The Signet Ring

The Awakening

After 10 years

There is one important rule in Netiara Academy - never forget the Velerian Hymn, for in that hymn comprises their identity, ideologies, and virtues. Forgetting it is like going to war without a sword. It's a great offense in the Academy. Understanding it is like a badge of honor to wear. Netiara Academy is a school in Velaris where all aspiring ringmasters go to. Kapono, the great mentor in the land, is the person who runs this school. He has to find and mold the next generation of ringmaster.

Ever since the loss of Cassandra, they have decided to train young boys and girls in Velaris to become the next ringmaster. Here in this land the ring and the throne are not only for nobles of the tribes. The ring could choose anyone. It is a clear truth to them, ever since the days of their ancestors, that being chosen by the ring doesn't limit someone's status or abilities. The ring search for more reasons. That is why this Academy was built, to shape them into becoming worthy of the ring.

" Hundreds of students are gathered here today, yet for sure only a few will stand out",    Kapono sighs as he watches the students in that huge green open ground. Today is the opening of school and today they will see if they're going to be admitted or not.

" Young Velarians the road into becoming the ringmaster is now set ahead of you, and it might be such a long and rocky road. A ringmaster is gifted with wisdom, so now let's test if you have one in your blood, to see if you're fit to learn here",    Kapono speaks to the crowd of students. This is how students are usually welcome in Netiara. Almost everything here is wrapped in a challenge.

Kapono landed his eyes on Ryse and Raye whose standing amid the crowd and gives them a sharp look as if warning them not to disappoint him today.

Ryse, a 15 years old girl, with freckled face, her yellow hair in a clean ponytail reflects her seriousness and obedience. Kapono knows Ryse will make the test. She always tries harder. But he's nervous about Raye her twin brother.

Raye is tall in his age, easy-going, rebel, and blunt. Kapono could see clearly from the stage his mocking face. If only not because of your mother. He thinks. How could he not expect much of them? They're the twins of the late Queen Cassandra, the ever first ringmaster. Yes, he knows that the ring chooses randomly in ways they could not comprehend sometimes, but he's thinking that these twins may have inherited what the ring had seen in their mother.

That is what he's holding on to.

" Hey, I'm sure you had seriously practice for this",    Raye turns to Ashane who's standing on the right side of his twin sister.

Ashane looks upward, ignoring him, holding his temper. He doesn't want to start up a fight, this is their admission day in the Academy.

" Sshhh! quiet!",    Ryse irritatedly turns to his brother.

Raye just flashes a tricky smile.

" Okay!",    Kapono's voice echoes at the entire open ground, making them more nervous.

This is the first step to becoming the ringmaster. That is what every student thought. If they like to be chosen then they must first be admitted to the Academy.

" I hope you guys are ready, let's begin!",    then Kapono looks at Firmis giving a cue.

Firmis turns to the vast vacant space and raises his both hands, then moves it, as if pushing something towards the ground, and a huge fire breaks out. The King of the warrior tribe has been gifted with the ability to manipulate fire. The power of fire is the gift blessed by the fire gem to their tribe.

" Woah!",     students gasp in chorus.

But as for Ashane, he's ready for that. He remembers how his father had hardly trained him for this.

                                                                                                                                                                                               " You have to sing the hymn, while you are showing off your sword skills in the middle of that fire!", Kapono points to the huge flames of fire in front of them.

" Ryse would you like to be the first to try?"  his voice changes into a tender tone, smiling, gracing the way as he calls her name. Ryse, in an emotionless face, glances first at Ashane on her side and exhales.

She's ready to go through that fire.

" I'll try it first!",     a voice from the midst interrupted Ryse's momentum.

It's like all heads turn simultaneously to where that voice comes from, with the same question on their mind. Who is she?

Ryse could see Kapono's face mixed with surprise and disgust, as he looks at the girl walking from their back. She directed her eyes at the girl who just volunteer. Who is she to stole this moment of honor from me? She thinks. With sure favor from Kapono, she doesn't doubt that she can make this. Ryse carefully examines what the girl is wearing, then she looks down at her own outfit today, she can't help but compare herself to her. Today, Ryse wears an aqua blue skirt, boots, belt, and armor pad. Yeah, for sure she looks like a warrior on this outfit of her, but that's all. Nothing more. Unlike this girl who just interrupted, she's on fire!   Ryse thinks as she glances at her.

                                                                                                                                                                                              " Oh!, "      Kapono said recovering from being startled in a minute.

" From what tribe are you? What is your name?"  he asks trying to hide that he dislikes her.

" I am Cassidy from the light water Tribe, daughter of a farmer and a warrior."  she replied looking straight, unintimidated and bold.

                                                                                                                                                                                            So her name is Cassidy? Will she add up to my list of rivals? Ashane thinks while looking at her. How come she just volunteered without hesitation? he asks in his mind. His eyes move to every inch of her. She looks like she's eighteen, yet she's grown bigger than her age. Her aura in that reddish-black hooded combat outfit is strikingly intimidating. I bet she's the only girl here that doesn't wear armor with a skirt? Ashane notices the black trousers she's wearing that fit the shape of her legs, a sabaton on her feet, and a metal arm brace. He smirks. Only that? How come she dares to volunteer first when she's not even in full gear, Ashane wonders. Yet, he can't deny that she's stunningly badass.                                                     Baddass! that part of her is what gives him chills.

