Twenty first key unlocks an unexpected door.Part 1 black diamond ring

As midnight struck, the high priest arrived and it was time to commence with Alyssa's coming-of-age ceremony.

The guests were moved to a cozy, pristine inner garden for the ritual. The chairs were arranged in butterfly patterns around the stage where the high priest was situated with his apprentice. The butterfly pattern theme was used to allude to the transition from a caterpillar to a butterfly and its setting flight into the world. With everyone seated, the ritual commenced with yet another majestic entrance by Alyssa.

As she entered, white and blue butterflies were released from their cages and they flew freely in the air with the moonlight shining on them giving them a glimmering look. The sight was breathtaking just like Alyssa who was now wearing a loose off the shoulder blue gown with small butterfly decorations, a pair of same-color gloves, and a blue scarf neatly tied around her neck. 

Alyssa walked barefoot on a path decorated with rose petals to the stage in the center and got onto the platform with the help of the priest's apprentice. 

And it began.

The ritual that was about to take place was the one thing common between the wealthy and poor, some households only performed the ritual while others featured other events.

It was not complicated, all Alyssa had to do was to be blessed with the key to adulthood accompanied by an oath to be a responsible young adult and lead by example in society.

"With the power bestowed upon me by the universe that governs us and the society we live in, I will commence with the coming-of-age ceremony for Miss Alyssa!"Boomed the High Priest's voice as it resonated throughout the garden. To Alyssa, "Dear, please come stand next to me before these guests who are here to serve as your witnesses and future guides as you take a step into the world."

Alyssa stepped forward and stood next to the priest. " May we have the sacred text belonging to the Falls family" the Priest continued. A sacred text is a note listing some values and principles a household upholds and follows as a guide to approach and teach their children. For some, the text is like the law that helps govern the family (family law). This is especially true for the four big families in the country. The four big families used sacred texts from their predecessors while other normal families made use of sacred texts provided by a figure of authority, particularly a church.

 The first elder, Satrus Falls went to the stage and handed over a crisp and subtly decorated scroll that was opened and placed on a board. The scroll had the following:

Behold world, another Falls is stepping forward

bravely and courageously 

with knowledge and the right instruments to ward 

off any disgraceful acts and approaches all cautiously

with great respect for the society 

leads a life which is harmonious with the elements of nature 

love, respect, dignity, and grace are virtues passed down to all seedlings, and may each of you uphold them with great pride 

however, humility makes a good and dignified individual so do not let the pride in what is right misdirect you into pretentiousness ... 

After reading the text on the scroll, the first elder who was in charge of the scroll retreated to his seat as the Priest thanked him. Next was the key which referred to a unique gift from the family to the individual turning 21. All families ( big four and common families) can choose the key to be given to the individual. A key can be anything from a real key to a flower, or neckpiece passed down from generation to generation. " Now, then may we have the key which is to be bestowed upon our young lady over here." The Priest announced as the ceremony was about to come to an end and the key was the cherry on top. 

Alyssa's father stood up and walked to the stage to present the key they had chosen for Alyssa. " Alyssa, my baby, we had a tough time trying to figure out the appropriate key that would suit your taste and personality." with a grin he said, "Oh and we had a lot of fights, me and your grandpa I mean." 

" What did Grandpa want to get me, Dad?" Alyssa asked curiously 

With a chuckle, Alyssa's grandpa decided to answer himself, " I wanted to get you the moon, my dear" he winked and laughed again 

Alyssa smiled a bright and cheerful smile. Meanwhile, Jaws dropped at this gesture, the guests could not believe what they were witnessing, the legend who earned all titles for his great feats and his infamous cold nature was winking at his granddaughter!!

" I'd rather i not say this in front of such a crowd, Alyssie...I believe you wouldn't want me to" Alyssa's father answered as he glared at his father as he remembered what transpired as they were choosing her key. " Let me not get off track, the key we chose as a family for you, Alyssie is something we all thought of when we thought of you and the way you have carried yourself in front of us and perhaps in front of those who know you. Our gift to you is ..." 

Alyssa's father revealed the key that was initially hidden by a white and blue cloth to stick with the theme. 

* gasps* 

Murmurs from the crowd could be heard once again and it was evident that the Falls family did not disappoint in the element of surprise. Alyssa's father gently placed the key on high standing podium and went back to his seat close to Alyssa's grandpa. 

The key presented to Alyssa for her twenty-first was a rose but not just any rose but a blue rose which was generically created and invented. A very rare gem in the sea of flowers located in the garden they were in. A blue rose is a rose created from a complex process and the main and important ingredient is a white rose representing purity and innocence. The flower is so hard to get that even the rhino horns high in demand in South Africa paled in comparison. 

" Judging from the look on your face, I'd take that your family did a good job in choosing your key" The priest smiled and said to Alyssa after he recovered from the shock as well. He gave further instructions to her and said " Please step towards the podium and get ready to give a pledge before all of us present here today." Alyssa did as told and stepped towards the podium. 

" Today, I, Alyssa Falls give my word that I will be a responsible citizen within society and I will uphold the writings of our sacred text. With them close to my heart as well as the teachings from my father, grandpa, my siblings, and many more who have enlightened me with their knowledge,(she paused)... I know that I will prosper. I have to confess, I will be a daughter, granddaughter, and younger sister before being a grown-up and I hope that these people I have mentioned will continue guiding me even as I have received their chosen key for me." 

As she was saying this, her older brother Carl was fighting his tears and trying to keep a straight face while her sister, Cassie smiled. It is not every day whereby Alyssa gets to share her thoughts with her family not because she is shy or introverted but because she hardly gets time to spend with her family because of her medical degree. 

" To conclude, there is something I want to take this moment to say, powerful family background or no background at all, in the world we live in full of distraction... it is easy to get caught in a web of fire. I want to say a simple message to my peers and perhaps a reminder for myself: being delusional can trap you for a lifetime but a dream combined with hard work can free you from all shackles. Never stop moving. Thank you." 

" Well, I bet everyone here thinks that what she just said is just motivational talk." Commented a young lady grinning mischievously with bright red hair and an equally red stunning body-hugging suit. 

" But it is not and we know that and that is what matters." stated a young lady this time with black hair shimmering under the moonlight. The two ladies are Alyssa's friends, Melissa and Hannah both from good backgrounds in the city. 

" Now then, it is time to let the cat out of the bag." Hannah said to Melissa.

"Yeah, I'm kinda nervous for her." Melissa squirmed in her seat and bit her thumb. 

On the stage, the Priest asked Alyssa to take off her gloves and accept the key, the blue rose, bestowed upon her by her family. " We have reached the end of the ceremony and we have witnessed Miss Alyssa's heartwarming and grand pledge. Now it's time for her to accept her key!" The Priest stated 

Taking a deep breath, Alyssa moved closer to the podium and took off her gloves, left then right glove. She then lifted the blue rose with her small delicate hands and as she did, something caught everyone's attention and it wasn't the blue rose!

An elegant and lustrous black princess diamond ring was sitting on Alyssa's left ring finger!