Chapter 38
The waiting chamber was quiet, yet beneath the silence lingered a potent tension—an anxiety that seemed to seep into the room from the heavy air itself. The luxurious chamber, located deep within the sanctum of the Awakening Church, was designed to ease noble guests into patience. Its walls were adorned with silver and white marble inlays, warm sconce lighting casting gentle glows on intricately carved wood. Tall shelves filled with books lined the walls, their gilded spines gleaming in the soft light. At the center, a long velvet couch and several lush armchairs were arranged around a finely carved coffee table bearing a polished silver tea set, though none had touched it since arriving.
Marie sat on one of the armchairs, her hands folded tightly on her lap. Her soft, brown eyes were trained on the tall, double-sided door ahead of her—a door wrought with ancient engravings and flowing divine runes, softly glowing with residual energy. This was the door to the awakening chamber, where her young master, Lucien, was undergoing his rite with the guidance of the esteemed Aurorwen Everleigh. Her heart thudded with an anxious rhythm.
Across from her, pacing back and forth with heavy, armored steps was Rex, the knight appointed as Lucien’s personal guard and trainer. His graying hair was cut neatly, Rex bore the hardened discipline of a battlefield veteran. His sharp crimson cape fluttered as he turned yet again, his gloved hand brushing over the hilt of his sheathed sword as if for comfort. His brows were furrowed, and each step of his boots echoed off the polished marble floor.
It had been nearly an hour since Lucien entered the sanctum. And then, it happened.
The familiar transparent interface that had accompanied all beings since birth suddenly glitched—once, then twice—before freezing completely. Then it vanished, replaced by a single, universal message across the eyes of all who possessed it:
[SYSTEM ERROR: INTERFACE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED. UNABLE TO DISPLAY STATUS. ESTIMATED RECOVERY: UNKNOWN.]
At first, it had been disbelief. Then silence. Then came the questions.
The two guards stationed at the entrance of the chamber—both knights of the Elyssiran Order—had rushed off, panic etched on their features, seeking guidance from higher clergy of the church. No one had been prepared. No one could make sense of it.
And now, only Marie and Rex remained.
Rex paused mid-stride and looked at the door again, running a tense hand through his short black hair. "Damn it... What if the awakening process failed? What if young master Lucien was caught mid-transition?"
His voice wasn’t loud, but it was sharp—edged with concern he couldn’t completely mask. He turned toward Marie.