'd never experienced; unfortunately, not this time. Gloom tossed a pair of white clothes at Dawn and told him to put them on, along with the golden necklace and bracelets. Saie turned down to the parcel in his hand. Why did Uncle Dawn give this to me instead of loading it with the other parcels in the wagon?
"Saie dear, why don't you open that box?" Aunt Gloom said, her face flashing.
"What's in it, Aunt Gloom?" Saie asked.
"Well, you have to open it to find out, dear," she said while she loaded a bloom bundle on the wagon.
Without asking any more questions, Saie sat the box on top of the parcels, ripped the paper covering it, and opened it. Inside were a golden necklace and bracelets that looked similar to Uncle Dawn's, along with a thin, sheer white cloth. A sudden rush of excitement hit Saie as he grabbed the box and sprinted upstairs to try it on. He took the accoutrements off and placed them on his bed before taking the white cloth out of the box. The fabric was just an overlay robe; under it, a white sheer shirt and brown pants. The white shirt was soft, rubbing against his skin as he put it on, while the pants left room for his legs; they were a little wide. It swayed slightly as he walked. After putting them on, he looked at himself in the mirror and stared at the robe and the shirt that he could see through. Saie had never gotten to wear anything "appropriate" other than his wrinkled, sleeveless shirt and long black pants, which he loved. His face showed no sign of joy or animation, but his mind was full of flickering fireworks of bliss and ecstasy. Still, a reflection from the mirror carved a smile on his face. He removed the robe to take off the necklace, placed it on the nightstand, put the robe back on, then slipped the necklace and the bracelets on from the bed. The necklace weighed down Saie's neck; however, it looked good displayed on his chest. The bracelets were neither too tight nor too big; they fit perfectly on his smooth skin. Of course, he didn't forget the necklace he'd removed; he put it back on before going downstairs.
"Ah, you're done," Aunt Gloom spoke.
"Yes, Aunt Gloom, but how do I look?" Saie asked curiously, his brows lifted, wrinkling his forehead.
"You look handsome, Saie, but not as attractive as me, of course," Uncle Dawn responded, playing with Saie.
"Oh, honey, you look amazing as always!" Aunt Gloom's tone rose. "Let's wait here for a moment. I'm sure it'll arrive any time now."
"What is it, Aunt Gloom?"
Before Gloom could answer, an abrupt, guttural rumble shook the wagon and drew their attention. The clouds above began to swirl, converging like the water draining from a sink. From the vortex's center, a cube-like structure of weathered cobblestone descended, dragging the swirling clouds into a single immense mass. Four chains appeared in the middle of the cloud, slowly extending to tether the corners of the structure. The cobblestone transport gave a heavy thud when it landed, sending a loud tremor through the rubble on the ground. Saie felt the shake ripple from his boots to his body. A spine-tingling resonance that hit his chest. He brushed his hands over the rough, bumpy surface of the transport and noticed the carved lines of piled bricks that time had molded; a thick green algae veiled some parts, while streaks of hardened elements, like mud and sand, smudged its lower ends, revealing visible cracks. The hefty stone door opened, making a grinding sound as it slid to the side of the entryway. Saie's three cousins went inside first. His Uncle Dawn also got inside, pushing the wagon filled with parcels. Aunt Gloom, on the other hand, was waiting for Uncle Stuart to finish dressing up. He seemed to fall asleep, sipping his coffee, in the chair in the kitchen. Saie's father makes coffee so good that anyone who drinks it feels too comfortable and gets sleepy.
"You go first, Saie. Your Uncle Stuart seems to be taking his time dressing up when we are about to leave," said Aunt Gloom.
"Stuart, when will you finish!" she already screamed.
Saie turned around; Gaia was behind him, calling his name. She walked towards Saie, smiling. She reached into her pocket and took out a small compass to give to him.
"Here, take this," Gaia said, extending her hand to Saie.
"What's this?" Saie asked.
"It's a small compass, take it as a gift for your becoming. It's the only thing I can give you, but it's worth it, you know," she replied.
Saie reached for the compass in her hand and took it as he rubbed the silver surface with his thumb.
"Thanks, Gaia," he said gratefully.
