Me and Medora tried to get to the assembly hall where the assembly was being held but there was a throng of newly claimed students ready to learn.

As if.

There was a girl at the centre of the pack.

She had long curly mane of red hair. Her eyes a deep green. And her lips were full and bow shaped and at the moment were smirking at something on the the ground.

She glanced up and met my gaze for a split second and in that second she gave me a look of deep pity as if I was below her.

Me and Medora tried shoving our way past but it didn't work. We would try and go left and almost immediately a shoulder or and elbow would fly into us and push far to the left.

The exact opposite of the direction we were trying to go in.

Honestly, I would go as far as to say the elder gods were against us. Though I guess it would be weird since, together, me and Medora claim the favour of two goddesses.

We kept on trying but nothing would work. It was like they were a giant brick wall. I also have a talent for exaggeration but we will get to that later.

Finally Medora had enough. We were trying to get through for the sixth or seventh time when someone basically bodychecked us.

I went flying to the floor while Medora stood her ground.

She shoved the guy back. The guy turned around.

I got to have a quick look at him before Medora slammed her fist into his jaw, punching him in the face.

He had pitch black hair in a laid back surfer hairstyle. He had dark green eyes. And to add to the surfer boy image he had on a loose tank top with a picture containing palm trees, a beach and the setting sun.

I grimaced in pity for him. The pain he must feel right now.

The guy grabbed his jaw, cradling it softly. He glared at Medora. "Why'd you do that?" He asked threateningly.

"Well Mr. 'Why'd you do that'" Medora said, mimicking him. "I did it because you just bodychecked me and my friend"

If this had been a less threatening time I would have awwed over the fact that Medora had called me her friend.

"Well geez no need to be so dramatic. It was by accident" The guy said. Most of the crowd was looking at us now. I pushed myself up of the ground.

"I have four words for you. You. Never. Said. Sorry." Medora said slowly.

The guy rolled his eyes. "Sorry" He said sarcastically. I grabbed Medora shoulder gently.

"We should go now"

Medora grunted in response. For a second she just stared at him and I wasn't sure if she would go with me into the hall. But sure enough, a few moments later Medora grabbed my wrist and made a beeline for the doors to the hall. And the crowd parted as if they were the Red Sea when Moses parted it.

Medora and I walked through the room and found our seats at the very back.

"Good afternoon everyone. You probably recognized me from your claiming ceremony. For those of you that don't my name is Thaddeus and I am the school. In this assembly we announce all who have been claimed. I will then explain few things. And finally you will be put into pods. Anything I do not explain in this ceremony you may ask your pod leaders."

Whispers broke out in the crowd about who they wanted to be in their pod. I grabbed Medora's hand.

"I hope you're in my pod"

"Same here" She whispered.

"Now first up I will be naming the claimed of Dolores, goddess of the moon and stars."

Thaddeus then began to read names off of a list.

"Degen Hoban" A short boy with brown hair walked up.

"Congratulations Degen for being claimed by Dolores, goddess of the moon and stars." He continued to say those exact same things for everyone. But a few people caught my eye.

One, a girl. She was third to be claimed by Dolores. Her black bangs covered most of her face and by first impression she seemed pretty goth. Her name was Maya. She didn't smile once.

The next person that caught my eye was someone familiar. It was Levi. He had been claimed by Mykael, the water god. And good lord, he was just as swoon worthy.

The next person was also familiar. It was the girl with red hair and green eyes who was stationed in the middle of the crowd.

Remember her?

Anyway turns out her name is Anastasia. And weirdly the entire time she smiled down at everyone as if she was above us. I mean physically she was but like mentally, I guess, she wasn't. She was claimed by Lars the fire god. The last thing about her that I have to say isn't really about her.

It was about a girl sitting the crowd who clapped so loud the entire time Anastasia was up there. It was like her life depended on it. Okay past Anastasia.

Onto Medora.

She was the last one asked to come up when he called up the claimed of Skyra, goddess of the air and sky.

She commanded the stage and her bright eyes shined in the spotlights. Medora gave a small smile when Thaddeus said claimed of Skyra.

When she got back to her seat I smiled so much my gums were sore. I gave her a big hug when she sat down.

"You did soooooooo good" Medora just looked down, hiding a smile from me.

"Thanks" She solely said.

The last person to call my attention to them was the same guy who bodychecked me and Medora.

His name is Aerron apparently. He smirked as soon as his name was called.

He sashayed up to the stage as if that was possible. He was so sure of himself it was almost disgusting. Aerron accepted the congratulations he got with style. It was something to say the least. He was claimed by Scion, the war god.

After him no one really cached my attention. Is it just me or is that something out of a romance book. You hear me?

The rest of the assembly went by in a blur. Until Thaddeus announced he would be calling out the claimed of Veers.

My back went ramrod straight. Bile shot up my throat. My breath rattled through me.

Its okay Alina. It's going to be fine. You're not going to embarrass yourself.

I took a deep breath to calm myself.

"First up we have Alina Cohen"

Oh hell, why do I have to be first.

The bile was back. I counted to ten in my head before standing up. Medora gave me and encouraging smile. I marched up to the stage.

I could feel the stares of everyone burning holes into my back. I walked up the stairs and stepped onto the stage.

First thing I did was, of course, trip. Over my own feet.

Now I know you're thinking Okay? Every main character does that. But this wasn't a big trip it was just a quick stumble over my own feet but it was enough for everyone to notice.

Muted chuckles erupted throughout the room. Embarrassment flooded through me, burning my face. I glared at the floor.

