Awakening
This is the process by which one of Nefolian inheritance obtains a balance and higher awareness, which enhances their natural abilities and unlocks potential, through a connection with an Arweinydd power. Those who have experienced an Awakening are known as Awakened.
Though the most common example of Awakened are the people of Zemi Dreigiau, other Arweinydd have proven to forge a powerful enough bond with an Earthian to bring them to Awakening. One such example is Omakyn assisting Kip’s Re-Awakening, proving an Arweinydd does not have to be a Patron, but must have a strong enough connection. (Granted, in this example, Kip was previously Awakened through Zemi Dreigiau but still… )
Awakening for children is notably easier, while adults tend to have a harder time with obtaining the initial transformation. For older individuals, it often happens when they reach a breaking point or are struggling to survive with all of their will. It’s sometimes described as a cold and breath-less feeling, almost like reaching a point of death.
SoYa’s Awakening was described as:
SoYa screamed as the huge claws slashed, raking across his chest, leaving boiling red streaks across his flesh. The wounds began to spread outward, ripping across his body unnaturally. Crimson blood fountained across the floor as he felt the air crushed out of his lungs. His voice choked to a gurgling cry as his arms collapsed.
Faintly he heard the sound of metal hitting the floor as the staff dropped from his hands.
The world was growing dark.
Coldness gripped his body.
He could hear the struggling thrum of his heart within his ears. A pressure within his mind began to pulse in time with the sound.
Suddenly, a sharp awareness gripped him. Then, began to expand.
Tingling spread through his body. He could feel it rush through him, a strength and light and sense of knowing.
The pain retreated. The darkness reeled away. His shoulders ached and burned as the pounding in his mind became almost unbearable.
With a howling cry, SoYa threw his hands forward. He felt the weight lifted from his chest. The sticky wetness along his body vanished as the pain dimmed. A brilliant light filled his vision.
When the light faded, he found himself standing in the hall once more, his staff gripped between both hands. TsuYa was splayed against the wall, hissing and snarling, fighting to rearm himself with the scythe that was knocked from his grip.
-You’ve Awakened? I see. Very good, SoYa. This will be interesting, indeed.-
Empowerment
Awakening does not grant power or potential that the individual didn’t already possess, but only serves to enhance and unlock power already within an individual. For example, AsaHi did not have magical talents prior to Awakening, and Awakening did not grant her any additional magical talents.
Awakening also doesn’t mean said individual earns any common sense beyond the norm, either. While Awakening does grant clarity of vision and enhanced senses, it doesn’t fix impulsiveness or stupid choices. ;)
Spirit Wings
The universal symbol of Awakening is outwardly displayed by obtaining a pair of spirit-based wings turned solid. It was thought to be young ZenToYa who chose this form. Zento was also the first Nefolian to Awaken.
“Alright, alright. I get what you’re saying,” the youth sighed, resigned for now. “But I still think you should make me a Dragon.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because it would be sooo awesome to fly,” Zento replied with a big grin, rocking back and forth on his heels.
“You’re pretty good at flying Dragon-back now days. At least, that’s what Brunswik told me.”
“I’m not talking about flying on a Dragon,” he made a motion with his hand, like waves rolling up and down. “I’m talking about flying with my own wings. You know, like the birds do.”
“I see, so you want wings?” Zemi asked.
Zento glanced up with a sheepish look, “Sounds pretty stupid to you, I guess.”
The Dreigiau spread his own wings, displaying them with a slight flutter. “Oh? And why would that sound stupid? I have wings.”
“That’s true,” he nodded slowly. “It was just something silly, though. When I was little, I’d watch the birds flying, and I wanted to fly like that. Birds always seemed so free.”
“They do, don’t they?”
“Well, I suppose that riding Dragon-back is about as close to it as I’m ever going to come,” Zento shrugged.
“Don’t be so certain about that,” the Dreigiau replied in a mysterious tone.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
(Dreigiau “Wishing for Wings” – a removed chapter)
In Dreigiau, some of the Awakened can hide their wings. In the current age, all Awakened can maintain a wingless form and call a winged transformation when they desire.
For a list of Awakened characters, see the wiki page on this topic.