Characters:
@BFFPanda - Panda Alexandria
@HelloColdWorld - Wren Claren
@GlowingLights - Saskya Sunshine
@SilverBlade - Aaron Reaper
@SomePersonn - (Jack) John Wells
@Hyrotis - Loki Uso-Tsuki
@AWPlays - Luis Moreau
@Boriiii - Pandora Erye
@AJules - Jules Kat Mareritt
@Grizzly -Jay Harmth
@ElizaRoses - Talia Avion Everton
@Glyphynx - Niji Nintai Sutoraiku
I have decided to do a little challenge for all of you, you have to pick three songs that best fits your character I'll start of with "Lupus" and Isaac.
Lupus - Wolves by Sam Tinnesz ft. Silverberg. Warriors by Imagine Dragons. Battlefield by Jordin Sparks.
Isaac - My Demons by Starset. Flares by The Script. Angel With A Shotgun by The Cab.
Wren - Renegade by Paramore. Runaway by Felix Cartal ft. REGN. Anthem Of The Lonely by Nine Lashes.
Saskya - Cherry gum is by Dolly Style (nightcored by MarMarChan). Hello Kitty is by Avril Lavigne. Lay me down is by Sam Smith (covered by Diamond White).
Jules - Papaotoui by Stromae. All Star by Smash Mouth. Full circle by George Fitzgerald
Loki - Under Pressure by Queen. How far we’ve come by Matchboxtwenty. Pompeii by Bastille
Aaron -
Talia - Photographs by Ed Sheeran. The Story Of Us by Taylor Swift. Nobody Compares To You by Gryffin.
Panda -
Niji - Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin. Thunderstruck by AC/DC. I'm gay by Thomas Sanders
Luis -
Pandora -NF - Let you down. Sam Smith ft. Naughty Boy - LaLaLa. Selena Gomez + Marshmello - Wolves
Jay - Sick boy by the Chainsmokers. Future Me by Echosmith. Die for you by Starset.
Jack -
|==============================================|
@BFFPanda - Panda Alexandria
@HelloColdWorld - Wren Claren
@GlowingLights - Saskya Sunshine
@SilverBlade - Aaron Reaper
@SomePersonn - (Jack) John Wells
@Hyrotis - Loki Uso-Tsuki
@AWPlays - Luis Moreau
@Boriiii - Pandora Erye
@AJules - Jules Kat Mareritt
@Grizzly -Jay Harmth
@ElizaRoses - Talia Avion Everton
@Glyphynx - Niji Nintai Sutoraiku
I have decided to do a little challenge for all of you, you have to pick three songs that best fits your character I'll start of with "Lupus" and Isaac.
Lupus - Wolves by Sam Tinnesz ft. Silverberg. Warriors by Imagine Dragons. Battlefield by Jordin Sparks.
Isaac - My Demons by Starset. Flares by The Script. Angel With A Shotgun by The Cab.
Wren - Renegade by Paramore. Runaway by Felix Cartal ft. REGN. Anthem Of The Lonely by Nine Lashes.
Saskya - Cherry gum is by Dolly Style (nightcored by MarMarChan). Hello Kitty is by Avril Lavigne. Lay me down is by Sam Smith (covered by Diamond White).
Jules - Papaotoui by Stromae. All Star by Smash Mouth. Full circle by George Fitzgerald
Loki - Under Pressure by Queen. How far we’ve come by Matchboxtwenty. Pompeii by Bastille
Aaron -
Talia - Photographs by Ed Sheeran. The Story Of Us by Taylor Swift. Nobody Compares To You by Gryffin.
Panda -
Niji - Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin. Thunderstruck by AC/DC. I'm gay by Thomas Sanders
Luis -
Pandora -NF - Let you down. Sam Smith ft. Naughty Boy - LaLaLa. Selena Gomez + Marshmello - Wolves
Jay - Sick boy by the Chainsmokers. Future Me by Echosmith. Die for you by Starset.
Jack -
|==============================================|
UK - 9th April
People laughing down the street of night time Oxford, the voices echoed as if nobody was there to tell them shut it. In the background car-horns and sirens went off, a usual night. All was calm until a white cat, which was twitching ubnormally and acting strange, which was walking up to the laughing drunks. An idiotic drunk went up to stroke the cat.
"Hello kitty cat, you want a HIC drink?" said the drunk, lowering down his beer, the cat looked up at at the man and mewed a croaking mew. Ten other cats of various fur colours walked up behind the cat.
They formed a circle around the man, the other cats twitching. All the cats had blue liquids coming from their mouths.
USA - 13th April
News Reporter: "The virus, Ios, has spread across the UK, Ireland and West Europe. It will keep spreading to the birds getting infected and migrating/moving from country to country. The virus makes the animals see humans as prey, messing with their minds, the virus makes the animals endlessly hungry. The blood turns blue, nothing is good in this world, the virus is wildfire."
People walked the city streets, all had a knife or gun strapped to their sides, any way of defence would do. A scream hit the ears of everyone, birds on the lamp posts or on signs started twitching, all had a scratch mark, blue blood oozed from the body.
People screamed, scattering as rats, snakes and mice came from the sewage, kids knocked down by adults unable to get up, eaten by large street dogs that quickly caught Ios.
Parents sending kids on trains to the only hope they could think of, the coutryside or if they knew about the training base camp, Alpha Rein Base, sending the kids there instead. The parents promising to see the kids soon but the promise breaks as coyotes, boars and wild dogs killed the parents as the train started.
Asia - April 10th
They thought the mountains would be ok to hideout, they forgot about the birds and snow leopoards. Thousands dead, ones in the mountain covered in snow.
Africa - April 13th
Elephants pushed against the houses of the people. Camls killing their owners. Nothing is ok.
Greece - April 10th
People sailed to the islands, trying to survive. Dolphins jumped powerful enough to fly onto the boats and knock people off. Quickly moving back to the side for water. The Greek people running to mainland but unsuccessful.
People laughing down the street of night time Oxford, the voices echoed as if nobody was there to tell them shut it. In the background car-horns and sirens went off, a usual night. All was calm until a white cat, which was twitching ubnormally and acting strange, which was walking up to the laughing drunks. An idiotic drunk went up to stroke the cat.
"Hello kitty cat, you want a HIC drink?" said the drunk, lowering down his beer, the cat looked up at at the man and mewed a croaking mew. Ten other cats of various fur colours walked up behind the cat.
They formed a circle around the man, the other cats twitching. All the cats had blue liquids coming from their mouths.
USA - 13th April
News Reporter: "The virus, Ios, has spread across the UK, Ireland and West Europe. It will keep spreading to the birds getting infected and migrating/moving from country to country. The virus makes the animals see humans as prey, messing with their minds, the virus makes the animals endlessly hungry. The blood turns blue, nothing is good in this world, the virus is wildfire."
People walked the city streets, all had a knife or gun strapped to their sides, any way of defence would do. A scream hit the ears of everyone, birds on the lamp posts or on signs started twitching, all had a scratch mark, blue blood oozed from the body.
People screamed, scattering as rats, snakes and mice came from the sewage, kids knocked down by adults unable to get up, eaten by large street dogs that quickly caught Ios.
Parents sending kids on trains to the only hope they could think of, the coutryside or if they knew about the training base camp, Alpha Rein Base, sending the kids there instead. The parents promising to see the kids soon but the promise breaks as coyotes, boars and wild dogs killed the parents as the train started.
Asia - April 10th
They thought the mountains would be ok to hideout, they forgot about the birds and snow leopoards. Thousands dead, ones in the mountain covered in snow.
Africa - April 13th
Elephants pushed against the houses of the people. Camls killing their owners. Nothing is ok.
Greece - April 10th
People sailed to the islands, trying to survive. Dolphins jumped powerful enough to fly onto the boats and knock people off. Quickly moving back to the side for water. The Greek people running to mainland but unsuccessful.
The World
Day 1: 10.8 million
Day 2: 10.5 million
Day 6: 8.7 million
Day 12: 5.3 million
Day 1: 10.8 million
Day 2: 10.5 million
Day 6: 8.7 million
Day 12: 5.3 million
USA 20th December
Ios was in control here, the Navy, FBI and government teamed up to set order and security. Animals had to be locked up, no going outside unless with a gun with a lot of bullets. The FBI used to deliver food twice a week, but now it's once a week. Everyone went to the gun stores and raided them. When the news rules were made, people boarded up everything like it was World War IV.
It was another day, everyone was preparing for the night. The Claren house were having their food for the night.
"Make sure you eat your vegetables," the mother said kindly to the younger sister. There were four people who were at the table, two girls and two parents. "It will make you big and strong and able to last another day."
"Please that's a lie... We all are gonna die so there's no point trying to become big and strong," said the oldest girl, who had her right foot on the chair and her left leg resting on the table.
"Wren," the father warned, it was a silent stand off. Suddenly, cups starting shaking, glass, bowls, forks and spoons also shaking. Paintings and photos fell from the walls, a loud boom hit their ears. The father got up first and looked outside to smoke pouring into the sky. He turned to his family, "We need to go. Now. Australia seems go-"
He never finished his sentence. A slab of concrete squashed the dad with a scream that pierced everyone's ears. A rodent went through the crack in the roof, the government lied. A scream from the people down the street and in the house hit Wren's ears. Wren was already running to grab food, Wren grabbed all the things she thought she needed to survive, a week worth of food, water, clothes. When she got to the dining room her mum and sister were gone, most likely running off.
Wren ran out of the of the back door going into the garden. Wren ran for the other side of the garden, quickly climbing up the fence and jumping off the top. Once landing she pulled out her holographic phone that she may or may not have stolen, a vertical hologram appeared from a tiny cell. Wren switched to her contacts scrolling down furiously whilst sprinting. Wren hovered across a name, debating if she should press it. She pressed it, the phone switched to a telephone map symbol, a ringing sound came from it. The person on the other side answered, "Hello? Wren is this you?"
"Isaac, I don't have time for games, the outbreak has appeared here as well, are you and Wolfia together?" Wren replied, stopping to breathe for a second.
"Yeah, Wolfia and I are coming to America, what state you in?" Isaac replied, a shout came from the other side but it was inaudible.
"No don't come to America! That's idiotic, tell Wolfia that's just dumb!" Wren grumbled back, dodging a branch then stopping at a massive tree. Wren grabbed the branches on the bottom and started pulling herself up, climbing quickly but carefully.
"They say, I quote, 'Darling please I know more than you think' I'm gonna give ya to Wolfia now so you can talk because I'm trying to hold of some dogs who are trying to kill us," Isaac replied frantically, a shuffle from both sides as they moved quickly, a mumble was heard from Isaac's side.
"Wren, what state are you in? This is important for us to find you!" A voice came from the receiver, the voice was a mix between American and English, posh at some places but lazy at others. The voice sounded male and female, indescribable.
"Wolfia, I'm in Florida, but Wolfia don't come and get me! You idiot!" Wren complained whilst sitting on a large tree branch, resting from running and climbing.
"Love you too, I have a plan don't worry, you have food for about 3 days correct? If you don't get some, you need to stay where you are and conserve your battery so we can contact you," replied Wolfia, a gun shot came from the background.
"Wolfia tell me your plan! Now would be good as well!" Wren snapped.
"All in due time my friend, good-luck, don't move. We'll see you soon!" Wolfia replied before ending the call ignoring Wren's protests.
Ios was in control here, the Navy, FBI and government teamed up to set order and security. Animals had to be locked up, no going outside unless with a gun with a lot of bullets. The FBI used to deliver food twice a week, but now it's once a week. Everyone went to the gun stores and raided them. When the news rules were made, people boarded up everything like it was World War IV.
It was another day, everyone was preparing for the night. The Claren house were having their food for the night.
"Make sure you eat your vegetables," the mother said kindly to the younger sister. There were four people who were at the table, two girls and two parents. "It will make you big and strong and able to last another day."
"Please that's a lie... We all are gonna die so there's no point trying to become big and strong," said the oldest girl, who had her right foot on the chair and her left leg resting on the table.
"Wren," the father warned, it was a silent stand off. Suddenly, cups starting shaking, glass, bowls, forks and spoons also shaking. Paintings and photos fell from the walls, a loud boom hit their ears. The father got up first and looked outside to smoke pouring into the sky. He turned to his family, "We need to go. Now. Australia seems go-"
He never finished his sentence. A slab of concrete squashed the dad with a scream that pierced everyone's ears. A rodent went through the crack in the roof, the government lied. A scream from the people down the street and in the house hit Wren's ears. Wren was already running to grab food, Wren grabbed all the things she thought she needed to survive, a week worth of food, water, clothes. When she got to the dining room her mum and sister were gone, most likely running off.
Wren ran out of the of the back door going into the garden. Wren ran for the other side of the garden, quickly climbing up the fence and jumping off the top. Once landing she pulled out her holographic phone that she may or may not have stolen, a vertical hologram appeared from a tiny cell. Wren switched to her contacts scrolling down furiously whilst sprinting. Wren hovered across a name, debating if she should press it. She pressed it, the phone switched to a telephone map symbol, a ringing sound came from it. The person on the other side answered, "Hello? Wren is this you?"
"Isaac, I don't have time for games, the outbreak has appeared here as well, are you and Wolfia together?" Wren replied, stopping to breathe for a second.
"Yeah, Wolfia and I are coming to America, what state you in?" Isaac replied, a shout came from the other side but it was inaudible.
"No don't come to America! That's idiotic, tell Wolfia that's just dumb!" Wren grumbled back, dodging a branch then stopping at a massive tree. Wren grabbed the branches on the bottom and started pulling herself up, climbing quickly but carefully.
"They say, I quote, 'Darling please I know more than you think' I'm gonna give ya to Wolfia now so you can talk because I'm trying to hold of some dogs who are trying to kill us," Isaac replied frantically, a shuffle from both sides as they moved quickly, a mumble was heard from Isaac's side.
"Wren, what state are you in? This is important for us to find you!" A voice came from the receiver, the voice was a mix between American and English, posh at some places but lazy at others. The voice sounded male and female, indescribable.
"Wolfia, I'm in Florida, but Wolfia don't come and get me! You idiot!" Wren complained whilst sitting on a large tree branch, resting from running and climbing.
"Love you too, I have a plan don't worry, you have food for about 3 days correct? If you don't get some, you need to stay where you are and conserve your battery so we can contact you," replied Wolfia, a gun shot came from the background.
"Wolfia tell me your plan! Now would be good as well!" Wren snapped.
"All in due time my friend, good-luck, don't move. We'll see you soon!" Wolfia replied before ending the call ignoring Wren's protests.
“WE CAN MAKE IT!” screamed Jules, as they ran faster towards the end of the dark hallway, their companions trying to reach the same speed as them. The rabbits, rats and other rodents were catching up, the rodents had foam at their mouths and looked like they had been eaten by away but still managed to walked, and their once soft fur now a scruffy blood covered mat that is uncomfortable to touch or stand open. As for the three people, they wore black body suits with armour to cover their body. A black mask covered their faces, only their hair was visible.
“Jules! HELP!” cried out Saskya, as Jules turned around to Saskya, Jules ran quickly towards them. Jules grabbed Saskya by the arm and pulled them up by the arm and started to run as the rodents almost caught up to them. Aaron was at the first door and was yelling at them to hurry.
A squirrel rodent jumped and climbed up Jules`s leg and bit them. Jules cried out, Saskya turned and ripped the rodent off and then tries to pull up Jules, but failed because they couldn’t get enough momentum. A bunch of the rodents jumped onto Jules and Saskya, Aaron yelled out. Lights turned on and the rodent holograms turned to cubes and fell on the floor. The walls became glass with people watching them laughing at them and snickering, a proud voice filled the hallway, “Congratulations, you failed for the fourth time. Please make your way to the changing rooms then towards Apprentice Gould`s office.
The three companions grumbled and then got up from the floor. Sour expressions filled their eyes, as they sulked towards the changing rooms, as Aaron split off from the others Saskya stopped them, “Wait.”
“What? I hate wearing this thing,” grumbled Jules.
“Yea, it stinks, plus I need to prepare to be kicked out,” Aaron moaned, Jules nodded his head to that.
“I just want to say, I loved working with you. I will miss running down that hallway, the days at the cafeteria were we threw a pizza at Apprentice Gould and blamed it on the people next to us, and they got into so much trouble. The time we were assigned to our group and I fell on the slippery floor," Stated Saskya.
“It’s been great. I will miss it as well; you guys are my best of friends," Jules agreed, they were taking off the face mask but which was a bad idea since a General came walking down the hallway of the changing rooms and started to tell Jules off, the other two walked off slowly trying not to laugh.
As Jules walked into the girls changing room, annoyed at Saskya for not helping her, whilst a new person was being introduced to the army base.
*
Jules walked out of the changing rooms after getting changed quickly, she waited outside for her friends outside. She was an average height for a teenager, she wore the female side of the uniform, a white skirt with a buttoned shirt which had a grey jacket over it but wasn’t buttoned up, and Jules hated the uniform, having to tie up her long black hair so it can’t cover her forehead and big grey eyes. In her eyes, there was sadness but friendliness.
Jules waited and waited, until a bell hit her ears, she was about to run into the changing room to hurry up Saskya but Saskya came out along with Aaron. Jules complained about them being slow and then turned with the others followed, they walked quickly and quietly avoiding people’s eyes as they walked towards Apprentice Gould’s office. When they got there a boy was sitting on a chair of furthest away from the door out of the six chairs present. Jules took a seat with her friends either side of her on second to first chair closest to the door. Aaron grumbled as he sat in the first chair.
Saskya looked at the boy at the chair near them, her eyes filled with remembrance, “Justin, how are you? I haven’t seen you forever! I remember when you were in my group before Jules joined and you went to a higher group!”
Justin looked up; he had sadness on his face, tears in his eyes. His left eye was swollen, not to mention his arm was in a sling, “Hey Saskya… I’ve been great… Since now.”
“What happened? You look awful, where’s that smile?” Saskya said sadly her light blue right eye and light pink left eye filled with sympathy. She got up and when to sit with this Justin, but before she could start talking with him, Apprentice Hender came out, he is the second longest Apprentice and helps Apprentice Gould out all the time, he walked tightly, he was tall and muscular, he had the dark blue Apprentice uniform. He was the third highest out of ranks. First the Admiral, who is first in command; the Generals, those you don’t want to tangle with, then there’s the Apprentices, who are also very strict. The coaches and staff next, who train the novices/cadets and deliver messages for higher up, the training coaches the person who helps out the coaches, not that special but they have their own quarters. Then there are the novices/cadets, they appear with injuries, scars and homeless, the staff takes them in and heals them, and try to train them against the animal we call Rokita, which is rodents in Greek.
“Apprentice Gould would like to see you. Behave,” said the deep and booming voice of Apprentice Hender, who never really liked the three friends.
“Jules! HELP!” cried out Saskya, as Jules turned around to Saskya, Jules ran quickly towards them. Jules grabbed Saskya by the arm and pulled them up by the arm and started to run as the rodents almost caught up to them. Aaron was at the first door and was yelling at them to hurry.
A squirrel rodent jumped and climbed up Jules`s leg and bit them. Jules cried out, Saskya turned and ripped the rodent off and then tries to pull up Jules, but failed because they couldn’t get enough momentum. A bunch of the rodents jumped onto Jules and Saskya, Aaron yelled out. Lights turned on and the rodent holograms turned to cubes and fell on the floor. The walls became glass with people watching them laughing at them and snickering, a proud voice filled the hallway, “Congratulations, you failed for the fourth time. Please make your way to the changing rooms then towards Apprentice Gould`s office.
The three companions grumbled and then got up from the floor. Sour expressions filled their eyes, as they sulked towards the changing rooms, as Aaron split off from the others Saskya stopped them, “Wait.”
“What? I hate wearing this thing,” grumbled Jules.
“Yea, it stinks, plus I need to prepare to be kicked out,” Aaron moaned, Jules nodded his head to that.
“I just want to say, I loved working with you. I will miss running down that hallway, the days at the cafeteria were we threw a pizza at Apprentice Gould and blamed it on the people next to us, and they got into so much trouble. The time we were assigned to our group and I fell on the slippery floor," Stated Saskya.
“It’s been great. I will miss it as well; you guys are my best of friends," Jules agreed, they were taking off the face mask but which was a bad idea since a General came walking down the hallway of the changing rooms and started to tell Jules off, the other two walked off slowly trying not to laugh.
As Jules walked into the girls changing room, annoyed at Saskya for not helping her, whilst a new person was being introduced to the army base.
*
Jules walked out of the changing rooms after getting changed quickly, she waited outside for her friends outside. She was an average height for a teenager, she wore the female side of the uniform, a white skirt with a buttoned shirt which had a grey jacket over it but wasn’t buttoned up, and Jules hated the uniform, having to tie up her long black hair so it can’t cover her forehead and big grey eyes. In her eyes, there was sadness but friendliness.
Jules waited and waited, until a bell hit her ears, she was about to run into the changing room to hurry up Saskya but Saskya came out along with Aaron. Jules complained about them being slow and then turned with the others followed, they walked quickly and quietly avoiding people’s eyes as they walked towards Apprentice Gould’s office. When they got there a boy was sitting on a chair of furthest away from the door out of the six chairs present. Jules took a seat with her friends either side of her on second to first chair closest to the door. Aaron grumbled as he sat in the first chair.
Saskya looked at the boy at the chair near them, her eyes filled with remembrance, “Justin, how are you? I haven’t seen you forever! I remember when you were in my group before Jules joined and you went to a higher group!”
Justin looked up; he had sadness on his face, tears in his eyes. His left eye was swollen, not to mention his arm was in a sling, “Hey Saskya… I’ve been great… Since now.”
“What happened? You look awful, where’s that smile?” Saskya said sadly her light blue right eye and light pink left eye filled with sympathy. She got up and when to sit with this Justin, but before she could start talking with him, Apprentice Hender came out, he is the second longest Apprentice and helps Apprentice Gould out all the time, he walked tightly, he was tall and muscular, he had the dark blue Apprentice uniform. He was the third highest out of ranks. First the Admiral, who is first in command; the Generals, those you don’t want to tangle with, then there’s the Apprentices, who are also very strict. The coaches and staff next, who train the novices/cadets and deliver messages for higher up, the training coaches the person who helps out the coaches, not that special but they have their own quarters. Then there are the novices/cadets, they appear with injuries, scars and homeless, the staff takes them in and heals them, and try to train them against the animal we call Rokita, which is rodents in Greek.
“Apprentice Gould would like to see you. Behave,” said the deep and booming voice of Apprentice Hender, who never really liked the three friends.
“Welcome, Saskya Sunshine, Julie Kat Mareritt and Aaron Reaper,” said the gentle voice of Apprentice Gould, he was smaller than Apprentice Hender but he had more scars, he looked like a kind man if he wasn’t in the Apprentice uniform. His office was full of medals, photos of higher up ranking, photos of war and terrains of the world. On his desk is had papers and a desk bell, a picture of a man who was smiling brightly showing a golden ring. Opposite him on a chair was a person, they had a red jumper with a hood covering their head and wasn’t looking the way of the three friends but was looking at a whiteboard, writing quickly with a red marker pen. Apprentice Gould pointed to the three chairs next to the hooded person, “Please take a seat next to them.”
The companions took their seats, Saskya happily taking the seat next to the person with the hood, who shuffled further away from their seat. Gould smiled faintly at the four teens/pre-adults, his eyes turned from person to person slowly, then he started his talk, “Hello, I have heard you just came from hallway run. Did it go well?” All three of them shook their head. Gould pointed to the person with the hood, “This person will become your fourth and final group member. As you know since Saskya came to the base and Justin was ranked up, Saskya joined your group and you have been one of the smallest groups. This person is new and needs a group; they talk but prefer not to, that’s why they have the whiteboard. Don’t lose the whiteboard.
“They have no name; you need to give them one. Look at their eyes and tell me what you see, then you can find their name,” the three companions looked at each other a silent vote, Aaron loses. He sighs and turns to the girl who isn’t facing hid away. Gould quickly said, “Face each other.” The person turned and started to face Aaron, you could only see their eyes, and a bandanna covered their mouth and nose. Aaron tried to focus but get snickering at the fact he had to do this. But then he stopped smiling as he looked better into their eyes.
“I see… A leader, a warrior and a kind of fire, it’s like they want to prove something to someone,” said Aaron, he turned to the others who were watching the staring contest.
“Like an alpha wolf?” Saskya snorted, Jules snickered.
“Yes, what’s the Latin version? Lupus?” Aaron asked Gould, replied with a simple yes. The person turned back to Gould, writing something on the whiteboard and showing Gould, he just chuckled.
“I like it. It maybe sounds strange, and we don’t know their gender but eh…” Saskya shrugged, Jules agreed.
“Lupus,” said Gould he turned to look at “Lupus” smirking, Hender smirked as well writing down their profile for registration which they do every dinner, which is somewhat soon. Gould’s faced turned serious, “Now, they have their name and profile for registration. Every lunch or breakfast they must go with this note,” handing them a cyan envelope with the words “Unbanned Wolf” written neatly on it, “Don’t draw attention to them, it may cost their identity. As you know you are on the lowest hallway, it is nothing to be ashamed of; Lupus will help you if you don’t annoy them. You will take them to your dorm and answer questions about Lupus, but do not lie and don’t make rumours. Good luck with the tournament.”
With that Hender went up and pulled Lupus up by their arm and grabbed their bag then shoving it into their chest, the others watched and nervously got up slowly then looking at Gould for permission. Gould nodded and allowed the three to go, Lupus was the last out of the door but before they went the voice of Gould followed them, “Remember the promise, if you reveal yourself with your problems I will cause problems, hurting her and him.”
The three friends glanced at each other trying to process what they heard, Lupus didn’t hesitate they walked up to the three with no emotion in their eyes. The four stood as Justin went through the door after them. They stood awkwardly, looking at the door they just left; Aaron cleared his throat, “So… Lupus, how about Jules can show you around going the long way around, Saskya and I will go the shorter way. That ok?”
Lupus nodded and turned around started walking away, Jules rolled her eyes then bid Aaron and Saskya goodbye. Saskya and Aaron made bets on what the turn out will be like, Aaron bets Lupus will be lying on the floor knocked out. Saskya saying they will be fine…
*
Aaron and Saskya were talking about Lupus when they bumped into a group of people, one of them had to be the second best on the leader boards and the reining chap at everything, Panda Alexandria, the guy who everyone hates but is the best in classes. Saskya was looking at Aaron as she bumped into Panda; she got knocked back at impact.
“Watch where you’re going, punk,” said the squeaky deep voice of Panda, he had a strong build, a jock type of build, he was technically a jock, good at sports but extremely dumb at science, maths and plant analyses. Saskya went to go to move but Panda got in the way, smirking.
“Leave them alone Panda, we don’t have time for these idiots,” a posh voice came from the back, everyone moved so Panda had a clear view of the speaker, a girl with black hair and pale skin that looked unhuman, she had fire like silvery eyes, she was somewhat tall. “Can we go? My idiotic roommates need me in our room, something about stealing. That I may or may not be the reason for, so hurry this up I got stuff to do.”
“Wren, shut it, Isaac can’t do anything against me,” Panda replied sternly, Aaron snorted, Panda turned to Aaron anger in his eyes, walking closer to him fists clench. Aaron stared back, not dropping gaze, “What’s so funny?”
“The fact you can beat Isaac, so you’re second best but he’s the best, it’s just funny,” Aaron smirked, Panda pushed him to the floor, Saskya stepped forward then stepped back as a boy came from the end of the hallway.
The boy had blonde hair with a quiff, a strong build, skinny tall and tanned, white shirt and grey trousers, a brown jacket with a white hood rested on top of the white shirt. Behind him was a girl who was an average height, brown hair and big blue eyes, she was extremely attractive if you are in to thin, “popular type” of body, a pink crop top and small shorts with white converse and another boy who had a green and white shirt on, a green band around his dark brown hair, black leggings and green plus white converse shoes. “Wren, how are you? Were you actually going to come join us, since you were the one who stole the knife, was it to torment a newbie?”
“Why Isaac, who would say that I do that kind of stuff,” replied Wren a smirk spreading across her face, Isaac smirked back walking up with his two friends behind him. He looked at Aaron then at Panda then Saskya who was near Panda and Aaron, he sighed and put out a hand for Aaron who looked at his hand then grabbed and got up.
“So, what’s happening here?” Isaac gestured around at the Aaron and Panda, who were glaring at each other. A guy stepped forward, a tall lean 17 year old, with hardly any muscle but hard any fat either. He's tall; he has dark purple eyes, with red-ish copper hair and always wears a rainbow bandana. He wears simple tops and hoodies to go with dark jeans, along with that all he wears black trainers.
“Isaac what are you and your idiots doing here? Is it because you were scared of Wren getting in trouble? Just want to be the best dorm, well newsflash not everything be good, you just wait for the tournament,” he said cockily.
“Niji, kind as normal,” Isaac replied sarcastically before Niji could reply Apprentice Hender came striding down the hall anger on his face. He was glaring at Aaron and Saskya, the others stepped out of the way. Even Niji and Panda moved back hastily, the people moved back slowly and Hender looked down at Aaron, Saskya moving towards him to stand next to Aaron.
