The Arrival at the Islet: The Parade of the Six Kingdoms
The sound of Valoria's war horns and the elves' crystal flutes heralded the start. The six kingdoms had sent their finest representatives. In total, 120 young people who had reached maturity lined up on the crystal bridge that connected the castle to the ceremonial islet.
Each kingdom brought its crown jewels:
The Elven Kingdom of the Lake (Hosts): Adara led the group, followed by three outstanding talents in hydromancy.
The Human Kingdom of Valoria: Led by Prince Valerick. They were 20 young people with an imposing presence; among them, three warriors whose "Talent" made them seem like demigods.
The Kingdom of the Nymphs of Xylos: Creatures of ethereal beauty who seemed made of petals and breeze. Their leader, a young woman named Syrinx, could manipulate plant growth with just a whisper.
The Shadowlands Elves: Silent warriors with tattoos that glowed with their own light.
The Iron Islands Human Kingdom: Experts in soul-forging.
The Fire Desert Nomads: Possessors of fiery, destructive magic.
Adara walked with her head held high, feeling the weight of thousands of eyes. Among the crowd, she spotted the representatives of the Human Immortals. There was Karan. Unlike the arrogant warriors of Valoria, he looked at her with genuine curiosity, as if he could see beyond her dress, straight into that "abyssal power" his father so feared.
The air crackled with electricity. Coming of age wasn't just a title; it was the beginning of a power game where Adara, unknowingly, was the central figure.