Heart and Vices

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We were all gathered forming lines in the Crystal, right in the field of the Jury's palace.

The Jury which were composed of the most powerful and influential pures in their respective Brands were floating on each of their auxilium, a protective and transportation sphere powered by Vis, our magical force. 

People in Ius all have Vis, we were born with it, it runs in our blood and we feel it but only people of age are allowed to use it. That's why I'm here in the 100th Cor Ius Branding Ceremony, to become officially branded and to live to my brand.

I looked around the Crystal to have a glimpse of my family. The Crystal for today was covered with tiny bits of diamond shaped translucent lights. It was glistening, shining and shimmering. It was like a prism and when light hits it light scatters into thousands of colors. It was beautiful and magical.

It was also the Jury's way to ensure that only those of age are inside the crystal. No one above or below the age of 18 is allowed to enter the crystal. Only those who are ready, of age and worthy of branding are allowed to be inside.

I continued to look for my family who were probably sited outside the Crystal, but then the girl behind me, Avery Woods, blonde and green eyed, calmly told me to stop looking around and focus my attention to the person who's talking, based on her looks she is probably a pure Affection. I smiled kindly and did what she told me.   

Apparently the person who was now speaking was the head of Kindness, Marcus Lumber, who happened to be my uncle.  All the more reason I should be listening and focusing my attention to the program. He was now calling the Jury Head, Candice Green.

Candice Green, a pure affection and a lady with exceptional beauty glided gracefully to her podium and thanked my uncle.
I remembered how it became an issue to Ius last year that someone so young was elected as the jury head, jury heads were suppposed to be in their 60's to be elected. As what I've known, Candice is not even 40 yet.

But the issued died down quickly because in Ius no one tolerates those kind of gestures. In Ius, no one should and no one exercises hate and misgivings to another person. Those are not our doings. Those were the doings of another world.

Her olive green eyes surveyed the entirety of the crystal before she smiled and started talking. 

"My dear people of Ius especially to the ones who will be branded today. Bonum mane."  She spoke with a voice full of peace and delight. 

"Today marks the 100th year of the Cor Ius Branding. 100 years since this beautiful city of righteousness, virtues and morality was established. 100 years ever since the brands were constructed. A millennium ever since the brands humility, jubilance, affection, generosity, kindness, comfort and courage became the pillars of this society and brought peace and order to this world. That is why today is a very special day because not only the new ones will be branded but also today," 

Candice paused and tucked her luscious  blonde locks that were straying from her neatly curled hair in her ear. She was the same age as my uncle and I remembered my uncle telling me that she used to do that every time she was nervous. You see they were classmates up until senior high school but what could make her nervous? 

"Today also marks the day of the search and selection for the Second Cross overs," The what? A second cross over? I haven't even heard of a first one. Murmurs aroused the audience outside the crystal. They were now talking and whispering. What is a Cross over?

"Letters and details would be sent to your respective houses tomorrow morning. Old ones kindly please guide and enlighten the new ones as to what extent you know. Don't worry it is not prohibited by the jury. Tomorrow everything will be official but as of now let's proceed with the branding. Et pacem bonam."  Candice glided on her auxilium and proceeded to sit beside her advisors, Igantius Cor and Wanda Cor. 

The branding began and one by one names were called to go up the stage and receive their branding.

In Ius, everyone receives their brand mostly based on their decent. Each brand embodies unique traits and abilities. Some are powerful, good, useful and others are really just magical. If your parents were both branded Humility then there is a 100% that you would belong to Humility.

In the old times,  brands were only composed of pures, and migmas weren't allowed but because we uphold virtues and righteousness it was probata legubu which means that it is legalized and approved by the jury now.

Pures are composed of people who have not conjugated with other brands. Their decent draws back to the Seperation and Creation which was a hundred years ago. They're almost considered as royalties just drop the titles and excessive wealth. 

I am a pure one of the decent kindness. My parents were both pure kindness too and so are my ancestors.

Migmas are people who have conjugated with other brands. They are considered as half-bloods, a quarter, three fourths or just really mixed. Branding for the migmas is a bit tricky because you have a lot of brands that live up to your name but the vis inside you decides which brand is upholded in the end.

"Jameson Richards."  One of my blockmate and also a friend who was a migma was called. He strode past me and headed to the stage.

In the stage their is a magical and mechanical device called Corcreux  that brands you and marks you in the hand. It decides which brand you belong to. It was made of steel and ivory. It was just a simple box with a hole in the side big enough for you to insert your hand to brand you. 

"Migma. Courage."  The announcer called out. Jameson raised his hand and showed his mark, lines pertaining to the symbol of courage. 

Names were being called and one by one they were branded. I patiently waited for my turn. I was nervous and I didn't notice that I was already fidgeting with my hand. Nonsense! Why would I be nervous? I am an assured pure kindness. I looked around to look for my family.

"Reign Lumber."  

The announcer called my name and I immediately straightened. I walked humbly proceeding to the stage. Aware and conscious that all eyes are on me now and my face is probably on screens throughout Ius.

I climbed up the stage and neared the corcreux I inserted my hand and waited for a few seconds.

A few seconds more and more and I was starting to become nervous because I have noticed Candice, Uncle Marcus and the other jury's eyes are now on me, just when the corcreux released me and I was branded.

"Pure. Kindness."  

The announcer called out. I sighed and raised my hand to show them my mark. I smiled and headed for the stairs to go down. I can't help but feel uneasy because I know Candice and some of the jury are still watching me, not leaving their eyes off of me. I quickened my pace to go down the stage.

When I was down the stage, I looked back and saw Candice still looking at me. She raised her arm and pointed at her forearm, where her brand is and I saw how beautiful the brand of a pure affection is. 

I looked at her with confusion. Her eyes looked as if she was about to reveal something but then Ignatius Cor tapped her and whatever was in her eyes vanished.

Now what was that all about?