“So you do exactly what Gould told you not to do? Draw in attention, especially since the new person just arrived,” barked Hender, he turned to everyone else, “Everyone get back to dorms, Wren for once in your life be nice to your dorm mates and give them back their bloody knife! As for you two you need to get back to your dorms before you start getting into more trouble!”
Everyone disported at the order, Aaron and Saskya stood there until Apprentice Hender left yelling at Niji and Panda to walk faster.
The companions took their seats, Saskya happily taking the seat next to the person with the hood, who shuffled further away from their seat. Gould smiled faintly at the four teens/pre-adults, his eyes turned from person to person slowly, then he started his talk, “Hello, I have heard you just came from hallway run. Did it go well?” All three of them shook their head. Gould pointed to the person with the hood, “This person will become your fourth and final group member. As you know since Saskya came to the base and Justin was ranked up, Saskya joined your group and you have been one of the smallest groups. This person is new and needs a group; they talk but prefer not to, that’s why they have the whiteboard. Don’t lose the whiteboard.
“They have no name; you need to give them one. Look at their eyes and tell me what you see, then you can find their name,” the three companions looked at each other a silent vote, Aaron loses. He sighs and turns to the girl who isn’t facing hid away. Gould quickly said, “Face each other.” The person turned and started to face Aaron, you could only see their eyes, and a bandanna covered their mouth and nose. Aaron tried to focus but get snickering at the fact he had to do this. But then he stopped smiling as he looked better into their eyes.
“I see… A leader, a warrior and a kind of fire, it’s like they want to prove something to someone,” said Aaron, he turned to the others who were watching the staring contest.
“Like an alpha wolf?” Saskya snorted, Jules snickered.
“Yes, what’s the Latin version? Lupus?” Aaron asked Gould, replied with a simple yes. The person turned back to Gould, writing something on the whiteboard and showing Gould, he just chuckled.
“I like it. It maybe sounds strange, and we don’t know their gender but eh…” Saskya shrugged, Jules agreed.
“Lupus,” said Gould he turned to look at “Lupus” smirking, Hender smirked as well writing down their profile for registration which they do every dinner, which is somewhat soon. Gould’s faced turned serious, “Now, they have their name and profile for registration. Every lunch or breakfast they must go with this note,” handing them a cyan envelope with the words “Unbanned Wolf” written neatly on it, “Don’t draw attention to them, it may cost their identity. As you know you are on the lowest hallway, it is nothing to be ashamed of; Lupus will help you if you don’t annoy them. You will take them to your dorm and answer questions about Lupus, but do not lie and don’t make rumours. Good luck with the tournament.”
With that Hender went up and pulled Lupus up by their arm and grabbed their bag then shoving it into their chest, the others watched and nervously got up slowly then looking at Gould for permission. Gould nodded and allowed the three to go, Lupus was the last out of the door but before they went the voice of Gould followed them, “Remember the promise, if you reveal yourself with your problems I will cause problems, hurting her and him.”
The three friends glanced at each other trying to process what they heard, Lupus didn’t hesitate they walked up to the three with no emotion in their eyes. The four stood as Justin went through the door after them. They stood awkwardly, looking at the door they just left; Aaron cleared his throat, “So… Lupus, how about Jules can show you around going the long way around, Saskya and I will go the shorter way. That ok?”
Lupus nodded and turned around started walking away, Jules rolled her eyes then bid Aaron and Saskya goodbye. Saskya and Aaron made bets on what the turn out will be like, Aaron bets Lupus will be lying on the floor knocked out. Saskya saying they will be fine…
*
Aaron and Saskya were talking about Lupus when they bumped into a group of people, one of them had to be the second best on the leader boards and the reining chap at everything, Panda Alexandria, the guy who everyone hates but is the best in classes. Saskya was looking at Aaron as she bumped into Panda; she got knocked back at impact.
“Watch where you’re going, punk,” said the squeaky deep voice of Panda, he had a strong build, a jock type of build, he was technically a jock, good at sports but extremely dumb at science, maths and plant analyses. Saskya went to go to move but Panda got in the way, smirking.
“Leave them alone Panda, we don’t have time for these idiots,” a posh voice came from the back, everyone moved so Panda had a clear view of the speaker, a girl with black hair and pale skin that looked unhuman, she had fire like silvery eyes, she was somewhat tall. “Can we go? My idiotic roommates need me in our room, something about stealing. That I may or may not be the reason for, so hurry this up I got stuff to do.”
“Wren, shut it, Isaac can’t do anything against me,” Panda replied sternly, Aaron snorted, Panda turned to Aaron anger in his eyes, walking closer to him fists clench. Aaron stared back, not dropping gaze, “What’s so funny?”
“The fact you can beat Isaac, so you’re second best but he’s the best, it’s just funny,” Aaron smirked, Panda pushed him to the floor, Saskya stepped forward then stepped back as a boy came from the end of the hallway.
The boy had blonde hair with a quiff, a strong build, skinny tall and tanned, white shirt and grey trousers, a brown jacket with a white hood rested on top of the white shirt. Behind him was a girl who was an average height, brown hair and big blue eyes, she was extremely attractive if you are in to thin, “popular type” of body, a pink crop top and small shorts with white converse and another boy who had a green and white shirt on, a green band around his dark brown hair, black leggings and green plus white converse shoes. “Wren, how are you? Were you actually going to come join us, since you were the one who stole the knife, was it to torment a newbie?”
“Why Isaac, who would say that I do that kind of stuff,” replied Wren a smirk spreading across her face, Isaac smirked back walking up with his two friends behind him. He looked at Aaron then at Panda then Saskya who was near Panda and Aaron, he sighed and put out a hand for Aaron who looked at his hand then grabbed and got up.
“So, what’s happening here?” Isaac gestured around at the Aaron and Panda, who were glaring at each other. A guy stepped forward, a tall lean 17 year old, with hardly any muscle but hard any fat either. He's tall; he has dark purple eyes, with red-ish copper hair and always wears a rainbow bandana. He wears simple tops and hoodies to go with dark jeans, along with that all he wears black trainers.
“Isaac what are you and your idiots doing here? Is it because you were scared of Wren getting in trouble? Just want to be the best dorm, well newsflash not everything be good, you just wait for the tournament,” he said cockily.
“Niji, kind as normal,” Isaac replied sarcastically before Niji could reply Apprentice Hender came striding down the hall anger on his face. He was glaring at Aaron and Saskya, the others stepped out of the way. Even Niji and Panda moved back hastily, the people moved back slowly and Hender looked down at Aaron, Saskya moving towards him to stand next to Aaron.
“So you do exactly what Gould told you not to do? Draw in attention, especially since the new person just arrived,” barked Hender, he turned to everyone else, “Everyone get back to dorms, Wren for once in your life be nice to your dorm mates and give them back their bloody knife! As for you two you need to get back to your dorms before you start getting into more trouble!”
Everyone disported at the order, Aaron and Saskya stood there until Apprentice Hender left yelling at Niji and Panda to walk faster.
Lupus and Jules walked into the room, tour bus like beds, six of them bunk bedded, three looked used. The sections were dark and had a curtain to the slide shut and open, the walls were a pink peach. The ones used were, the bottom closest to the door, top and bottom 2nd section of beds, the last section was tidy covers and pillows and looked untouched, a vent swished air through loudly, a piece paper was duck taped in front of the vent but still had a loud sound coming through.
“This is going to be your “sixth quarter”,” Jules said to Lupus directing them to the section by the vent, everyone else hated that bed. Lupus dropped their back with a heavy thud and picked up the whiteboard. Jules went to get her schedule and came back to Lupus holding their whiteboard up for Jules to see.
Do you know sign language?
“Er… No… Yes, some of it,” Jules replied confused, Lupus rubbed the whiteboard clean with their sleeve and place it down on their new bed. They raised their hands and started signing,
Do you ???? I haven’t ??? the vent?
“Do you, question mark, I haven’t, question mark, the vent?” Jules repeated Lupus dragged their hand down their face as they turned to pick up the whiteboard. Saskya came in with Aaron who was pouting; the argument with Panda got him in a bad mood.
Do you think I haven’t noticed the vent?
Jules read it then looked up her face in a scowl, Saskya picked up what was written down and said in a kind manner, “She didn’t mean to offend, that’s where the newcomers go and they move once settled down.”
Jules turned to Saskya a silent message on her face, thank you, “Do any of you know sign language?” Jules asked Aaron and Saskya.
“Nope,” grumbled Aaron, since getting back he didn’t seem much for talking but he talked anyway.
“Yeah, my mum was partly deaf and used sign language, I might be rusty it’s been about two years since I used it,” Saskya replied happily at the start, sad at the end.
Lupus started signing Jules only understanding 5% of it. After Lupus stopped Saskya replied speaking. Saskya translated, “They're asking what time it is and when lunch if.”
“It's 5:34 pm, lunch has already past dinner is in an hour and a half,” replied Aaron looking at the clock next to him, Aaron turned to his sixth then fell into bed. On the wall there was a photo of a lady, it must be Aaron’s mum, the lady was holding up a glass of what looked like wine a joking smile was on her tired face. Also on Aaron’s wall was his schedule, some were highlighted, some were underlined, some were untouched.
“I can show you around more Lupus if you like,” Saskya happily said turning to Lupus at their sixth, but they weren’t there. Jules turned to look at Lupus as well then looked around the smallish room and spotted the door closing, “Or not,”
“Lupus wait up!” Jules grabbed Saskya’s arm and pulled her along with her. Lupus wasn’t on their corridor; they split up searching for Lupus. After some time they both found Lupus standing in front of the doors of the Male and Female toilets.
When Lupus saw Jules and Saskya they walked into the male toilets, causing Jules and Saskya looked at each other then walked down the corridor waited outside the toilets awkwardly. A half an hour past, the patient two got impatient.
“Maybe we should start getting changed for dinner,” suggestion Jules Saskya needed and walked with Jules looking over her shoulder every two steps to check if Lupus was there.
When they got back Aaron’s sixth had a curtain across and they could hear Aaron shuffling about. The other two went to their sixths and drew the curtains, Saskya climbing up to her sixth, they didn’t talk for about a minute then started talking about what food will be.
“Hey, where’s Lupus,” Aaron brought up he got out of his sixth, a grey shirt with long sleeves was covered by a white hoodie with his hood down to show his brown hair. He wore black trousers and wore black Nike shoes.
“They went to the toilet,” a muffled grumble came through Jules’ curtain.
“Male or female?”
“Male,”
“Huh so they’re male,” said Aaron with somewhat smiling as it was a question.
“They have kept their gender private, we got to respect that,” Saskya said angrily, they were arguing about the new person, that’s bad.
“I mean they don’t talk, keep themselves hidden and like to be rude, who knows they could be an ape,” stated Jules getting out of her curtain Jules wore a light grey hat on top of her hair, a dark grey jacket over a pinkish white top, jeans, and white trainers, the door opened as she was talking to reveal Lupus, their eyes in an angry expression, Jules stopped moving, “Ah, jeez sorry Lupus I didn’t know you were here…”
Lupus went to their sixth and pulled the curtain, not taking of Jules apology. Aaron, Saskya, and Jules glanced at each other than pretending to be busy, like cleaning their hands or tiding their sixths, chatter started again but not about Lupus, about food and the “Tournament”
Lupus got up and left, leaving the others confused, about five seconds after a bell hit their ears as they quickly then placed their items in the hands on to their beds, Aaron got up from his bed by rolling out, he hit the floor Jules walking over and lifting him up before hurrying off to follow Saskya and get into the lunch cue. They fast walked to the door, left, right, right and forward and then they reached the food hall, a modern lunch room, plastic tables around the room, blue rounded plastic seats. People dotted the tables in groups of four to sixes, chatter filled the room, a long line of chattering people waiting by a table covered in bowls and lots of different foods, a lady was dishing up food along with a man who was helping out.
The three went into the line, talking about the food; Jules was looking down the cue to see Lupus near the front, the cyan envelope was in their clothed hand. They looked awkward as people bumped into them, they shuffled up the cue. They finally got to the front, they handed the cyan envelope to the lady who looked confused but then opened the envelope to reveal a letter, the lady scanned through it, and her eyes filled with shock and started putting the letter back into its cage.
The lady quickly handed the envelope back then grabbed food and shoved it on to a plate then grabbed a tray and placed the plate with a slam, and pushed the tray into Lupus' arms. Lupus turned raising a hand in a “thank you” kind of way and then took the tray and themselves to a table far end, another person was sitting at the end, and Jules recognised the person.
Quicker than expected Jules was in the front of the cue, she looked behind her Saskya and Aaron was few people behind her, they must of have people pushed in front of them because they both had sour expressions. The lady looked shocked still, she moved quickly her eyes darted around the place quicker than usual; she grabbed food and shoved it on to the plate.
Jules collected her food, an orange, some carrots, and meatloaf. Not the best meal they serve better than the slop like stuff. The food was on plates that rested on top of a grey plastic tray, Jules looked around looking for someone familiar faces dotted around, she wasn’t looking for them. Jules started walking towards the table with a few people, she took her seat next to someone.
She had black hair, pale skin that made her dark brown, she had checked shorts, she had brown shoes. A cream jacket was on top of her crinson top, she had perfect eyes-brows and a nice look nose, that sounds weird.
“Hey, Jules, who is that they just sat down here?” Pandora asked nodding her head towards Lupus who was sitting close by looking at their food. They pulled their bandanna down to their bottom lip and ate one carrot, Jules and Pandora shouldn’t have been staring because Lupus pulled the bandanna up to their nose again with eyes glaring daggers. Jules turned towards Pandora and started explaining.
“They are called Lu-” Jules was cut off, seven more people came to sit next to them, Saskya, Isaac, Aaron, Wren and three more people. Saskya had the pleasure of sitting next to Lupus who shifted uncomfortably as Isaac sat next to Jules and Wren sat next to Isaac. Three other people sat opposite Pandora and Jules, Aaron sat next to Saskya and the other three people.
“Hi you lot,” Isaac said picking up his knife and stabbing his meatloaf and eating like it an ice-cream.
“Jules you were saying something,” Pandora said cutting up her meatloaf, Jules glanced at Lupus who was glancing at Lupus who was glancing at Jules; they had a worry in their eyes.
“Yeah, I wonder what the challenges for the tournament will be,” Jules said picking up a piece of carrot and chewing it as she looks around at the faces on the table. The boy with the green and white shirt spoke up.
“I heard rumours of level 15 hallway and plant analyses, I personally went survival training,” the boy before grabbing his apple and biting into it with a loud crunch.
“Jackson, you can barely survive for ten minutes,” Wren snorted.
“Wren let’s be nice,” Isaac said firmly pushing a mouthful of meatloaf down his throat.
“I’d rather eat mice,” countered Wren smirking, Isaac snorted an inside joke past between them. The others had a confused faces spread across them.
“Anyway, Aaron how are you,” the girl from the other side batting her eyelashes at Aaron who shifted back on his seat.
“Fine, so if it is going to be level 15 hallway, I guess well be again, also Talia leave me alone,” He replied turning to look at the others.
“Oh don’t be so upbeat we have a chance this time,” Saskya jumped encouragingly.
“How?” Wren asked a suspicious grin on her face. Jules made eye contact with Saskya shaking her head with her hat fell off, “I mean, to be rude, you always fail level 1 of the hallway and there’s three of you and five of us and we’re level 10.”
“A new person is supposed to join us, that’s all we known,” shifting her body so her back is facing Lupus, just as she said that Panda a seat next to Lupus, Niji and two other people starting behind him.
One of them had brown hair with a black band around his hair, black trainers, white leggings, a black and green separated by a white ribbon. A white symbol on top of the black part, the boy had forest green eyes and tanned skin. He had mid-length, glossy, black hair neatly organised to follow his hairline. His black spectacles sit comfortably part way down his nose and cover his dark blue eyes, wearing a checked red shirt and black trousers.
“So you must be the new person Hender was grumbling about when we heard him over talking with Coach Hannah,” Panda said looking Lupus up and down from the side, Lupus went to reach in their jumper, they started panicking. Saskya sighed and reached into her jacket and got out the whiteboard, she must have taken it when they were leaving. She handed over the whiteboard then got the pen out of her pocket. Lupus signed “Thank you” before taken it.
They scribbled something down and placed down their whiteboard before grabbing their fruit, a banana, before swapping it for Saskya’s orange, Saskya nodded.
“Oh, we have a funny one now do we?” Panda said after what was written on Lupus’ board, this caught everyone on the table’s attention, “you think I didn’t know that I shouldn’t be here?”
Lupus nodded, Wren snorted which received a glared from Panda. Aaron was eating his apple trying to ignore Panda, the girl who was flirty was eating the girl next to her carrot slices, Loki was playing “Tic Tac Toe” with Pandora, who was winning by a lot of wins.
“OK, ok I like the way you act why don’t you join the actual popular people. I mean Saskya could be classed popular since everyone seems to know her, which is extremely sad,” Panda smirked one of the boys behind him muttered something like “That wasn’t nice” Lupus stopped writing and looked up at Panda who got up unexpectedly and stepped back with fright before the others could react and see what’s happening Panda started yelling, “YOU FREAK! GET AWAY FROM ME, YOUR SCARS ARE UNNATURAL. GET AWAY FROM ME YOU FREAK!”
Lupus started feeling around their face and noticed they could touch their scars and the bandana had fallen off their face, Lupus panicked and pulled their bandanna up to their eyes covering most of their face. Saskya stood up, so did Aaron and a girl who was opposite Jules and Pandora, the girl went up to Panda, grinning at him, the girl dark brown hair, green eyes, white skin, black shirt little red heart and roughly about 5 foot 7 inches.
“Hey Panda, how about ya calm down? Some scars are about as ugly as your face, but some things can’t be fixed. Now let’s not draw attention to this person, they could be trained assassins,” the girl said cheerfully, her voice was calm, relaxed and old fashioned what accent is that 2000s? Panda glared down at the girl who had a devilish grin that matched Panda’s jaw clenched into a frown.
“Jay how nice of you to show up,” Panda replied gritting his teeth, Jay was making herself taller and was trying to not back down, Isaac stood up, Panda looking his way.
“Jay, Panda, Niji, Luis, and Loki,” Isaac grumpily and lazily who was trying not to stare at Lupus, “Can we stop fighting, my life is already boring I don’t need people fighting.”
“This is going to be your “sixth quarter”,” Jules said to Lupus directing them to the section by the vent, everyone else hated that bed. Lupus dropped their back with a heavy thud and picked up the whiteboard. Jules went to get her schedule and came back to Lupus holding their whiteboard up for Jules to see.
Do you know sign language?
“Er… No… Yes, some of it,” Jules replied confused, Lupus rubbed the whiteboard clean with their sleeve and place it down on their new bed. They raised their hands and started signing,
Do you ???? I haven’t ??? the vent?
“Do you, question mark, I haven’t, question mark, the vent?” Jules repeated Lupus dragged their hand down their face as they turned to pick up the whiteboard. Saskya came in with Aaron who was pouting; the argument with Panda got him in a bad mood.
Do you think I haven’t noticed the vent?
Jules read it then looked up her face in a scowl, Saskya picked up what was written down and said in a kind manner, “She didn’t mean to offend, that’s where the newcomers go and they move once settled down.”
Jules turned to Saskya a silent message on her face, thank you, “Do any of you know sign language?” Jules asked Aaron and Saskya.
“Nope,” grumbled Aaron, since getting back he didn’t seem much for talking but he talked anyway.
“Yeah, my mum was partly deaf and used sign language, I might be rusty it’s been about two years since I used it,” Saskya replied happily at the start, sad at the end.
Lupus started signing Jules only understanding 5% of it. After Lupus stopped Saskya replied speaking. Saskya translated, “They're asking what time it is and when lunch if.”
“It's 5:34 pm, lunch has already past dinner is in an hour and a half,” replied Aaron looking at the clock next to him, Aaron turned to his sixth then fell into bed. On the wall there was a photo of a lady, it must be Aaron’s mum, the lady was holding up a glass of what looked like wine a joking smile was on her tired face. Also on Aaron’s wall was his schedule, some were highlighted, some were underlined, some were untouched.
“I can show you around more Lupus if you like,” Saskya happily said turning to Lupus at their sixth, but they weren’t there. Jules turned to look at Lupus as well then looked around the smallish room and spotted the door closing, “Or not,”
“Lupus wait up!” Jules grabbed Saskya’s arm and pulled her along with her. Lupus wasn’t on their corridor; they split up searching for Lupus. After some time they both found Lupus standing in front of the doors of the Male and Female toilets.
When Lupus saw Jules and Saskya they walked into the male toilets, causing Jules and Saskya looked at each other then walked down the corridor waited outside the toilets awkwardly. A half an hour past, the patient two got impatient.
“Maybe we should start getting changed for dinner,” suggestion Jules Saskya needed and walked with Jules looking over her shoulder every two steps to check if Lupus was there.
When they got back Aaron’s sixth had a curtain across and they could hear Aaron shuffling about. The other two went to their sixths and drew the curtains, Saskya climbing up to her sixth, they didn’t talk for about a minute then started talking about what food will be.
“Hey, where’s Lupus,” Aaron brought up he got out of his sixth, a grey shirt with long sleeves was covered by a white hoodie with his hood down to show his brown hair. He wore black trousers and wore black Nike shoes.
“They went to the toilet,” a muffled grumble came through Jules’ curtain.
“Male or female?”
“Male,”
“Huh so they’re male,” said Aaron with somewhat smiling as it was a question.
“They have kept their gender private, we got to respect that,” Saskya said angrily, they were arguing about the new person, that’s bad.
“I mean they don’t talk, keep themselves hidden and like to be rude, who knows they could be an ape,” stated Jules getting out of her curtain Jules wore a light grey hat on top of her hair, a dark grey jacket over a pinkish white top, jeans, and white trainers, the door opened as she was talking to reveal Lupus, their eyes in an angry expression, Jules stopped moving, “Ah, jeez sorry Lupus I didn’t know you were here…”
Lupus went to their sixth and pulled the curtain, not taking of Jules apology. Aaron, Saskya, and Jules glanced at each other than pretending to be busy, like cleaning their hands or tiding their sixths, chatter started again but not about Lupus, about food and the “Tournament”
Lupus got up and left, leaving the others confused, about five seconds after a bell hit their ears as they quickly then placed their items in the hands on to their beds, Aaron got up from his bed by rolling out, he hit the floor Jules walking over and lifting him up before hurrying off to follow Saskya and get into the lunch cue. They fast walked to the door, left, right, right and forward and then they reached the food hall, a modern lunch room, plastic tables around the room, blue rounded plastic seats. People dotted the tables in groups of four to sixes, chatter filled the room, a long line of chattering people waiting by a table covered in bowls and lots of different foods, a lady was dishing up food along with a man who was helping out.
The three went into the line, talking about the food; Jules was looking down the cue to see Lupus near the front, the cyan envelope was in their clothed hand. They looked awkward as people bumped into them, they shuffled up the cue. They finally got to the front, they handed the cyan envelope to the lady who looked confused but then opened the envelope to reveal a letter, the lady scanned through it, and her eyes filled with shock and started putting the letter back into its cage.
The lady quickly handed the envelope back then grabbed food and shoved it on to a plate then grabbed a tray and placed the plate with a slam, and pushed the tray into Lupus' arms. Lupus turned raising a hand in a “thank you” kind of way and then took the tray and themselves to a table far end, another person was sitting at the end, and Jules recognised the person.
Quicker than expected Jules was in the front of the cue, she looked behind her Saskya and Aaron was few people behind her, they must of have people pushed in front of them because they both had sour expressions. The lady looked shocked still, she moved quickly her eyes darted around the place quicker than usual; she grabbed food and shoved it on to the plate.
Jules collected her food, an orange, some carrots, and meatloaf. Not the best meal they serve better than the slop like stuff. The food was on plates that rested on top of a grey plastic tray, Jules looked around looking for someone familiar faces dotted around, she wasn’t looking for them. Jules started walking towards the table with a few people, she took her seat next to someone.
She had black hair, pale skin that made her dark brown, she had checked shorts, she had brown shoes. A cream jacket was on top of her crinson top, she had perfect eyes-brows and a nice look nose, that sounds weird.
“Hey, Jules, who is that they just sat down here?” Pandora asked nodding her head towards Lupus who was sitting close by looking at their food. They pulled their bandanna down to their bottom lip and ate one carrot, Jules and Pandora shouldn’t have been staring because Lupus pulled the bandanna up to their nose again with eyes glaring daggers. Jules turned towards Pandora and started explaining.
“They are called Lu-” Jules was cut off, seven more people came to sit next to them, Saskya, Isaac, Aaron, Wren and three more people. Saskya had the pleasure of sitting next to Lupus who shifted uncomfortably as Isaac sat next to Jules and Wren sat next to Isaac. Three other people sat opposite Pandora and Jules, Aaron sat next to Saskya and the other three people.
“Hi you lot,” Isaac said picking up his knife and stabbing his meatloaf and eating like it an ice-cream.
“Jules you were saying something,” Pandora said cutting up her meatloaf, Jules glanced at Lupus who was glancing at Lupus who was glancing at Jules; they had a worry in their eyes.
“Yeah, I wonder what the challenges for the tournament will be,” Jules said picking up a piece of carrot and chewing it as she looks around at the faces on the table. The boy with the green and white shirt spoke up.
“I heard rumours of level 15 hallway and plant analyses, I personally went survival training,” the boy before grabbing his apple and biting into it with a loud crunch.
“Jackson, you can barely survive for ten minutes,” Wren snorted.
“Wren let’s be nice,” Isaac said firmly pushing a mouthful of meatloaf down his throat.
“I’d rather eat mice,” countered Wren smirking, Isaac snorted an inside joke past between them. The others had a confused faces spread across them.
“Anyway, Aaron how are you,” the girl from the other side batting her eyelashes at Aaron who shifted back on his seat.
“Fine, so if it is going to be level 15 hallway, I guess well be again, also Talia leave me alone,” He replied turning to look at the others.
“Oh don’t be so upbeat we have a chance this time,” Saskya jumped encouragingly.
“How?” Wren asked a suspicious grin on her face. Jules made eye contact with Saskya shaking her head with her hat fell off, “I mean, to be rude, you always fail level 1 of the hallway and there’s three of you and five of us and we’re level 10.”
“A new person is supposed to join us, that’s all we known,” shifting her body so her back is facing Lupus, just as she said that Panda a seat next to Lupus, Niji and two other people starting behind him.
One of them had brown hair with a black band around his hair, black trainers, white leggings, a black and green separated by a white ribbon. A white symbol on top of the black part, the boy had forest green eyes and tanned skin. He had mid-length, glossy, black hair neatly organised to follow his hairline. His black spectacles sit comfortably part way down his nose and cover his dark blue eyes, wearing a checked red shirt and black trousers.
“So you must be the new person Hender was grumbling about when we heard him over talking with Coach Hannah,” Panda said looking Lupus up and down from the side, Lupus went to reach in their jumper, they started panicking. Saskya sighed and reached into her jacket and got out the whiteboard, she must have taken it when they were leaving. She handed over the whiteboard then got the pen out of her pocket. Lupus signed “Thank you” before taken it.
They scribbled something down and placed down their whiteboard before grabbing their fruit, a banana, before swapping it for Saskya’s orange, Saskya nodded.
“Oh, we have a funny one now do we?” Panda said after what was written on Lupus’ board, this caught everyone on the table’s attention, “you think I didn’t know that I shouldn’t be here?”
Lupus nodded, Wren snorted which received a glared from Panda. Aaron was eating his apple trying to ignore Panda, the girl who was flirty was eating the girl next to her carrot slices, Loki was playing “Tic Tac Toe” with Pandora, who was winning by a lot of wins.
“OK, ok I like the way you act why don’t you join the actual popular people. I mean Saskya could be classed popular since everyone seems to know her, which is extremely sad,” Panda smirked one of the boys behind him muttered something like “That wasn’t nice” Lupus stopped writing and looked up at Panda who got up unexpectedly and stepped back with fright before the others could react and see what’s happening Panda started yelling, “YOU FREAK! GET AWAY FROM ME, YOUR SCARS ARE UNNATURAL. GET AWAY FROM ME YOU FREAK!”
Lupus started feeling around their face and noticed they could touch their scars and the bandana had fallen off their face, Lupus panicked and pulled their bandanna up to their eyes covering most of their face. Saskya stood up, so did Aaron and a girl who was opposite Jules and Pandora, the girl went up to Panda, grinning at him, the girl dark brown hair, green eyes, white skin, black shirt little red heart and roughly about 5 foot 7 inches.
“Hey Panda, how about ya calm down? Some scars are about as ugly as your face, but some things can’t be fixed. Now let’s not draw attention to this person, they could be trained assassins,” the girl said cheerfully, her voice was calm, relaxed and old fashioned what accent is that 2000s? Panda glared down at the girl who had a devilish grin that matched Panda’s jaw clenched into a frown.
“Jay how nice of you to show up,” Panda replied gritting his teeth, Jay was making herself taller and was trying to not back down, Isaac stood up, Panda looking his way.
“Jay, Panda, Niji, Luis, and Loki,” Isaac grumpily and lazily who was trying not to stare at Lupus, “Can we stop fighting, my life is already boring I don’t need people fighting.”
