The Hall of Awakening stood at the center of New Haven City like a monument built to remind humanity of its place in the world.
Kael had seen it thousands of times throughout his life.
Every child had.
Yet standing before it now, he finally understood why people spoke of the structure with such reverence.
It was enormous.
The building stretched nearly a kilometer into the sky, its surface formed from a black crystal-like material that reflected both the Golden and Silver Suns.
Ancient runes, older than recorded history, flowed across its walls like rivers of light.
According to historians, the Hall had existed long before the founding of New Haven.
Some even claimed it predated humanity itself.
No one knew who had built it.
No one knew why the Awakening Crystals responded only to sixteen-year-olds.
And no one had ever successfully damaged the Hall.
There were records of Sovereign-ranked Beast Kings attempting to uncover its secrets.
Their attacks had failed.
The Hall endured.
As though it had been waiting for something.
Or someone.
Kael felt the wooden toy car in his pocket.
Noah’s gift.
For some reason, carrying it made him feel calmer.
“You’ve been staring at the building for the last five minutes,” Lyra said.
“I’m considering my options.” “You don’t have any.” “That’s disappointing.” “It usually is.” Noah immediately pointed toward the Hall.
“THAT’S WHERE BIG BROTHER BECOMES A GIANT BUNNY!” Marcus nearly choked.
“We’re still doing this?” “We are absolutely still doing this,” Lyra said.
Elara smiled.
“Personally, I’m hoping for a fox.” “Mom.” “What?
Foxes are intelligent.” “They’re also your Beast Soul.” “A coincidence.” “No, it isn’t.” The family continued toward the entrance alongside thousands of other citizens.
Children.
Parents.
Grandparents.
For most people, Awakening Day was more than a ceremony.
It was a celebration.
The beginning of adulthood.
Kael couldn’t help but compare it to Earth.
Back there, sixteen had meant obtaining a part-time job.
Here, sixteen meant discovering whether or not you would one day possess the power to split mountains.
Life was strange.
A large holographic screen floated above the Hall’s entrance.
«WELCOME TO NEW HAVEN’S 1,247TH ANNUAL AWAKENING CEREMONY.
MAY THE BEASTS BLESS YOUR PATH.» “One thousand, two hundred and forty-seven years,” Marcus said quietly.
Kael raised an eyebrow.
“You’re feeling nostalgic?” “No.” “Then?” Marcus looked toward the Hall.
“I had my awakening here.” Elara smiled.
“He fainted.” “I did not faint.” “You absolutely fainted.” “It was a tactical retreat.” “There was no battle.” “There could have been.” Kael found himself smiling.
Some things never changed.
“Mom,” Noah whispered loudly, “what if Big Brother awakens a fish?” The entire family became silent.
Kael looked down.
“Why would I awaken a fish?” “I don’t know.” “That’s reassuring.” “What if it’s a really cool fish?” Marcus nodded thoughtfully.
“Like a shark.” “No.” “A whale?” “No.” “A particularly angry goldfish?” “No.” Noah gasped.
“A SEA BUNNY!” Kael suddenly understood why older siblings throughout history occasionally considered violence.
— Inside, the Hall was even larger than expected.
The interior resembled a cathedral more than a government building.
Thousands of seats surrounded a circular platform at the center of the chamber.
Floating lights drifted overhead while enormous banners bearing the crest of the Aurellian Kingdom hung from the ceiling.
A seven-winged golden lion.
The symbol of the royal family.
Every child in the kingdom knew the story.
Nine hundred years ago, King Aurellian the First had united dozens of warring nations beneath a single banner.
His Beast Soul had been the Seven-Winged Solar Lion.
Legend claimed that a single roar from the king could disperse storm clouds across an entire continent.
Kael wasn’t sure if he believed that.
Then again, he also had four prehistoric monsters living inside his soul.
Perspective was important.
“Wow…” Noah whispered.
For the first time all morning, the five-year-old had become silent.
“It is impressive,” Elara admitted.
Military personnel lined the walls of the chamber.
Every single one possessed a Beast Soul powerful enough to serve the kingdom.
Kael noticed several with visible Beastification traits.
Scales.
Golden eyes.
Claws.
Interesting.
Most people couldn’t maintain partial Beastification indefinitely.
It suggested a considerable degree of mastery.
“Participants, please proceed to the registration area.” A woman’s voice echoed throughout the Hall.
Kael looked toward his family.
“Well.” Marcus placed a hand on his shoulder.
“No matter what happens, remember something.” “What?” “You are a Draven.” For some reason, those words affected him more than they should have.
Elara hugged him.
“Try not to break anything.” “I wasn’t planning to.” “I know.” “Then why say it?” “Because I know your father.” Marcus looked offended.
“I’ve only destroyed one Awakening Chamber.” “Three.” “It was two.” “It was three.” Noah tugged on Kael’s sleeve.
“Big Brother.” “Yes?” The boy held up both fists.
“Good luck.” Kael gently bumped his fist against Noah’s.
“Thanks.” “And remember.” “Please don’t say bunny.” “FLYING BUNNY.” “…” Lyra immediately burst into laughter.
