The next morning, in the center of the village, the white grass flowed with the wind. The black houses around them glowed faintly under the rising sun. Villagers surrounded Eiden, Yami, Sienna, Vaelus, Selyndra, and Iris in a wide circle.
Yami stood with his arm around Eiden's shoulder.
His white hair and long white cloak drifted with the breeze, the layered white robe beneath it shifting softly. His grey eyes shone under the sunlight, and at his waist rested his white‑sheathed blade.
Sienna held Eiden's arm from the other side, her white hair and dress flowing with the wind, her fur cloak rippling behind her. Her white boots were planted firmly in the grass, steady and unwavering beside him.
Iris stood nearby, crimson eyes glowing in the morning light. Her red robe and cloak rippled behind her, her long black hair dancing with the breeze.
Vaelus stood with a wide, nervous grin — sharp teeth showing — his reddish hair whipping around. His green robe, covered in glowing symbols, fluttered with the wind, the curved blade at his waist tapping lightly against his side.
Selyndra stood with her blond hair streaming behind her, her white dress flowing like water, her sheathed blade strapped neatly at her hip, white boots planted with quiet confidence.
And lastly, Eiden —
standing in his black robe and cloak, black gloves fitted to his hands, three blades sheathed at his waist. His grey eyes gleamed beneath the sun, and his tied white hair flowed behind him, the newly bonded ribbon shimmering faintly with power.
"What's going on?"
"Is he leaving again?"
"Is it something bad?"
"What announcement does Chief Yami want to make?"
"Did anyone feel that aura last night?"
Voices rippled through the crowd, overlapping, rising, falling — a wave of curiosity and unease.
Whitecrest villagers murmured among themselves, their white hair swaying in the morning wind, their robes rustling softly.
Yami lifted a hand.
"I ask you all to please quiet down and listen."
His voice wasn't loud —
But it carried.
Instant silence.
Elders placed their hands over their chests, bracing for news.
Mothers held their children close.
Men stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder, trying to look strong despite the worry in their eyes.
The wind moved through the white grass.
Robes whispered.
Nothing else.
Yami inhaled once, steady.
"I'd like to introduce to you all… your new Chief."
Eiden's eyes widened.
He knew this was coming —
But hearing it spoken aloud, in front of the entire clan, hit him like a second awakening.
Gasps spread through the crowd, followed by stunned joy, disbelief, and pride.
Yami turned his head toward Eiden, then faced the village again.
"I present to you Eiden — the First Divinity…"
He paused, letting the words settle.
"…and now…"
The wind stilled.
"…Eiden, the Whitecrest's Divinity."