“Can I eat my meatloaf without people fighting or being rude to new people,” Isaac asked sitting down as the others stared at him except Lupus who was collecting their stuff, then grabbing the orange and leaving the other looked confused. Saskya noticed Lupus getting up and leaving then picking up the meatloaf with a fork and stuffing it into her mouth, Saskya grabbed hers and Lupus’ tray and walking to a bin dumping leftovers in, a bell hit everyone’s ears, everyone complaining about how short dinner was how short dinner was. Jules was about to leave when a voice called over dinner chatter.
“You no longer have the head to wear the uniform given to you when you stay for a month, it must be hard for old comers since you have grown used to it,” the gentle voice of Apprentice Gould, loud “Woops” and “yes”. Spread across the hall, Isaac and Wren looked overjoyed, maybe because they are longest remaining people in the group of friends. Everyone shuffled out talking about no more uniforms, some talking about the tournament and the rumours that followed it.
The groups with Isaac and Aaron walked down the corridor Lupus ahead of them with Saskya talking in sign language when they reached their dorm they left the talking group still communicating in sign. Everyone departed into the two dorm groups. Aaron and Jules went in Lupus were sitting on their sixth with knees tucked in; Saskya was sitting next to them, talking in hushed tones with Lupus who signed in reply. When Aaron went to sit on his sixth, Saskya woke up and climbed up easily on to her sixth.
Everyone pulled their curtains shut, shuffling started getting louder as the four changed into night clothes, and they took it in turns going into the toilet to clean themselves. It was 9:30 when lights were told to be switched off; Jules being the closet switched them off. Each sixth had a lamp in the ceiling with a switch on the wall, Aaron, Jules, and Saskya turned theirs on and opened their curtains and started talking about training and the tournament, stuff like that. By 11:27 Jules was the only one awake, though she turned her lamp off and pulled her curtain hallway. Jules stared at the blank wall opposite her bed, the pinkie peach. She was about to drift off to sleep when a light appeared on the wall revealing the colour, the light from Lupus’ sixth.
Clicking and an “shh” sound came from the light source, shuffling and movement started, Lupus stood up and went past Jules and towards bathroom, leaving the door open with the light on, a shadow, an outline of Lupus, they were tall, they were already tall but they looked taller, they looked like they had a skinny but strong frame, they turned to their side, shadow moving with them, the shadow showed they had long hair tied into a high ponytail. Lupus reached up and did something with their face, Jules couldn’t tell in the shadow.
A flat chest? Jules pointed to herself in her head, Aaron yawned stopping Lupus, their hand dropped their shadow growing bigger and Jules started panicking and closed her pretending to be asleep. A shuffle of movement and then something pulled Jules’ blanket up to her neck, the sound of the curtain closing and a click of a light what Jules saw was over.
*Group 2*
Loki was already having a bad morning, Panda was complaining about the new kid and Niji were suggesting beating them up. Which was declined by Panda and Loki, though Panda said not until after the tournament? Luis was shaking his head with his hand on his forehead; his head tilted making his black hair sway from side to side whilst leaning on a light cyan wall that had medals and papers of accomplishments and praise was taped on the walls.
Leaning over the side of his bed he looked down at Niji’s head which was also facing down but he was looking at his schedule, Loki could literally feel his grim expression. Loki swung his legs over the bed and jumped down next to Niji with a thud, Niji not reacting. Loki checked the time with the clock on Niji’s wall then walked to the door, turning to the others, “You coming or what, I’m starving and I heard its English breakfast day.”
The others stared at the open door where Loki was, Luis leaned off the wall and looked at Niji and Aaron smirked, started walking back towards the door before awkwardly waving before disappearing down the corridor.
The cue was longer today, the usual groups of friends were queuing talking as they shuffled up the cue, Loki noticed the largest group were talking the loudest, Isaac’s and Jules’ groups, the winners and the losers, the best of friends, Loki envied them how they agreed easily on things, they had good communication. Jules’ group had all of that but they don’t know each other’s thought patterns like Loki’s and Isaac’s. This would lead them to failure like they have many times, they had a new person with them but the person wasn’t going into convocation, like normal they had that bandanna and hood on covering anyway to show their identity.
Like normal people were dressed in their sports clothes, the usual girls wearing crop tops, not every girl wears this but most do, and the shorts that went to just above the knee, the boys wearing the bicycle long sleeves and the shorts like the girls. Loki was wearing the male sports clothing like everyone else to blend in, Luis came next to him at the doorway and looked around as well his eyes scanning the other two groups that were relevant to their lives. He muttered something in French then carried on walking towards the line with Loki on his trail.
Niji and Panda came from the hallway no longer than a minute after and pushed into the cue behind the new person and in front of the bigger group, Loki and Luis looked at each other then walked over to Niji and Panda. Niji smirked at their confused faces and Panda turned to face Lupus. Then turned back to the others, whispering their plan, “Try to sit next to the new kid, no matter what, don’t let their friends sit next to them, I need to talk to them, understood?”
The others nodded and turned back to the cue, sooner then they imagined they were at the front, the two dinner servers served both the new kid and Panda at the same time. The new kid took longer, no meats and only vegetables or eggs. Panda finished and was standing awkwardly by the tables when the new kid was done they took a seat where they sat yesterday. Panda sat right next to them, they looked up then looked down at their food and started eating by pulling the bandanna up to under their nose. The group behind Luis and Loki started pointing it out, soon after Loki, Luis, Panda, and Niji were sitting down around the new person.
“So new person what’s your name, Scary, Scarry, McScarFace?” Niji asked smirking but a questioning look etched on his face. The new kid got out their whiteboard and started writing down with a squeak of the marker. They pushed it over to the middle of the table so the group could see.
Even if I had to tell you, I wouldn’t.
“Funny one here, funny indeed,” Niji replied nodding his head sarcastically. Someone else took a seat, a seat next to Niji. Wren rested her elbows on the table then laced her fingers together to make a rest for her chin; she looked around the table looking bored. Today was a chill day but most people were training for tomorrow, the biggest event that happens only 3 times a year, most people have been 2 or 1, some like Isaac, Wren and Niji has had 6 or 4, nobody knows but themselves.
“So what will you do today for training, our team has a good plan indeed so has Jules’ they involved this one as well,” Wren nodded towards the new kid, staring a little longer before turning her eyes back at the others, the group glanced at each other think what to say without spoiling what they had in mind, to be honest they hated the plan but they were going to do it, training in the weak areas which isn’t that much but high in terrible zones.
The new kid stood up trying to leave, but Panda grabbed their arm and pulled them to sit down, they twisted their arm around to loosen the grip then pulled freeing their arm. They went to a free table, alone, Saskya tried to sit with them but they just moved further away, random people took seats next to them but didn’t talk to them.
Loki, Wren, Luis, Niji, and Panda looked at each other than at their food. Panda rolled his eyes then started talking about random staff, Wren being herself, wasn’t listening so when he asked her a question so he had to ask twice. Luis muttered something in French when Niji said something idiotic. Isaac came over and took a seat next to Wren with his back facing away from the table and started talking in hushed tones with Wren, the other four talked quietly trying to listen in but were unsuccessful because when they were about to hear some words Isaac got up and waved from behind as he took a seat with his groups.
Breakfast ended at 8 am, everyone trudged to their dorms to quickly change or washed their face and hands, then at 8:15, then walked to the amphitheater to hear to hear today’s announcements and the challenges for the tournament tomorrow. The amphitheatre is a large room able to fit 1000 people on the stair-like seats, Loki and his group came out of the top hallway entrance, he gazed around, the stage was on the edge of the semi-circular room, Apprentice Gould was standing in front of a stand with a microphone on the top. The lower hallway had a bunch of people spilling out turning either left or right to go claim seats, the chatter was all could be heard.
The group went to the left and walked up the stairs to the fourth to last section of seats like stairs, which happened to be right next to the group with Jules in.
“Hey look, the new kid is on the stage,” Niji pointed out, sure enough, they, they didn’t look comfortable by the way, they kept fidgeting with their bandana and clothes. Jules must have noticed as well because Loki who was sitting next to her saw her leaning in talking to someone better.
“Isaac, Lupus is on the stage, do you have any idea why?” Jules asked her voice muffled to Loki who was listening in. Isaac voice was way more muffled so Loki only caught “I hope I’m wrong.”
“AGH Jules get off me!” Talia whined, as per usual, if it was a boy she knows is into girls she wouldn’t have complained but if it’s a girl she’ll complain and complain. Jay yawned at Talia's complaining earning a scowl. With that Gould cleared his throat, talking died down almost instantly. All eyes were on Gould who stood up straighter and gazed around the crowd.
“Cadets… It is with great pleasure your all able to join us, I and the Apprentices have chosen the six challenges for each group,” Gould’s voice echoed from the speakers, everyone started sitting on the edge of their seats as he plucked a red envelope from his sleeve and opened it slow to build suspension, he looked back up, “the theme is Solo Survival, the challenges as followed:
Climbing wall level 10,
Survival hour, Freezing Cold,
Traps,
Hide and seek two from each group,
Hallway Level 15.”
A groan was passed through the crowd, then people hushed other people waiting for the last challenge, Gould read the last challenge smiled and looked back up still smiling, “Combat five times your natural level. These are your challenges, work as a team to pick a person for each challenge, right person for the right task. The scoring system is as followed, first 20 points, second 15 points, third 10 points and finally fourth 5 points. The prize for the winning team is no chores for a month; you can choose a team to do them for you.
“Before we start chattering we must remember, cheating is not tolerated, remember the person who lashed out, who broke the rules. They had no regard for the rules, even after what happened they are still our best cadet and the one who still is top of the leaderboards. They beat most levels single handily, watch the videos of their success to improve your own,” Gould warned, his voice carrying over everyone like a disease. Of course, everyone knows why he warns them every time before the tournament, “No more announcements for today or tomorrow except it’s no schedule day.”
Chatter started again, excitement buzzed around as groups got up from their seats making their way to the training hall, Loki and his group got up quickly so they could share information about other stuff, Loki told them about how the new kid is called Lupus.
The training hall is a large hallway type building, different sections on either side with survival tips and training of different verities. Most groups surrounded screens that were dotted around the place for help or the Hallway. Loki’s group split up going to the sections they most need to work on, Loki traps, Niji climbing, Luis and Panda on general survival tips.
It wasn’t till 6:30 pm there was no more people in the Hallway so they could go train there.
“You no longer have the head to wear the uniform given to you when you stay for a month, it must be hard for old comers since you have grown used to it,” the gentle voice of Apprentice Gould, loud “Woops” and “yes”. Spread across the hall, Isaac and Wren looked overjoyed, maybe because they are longest remaining people in the group of friends. Everyone shuffled out talking about no more uniforms, some talking about the tournament and the rumours that followed it.
The groups with Isaac and Aaron walked down the corridor Lupus ahead of them with Saskya talking in sign language when they reached their dorm they left the talking group still communicating in sign. Everyone departed into the two dorm groups. Aaron and Jules went in Lupus were sitting on their sixth with knees tucked in; Saskya was sitting next to them, talking in hushed tones with Lupus who signed in reply. When Aaron went to sit on his sixth, Saskya woke up and climbed up easily on to her sixth.
Everyone pulled their curtains shut, shuffling started getting louder as the four changed into night clothes, and they took it in turns going into the toilet to clean themselves. It was 9:30 when lights were told to be switched off; Jules being the closet switched them off. Each sixth had a lamp in the ceiling with a switch on the wall, Aaron, Jules, and Saskya turned theirs on and opened their curtains and started talking about training and the tournament, stuff like that. By 11:27 Jules was the only one awake, though she turned her lamp off and pulled her curtain hallway. Jules stared at the blank wall opposite her bed, the pinkie peach. She was about to drift off to sleep when a light appeared on the wall revealing the colour, the light from Lupus’ sixth.
Clicking and an “shh” sound came from the light source, shuffling and movement started, Lupus stood up and went past Jules and towards bathroom, leaving the door open with the light on, a shadow, an outline of Lupus, they were tall, they were already tall but they looked taller, they looked like they had a skinny but strong frame, they turned to their side, shadow moving with them, the shadow showed they had long hair tied into a high ponytail. Lupus reached up and did something with their face, Jules couldn’t tell in the shadow.
A flat chest? Jules pointed to herself in her head, Aaron yawned stopping Lupus, their hand dropped their shadow growing bigger and Jules started panicking and closed her pretending to be asleep. A shuffle of movement and then something pulled Jules’ blanket up to her neck, the sound of the curtain closing and a click of a light what Jules saw was over.
*Group 2*
Loki was already having a bad morning, Panda was complaining about the new kid and Niji were suggesting beating them up. Which was declined by Panda and Loki, though Panda said not until after the tournament? Luis was shaking his head with his hand on his forehead; his head tilted making his black hair sway from side to side whilst leaning on a light cyan wall that had medals and papers of accomplishments and praise was taped on the walls.
Leaning over the side of his bed he looked down at Niji’s head which was also facing down but he was looking at his schedule, Loki could literally feel his grim expression. Loki swung his legs over the bed and jumped down next to Niji with a thud, Niji not reacting. Loki checked the time with the clock on Niji’s wall then walked to the door, turning to the others, “You coming or what, I’m starving and I heard its English breakfast day.”
The others stared at the open door where Loki was, Luis leaned off the wall and looked at Niji and Aaron smirked, started walking back towards the door before awkwardly waving before disappearing down the corridor.
The cue was longer today, the usual groups of friends were queuing talking as they shuffled up the cue, Loki noticed the largest group were talking the loudest, Isaac’s and Jules’ groups, the winners and the losers, the best of friends, Loki envied them how they agreed easily on things, they had good communication. Jules’ group had all of that but they don’t know each other’s thought patterns like Loki’s and Isaac’s. This would lead them to failure like they have many times, they had a new person with them but the person wasn’t going into convocation, like normal they had that bandanna and hood on covering anyway to show their identity.
Like normal people were dressed in their sports clothes, the usual girls wearing crop tops, not every girl wears this but most do, and the shorts that went to just above the knee, the boys wearing the bicycle long sleeves and the shorts like the girls. Loki was wearing the male sports clothing like everyone else to blend in, Luis came next to him at the doorway and looked around as well his eyes scanning the other two groups that were relevant to their lives. He muttered something in French then carried on walking towards the line with Loki on his trail.
Niji and Panda came from the hallway no longer than a minute after and pushed into the cue behind the new person and in front of the bigger group, Loki and Luis looked at each other then walked over to Niji and Panda. Niji smirked at their confused faces and Panda turned to face Lupus. Then turned back to the others, whispering their plan, “Try to sit next to the new kid, no matter what, don’t let their friends sit next to them, I need to talk to them, understood?”
The others nodded and turned back to the cue, sooner then they imagined they were at the front, the two dinner servers served both the new kid and Panda at the same time. The new kid took longer, no meats and only vegetables or eggs. Panda finished and was standing awkwardly by the tables when the new kid was done they took a seat where they sat yesterday. Panda sat right next to them, they looked up then looked down at their food and started eating by pulling the bandanna up to under their nose. The group behind Luis and Loki started pointing it out, soon after Loki, Luis, Panda, and Niji were sitting down around the new person.
“So new person what’s your name, Scary, Scarry, McScarFace?” Niji asked smirking but a questioning look etched on his face. The new kid got out their whiteboard and started writing down with a squeak of the marker. They pushed it over to the middle of the table so the group could see.
Even if I had to tell you, I wouldn’t.
“Funny one here, funny indeed,” Niji replied nodding his head sarcastically. Someone else took a seat, a seat next to Niji. Wren rested her elbows on the table then laced her fingers together to make a rest for her chin; she looked around the table looking bored. Today was a chill day but most people were training for tomorrow, the biggest event that happens only 3 times a year, most people have been 2 or 1, some like Isaac, Wren and Niji has had 6 or 4, nobody knows but themselves.
“So what will you do today for training, our team has a good plan indeed so has Jules’ they involved this one as well,” Wren nodded towards the new kid, staring a little longer before turning her eyes back at the others, the group glanced at each other think what to say without spoiling what they had in mind, to be honest they hated the plan but they were going to do it, training in the weak areas which isn’t that much but high in terrible zones.
The new kid stood up trying to leave, but Panda grabbed their arm and pulled them to sit down, they twisted their arm around to loosen the grip then pulled freeing their arm. They went to a free table, alone, Saskya tried to sit with them but they just moved further away, random people took seats next to them but didn’t talk to them.
Loki, Wren, Luis, Niji, and Panda looked at each other than at their food. Panda rolled his eyes then started talking about random staff, Wren being herself, wasn’t listening so when he asked her a question so he had to ask twice. Luis muttered something in French when Niji said something idiotic. Isaac came over and took a seat next to Wren with his back facing away from the table and started talking in hushed tones with Wren, the other four talked quietly trying to listen in but were unsuccessful because when they were about to hear some words Isaac got up and waved from behind as he took a seat with his groups.
Breakfast ended at 8 am, everyone trudged to their dorms to quickly change or washed their face and hands, then at 8:15, then walked to the amphitheater to hear to hear today’s announcements and the challenges for the tournament tomorrow. The amphitheatre is a large room able to fit 1000 people on the stair-like seats, Loki and his group came out of the top hallway entrance, he gazed around, the stage was on the edge of the semi-circular room, Apprentice Gould was standing in front of a stand with a microphone on the top. The lower hallway had a bunch of people spilling out turning either left or right to go claim seats, the chatter was all could be heard.
The group went to the left and walked up the stairs to the fourth to last section of seats like stairs, which happened to be right next to the group with Jules in.
“Hey look, the new kid is on the stage,” Niji pointed out, sure enough, they, they didn’t look comfortable by the way, they kept fidgeting with their bandana and clothes. Jules must have noticed as well because Loki who was sitting next to her saw her leaning in talking to someone better.
“Isaac, Lupus is on the stage, do you have any idea why?” Jules asked her voice muffled to Loki who was listening in. Isaac voice was way more muffled so Loki only caught “I hope I’m wrong.”
“AGH Jules get off me!” Talia whined, as per usual, if it was a boy she knows is into girls she wouldn’t have complained but if it’s a girl she’ll complain and complain. Jay yawned at Talia's complaining earning a scowl. With that Gould cleared his throat, talking died down almost instantly. All eyes were on Gould who stood up straighter and gazed around the crowd.
“Cadets… It is with great pleasure your all able to join us, I and the Apprentices have chosen the six challenges for each group,” Gould’s voice echoed from the speakers, everyone started sitting on the edge of their seats as he plucked a red envelope from his sleeve and opened it slow to build suspension, he looked back up, “the theme is Solo Survival, the challenges as followed:
Climbing wall level 10,
Survival hour, Freezing Cold,
Traps,
Hide and seek two from each group,
Hallway Level 15.”
A groan was passed through the crowd, then people hushed other people waiting for the last challenge, Gould read the last challenge smiled and looked back up still smiling, “Combat five times your natural level. These are your challenges, work as a team to pick a person for each challenge, right person for the right task. The scoring system is as followed, first 20 points, second 15 points, third 10 points and finally fourth 5 points. The prize for the winning team is no chores for a month; you can choose a team to do them for you.
“Before we start chattering we must remember, cheating is not tolerated, remember the person who lashed out, who broke the rules. They had no regard for the rules, even after what happened they are still our best cadet and the one who still is top of the leaderboards. They beat most levels single handily, watch the videos of their success to improve your own,” Gould warned, his voice carrying over everyone like a disease. Of course, everyone knows why he warns them every time before the tournament, “No more announcements for today or tomorrow except it’s no schedule day.”
Chatter started again, excitement buzzed around as groups got up from their seats making their way to the training hall, Loki and his group got up quickly so they could share information about other stuff, Loki told them about how the new kid is called Lupus.
The training hall is a large hallway type building, different sections on either side with survival tips and training of different verities. Most groups surrounded screens that were dotted around the place for help or the Hallway. Loki’s group split up going to the sections they most need to work on, Loki traps, Niji climbing, Luis and Panda on general survival tips.
It wasn’t till 6:30 pm there was no more people in the Hallway so they could go train there.
Isaac couldn’t sleep, he was leaning against the wall opposite the sevenths was closest to the door, above his seven the seven was empty, but someone’s presence was missing. Some dorms had seven beds instead of six mainly because most of the dorms with seven were bigger. Unlike he grew up in an orphanage. He stared at the empty sixth, his head tilted upwards on the wall, his blonde hair rubbed against the wall making scratching like sounds. His legs were lying in front of him, he wasn’t tired, and his heart ached. Isaac needed to clear his head, he needs to let out the frustrations, and he needs to go to the training hall.
Opening the door he looked as far as he could, leaning outwards checking if there was anyone there. No one was. He crept out, his trainers making a faint sound on the floor. Isaac walked down the dim eerie hallway, a faint thud from the door closing and he was already a quarter from his dorm. Dorms were to his left and his right every six steps; Dorm 37 was near him when he heard footsteps, knowing whose dorm this is he went inside quietly and quickly.
He heard the footsteps pass and two dorms nearby doors opening and closing, most likely a couple coming back from training together. Isaac himself used to be in loved, he came with his lover and another person to Alpha Rein but they were kicked out for a really bad reason after four months of being there. The sound stopped outside, time to go. He looked behind him at Jules’, Saskya’s and Aaron’s dorm just checking if he hadn’t woke them up, he barely see anything in the dim light but eyes adjusted quickly.
Three of six curtains were closed, wait three? Isn’t there supposed to be another one closed, Isaac wasn’t sure. Soon after checking he left, closing the door and walking down the hallway, he had memorised the layout, how many feet something is away or how big a room is, he knew it, maybe because he’s been here for 1 year and two months.
Believe it or not being at Alpha Rein for longer than most didn’t change that fact you knew everything about it, most long timers have left or turned into a coach. Isaac hasn’t chosen yet, in five weeks he would turn 21 that’s his deadline, stay and teach kids how to not to kill themselves, truly tempting, or leave with the best chances of survival, learning would cost his friends, staying would cost his mentality.
Isaac finally arrived at the training hall, he opened one of the double doors, leaving a gap for his head to look through, peering through making sure nobody. The sections had their lights still on but the main hallway had no lights on like per usual at night. He stepped in and made sure the doors were closed and secure before walking quietly just a case someone was there. When he reached the combat section his body froze, someone was using the shooting range.
Lupus was picking up each gun and checked it by aiming it when they picked the sniper then checked it then walked over to the soundproof glass surrounded shooting range. Isaac moved behind the wall panicking, he peered from behind the wall, Lupus was wearing the hood/big bandanna thing, they wore the tight leggings and the long sleeved crop top. They were tanned, easily shown by the beams from the lights, from Isaac’s angle they had back in an acute angle, they had a fit body type, scars visibly seem, some scars massive and some tiny.
The muffled shout of the sniper snapped Isaac back from staring; he looked at the dummy in front of Lupus, a headshot. Another shout and the dummy next to the other one had also been given a headstone. Three shots in a row in the space of 5 seconds all the dummies were headshot-ted. Isaac gaped at Lupus as they shot the last dummy, all six dummies headshot-ted. Isaac was good with a shotgun but Lupus they were amazing.
Isaac, after watching Lupus like a pervert, plucked up his courage to move to the shooting range with a combat shotgun in hand. Lupus heard the door open behind them because they twirled around sniper pointing at Isaac’s head.
“Easy, I’m a friend, sometimes,” Isaac said hands in surrender. Lupus’ eyes narrowed then huffed lowering the sniper and moving around back at the dummies, “I think you headshot-ted the dummies enough Lupus.”
Lupus rolled their eyes then looked at Isaac who moved next to them. A loud bang startled Isaac; in response Lupus’ eyes glistened with humour. Isaac and Lupus looked at the dummy, the shot hit its stomach. Pleased, Lupus lifted the sniper so it rested on their shoulder, their right hand near the trigger whilst the left did a mocking salute before falling to their side.
“Did you sniper pose me?” Isaac scoffed overreacting dramatically, Lupus nodded in a mocking way. Isaac could physically feel their smirk; Isaac smirked as well then turned to the shooting range then shot after aiming. A shot in the dummy’s right lung. Pleased with himself, Isaac turned smiling smugly at Lupus. Lupus looked at the dummy and snorted, they aimed the sniper and shot the same dummy but it’s left lung.
Isaac shot again, hitting the neck, turning towards Lupus who wasn’t there, the sound of the door closing behind him. Isaac turned to see through the glass wall, to see Lupus reloading then placing the sniper on the gun rack. Isaac shot some more at the dummies then went to find Lupus, to find them putting on fingerless cloves by the combat cube. Isaac walked over gesturing at the combat cube; the combat cube is like shooting range but bigger and less sound replant, the floor of the cube is dark grey and looks like stone but is made of a bouncy material that is still hard if you hit it. There are different levels of height, high beams, climbing and poles used for support or for swinging on.
Lupus looked up at Isaac than the combat cube then shrugged in “I don’t mind” manner. Isaac started stretching so his muscles so it is easier to move. Lupus stretched their arms before turning away from Isaac to readjust their scarf/bandanna.
“Why do you wear the bandanna?” Isaac said tying his on his trainers. Lupus turned, they had their bandanna just to below their nose, lifting their hand to cover their face of “To hide” Lupus let their arms fall in a shrug, “Huh, anyway ready to be beaten up?”
Lupus walked through the glass door and placed themselves in the centre of the combat cube, Isaac went for a higher up sections to have more of a chance of winning. Lupus stretched their arms once more than got ready, raising their fists Isaac as well, then he called out, “on the count of three we start. 1, 2, 3!
Isaac run forward and placed himself in front of Lupus and tired hitting them, they dodge fluidly another try, dodged. Then Isaac hit for Lupus’ stomach Lupus rolled to the side than standing up almost instantly. Isaac tried to kick them but Lupus grabbed his leg and tugged making him fall. A thud of Isaac’s head hitting the floor instead of his back was not what he was expecting that. Groaning Isaac lifted his head, Lupus had their hand stretched out for Isaac to grabbed, Isaac accepted the offer then put his hand through his hair trying to process what just happened, which also messed his quiff.
“Wanna go again?” Isaac asked stretching his back then repositioning himself, all he got from Lupus was a snort and a nod, next thing he knew he was a few inches apart from Lupus and was hitting at them. Lupus blocked and hit back, Isaac blocked and then tried to kick but Lupus deflected it with their thy. Isaac went for a high kick and Lupus dropped down and used their left arm as a support beam and twirled around, knocking Isaac down again. “Oh jeez, you know your stuff? How hard are you trying?”
Lupus recovered themselves then turned to Isaac, they lifted their hand and made the sign of “little amount” Isaac snorted and stood up shaking off the stiffness.
“Again,” Isaac commanded bravely, rolling his head to. Lupus nodded and took some steps back; Isaac readied himself but by the time he looked up Lupus was running past him.
Lupus ran up to a horizontal beam and jumped up, whilst still running, and grabbed it, swinging themselves up to the platform in front. Lupus turned to see Isaac running up as well but instead of swinging he pushed off a wall and jumped, he landed his arms landing on the platform and the rest hanging off the side.
Lupus backed up as Isaac pulled himself up in front of them, raising his fists once up stepping forward and swinging his arm making Lupus duck under his arm and go behind him, switching his and their places. Isaac swung again but he forgot to recover his balance and he tripped and fell on top of Lupus who was standing by the edge.
Isaac opened his eyes, his head was resting on something comfortable, he pulled himself up into a push-up position, to see himself face to face with Lupus, Lupus opened their eyes and stared at Isaac, him staring back forgetting what an awkward position he was in. Lupus’ eyes looked so familiar it
was scary but Isaac wasn’t focusing on that. Isaac stared intothe different coloured eyes for too long. Lupus shook their gaze then pushed Isaac off with so much force he hit the wall of the combat cube. Rubbing his head, he looked up to find Lupus walking out of the cube ripping off their cloves then running out of the training hall.
Isaac got up after five minutes when his head stopped throbbing, and started to walk back to his dorm when something caught his eye, Lupus’ bag. He picked it up before leaving for his dorm. Isaac dropped the bag the open door of Dorm 37 and closed it then trudged back to his dorm for once tired and needing sleep.
Opening the door he looked as far as he could, leaning outwards checking if there was anyone there. No one was. He crept out, his trainers making a faint sound on the floor. Isaac walked down the dim eerie hallway, a faint thud from the door closing and he was already a quarter from his dorm. Dorms were to his left and his right every six steps; Dorm 37 was near him when he heard footsteps, knowing whose dorm this is he went inside quietly and quickly.
He heard the footsteps pass and two dorms nearby doors opening and closing, most likely a couple coming back from training together. Isaac himself used to be in loved, he came with his lover and another person to Alpha Rein but they were kicked out for a really bad reason after four months of being there. The sound stopped outside, time to go. He looked behind him at Jules’, Saskya’s and Aaron’s dorm just checking if he hadn’t woke them up, he barely see anything in the dim light but eyes adjusted quickly.
Three of six curtains were closed, wait three? Isn’t there supposed to be another one closed, Isaac wasn’t sure. Soon after checking he left, closing the door and walking down the hallway, he had memorised the layout, how many feet something is away or how big a room is, he knew it, maybe because he’s been here for 1 year and two months.