“I like him.” “I’ve noticed.” As Kael walked toward the registration area, he found himself glancing back one final time.
His family waved.
For a brief moment, Ethan Cole remembered standing alone outside Saint Marrow’s with a plastic bag in one hand.
No one had waved goodbye.
No one had waited for him.
The Queen stirred.
We have come far.
Yes.
We have.
— “Name?” “Kael Draven.” “Age?” “Sixteen.” The woman behind the registration desk looked up.
“Any prior Beast manifestations?” “No.” “Any unusual symptoms?” Kael paused.
Depends.
Did recurring dreams involving four ancient monsters count as unusual?
“No.” “Very well.” She handed him a small silver badge.
«PARTICIPANT #777» Kael stared at the number.
“Is something wrong?” “No.” It was just a coincidence.
Probably.
The Queen laughed.
There are no coincidences.
Kael ignored her.
He had learned long ago that acknowledging the Queen only encouraged her.
“Participants will be called in numerical order,” the woman continued.
“Please wait in the designated area.” Kael nodded and moved away.
Nearly five hundred teenagers had already gathered.
Some looked excited.
Others looked terrified.
A few possessed the confidence of individuals who clearly expected powerful Beast Souls.
Nobles.
Even from a distance, they were easy to identify.
Better clothing.
Better posture.
And in some cases, an overwhelming sense of self-importance.
“You.” Kael looked up.
A blond-haired boy stood nearby, accompanied by several others.
Expensive clothes.
Arrogant expression.
Noble.
Predictable.
“Can I help you?” The boy crossed his arms.
“You’re Kael Draven.” It wasn’t a question.
“I’ve been called that before.” “My name is Adrian Vale.” Kael waited.
Adrian frowned.
“Aren’t you going to introduce yourself?” “I already know my name.” Several nearby participants snorted.
The noble’s expression darkened.
“My family serves House Vale.” “Congratulations.” “You don’t seem impressed.” “I apologize.
Would you like me to applaud?” One of Adrian’s companions laughed before quickly covering his mouth.
Kael sighed internally.
Some things transcended worlds.
Apparently, obnoxious teenagers existed everywhere.
“You should be careful what you say,” Adrian said quietly.
“Oh?” “My Beast Soul will almost certainly be Royal-ranked.” “That’s nice.” “And yours?” Kael considered the question.
“Difficult to say.” “Why?” Because if I told you the truth, your entire understanding of reality would collapse.
“I prefer surprises.” Adrian opened his mouth to respond.
Then the lights dimmed.
The entire Hall became silent.
A massive holographic projection appeared above the central platform.
An elderly man wearing ceremonial robes stepped forward.
“Citizens of New Haven.” His voice echoed throughout the chamber.
“Welcome.” Kael immediately recognized him.
Headmaster Orion Graves.
Principal of New Haven Beast Academy.
Former Beast General.
Hero of the Third Eternal Night.
Rumors claimed his Beast Soul was an Ancient Storm Dragon.
Rumors also claimed he had personally killed over a thousand monsters during his lifetime.
Kael believed both.
“For one thousand, two hundred and forty-seven years,” the old man continued, “the Hall of Awakening has watched over humanity.” The runes upon the walls began to glow.
“Today, many of you will discover your future.” “Some will awaken ordinary Beast Souls.” “Others will awaken extraordinary ones.” “Remember this.” The Headmaster’s gaze swept across the crowd.
“Your Beast Soul does not determine your worth.” “History remembers those who persevere—not merely those born gifted.” Kael noticed several nobles looking unconvinced.
The Headmaster smiled slightly.
“Of course, history also remembers individuals capable of throwing mountains.” A wave of laughter spread through the audience.
“Now.” The old man’s expression became serious.
“Let the Awakening Ceremony begin.” The center of the platform split apart.
And rising slowly from beneath the Hall…
Appeared the Awakening Crystal.
Kael forgot how to breathe.
It was beautiful.
The crystal stood nearly fifty meters tall, suspended in the air by chains of golden light.
Entire galaxies appeared to move beneath its surface while ancient runes rotated endlessly around it.
For a moment, Kael could have sworn the crystal was alive.
Then something impossible happened.
The Awakening Crystal pulsed.
Once.
Twice.
And for the briefest moment…
Its light flickered.
Kael felt every hair on his body stand on end.
Deep within his soul, the Four Sovereigns became silent.
Completely silent.
The Queen spoke first.
It sees us.
“What?” Kael whispered.
D-Rex slowly rose from its throne.
Impossible.
Mosasaurus surfaced from the primordial sea.
It remembers.
Quetzalcoatlus opened its eyes.
After all this time…
The Awakening Crystal pulsed once more.
And somewhere within its endless depths…
Kael could have sworn he saw four shadows staring back at him.
Then Headmaster Graves spoke.
“Participant Number One.” A young girl stepped onto the platform.
Kael never took his eyes off the crystal.
Because for the first time since his reincarnation…
Something in this world had looked back at him.
«End of Chapter 4»