I looked at Verse after Yuka had run off.

      "You sure that wasn't too much at once?" I asked them.

     "Oh there's more. I gave him the bare minimum." The spirit replied, standing on top of the lake and hopping over waterfall ripples.

     I watched them for a while.

     Verse looked up at me. "Why are you just standing there? Get the the Choosing, idiot." They huffed.

     "Oh, yeah sure." I said hurriedly, shifting into my animal form and running off.

     I slowed down as I reached the ditch.

     Please, for the love of the gods, don't let him die.

     I can't go through that again.

     I jumped over the ditch and continued to run towards the bright clearing.

     I jogged after Aliki, crystal heavy in my pocket.

     My brain was full of questions and Aliki had most of the answers.

     Unfortunately, they would have to be addressed later.

     Everyone was now gathered in the corner of the clearing, excitedly sharing their opinions on familiars and what they thought everyone would get.

     I caught a snippet of conversation as I walked past.

     "That Plasmen kid will probably get a fox just like the rest of his family. Rich bastards. Always flaunting their wealth and magic prowess, hah! Don't make me laugh. Everyone knows they're weak." 

     Plasmen?

     I took my places beside Aliki, everyone in a half circle. I was at the end of the curved line, facing a trio I knew well from the airship.

      Lux looked incredibly nervous, staring at the ground while his friends whispered what I assumed were words of encouragement, because he took a deep breath and nodded as a regally dressed witch stepped up and faced the crowd.

     The orchestra played a short melody, and the woman started to speak.

     "Welcome all of you, to the 509th annual Choosing ceremony! We hope that you have great luck in your familiar assignments.

     "Without further ado, all apprentices please make your way towards the podium when I call your name. Simply take the crystal in your hands and your familiar will be summoned from the astral plane."

     Bullcrap.

     Everyone knew they kept the familiars locked up somewhere, waiting to be chosen. 

     Nevertheless, the woman began to call out names, one after the other.

     Amanda Shillingham got a raven.

     Beatrix Loom got a snake.

     Leo Slikins got a dove.

     "Lux Apollyon Plasmen!" The woman called out.

     Lux jumped at his name. He quickly composed himself and started towards the podium.

     "Good luck, kid." Aliki murmured.

     I glanced at her. Kid, not brat.

     I looked back at Lux. 

     He looked perfectly composed, but I knew he was panicking inside. 

     The boy walked up the podium and reached out for the crystal. 

     Lux hesitated before placing his hands on the crystal.

     The crystal sparked around his hands and turned a reddish orange.

     As it cooled down, Lux's familiar had yet to make an appearance.

     The crowd started to murmur and whisper.

     "Ah-!" Someone yelped. 

     The crowd parted, gasping as the person's coat caught on fire.

     They rushed to put it out as a loud caw broke through the commotion.

     A blur of sparks and feathers rushed towards Lux.

     The boy yelped and ducked. 

     The creature landed on the crystals and shook out its feathers.

     As the figure became clear, the crowd gasped, as did Lux.

     A phoenix preened itself as the crystal fully faded back to its original shade.

     Lux reached out hesitantly. The fire bird cooled itself down and allowed the boy to pet it.

     The phoenix glided to Lux's head and perched there. 

     He smiled and started down the podium

     Aliki gave him a thumbs up as he passed. 

     I grinned.

     He lifted his chin up at us in snotty rich kid manner, but gave us a nod and a smile.

     "Snotty brat." we hissed, once he was out of earshot.

     The proceedings continued smoothly.

     Until we reached the end of the line.

     "Yuka Trea?" 

     The woman sounded confused, and for good reason.

     The crowd grew hushed and I stepped forward.

     "Trea? They died ages ago.."

     "The kid survived?"

     "Those bastards are still alive?"

     "A wizard, no less.."

     I continued toward the podium. These whispered didn't bother me.

     I had grown used to them. 

    The Trea estate had turned to rubble ages ago.

     My footsteps echoed in the eerie silence. 

     I stood before the crystal, Verse's words echoing in my mind.

    Be brave, Yuka. This task is not for those without bravery. Should you choose not to take this offer, I will find another to take your place.

    A moment of hesitation.

     Then I took the crystal in my hands. 

     I'm tired of being replaced.

     Tired of being ignored.

     Tired of being ridiculed.

     Loud squawking from the forest interrupted my thoughts. 

     Birds frantically flew out of the trees, away from an unclear threat.

     Loud thumping followed.

     And a lion bounded towards the crowd, roaring.

     The citizens yelped and backed away, some straight up running away.

     I watched at it playfully swiped at their legs and roared again.

     It wasn't attacking, I realized, it was playing a trick.

     The lion made its way up the podium to me. And stood there, staring me in the eye.

     I stared back.

     It smiled and turned, delivering one more roar.

     And I felt perfectly at peace.