Believe it or not being at Alpha Rein for longer than most didn’t change that fact you knew everything about it, most long timers have left or turned into a coach. Isaac hasn’t chosen yet, in five weeks he would turn 21 that’s his deadline, stay and teach kids how to not to kill themselves, truly tempting, or leave with the best chances of survival, learning would cost his friends, staying would cost his mentality.
Isaac finally arrived at the training hall, he opened one of the double doors, leaving a gap for his head to look through, peering through making sure nobody. The sections had their lights still on but the main hallway had no lights on like per usual at night. He stepped in and made sure the doors were closed and secure before walking quietly just a case someone was there. When he reached the combat section his body froze, someone was using the shooting range.
Lupus was picking up each gun and checked it by aiming it when they picked the sniper then checked it then walked over to the soundproof glass surrounded shooting range. Isaac moved behind the wall panicking, he peered from behind the wall, Lupus was wearing the hood/big bandanna thing, they wore the tight leggings and the long sleeved crop top. They were tanned, easily shown by the beams from the lights, from Isaac’s angle they had back in an acute angle, they had a fit body type, scars visibly seem, some scars massive and some tiny.
The muffled shout of the sniper snapped Isaac back from staring; he looked at the dummy in front of Lupus, a headshot. Another shout and the dummy next to the other one had also been given a headstone. Three shots in a row in the space of 5 seconds all the dummies were headshot-ted. Isaac gaped at Lupus as they shot the last dummy, all six dummies headshot-ted. Isaac was good with a shotgun but Lupus they were amazing.
Isaac, after watching Lupus like a pervert, plucked up his courage to move to the shooting range with a combat shotgun in hand. Lupus heard the door open behind them because they twirled around sniper pointing at Isaac’s head.
“Easy, I’m a friend, sometimes,” Isaac said hands in surrender. Lupus’ eyes narrowed then huffed lowering the sniper and moving around back at the dummies, “I think you headshot-ted the dummies enough Lupus.”
Lupus rolled their eyes then looked at Isaac who moved next to them. A loud bang startled Isaac; in response Lupus’ eyes glistened with humour. Isaac and Lupus looked at the dummy, the shot hit its stomach. Pleased, Lupus lifted the sniper so it rested on their shoulder, their right hand near the trigger whilst the left did a mocking salute before falling to their side.
“Did you sniper pose me?” Isaac scoffed overreacting dramatically, Lupus nodded in a mocking way. Isaac could physically feel their smirk; Isaac smirked as well then turned to the shooting range then shot after aiming. A shot in the dummy’s right lung. Pleased with himself, Isaac turned smiling smugly at Lupus. Lupus looked at the dummy and snorted, they aimed the sniper and shot the same dummy but it’s left lung.
Isaac shot again, hitting the neck, turning towards Lupus who wasn’t there, the sound of the door closing behind him. Isaac turned to see through the glass wall, to see Lupus reloading then placing the sniper on the gun rack. Isaac shot some more at the dummies then went to find Lupus, to find them putting on fingerless cloves by the combat cube. Isaac walked over gesturing at the combat cube; the combat cube is like shooting range but bigger and less sound replant, the floor of the cube is dark grey and looks like stone but is made of a bouncy material that is still hard if you hit it. There are different levels of height, high beams, climbing and poles used for support or for swinging on.
Lupus looked up at Isaac than the combat cube then shrugged in “I don’t mind” manner. Isaac started stretching so his muscles so it is easier to move. Lupus stretched their arms before turning away from Isaac to readjust their scarf/bandanna.
“Why do you wear the bandanna?” Isaac said tying his on his trainers. Lupus turned, they had their bandanna just to below their nose, lifting their hand to cover their face of “To hide” Lupus let their arms fall in a shrug, “Huh, anyway ready to be beaten up?”
Lupus walked through the glass door and placed themselves in the centre of the combat cube, Isaac went for a higher up sections to have more of a chance of winning. Lupus stretched their arms once more than got ready, raising their fists Isaac as well, then he called out, “on the count of three we start. 1, 2, 3!
Isaac run forward and placed himself in front of Lupus and tired hitting them, they dodge fluidly another try, dodged. Then Isaac hit for Lupus’ stomach Lupus rolled to the side than standing up almost instantly. Isaac tried to kick them but Lupus grabbed his leg and tugged making him fall. A thud of Isaac’s head hitting the floor instead of his back was not what he was expecting that. Groaning Isaac lifted his head, Lupus had their hand stretched out for Isaac to grabbed, Isaac accepted the offer then put his hand through his hair trying to process what just happened, which also messed his quiff.
“Wanna go again?” Isaac asked stretching his back then repositioning himself, all he got from Lupus was a snort and a nod, next thing he knew he was a few inches apart from Lupus and was hitting at them. Lupus blocked and hit back, Isaac blocked and then tried to kick but Lupus deflected it with their thy. Isaac went for a high kick and Lupus dropped down and used their left arm as a support beam and twirled around, knocking Isaac down again. “Oh jeez, you know your stuff? How hard are you trying?”
Lupus recovered themselves then turned to Isaac, they lifted their hand and made the sign of “little amount” Isaac snorted and stood up shaking off the stiffness.
“Again,” Isaac commanded bravely, rolling his head to. Lupus nodded and took some steps back; Isaac readied himself but by the time he looked up Lupus was running past him.
Lupus ran up to a horizontal beam and jumped up, whilst still running, and grabbed it, swinging themselves up to the platform in front. Lupus turned to see Isaac running up as well but instead of swinging he pushed off a wall and jumped, he landed his arms landing on the platform and the rest hanging off the side.
Lupus backed up as Isaac pulled himself up in front of them, raising his fists once up stepping forward and swinging his arm making Lupus duck under his arm and go behind him, switching his and their places. Isaac swung again but he forgot to recover his balance and he tripped and fell on top of Lupus who was standing by the edge.
Isaac opened his eyes, his head was resting on something comfortable, he pulled himself up into a push-up position, to see himself face to face with Lupus, Lupus opened their eyes and stared at Isaac, him staring back forgetting what an awkward position he was in. Lupus’ eyes looked so familiar it
was scary but Isaac wasn’t focusing on that. Isaac stared intothe different coloured eyes for too long. Lupus shook their gaze then pushed Isaac off with so much force he hit the wall of the combat cube. Rubbing his head, he looked up to find Lupus walking out of the cube ripping off their cloves then running out of the training hall.
Isaac got up after five minutes when his head stopped throbbing, and started to walk back to his dorm when something caught his eye, Lupus’ bag. He picked it up before leaving for his dorm. Isaac dropped the bag the open door of Dorm 37 and closed it then trudged back to his dorm for once tired and needing sleep.
Should I draw on his face again?” Jay asked reading her pen.
“NO!” the other said in unison.
“Especially since the last time you got us in trouble with Hender, no one likes Hender,” Wren pointed out. She was sitting in her separated seventh, reading a book looking up only when she wants to. Her bed was built into the wall opposite the other six beds, when she and two others arrived she claimed it first.
“Ok, I’m sorry Hender can’t see the difference between a smiley face and a-” Jay was cut off.
“OK, why don’t you tickle his foot?” Suggested Jackson who was sitting on his seventh opposite Wren’s, Jackson had his curtain drawn so only his legs were visible because they were sticking out from behind the curtain. Talia tickled Isaac’s foot, who was half off his bed half not, his right side off and his left on with his face slowly sliding off his pillow. Isaac didn’t even wriggle when Talia tickled his foot.
“Isaac isn’t ticklish I thought I should mention that,” Wren called out from her bed.
“Could have said that earlier,” Talia snapped.
“Could of, would of if I didn’t want to watch you fail, but alas I did.”
“You are extremely unhelpful! Why are you second in command of this group?” Pandora countered her legs hanging from the bed above Jackson’s. Wren sighed and put her book down getting up and pushed Jay, who was drawing a smiley face on Isaac’s foot, and Talia, who was brushing Isaac’s quiff which he hates, aside and hovering over Isaac’s head.
“Isaac, they have been unbanned, they’re coming back,” Wren said miserably, Isaac woke up too late and fell off his bed. Wren turned to Pandora and bowed, “thank you for the kind words.”
“Isaac for once you woke up after all of us, normally you’re up and changed, I guess the table has turned for Trickster Mcgee,” Jay grinned, Isaac stood up and behind down at Jay.
“I guess they have,” yawned Isaac rubbing the back of his head and looked around at the clock on Talia’s seventh’s wall. Wren was back at her 2nd and was reading still looking miserable. “Ok I can’t be bothered to read the clock, what time is it?”
“Our fearless leader, can’t be bothered to read a clock?” Wren said sarcastically raising an eyebrow, Isaac shrugged, “7:45. Panic mode, go.”
“WHAT! Oh god, I’m not ready! I need to shower and get dressed, oh cr-”Isaac started panicking but was cut off.
“Relax, beanpole, go shower now,” Jackson said from behind the curtain, Isaac nodded grabbing his towel the running into the, slightly bigger than the others, bathroom then slamming the door, a few seconds later the sound of the shower buzzing appeared. Jay sighed climbing up onto her bunk, Talia sat on hers and brushed her brown hair, Pandora just sat there looking into space and sometimes the rewards, photos and medals on the wall by Wren’s bed.
“How much sleep do you think Isaac got?” Jay asked mostly aiming at Wren.
“He hasn’t slept like that since… you know,” Wren replied shutting her book and thinking, the others nodded, they knew the story,
“Well by the looks of thing one to three hours not least he had enough for the tournament.”
“Talking about the tournament, everyone knows what they’re doing correct we don’t want another Jay day,” Pandora asked everyone Jay snorted sniggering loudly making Wren smirk. There was a knock on the door, Talia answered it.
“Aaron, love, what do I bring the pleasure?” Talia flirted batting her eyelashes making Wren groan and Pandora sigh.
“We came to ask if we can stay till breakfast, Jules and Saskya are arguing,” Aaron said pushing Talia away so she didn’t hug him.
“Sure, why the hell not? I mean more the more the merrier,” Wren called out before Talia could reply, “By we, who is with you?”
“Lupus, do you mind?” Aaron said walking in with Lupus behind him; Aaron was wearing his black sports shorts, a white t-shirt and white trainers. Lupus was wearing a crop top which showed their stomach, a lot of scars, and the leggings. In Lupus’ hand they had the whiteboard, the others a cyan envelope.
“More I don’t have to listen to talk about cute boys from Talia or Isaac’s sleeping problems.”
“Sounds great,” Aaron said leaning on an empty spot of the wall, Lupus took a seat opposite Talia’s bed, leaning on the wall, “Saskya and Jules are being annoying, arguing about what was it again?”
Lupus lifted their board for Aaron to see, “Oh yeah, thanks, on the goodness of people, Lupus and I couldn’t stand it. I swear I heard Lupus mutter a curse.”
Lupus showed Aaron their board shaking their head, Aaron snorted. Then everyone started conversations with each other, Jay jumped next Lupus and started drawing funny pictures on Lupus’ board, Wren and Aaron talked about the tournament and Pandora and Talia talking about food.
By near the end of chatter Lupus had a questionable smiley face on their shoulder and Jay with a streak across her cheek. Wren and Aaron were complaining about every Coach apart from Coach Hannah and Ben, who were the nicest because all the others Coaches are too strict and favoured people. A few minutes after the ended and everyone was in a comfortable silence Lupus got up and showed Aaron on their board.
“Its breakfast in a couple of minutes so Lupus and I are going, wanna come?” Aaron said halfway to the door with Lupus behind him, the others got up and followed Aaron and Lupus, Jackson finally revealing himself.
The bathroom door opened as Jackson was near the doorway to the corridor. Isaac called out to him, “Jackson wait a sec!”
“Er, sure,” Jackson called back then turned to the corridor and called to the others, “I’m waiting for Isaac you guys go ahead we’ll catch up!”
“So who came over?” Isaac said rubbing his wet hair with his towel before throwing it on his bed, his hair was still damp and it stuck to his forehead. He spead towards the door where Jackson waited.
“Oh, Lupus and Aaron. They came around because Jules and Saskya were arguing, Lupus was with Jay from what I heard and Aaron was with Wren, as in talking wise,” Jackson told Isaac as they walked the corridor, at Dorm 37 Jules and Saskya came out. Both of them had scowls on their faces, Jules walked further ahead than Saskya who not talking to Jackson and Isaac, when the cue of was in view Jules pushed in and joined the others at the front of the group whilst Saskya and the others joined the back of the group.
“Oh come on Lupus I wanna hear you laugh!” Jay’s voice carried down the group as they moved slowly up the cue, people in the cue talked amongst themselves, Isaac peered down the cue to see Jay resting her arm around Lupus’ shoulders and Lupus covering where their mouth would be under their bandanna, Wren was sniggering next to the other two.
Everyone else were nervous, who wouldn’t be? Most were eating as much as they could whilst others not eating any food, to extreme nervousness. The tournament was made to prove your strength most people were too happy to prove theirs, others prefer keeping to themselves. It was a risk to win, get higher scores to win the prize and praise.
The food for breakfast was mixed, eggs, salads, toast and more, whatever you could think of. This is the multicultural day; there was more than just America here, French, British, Africa and more. Everyone’s favourite day. The most cultural day. It was around 7:55 when the cue started to move quicker, soon enough the group was sitting at a table, to their displeasure Niji, Panda, Luis and Loki were also sitting on the table.
“Ok Lupus eat a tiny bit of egg, you only eat vegetables and you hate it I can tell,” Jay complained trying to persuade Lupus to one of her many friend eggs, Jay had like six in a weird pile. Lupus wrote something on their board, along of the lines “I’ll get in trouble.”
“Fight the power!” Wren blurted making everyone jump a tiny bit; Jay repeated the line raising a fist in the air. Lupus rolled their eyes then stabbed an egg with their fork. Titling their head down, Lupus lifted the bandanna up to under their nose a shoved the egg in their mouth before pulling the bandanna down again.
“So that weird five minutes is over, thank whoever is in charge,” Jackson said after jay around the tables hands in fists expanded above her head, jumping over Niji’s expanded leg and throwing Niji’s cup filled with water at him then sitting down, a grin etched across her beaming face as everyone laughed. “Who’s doing what for the challenges today?”
Lupus, Aaron, Saskya and Jules glanced at each other having a silent conversation, apparently Aaron and Saskya won, Lupus slumped over and Jules sighed, “Me and Saskya are doing hide and seek, Aaron’s doing Traps, as for the once they're going to mention now we have an idea, that’s all we’re saying.”
“No fun” Jay complained crunching on an end of a carrot stick, chatter suddenly died down everyone turned to the front of the room, like every tournament they say the main team event before the tournament starts, Coach Ben and Coach Hannah were standing next to each other, both holding the same rainbow envelope whilst gazing around cheerfully.
Coach Ben was around 6 feet tall with chestnut brown hair, his skin was lightly tanned but visible, he was wearing the red tank top and black trousers to represent he was a Coach, a rainbow bracelet hanging loosely from his wrist. Hannah was a little shorter then Ben, around 5’10, she had the red tank top and black leggings, she had blonde curly hair tied in a loose ponytail, also light tanned skin but some freckles along the rim of her nose, a metal chained neckless with a rainbow flag in the middle hung around her neck.
The two Coaches were favourited, they hated rudeness, and got the job done but let the novices have 10 minutes of fun. They were both the go-to partners in crime Coaches if you needed help, both extremely kind. At the start, everyone thought they were a couple. HA! Until they started revealing their bracelets and necklaces, they were the gayest of gays. By 2035 every kind of gender, sexual or romantic attractions, religions and race were accepted as equals, now in 2347, you could see straight or not straight relationships everywhere.
They got everyone’s attention, they started opening the rainbow envelope, and they looked at it then looked at each other. Ben and Hannah turned to the novices and said Hannah first, “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND ALL THOSE NON BINARY PEOPLE!”
“THE LAST AND FINAL TEAM CHALLENGE FOR THE TOURNAMENT,” Ben countered
“IS: CAPTURE THE FLAG – JUNGLE GYM!” They welled together, some groups whooped, others slumped onto their tables groaning. The bell hit the ears of the novices and then nervously shuffling into the training hall and splitting up into groups waiting to find out what time the challenges will be held.
The TVs lit up, everyone turned holding their breath, the board read:
“NO!” the other said in unison.
“Especially since the last time you got us in trouble with Hender, no one likes Hender,” Wren pointed out. She was sitting in her separated seventh, reading a book looking up only when she wants to. Her bed was built into the wall opposite the other six beds, when she and two others arrived she claimed it first.
“Ok, I’m sorry Hender can’t see the difference between a smiley face and a-” Jay was cut off.
“OK, why don’t you tickle his foot?” Suggested Jackson who was sitting on his seventh opposite Wren’s, Jackson had his curtain drawn so only his legs were visible because they were sticking out from behind the curtain. Talia tickled Isaac’s foot, who was half off his bed half not, his right side off and his left on with his face slowly sliding off his pillow. Isaac didn’t even wriggle when Talia tickled his foot.
“Isaac isn’t ticklish I thought I should mention that,” Wren called out from her bed.
“Could have said that earlier,” Talia snapped.
“Could of, would of if I didn’t want to watch you fail, but alas I did.”
“You are extremely unhelpful! Why are you second in command of this group?” Pandora countered her legs hanging from the bed above Jackson’s. Wren sighed and put her book down getting up and pushed Jay, who was drawing a smiley face on Isaac’s foot, and Talia, who was brushing Isaac’s quiff which he hates, aside and hovering over Isaac’s head.
“Isaac, they have been unbanned, they’re coming back,” Wren said miserably, Isaac woke up too late and fell off his bed. Wren turned to Pandora and bowed, “thank you for the kind words.”
“Isaac for once you woke up after all of us, normally you’re up and changed, I guess the table has turned for Trickster Mcgee,” Jay grinned, Isaac stood up and behind down at Jay.
“I guess they have,” yawned Isaac rubbing the back of his head and looked around at the clock on Talia’s seventh’s wall. Wren was back at her 2nd and was reading still looking miserable. “Ok I can’t be bothered to read the clock, what time is it?”
“Our fearless leader, can’t be bothered to read a clock?” Wren said sarcastically raising an eyebrow, Isaac shrugged, “7:45. Panic mode, go.”
“WHAT! Oh god, I’m not ready! I need to shower and get dressed, oh cr-”Isaac started panicking but was cut off.
“Relax, beanpole, go shower now,” Jackson said from behind the curtain, Isaac nodded grabbing his towel the running into the, slightly bigger than the others, bathroom then slamming the door, a few seconds later the sound of the shower buzzing appeared. Jay sighed climbing up onto her bunk, Talia sat on hers and brushed her brown hair, Pandora just sat there looking into space and sometimes the rewards, photos and medals on the wall by Wren’s bed.
“How much sleep do you think Isaac got?” Jay asked mostly aiming at Wren.
“He hasn’t slept like that since… you know,” Wren replied shutting her book and thinking, the others nodded, they knew the story,
“Well by the looks of thing one to three hours not least he had enough for the tournament.”
“Talking about the tournament, everyone knows what they’re doing correct we don’t want another Jay day,” Pandora asked everyone Jay snorted sniggering loudly making Wren smirk. There was a knock on the door, Talia answered it.
“Aaron, love, what do I bring the pleasure?” Talia flirted batting her eyelashes making Wren groan and Pandora sigh.
“We came to ask if we can stay till breakfast, Jules and Saskya are arguing,” Aaron said pushing Talia away so she didn’t hug him.
“Sure, why the hell not? I mean more the more the merrier,” Wren called out before Talia could reply, “By we, who is with you?”
“Lupus, do you mind?” Aaron said walking in with Lupus behind him; Aaron was wearing his black sports shorts, a white t-shirt and white trainers. Lupus was wearing a crop top which showed their stomach, a lot of scars, and the leggings. In Lupus’ hand they had the whiteboard, the others a cyan envelope.
“More I don’t have to listen to talk about cute boys from Talia or Isaac’s sleeping problems.”
“Sounds great,” Aaron said leaning on an empty spot of the wall, Lupus took a seat opposite Talia’s bed, leaning on the wall, “Saskya and Jules are being annoying, arguing about what was it again?”
Lupus lifted their board for Aaron to see, “Oh yeah, thanks, on the goodness of people, Lupus and I couldn’t stand it. I swear I heard Lupus mutter a curse.”
Lupus showed Aaron their board shaking their head, Aaron snorted. Then everyone started conversations with each other, Jay jumped next Lupus and started drawing funny pictures on Lupus’ board, Wren and Aaron talked about the tournament and Pandora and Talia talking about food.
By near the end of chatter Lupus had a questionable smiley face on their shoulder and Jay with a streak across her cheek. Wren and Aaron were complaining about every Coach apart from Coach Hannah and Ben, who were the nicest because all the others Coaches are too strict and favoured people. A few minutes after the ended and everyone was in a comfortable silence Lupus got up and showed Aaron on their board.
“Its breakfast in a couple of minutes so Lupus and I are going, wanna come?” Aaron said halfway to the door with Lupus behind him, the others got up and followed Aaron and Lupus, Jackson finally revealing himself.
The bathroom door opened as Jackson was near the doorway to the corridor. Isaac called out to him, “Jackson wait a sec!”
“Er, sure,” Jackson called back then turned to the corridor and called to the others, “I’m waiting for Isaac you guys go ahead we’ll catch up!”
“So who came over?” Isaac said rubbing his wet hair with his towel before throwing it on his bed, his hair was still damp and it stuck to his forehead. He spead towards the door where Jackson waited.
“Oh, Lupus and Aaron. They came around because Jules and Saskya were arguing, Lupus was with Jay from what I heard and Aaron was with Wren, as in talking wise,” Jackson told Isaac as they walked the corridor, at Dorm 37 Jules and Saskya came out. Both of them had scowls on their faces, Jules walked further ahead than Saskya who not talking to Jackson and Isaac, when the cue of was in view Jules pushed in and joined the others at the front of the group whilst Saskya and the others joined the back of the group.
“Oh come on Lupus I wanna hear you laugh!” Jay’s voice carried down the group as they moved slowly up the cue, people in the cue talked amongst themselves, Isaac peered down the cue to see Jay resting her arm around Lupus’ shoulders and Lupus covering where their mouth would be under their bandanna, Wren was sniggering next to the other two.
Everyone else were nervous, who wouldn’t be? Most were eating as much as they could whilst others not eating any food, to extreme nervousness. The tournament was made to prove your strength most people were too happy to prove theirs, others prefer keeping to themselves. It was a risk to win, get higher scores to win the prize and praise.
The food for breakfast was mixed, eggs, salads, toast and more, whatever you could think of. This is the multicultural day; there was more than just America here, French, British, Africa and more. Everyone’s favourite day. The most cultural day. It was around 7:55 when the cue started to move quicker, soon enough the group was sitting at a table, to their displeasure Niji, Panda, Luis and Loki were also sitting on the table.
“Ok Lupus eat a tiny bit of egg, you only eat vegetables and you hate it I can tell,” Jay complained trying to persuade Lupus to one of her many friend eggs, Jay had like six in a weird pile. Lupus wrote something on their board, along of the lines “I’ll get in trouble.”
“Fight the power!” Wren blurted making everyone jump a tiny bit; Jay repeated the line raising a fist in the air. Lupus rolled their eyes then stabbed an egg with their fork. Titling their head down, Lupus lifted the bandanna up to under their nose a shoved the egg in their mouth before pulling the bandanna down again.
“So that weird five minutes is over, thank whoever is in charge,” Jackson said after jay around the tables hands in fists expanded above her head, jumping over Niji’s expanded leg and throwing Niji’s cup filled with water at him then sitting down, a grin etched across her beaming face as everyone laughed. “Who’s doing what for the challenges today?”
Lupus, Aaron, Saskya and Jules glanced at each other having a silent conversation, apparently Aaron and Saskya won, Lupus slumped over and Jules sighed, “Me and Saskya are doing hide and seek, Aaron’s doing Traps, as for the once they're going to mention now we have an idea, that’s all we’re saying.”
“No fun” Jay complained crunching on an end of a carrot stick, chatter suddenly died down everyone turned to the front of the room, like every tournament they say the main team event before the tournament starts, Coach Ben and Coach Hannah were standing next to each other, both holding the same rainbow envelope whilst gazing around cheerfully.
Coach Ben was around 6 feet tall with chestnut brown hair, his skin was lightly tanned but visible, he was wearing the red tank top and black trousers to represent he was a Coach, a rainbow bracelet hanging loosely from his wrist. Hannah was a little shorter then Ben, around 5’10, she had the red tank top and black leggings, she had blonde curly hair tied in a loose ponytail, also light tanned skin but some freckles along the rim of her nose, a metal chained neckless with a rainbow flag in the middle hung around her neck.
The two Coaches were favourited, they hated rudeness, and got the job done but let the novices have 10 minutes of fun. They were both the go-to partners in crime Coaches if you needed help, both extremely kind. At the start, everyone thought they were a couple. HA! Until they started revealing their bracelets and necklaces, they were the gayest of gays. By 2035 every kind of gender, sexual or romantic attractions, religions and race were accepted as equals, now in 2347, you could see straight or not straight relationships everywhere.
They got everyone’s attention, they started opening the rainbow envelope, and they looked at it then looked at each other. Ben and Hannah turned to the novices and said Hannah first, “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND ALL THOSE NON BINARY PEOPLE!”
“THE LAST AND FINAL TEAM CHALLENGE FOR THE TOURNAMENT,” Ben countered
“IS: CAPTURE THE FLAG – JUNGLE GYM!” They welled together, some groups whooped, others slumped onto their tables groaning. The bell hit the ears of the novices and then nervously shuffling into the training hall and splitting up into groups waiting to find out what time the challenges will be held.
The TVs lit up, everyone turned holding their breath, the board read:
The groups stared at the board processing the times and event orders, some panicking that they were first up, some sighing because they were at the end. It was mixed emotions. “Not to be that person but HA NERDS,” Jay said aiming at Jackson and Aaron who were doing traps.
“I feel sorry for you, there’s a high chance you’re going up against Loki,” Wren countered shaking her head dramatically, a groan passed through random members of the people watching the TV and listening in, Loki was good at making traps, many call him “God Of Tricksters” because of the old Norse legend when they had a God named Loki as well. Jay was very offended, mainly because she was the biggest tricksters here.
“Dorm 37 huddle!” Jules called, Dorm 1, Isaac's group walked together without instructions then calls for groups started, more shuffling the 60 groups huddled together, sizes ranging from 7 to 4 is the only moment when everyone could hear each other talking, if this happened again in the space of 3 months most likely lock-down were everyone goes to the training hall and wait it out.
Prep talks are what most teams do before the tournament along with chants that are weak and horrible. Isaac’s group had their six heads pressed together, Jay was playing rock, paper, scissors against Jackson who was losing badly and was being a sour loser, Isaac and Wren were giving prep talks which went something like this:
“You’re not going to die out there! You can to do, breath, stay calm and you’ll win,” Isaac said encouragingly.
“You might die, you will probably lose but eh you’ll be ok for the first few minutes,” Wren said saying the true facts.
“Wren shut it,”
“No can do, I have an amazing skill of not shutting up,”
That was basically was the normal conversations between them, anyway, Jules’s group also known as Group 37, hence dorm number, was being less truthful and more positive mostly, some strategies were given out so they had a better chance, Lupus stretched whilst listening, they had their bandanna covering their neck and head except for their eyes and a little bit of the rim of their nose. They were talking in a circle with arms around each other.
Group 16, Panda’s group were only strategizing, no positivity but courage and strategies. They were talking in a tight circle talking in whispers, no longer than five minutes the bell for the first challenge, the three from the three groups walked to the trap section that was made bigger for the tournament, a grassy woodland area a curtain was on the side, different types and sizes of rope was hanging on a rack before the door of the section, people not in this challenge climbed up onto the different levels, hanging their legs off the side watching the massive TV screen with displayed the camera of the section.
A man with a big clipboard walked in front of the glass wall, he was average height and had a small beard, a scar covered his eye, he had a tag hanging from his pocket, he didn’t look familiar, probably a new coach, but something about him seemed off, he was glaring at the kids around the glass wall, the long line of novices waiting to get called into the trap session. “So you think you’ll be able to win? Well, you have five minutes to make the best trap you can,” his voice ruff and commanding, “Coach Ben will test out your trap, he won’t be watching, he will be in the staff room then will come back when the clock on this TV screen is ended.
“Group 1, you are up first, don’t waste time collecting ropes, don’t rush on your trap. The curtain will cover the glass wall and camera that displays on the big screen when Ben opens the door to go in the section the curtain will be drawn, during the five minutes talk amongst yourselves,” He said, one of the other Coaches were staring at the new coach, a suspicious look on their face, they didn’t recognise this Coach, something is weird. Niji, Luis and Panda looked around; some Coaches were whispering to other Coaches nodding their heads towards the new Coach, something was extremely off.
When Jackson walked into the section the Coach pulled the curtain shut, the TV next to the trap section light up revealing yellow numbers in bold, it read 5:00, as soon as Jackson closed the door with a bunch of ropes dragging behind him the timer started, the massive TV screen dark, a faint light from the bottom of the screen. Niji got up after the new Coach turned away from everyone whispering to his friends, “I will regret this but I need to figure out why they are whispering about the new Coach.”
