(Amaia)
A golden statue is brought out and placed in front of the King and Queen. The statue is unique with the head of a lion, the body of a serpent and the wings of a pegasus, representing the three guilds of the Orion Academy.
The morning rays of the sun are reflected off the shiny statue, making it gleam like some beacon.
While they adjust the statue I glance around at the 'Chosen 15'. A few appear like teenagers, most of us are in our early twenties.
Apart from me, I spot about four other girls. Three of them are standing together while the fourth one is eyeing us, especially Kacir with a guilty look.
Her blackish blue hair is held back in a ponytail while her hands remain clenched at her sides. I imagine she debates whether to approach us or not.
I am unsure what's going on, and before I can figure it out, Jamina's voice has me focusing back towards the stage.
"When your name is called, step forward and place your hand on the head of the statue. Let it decide the guild you will be sorted into and spend the next two years with."
I snatch in a deep breath, trying to keep the tangled web of emotions in check. This moment is for me, and the mess my life has become will be sorted gradually.
Kacir's hand finds my shoulder and he gently squeezes. "Good luck. I hope both of us are chosen in the same guild."
I turn my head and smile at him. "Same feelings."
A little growl I hear and my eyes dart in the direction of the girl. She is glaring daggers and whatnot at us.
"Alnitak Orion!" My attention is again diverted when one of my mates is called forward, and my eyes fix on him and his broad back where the black fabric clings to his skin.
His last name is Orion?
He stalks forward with a swagger, grinning ear to ear. Climbing the stage, he excitedly waves at us all, making both the king and the queen smile broadly. The way they glance at him with love and affection, only parents can do.
Could they be? Was he their son?
Alnilam, on the other hand, doesn't appear very amused at Alnitak's actions.
Alnitak has this positive energy about him, and it brings smiles to the faces of people around him.
Proudly he walks in front of the statue and places his right hand on its head.
For a moment, nothing happens, and I impatiently wait, and then the statue roars as if the lion head has been blessed with the power of speech. " Guild Leo."
The crowd erupts in cheers. The king and the queen tremendously clap and leave their seats, seeming extremely proud.
Alnitak raises both his hands as if he is returning from a battlefield after defeating the enemy. The joy on his face is priceless. He points towards his twin and both of them do this weird dance, syncing their movements.
Alnilam hands over what appears like a folded uniform to the king. Alnitak finally stops and turns around to face King Orion V.
He respectfully bows and King Orion hands him the uniform. "Leo is the guild of our ancestors. Make them proud. I have high hopes for you." The king blesses him and he accepts with respect. "I won't let you down."
He then faces the queen and bows to her. She broadly smiles at my mate and says, "You always make me proud. Show me your arm."
Alnitak extends his naked arm towards the queen and she waves her index finger in the air three times before pressing it into his bicep. Something appears on his skin like a tattoo but I can't tell what it is.
"What did she do?" I whisper to Kacir.
"She has given him a tattoo of the constellation of Leo. It's symbolic and it will lead him through dark times or in case he loses his way or comrades," Kacir explains.
I don't understand completely but at least I know what's happening.
Thanking her, Alnitak climbs down the stage and walks towards us. His cunning but intelligent eyes find me and he winks, making my heart rate go berserk. I smile back at him and he easily occupies the empty spot on my left side.
"Congratulations!" I whisper and he excitedly mumbles.
"Thank you!"
"Mintaka Orion!" Jamina calls next. While my body remains aching and focused on the nearness of Alnitak, my gaze follows Mintaka.
"He is coming over to Guild Leo," Alnitak's playful voice comes from beside me and then he leans in, his wispy breath touches the sensitive skin of my left ear, making my heart explode from vulnerability and anticipation.
"You are coming over to Guild Leo with us. I want to peel these layers around you and peek inside."
I fist my hands, making my nails dig in the soft skin of my palm. I nip the urge to touch him, to lean into him and have his thick arms wrapped around me, feeling all those muscles.
The dull ache in my thigh reminds me how that's not going to be a possibility.
"Guild Leo!" The statue shouts for Mintaka and he smiles. His smile is not as broad or flirtatious as his brother's but it's warm and infectious.
After receiving his uniform and tattoo, Mintaka joins us. He stands with his brother but his gaze does travel to me and then to Kacir. A rigidness I sense between them. Kacir doesn't speak to him.
A few are chosen into other guilds.
"Fucking, Ramian going to Pegasus," Alnitak spats out watching a boy with golden hair sorted into Guild Pegasus. I sense animosity between them. He flashes an annoying smile towards my mates and they curse in return but under their breaths.
And then the girl who has been eyeing Kacir is called forward.
"Rahria Diez!" She confidently climbs the stage. Tall and dominating she stands with authority as the statue shouts. "Guild Leo."
After receiving her uniform and tattoo she comes over to us. The enthusiasm kind of dies when she is chosen. She is the only one who wasn't with us in the pit.
Twins half-heartedly congratulate her and their eyes waver to Kacir who stands very very still beside me.
"Congratulations!" I offer her a smile but she completely ignores my existence.
Her eyes remain on Kacir.
"Congratulations!" He calmly says to her without giving her a glance. She just watches him like a wounded shark.
"Both of us need to talk after this Choosing Ceremony," she says to him in a low voice.
Alnitak expresses surprise, his mouth making 'O'.
Kacir remains expressionless and before he can respond, his name is called.
Nervously I watch to see which guild he will end up in.