Cursed By Fate

The Day of The Selection

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Chapter 1: The Day of Selection

The grand hall of the Kingdom of Ardyn’s palace shimmered with opulence. High ceilings soared above, adorned with crystal chandeliers that reflected the radiant sunlight streaming through the stained glass. The kingdom’s elite had gathered for the Day of Selection, an event steeped in tradition and hope.

Aria stood at the edge of the hall, her slender figure clad in a flowing white gown with delicate silver embroidery that caught the light as she moved. The simplicity of her dress gnawed at her nerves, a stark contrast to the grandeur surrounding her. Her raven-black hair fell down her back, secured with a slender silver clip, while her blue-green eyes— a gift from her mysterious father— held a resolute determination. Life had made her resilient; she feared no one and nothing.

Yet beneath her composed exterior lay a lifetime of turmoil. After the tragic loss of her parents, Aria had been thrust into a world that often felt foreign and hostile. Her father’s death left a chasm in her heart, filled only by the swordsmanship lessons taught by his friend before he took on the mantle of a general and vanished from her life. With her mother gone and her stepmother’s disdain a constant shadow, Aria learned to navigate her days like a ghost, invisible and unfeeling. In the eyes of those who surrounded her, she was merely an outcast, a mistake, but she wore that label with a sense of indifference.

Before her, rows of children her age waited, each hoping to be chosen by the gods, each representing a flicker of potential. Among them stood her sister, Lila, radiant in a soft blue gown, her porcelain skin and flaxen hair glimmering like spun gold. Lila’s eyes sparkled with confidence, her slender fingers clutching a delicate fan, a stark contrast to Aria’s detached demeanor.

At the front of the hall, the royal family sat on their thrones: King Thorne, resplendent in navy blue and gold finery, and Queen Luna, regal in a gown of shimmering silver. They were the epitome of grace and authority, their presence commanding the attention of all.

The Selection began, and one by one, children stepped forward to place their hands on the ancient orbs, each glowing with a soft, ethereal light. Fire, water, earth, and air manifested in various forms, showcasing the abilities of the chosen ones. Some children demonstrated healing powers, while others revealed their mastery of shape-shifting or beauty.

Lila's turn arrived, and with unwavering confidence, she stepped forward to place her hand on the orb. Ice crystals erupted around her in a mesmerizing dance, the crowd applauding in delight as the royal family smiled approvingly. Lila’s power was undeniable, and the murmurs of admiration resonated throughout the hall.

As the applause faded, Aria felt the weight of expectation settle upon her. The moment she had dreaded and anticipated was finally at hand. Would she reveal a power worthy of the gods, or would she stand as an empty vessel, devoid of purpose?

“Aria, step forward,” the King announced, his voice echoing in the hushed hall.

Her heart raced, but she pushed aside the trepidation that sought to creep in. There was no fear in her, only a fierce determination. She approached the orb, the eyes of the kingdom upon her. Placing her hand on the smooth surface, she felt an electric pulse surge through her, a connection to something ancient and powerful.

The orb began to glow, the light intensifying until it illuminated the entire hall. Gasps echoed as shadows danced along the walls, and then— BOOM!— an explosion of energy erupted from the orb, casting a blinding light that enveloped Aria. The crowd recoiled, and whispers of confusion morphed into screams of terror as the room descended into chaos.

Aria felt the weight of the world shift around her, the very fabric of reality bending to a new and merciless force. In that moment, the voices of the three cursed gods echoed within her, each one promising power beyond her wildest dreams— but at a price.

She had been chosen, but not in the way anyone could have anticipated.

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As the blinding light faded, the hall fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the murmurs of disbelief. Aria stood at the center, her expression unchanged, an unsettling calm enveloping her like a shroud.

Four ethereal figures emerged from the shadows of the hall, their presence commanding and ominous. Each one bore a distinct aura, a reflection of their merciless nature.

The first, a tall figure clad in dark, swirling mist, was Zephyros, the god of the winds. His voice was like a chilling breeze that sent shivers down the spine. "You possess a power that has been long forgotten. You will wield the winds to shape destinies, but at a cost."

Beside him stood Malakar, the god of darkness, cloaked in shadows that seemed to swallow the light around him. His voice was a deep rumble, echoing with ancient malice. "You will command the shadows, but your heart must remain unyielding, lest they consume you whole."

The third figure stepped forward, a being of radiant flame—Fiora, the goddess of fire. Her hair danced like flames, and her eyes burned with intensity. "With fire comes destruction, but also rebirth. You will learn to harness it, but beware; the flames will test your resolve."

Finally, from the edge of the shadows emerged Kaltha, the goddess of curses, her presence sending a chill through the air. She wore a gown of midnight blue, adorned with shimmering symbols of ancient runes. Her voice was a whisper that echoed with the weight of the ages. "You will bear the burden of curses, both given and received. Your choices will bring ruin or salvation, and every path you take will hold consequences."

As they spoke, the hall was filled with a palpable energy, swirling around Aria, who stood still, her expression as unreadable as ever. Those watching felt a chill, a sense of foreboding that radiated from her calm demeanor. Whispers rippled through the crowd, fear etched on the faces of the onlookers.

“How can she be so unfazed?” someone murmured. “It’s as if she welcomes them.”

Aria felt the weight of their gazes, their confusion and fear. She understood their terror; she had always been a ghost in their world, and now she was something more—something they couldn’t comprehend.

“Your lives are now intertwined with ours,” Zephyros continued, his voice slicing through the silence. “Embrace the chaos we bring, for it is both a gift and a curse. You will be feared and revered, a power to be reckoned with.”

“I am not afraid,” Aria replied, her voice steady, devoid of emotion. The truth was, she felt nothing but a quiet acceptance of her fate, a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding her.

“Then let it be known,” Malakar declared, a sinister grin forming on his shadowed lips. “The chosen shall walk a path of darkness and light, forever marked by the powers you wield. The realm shall tremble beneath your feet.”

Fiora stepped forward, flames licking at her fingertips. “With great power comes the potential for destruction, and you must learn to control it or face the wrath of what you unleash.”

Kaltha’s gaze pierced through Aria. “You will wield curses as tools or weapons. Choose wisely, for the wrong choice could shatter not only your fate but the fates of those you care for.”

The gods raised their hands, and with a flicker of energy, the shadows and lights enveloped Aria, merging with her very essence. In that moment, she felt their powers intertwine with her own, infusing her with strength and purpose. She was no longer just a girl with a hidden past; she had become a vessel for the gods’ wrath and wisdom.

As the hall erupted into chaos once more, Aria turned, her face still an emotionless mask. The crowd parted before her, fear and awe etched into the expressions of those she passed. She could hear the whispers, the accusations that would soon take root.

“Why did they choose her?”

“She’s dangerous.”

“Something must be done.”

But Aria paid them no mind. For the first time in her life, she felt a sense of belonging, even if it was forged in darkness. She would embrace the power within her, for it was the only way to carve her own destiny.

And she would do it without fear.

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