Unlike Yareth, Kenzo was frail. Too frail. His pale complexion highlighted the bluish shadows under his tired eyes. His greasy black hair fell in messy strands around his ears, and a faint beauty mark sat just above his right eye.He had neither the build nor the confidence of his unfortunate companion. Yet, there he stood, tense, facing him.He was convinced Yareth came from inside the City's walls ;that unreachable world for people like him. So, for someone of that rank to speak to him... even ask his name? He froze, confused.
– « No last name? » Yareth asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kenzo frowned back, stung.
– « And you? » he shot back instantly.
A genuine laugh echoed through the dim space. Yareth, amused, shook his head slightly.
– « You've got guts. I like that. But I'd rather keep mine secret... for now. »
He paused, then stepped a bit closer.
– « But let me tell you something. They didn't kidnap us just because we're sixteen… or because the Awakening date is near. »
The Awakening. That word sounded like a legend to some, a promise to others. It always occurred on the 8th day of the 8th month. A date surrounded by rumors, mysteries… and fear.
Yareth continued, in a lower voice, as if sharing a forbidden secret:
– « They're hoping the Phoenix awakens among us. »
Kenzo blinked, stunned.
– « The Phoenix? You mean the legendary hero from children's stories? The one who's supposed to save humanity? »
– « Ah, so you have heard of him, » Yareth smiled.
– « What does that have to do with us? »
– « Listen… » Yareth crossed his arms, leaning against the rough wall. « According to the history books, the reason the Eight Kingdoms were able to preserve the world was because their ancestors were once guided by an extraordinary being. The Phoenix. »
Kenzo stayed silent. He didn't want to admit he'd never set foot in a school. These stories, this knowledge—he had never learned any of it like the city children. He simply nodded, pretending to understand.
Yareth continued:
– « The Phoenix… was human, but unlike any other. A loner, mysterious. He had abilities far beyond the norm, defying the very laws of nature. Every time he died… he was reborn. Always. Exactly 88 years later. »
Kenzo listened intently, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to click into place in his quick mind. He paused for a moment, then added:
– « This year marks 104 years… which means the Phoenix would be sixteen today. Like us. And he'll awaken this year. »
– « Then why kidnap him? If he's meant to save humanity, shouldn't they let him fulfill his destiny? »
Yareth looked away, worry flashing in his eyes.
– « I don't know. But what I do know… is that if none of us is the Phoenix… something bad is going to happen. »
A heavy silence settled over them.
Kenzo broke it, hesitating:
– « And… how exactly are they supposed to know who he is? »
He immediately regretted the question. He had never been to school, had no idea how the Awakening truly worked. He knew Yareth probably thought it was a dumb question.
But Kenzo had learned one thing on the streets: when something's useless, you throw it away. And if they weren't what these people were looking for… then they'd be discarded.
The air in the cell was growing heavier. The other prisoners, until then silent, had been listening to Yareth and Kenzo's exchange. Tension mounted. Like Kenzo, they were beginning to realize that if none of them turned out to be the Phoenix, their fate was already sealed.
Yareth, unfazed by the rising panic, continued calmly:
– « They'll know who the Phoenix is during the Revelation. »
Kenzo frowned. He knew the legend: before the Awakening, chosen children received a vision, a kind of supernatural warning revealing their destiny. But beyond that rumor, he knew little. No one in his life had ever experienced such a thing.
Yareth noticed the confusion in Kenzo's eyes. He went on, more slowly:
– « Basically, on the eighth day of the eighth month, from sunrise to sunset, those who've been chosen will see an orb appear before them. It's called the Orb of the Chosen. It will stay exactly eight minutes before teleporting us to undergo the Test of Awakening. Each orb is unique, and I'm sure they know exactly what the Phoenix's orb looks like. »
Kenzo clenched his jaw.
– « One thing's for sure: they want the Phoenix alive. Otherwise, they would've already killed every sixteen-year-old they captured. »
Those words triggered a wave of unrest. Chains rattled, breathing quickened. Anxiety oozed from the stone walls.
Yareth raised his voice to calm them:
– « Don't worry. All we have to do is succeed in our Awakening. As you know, those who succeed are instantly teleported to the nearest altar. »
It was true. Anyone who survived the Test of Awakening vanished in a blinding light and reappeared before one of the Altars of the Eight Great Royal Families. No one understood how this miracle worked. And even though those families were seen as humanity's saviors, it was no secret they kept their own share of secrets.
Kenzo, however, wasn't reassured. Surviving the Test already felt like an impossible dream. But Yareth… Yareth seemed to already glimpse a spark of hope.
– « I was kidnapped in Florencea, the Empire of Life. So I'll reappear at that altar, right? » Kenzo asked, uncertainty in his voice.
Yareth quickly turned his head toward him, surprised.
– « I was taken from Arendal, the Kingdom of Air. »
So they would reappear in Arendal.
Kenzo clenched his fists, frustrated.
– « Why bring us here? And why go to such lengths to capture the Phoenix if they don't even plan to kill him? Honestly, I don't care about the Phoenix. What I want to know is: how are we supposed to survive the Revelation, chained up and locked away like animals? »
Silence fell again.
– « I have a plan. »