Uncle Stuart came out of the house, fixing his necktie. He was wearing completely different attire —a black morning suit, his body silhouetted (it was tight), with a black hat on his head. Saie thought that he'd look like Uncle Dawn. But only blood-related people are allowed to wear the white, sheer clothes for the Driven family's traditional practice. Aunt Gloom scuttled to a white flower by the window to pluck it, then slid it into Uncle Stuart's chest pocket.
"Go on now, Saie," said Aunt Gloom.
Saie went inside the transport, looking back at Gaia as he gripped the compass she had given him. Aunt Gloom and Uncle Stuart then followed. The stone door shut itself with a grinding sound. Saie stared out the open window as the transport lifted in a smooth, slowly ascending arc; the cloud above it was a vast, gleaming white cotton ball, utterly still. It took some time to reach the peak, where it stopped rising; however, it was still too high to see the familiar landscape of Gardino clearly. Red-roofed houses were clustered below, their neat rows crisscrossed by a street teeming with tiny, ant-like figures. A little further along, a large pond shimmered quietly. Its water was glass-clear, and pink-leafed lilies floating on top were eye-catching. Trees whose leaves were spring green swayed with the breeze, towering near the pond. The grassy field looked soft, its color deep, velvety green—a rich counterpoint to the light, bright hues of the surrounding trees. As they approached, the Head House loomed into view, its massive size immediately drawing the family's attention. It was an opus of intricacy and sophistication, with blinding golden accents. Thick vines, like emerald serpents, slithered up its walls from below. A castle fit for deities—this architectural marvel was the heart of Gardino, a place Saie had only ever dreamed of exploring.
Midday had arrived before they finally left the kingdom. His aunt and uncles were busy with last-minute affairs, while the three boys entertained each other with stories about magic school, their voices echoing off the stone walls. Sitting there, Saie watched them like a ghost, wondering about his father. What could Dad be doing right now? I wish he were here with me. Longing for his presence, he clenched his fists and was reminded of the compass in his palm. He took a glance at it once again, flipping the silver cover. The arrow was shaking, stubbornly pointing north. Without anyone to talk to, he shut the compass and walked to the other side of the window. Leaning out, he felt the cold breeze caressing his skin. He took a deep breath, smelling the soil and the damp, earthy scent.
He savored the moment, closing his eyes as his hair undulated through the air. When he opened them again, a landscape of grassless land and mud-cake mountains filled his view. Their slopes were scarred with erosion. He noticed a peculiar formation—rocks piled in descending size, tapering to the smallest at the top. Their color was muted brown, almost faded with age. A landmass that made him curious. The transport began to slow down as it neared the island. Saie followed his family out. The soil crunched softly beneath his boots; even the running boys left deep impressions on the loose earth. No other noise could be heard other than their treading steps—they were alone, further from where they had landed. A row of steles in varying sizes stood upright, stealing the view. They were lined up facing the endless sea. Inscribed on each slab were names Saie hadn't heard of, but he knew they were his ancestors, as all their names ended in "Driven". He decided to stroll among them and caught sight of a familiar name: Pete. His father's stele sat at the very end of the row, and beside it was a freshly dug hole.
"You see that, Saie?" said Uncle Stuart behind him. "That's where you're going to continue the tradition, like every Driven before you."
"What's the hole for?" asked Saie, frowning.
Stuart grinned, a flash of something unsettling in his eyes. "For burying a dead animal, of course!" He cackled, then, seeing Saie's confused look, added: "Just kidding, kiddo. That's where you'll bury something special."
"Something special?" Saie asked, his frown deepening.
"Yes, Saie," Uncle Dawn chimed in. "You will have to bury something you cherish."
Uncle Stuart snorted. "Then looks like Saie has to bury his father!" He choked on his laughter.
Saie managed a weak smile, trying to shrug off the unease Stuart's words provoked. He was more curious than offended. When Uncle Stuart's laugh fell silent, he cleared his throat—he had realized it was not a good joke.
"Easy, Stuart," Uncle Dawn chided. "An object—you have to bury an object that's very near to your heart," he added.
"A Buroline tradition of the Driven's, my boy," said Uncle Stuart.
The Buroline tradition of the Driven's has been their practice for generations, from the first of their line to the "Next-line"—the person who will turn seventeen. The family would go to the Mudland, where the ritual takes place, then bury an object next to another Driven's slab, creating a line of interred items. As they began the tradition, Aunt Gloom and the others formed a semicircle, leaving Saie at the center facing his pit. After the calming journey in the sky and the assembly, it was time for him to take part. He stood quietly, focused, waiting for any signal from his aunt or uncles—no one had told him how the ritual worked.
