"Ivana!" Anika's high-pitched voice yelled from their hideout, and Ivana looked up at her pink-haired best friend who was a little below average in terms of height. Her pink hair which was held in two ponytails bounced as Anika hopped and waved excitedly at Ivana.
Ivana clutched her bag tightly as she ran across the meadow on seeing her best friend. And on getting to her, Anika pulled her into a warm embrace.
Anika pouted at Ivana as they pulled away from each other, and Ivana knew a scolding was coming.
"What took you so long? "Anika questioned, and Ivana stared into her friend's pretty pink eyes… Wondering whether to tell her that her mother didn't want her to step out of the house, or to cook up some lie.
"I'm sorry. I overslept. "Ivana decided to lie, as she held her ears as a sign of remorse, and Anika's jaw dropped.
"Overslept? Today of all days!? How is that possible!? "Anika exclaimed in disbelief, and just then, Josh stepped out of their old, wooden cabin. A space Ivana bought, but lied that she found abandoned in the woods.
"Does it matter? Let's get going. At this rate, we're going to be at the far end of the line, and we won't get to do the ritual in time. "Josh complained, and Ivana turned to him. His dirty blonde coloured hair was combed neatly as usual and his bright golden brown eyes once again held Ivana in a trance. He was in a neat woollen shirt and black pants. It wasn't so obvious, but Ivana could see that Josh had dressed up for the occasion.
"Hi, Josh… "She greeted shyly, and Anika sighed as she stepped away from Ivana.
Although Ivana and Josh have been dating for six months, Ivana still felt shy in front of Josh. She had loved him ever since the day he saved her from drowning in a lake, after her failed attempt of befriending a water horse. And ever since that day, each time she stared at Josh, she felt like she was falling in love with him all over again.
He was a blacksmith's son, but somehow he was as graceful as a royal. If anyone were to guess, they'd think he was the undercover royal. Not her. Her mother would surely like him.
"Hi, Ivana. "Josh replied to her greeting as he walked up to her. Ivana melted like jelly when he cupped her face in his hands and planted a soft kiss on her cherry-pink lips.
"Did you sleep well? "He questioned, and Ivana nodded with a huge smile. Unable to trust her tongue at the moment.
"Good. We should get going. "He spoke, as he grabbed Ivana's hand, and she and Anika followed silently behind him.
They each had their hopes for the ritual ahead, and just like every other child who would be turning 18, this year, they had their fears.
Ivana didn't ponder much on her fears though. Whenever she had Josh and Anika around, she didn't have much to fear. Around them, she was always filled with so much positivity, that she couldn't help but feel nothing would go wrong today.
*******
The grand hall shone brightly as hundreds of teenagers stood in all its glory.
Red, brown, white, black, and green hairs all stood out as Ivana watched from within the crowd as other people carried out their rituals.
It was a golden hall. The elder of the temple. An old man with white, long hair and a matching long, white beard, stood at the head of the hall. In the middle of the hall were ten pillars. Each holding eggs of different shapes, colours and sizes.
There were green, purple, white, red, black, pink, brown, gold, blue and transparent eggs on the pillars. One on each pillar. Each egg was unique and housed beasts of different natures and abilities. The brighter the colour of the egg, the more promising the potential of the beast. This also meant that eggs like the grey, black and brown ones were the type of eggs many prayed not to get.
The transparent egg stood in the middle, though. With the right resources and evolution path, a beast from a transparent egg could grow to a remarkable silver tier 1 beast. And if not, it would be stuck at bronze tier 2.
Ivana pondered on the beast's rank knowledge in her head as she stared at the eggs on the pillars.
What egg would she get?
And would anyone get a golden rank beast today?
She smiled at how proud her father would be if she went home with a golden-ranked beast, and just then, the elder of the temple's voice broke through her thoughts.
"Number 105! "He called out, looking at the list in his hand, and Ivana looked down at the paper in her hands.
"It's me. It's me. "Anika whispered to Ivana with anxiety seeping into her voice, and Ivana placed a reassuring hand on Anika's shoulder.
"You've got this… "She whispered, and Anika nodded as if trying to convince herself that she's truly got this.
"Good luck. "Ivana whispered further, and Josh also placed a hand on Anika's shoulder. He squeezed lightly, and the voice came again.
"Number 105! "
"Here! "Anika's small voice replied, and Ivana watched as her best friend walked nervously to the middle of the hall.
Anika showed the elder her paper, and he took it from her. He stared at the number on it, before dropping it into a basket beside him.
"Proceed. "He ordered, and Ivana held her breath as Anika walked over and knelt in the middle of the pillars.
The eggs on the pillars began to pulse. Glowing with their different lights as they read her soul power, and Ivana shut her eyes. Hoping for Anika to at least get a Bronze rank beast.
Josh silently wrapped an arm around Ivana, and she opened her eyes to watch. Soon enough, one of the eggs lifted off the pillar and floated over to Anika.
Anika stretched forth her hands, and the red, smooth egg rested peacefully in her palms.
The hall held its breath as the egg began to crack. A soft red glow escaped the egg. Illuminating Anika's face as the egg began to hatch, and Ivana clutched the collar of her dress. The colour of the egg was promising, but the beast inside was the real deal.
Small claws made their way out of the egg, and Ivana looked up at Josh with anticipation heavy in her eyes. This is the moment that would shape Anika's life.
A small screech resounded through the hall, and Ivana turned back to her best friend. Her jaw dropped as she saw the creature that emerged from Anika's egg.