7th Heaven

Pruk Panich stared long and hard at the invitation in his hand, brought by a magnificent white hawk to his resplendent tree house in the depths of the forest. The paper was thick and heavy, the edges adorned with intricate gold lettering that appeared gradually as he unrolled the scroll. It was an invitation to the most highly anticipated event of the year: the 7th Heaven Party, a grand celebration combining Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day.

Pruk Panich, Azure Dragon of the East

You are invited!

7Th Heaven Party! Chinese New Year Cum Valentines Celebration!

Itinerary:

3 pm – entry to the gate of heaven

5 pm – Speech by Jade of Emperor

6 pm – Party Starts! Food and Booze! Special performance by Chawarin!

Chawarin.

Chawarin Perdpiridyawong.

His heart thumps hard while his mind draws blanks. He looks down at the bottom of the page.

'Please input your mana signature here if you accept the invitation'.

Just then, his phone rang and he jumped in surprise. Shaking himself out of his reverie, he made his way to the living room where a large trunk made of centuries-old teak stood. The trunk was covered in blooming flowers, which Pruk touched with his mana before answering the call.

On the other end was Sittichok Pueakpoolpol, the White Tiger of the West and one of Pruk's oldest and most trusted friends. His voice crackled with excitement through the flowers.

"Pruk! Have you received the invitation?!"

"Yeah I did"

"Special performance bro!"

"I know. I saw that"

"Why do you sound like that? Aren't you excited too?"

"I am but... I'm so nervous"

"Karn and I will be there. Right, honey?!"

Karn the Black Tortoise of the North managed to woo Sittichok a couple of decades back and Pruk could never be happier for the couple. When will it be his turn? Centuries-old and alone. Pruk finally admits he is lonely.

"Phi Pruk, we will make it will be successful this time!" Karn chimed in faintly. He must be on the other side of the room.

"Just how? I can't even hold a proper conversation with him. The last time I tried to approach him, he just ran off! and I was still 2 meters away!..... Maybe he doesn't like me" Pruk felt a pang in his chest as he said it aloud.

"No. Don't give up phi. Go and accept that invitation! I bet you haven't, by how you are now. At least let's do it for the sake of meeting up ok? We hardly have the chance anyway. Now if you manage to bag Chawarin this time then that's a plus otherwise take it as a well-needed break. Please?"

Pruk sighed. "OK fine. Thanks for the pep talk. See you guys there"

After hanging up, he glanced at the paper once more and signed it.

The paper scroll disappeared in a puff of glimmering smoke.

Within the world of mythical beasts, tribes were formed and each had a designated leader. This leader would be chosen as the representative to fulfil the duties of the Holy Beast and care for the balance in the world. Sittichok and Karn shared a close bond with Pruk, having known each other for 20 centuries. However, Chawarin's initiation as leader only happened 2 centuries ago when his father stepped down from the position.