He jumped off the platform they were on, wind rushing in his ears he looked down bracing himself, at the last minute he landed and rolled, his back aching a tiny bit. A thud next to him made him look up, Wren and Saskya were standing in front of him, well Wren was, Saskya was lying on the floor next to her. Wren looked down at Niji and held out a hand sighing, once Niji was up she pulled Saskya up by her sports shirt.
“Ow. Ow. OW!” Saskya groaned as she was pulled up wincing at the slight pain in her back.
“So anyway, we are trying to figure what’s with the new Coach, are you as well?” Wren asked looking at Niji. Saskya looked up and frowned when she saw Niji. Saskya looked up and frowned when she saw Niji but didn’t comment. The crowds of people now moving towards where they dropped down.
“Yea I am, the Coaches on the main hanging platform are whispering about this guy, if you ask me I think they don’t know who he is. Ain’t they supposed to know?” Niji replied gesturing to the platforms above them, there was a lot of them; massive platforms was in line with another platform but smaller were Niji jumped from, another platform higher up and a little bigger than Niji’s group was higher up had six feet hanging from it, most likely Saskya’s group and Wren’s group.
“Firstly, it’s aren’t not ain’t, secondly, we’re going to ask the new Coach questions, by we learn I mean Saskya because apparently I always sound rude,” Wren grumbled, Niji nodded a mocking nod and Saskya snorted and nodded, “anyway, Niji you lead the way.”
Niji walked into the crowds of people awkwardly, squeezing between two people to get through, Wren following close behind but Saskya further away due to people saying hi and king how she is. Eventually, all three of them were at the front of the crowd; a semi-circle cleating was surrounding the section, making it easier to move.
They spotted the Coach after they had a quick discussion on a plan, Niji and Saskya looked at Wren if they should carry on, Wren nodded. Moving in a line they walked up to the Coach his face clearer, he had pale skin, scratches line his face, a gothic vibe radiating off him, his singular eye has a dark canapé green, the largest scar covered the other eye, it looked recently fresh but months old.
“Excuse me are you a new Coach?” Saskya asked in a fake sweet tone, Wren whispered in her ear on what to say so she didn’t say the wrong thing. Niji being bored at the chatter, so he looked up at the two platforms were Luis, Wren and Saskya came from, on Niji’s platform Luis and Panda were hand gesturing to him, they both had 1 finger in the air suggesting Jackson was on his last minute on Wren and Saskya’s platform there was chatter amongst themselves, a little bit of self-combat in the back of the platform. The difference between both groups was visible, Panda’s group were more serious and had stranger humour than normal people and Isaac’s and Jules’ group were funny, laid back, not caring, but loyal to each other. Except for Lupus, who was watching the other three down below.
“Me? Well yes, of course, I mean no. I mean yes I am a new Coach I got the job yesterday,” the “new Coach” replied, his voice different when not shouting, a slight accent, Spanish maybe, his response made Wren tense up and get a questioning look, she whispered into Saskya’s ear, a confused look suddenly spread across Saskya’s face, she mouth what Wren grumbled a cruse then turned to Niji and whisper in his ear instead, Niji quickly replied in a harsher whisper, Wren groaned leaning away from Niji.
“Can I see your tag? As a long timer I have been given permission to ask for someone’s tag,” Wren lied her voice not taking up any trace of lies, the Coach’s eyes widen into a panic.
“NO! How dare you! You unbearable child,” the Coach snarled back, making the three jump a little back, the Coach’s nostrils flared, “you have fifteen seconds to get back to your groups before I do something you’ll regret, the time for the Group 1 kid is almost up!
The three were so started they fled before they “Fight the power” rushing through the crowd not caring about splitting up, they reached the way to their platforms, a massive climbing wall which would take them to do different platforms, they went up quickly, Saskya up the fasted, Niji reaching is lower down platform first and bombarded with questions. When the other two were they were bombarded, Lupus still sitting on the edge not bothering to get up and ask anything.
They quietened down as the timer struck 1 second left and loud dings filled the air making everyone in the room jumped. Jackson came out after the new Coach pulled the curtain open, the big screen now showing the section, from what everyone saw there were no ropes, he covered them up. Coach Ben from the crowd and went in after Jackson came out, looking around the section. The section was designed to look like a tiny bit of a normal forest, dark green bark with mostly dead leaves on the floor and on the branches but some trees had dark red leaves.
Ben walked in, hesitant; he looked around making sure there were any visible traps that the camera didn’t pick up. Confused he didn’t see anything he stepped in, all the children, teens and adults waiting for something, something that would catch their attention, but nothing came. It was a solid minute before Ben had the courage to walk around the forest square, then walking to the middle, a thin tripwire was in his way. He fell as his foot pushed against the wire, falling quickly. His hand fell onto another a rope which wrapped around his rope and pulled up, his chest feel on a net that pulled up as well.
By the end, Ben was hanging in the middle of the forest square, tangled in a net his right arm above his head with a rope attached to it, the other underneath his body. The ones watching laughed at the sight, a scowl spread on Ben’s face. The leader-board shimmered and gave Jackson his score, at the moment he was first hence him being the first one to go, at the moment because he was first he had 100 points which would decrease as people went above him.
Shouts of joy were heard loudly from above and backwards, the two groups on the second largest platform were whistling and clapping loudly. True encouragement came from the groups towards Jackson as he climbed up the climbing to his group who patted his back or hugged him tightly. He was bound to get high ranking score because he covered his trap and tripped Ben. As encouraging as the two groups were they didn’t pay attention to the groups until it was Group 16 which was Panda’s group, were Wren elbowed the talking Jay and Pandora next to her who both whined. When the others didn’t quieten down Wren lost her patience and snapped “SHUT IT!
They watched as Loki came out with a mixture of a boyish grin and a smirk glancing up at his group then looked at the other two groups the grin turning into a smug like smirk. Everyone’s eyes switched to the massive screen, as the curtain was drawn back. The forest square was a jungle or ropes and strings; they went in all directions, vertical, horizontal. Ben was extremely confused, alerted and just down right creeped out by the ropes. Ben walked in glancing around quickly, checking his feet, the ropes near him.
Ben walked through trying to reach the end, moving around trying not to touch any of the ropes, it was like the ropes were burning hot metal rods. Something made Ben topple when he was curving around a rope, he touched a piece of rope and nothing happened… Ben got up quickly, hitting about six other ropes and yet again nothing happened, Ben sighed annoyingly and lost his patience, he walked through the jungle of ropes not caring about touching the ropes, ducking, weaving and bending to get to the door at the other end. He managed to get past all the ropes, apart from one. The last rope was vertically stretching up in front of the door in the middle, so Ben had to touch it. Ben didn’t care anymore so he grabbed and pulled it out of his way, a clicking sound filled his ears, and he turned around to see a bunch of ropes moving. He turned around and opened up the door but a rope wrapped around his waist. He was pulled back, another rope wrapped around his wrists and ankles. A thick rope tired around his forearms and his arms underneath. At the end of this event Ben was hovering in the air, ropes wrapped around him like snakes strangling him. Everyone stared at the mess in front of them before clapping slowly then starting clapping, everyone gazed in awe as Loki walked through the crowd and started climbing the wall to his group.
The clapping turned into whistling and wooing loudly, as well as the occasional shout of praise, Loki reached his group who got up from sitting down and tackled him into a hug, Luis yelling in French, “Etais très bien!” Panda ruffled Loki’s hair whilst his head was under Panda’s arm in a head lock, grinning like a mad man. Niji was leaning on Panda with an elbow resting on his shoulder, nodding and smirking along with his friends. No doubt, Loki was taken to first place, pushing Jackson from 5th to 6th.
Every group was getting bored in of the decreasing skills of the traps, when it was Aaron’s turn no one was paying attention maybe except Jules’, Isaac’s and Panda’s groups. The massive bing hit everyone’s ears but didn’t scare them like the first couple of times, some eyes darted towards the screen as Jackson came out and Ben went in. The ropes were hidden apart from a singular cheap trap in the middle, Ben sighed and started walking towards the door effortlessly, reaching out to pulled the door handle. Before he could even get a foot near the door a rope appeared from the floor and wrapped itself around Ben and pulled him to the centre of were the singular cheap trap lay, forcing him to step into the middle of the loop. He was immediately was flown into the air by his foot and dangling with blood rushing to his face, unable to escape from his bounds.
The amazing trap got Aaron to second place which made Isaac’s group and Jules’ whoop loudly. Panda’s group clapped politely, not wanting to get glared at by Wren. As 23 other groups went only one got higher than Aaron pushing him down to 3rd place, Loki remained third and Jackson had gone down to 7th. All in all it was a good game, Group 37 never had ever been in top 5th, things were changing for the better.
“I feel sorry for you, there’s a high chance you’re going up against Loki,” Wren countered shaking her head dramatically, a groan passed through random members of the people watching the TV and listening in, Loki was good at making traps, many call him “God Of Tricksters” because of the old Norse legend when they had a God named Loki as well. Jay was very offended, mainly because she was the biggest tricksters here.
“Dorm 37 huddle!” Jules called, Dorm 1, Isaac's group walked together without instructions then calls for groups started, more shuffling the 60 groups huddled together, sizes ranging from 7 to 4 is the only moment when everyone could hear each other talking, if this happened again in the space of 3 months most likely lock-down were everyone goes to the training hall and wait it out.
Prep talks are what most teams do before the tournament along with chants that are weak and horrible. Isaac’s group had their six heads pressed together, Jay was playing rock, paper, scissors against Jackson who was losing badly and was being a sour loser, Isaac and Wren were giving prep talks which went something like this:
“You’re not going to die out there! You can to do, breath, stay calm and you’ll win,” Isaac said encouragingly.
“You might die, you will probably lose but eh you’ll be ok for the first few minutes,” Wren said saying the true facts.
“Wren shut it,”
“No can do, I have an amazing skill of not shutting up,”
That was basically was the normal conversations between them, anyway, Jules’s group also known as Group 37, hence dorm number, was being less truthful and more positive mostly, some strategies were given out so they had a better chance, Lupus stretched whilst listening, they had their bandanna covering their neck and head except for their eyes and a little bit of the rim of their nose. They were talking in a circle with arms around each other.
Group 16, Panda’s group were only strategizing, no positivity but courage and strategies. They were talking in a tight circle talking in whispers, no longer than five minutes the bell for the first challenge, the three from the three groups walked to the trap section that was made bigger for the tournament, a grassy woodland area a curtain was on the side, different types and sizes of rope was hanging on a rack before the door of the section, people not in this challenge climbed up onto the different levels, hanging their legs off the side watching the massive TV screen with displayed the camera of the section.
A man with a big clipboard walked in front of the glass wall, he was average height and had a small beard, a scar covered his eye, he had a tag hanging from his pocket, he didn’t look familiar, probably a new coach, but something about him seemed off, he was glaring at the kids around the glass wall, the long line of novices waiting to get called into the trap session. “So you think you’ll be able to win? Well, you have five minutes to make the best trap you can,” his voice ruff and commanding, “Coach Ben will test out your trap, he won’t be watching, he will be in the staff room then will come back when the clock on this TV screen is ended.
“Group 1, you are up first, don’t waste time collecting ropes, don’t rush on your trap. The curtain will cover the glass wall and camera that displays on the big screen when Ben opens the door to go in the section the curtain will be drawn, during the five minutes talk amongst yourselves,” He said, one of the other Coaches were staring at the new coach, a suspicious look on their face, they didn’t recognise this Coach, something is weird. Niji, Luis and Panda looked around; some Coaches were whispering to other Coaches nodding their heads towards the new Coach, something was extremely off.
When Jackson walked into the section the Coach pulled the curtain shut, the TV next to the trap section light up revealing yellow numbers in bold, it read 5:00, as soon as Jackson closed the door with a bunch of ropes dragging behind him the timer started, the massive TV screen dark, a faint light from the bottom of the screen. Niji got up after the new Coach turned away from everyone whispering to his friends, “I will regret this but I need to figure out why they are whispering about the new Coach.”
He jumped off the platform they were on, wind rushing in his ears he looked down bracing himself, at the last minute he landed and rolled, his back aching a tiny bit. A thud next to him made him look up, Wren and Saskya were standing in front of him, well Wren was, Saskya was lying on the floor next to her. Wren looked down at Niji and held out a hand sighing, once Niji was up she pulled Saskya up by her sports shirt.
“Ow. Ow. OW!” Saskya groaned as she was pulled up wincing at the slight pain in her back.
“So anyway, we are trying to figure what’s with the new Coach, are you as well?” Wren asked looking at Niji. Saskya looked up and frowned when she saw Niji. Saskya looked up and frowned when she saw Niji but didn’t comment. The crowds of people now moving towards where they dropped down.
“Yea I am, the Coaches on the main hanging platform are whispering about this guy, if you ask me I think they don’t know who he is. Ain’t they supposed to know?” Niji replied gesturing to the platforms above them, there was a lot of them; massive platforms was in line with another platform but smaller were Niji jumped from, another platform higher up and a little bigger than Niji’s group was higher up had six feet hanging from it, most likely Saskya’s group and Wren’s group.
“Firstly, it’s aren’t not ain’t, secondly, we’re going to ask the new Coach questions, by we learn I mean Saskya because apparently I always sound rude,” Wren grumbled, Niji nodded a mocking nod and Saskya snorted and nodded, “anyway, Niji you lead the way.”
Niji walked into the crowds of people awkwardly, squeezing between two people to get through, Wren following close behind but Saskya further away due to people saying hi and king how she is. Eventually, all three of them were at the front of the crowd; a semi-circle cleating was surrounding the section, making it easier to move.
They spotted the Coach after they had a quick discussion on a plan, Niji and Saskya looked at Wren if they should carry on, Wren nodded. Moving in a line they walked up to the Coach his face clearer, he had pale skin, scratches line his face, a gothic vibe radiating off him, his singular eye has a dark canapé green, the largest scar covered the other eye, it looked recently fresh but months old.
“Excuse me are you a new Coach?” Saskya asked in a fake sweet tone, Wren whispered in her ear on what to say so she didn’t say the wrong thing. Niji being bored at the chatter, so he looked up at the two platforms were Luis, Wren and Saskya came from, on Niji’s platform Luis and Panda were hand gesturing to him, they both had 1 finger in the air suggesting Jackson was on his last minute on Wren and Saskya’s platform there was chatter amongst themselves, a little bit of self-combat in the back of the platform. The difference between both groups was visible, Panda’s group were more serious and had stranger humour than normal people and Isaac’s and Jules’ group were funny, laid back, not caring, but loyal to each other. Except for Lupus, who was watching the other three down below.
“Me? Well yes, of course, I mean no. I mean yes I am a new Coach I got the job yesterday,” the “new Coach” replied, his voice different when not shouting, a slight accent, Spanish maybe, his response made Wren tense up and get a questioning look, she whispered into Saskya’s ear, a confused look suddenly spread across Saskya’s face, she mouth what Wren grumbled a cruse then turned to Niji and whisper in his ear instead, Niji quickly replied in a harsher whisper, Wren groaned leaning away from Niji.
“Can I see your tag? As a long timer I have been given permission to ask for someone’s tag,” Wren lied her voice not taking up any trace of lies, the Coach’s eyes widen into a panic.
“NO! How dare you! You unbearable child,” the Coach snarled back, making the three jump a little back, the Coach’s nostrils flared, “you have fifteen seconds to get back to your groups before I do something you’ll regret, the time for the Group 1 kid is almost up!
The three were so started they fled before they “Fight the power” rushing through the crowd not caring about splitting up, they reached the way to their platforms, a massive climbing wall which would take them to do different platforms, they went up quickly, Saskya up the fasted, Niji reaching is lower down platform first and bombarded with questions. When the other two were they were bombarded, Lupus still sitting on the edge not bothering to get up and ask anything.
They quietened down as the timer struck 1 second left and loud dings filled the air making everyone in the room jumped. Jackson came out after the new Coach pulled the curtain open, the big screen now showing the section, from what everyone saw there were no ropes, he covered them up. Coach Ben from the crowd and went in after Jackson came out, looking around the section. The section was designed to look like a tiny bit of a normal forest, dark green bark with mostly dead leaves on the floor and on the branches but some trees had dark red leaves.
Ben walked in, hesitant; he looked around making sure there were any visible traps that the camera didn’t pick up. Confused he didn’t see anything he stepped in, all the children, teens and adults waiting for something, something that would catch their attention, but nothing came. It was a solid minute before Ben had the courage to walk around the forest square, then walking to the middle, a thin tripwire was in his way. He fell as his foot pushed against the wire, falling quickly. His hand fell onto another a rope which wrapped around his rope and pulled up, his chest feel on a net that pulled up as well.
By the end, Ben was hanging in the middle of the forest square, tangled in a net his right arm above his head with a rope attached to it, the other underneath his body. The ones watching laughed at the sight, a scowl spread on Ben’s face. The leader-board shimmered and gave Jackson his score, at the moment he was first hence him being the first one to go, at the moment because he was first he had 100 points which would decrease as people went above him.
Shouts of joy were heard loudly from above and backwards, the two groups on the second largest platform were whistling and clapping loudly. True encouragement came from the groups towards Jackson as he climbed up the climbing to his group who patted his back or hugged him tightly. He was bound to get high ranking score because he covered his trap and tripped Ben. As encouraging as the two groups were they didn’t pay attention to the groups until it was Group 16 which was Panda’s group, were Wren elbowed the talking Jay and Pandora next to her who both whined. When the others didn’t quieten down Wren lost her patience and snapped “SHUT IT!
They watched as Loki came out with a mixture of a boyish grin and a smirk glancing up at his group then looked at the other two groups the grin turning into a smug like smirk. Everyone’s eyes switched to the massive screen, as the curtain was drawn back. The forest square was a jungle or ropes and strings; they went in all directions, vertical, horizontal. Ben was extremely confused, alerted and just down right creeped out by the ropes. Ben walked in glancing around quickly, checking his feet, the ropes near him.
Ben walked through trying to reach the end, moving around trying not to touch any of the ropes, it was like the ropes were burning hot metal rods. Something made Ben topple when he was curving around a rope, he touched a piece of rope and nothing happened… Ben got up quickly, hitting about six other ropes and yet again nothing happened, Ben sighed annoyingly and lost his patience, he walked through the jungle of ropes not caring about touching the ropes, ducking, weaving and bending to get to the door at the other end. He managed to get past all the ropes, apart from one. The last rope was vertically stretching up in front of the door in the middle, so Ben had to touch it. Ben didn’t care anymore so he grabbed and pulled it out of his way, a clicking sound filled his ears, and he turned around to see a bunch of ropes moving. He turned around and opened up the door but a rope wrapped around his waist. He was pulled back, another rope wrapped around his wrists and ankles. A thick rope tired around his forearms and his arms underneath. At the end of this event Ben was hovering in the air, ropes wrapped around him like snakes strangling him. Everyone stared at the mess in front of them before clapping slowly then starting clapping, everyone gazed in awe as Loki walked through the crowd and started climbing the wall to his group.
The clapping turned into whistling and wooing loudly, as well as the occasional shout of praise, Loki reached his group who got up from sitting down and tackled him into a hug, Luis yelling in French, “Etais très bien!” Panda ruffled Loki’s hair whilst his head was under Panda’s arm in a head lock, grinning like a mad man. Niji was leaning on Panda with an elbow resting on his shoulder, nodding and smirking along with his friends. No doubt, Loki was taken to first place, pushing Jackson from 5th to 6th.
Every group was getting bored in of the decreasing skills of the traps, when it was Aaron’s turn no one was paying attention maybe except Jules’, Isaac’s and Panda’s groups. The massive bing hit everyone’s ears but didn’t scare them like the first couple of times, some eyes darted towards the screen as Jackson came out and Ben went in. The ropes were hidden apart from a singular cheap trap in the middle, Ben sighed and started walking towards the door effortlessly, reaching out to pulled the door handle. Before he could even get a foot near the door a rope appeared from the floor and wrapped itself around Ben and pulled him to the centre of were the singular cheap trap lay, forcing him to step into the middle of the loop. He was immediately was flown into the air by his foot and dangling with blood rushing to his face, unable to escape from his bounds.
The amazing trap got Aaron to second place which made Isaac’s group and Jules’ whoop loudly. Panda’s group clapped politely, not wanting to get glared at by Wren. As 23 other groups went only one got higher than Aaron pushing him down to 3rd place, Loki remained third and Jackson had gone down to 7th. All in all it was a good game, Group 37 never had ever been in top 5th, things were changing for the better.
This is how it works, the groups do a challenge and get their scores, and then move to a different section, for example, the climbing wall is the largest section, it ties in with the Outside, and the Outside is a large nuke proof glass domed area where you can see the sky and the area around. The Alpha Reign is located in northwestern Arizona, so the world outside the camp is sandy and extremely hot. In the dome, there is greenery, grass, trees and a mini lake. As if someone plucked a large circular field of spring placed it into a desert and protected it with a strong barrier of glass on the sides. For most people this is the best place to be, the climbing wall is a favourite for those who want to be in a warm, nice outside place. For others… It’s hell.
The groups flinched or covered their eyes at the new light as they walked into the Outside, the sun may be covered by the clouds of ash still brighter than normal, maybe it is summer in the world. Maybe the ash was fading after a year of being in the sky and they could start consuming good air instead of the smoke that’s so bad it is as if you smoke about three packs of cigarettes a day. People bought so many gas masks and the latest technology, which was a bubble of clean air in a circle of 20 feet away from the centre; they all were sold out from every shop. As well as the technologies people went to the giant space hotel which circles the earth every day like the moon, ten massive ships went up into space full to the brim, taking about 2 million along with them.
The climbing wall was on the east side of the entrance to the south of the dome nearly 60 feet with height and 40 with length, unlike most climbing walls which have things to grip onto but this wall is made to be like an actual cliff face, on the wall had wood sticking out to act like a bit of tree broken off, the stone going in and out, jagged like teeth in some places but smooth with tiny grip in the other places, in the middle of the massive wall there was a part which went suddenly in which was filled to the brim with weapons, then it goes forward after 6feet.
Coach Hannah appeared from the front of the crowd, she had a holographic phone with a symbol for a microphone, next to her two small but powerful speakers connected to the phone. Coach Hannah tapped the hologram testing to see if it’s on, there was a loud “thump” that echoed Hannah from the speakers.
“Welcome to the second challenge as you see it is the climbing wall, level 10 mind you, must be the first to get up and down but since it is level 10, one of the hardest levels, there will be holographic trokika. There are 60 groups and 60 cards in a row from the numbers 1 to 60 at the top, once you reach the top take the lowest number to determine your place on the leaderboard for this event. Card one has a golden 1, card two has a silver 2, card three has a bronze 3 and the rest are plain with black numbers. Unlike the other challenges this one is all together, a race, the person whose climbing the wall please sign up with me so I can say if you have a fifteen-second head street,” Hannah’s sweet voice carrying over through the speakers and hitting people’s ears loudly
One person from each group departed from their group lining up in front of Hannah who was tapping quickly and swiping on her phone looking up to give a warm slime to the person before they to get ready by standing where their groups’ number on the floor was. By the end of people signing up, 60 people were lining up in front, stretching or running on the spot, trying to get themselves ready to run and climb, when everyone was in place, glass tubes came from under the ground rose around each person, some people panicked, others rolled their shoulders and braced themselves in a slightly readying position. A holographic timer appeared in front of each tube, which read 00:20 (seconds). But it didn’t start yet.
“Ok, there are about 40% of the groups getting a fifteen-second head start; there is a five-second countdown until certain people’s tubes with shoot down into the tunnels down below. You’re probably wondering how we sorted it, the people lower than level 5 get the head start, the highest level in this is about level 13, kind of sad, the highest, in general, is level 16 and they just aced every level before they got kicked out, which was kind of a bummer since they never complained about challenges.” Hannah paused thinking about the past, daydreaming. Someone, most likely Wren, coughed loudly which suspiciously like “Favouritism” Hannah snapped out of her trance and glared at the person for about three seconds, “Anyway, let the second challenge begin!”
When Hannah stopped talking that’s when the countdown started, a short but loud beep in time the timer.
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
Coach Hannah kept her word 40% of the tubes fell quickly, some people went straight away others confused for a couple of seconds then ran forward to the climbing wall the other 60% stretched quickly then readied themselves was going down, so did the timer 8 seconds left.
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
The people who got a head start were starting to desperately get further up the climbing wall.
BEEP.
BEEP.
2 seconds lefts the ones who remain in the tubes got into a starting position.
BEEP.
BEEEEEEEEP.
All the tubes fells, the ones in tubes sprinted forward, two of which were Jay and Saskya. Jay started climbing instantly whilst Saskya pausing to find a close enough route. Luis was the highest in the air about 9 feet, Jay gaining quickly as if this was too easy.
And that, folks, is when the holographic trokikas appeared and there were about a hundred of them most wall-crawling things or birds, not nice. Jay was closing to the halfway point, Saskya gaining, Luis sadly slipped when Jay pasted him and fell a couple feet but caught himself. An eagle flew at Jay talons first; Jay dodged by flipping to her back and going to the left so the eagle hit the wall and dissolved into cubed holographic pieces. Jay yelled in reply, “SUCK IT CAW CAW BIRDY FACE!”
Saskya had, too big to be a tarantula, tarantula scuttling quickly underneath her, also gaining quickly. Saskya started panicking; the giant tarantula was soon able to snap her foot off. Here’s the thing with these holograms there are solid like, they don’t act like normal holograms. They can injure the person with a slight technology burn but not too severe.
Luis had a lovely bunch of poisonous lizards chasing him. One lizard almost jumped up onto Luis’ back, by this time Jay was pulling herself up onto the cut in the weapons section. About two new eagles on her tail, they were flying around her pecking at her.
Jay kicked a bird in the face and managed to climb onto the platform. Jay ran straight for the long-range weapons, picking up a bow of some kind, it was small but looked powerful. If place it on the ground it looks like a sideways and long “M”. The arrow shaft made a combination of carbon and aluminium, there were two different strings, one was a dark red and was tighter, and the other was dark blue and was loose. The bow was a camouflage brown mixture which was for covering up the carbon fibre underneath.
Jay grabbed the bow, along with some aluminium arrows, she ran to the edge of the cut in and notched an arrow, pointing the arrow to the tarantula chasing Saskya, which was in line with the lizards chasing Luis, and pulling the dark red string to give more force. Jay had to focus as she saw an eagle coming at her; Jay didn’t care and let the arrow fly. The arrow went through the tarantula and then hit the main lizard so easily it was almost a joke then the two creatures dissolved. Jay remained to help people by hitting the animals catching them until Saskya got to the platform, who could have pushed her off but instead went to retrieve her weapon of choice.
The weapon Saskya choose was a 65cm in length curved sword, it was made out of tamahagane (jewel steel) and had a leather on top of the wood handle. Jay nodded to Saskya before starting the rest of her own climb, killing the eagle which was being a pest to her. Jay jumped up on the edge of the platform and swung herself up and gripped the next section of the climbing wall, eager to win this challenge.
Saskya ran to the edge to look up at Jay and then look down at the others, the katana in a strap on her back. Saskya could make a choice, help those underneath, if she grabbed a different weapon like a gun, or follow Jay.
She choose to run after Jay.
By the time she managed to swing herself, three other people were on the sections and Jay was one quarter on the way to the top, Saskya groaned and looked down to see Luis was shooting down the lizards that were chasing him. Saskya started climbing faster and more frantic, trying to get ahead.
Jay’s right hand’s grip slipped making her stumble a bit but caught herself, this gave Saskya some time to catch up a tiny bit. Looking down, Jay saw Luis was also on the last bit, with about four other people joining them on the last part. A vulture came from nowhere and clawed at Jay who jumped and grabbed the next part of the wall; the vulture flew around and went after Saskya who was struggling to hold her strength. Jay grabbed an arrow and the bow from the quiver and strap on her back, her feet in a stable position to do what she was about to do. Jay notched the arrow and pulled on the dark blue string and let go when, aiming correctly. The arrow wasn’t powerful but good enough to hit the vulture and shatter it to millions of cubes; Saskya looked up and gave her a light-hearted smile before carrying on climbing, Jay smirked and turn back to her goal. The top of the wall.
They scampered up the wall trying to get a good position, other people joining them in the last section. Jay was about 6 feet from the top, but the top was the slipperiest and had fewer grippe parts. Saskya managed to get at least 3 feet from being under Jay, Luis 5 feet under Saskya. Jay noticed a root sticking out of the rock and took grasped on to it. Using some of the last of her energy she jumped up and landed on the root, from then on she climbed on to the top. Jay wasted no time as she got up on there, whilst running to the golden 1 card she tied a thin but strong rope around the end of her second last arrow.
Saskya was pulling herself onto the top as Jay grabbed the golden card and then notched the second to last arrow, pulling back on the dark red string as much as she could to then barrier on the edge of the climbing wall top. Jay let the arrow fly and it sunk into the barrier with a loud thud, half of the arrow inside the wall. Jay smirked as Saskya gave her a puzzled look, gesturing to the silver 2 card. Jay tied the end of the thin rope around her belt that she decided to wear today.
