Destiny.
A term designed to heighten the arrogance of people who believed they were superior to everyone else.
One of the rare words that can be used to express both the highest praise and the most serious insults. Such was its versatility
While it served primarily as a symbol of virtue in Garig, it was also the pillar that kept the vast country united.
Although there were tales of the continent being a violent and famine-ridden wasteland before the gods appeared. With their divine judgement they took it upon themselves to enforce an era of abundance. Such were the tales told in schools, but it tended to lean more toward total mythology than anything else.
They were said to have blessed the continent, and with that blessing came a role for each individual. A belief system that the people in the area followed up until the gods themselves gave their offspring an occupation of difference.
Regretfully, people there used the terms "destiny" and "fate" far too frequently. First of all, they presented multiple examples showing that it was impossible to stray from the predetermined route laid out on the day of selection. Many people were versed using abusive language to make sure that no one did anything apart from what they were destined to do.
Because of this, SELECTION DAY was regarded as either the best or worst day of everyone's life.
It made no difference if you had dedicated a large portion of your years to learning a skill you enjoyed. Should the deities decree that you would spend the remainder of your existence threshing wheat, you were supposed to carry out this task cheerfully.
Occasionally, people's lives would be upgraded during selection because the stars were in their favour, but they were the exception, not the rule.
The prospect of that kind of thing made the SELECTION DAY seem more like a lottery.
It felt no different for Relik Von Vino.
His mother was a viticulturist and his father a winemaker; the two were a match made in heaven.
That's what they would say whenever he brought up the dreaded day.
Immediately after fawning over each other, they would go on to let him know that he just needed to keep his expectations low.
If they were not putting him through the ultimate wine-growing training themselves, then their advice would be wise counsel.
Better still would have been if he had taken even the slightest interest in the craft of grape fermentation. He didn't resent it, he had heaps of respect for his family.
Simply put growing up on a winery, all he ever learned was that while people talked, money talked more.
Although the idea of inheriting their estate pleased him, he really wanted to have his own dreams, or at least the illusion of having a choice. With the selection, he would have neither. Even though Relik lacked the freedom to make his own decisions, he was not allowed to live with a clear sense of purpose.
A realization that he had settled into far too young to be burdened with the weight of reality.
He was certain that he would become a winemaker.
His parents knew he was going to be a winemaker.
The village people were all aware of this.
Still, there he stood, waiting for the gods to render their verdict.
Garig had a custom of processing teenagers by having them appear in the closest city.
For him, the city of Remu—named for one of his continent's gods—would be that. In the southern region of the continent, it was the biggest city or the destination of thirty percent of all the wine produced by the Von Vinos.
A fact that Relik learned by force.
Apart from the nerve-wracking trip itself, his parents had him drop off two crates at a nearby shop. Which did nothing but contribute to his uneasiness.
He pretended to be too socially awkward in the hopes that it would be sent to the city on a merchant cart, but his clumsy attempts were exposed.
Lying was one of his weakest areas.
It mattered little to him, he would still wind up with his family's money.
Relik had visited the city numerous times, but he had mostly gone on business trips rather than leisure travel.
It was the first time he would have preferred to be dousing the vineyard in pesticides. That kind of thing was much less terrifying. Than having the hopes of your future decided over one session with omnipotent beings.
He knew better than to be an adversary to the process.
The decision of selection was enforced by even more stricter rules. The day he went against it was the day he'd prefer death.
A sharp push to his back dragged him out of his silent self-loathing.
It was his turn.
He paused for a moment to lift a silent prayer, reaching for the ruby on his necklace as he did so. Taking a deep breath he made his step forward.
Just like the girl before him, he pushed through the doors to the auditorium.
He had envisioned this day several times to adequately alleviate the pressure of the room. He had imagined himself in this very scenario so much that the image he had in his head established permanence in thought.
Yet upon walking into the selection area, every moment of preparation was swiftly swept away in favour of dumbstruck awe.
He'd imagine that scouts would be there, but he was unaware of the exact number.
