The smell of dirt was the only thing the boy awoke to, followed by the sound of his joints creaking as he struggled to get his body off the cold ground. After he opened his blue eyes he went through his morning routine, checking for the couple of coins he had to his name, and the small knife his father had made for him shortly before his death.

He dusted himself off, touching his bruised and bloody face that would otherwise be quite good looking. He was just another orphan on the side of the street that nobody would take a second look at. Fighting for food and a few coins was commonplace among street rats. Today was special though, since it was his 13th birthday. The significance being today was the day he could finally make a contract with a spirit beast.

What mattered more than anything was power in the Kingdom of Justitia. If he managed to contract a powerful beast, he wouldn’t have to live another day on the streets wondering if it would be starvation, or the cold would get him first. He would be sent to school and provided food and the materials to become stronger.

Noctis pulled his coat that was riddled with holes closer in an attempt to warm himself as he went from the alley he called his home to the busy street. March couldn’t be considered the coldest time of the year, but that didn’t make it any more pleasant to stay outside. He found a cart that sold bread in no time at all, since they littered the street among other food parlors and peddlers.

He threw his last two copper coins at the man running the stand and was given a roll, but not a second glance. It didn’t matter who bought the bread as long as it was paid for. He then headed to the church while wolfing down the bread, as it was the first thing he’s had to eat in a couple days. No matter the condition around the churches that were spread around the capitol, they always looked the same, pristine. They were always in top condition with guards posted at every entrance. Prayer was only allowed after a certain time of day, since mornings were always reserved for forging spirit contracts.

Noctis approached the church and noticed the guard in full plate armor, with nothing but his eyes showing, glaring at him with killing intent. No matter who it was, be it a noble or commoner, was allowed to desecrate the church.

“Halt. State your business.” The cold voice stopped Noctis in his tracks.

“It...It’s my 13th birthday today.” He managed to stammer the words out under the threatening gaze of the guard.

“Very well, this way.” He moved aside and gestured towards the entrance with his hand. There was no reason to discriminate against a kid without a contract, in fact it could be quite troubling if they turned out to be powerful afterwards. If the boy was lying to the guard, he would be discovered easily and executed shortly after. There was no good reason to lie. “I will warn you kid, the princess is at this very church, so be on your best behavior.”

Hearing these words, his heart skipped a beat. ‘Why is the princess in a church in the slums?’ Royalty and nobles were completely different, if you offended a noble, there would be consequences in the dark later. However, if someone was to offend the royal family, their execution could happen on the spot, no questions asked. Noctis began to rack his brain, ‘since when is there a princess that is the same age as me, having the exact same birthday?’ Being born to a poor family, he wasn’t privy to a lot of information, but the birthday of a princess should be well known to all. Usually the birthday of royalty would be someone celebrated around the capitol. ‘Maybe it’s related to the fact that she’s in the slums, but oh well, it’s not something I have to worry about.’

Noctis was in wonder as soon as he passed through the doorway. He had never been in the church to pray, since he was too busy fighting to stay alive on a daily basis. He was in awe of everything, from the murals of angels, to the statues of spirit beasts..

The ceremony to create a spiritual contract was fairly simple, there was an orb like device in front of the benches meant for mass. One would simply have to touch the device with their hand, and a connection with the spirit world would be made. The connection would stay until a creature made a contract with a beast was made. Usually the longer it took for one to make a contract the weaker the contracted beast would be, as the stronger ones had no interest, but first priority.

Noctis only saw a few other people in the church. A Priest, a girl in a plain purple dress, and 2 guards on either side of her. The guards were covered from head to toe in plate armor in perfect formation. The priest simply looked at the girl, who must have been the princess, with a warm smile, waiting for her connection to the spirit realm to end. The girl who was touching the orb had pale white skin, like she rarely went outside, and pitch black hair, much like his own, that went just above her shoulders. Noctis couldn’t see her face since she was facing away from him. He walked up and took a seat in one of the benches on the right side of the church, being careful not to get too close.

The room went dark instantly, and the only light remaining with the pure white emanating from the device. The next thing that was heard was a mix of an eagle screech, and the screams of the girl.

Once a contract was forged, a tattoo was created on the body of the contractor. The larger the tattoo, the more powerful the beast was. The sound of searing flesh was heard once the screaming died down, the tattoo still being created. She fell to her knees, clutching her right arm. The original long sleeve of the dress was being burnt up as well, revealing the tattoo. It depicted a snow white griffin. It was on top of a mountain surrounded by the sky, giving the feeling that it was looking down on the world.

“Simply marvelous princess! The overlord of light, The Griffin has chosen you!” The priest was ecstatic that the princess had been able to make a contract in his church with the griffin.

The princess said nothing, and neither did the guards. After taking a minute to collect herself, she rose and turned around. Her eyes met with the poor orphan. Noctis felt her gaze piercing through him, as if she knew everything about him already. At the same time he thought the pretty face of hers showed nothing but indifference. It wasn’t as if she was looking down on him, he knew that gaze all too well, but she just truly didn’t care about him or anything that was happening around her. As soon as she went to leave, one of the guards said something.

“Princess, let’s not be rude. It’s proper to stay until everyone gets their contract, you share the same birthday after all.” There was respect in his voice, but the guard clearly wasn’t afraid of backlash from the pretty young princess. She simply nodded and took a seat in the front row.

“Young man, you’re free to walk up now, thank you for being patient” he smiled at Noctis, beckoning him to come to the device.

“O-Okay.” he walked over keeping his head down, making sure not to trip over his own two feet. When he arrived at the device and placed his hand on it, he felt his heart start to race. After about five seconds it began to turn red, more and more brightly, until it abruptly stopped, losing all color. The room remained silent, but he felt their gazes burrowing into his back. Another 10 seconds passed and the room lost all light, but instead of the clear orb shining a white light, it turned pitch black.

A guttural voice sounded in his head, “Boy, you’ve gained my interest. Tell me what is it you desire?”