The morning mist clung to the peaks of the earth, where the air smelled of old stone and storm-washed skies. From the eastern towers to the deepest vaults, the ancient fortress of the Defenders of the Realm was awakening.
Adams stood at the edge of the jungle with a dozen others all candidates who had survived their Trials. Some looked tired Others proud. But all wore the same expression: a mix of wonder ,fear and resolve.
Today was the Choosing of the Houses, that's why the trumpet sounded a big day for the candidates, numbering close to a thousand now lesser than two hundred.
Behind them rose the towering Hall of Sigils, its arched ceiling painted with the stars of every known realm. Before them stood six figures cloaked in robes of their respective Houses. They were the High Wardens, and each bore a glowing staff crowned with a different symbol.
Mr Klein, now garbed in the silver and indigo of the old order, stepped forward.
"Each of you has faced a trial and proven worthy," she said. "But to stand as a Defender, you must walk a path and each path has a house. Today, the Realm chooses you."
A hush fell. The Hall itself seemed to be listening.
Klein raised his hand, and from the circle of wardens, six sigils flared into the air ,hovering over them like constellations wrought from living light.
A roaring flame encased in a lion's maw ;House Hexa, wielders of elemental flame, warriors of wrath and honor.
An open eye set within a crescent moon ;House Deca, seers and illusionists who tread between the veils of sight and truth.
A tree crowned with stars, its roots wrapped around a blade ; House Draga, guardians of the wild and the blade-singers of nature.
A mirrored tower floating above water ;House Vexa, masters of mind, memory, and the shaping of thought.
A silver storm coiled around a sword-point – House Octa, the stormbound and sky-walkers keepers of balance and skyborne power.
A staff wrapped round by a snake symbol ;House zina they were healers tasked with keeping The fort running in perfect health condition.
Mr Klein spoke again. "You will be chosen by your power, yes but also by what lies within. The Houses are not homes, but calls. You do not answer them they answer you."
A deep chime rang out, and the air shimmered.
One by one, the sigils descended.
The Choosing Began.
Each person was enveloped by the sigil's of these houses, it's either Fire ,tree vines or Ravens.
Then it was Adams' turn.
The sigils swirled above him, and time seemed to pause. The hall dimmed, the others vanishing into shadows. Only the six lights remained.
For a moment, the lion of hexa flared red but it flickered away.
Then the silver storm of octa circled him and faltered.
Finally, two sigils remained: the moonlit eye of Myrren, and the mirrored tower of vexa.
Adam was not chosen or enveloped by any of the sigil's and abnormally in the fort, something that came with a price . Suddenly the sigil of house Octa enveloped him after a failed attempt light brightened in the sigil.
His thoughts raced. He felt like a thousand voices echoed in his mind,not shouting, but listening. Then, silence. Calm. Clarity.
When the light faded, Adams stood different.
A marking now curled around his neck a spiral of ink shaped like the Octa sigil .
Mr Klein gave the barest smile. "House Octa," he said. "Sky walker ."
Adams blinked, breath catching in his chest. He hadn't expected this. He thought he'd be a warrior, like the Defender he saw as a child. But deep down… the calm, the clarity this felt right.
Others were chosen after him.
By the end, the group had been divided, each drawn into the fold of a House. Friendships were already shifting. Some laughed. Some wept.Some jealous .But all bore the mark of destiny now.
Mr Klein raised his staff.
"Your real training begins now. You are no longer mere candidates. You are Wards of the Realm. Learn fast. Trust wisely. And remember…"
He looked each of them in the eye.
"Not all of you will survive the coming war .