Though the room had poor lighting he could see the inclined rows stretch back into what seemed like hundreds. Each space occupied by a figure. There faces were shadowed and he could only see the features of the ones in the first few rows, but he could feel their uneasiness.
One of the proctors in the front row motioned for him to move to the centre of the stage.
He quickly complied and rushed to the area marked with a raised platform.
"Place your hand on the crystal ball."
Relik looked down at the podium and shot the ball a dirty look.
His parents had described it for him and he wrongfully assumed that it would be bigger.
He was disappointingly wrong.
The thing could be concealed by his hand.
If he was willing he could steal it then and there.
With slight hesitation he stretched out an open palm, slowly passing his fingers over it until it was cupped by the meat of his hand.
"Relik of the Von Vino Lordship," a woman's voice sounded.
He paused all of his thoughts knowing damn well he didn't give his name to anyone.
"Speak!"
With that command he was whisked into a trance, forced to watch the world march into the future. He watched on as the very building he stood in was broken down and new ones constructed in place around him.
He looked down at his hand which seemed to grow frail and old with the passage of time. Instinctively he pulled away from the ball.
Unfortunately, his legs suffered the same fate and were far too weak to bare his weight. This left him to fall onto his back.
He felt himself the wind knocked out and into him at the same time. Clashing in his throat and causing his body to spasm uncontrollably. He imagined this must be what it felt like to drown.
Just as quickly as he arrived at this state he found himself recovering.
Using his regained strength he pulled himself into a stance and looked around the area.
It was blindingly white.
Just white for as far as his sight allowed, there was infinite wall of nothing.
Relik could feel a slight onset of panic.
His family and neighbours had never brought up this part before. He was well and truly clueless as to what was happening.
His hand reached for his necklace, but found nothing their. It was then that he realized that he was fully naked.
In place of his clothes were markings that spanned his entire body. Black lines seemed to pattern themselves across his torso and out to his limbs.
If he was confused before then at this point he had no hope of understanding whatever was happening around him.
"Hm," a loud booming voice seemed to echo around him.
Relik did a cursory swipe of everything around him, but couldn't find a source for the sound.
"You seem kind of scrawny to be the son of a guardian."
Relik swallowed hard doubling back on the realisation that he was fully exposed to an unseen observer.
"From looks alone he doesn't seem be an appropriate fit for war at all. Maybe as a medic, but you don't seem very smart either."
He tensed up even more realising that there were multiple onlookers.
"Wh-who's there?"
There were a few scattered chuckles.
"We are your gods child."
Relik's discomfort was then abandoned in favour of bemusement.
He had grown up in the Astran Empire. He had gone to their places of worship. He considered himself knowledgeable about their ways. Though they were known to directly communicate with their subjects, he could never really hear their voice.
"It's not everyday we get to meet a teenager for the very first time."
"Yes we normally try to introduce ourselves before they start exploring their bodily functions. Trust me it is awkward for all involved."
Another of the voices cleared its throat.
"We have never heard of you before but all of destiny points towards you becoming a guardian. Without the family background to aid in your selection it will be tough but I – we wish you the best."
Relik jolted back into consciousness, finding himself still standing. Quickly understanding that every aspect of his vision were in his head.
"Hm," the lead proctor seemed to frown before turning to face the rows, "I would like to introduce to you our thirteenth guardian for the day. Mr. Relik Von Vino of the Von Vino lordship."
The boy could here benches creak as the audience shifted in the seats.
"May the bid begin."
The room held its breath as to not accidentally respond.
He swept the crowd for any signs of interest.
"You know what I don't really give a shit."
The boy waved a hand turned to exit off the platform.
"Wait!" someone yelled from so many seats back that Relik couldn't make it out if it were a man or woman.
"What did you say was your name."
"Relik of the Von Vin-"
In a rush of wind a tall dark haired man appeared next to him. Relik gave the air a sniff, picking up whiffs of alcohol. His shoulders dropped quickly realising where this was headed.
"Well kid, from this day onward, consider yourself an important piece of the Burning Tempest."