Skyla

It was a big moment for me as long I can remember. The big Adulthood Ceremony. 

It reminds of our Viking families who came before us and left us so we could find our own destines and find our place where we belong in the world.

Ryic and Eric sat within the crowd, beaming with pride, as they were looking forward of seeing me taking part of the major event.

Even though they already had their totems, I was actually nervous about receiving mine.

It seems an honor to stand in presence of Gothi, the Elder of our village.

As the Elder and the rest of the tribe paid their respects to the Spirits, a little girl couldn't help herself and went to Gothi to greet her in person.

"Gothi!" The little girl said in happiness, as the Elder notices her.

"Oh, hello there, sweetheart. What a big girl you have grown today!" She greeted the young girl.

Then she begin the ritual.

"Today embarks a special day for one of our people.

The Spirits have given us totems to help us guide us through our lives, helping us fulfill our destiny of who we meant to be.

  Some of us need courage to guide us..." 

A man points to his son with pride. 

"Others receive peace and patience. " Gothi continues as she hands the girl towards her mother and her family. 

"Some of us beauty." The crowd laughs at her comment. 

"Skyla." I hear my name call forth as she paints some coming of age symbols on my face.

"You nervous?" She asks.

"Gothi, I was nervous, but I'm not now, knowing that this would change everything." I replied to the Elder with trying to sound not nervous at all.

Gothi chuckles, "Good! It is a good one!" 

My eyes were filled with excitement for what my Totem would be. 

Gothi explained of what happened during her visit to the Spirits of Valhalla.

"Skyla, I have travelled to the Mountain where the Spirits roam, and they have revealed to me your Totem.

To become a woman, your actions are to be use in one particle thing." 

The crowd looks in wonder, as Gothi was about to reveal it to the whole village.

"Your Totem is... Love!" Revealing a Night Fury carved stone.

I was totally confused. 

"The Night Fury of Love?" I asked, looking at my two older brothers.

Ryic shrugs as he knew it was strange as Eric chuckles slightly at me.

"Gothi.. I'm confused." 

"Skyla, Love is the most powerful thing. 

It transcends to different meanings. 

Let Love guide your actions, and one day, you'll be a woman, and you will place your mark, just like our ancestors did in the past." 

I look at the wall of the handprints of our Viking Ancestors as Gothi smiled as she raises my hand in triumph.

My brothers and the throng cheers in happiness.

As for me, I don't believe that Dragons have any love.

As the ceremony ended, I walked back to my hut to be with my brothers after a long day.

Eric 

I couldn't wait to tease my little sister with the totem she had received from the Ceremony.

As the young girl approaches, I had to greet her. 

"There she is!" I yelled, which made Skyla felt uncomfortable. 

"Come here, lover girl!" I tease, as Skyla said, "Knock it off, Eric. It's not really helping me at all." 

"It was an expression, Sis. The spirits must given you it for a reason. I really think it's awesome to have special attention from them." 

She was surprise of my words, "Really?" 

I couldn't help it but tease her with a helmet full of flowers. " Now you dance around, you'll smell so sweet for a week!" 

Irate of my tricks, she was about to hit me, but Ryic said, "Well, what you know? Instead of you two bickering, you brought each other flowers." 

I nodded, "Isn't this great, Ryic, she's in touch with her Destiny already." 

Ryic asked, "Hey, why you go check on the fish we caught earlier? It wouldn't be that challenge for you." 

Ryic

I know that Skyla must felt weird after having a Totem.

Skyla was about to hit her brother, I said, touching her, "Skyla." 

She said, "One day, I... He's such a-" 

"Hey, just because his Totem is wisdom, doesn't mean that he is actually wise. I mean look at him." 

We watched our brother as a wild sheep hit him with its horn.

"Ooh!" We groaned as Eric weep in pain.

Skyla said, "Yeah, I guess that the Spirits messed up all of our Totems." 

I said, "You know, Skyla, I was exactly like you when Gothi gave me my Destiny Totem." 

She didn't believe of what I've said as she said, "Ryic that's not true." 

I said, "Really, I said, 'The Eagle of Guidance?'" 

She ask, "Do you really know what that meant when Gothi told you that was your Destiny?"

"Now I'm older, I feel I know what's like being a Chieftain, and keep on eye on you two from fighting one other." 

Skyla beams at me then her expression changes as she looks at her hand.

"Ryic, I just want to fit in like our ancestors did." She said, "I want get my handprint on that wall to make our family proud." 

"Skyla, you don't have to rush things so quickly. Just be patient, and when you lived by your Destiny Totem, you'll will."

Skyla asks with hope, "You really think so, Ryic?"

I nod, "Guarantee it, lit sis." 

I raised my arm up to give her a high five and she embraces it.

Then she looks directly at the Totem with a curious look.

"C'mon, the Night Fury of Love? I mean, Dragons are ruthless, not care of others they're..." 

We noticed a trail of Dragon footprints that had left behind of the basket of fish we have caught from earlier.

"You didn't tied it up properly didn't you?" Eric asks as Skyla was nervous of her brother's anger towards her.

"You should've let me tie it in the first place!" Eric yells, but I said, "Eric, that's enough.

We'll just have to make another basket for our next hunt." 

Eric said, "You can't be serious, Ryic. We worked so hard to find salmon here. You should have Lover girl do it, she was the one who messed things up all the time." 

Skyla couldn't bear it any longer as she grabs her weapon to track down the Dragon. 

"All right, Eric, if you really want me to prove myself, I will go track your basket." 

I tried to stop our sister from doing anything stupid as she went to through the dark forest alone.

"Skyla, wait! Skyla!" I cried, but I knew that we had to follow her. 

I glared at my brother as he looks at me with total confusion on his face. 

"What?" He asks.

Author's note: The pic above is what Skyla's Totem looks like. What you guys think of the chapter? Find out what happens soon! =) - Jan