Kapono and the Kings of the tribes are stunned as they watch Cassidy stands in front of the stage, facing towards them. How come I have not known this one of a kind girl in my tribe? Lumus thinks. He must admit that they got captivated by Cassidy's presence even from that moment ago where she walks towards them, unfolding herself like in slow motion. He's mesmerized but after a second his brows furrows, Why do I have this feeling like I have known her for a long time? Lumus asks himself.

" Hmm!",    Kapono clears his throat, clasping his hands together.

Cassidy recalls memories with Kapono as she looks at his restless hands like how she would always tell him that he looks weak with those gestures, and he would reply with the Queen's presence is the only thing that makes him tense.

Silly, do you not get it? You're now in front of your Queen. Cassidy thinks trying to catch his eyes.

" Okay, you may proceed now, "    gracing the way towards that huge circle of fire. Cassidy nods at him and walks fearlessly unto it.                                                                                                                                               Everybody in there watches her closely waiting for the next to happen. Standing audaciously in the middle of the fire, Cassidy draws out the sword from his back and aims it on the air as if waiting for an attack. Firmis then suddenly throws out balls of fire at her. She defended herself using her sword, escaping everything of it. How could she avoid my attack with such great speed? How can she equal with my strength when she's just an aspirant? Firmis wonders. Maybe I have to raise my weapons, he concluded. Prompted by his aching ego, he has blown up a huge fire that tears up the ground moving towards Cassidy. He had used that on me? It's prohibited in events like this! What will I do? I am just handling a sword made by my father! Cassidy got startled as she looks at that line of fire coming to her. Before she could avoid it, the fire had reached her already, and in a blast it devours her.

The people gasps in their shock, so as Firmis it's late to withdraw the attack he made.

                                                                                                                                                                                              " Why did you that? Do you like to kill her?! Why blown a fire that is too dangerous for the level of an apprentice! ",     Kapono exclaims as others panic.

                                                                                                                                                                                           Cassidy felt some heat covering her. She's now caught in this. She feels a force pushing her body upward. It's like she becomes light as the cotton floating from the ground while something is heating up on the back of her shoulder.

My birthmark! It instantly came to her mind. What is happening to it. She thinks.

Without her knowing, the reddish birthmark on her back glows up while it becomes larger occupying almost half of her back down to her spine. The process creates a strong force it even tears up her hood. Then, after a minute of a phenomenon, she can't fathom, her feet touch the ground again. She felt stronger as what seems like an inferno that once surrounds her burns out. The people again were in awe as they watch her emerging from the most violent fire unscratched!

" Woah!",    Ryse could hear the other aspirants gasps. Even her twin brother could not say a thing. Jealousy is obvious in her eyes, brimming with pissed she rushes towards Cassidy and strikes the sword she's holding. Cassidy glances at her in surprise.

" How come that fire did not burn you? Scene stealer!",   Ryse sarcastically said at her . She smashes Cassidy with her  long thin gold, medieval boar spear. Cassidy manages to escape her attack. She again raises her sword in defense. They're feet slope swiftly as their weapons clashes. It seems like each one is a trained fighter. I can't hurt you! Cassidy said in her mind.

                                                                                                                                                                                              " Is this how you were taught? attacking me for causing a show?"    she asks.

" That moment is supposed to be mine! It's me who was called first not you!",   Ryse replied in disdain.

Hearing that, Cassidy's temper heats up. She suddenly beats up Ryse showing off her skills in the sword. Ryse fights her back with all her might, but with one strong blow, she got cornered.

" Your mother will not be happy with how you become",   Cassidy said to her while aiming the sword at her neck.

" How could you mention my mom? You don't know a thing!",    Ryse frantically replied.

" Ryse!",    Kapono calls her out, it's a signal that she should stop.                                                                     Ryse once again glares at Cassidy and walks away.

 Cassidy watches confusingly watches her as she walks away. She even catches a glimpse of a rebel looking boy beside Ryse clapping his hands crazily, as if he had enjoyed a show. He exhales and walk calmly towards Kapono and the Tribe Kings.

 " Did I pass?",  Cassidy asks Kapono. She could sense he's hesitant to admit her.

 " You did not follow the rules of the challenge. You have to sing while showing your sword skills."   He replied.

 " I did sing",     Cassidy confidently responds.

" I actually did more than singing",    she adds turning back from the stage, facing the aspiring students.

"Huh? what did you just say?",    Why this girl never fails to piss her off Kapono thinks.

" Great teacher, a while ago, in the fire, I just showed you how to embrace the anguish when all of you just seek the beauty of being favored, isn't it more than literally singing the hymn with our lips?"   Cassidy said to Kapono.

Kapono couldn't be more startled. This white hair girl is really giving her Goosebumps. He suddenly remembers a word from the Queen.

" The ringmaster has to embrace the anguish, not just the beauty of being favored, you should remember that Kapono when you run a training school one day, that will make you a great mentor",  Cassandra reminded him that night before she leaves to the land of the giants.

Kapono could not say a thing. He just look at Cassidy as she bows and left the stage. He silently watches her as she turns back, still puzzled. He's caught in wonder and despises. I should not like her. She's a threat to the twins. He thinks. But wait! What was that glowing mark he saw on her spine a while ago? Of course, he knows how the Queen's phoenix looks like. It's not the same thing she got a glimpse of, underneath those slightly torn suit of her. She's giving me headaches. Kapono grips his head in stress.