Saskya got herself ready to start climbing down, Jay stood on the edge and pulled her arrow to the floor at the bottom of the wall, pulling on the string as much as she could, the arrow attached to the floor making a rope connecting the floor with the top of the climbing wall. Luis lifted himself up as he saw Jay turn her back to the edge and fall off, arms extended to her side. Luis cried out and ran to the edge to see Jay was in a starfish position falling down quickly to the bottom of the wall. Luis turned to see two other people had grabbed the third card and the fourth card. He ran to the fifth card as another kid came onto the top. He ran back to the edge to see a route, only to stare at Jay. Jay was still falling, about 15 feet from the ground. 12 feet. 8 feet. Luis flinched readying to turn away from a dead splattered on the floor only to see Jay grabbing the rope at the last minute to grab the rope next to her.
Saskya was watching as well and had the idea of using the rope to get down easier, other’s copied and started using the rope. Jay meanwhile giving her card to Hannah who was staring in awe like everyone else at Jay’s stunt, the two groups who were friends with Jay ran up and said how brilliant she was.
“Jesus guys, I just jumped 60 feet in the air I need to sit down,” Jay breathlessly said, trying to stand upright due to lightheadedness, they let her sit and gave her their water and letting her breath as Saskya and Luis were coming down the wall.
*
When everyone had collected their cards people were talking happily, congratulating their group member and saying they did great even if they came 30 under. A man walked up to the stand, which confused many people, where’s Coach Ben? Coach Ben is supposed to be giving the congratulations, the man looked like the new Coach, race wise and structure wise. He was bulky and had the same skin as the new Coach, instead of a knife scar or a claw scar, his whole right cheek was covered in burn marks, he had a stumble and dark caramel hair.
“Congratulations to the winning group, group 1, and congratulations to the others for the places,” the Coach said, his voice was rough and sounded little foreign. A holographic leaderboard appeared next to him, Group 1 was second; Group 37 was third, Group 16 was first. The crowds cheered at the positioning of their group on the board.
Everyone but Lupus was looking excited, who was staring at the Coach, anger and question were in their eyes. Jay cheered with the others before having to sit next to Lupus again due to lightheadedness. A cultural mixture of speech came from beside her, Spanish and rough English said in an information baring way, “Something isn’t right.”
The groups flinched or covered their eyes at the new light as they walked into the Outside, the sun may be covered by the clouds of ash still brighter than normal, maybe it is summer in the world. Maybe the ash was fading after a year of being in the sky and they could start consuming good air instead of the smoke that’s so bad it is as if you smoke about three packs of cigarettes a day. People bought so many gas masks and the latest technology, which was a bubble of clean air in a circle of 20 feet away from the centre; they all were sold out from every shop. As well as the technologies people went to the giant space hotel which circles the earth every day like the moon, ten massive ships went up into space full to the brim, taking about 2 million along with them.
The climbing wall was on the east side of the entrance to the south of the dome nearly 60 feet with height and 40 with length, unlike most climbing walls which have things to grip onto but this wall is made to be like an actual cliff face, on the wall had wood sticking out to act like a bit of tree broken off, the stone going in and out, jagged like teeth in some places but smooth with tiny grip in the other places, in the middle of the massive wall there was a part which went suddenly in which was filled to the brim with weapons, then it goes forward after 6feet.
Coach Hannah appeared from the front of the crowd, she had a holographic phone with a symbol for a microphone, next to her two small but powerful speakers connected to the phone. Coach Hannah tapped the hologram testing to see if it’s on, there was a loud “thump” that echoed Hannah from the speakers.
“Welcome to the second challenge as you see it is the climbing wall, level 10 mind you, must be the first to get up and down but since it is level 10, one of the hardest levels, there will be holographic trokika. There are 60 groups and 60 cards in a row from the numbers 1 to 60 at the top, once you reach the top take the lowest number to determine your place on the leaderboard for this event. Card one has a golden 1, card two has a silver 2, card three has a bronze 3 and the rest are plain with black numbers. Unlike the other challenges this one is all together, a race, the person whose climbing the wall please sign up with me so I can say if you have a fifteen-second head street,” Hannah’s sweet voice carrying over through the speakers and hitting people’s ears loudly
One person from each group departed from their group lining up in front of Hannah who was tapping quickly and swiping on her phone looking up to give a warm slime to the person before they to get ready by standing where their groups’ number on the floor was. By the end of people signing up, 60 people were lining up in front, stretching or running on the spot, trying to get themselves ready to run and climb, when everyone was in place, glass tubes came from under the ground rose around each person, some people panicked, others rolled their shoulders and braced themselves in a slightly readying position. A holographic timer appeared in front of each tube, which read 00:20 (seconds). But it didn’t start yet.
“Ok, there are about 40% of the groups getting a fifteen-second head start; there is a five-second countdown until certain people’s tubes with shoot down into the tunnels down below. You’re probably wondering how we sorted it, the people lower than level 5 get the head start, the highest level in this is about level 13, kind of sad, the highest, in general, is level 16 and they just aced every level before they got kicked out, which was kind of a bummer since they never complained about challenges.” Hannah paused thinking about the past, daydreaming. Someone, most likely Wren, coughed loudly which suspiciously like “Favouritism” Hannah snapped out of her trance and glared at the person for about three seconds, “Anyway, let the second challenge begin!”
When Hannah stopped talking that’s when the countdown started, a short but loud beep in time the timer.
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
Coach Hannah kept her word 40% of the tubes fell quickly, some people went straight away others confused for a couple of seconds then ran forward to the climbing wall the other 60% stretched quickly then readied themselves was going down, so did the timer 8 seconds left.
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
The people who got a head start were starting to desperately get further up the climbing wall.
BEEP.
BEEP.
2 seconds lefts the ones who remain in the tubes got into a starting position.
BEEP.
BEEEEEEEEP.
All the tubes fells, the ones in tubes sprinted forward, two of which were Jay and Saskya. Jay started climbing instantly whilst Saskya pausing to find a close enough route. Luis was the highest in the air about 9 feet, Jay gaining quickly as if this was too easy.
And that, folks, is when the holographic trokikas appeared and there were about a hundred of them most wall-crawling things or birds, not nice. Jay was closing to the halfway point, Saskya gaining, Luis sadly slipped when Jay pasted him and fell a couple feet but caught himself. An eagle flew at Jay talons first; Jay dodged by flipping to her back and going to the left so the eagle hit the wall and dissolved into cubed holographic pieces. Jay yelled in reply, “SUCK IT CAW CAW BIRDY FACE!”
Saskya had, too big to be a tarantula, tarantula scuttling quickly underneath her, also gaining quickly. Saskya started panicking; the giant tarantula was soon able to snap her foot off. Here’s the thing with these holograms there are solid like, they don’t act like normal holograms. They can injure the person with a slight technology burn but not too severe.
Luis had a lovely bunch of poisonous lizards chasing him. One lizard almost jumped up onto Luis’ back, by this time Jay was pulling herself up onto the cut in the weapons section. About two new eagles on her tail, they were flying around her pecking at her.
Jay kicked a bird in the face and managed to climb onto the platform. Jay ran straight for the long-range weapons, picking up a bow of some kind, it was small but looked powerful. If place it on the ground it looks like a sideways and long “M”. The arrow shaft made a combination of carbon and aluminium, there were two different strings, one was a dark red and was tighter, and the other was dark blue and was loose. The bow was a camouflage brown mixture which was for covering up the carbon fibre underneath.
Jay grabbed the bow, along with some aluminium arrows, she ran to the edge of the cut in and notched an arrow, pointing the arrow to the tarantula chasing Saskya, which was in line with the lizards chasing Luis, and pulling the dark red string to give more force. Jay had to focus as she saw an eagle coming at her; Jay didn’t care and let the arrow fly. The arrow went through the tarantula and then hit the main lizard so easily it was almost a joke then the two creatures dissolved. Jay remained to help people by hitting the animals catching them until Saskya got to the platform, who could have pushed her off but instead went to retrieve her weapon of choice.
The weapon Saskya choose was a 65cm in length curved sword, it was made out of tamahagane (jewel steel) and had a leather on top of the wood handle. Jay nodded to Saskya before starting the rest of her own climb, killing the eagle which was being a pest to her. Jay jumped up on the edge of the platform and swung herself up and gripped the next section of the climbing wall, eager to win this challenge.
Saskya ran to the edge to look up at Jay and then look down at the others, the katana in a strap on her back. Saskya could make a choice, help those underneath, if she grabbed a different weapon like a gun, or follow Jay.
She choose to run after Jay.
By the time she managed to swing herself, three other people were on the sections and Jay was one quarter on the way to the top, Saskya groaned and looked down to see Luis was shooting down the lizards that were chasing him. Saskya started climbing faster and more frantic, trying to get ahead.
Jay’s right hand’s grip slipped making her stumble a bit but caught herself, this gave Saskya some time to catch up a tiny bit. Looking down, Jay saw Luis was also on the last bit, with about four other people joining them on the last part. A vulture came from nowhere and clawed at Jay who jumped and grabbed the next part of the wall; the vulture flew around and went after Saskya who was struggling to hold her strength. Jay grabbed an arrow and the bow from the quiver and strap on her back, her feet in a stable position to do what she was about to do. Jay notched the arrow and pulled on the dark blue string and let go when, aiming correctly. The arrow wasn’t powerful but good enough to hit the vulture and shatter it to millions of cubes; Saskya looked up and gave her a light-hearted smile before carrying on climbing, Jay smirked and turn back to her goal. The top of the wall.
They scampered up the wall trying to get a good position, other people joining them in the last section. Jay was about 6 feet from the top, but the top was the slipperiest and had fewer grippe parts. Saskya managed to get at least 3 feet from being under Jay, Luis 5 feet under Saskya. Jay noticed a root sticking out of the rock and took grasped on to it. Using some of the last of her energy she jumped up and landed on the root, from then on she climbed on to the top. Jay wasted no time as she got up on there, whilst running to the golden 1 card she tied a thin but strong rope around the end of her second last arrow.
Saskya was pulling herself onto the top as Jay grabbed the golden card and then notched the second to last arrow, pulling back on the dark red string as much as she could to then barrier on the edge of the climbing wall top. Jay let the arrow fly and it sunk into the barrier with a loud thud, half of the arrow inside the wall. Jay smirked as Saskya gave her a puzzled look, gesturing to the silver 2 card. Jay tied the end of the thin rope around her belt that she decided to wear today.
Saskya got herself ready to start climbing down, Jay stood on the edge and pulled her arrow to the floor at the bottom of the wall, pulling on the string as much as she could, the arrow attached to the floor making a rope connecting the floor with the top of the climbing wall. Luis lifted himself up as he saw Jay turn her back to the edge and fall off, arms extended to her side. Luis cried out and ran to the edge to see Jay was in a starfish position falling down quickly to the bottom of the wall. Luis turned to see two other people had grabbed the third card and the fourth card. He ran to the fifth card as another kid came onto the top. He ran back to the edge to see a route, only to stare at Jay. Jay was still falling, about 15 feet from the ground. 12 feet. 8 feet. Luis flinched readying to turn away from a dead splattered on the floor only to see Jay grabbing the rope at the last minute to grab the rope next to her.
Saskya was watching as well and had the idea of using the rope to get down easier, other’s copied and started using the rope. Jay meanwhile giving her card to Hannah who was staring in awe like everyone else at Jay’s stunt, the two groups who were friends with Jay ran up and said how brilliant she was.
“Jesus guys, I just jumped 60 feet in the air I need to sit down,” Jay breathlessly said, trying to stand upright due to lightheadedness, they let her sit and gave her their water and letting her breath as Saskya and Luis were coming down the wall.
*
When everyone had collected their cards people were talking happily, congratulating their group member and saying they did great even if they came 30 under. A man walked up to the stand, which confused many people, where’s Coach Ben? Coach Ben is supposed to be giving the congratulations, the man looked like the new Coach, race wise and structure wise. He was bulky and had the same skin as the new Coach, instead of a knife scar or a claw scar, his whole right cheek was covered in burn marks, he had a stumble and dark caramel hair.
“Congratulations to the winning group, group 1, and congratulations to the others for the places,” the Coach said, his voice was rough and sounded little foreign. A holographic leaderboard appeared next to him, Group 1 was second; Group 37 was third, Group 16 was first. The crowds cheered at the positioning of their group on the board.
Everyone but Lupus was looking excited, who was staring at the Coach, anger and question were in their eyes. Jay cheered with the others before having to sit next to Lupus again due to lightheadedness. A cultural mixture of speech came from beside her, Spanish and rough English said in an information baring way, “Something isn’t right.”
Talia and Pandora were leading the group as they went back into the training hall, Jay was murmuring thanks to people but kept staring at Lupus, was it really Lupus who said that? She wasn’t sure, but this isn’t the time to get into detail. Aaron caught up with Jay and nudged her with his elbow, getting her attention, “You keep staring at Lupus as if they ate your dog in front of you and you don’t why.”
“Dog isn’t that nice, to be honest, had it once. Too chewy,” a voice from Jay’s left came; it was Loki who was walking with them. Aaron scowled and Jay raised her right eyebrow, Loki looked forward not looking at their expressions.
“That’s nice information my dude, but please, in the rudest way possible, what are you doing here smarty?” Aaron replied Loki muttered something, “Awww you think I’m smart” in reply but only Jay heard it and she elbowed Aaron in response, he sighed then grumbled, “Sorry.”
They walked into the training hall, groups crowded around the Combat Cube, all the platforms were about a foot from the floor so people could go on them and they would rise up to get a better view. There were already about 25 groups present at this time, the three scanned the room then departed when they noticed their groups…
The three ran their eyes had bags under and their legs tired from running. A piercing howl hit the ears of the three. One was slipping behind, he was limping, and his leg was in a splint. The one in the middle was constantly looking behind her shoulder to see what was chasing them. The one in the front was making the path whilst running, using a two-bladed knife, a haladie, to cut the dead grass and cacti away.
The trailer of the three tripped on a sticking uproot, his bad foot. A loud curse hit the middle one’s ears; she turned still running but skidded to a stop then ran forward. She called out for the leading person who turned quickly and sprinted to help. A wild dog trokika came from the path they made and was closing on the trailing person; the leading person grabbed their haladie with both hands on both the blades, the blades split off each other to make two knives instead. The middle one was at the trailer’s side and was helping him. The wild dog closing in.
The dog pounced, but before it could snap off the head of the trailing guy a knife was embedded in its chest. The leader ran forward and grabbed their knife before helping the middle person with the trailer; he put his arm around both of the people next to him leaning on them as they lifted him and dragged his feet on the sandy floor…
The sharp snap in front of Wren made her flutter out of thought; Talia clicked her fingers in front of her to get her attention. Wren swatted her hand away annoyed; Talia rolled her eyes in response. Their group was huddled together, talking about challenges and the next challenge, Combat. Isaac was to be in this challenge; he was level 11 which had 5 levels added to it. Isaac looked nervous, normally he would win this type of challenge but he looked around the room as if there was competition. Pandora and Talia noticed this first and waited a while longer until they had enough.
“Hey beanpole, what’s wrong? You seem nervous, you’re never nervous. This is the challenge you are best at other than the hallway but that’s another topic,” Pandora asked as soon as they got to where Isaac and Jackson were talking. Jackson looked up at them then at Isaac who was rubbing his eyes sleepily.
“Thanks for the compliment, but don’t be sure on me win-“ Isaac said getting interrupted by his own yawn, then smiled sleepily, “you never know with these things. Do I look tired? I feel tired.”
“You look dead Isaac, how much sleep did you get last night? Pandora replied her voice in concern
“I don’t know two hours, three hours, four hours. I don’t know man,” replied Isaac his voice slurring.
“We can get Wren to take your place so you can take a nap,” Talia said.
“Its fine, Tals, seriously I can do this.”
“Isaac, are you sure?”
“Yes.”
As soon as he said that Coach Hannah cleared her throat inside the Combat Cube, she looked worried scanning the students and staff in the crowd around the cube. In her hands a microphone and a holographic phone. The talk quietened down people spotted Hannah; Hannah put on a fake smile then began, “Hello novices! Before we begin I have to inform you Hide and Seek and Hallway Level 15 have been switched around. Sorry if this messes up anything, now, let’s begin! Challenge three is Combat +5 to your current level, how it works is you will sign up with me then I will add the levels. Unlike the other challenges, this one will begin with the lowest level ending with the highest level.
“To win this challenge you have to go up the most amounts of levels without getting knocked down for longer than 5 seconds. The longest time recorded is six minutes and forty-three seconds, so try to beat it. Now everyone, let’s get started!” Hannah grinned before turned to a door at the end. Like the last challenge, a person from each group made a long line in front of Coach Hannah. The others went to the platform and raised them up to get good views or get positions on the floor around the Combat Cube as if it was a wrestling ring.
“The Combat Cube is about to start, ready yourself Group 15, I repeat the Combat Cube is about to start,” a male but robotic voice said over a large amount of chatter everyone who was in this challenge. The novice from Group 15 stepped in front of the door into the Combat Cube then stepped in…
“We’re almost there guys!” The previous leader of the group said as them and the person who was in the middle dragged the previous trailer up a slippery sandy hill, the three wearing gas masks. The gas masks are white and covered the nose and mouth in a circular shape. The smoky fumes of the air get changed before it reaches the trachea.
The three got to the top of the hill and looked before them, a large army base like building stood before them. A large dome was visible in the back of the building, large buildings connected by tunnels. About thirty men in swat armour and gas masks stood around a large metal door. It must have been night when the three arrived because bright night lights were shining down on to the men.
The two to the right of the leading person looked at them practically asking “What should we do” with their eyes. The leader nodded and the three started walking down the hill, tired and hungry. A moan from behind made the person on the right made her look behind her shoulder. Her eyes must have been playing tricks on her, a man was stumbling towards them, and he was twitching randomly like a trokika would. The lights from below reflected of what looked like blue liquid glistening liquid coming from the man’s mouth, nose and eyes.
She was about to tell the others to hurry when a massive Doberman Pinscher came from on top of the hill and pounced on them, knocking them over, the girl on the right hit her head on a stone. There was struggling around her a shout of her friend near her, his voice was calling out to the one who was leading them, telling them to not do something. Muffled gun shots were all that the one on the right could hear before passing out...
Isaac, Lupus and Panda were to be called any second now; the remaining five groups were up. Panda was sitting to the right of Lupus whilst Isaac on their left, Lupus seemed at ease whilst the other two were fidgeting or tapping their feet on the floor or bobbing their legs up and down.
“Group 24’s member please go to the Combat Cube,” the robotic voice echoed into the room, the three were now in the top 4. Lupus lent down and grabbed their white board from under the bench the three were sitting on. The people in this challenge were made to go into a waiting room where they would be called then they had to make their way to the Cube. The room was a large rectangular room, two wooden benches parallel to each other on the two longer walls of the room, the musty smell of sweat and old wood hung in the air. Lupus lifted their board to show the two next to them.
What is the scoring system again and Panda is it, could you move your fat behind away from us?
Isaac smirked at Panda who budged up then looked at Lupus, they were wearing their novice hood and bandanna but let the brim of their nose and their heterochromatic eyes.
“Ok, the scoring system is kind of simple to understand. You need to stay up the longest or go up the most levels. Every thirty seconds you stay up you get 25 points, so try to stay up. Every level you go up you get 50 points so the best aim is to level up because we’re in the top four the levels are extremely hard to beat. If I were you, I would try for the 25 points,” Isaac explained using his hand to gesture about words whilst Lupus stared at him, their eyes seemed to somewhere else, Isaac finished off, “But if you want to level up, but it’s hard to. Lupus, you get all of that?”
Lupus snapped out of their trance and then looked away and shuffled a little bit away, Isaac being confused shrugged and fidgeted with his laces on his shoes, thinking about the past and the future. After getting bored playing with his laces, Isaac asked: “How did you get such a high level?”
Lupus physically tensed up, their head looking straight ahead, Isaac picked up the insecurities and was about to apologise when he was cut off by the robotic voice, “Group 16’s member please go to the Combat Cube.”
Panda walked to the door looked at the three people and left, the loud crowd practically yelling in his ear as he walked out of the room. The crowd was large, people were yelling and wooing as Panda made his way on a raised platform to the door of the Combat Cube. Hannah smiled at him warmly before he reached out for the Cube’s handle and pulled it pausing to gaze around for his friends, scanning the raised platforms and the crowd for their faces. He grinned when he spotted them, Loki, Luis and Niji were in the crowd in the back next to Group 1 and 37, and all three groups were cheering for him and grinning broadly.
Panda held his breath as he walked into the Cube, a load robotic 14 hit the air, saying which level he was fighting. Then the projectors in the floor, ceiling and the walls of the platforms began to shine a red light and began to move around, making men by darted about, as if it was a 3D printer, solidifying to look like an actual human.
There were 5 strong looking men, 2 wielding a machete, 1 wielding an axe; the other two were bare handed. Panda was surrounded by the five holograms; he gazed around him at them whilst strategically readying himself. There was a loud beep, then another, it was a countdown. A final long beep made the holographic people in advance…
It has been a month between the three, Isaac, Wren and Wolfia, joined Alpha Reign and they have gained a lot of popularity fast by being good at the different Training Hall sections, Wolfia made friends with a quiet girl, the girl had pale skin and extremely dark hair, it almost looks black, diaphragm long hair. The girl’s name was Eryn, Wolfia seemed to know her well, same with Eryn with Wolfia, and sometimes they would speak Spanish or another language that Isaac and Wren didn’t know, to each other.
The group of friends, whom were in the same group, were in the infirmary for Wolfia’s, Isaac’s and Wren’s weekly check-up, that they did every week since they got here in case their two months of running with little rest and food done some permanent damage, when two guys were rushed into the infirmary on stretchers. All four of the friends stared as people rushed nursing the two kids they just moved onto their beds. Wolfia was lying on top of the bed opposite one of the guys, Eryn sitting on the edge of their bed and Wren lying down next to Wolfia.
One of the guys were clearly having a panic attack, he was sweating, trembling and was shaking uncontrollably. Isaac was standing next to the bed leaning on the cabinet there, stood up properly as Wolfia swung their legs off the side of the bed and walked over, ignore their friends calling out behind them. Wolfia looked at the guy having the panic attack then walked over to the left side of his bed which he was shaking; he was a tall but lean 17-year-old and wore dark purple eyes, with red-ish copper hair and a rainbow bandana around his wrist with simple tops and hoodies to go with dark jeans. Wren walked on to the right side of his bed looking at Wolfia for instructions.
“Hold him by the shoulders, press them down onto the bed we need to stop him from breathing, it will stop the panic attack,” Wolfia replied in a monotone voice, Wren reached out and pressed her palms down on the guy’s shoulders making it hard for him to shake. Wolfia reached to pinch his nose then covered his mouth with their other hand, he breathing stop and the fear embedded in his eyes was release. Wolfia quickly removed their hands so he could breathe again and swatted Wren’s hands away making Eryn snort.
“Thank you,” He managed to croak after a minute of calm breathing, he looked around at the hurrying people to his friend’s bed, his friend's leg was covered in blood, a bluey purple bite was on his thy. The guy’s eyes widen and he went to go to his friend but was stopped by Wolfia who shook their head and made him lie down again…
Panda was on level 17 with two people with machetes were left, one ran at him, he simply dodged and grabbed the head of the hologram and shoved it on to the floor, the hologram dissolved into cubes. The second person ran at him as he was recovering, the person swung the machete over Panda’s back, barely missing it. Panda looked back up at the guy and kicked his shins making the hologram fall to one knee; the hologram slashed his machete, slicing the middle of Panda’s stomach. Panda grunted as sharp burn hit his stomach, a slight burn mark appeared. Panda stumbled but caught himself; the hologram ran at him, machete raised in the air. Panda raised his fists ready to block the weapon but the hologram lowered the machete a few feet away and slashed at both of his thighs.
Panda fell to the floor, the crowd start counting up to five, Panda trying to get up but failing miserably. The hologram dissolved and a loud beep hit the ears of everyone, Panda’s turn has ended. Hannah rushed in and stabbed a needle into the side of Panda’s chest, a couple second later the burns on him were numb and didn’t hurt. Hannah pulled him up and let him lean on her as they walked out of the cube, Hannah plopped him down on a bench, so he could rest before joining his team.
“Group 24’s member please step up to the Combat Cube,” The male robotic voice said, a broad girl came from the waiting room then stepped into the cube to begin her challenge…
The first 2 months of Niji and Panda were going completely fine, then something clicked and the duo started to be rude the other four in the group. Most of the time the other four ignored it and replied with comebacks that made the duo shut up. It was the afternoon when Panda and Niji messed up completely, Wolfia, Isaac, Wren and Eryn were walking in a group in front of Panda and Niji talking about how Panda and Niji failed the climbing wall and it was extremely funny.
“Would you stop talking about it or is that too hard for your little perfect head?” Panda snapped after losing his patients, Wolfia snorted and the others looked like they were trying hard not to laugh, they kept and walking but talked about a different topic. Niji sighed loudly and muttered something muttered something for Panda but he was to quite, “come again?”
“A bet Wolfia’s parents are so happy that their child can kill someone with one hit,” Niji smirked looking up at Panda who had a grin on his face. That made Isaac, Wren and Eryn stop in their path Wolfia kept on walking, they grabbed Wren’s and Isaac’s hands and pulled them, Eryn following. Niji smirked and continued, “Or wait Wolfia’s parents were never there! Wouldn’t that be explanatory, I mean she never listens to anyone.”
As soon Niji said “she” the four froze in place, even the people behind Niji and Panda froze, knowing this not going to end up well for the two. Isaac sighed and pulled Wolfia by the forearm, Wren pushed Eryn, who was by her, with her hand on the other’s back. The four pressed on, ignoring the anger.
“What gender are they? They look female but they have a flat chest, why can’t they just choose,” Panda mockingly said, Niji chuckled.
“Too lazy to choose I bet?” Niji replied he looked at the four in front of them only to see Wolfia’s fist coming down at his face. He was knocked to the floor; his eye throbbed with pain as his head hit the floor with a bang. His eyes were blurry and he was light-headed. Wolfia grabbed Niji’s shirt and lifted him up, raising him from the ground then punching him in the cheek. Panda finally reacted and grabbed Wolfia’s raised arm in mid-swing and pushed them off Niji, Wolfia stumbled into balance, shook their head and stepped back from the duo. Wolfia turned away, the rest of the group were looking at Wolfia with a mix of disappointment and sympathy, Wolfia walked passed them and continued walking only to be greeted by an insult from Panda, “¿Por qué no vas a morir en un hoyo, no deseado”
Eryn and Wolfia turned back around, Eryn walking up and slapping Panda, Wolfia beside her begin held back by Isaac who was trying to pull them away. Niji got up again, his left eye was black and his cheek was turning an unhealthy shade of purple and green, he spat out some spit then wiped his mouth, then spat at the two, “no amado idiotas.”
That made Eryn hook her ankle with Niji’ knee and tugged making him topple over again, Panda pushed Eryn into Isaac making him topple over under the force releasing Wolfia. Wolfia ran up to Panda and grabbed his arm, throwing Panda over their shoulder and on to the floor. Coach Hannah, Coach Ben and Apprentice Hender ran up to Wolfia who was punching Panda in the eye despite the protest of Isaac and Wren, Hender grabbed Wolfia by the underarm and pulled them of Panda but Wolfia elbowed him in his eye so hard the eye itself went inwards. Eryn kicked Hannah’s shins and pushed Ben away making him tumble to the ground…
Isaac was in his third wave, level 19, if he just stayed up longer or go up more another level he would be the winner. That is if Lupus doesn’t beat him, how did the new person get all the levels, Isaac was clueless as always. But this was not the time to think about it now; he was focusing on the four men around him. Isaac ran up at one blocking the baseball bat with one arm and punching the side of the chest with the other, making the guy tumble over from the force. Isaac kicked the guy in the neck making the hologram dissolve into cubes, his friend who had a machete ran up to Isaac along with his buddy ol’ pal with the knife. They both ran up to Isaac who ducked as they both swung with their weapons in their right hands and stabbed each other making them dissolve.
The last guy had two kitchen sized knives, obviously red like the rest of him, Isaac and the guy circled each other like wolves, waiting for someone to attack. Isaac stepped forward with a loud stamp of his foot, the guy copied is move but because it’s an almost solid hologram little sound came from him stamping. Isaac took a step back, the guy took a step forward and continued, Isaac grimaced then ran up to the guy and nick him were light don’t shine. The hologram dropped the knives and went to cover the area that was kicked, Isaac sighed and grabbed the guy’s head and hit it against his knee making him dissolve.
The next level was only a buff man; he looked like a wrestler and was huge. Isaac analysed his opponent who was walking slowly towards him, Isaac held his ground as the man walked closer to him, and the guy was in arms’ swinging space and raised his left hand readied to punch Isaac. Isaac caught the punch; his hands burning under the hologram’s fist, he pushed the fist up but stumbled to the floor, getting up quickly, raising his fists in a defence pose. The hologram ran at him one fist rose for the punch, Isaac looked at his options and choose one, when the guy was close enough he ducked to the floor and slid underneath the hologram through his legs. Quickly getting up and pulled at the hologram’s right leg and pulling the man to the ground, but the man didn’t dissolve and Isaac thought he did it.