Seconds passed; Aunt Gloom started chanting, a low whisper that resonated in the thin air. The words were unfamiliar to Saie. The others followed her, chanting: "Nusnia yanda ra, Rita grand Saie sug boyline, nusnia yanda ra, love takin hol yolan, nusnia yanda ra, yan vil non vil duway, nusnia yanda ra, katicklo mismo." With every repetition, their voices grew louder, the strange words pressing against Saie's ears. He stood still, feeling a sudden weight on his chest—something he tried to brush away. Was it from the chanting? A language he couldn't comprehend? Or the strangeness of the ritual? His palms were sweating. As the chanting rose, an ethereal glowing light seeped out of the ground between his boots: a strand of luminous hair, coiling toward the pit's mouth like a ghostly serpent. Saie knew it was a sign he had to offer something. But what could he possibly bury? He laid his hand on his chest—his heart was pounding frantically. Pressing the hard, silver surface of the necklace for the last time, his mind was flooded with doubt and what-ifs. However, a sense of obligation—a pull toward tradition, like what every other Driven had felt in the Buroline—took hold. Saie unclasped the necklace, held it in his palm, and lowered his head. Air swelled in his lungs as he breathed deeply. Gazing at the necklace, his veins stood out as he clenched the jewel in farewell. He knelt on the yielding soil, reached toward the pit's mouth, and carefully placed the necklace alongside the glowing light. The chanting continued to vibrate in the air. The dirt around the hole shifted, falling onto the necklace and covering it. The luminous hair along the jewel seemed to dig its way free, slithering over the slab and inscribing a familiar name: Saie Driven, with AD-1989 beneath it, before fading like a dying candle. Aunt Gloom ceased chanting when she saw Saie's name on the stele; the others also paused, noticing the shimmering light was gone. Saie squeezed his eyes shut and let out a long sigh—ambivalence washed over him. The uneasiness and pounding in his chest finally drained away. His eyes softened, their sharp tension melting as he turned to look at his family.
"Aunt Gloom's voice took on a conciliatory note: 'How are you feeling, Saie?'"
"You're finally part of the Buroline, my boy!" Uncle Stuart added, his tone ebullient, trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm fine, Aunt Gloom, but now the necklace is gone…" sighed Saie.
"Oh… the necklace," said Uncle Stuart.
"I was right—I had a feeling you'd choose it. I noticed you wearing it since we were at the house," said Uncle Dawn, his brow arched.
"Yeah, right," scoffed Uncle Stuart.
Aunt Gloom interrupted: "Enough, you two. I'm so proud of you, Saie," her voice full of admiration. "But why the necklace, Saie, if you don't mind me asking?" she added.
"Well… my father said my mom gave it to me when I was a kid, before she passed," he said gloomily.
"Don't be gloomy on us now, dear—that's the whole point of this thing, right? Getting used to saying goodbye," added Aunt Gloom, encircling him in a hug.
Before they left for their next stop, Saie took a moment to walk among the steles. His sheer clothes flapped gently in the breeze. Slowly moving between them, his eyes wistful, he still carried the memory of the necklace. The rough stones felt cool beneath his fingertips as he traced the carved names, and he felt curious about these people. Who could these people be? I wonder if they're here right now. Far from his slab, near an eroded mud-mountain where light dimmed, stood an old stele—crawling with cracks, covered in dried mud and traces of acid rain, with dark green algae growing along the edges, framing an unfamiliar name: Sorchid Driven.
"Ah, Sorchid the First," spoke Uncle Stuart. "She's the first Driven, Saie."
Beside her, another slab was inscribed: Fillion Cortri.
"And that one is her husband."
"Fillion Cortri—why isn't his name Driven?"
"Ah… I knew you'd ask that," he paused, his lip pursed, glancing at the sky as if about to reveal a secret.
"Well… I'm not a pure Driven, Saie, so I don't really know," he joked, letting out a short laugh.
Saie could only roll his eyes at his uncle's unseriousness. "Is that so…"
"Oh… sorry, sorry. But I do believe that no one in your family who's alive knows that—, but it's best to ask your father," he said as he clasped Saie's shoulder, leading him back to the transport.
