Sunlight shone mercilessly onto the island nation below. Surrounded by the ocean and filled with lakes and rivers, heavy humidity added to the sun's beating. Despite the heat, the capital's main square was bustling with life. Native vendors, customers, and business leaders of all kinds happily went about their day. The air was full of excited suspense for the night's celebration.
Tonight was the time for the warrior families to recognize their next generation. Those who were finally of age would be dressed in flowing fabrics colored to represent their families. All armor and weaponry would be provided by the adolescent's parents as a symbol of their recognition.
This rite of passage, known as the Ajir Ascension, was the biggest celebration of the year. The warrior clans acted as the nobility in their monarchy. Only those in Adrynia knew about and celebrated it.
They sometimes traded with the outside world, though it was very rare. Isolationism had kept them thriving for the last century, but the arrival of a certain merchant would force them to change.
A young girl sat patiently in her room as the maids swarmed around her. Her forearms were hugged tightly by the flowing sea blue silks of the Edmond family. The flexible lavender fabric of her underskirt protected what the flowing blues did not. A matching lavender top snuggly fit on her chest, both straps decorated with hooks for the shoulder guards that would soon fit there.
Long waves of fuschia were calmly tamed and placed into a large bun. Holding it in place was a wide silver band with varying sizes of violet pearls in a crown-like array. The shorter waves around her face were brushed and curled, framing it beautifully.
Her gently pointed ears were adorned with thin silver cuffs and matching studs. Sky blue powder was dusted onto her eyelids and coal ink lined her eyes, making her emerald irises pop. To finish her face, they lightly painted pink lip stain onto her full lips. They all agreed her skin was tanned beautifully and left it untouched.
Satisfied with their work, they allowed the teen to stand. Careful of the wooden floor, she padded into the living room.
Her older brother and parents were waiting on her, bright smiles on all their faces. She took in their raven hair, and blue eyes, she was reminded of her status as the adopted outcast; or so the other noble families took to calling her. The only physical trait they shared was their tanned skin, even then, hers was darker.
"Look at our baby girl, Marlowe." Her mother, Oceane, pulled the young girl into her embrace. Today, she would be Ascending, as her brother Seaton had two years prior.
Her father joined the hug as well. Both parents were proud of their prodigious youngest. In the last few years, she had proven no match for her elder brother, only to come close to beating her father. "She has grown into a fine young woman."
Seaton smirked at the fifteen-year-old, pride swelling in his chest before clearing his throat. "We're all proud of her, but if we don't hurry, she'll be late."
Both parents immediately pulled away and walked to the armory. They had already picked out the armor they would bless and gift her. Once they had the enchanted metals, the two parents returned to the living room. With Seaton's help, they had all the pieces ready to take with them.
Emerald eyes glanced out the window and widened in shock. The sun dipping below the horizon meant the festival would be starting soon! She giggled at her forgetful family before pointing out the window. "I think we should leave."
The happy family quickly left for the main square, unaware of the strong magic left behind. It seemed to swirl and sparkle as it lingered for a moment. The room was quickly purged of the incoming darkness before the magic trailed after the happy family unnoticed. If one were to listen closely, they could hear the silent cheers of a people long forgotten.
'Soon, filia.'
"Sin, do you really think it's a good idea for us to be here?" Ja'far had been on edge since the moment they'd docked a few hours ago. They had to sneak around the guards posted at the port just to get into the city. He was getting stressed just thinking about what could happen should they get caught. "The policy against outsiders is even stricter here than in Sasan!"
"Relax, Ja'far. We'll be fine." He glanced around, noting the bright decorations and lighthearted music. There was definitely some kind of festival going on. Though he wished to know what it was for. "They're celebrating something tonight. Everyone will be too distracted to notice us."
Hinahoho placed a sympathetic hand on the white-haired boy's shoulder. The ex-assassin looked back in question but the Imuchakk warrior merely shook his head. Even Mystras knew there was no point in trying. Nothing would convince Sinbad now; it didn't matter how much they attempted to talk him out of it. They would simply have to trust in his judgment and hope everything would be fine.
The young capturer led his friends to the main square as the final rays of sunlight faded into the night sky. Staying hidden in the shadows, they all gasped at the sight before them.
Gentle, golden lights were hung on every house and store. Festive music played as dancers happily followed the flutes and drums, their bangles jingling with every step and wave. The various fruits and vegetables that lined the tables surrounded the seafood, Adrynia's best profit. There was joy in the air; everyone was drinking, talking, and dancing to their heart's content.
However, once the announcer called for everyone's attention, the merry atmosphere calmed a bit. Whatever was about to happen was important.