Isaac turned to the centre of the cube waiting for the next holograms, only being hit in the side by a powerful fist that made him topple to the ground, the side of his chest burning. The crowd started shouting the countdown until it got to the end. The hologram stayed in place instead of dissolving, it just walked to the centre of the room and readied itself. Coach Hannah and Panda rushed in to help Isaac, he was damaged badly on the side of the chest and it was steaming slightly.
“Group 37’s member please go into the Combat Cube,” The robotic voice said over everyone’s cheers, Lupus came out of the waiting room, their bandanna now tied tight on their face so it wouldn’t slip off. They walked into the Cube and stared the hologram in front of them down, analysing their opponent better then Isaac did, they readied themselves and the robotic voice called out their level, “Level 20. Begin straight away.”
“Dog isn’t that nice, to be honest, had it once. Too chewy,” a voice from Jay’s left came; it was Loki who was walking with them. Aaron scowled and Jay raised her right eyebrow, Loki looked forward not looking at their expressions.
“That’s nice information my dude, but please, in the rudest way possible, what are you doing here smarty?” Aaron replied Loki muttered something, “Awww you think I’m smart” in reply but only Jay heard it and she elbowed Aaron in response, he sighed then grumbled, “Sorry.”
They walked into the training hall, groups crowded around the Combat Cube, all the platforms were about a foot from the floor so people could go on them and they would rise up to get a better view. There were already about 25 groups present at this time, the three scanned the room then departed when they noticed their groups…
The three ran their eyes had bags under and their legs tired from running. A piercing howl hit the ears of the three. One was slipping behind, he was limping, and his leg was in a splint. The one in the middle was constantly looking behind her shoulder to see what was chasing them. The one in the front was making the path whilst running, using a two-bladed knife, a haladie, to cut the dead grass and cacti away.
The trailer of the three tripped on a sticking uproot, his bad foot. A loud curse hit the middle one’s ears; she turned still running but skidded to a stop then ran forward. She called out for the leading person who turned quickly and sprinted to help. A wild dog trokika came from the path they made and was closing on the trailing person; the leading person grabbed their haladie with both hands on both the blades, the blades split off each other to make two knives instead. The middle one was at the trailer’s side and was helping him. The wild dog closing in.
The dog pounced, but before it could snap off the head of the trailing guy a knife was embedded in its chest. The leader ran forward and grabbed their knife before helping the middle person with the trailer; he put his arm around both of the people next to him leaning on them as they lifted him and dragged his feet on the sandy floor…
The sharp snap in front of Wren made her flutter out of thought; Talia clicked her fingers in front of her to get her attention. Wren swatted her hand away annoyed; Talia rolled her eyes in response. Their group was huddled together, talking about challenges and the next challenge, Combat. Isaac was to be in this challenge; he was level 11 which had 5 levels added to it. Isaac looked nervous, normally he would win this type of challenge but he looked around the room as if there was competition. Pandora and Talia noticed this first and waited a while longer until they had enough.
“Hey beanpole, what’s wrong? You seem nervous, you’re never nervous. This is the challenge you are best at other than the hallway but that’s another topic,” Pandora asked as soon as they got to where Isaac and Jackson were talking. Jackson looked up at them then at Isaac who was rubbing his eyes sleepily.
“Thanks for the compliment, but don’t be sure on me win-“ Isaac said getting interrupted by his own yawn, then smiled sleepily, “you never know with these things. Do I look tired? I feel tired.”
“You look dead Isaac, how much sleep did you get last night? Pandora replied her voice in concern
“I don’t know two hours, three hours, four hours. I don’t know man,” replied Isaac his voice slurring.
“We can get Wren to take your place so you can take a nap,” Talia said.
“Its fine, Tals, seriously I can do this.”
“Isaac, are you sure?”
“Yes.”
As soon as he said that Coach Hannah cleared her throat inside the Combat Cube, she looked worried scanning the students and staff in the crowd around the cube. In her hands a microphone and a holographic phone. The talk quietened down people spotted Hannah; Hannah put on a fake smile then began, “Hello novices! Before we begin I have to inform you Hide and Seek and Hallway Level 15 have been switched around. Sorry if this messes up anything, now, let’s begin! Challenge three is Combat +5 to your current level, how it works is you will sign up with me then I will add the levels. Unlike the other challenges, this one will begin with the lowest level ending with the highest level.
“To win this challenge you have to go up the most amounts of levels without getting knocked down for longer than 5 seconds. The longest time recorded is six minutes and forty-three seconds, so try to beat it. Now everyone, let’s get started!” Hannah grinned before turned to a door at the end. Like the last challenge, a person from each group made a long line in front of Coach Hannah. The others went to the platform and raised them up to get good views or get positions on the floor around the Combat Cube as if it was a wrestling ring.
“The Combat Cube is about to start, ready yourself Group 15, I repeat the Combat Cube is about to start,” a male but robotic voice said over a large amount of chatter everyone who was in this challenge. The novice from Group 15 stepped in front of the door into the Combat Cube then stepped in…
“We’re almost there guys!” The previous leader of the group said as them and the person who was in the middle dragged the previous trailer up a slippery sandy hill, the three wearing gas masks. The gas masks are white and covered the nose and mouth in a circular shape. The smoky fumes of the air get changed before it reaches the trachea.
The three got to the top of the hill and looked before them, a large army base like building stood before them. A large dome was visible in the back of the building, large buildings connected by tunnels. About thirty men in swat armour and gas masks stood around a large metal door. It must have been night when the three arrived because bright night lights were shining down on to the men.
The two to the right of the leading person looked at them practically asking “What should we do” with their eyes. The leader nodded and the three started walking down the hill, tired and hungry. A moan from behind made the person on the right made her look behind her shoulder. Her eyes must have been playing tricks on her, a man was stumbling towards them, and he was twitching randomly like a trokika would. The lights from below reflected of what looked like blue liquid glistening liquid coming from the man’s mouth, nose and eyes.
She was about to tell the others to hurry when a massive Doberman Pinscher came from on top of the hill and pounced on them, knocking them over, the girl on the right hit her head on a stone. There was struggling around her a shout of her friend near her, his voice was calling out to the one who was leading them, telling them to not do something. Muffled gun shots were all that the one on the right could hear before passing out...
Isaac, Lupus and Panda were to be called any second now; the remaining five groups were up. Panda was sitting to the right of Lupus whilst Isaac on their left, Lupus seemed at ease whilst the other two were fidgeting or tapping their feet on the floor or bobbing their legs up and down.
“Group 24’s member please go to the Combat Cube,” the robotic voice echoed into the room, the three were now in the top 4. Lupus lent down and grabbed their white board from under the bench the three were sitting on. The people in this challenge were made to go into a waiting room where they would be called then they had to make their way to the Cube. The room was a large rectangular room, two wooden benches parallel to each other on the two longer walls of the room, the musty smell of sweat and old wood hung in the air. Lupus lifted their board to show the two next to them.
What is the scoring system again and Panda is it, could you move your fat behind away from us?
Isaac smirked at Panda who budged up then looked at Lupus, they were wearing their novice hood and bandanna but let the brim of their nose and their heterochromatic eyes.
“Ok, the scoring system is kind of simple to understand. You need to stay up the longest or go up the most levels. Every thirty seconds you stay up you get 25 points, so try to stay up. Every level you go up you get 50 points so the best aim is to level up because we’re in the top four the levels are extremely hard to beat. If I were you, I would try for the 25 points,” Isaac explained using his hand to gesture about words whilst Lupus stared at him, their eyes seemed to somewhere else, Isaac finished off, “But if you want to level up, but it’s hard to. Lupus, you get all of that?”
Lupus snapped out of their trance and then looked away and shuffled a little bit away, Isaac being confused shrugged and fidgeted with his laces on his shoes, thinking about the past and the future. After getting bored playing with his laces, Isaac asked: “How did you get such a high level?”
Lupus physically tensed up, their head looking straight ahead, Isaac picked up the insecurities and was about to apologise when he was cut off by the robotic voice, “Group 16’s member please go to the Combat Cube.”
Panda walked to the door looked at the three people and left, the loud crowd practically yelling in his ear as he walked out of the room. The crowd was large, people were yelling and wooing as Panda made his way on a raised platform to the door of the Combat Cube. Hannah smiled at him warmly before he reached out for the Cube’s handle and pulled it pausing to gaze around for his friends, scanning the raised platforms and the crowd for their faces. He grinned when he spotted them, Loki, Luis and Niji were in the crowd in the back next to Group 1 and 37, and all three groups were cheering for him and grinning broadly.
Panda held his breath as he walked into the Cube, a load robotic 14 hit the air, saying which level he was fighting. Then the projectors in the floor, ceiling and the walls of the platforms began to shine a red light and began to move around, making men by darted about, as if it was a 3D printer, solidifying to look like an actual human.
There were 5 strong looking men, 2 wielding a machete, 1 wielding an axe; the other two were bare handed. Panda was surrounded by the five holograms; he gazed around him at them whilst strategically readying himself. There was a loud beep, then another, it was a countdown. A final long beep made the holographic people in advance…
It has been a month between the three, Isaac, Wren and Wolfia, joined Alpha Reign and they have gained a lot of popularity fast by being good at the different Training Hall sections, Wolfia made friends with a quiet girl, the girl had pale skin and extremely dark hair, it almost looks black, diaphragm long hair. The girl’s name was Eryn, Wolfia seemed to know her well, same with Eryn with Wolfia, and sometimes they would speak Spanish or another language that Isaac and Wren didn’t know, to each other.
The group of friends, whom were in the same group, were in the infirmary for Wolfia’s, Isaac’s and Wren’s weekly check-up, that they did every week since they got here in case their two months of running with little rest and food done some permanent damage, when two guys were rushed into the infirmary on stretchers. All four of the friends stared as people rushed nursing the two kids they just moved onto their beds. Wolfia was lying on top of the bed opposite one of the guys, Eryn sitting on the edge of their bed and Wren lying down next to Wolfia.
One of the guys were clearly having a panic attack, he was sweating, trembling and was shaking uncontrollably. Isaac was standing next to the bed leaning on the cabinet there, stood up properly as Wolfia swung their legs off the side of the bed and walked over, ignore their friends calling out behind them. Wolfia looked at the guy having the panic attack then walked over to the left side of his bed which he was shaking; he was a tall but lean 17-year-old and wore dark purple eyes, with red-ish copper hair and a rainbow bandana around his wrist with simple tops and hoodies to go with dark jeans. Wren walked on to the right side of his bed looking at Wolfia for instructions.
“Hold him by the shoulders, press them down onto the bed we need to stop him from breathing, it will stop the panic attack,” Wolfia replied in a monotone voice, Wren reached out and pressed her palms down on the guy’s shoulders making it hard for him to shake. Wolfia reached to pinch his nose then covered his mouth with their other hand, he breathing stop and the fear embedded in his eyes was release. Wolfia quickly removed their hands so he could breathe again and swatted Wren’s hands away making Eryn snort.
“Thank you,” He managed to croak after a minute of calm breathing, he looked around at the hurrying people to his friend’s bed, his friend's leg was covered in blood, a bluey purple bite was on his thy. The guy’s eyes widen and he went to go to his friend but was stopped by Wolfia who shook their head and made him lie down again…
Panda was on level 17 with two people with machetes were left, one ran at him, he simply dodged and grabbed the head of the hologram and shoved it on to the floor, the hologram dissolved into cubes. The second person ran at him as he was recovering, the person swung the machete over Panda’s back, barely missing it. Panda looked back up at the guy and kicked his shins making the hologram fall to one knee; the hologram slashed his machete, slicing the middle of Panda’s stomach. Panda grunted as sharp burn hit his stomach, a slight burn mark appeared. Panda stumbled but caught himself; the hologram ran at him, machete raised in the air. Panda raised his fists ready to block the weapon but the hologram lowered the machete a few feet away and slashed at both of his thighs.
Panda fell to the floor, the crowd start counting up to five, Panda trying to get up but failing miserably. The hologram dissolved and a loud beep hit the ears of everyone, Panda’s turn has ended. Hannah rushed in and stabbed a needle into the side of Panda’s chest, a couple second later the burns on him were numb and didn’t hurt. Hannah pulled him up and let him lean on her as they walked out of the cube, Hannah plopped him down on a bench, so he could rest before joining his team.
“Group 24’s member please step up to the Combat Cube,” The male robotic voice said, a broad girl came from the waiting room then stepped into the cube to begin her challenge…
The first 2 months of Niji and Panda were going completely fine, then something clicked and the duo started to be rude the other four in the group. Most of the time the other four ignored it and replied with comebacks that made the duo shut up. It was the afternoon when Panda and Niji messed up completely, Wolfia, Isaac, Wren and Eryn were walking in a group in front of Panda and Niji talking about how Panda and Niji failed the climbing wall and it was extremely funny.
“Would you stop talking about it or is that too hard for your little perfect head?” Panda snapped after losing his patients, Wolfia snorted and the others looked like they were trying hard not to laugh, they kept and walking but talked about a different topic. Niji sighed loudly and muttered something muttered something for Panda but he was to quite, “come again?”
“A bet Wolfia’s parents are so happy that their child can kill someone with one hit,” Niji smirked looking up at Panda who had a grin on his face. That made Isaac, Wren and Eryn stop in their path Wolfia kept on walking, they grabbed Wren’s and Isaac’s hands and pulled them, Eryn following. Niji smirked and continued, “Or wait Wolfia’s parents were never there! Wouldn’t that be explanatory, I mean she never listens to anyone.”
As soon Niji said “she” the four froze in place, even the people behind Niji and Panda froze, knowing this not going to end up well for the two. Isaac sighed and pulled Wolfia by the forearm, Wren pushed Eryn, who was by her, with her hand on the other’s back. The four pressed on, ignoring the anger.
“What gender are they? They look female but they have a flat chest, why can’t they just choose,” Panda mockingly said, Niji chuckled.
“Too lazy to choose I bet?” Niji replied he looked at the four in front of them only to see Wolfia’s fist coming down at his face. He was knocked to the floor; his eye throbbed with pain as his head hit the floor with a bang. His eyes were blurry and he was light-headed. Wolfia grabbed Niji’s shirt and lifted him up, raising him from the ground then punching him in the cheek. Panda finally reacted and grabbed Wolfia’s raised arm in mid-swing and pushed them off Niji, Wolfia stumbled into balance, shook their head and stepped back from the duo. Wolfia turned away, the rest of the group were looking at Wolfia with a mix of disappointment and sympathy, Wolfia walked passed them and continued walking only to be greeted by an insult from Panda, “¿Por qué no vas a morir en un hoyo, no deseado”
Eryn and Wolfia turned back around, Eryn walking up and slapping Panda, Wolfia beside her begin held back by Isaac who was trying to pull them away. Niji got up again, his left eye was black and his cheek was turning an unhealthy shade of purple and green, he spat out some spit then wiped his mouth, then spat at the two, “no amado idiotas.”
That made Eryn hook her ankle with Niji’ knee and tugged making him topple over again, Panda pushed Eryn into Isaac making him topple over under the force releasing Wolfia. Wolfia ran up to Panda and grabbed his arm, throwing Panda over their shoulder and on to the floor. Coach Hannah, Coach Ben and Apprentice Hender ran up to Wolfia who was punching Panda in the eye despite the protest of Isaac and Wren, Hender grabbed Wolfia by the underarm and pulled them of Panda but Wolfia elbowed him in his eye so hard the eye itself went inwards. Eryn kicked Hannah’s shins and pushed Ben away making him tumble to the ground…
Isaac was in his third wave, level 19, if he just stayed up longer or go up more another level he would be the winner. That is if Lupus doesn’t beat him, how did the new person get all the levels, Isaac was clueless as always. But this was not the time to think about it now; he was focusing on the four men around him. Isaac ran up at one blocking the baseball bat with one arm and punching the side of the chest with the other, making the guy tumble over from the force. Isaac kicked the guy in the neck making the hologram dissolve into cubes, his friend who had a machete ran up to Isaac along with his buddy ol’ pal with the knife. They both ran up to Isaac who ducked as they both swung with their weapons in their right hands and stabbed each other making them dissolve.
The last guy had two kitchen sized knives, obviously red like the rest of him, Isaac and the guy circled each other like wolves, waiting for someone to attack. Isaac stepped forward with a loud stamp of his foot, the guy copied is move but because it’s an almost solid hologram little sound came from him stamping. Isaac took a step back, the guy took a step forward and continued, Isaac grimaced then ran up to the guy and nick him were light don’t shine. The hologram dropped the knives and went to cover the area that was kicked, Isaac sighed and grabbed the guy’s head and hit it against his knee making him dissolve.
The next level was only a buff man; he looked like a wrestler and was huge. Isaac analysed his opponent who was walking slowly towards him, Isaac held his ground as the man walked closer to him, and the guy was in arms’ swinging space and raised his left hand readied to punch Isaac. Isaac caught the punch; his hands burning under the hologram’s fist, he pushed the fist up but stumbled to the floor, getting up quickly, raising his fists in a defence pose. The hologram ran at him one fist rose for the punch, Isaac looked at his options and choose one, when the guy was close enough he ducked to the floor and slid underneath the hologram through his legs. Quickly getting up and pulled at the hologram’s right leg and pulling the man to the ground, but the man didn’t dissolve and Isaac thought he did it.
Isaac turned to the centre of the cube waiting for the next holograms, only being hit in the side by a powerful fist that made him topple to the ground, the side of his chest burning. The crowd started shouting the countdown until it got to the end. The hologram stayed in place instead of dissolving, it just walked to the centre of the room and readied itself. Coach Hannah and Panda rushed in to help Isaac, he was damaged badly on the side of the chest and it was steaming slightly.
“Group 37’s member please go into the Combat Cube,” The robotic voice said over everyone’s cheers, Lupus came out of the waiting room, their bandanna now tied tight on their face so it wouldn’t slip off. They walked into the Cube and stared the hologram in front of them down, analysing their opponent better then Isaac did, they readied themselves and the robotic voice called out their level, “Level 20. Begin straight away.”
“DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU HAVE DONE?” Apprentice Gould yelled, practically shrieking with anger, Wolfia and Eryn stood before him their heads facing down as he yelled down at the two friends. They were in his office; the office was clean and had less crowded with papers and merits of achievement. Wolfia shuffled uncomfortably and Eryn glanced at them, unsure if to speak up in defence or let the rage continue, her friend was acting weird shuffling and looking at the bruised knuckles of their fists which were turning unhealthily green. Apprentice Gould continued, “YOU INJURED THREE STAFF AND TWO STUDENTS!”
“Sir they angered us into hurting them,” Wolfia replied, their voice weak and sounded unknown to Eryn’s ears, Apprentice Gould glared dagger at them. A silence broke. Wolfia’s courage came back to them; they stood up straight and glared at Gould daring him to answer then continued, “I am Wolfia Lýkos Psychí, I protect my friends and the things I care about, those two did something that damaged my protection, SO I FOUGHT BACK!”
Lupus stayed, fist raised, as the guy ran forward, Lupus dodged swiftly making the hologram stumble over itself. Lupus used this as a help; they grabbed the hologram’s right arm and pulled it up behind its back. The guy tumbled onto the floor but didn’t dissolve; Lupus kicked it, the hologram, in the back. The hologram dissolved and Lupus turned to the centre of the room waiting for the next wave.
The next wave had 1 big dude and two machete-wielding men, Lupus analysed the holograms then looked around at the platforms and poles. Machete 1 and Machete 2 run up to them, Lupus ran towards a pole, the two machetes following them. Lupus grabbed the pole and swung themselves around it, kicking Machete 1 into Machete 2 with a lot of force and letting go of the pole and landing in a three-point landing.
Big dude started running in big strides towards Lupus, who stared strategizing their next move to win, though the two machete wielders haven’t dissolved yet they were still lying on the floor in the way. The hologram ran to swing its left up at Lupus but it switched to kick them instead, Lupus bent there back backwards in a 90 degrees angle, the leg swung over Lupus’ head, they grabbed the leg and pushed it upwards quickly, pulling the leg muscles. The hologram stumbled but stayed up, Lupus’ eyes weren’t their normal heterochromatic self, and they were a blue-grey as if the colours mixed together.
Lupus ran towards the Machete-wielding two were getting up from the floor when Lupus jumped on top of them, Machete 2 dissolved under Machete 1, most likely their back breaking. Machete 1 stayed on the floor with Lupus standing on top of them. The big hologram ran towards Lupus, not sensing the other hologram, the hologram forward then tripped on the body. They both landed with a thud whilst Lupus stay up, Lupus kicked the holograms with the heel of their left shoe and made the holograms dissolve; they turned to the centre, clearly having fun…
“You fought back? NO really! You managed to damage two novices and three staff, congratulations you managed to fight back!” Gould snapped, Wolfia backed down and stopped talking, Eryn staggered backwards. Gould looked at her sympathy and then turned to Wolfia again with a softer approach with his look. He turned around and walked over behind his desk and took a seat, thinking in the silence. Gould looked up and replied a quiet voice, “I’ll give you your punishments in an hour. Go rest and talk to your friends, if you have any after this.”
Wolfia nodded politely, before walking out of the room followed by Eryn, they walked in silence through the empty corridors, the dim lights setting a sombre mood with the two friends, and eventually, they heard the loud chatter from the dining hall. Wolfia paused in a two way splitting one leading to the dining hall the other to the dorms and infirmary. Eryn paused down the corridor to the dining hall and turned to Wolfia, They were rubbing their knuckles from the lights Eryn could see the knuckles were red and sore, and Wolfia’s eyes were distant and troubled. They looked up to talk but didn’t say anything and pointed to the infirmary, sending signals to Eryn that they were going to go get something for their knuckles.
Eryn turned away and walked into the dining hall, looking behind her shoulder to see Wolfia pinching their bridge of the nose before walking towards the infirmary. The walk by themselves was worse than having awkward silence but having people around, they reached a large metal door with a large window to show inside. Wolfia took a deep breath and pushed the door opening quietly, the room is a large room, with hospital beds dotted against the walls, curtains were covering the beds, the lights were off and the only light was from the machines in the room, about three curtains were drawn, one of which the bed was empty. They moved to shut the door quickly but there was a long creak making Wolfia wince. When the door shut Wolfia swiftly moved away from the door, walking to the other side of the room where the supply cupboard was.
They almost got there but heard shuffling behind them which made them spin around readying for a fight, it wasn’t a threat; the person was upright lying on their bed, their curtain was one of the three open. It was Niji… The two stared at each other, unsure what to do, unsure if they should hide or run. Wolfia’s eyes scanned Niji’s face and body. He had a swollen eye which was a dark green in the red light of the machine beside them; his arm was in a bandage. His eyes had a fear as he stared into Wolfia’s, whose eyes were emotionless. Wolfia sucked a deep breath and turned to the cupboard, they looked around just in case of any staff then broke open the hatch with their hands. Instead of taking just bandages, Wolfia took a bottle of green liquid; a bottle of clear golden liquid and a cup form the water dispenser next to the cupboard.
Wolfia walked up to a confused Niji who was staring at Wolfia as they did this, they placed the stuff on the bedside table next to Niji’s bed. Niji manage to stutter, his voice quiet, “What are you plan-“
“Quiet,” Wolfia replied quiet, they grabbed a bowl from the table and poured the green liquid into it, the liquid came out slowly and stickily. Once about a teaspoon-sized dollop was in the bowl Wolfia opened the other bottle, the cork on the top releasing a loud pop, then poured the liquid into the bowl. The liquid rushed out quickly. The bowl’s contents were a disgusting mixture, Wolfia grabbed a needle from the cabinet under the bed and stabbed it into their own arm, drawing out their own blood. Niji grimaced and made a face of disgust, Wolfia poured the blood into the bowl with the other liquids.
Wolfia stirred it for a solid five minutes in an awkward silence, Niji watched out to see if anyone was coming. When Wolfia stopped stirring the mixture was a purple, dark in some places like in others. They poured the mixture into the cup they got and gave it to Niji, who stared up at Wolfia who shoved the cup into him. Wolfia quietly went to go grab a chair from the back walls and placed it next to Niji’s bed and sat down. They looked up at Niji who still hadn’t drunk the mixture and sighed, “It’s a medical chemical many people use nowadays, so please either feel in pain for a long amount of time or drink it.”
Niji took a gulp and grimaced, Wolfia smirking their once brown hair falling from their down their shoulders and almost covering their face. They sat in silence as Niji drank; Niji finished and placed the cup on the table next to the bed, then stared at Wolfia apologetically then almost whispering, “I’m sorry for what I said, I didn’t mean it, it was Panda who really set me off.”
“It’s not your fault, it was mine, I’m paying the price,” Wolfia muttered in reply, rubbing their knuckles realising they need to bandage them, so they grabbed the bandages and started rapping around their knuckles and continued, “I said the first thing, I realised your… secret and I called you weak not talking about it, I knew your family were horrid and I still said the things I said. I’m sorry. I am the reason you’re here and Panda, it was my fault. I ruined our friendship, I ruined our group because I never had a family who either hated me or loved me for who I am. I was openly agender in my school, and I was ridiculed but I held my head high and fought. I guess that was my fault that I can’t stop being strong. Wait that sounds bad, I mean I can’t stop fighting.”
“I forgive you,” Niji replied smiling…
Lupus was in their seventh wave when they fell, there were ten people who were set to fight Lupus. One of which had a gun that shoots burning bullets, of course fake, and kept shooting them and making them stumble. Lupus punched and fought their way through it all but was knocked down, the holograms glitched out and kept beating Lupus, kicking them, bruising and burning them. Coach Hannah had to switch it off by going inside and switching the projectors off and running to help Lupus, who shrugged her off and got up, their eye was purple and looked extremely damaged.
They walked out of the Cube with Hannah trailing them, only to be greeted by their group who started fussing over them, asking if they were ok, if they needed water, how amazing they were, at technically killing people or knocking them out, and just being kind. There were long minutes of chatter before Coach Hannah got up onto a platform and raised it to make sure everyone saw her, she smiled a fake smile and began with a grin, “Congratulations to Group 37, and their extraordinary performance, for winning this challenge. The leaderboards will be up now, to show you the place of your group in the challenge and the main leaderboard, the one on the right of the screen, will appear on the screen to my left.”
Sure enough, the TV next to Coach Hannah lit up, and two leaderboards appeared, one labelled “Main Boards” and the other “Combat Board” Group 37 was leading on both of them at the top of the boards, three loud whoops filled the groaning novices. Group 1 was second in the lead on both boards and Group 16 was third on the Main Board. Groups stared at the board and talked for a minute for shifting off the hallway. The Hallway is at the end of Training Hall, a large 100 meters of ups and downs and twists and turns. Coach Hannah stepped up in front of the weapons room next to the Hallway’s door, and greeted the audience, “Hallway this time is set highest to lowest levels, unlike Combat Cube, if you were a high level in Combat and you’re a high level in Hallway and doing this challenge, I pity you. But anyway, let’s begin the challenge, the fastest time wins. Yesterday you were asked which Group member would be doing this challenge; here are the first five groups. Group 1, is first, Group 37, is second, Group 24, is third, Group 16, fourth and Group 56 is fifth the first five, in chronological order. The challenge will begin in two minutes; your selected member will go into the weapons room pick a weapon then begin. Group 1 remember you’re first.”
With that Groups herded together like sheep, talking quickly about strategizes to the member of their Group who was running the Hallway.
Two minutes later, Wren Claren was going through the weapons room. The room itself was small but crowded, shotguns, rifles, katanas, baseball bat, high on a self of the dusty room a single wooden chunk of smoothed wood, no one knew how or why it was there but it was building up dust over the year of it being there. Two silver pistols were in a wooden box with a glass lid; Wren gazed at the assault rifle in the corner then turned to the pistols. Grabbing a pistol belt whilst walking towards the box. Sliding the lid off, Wren coughed at the smothering cloud of dust filling the air around it, as well as Wren’s face, she waved away the dust and picked up the pistols, the pistols were arm length, a leather black handle, and a tiny pointer, Wren studied the guns checking to see if damage was present. Wren grinned and muttered, “Good to see you aren’t broken.”
Wren’s face immediately fell as soon as she saw the right one’s markings; marked into the barrel two wolves on either side ran towards the muzzle, on the wolves a visible string marking led to the trigger. The left pistol had two cats also on the barrel running towards the muzzle, as the same as the right pistol there were strings marked leading towards the trigger. Wren shook her head and slotted the pistols into their pouches on either side of the belt wrapped around her waist; she pushed open the door and quickly walked through the hallways door.
The room walls were light grey and a dark grey floor of an unrecognisable material was placed there, there were four walls, which confused Wren at first but she soon remembered why. She turned to the wall opposite the door and listened out for the countdown readying herself for what’s to come. The male robotic voice picked up from a speaker in a far corner, unimportant for Wren to figure out which one, the voice repeated what Coach Hannah said then warned Wren to ready herself. A loud buzz filled her ears; another buzz followed a second after, another buzz, another buzz, another buzz. Good luck to me. Wren thought just before the last buzz filled her ears. The wall she was facing disappeared, revealing a corridor of about 10 meters. She sprinted forward, hissing sounds starting to appear around her, buzzing following her. The loud slide of the magical door-wall-gateway was far behind her.
