How To Survive A Calamity

In the next two hours I was sitting on the side of a long bronze table, in a grand dinning hall. The ceiling was high and hung with glittering chandeliers, and the room was brightened by the warmth of lit candles, casting a serene and homely atmosphere amongst the surrounding.

The broad glass windows on the walls placed far apart were covered closed by red curtains, providing a sense of solitude.

Before me were the members of my family.

Sitting at the edge of the long bronze table covered in various dishes and cutleries, was my father, Dorian Solvaine Bright. He was a Middle aged man with ash colored hair, golden brown eyes and a well groomed handle-bar mustache.

He had a straight and stern looking face, but his eyes were soft and held noticeable warmth. Dorian, my father in this world, was dressed lightly for the evening, donning a simple white linen shirt and a black vest and grey trousers. He sat at the head of the long table on the largest chair befitting the seat of honor.

There was my mother, Alissa seated across from me on the other side with her brown hair braided and her green eyes glittered softly in the dim warmth of the candles and chandeliers.

And next to me on my left was my sweet and adorable older sister Adrianne in a light black evening dress. Her hair was fixed and braided over her shoulders to keep from getting in the way with her meal, her movements were mild and elegant, too formal maybe.

She was like a mechanical doll.

I laughed amusingly inside my head and continued with my meal.

A few minutes into the silence of the dinner, Dorian my father, put down his utensils.

"Ahem," he cleared his throat then said to each of us present, "and how was everyone's day?"

Hearing my father begin talking, following everyone else's pattern, I placed down my utensils for a short while then raised a smile.

"I had a nice day," I said, smiling. "The weather was lovely, perfect for a walk."

"That's great, dear!" Alissa replied, her eyes sparkling. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

Dorian cleared his throat, a hint of a smile on his face. "And how was your spar with Adrianne?"

It made my grin falter for a moment before i recovered. "Ah, well... I learned a lot from it."

Adrianne raised an eyebrow. "You mean you learned how to fall into a pond?"

I chuckled. "Hey, that was just a minor setback! I'll get you next time, sis."

Then Adrianne smiled, a hint of pride in her voice. "I'm shaking in my boots."

Dorian laughed, his deep voice filling the room. "I think Adrianne has the upper hand for now, Victor."

"Come on, dear, don't tease your brother like that, you know how he looks up to you. " My mother said with a small smile." I know...maybe you can go easier on him next time? "

But Dorian quickly cut in.

" No, that will not do well for Victor's growth. It will only impede his growth." he interjected then continued in the same mild manner, "It is already good that he sees he's big sister as someone to meet up to."

Finishing his words, Dorian turned to smile at Adrianne who only nodded with a straight face.

While I continued to maintain a stupid smile trying to highlight my naivety as much as I can.

The casual discussion carried on for a few minutes longer, mostly sharing how our days went, until finally, Dorian was ready to cut to the chase.

He said. "Well then, you must all have known there's a reason I specifically invited everyone here tonight.

Usually, we had free will to decide if we were going to have our meal at the hall, or in person. Dorian only 'summons' us like this to share some discussion with the family.

Thinking like so, I snuck an imperceivable glance at Adrianne sitting next to me. Her motionless face and braided hair gave her the countenance of a porcelain doll come to life.

What's more was that her gaze was away from my speaking farther.

Then Dorian said, his voice reverberating much deeper. "The Bloodline ceremony is coming."

Silence prevailed for a fleeting moment, then Dorian continued, carrying on a lighter tone to lift the slight tension.

He curled a small smile on his lips.

"The Bloodline Ceremony is a hosted event held by the Main family periodically."

Then I cut in mildly, and said.

" You mean the one where the heirs of each branch family comes together and compete?"

Dorian smiled more brightly and nodded. He praised.

"Yes. Well, it looks like some one has done his studies on the family's traditions." Dorian chuckled lightly, and in response, I limited myself to a simple bow.

Moving on, Dorian continued.

"It is an event where all the heirs from the various branch families, at the age of 12, come to compete in a traditional ritual. It is a rare chance for every family to show off their worth and honor. "

In some manner, he's right. But I'm sure even he knows the underlying purpose of this 'ritual'. I'm sure the other families do.

This is one of the most effective ways the Main family keeps the branches on a tight leash. It is true that it is also a chance to display a family's worth before the Main family and Elders, however.

Dorian turned to face the strict faced Adrianne then said in a compelling voice.

"You know what that means, my dear."

Adrianne nodded firmly. "Yes, father. I will bring honor to the Brights."

There was resolution burning in the depths of her eye.

That is youth, Adrianne is still young and has a bright future for her. If she can surpass the ritual and catch the eyes of the Main family, her status, the status of our family, is mostly already set in stone...i thought considerably.

Adrianne was the best cover for me, I was so lucky to be born a bright.

Well, good luck with that, big sis.

"I believe in you. I have watched you grow, you are strong my dear." Dorian proudly declared.

" The ritual will be in four days, and you will set off two days from now to the Main family's Manor. "

***

" Oof." I plopped down on my bed and pulled at the collar of my shirt.

The dinner was over as soon as Dorian had said all he wanted to. Everything was mostly as I expected it to be, so it was kind of tiring to sit still like that and wait when I could be spending that time trying to rank up.

I exhaled a deep breath in the silence of my room. The evening was over and sky had gone dark with the night. I felt the bright glow of the large silver moon penetrate through my window and douse my room.

It was decided Adrianne would obviously participate in the Ritual that would preside in four days from now. And in two days she would depart for the venue which was the Main Family branch.

I could already guess what my sister would be doing until then.

-WHOOSH

-WHOOSH

-WHOOSH

I rose up from my bed to strange whistling of the wind.

The night was quiet and ever since awakening earlier today, I had felt a slight increase in my overall senses, that I was still struggling to even adapt to those minor changes.

The sound of whistling wind continued to persistent and then I took a couple of steps for my window before peeking through it.

The expanse of the night sky and distant stars spread out before me. The silver moon was bright and large at the center.

Bringing my gaze lower, I was presented with the familiar sight of the courtyard. It was the exact same one I had a spar in with Adrianne earlier today.

The very first thing to catch my attention was the figure of my most favorite sister persistently swinging a spear and drawing arcs through the air with it.

Oi, oi, didn't she just get out of dinner right now? She's already swinging a spear?

Wasn't this little girl a little too dedicated?

Was it weird I felt a string of envy for the drive she possessed that I lacked?

Wouldn't it be nice if I could be as excited just like her about surviving the Great Calamity? Yeahhh, I bet I'd become so much stronger if i were that motivated.

Adrianne's figure danced with her spear as a partner under the starry night sky. Her black dress flowed like a dark stream of enchanting river, the silk moving in a ghostly fluency.

Her swings were graceful and her steps were lithe. But Adrianne Bright's eyes were ferocious.

Taking pleasure in the sight for a couple of minutes, I mumbled to myself with a nod.

Yep, my big sister is the prettiest.