"May I have your attention, please." The group of four turned their attention to the man standing on a makeshift stage. He wore a simple tunic and shorts with sandals on his feet. "The time has come for each of the Ajir families to recognize any children who have come of age this year!" The crowd roared when he paused. "We will start with the Fiore family."
A young man with cropped, maroon hair and intense brown eyes walked onto the makeshift stage. He was decorated in reds and yellows, the fabric appearing as a real fire. Behind him, a man of similar appearance decked in gold armor walked behind his son. In the father's hands were golden pieces of armor.
"With this armor, I, Ignatius, Head of the Fiore family, bestow upon you, your official Ajir armor." He paused, slowly putting each piece on his son as he continued. "With this, you will be recognized as a master of fire-based combat; just as a Fiore should be. I am proud of you, Nar."
The four looked on in awe as both sons and daughters of the warrior nobility were recognized from each respective clan. Their parents and siblings each giving speeches of pride and encouragement to each new Ajir Warrior. It wasn't until the last family walked on stage, that they looked on in shock. Everyone up to this point had looked like the parents who recognized them. But this time was different.
While the parents had dark hair and blue eyes, their daughter had wavy fuschia hair and sparkling emerald irises. Her skin was also darker than theirs, the moon and festival lights making her glow. The blue and lavender fabrics seemed to flow with a watery grace, giving her an ethereal presence.
Her father spoke first. "Zarya, when your mother and I found you on the shore that day, we saw a bright future for you. We named you, raised you as our own. Now, it is our honor to bestow upon you, you official Ajir armor. With this, you will be recognized as a master of water-based combat." Marlowe broke into a smile as he gestured to his wife to step forward.
Her blue eyes shone with pride as she spoke. "Little one, you have learned all of the Edmond family skills, mixing your training with the grace of a court lady. You bravely faced and overcame the social obstacles thrown at you and I couldn't be prouder. You have truly become an amazing young woman, Zarya."
Finally, her older brother came forward, a cheeky smirk on his face. "Well, little sis. What can I say? You have outmatched me in more ways than one and I couldn't be more proud. It'll be nice to have another Water Master around." His smirk softened into a smile. "A great destiny awaits you, Zarya, you just have to take it."
Once their speeches were finished, they did as the others before them. Each piece of the new Ajir's armor was placed carefully where they belong. When they finished, all three of them smiled.
The silver shoulder guards and bracelets were similar to what she normally used. Abdominal bands attached with fabric laced with silver gathered in the front to drape around her sides and end in the back. The heels she'd been training in for years had been altered to expose the flat of her foot, but wrapped around and covered her shin and knee. Two bands hugged her ankles and two bands came around the top of her calf and covered her knees with points.
Seaton smiled. "Silver always was your favorite, sis."
"Thank you." She returned his smile, finding comfort in their love for her despite her differences.
The crowd erupted into applause, rejoicing the new additions to the Ajir, the nation's army. Sinbad and the others eventually joined in the celebration, the Adrynians too inebriated to care about the foreigners in their midst.
As the festivities carried on, Zarya became anxious and excused herself to leave. It had been a long night and the morning would be early. She almost sneered at the irony. They celebrate to their heart's content the night before their training intensifies. Or so Seaton had warned. He had warned her, not wanting her to end up as he had: hungover and struggling.
"Hey!" An indignant shout drew her attention to Nar. Her best friend had always been fond of teasing her. Tonight was no exception. The sneak had surprised her while she was distracted and almost tackled her to the ground. She spent the rest of the night avoiding him in protest. "Zarya!"
The green-eyed girl turned with an exasperated sigh and kept walking home. As much as she wanted to hang out, her brother's warning kept reminding her not to. She really didn't want to have to be dragged out of bed in the morning.
"Zarya!" He was gaining, which meant he wouldn't leave her alone until she indulged him. A groan of annoyance escaped her throat as turned once more.
"Hey, Nar." The innocence in her expression was betrayed by the slight twitch in her lips. She enjoyed riling him up as much as he did her. It was just what they did. "What's up?"
The redhead growled playfully at her. He knew damn well she was practically smirking at him - not that he wasn't almost doing so himself. "You know what's up! Rya, you didn't hang out with me."
"Oh?" The fuschia haired girl giggled at his childishness. "Who was the one that used my distraction to tackle me? Besides, Seaton warned me that our training would intensify tomorrow. I didn't want to get too carried away by the festivities."
He rolled his eyes at her words, knowing how she was about punctuality. Even after all these years, she was still a stickler about being early to everything. Smirking down at her, he said, "Well, guess I'll see ya tomorrow then."
She smirked back and turned with a wave, throwing over her shoulder, "Tomorrow."
Little did they know how much would change two weeks.