A small tear tried to slip through my eye. I wouldn't let it go.

Suddenly I could hear Mom's voice whispering through my head.

Breath. In and out. Good. Now lift your head. Theres nothing to be embarrassed about. Everyone trips.

Her voiced caressed me.

I lifted my head and marched over to Thaddeus. I ignored the whispers and stared out into the darkness of the crowd. The spotlights glared into my eyes.

"Congratulations Alina for being claimed by Veers, our queen. I tried a smile.

I then started to walk back but Thaddeus stopped me with his arm.

"Stop" He muttered. I looked at him, confused.

Thaddeus faced the crowd again. "Next is Calvex Madden" A boy with ginger hair, glasses and blue eyes walked up.

This may come off as a bit judgemental but just going off of first impression he looked pretty nerdy, I guess. But enough to say I will be the more cool one out of this group.

"Congratulations, Calvex for being claimed by Veers" Calvex sort of shrunk under the spotlight. Like a shrivelled up grape or a raisin. I could see his Adams apple bob nervously.

"May the next two claimed of Veers live to accomplish many, many great deeds!" Thaddeus exclaimed triumphantly. Cheers erupted from the crowd. Though there was an undertow of displeasure or jealousy the majority was of the crowd was full of celebration.

I smiled thinly.

I hope not all of my years here will be like this.

As the cheers slowed Thaddeus waved us back to our seats. As soon as we sat back down everybody fell silent.

"Now I must explain a few certain things" Thaddeus continued. "There are forty two of you here since Mono has not claimed anyone this year. There will be eight pods. Two pods out of those eight will have an extra person. Do not fret about it being unfair the two pods with more people with get judged more harshly. Each pod will get a pod leader that will instruct them on any other questions you have and will teach you one class per day. Think of them as a homeroom teacher but a bit more personal. Tomorrow, will be rest and unpack day. You will only have one class. The class with your pod leader."

Thaddeus stared around the room, seeing if anybody had a question they wanted an answer too. No one raised their hand.

"We have few rules" He went on to say

"Rule number one: Don't go out after curfew. Curfew is at 11:30. Rule number two: Obey your teachers. Rule number three: Don't try and exert yourself before you are ready with your powers. This last rule is the most important. Don't tell anyone what happens here."

Everybody nodded in unison.

"Oh and one last thing before we start the podding ceremony. On the weekends you may be permitted to go into the town nearby called Seacarl."

A chattering arose as soon as he said that. I looked over to Medora.

"Wanna-" She put her hand in front of my face.

"Not right now"

"Okay, okay" I said.

"Now everybody" Thaddeus's voice boomed. "The podding ceremony is beginning."

Everybody stopped what they were doing and stared at him.

"One of these people" A line of men and women ranging from their 20s to their 40s walked out, waving. "May be your possible pod leader"

Okay, okay. Let's see who gives me the best vibes. I scanned the line of people. No one seemed to stand out.

"The people that will be in the pod Darren is the leader of is-"

I sort of zoned out after he started talking. Don't blame me it has been a long, long day.

I only woke up from my nap when Medora stood up. I looked around there were only two potential pod leaders left, a man and a woman.

Medora walked up and stood next to the woman.

"Medora with Reyna" Thaddeus said. "Next with Reyna is-"

I crossed my finger in hope that it would be me.

"Aerron!"

Oh My Gods. If I'm not in that group Medora will literally die. Aerron is basically her nemesis. I crossed my fingers and prayed to god that they would say my name.

"Next with Reyna is Luara!"

A hyper seeming girl with wavy blonde hair bounced her way up to the stage. Her smile lit up the stage.

Only two maybe three spots left. I grabbed the armrests of my chair in anticipation. Come on, come on.

"The fourth teammate in Reyna's pod is-"

Come on!

"Alina!"

I let out a huge breath I didn't know I was holding.

I'm with Medora.

Thank the elder gods. I walked up to the stage once more. Medora was looking very relieved when I got up and stood next to the Luara girl.

"Next up in this pod we have Maya!"

No one looked relieved when she walked up. In fact Aerron looked downright displeased. I mean she looked very goth and the absolute opposite of being social but she could still be nice, I guess.

I glanced up the pod leader.

She looked to be about mid 30s. She was in good shape with tawny skin, straight black hair and almond eyes. Her name if I heard right was Reyna. Reyna seemed very . . . ferocious.

I sort of wish that Levi could have been in our group but I guess some things don't work out.

I expected to be led away by Reyna to go to our room but that didn't happen.

"This pod is one of the special pods where there are six members." Thaddeus said.

My head shot up. Maybe there was a chance where Levi could be in my pod. Though he might have been claimed already. I can't see anybody in the crowd. Theres a small, minuscule chance that he would be on my pod but I'm going to believe in that small, minuscule chance.

"The finale member of this pod is"

Please!

"Levi!"

Oh My Gods! My wish came true! Thank you gods! Thank you!

My face broke out into a smile as Levi walked up. He looked up and smiled and it almost seemed as if it was directed at me. My stomach exploded into butterflies.

Oh My Elder Gods!

Levi was in my pod.

I almost swooned.

Levi took his spot at the end of the line.

"And this is the pod of Reyna." After Thaddeus said that we took our bow and walked off out of the room.

And that is the end of another chapter! Woohoo! I finally updated! When I was planning this chapter I thought it would be pretty short and then it ended up being actually pretty long. Like over 2000 words long. My chapters are usually 1000-1500 words long. Go me. Also consider this a reward for waiting this long for a chapter.

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