The breeze was growing colder, brushing against their skin. Only when the sun drifted across the blue sky and hid at the edge of the sea did they set off for the final ceremony. Pete was up to his neck in preparations for his son's coming of age. He carefully painted an image of Guardicts on the Honory stone: the central figure was a knight in white armor, its face hidden behind a golden ocularium. On either side, two kneeling figures with the same armor bowed their heads in reverence, facing the central knight. Then, he scattered petals of Willflower—which glimmer at night—along the Light path, and Pink Val petals dried in Willflower liquid to give off the same luminosity, creating a shimmering trail for Saie to follow. Amid all of this, Pete couldn't shake the growing joy in his heart. A quiet excitement filled him at the thought of seeing his son, and he hoped the ritual in Mudland had gone smoothly so he wouldn't have to see Saie distressed.
When the last amber rays sank below the horizon, and all that was left was to wait, a hush fell over the Honory. The air crackled with anticipation, and petals tumbled slightly over one another. Then, the painted kneeling Guardicts turned into luminescent images, and a wave of white robes appeared in thin air beside the Light path—the Whiteecons had arrived. They stood on the petals like celestial beings, four on each side. A few minutes later, the transport carrying Saie arrived. Pete's lips parted, and a smile slowly spread across his face as he saw his son approaching. He couldn't ignore the pounding in his chest as his excitement grew. Above, Saie saw the ethereal scene his father had created—something he had never seen before, but he knew it would be the best day of his life. The Whiteecons watched him as their robes swayed in the air; on their backs, the three Honory stones loomed like giants, as if judging him. At the same time, the people gathered for the Honorary gazed as he disembarked. Even with many eyes on him, his father stood out in his view across the field. Saie's cheeks lifted in a faint smile that soon spread fully across his face—he could finally let go of his frantic, flustered feelings.
"Oh, Saie… look how beautiful that is," spoke Aunt Gloom.
As soon as the transport landed, Pete went straight to the stone door to assist Saie and guide him toward the Light path.
"Dad!" Saie exclaimed.
"Oh my Saie…" his voice was full of joy as he pulled his son into a tight embrace. "How'd the Buroline go?"
"Um… it went well," but Saie's voice dipped slightly.
He didn't mention what he had buried because he thought his father would already know what he would have chosen. Pete looked at his son and noticed the necklace was no longer around his neck. He wanted to talk more about it, but they were in the middle of Saie's Unfecious ceremony. He pushed the thought aside, ruffling Saie's hair before getting ready.
"Did you make this, Dad?"
"Yes, but some of my friends helped me, of course. Do you like it?"
"I love it!" he chimed.
"Hahaha—I'm glad you loved it," said Pete, grinning. "Are you excited?"
"I'm feeling a little nervous, but it's just like what happened in the Buroline."
"Ah—I assumed you'd be nervous, but you got through that, didn't you? There's no reason to be nervous now," he advised.
"I guess so… but you're here now, so it's okay," Saie said, smiling.
Pete clasped Saie's shoulder as he led him across the Light path. Just like in the Mudland, Saie concentrated and pushed away any anxious feelings. Halfway through their walk, the Whiteecons began to glow blindingly bright, their light radiating to everyone's eyes. Their white robes flashed neon white, and the golden belts around their waists shone brilliantly. They levitated off the ground and angled their arms toward each other. The petals slowly lifted, circling their bodies up to their outstretched arms before falling in a shower above Pete and Saie's heads. The scene glimmered like heaven, bright enough to light the entire evening sky—even those who had witnessed the ceremony before couldn't help but marvel. At the end of the Light path, they stopped, facing the Honory stone. Pete reached for the nearby bucket of paint, stirred it with a brush, then took Saie's hands and covered them with golden pearl paint.
"Now, son—carefully place both of your hands on the surface, and wait till the Guardict lights up," he instructed.
After placing his hands on the Honory stone, the central Guardict lit up with brilliant light. Fascination shone in Saie's eyes as he stepped back from the stone—his handprints glowed behind him, a sign of a successful Unfecious. Saie lowered his head, and his fingernails suddenly glistened, turning ivory-gold. Everyone there cheered loudly, their joy shaking the air as they saw that Saie had finally gained his long-awaited potential.
"I'm so proud of you, my son," Pete said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as tears threatened to fall.
"Thanks, Dad. I'm finally Unfecious!" Saie responded exuberantly.