Wren jumped over a block aid and appeared in the quick thinking part of the hallway, light switches turned off was spread around on the right, a metal door in front of the block aid, a blackboard on the left. Confused Wren analysed her surroundings, the switches were large, and 26 of them with labels in chronological order from 1 to 26 just approve each lever. Wren turned quickly and looked at the blackboard, and scanned it. In white paint the confusing sentence of, “Everyone has it, but nobody can lose it, what is it?”
Wren rattled her brain for an explanation, the mind not replying with a suitable answer only reminding her she heard it before. Her mind scanned over memories trying to remember the answer, loud hissing sounds came from the corridor Wren ran from. Starting to panic, her mind stopped searching for the memory and panicked for an answer, a thought came to her:
Wren woke up to the sound of crying, she pulled open her curtain for her bunk in Group 1’s dorm, and she swung her legs over the bed and rubbed her eyes. She scanned the room, everything seemed normal except the crying boy in the middle of the floor. It was Isaac, he had his head resting on his propped up knees, and he kept jerking with sadness whilst sniffing loudly. Wren looked at the bed above Isaac’s, it was empty, and then Wren rushed to the bed opposite hers, pulling the curtain quickly. Empty.
Wren dropped to the floor, and pressed the middle circle of the pattern under bed. The cupboard opened with a pop and Wren grabbed at the top of it and pulled it open. Dust already had started appearing in the cupboard; Wren got up and rushed to the slightly ajar door, sprinting loudly at what seemed 5am. Annoyed looking people opened their doors as she ran past, wondering what the noise is. She turned corridors, twisted and turns until she reached a metal door; it was metal, large and old. And on the door something was sticky taped to it, two letters. They both had ruff writing of two different names. One said Wren, the other Isaac.
Wren ripped off both of the letters and looked at her own one, there was more than just her name on it, the sentence, “Everyone has it but nobody can lose it…”
Wren’s mind flashed with the memory of the answer inside the letter and turned quickly to the switches, scanning the labels. 19, 8, 1, 4, 15 and 23 switches were flicked. There was a loud screeching sound to her Wren, she turned to see the door blocking her way was opened and a key was hanging from the roof from a wire. Wren rushed over and pulled the key off before running through the door, as she ran she scanned ahead of her, there was a large climbing net going upwards and a small way out at the top.
Wren cursed loudly then started climbing quickly; she slipped halfway up and heard a loud hissing sound. Looking down she saw a large reptilian, it was like a komodo dragon or something from Greek mythology, a chimera but way more lizard like. Instead of a lion head, a raptor like head, a shield of scales for a mane, a snake tongue flicked randomly tasting the air, long talon like claws were on the edge of each stub of an foot. It was an experiment the government made to help win wars and scare of terrorists from blowing up important monuments, made as guard dogs. This Chimera was scampering up the walls to the side of the climbing net, scaring the crap out of Wren as she looked back up and said, “This is truly incredible, I mean all I ever wanted is to get chased by a lizard mcgee whilst in a game to test my smartness, I mean I love this.”
The “lizard mcgee” was gaining fast, Wren cursed again then starting climbing quicker but less accurate. Wren slipped more often but got to the small gap in the top of the net, it was a low and small sized but Wren could army crawl through it, and there was a light at the end of the darkness. But the last step is always the hardest.
The lizard clawed at her feet as she almost reached the end, she yelped and kicked the creature but it slowly recovered. Wren pressed on and reached the last step, she fell from the hole she was scampering in and fell out hitting the floor and heard yells of excitement.
“Sir they angered us into hurting them,” Wolfia replied, their voice weak and sounded unknown to Eryn’s ears, Apprentice Gould glared dagger at them. A silence broke. Wolfia’s courage came back to them; they stood up straight and glared at Gould daring him to answer then continued, “I am Wolfia Lýkos Psychí, I protect my friends and the things I care about, those two did something that damaged my protection, SO I FOUGHT BACK!”
Lupus stayed, fist raised, as the guy ran forward, Lupus dodged swiftly making the hologram stumble over itself. Lupus used this as a help; they grabbed the hologram’s right arm and pulled it up behind its back. The guy tumbled onto the floor but didn’t dissolve; Lupus kicked it, the hologram, in the back. The hologram dissolved and Lupus turned to the centre of the room waiting for the next wave.
The next wave had 1 big dude and two machete-wielding men, Lupus analysed the holograms then looked around at the platforms and poles. Machete 1 and Machete 2 run up to them, Lupus ran towards a pole, the two machetes following them. Lupus grabbed the pole and swung themselves around it, kicking Machete 1 into Machete 2 with a lot of force and letting go of the pole and landing in a three-point landing.
Big dude started running in big strides towards Lupus, who stared strategizing their next move to win, though the two machete wielders haven’t dissolved yet they were still lying on the floor in the way. The hologram ran to swing its left up at Lupus but it switched to kick them instead, Lupus bent there back backwards in a 90 degrees angle, the leg swung over Lupus’ head, they grabbed the leg and pushed it upwards quickly, pulling the leg muscles. The hologram stumbled but stayed up, Lupus’ eyes weren’t their normal heterochromatic self, and they were a blue-grey as if the colours mixed together.
Lupus ran towards the Machete-wielding two were getting up from the floor when Lupus jumped on top of them, Machete 2 dissolved under Machete 1, most likely their back breaking. Machete 1 stayed on the floor with Lupus standing on top of them. The big hologram ran towards Lupus, not sensing the other hologram, the hologram forward then tripped on the body. They both landed with a thud whilst Lupus stay up, Lupus kicked the holograms with the heel of their left shoe and made the holograms dissolve; they turned to the centre, clearly having fun…
“You fought back? NO really! You managed to damage two novices and three staff, congratulations you managed to fight back!” Gould snapped, Wolfia backed down and stopped talking, Eryn staggered backwards. Gould looked at her sympathy and then turned to Wolfia again with a softer approach with his look. He turned around and walked over behind his desk and took a seat, thinking in the silence. Gould looked up and replied a quiet voice, “I’ll give you your punishments in an hour. Go rest and talk to your friends, if you have any after this.”
Wolfia nodded politely, before walking out of the room followed by Eryn, they walked in silence through the empty corridors, the dim lights setting a sombre mood with the two friends, and eventually, they heard the loud chatter from the dining hall. Wolfia paused in a two way splitting one leading to the dining hall the other to the dorms and infirmary. Eryn paused down the corridor to the dining hall and turned to Wolfia, They were rubbing their knuckles from the lights Eryn could see the knuckles were red and sore, and Wolfia’s eyes were distant and troubled. They looked up to talk but didn’t say anything and pointed to the infirmary, sending signals to Eryn that they were going to go get something for their knuckles.
Eryn turned away and walked into the dining hall, looking behind her shoulder to see Wolfia pinching their bridge of the nose before walking towards the infirmary. The walk by themselves was worse than having awkward silence but having people around, they reached a large metal door with a large window to show inside. Wolfia took a deep breath and pushed the door opening quietly, the room is a large room, with hospital beds dotted against the walls, curtains were covering the beds, the lights were off and the only light was from the machines in the room, about three curtains were drawn, one of which the bed was empty. They moved to shut the door quickly but there was a long creak making Wolfia wince. When the door shut Wolfia swiftly moved away from the door, walking to the other side of the room where the supply cupboard was.
They almost got there but heard shuffling behind them which made them spin around readying for a fight, it wasn’t a threat; the person was upright lying on their bed, their curtain was one of the three open. It was Niji… The two stared at each other, unsure what to do, unsure if they should hide or run. Wolfia’s eyes scanned Niji’s face and body. He had a swollen eye which was a dark green in the red light of the machine beside them; his arm was in a bandage. His eyes had a fear as he stared into Wolfia’s, whose eyes were emotionless. Wolfia sucked a deep breath and turned to the cupboard, they looked around just in case of any staff then broke open the hatch with their hands. Instead of taking just bandages, Wolfia took a bottle of green liquid; a bottle of clear golden liquid and a cup form the water dispenser next to the cupboard.
Wolfia walked up to a confused Niji who was staring at Wolfia as they did this, they placed the stuff on the bedside table next to Niji’s bed. Niji manage to stutter, his voice quiet, “What are you plan-“
“Quiet,” Wolfia replied quiet, they grabbed a bowl from the table and poured the green liquid into it, the liquid came out slowly and stickily. Once about a teaspoon-sized dollop was in the bowl Wolfia opened the other bottle, the cork on the top releasing a loud pop, then poured the liquid into the bowl. The liquid rushed out quickly. The bowl’s contents were a disgusting mixture, Wolfia grabbed a needle from the cabinet under the bed and stabbed it into their own arm, drawing out their own blood. Niji grimaced and made a face of disgust, Wolfia poured the blood into the bowl with the other liquids.
Wolfia stirred it for a solid five minutes in an awkward silence, Niji watched out to see if anyone was coming. When Wolfia stopped stirring the mixture was a purple, dark in some places like in others. They poured the mixture into the cup they got and gave it to Niji, who stared up at Wolfia who shoved the cup into him. Wolfia quietly went to go grab a chair from the back walls and placed it next to Niji’s bed and sat down. They looked up at Niji who still hadn’t drunk the mixture and sighed, “It’s a medical chemical many people use nowadays, so please either feel in pain for a long amount of time or drink it.”
Niji took a gulp and grimaced, Wolfia smirking their once brown hair falling from their down their shoulders and almost covering their face. They sat in silence as Niji drank; Niji finished and placed the cup on the table next to the bed, then stared at Wolfia apologetically then almost whispering, “I’m sorry for what I said, I didn’t mean it, it was Panda who really set me off.”
“It’s not your fault, it was mine, I’m paying the price,” Wolfia muttered in reply, rubbing their knuckles realising they need to bandage them, so they grabbed the bandages and started rapping around their knuckles and continued, “I said the first thing, I realised your… secret and I called you weak not talking about it, I knew your family were horrid and I still said the things I said. I’m sorry. I am the reason you’re here and Panda, it was my fault. I ruined our friendship, I ruined our group because I never had a family who either hated me or loved me for who I am. I was openly agender in my school, and I was ridiculed but I held my head high and fought. I guess that was my fault that I can’t stop being strong. Wait that sounds bad, I mean I can’t stop fighting.”
“I forgive you,” Niji replied smiling…
Lupus was in their seventh wave when they fell, there were ten people who were set to fight Lupus. One of which had a gun that shoots burning bullets, of course fake, and kept shooting them and making them stumble. Lupus punched and fought their way through it all but was knocked down, the holograms glitched out and kept beating Lupus, kicking them, bruising and burning them. Coach Hannah had to switch it off by going inside and switching the projectors off and running to help Lupus, who shrugged her off and got up, their eye was purple and looked extremely damaged.
They walked out of the Cube with Hannah trailing them, only to be greeted by their group who started fussing over them, asking if they were ok, if they needed water, how amazing they were, at technically killing people or knocking them out, and just being kind. There were long minutes of chatter before Coach Hannah got up onto a platform and raised it to make sure everyone saw her, she smiled a fake smile and began with a grin, “Congratulations to Group 37, and their extraordinary performance, for winning this challenge. The leaderboards will be up now, to show you the place of your group in the challenge and the main leaderboard, the one on the right of the screen, will appear on the screen to my left.”
Sure enough, the TV next to Coach Hannah lit up, and two leaderboards appeared, one labelled “Main Boards” and the other “Combat Board” Group 37 was leading on both of them at the top of the boards, three loud whoops filled the groaning novices. Group 1 was second in the lead on both boards and Group 16 was third on the Main Board. Groups stared at the board and talked for a minute for shifting off the hallway. The Hallway is at the end of Training Hall, a large 100 meters of ups and downs and twists and turns. Coach Hannah stepped up in front of the weapons room next to the Hallway’s door, and greeted the audience, “Hallway this time is set highest to lowest levels, unlike Combat Cube, if you were a high level in Combat and you’re a high level in Hallway and doing this challenge, I pity you. But anyway, let’s begin the challenge, the fastest time wins. Yesterday you were asked which Group member would be doing this challenge; here are the first five groups. Group 1, is first, Group 37, is second, Group 24, is third, Group 16, fourth and Group 56 is fifth the first five, in chronological order. The challenge will begin in two minutes; your selected member will go into the weapons room pick a weapon then begin. Group 1 remember you’re first.”
With that Groups herded together like sheep, talking quickly about strategizes to the member of their Group who was running the Hallway.
Two minutes later, Wren Claren was going through the weapons room. The room itself was small but crowded, shotguns, rifles, katanas, baseball bat, high on a self of the dusty room a single wooden chunk of smoothed wood, no one knew how or why it was there but it was building up dust over the year of it being there. Two silver pistols were in a wooden box with a glass lid; Wren gazed at the assault rifle in the corner then turned to the pistols. Grabbing a pistol belt whilst walking towards the box. Sliding the lid off, Wren coughed at the smothering cloud of dust filling the air around it, as well as Wren’s face, she waved away the dust and picked up the pistols, the pistols were arm length, a leather black handle, and a tiny pointer, Wren studied the guns checking to see if damage was present. Wren grinned and muttered, “Good to see you aren’t broken.”
Wren’s face immediately fell as soon as she saw the right one’s markings; marked into the barrel two wolves on either side ran towards the muzzle, on the wolves a visible string marking led to the trigger. The left pistol had two cats also on the barrel running towards the muzzle, as the same as the right pistol there were strings marked leading towards the trigger. Wren shook her head and slotted the pistols into their pouches on either side of the belt wrapped around her waist; she pushed open the door and quickly walked through the hallways door.
The room walls were light grey and a dark grey floor of an unrecognisable material was placed there, there were four walls, which confused Wren at first but she soon remembered why. She turned to the wall opposite the door and listened out for the countdown readying herself for what’s to come. The male robotic voice picked up from a speaker in a far corner, unimportant for Wren to figure out which one, the voice repeated what Coach Hannah said then warned Wren to ready herself. A loud buzz filled her ears; another buzz followed a second after, another buzz, another buzz, another buzz. Good luck to me. Wren thought just before the last buzz filled her ears. The wall she was facing disappeared, revealing a corridor of about 10 meters. She sprinted forward, hissing sounds starting to appear around her, buzzing following her. The loud slide of the magical door-wall-gateway was far behind her.
Wren jumped over a block aid and appeared in the quick thinking part of the hallway, light switches turned off was spread around on the right, a metal door in front of the block aid, a blackboard on the left. Confused Wren analysed her surroundings, the switches were large, and 26 of them with labels in chronological order from 1 to 26 just approve each lever. Wren turned quickly and looked at the blackboard, and scanned it. In white paint the confusing sentence of, “Everyone has it, but nobody can lose it, what is it?”
Wren rattled her brain for an explanation, the mind not replying with a suitable answer only reminding her she heard it before. Her mind scanned over memories trying to remember the answer, loud hissing sounds came from the corridor Wren ran from. Starting to panic, her mind stopped searching for the memory and panicked for an answer, a thought came to her:
Wren woke up to the sound of crying, she pulled open her curtain for her bunk in Group 1’s dorm, and she swung her legs over the bed and rubbed her eyes. She scanned the room, everything seemed normal except the crying boy in the middle of the floor. It was Isaac, he had his head resting on his propped up knees, and he kept jerking with sadness whilst sniffing loudly. Wren looked at the bed above Isaac’s, it was empty, and then Wren rushed to the bed opposite hers, pulling the curtain quickly. Empty.
Wren dropped to the floor, and pressed the middle circle of the pattern under bed. The cupboard opened with a pop and Wren grabbed at the top of it and pulled it open. Dust already had started appearing in the cupboard; Wren got up and rushed to the slightly ajar door, sprinting loudly at what seemed 5am. Annoyed looking people opened their doors as she ran past, wondering what the noise is. She turned corridors, twisted and turns until she reached a metal door; it was metal, large and old. And on the door something was sticky taped to it, two letters. They both had ruff writing of two different names. One said Wren, the other Isaac.
Wren ripped off both of the letters and looked at her own one, there was more than just her name on it, the sentence, “Everyone has it but nobody can lose it…”
Wren’s mind flashed with the memory of the answer inside the letter and turned quickly to the switches, scanning the labels. 19, 8, 1, 4, 15 and 23 switches were flicked. There was a loud screeching sound to her Wren, she turned to see the door blocking her way was opened and a key was hanging from the roof from a wire. Wren rushed over and pulled the key off before running through the door, as she ran she scanned ahead of her, there was a large climbing net going upwards and a small way out at the top.
Wren cursed loudly then started climbing quickly; she slipped halfway up and heard a loud hissing sound. Looking down she saw a large reptilian, it was like a komodo dragon or something from Greek mythology, a chimera but way more lizard like. Instead of a lion head, a raptor like head, a shield of scales for a mane, a snake tongue flicked randomly tasting the air, long talon like claws were on the edge of each stub of an foot. It was an experiment the government made to help win wars and scare of terrorists from blowing up important monuments, made as guard dogs. This Chimera was scampering up the walls to the side of the climbing net, scaring the crap out of Wren as she looked back up and said, “This is truly incredible, I mean all I ever wanted is to get chased by a lizard mcgee whilst in a game to test my smartness, I mean I love this.”
The “lizard mcgee” was gaining fast, Wren cursed again then starting climbing quicker but less accurate. Wren slipped more often but got to the small gap in the top of the net, it was a low and small sized but Wren could army crawl through it, and there was a light at the end of the darkness. But the last step is always the hardest.
The lizard clawed at her feet as she almost reached the end, she yelped and kicked the creature but it slowly recovered. Wren pressed on and reached the last step, she fell from the hole she was scampering in and fell out hitting the floor and heard yells of excitement.
Wren thought she finished the challenge due to the loud noises of excitement but in reality, she just finished the first 100 meters. She rolled to lie on her back thinking she just finished, her mind was in relief. The lighting was dim and Gothic like, the lighting made Wren sleepy. The lizard chimaera popped its head out of the hole where Wren fell out of, Wren’s eyes widening as she gawked at the creature whilst it crawled down the wall. Wren cursed loudly then stood up rapidly, her grey hair covering her face because she stood up too quickly, she groaned and pushed the hair away and turned around scanning the area, the sounds of excitement weren’t from her friends.
A long corridor that seemed to be going on forever due to the lighting, the corridor has prison cells of a small size dotted down the parallel walls, instead of normal human screams they were muffled and more animalistic. The hands were clawed, scaly and long, the faces had dents for eyes and mouths, the skin was a deathly pale. They had no faces, scales shielded their skin. Screams of pain or excitement and yells of hunger made Wren’s stomach twist. Behind her there was a loud bang, she spun around to see the chimaera lizard was scuttling towards her. Wren’s immediate response was she grabbed the two pistols from her waist and shot creature multiple of times, the creature shrieked and dissolved. Wren physically relaxed and sighed, and then starting sprinting towards the end of the corridor, which seemed to go forever.
After constant running and dodging the hands of the creatures, Wren fell to the floor. She got up again but leaned against a wall between two police cells, panting heavily. Wren stood there leaning on the wall, clearly wasting precious time for herself. When she stopped panting and had slightly steady breathing, which took about 30 seconds. Wren stopped leaning on the wall and started to carry on running, yet again it was unending. She groaned in frustration and kicked a stone, then looked at her grabbing her grey hair and tugging.
That’s when Wren noticed something; it was quiet, silent, a vacuum of silence like space. Wren looked inside the cells; the creatures weren’t there, Wren stepped towards one, looking in. The back wall was usable due to the lighting, a shadow cast over it so the cells looked like they were unending. Wren noticed movement and craned her neck to get a better view, her face practically going through the bars.
There was a shuffle in the darkness and a scratching sound, Wren rubbed her eyes to get the dust out of her eyes. Suddenly something came from the darkness, it a human shape, long brown-blonde sombre hair that led to the waist, tall and skinny, familiar to Wren’s eyes. Wren jumped back instinctively reaching for her pistols and pointing the guns’ points towards the creature. The creature had grabbed the bars and stared at Wren, Wren’s breathing hitched. It was her friend, but it wasn’t. The creature was like the man she saw all those months ago, the dark blue liquid of IOS leaked from their nostrils, the corner of their eyes and worst of all, cups came oozing from their mouth. Their eyes weren’t their normal heterochromatic, they were sky blue and their pupils were bright electrocuting blue.
“Wol- Wolfia?” Wren managed, her voice staggering, she stepped back again, her pistols still raised, Wolfia’s hands reached through the bars and tried to grab Wren. Wren stood firm as Wolfia’s hand brushed the right pistol, the one with the wolves on. Wren glared at her friend and Wolfia’s eyes looked around widely, too late Wren realised people are getting infected as well as animals. The bars disappeared in front of Wolfia and they ran at Wren, Wren faced away and shot with the right pistol. There were an ear breaking bang and a small grunt, making Wren turn forward.
Wren turned back; the sight forced her to swallow a sob, the image before she was her friend. Normal, no IOS liquid escaping from their eyes, nose or mouth, neither did they have the infected eyes, they were normal. Her friend was looking at Wren in shock, and then they slowly turned their head towards the bleeding bullet wound in their left shoulder, visible due to the shirt being ripped. Wren kept her pistols pointed at her friend, though she had tiny droplets of sadness coming from her eyes, she stood strong. Wolfia looked back at Wren with a heartbroken expression and croaked, “You sh- shot m- me. You shot me, I thought we were friends.”
“You’re not Wolfia, Wolfia would understand. You’re not Wolfia, they are not dead- you’re- not dead,” Wren practically whispering, her voice cracking ever so slightly, with her final words her friend dissolved into a pile of orange cubes. The cell in front of Wren had its bars once more, suddenly lights lit up in that cell alone, a metal door with was now visible, the door had a massive lock. Wren’s pocket grew heavy; she looked down after lowering her pistols and saw the key from earlier hanging loose. Wren looked around the cell and saw a wooden door on the right side, leading inwards. She ran forward and hit her shoulder against the door until the hinges gave away, Wren ran towards the metal door and fitted the key into the lock, turning the key the door gave a satisfying click and swung open. Wren was greeted by friends, but she was too tired to get up and greet them, she fell to the floor and rested her legs. Her friends smiling warmly at her, but they will never be her best friend.
*
Lupus looked around the weapon room, scanning each of the weapons but got disappointed, there wasn’t a weapon that suited them. Then something caught their eye, there was something reflecting the light on the top self in the corner. Lupus took a step closer and took the weapon from the shelf; it was a two bladed knife, a haladie to believe. The wood was polished, shiny and smooth. Layers of dusts was still present even though there was a lot of movement, Lupus brushed off the dust and walked out of the room into the Hallway’s starting room, yet again there were four falls with no way out except the door they go went through, confusing Lupus.
The familiar robotic voice somewhat calmed Lupus down, they relaxed and stood in a readying pose, unsure which way the hallway will appear. The buzzes started once more, making Lupus light-footed and ready to run. Five buzzes went and left, the wall of the hallway disappeared, Lupus sprinted quickly, unlike Wren’s this was to have a lot of climbing, ducking and weaving. Poles in random places in Lupus’ way were connected to the opposing wall. Lupus ran dodge their way through the poles, grabbing a higher up pole and swinging themselves through a gap between two poles, as if this was just one big gymnastics tournament.
The others were watching eagerly on the TV screens outside of the Hallway, the TV screens show the views from the CCTV cameras inside. They all gaped at how Lupus bent and flew through the hallway, unlike Wren’s theirs seemed to be harder to run through. But nobody seemed to notice the Alpha Reign staff rushing around, locking spares doors and closing the door to the Outside.
The lights started to flicker, the camera glitched. Everyone looked up at the lights and the screens, racking the knuckles on it to see it would help. Luis, Pandora, Jack, Talia and Aaron backed into the same corner unintentionally and bumped into each other making each person jump. Isaac took a step closer to the TV screens and leaned in to see if he could see what was happening.
Lupus made their way down the hallway, reaching the climbing rope, their breathing was harsher than usual and their heartbeat unnaturally faster. They tried to ignore this as they sped past, above Lupus, the little number of lights flickered on and off, their movements faltered a second halfway up the rope at the second disturbance in the lighting. They jumped off the climbing ropes and they got up, rubbing off the dirt. Before they could do anything else, the lights blinked out, leaving them in darkness. Lupus couldn’t see anything through the pitch darkness and sweat began to break their skin.
For the others, everyone stood silent and still, everybody in the room tense with fear. Five seconds passed, people practically holding their breath. The backup powered lights flickered to life. Everyone went back to a relaxed mode, breathing calmly until Apprentice Gould’s voice carried over the speakers, his voice was stuttering and glitching but still, a sentence came from it, “All nov- NOVices, pleazze stay in the Tranning all, this is not a dr- drill. Go to your Group’s highlighted section, a selection of numbers should appear over each section ranging from 1-60. Please stay calm and go to the appropriate number. Thank you for your cooperation.”
“What did he just say, please stay calm? HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO STAY CALM?” Wren complained, Isaac raised his hand for silence and looked at the TV screen once again, Jules leaned towards it as well, the video jotted from static to normal picturing immensely quickly it was hard to analyse the picture properly. Then the screen stopped switching and went to the dark green night vision it does it times like this, it showed the climbing rope section from high in a corner. The climbing rope was cut from below, the top part was swinging slightly and a pile of ropes at the bottom, the ends of the ropes were jagged and puffed outwards.
“Hold on, where’s Lupus? No way they could have heard the announcement from inside there, the ropes are cut,” Jules started frantically speaking, rushing towards the entrance of the Hallway, Saskya and Jay following. Jules skidded to a stop in front of the doors of the Hallway’s waiting area, slipping from stopping too quickly; Saskya shoved the doors open and proceeded to run forward, Jay waited for Jules who stood up quickly and followed after. They ignored the massive hole in the wall of the waiting room and ran into the Hallway area, ducking and weaving through the poles to get to the climbing poles.
Once they reached the area, no one was there; all there was a torn black scarf, in the dark light they noticed a struggled was definitely held. Droplets of blood skimmed the floor; a bloody tooth was near the ropes. The three grimaced at the sight, looking around trying to figure what exactly happened; Jay picked up the ropes and examined them. Saskya looked at massive scratches on the wall and frowned, “Do you think Lupus is ok? These aren’t the same size as the chimaera’s claws; it must have been some kind of knife or blade in general?”
Saskya looked at Jules who was making her way back to the waiting room; she seemed to be following something on the floor. Jay and Saskya looked at each other than preceded follow Jules back to the waiting room. They spotted what Jules was following, a trail of blood that was leading back to the room. The two started speeding up and weaved through the gym of poles, they caught up with Jules and climbed over her using the poles and carried on following the blood trails, with Jules now behind them slowly walking not noticing the others.
The blood led to the waiting room, then turned left from the Hallway’s entrance going towards a wall. The wall had a door sized part sticking out, like a secret door; the door had handprints of blood smeared over it, some of the handprints were larger than others. Saskya and Jay looked at each other and walked over, Jay reaching out and grabbing the side of the door with no blood. The door swung open with a scraping of the floor, the inside was a passage going straightforward for ten steps then turned left, pipes for walls, which kept wheezing out gas, and dim lights for a sight that flickered randomly.
Jay was about to step in and investigate but someone grabbed the back of their tight shirt and pulled them with a lot of force. Jay tumbled back and fell on her back, she propped herself up slightly with her elbows and stared up at the person who grabbed her it was Apprentice Hender. Hender looked at the two then at Jules who rushed in because she gave up looking at the floor following a trail of blood. She looked at Jay then Hender, her expression hardens with anger. Saskya walked over to Jay and pulled her up by the arm, looking at Apprentice Hender with confusion.
“You three, go back to your Groups, there’s a head count happening. We’ll sort it out, stay calm,” Hender said his voice commanding but informal, not his usual voice; his scarred face looked worried, almost afraid. Aside barely shown from the angry man, the three in front of him left the room quietly, the emergency lights guiding them to their Groups. Jules’ Group, Group 37, was with Group 16 and Jay’s Group, Group 1, was with 15. Saskya and Jules walked back in silence and when they reached their area in the trap section expecting to see Aaron waiting for them. They came to only 3 of 4 members of Group 16, who were looking worried and confused.
“Do you know where Luis is?” Loki asked his voice in deep concern.
“No, do you know where Aaron is? Jules replied and asked, her voice withering slightly. Wait, Luis is gone as well? This is weird, something is definitely up. She thought to herself, she looked at Saskya who had a worried look in her heterochromatic eyes, her messy blue and pink hair that was tied in a ponytail was falling apart. Jules thought of something, “Stay here with Group 16, Sass. I will go see what’s up.”
“Are you sure?” Saskya asked, she looked at Jules’ expression then sighed, “Yep you’re sure. Hurry up and get it over and done with.”
Jules smirked and ran over to Group 1 and Group 15 in the combat cube with a few other Groups, Group 15 seemed to be calm and collected, whilst Group 1 was acting like a dysfunctional family, yelling at each other, complaining, all their faces had worry etched upon. Wren and Isaac were arguing, Jay was sitting by herself, there was only 3 out of 6 in the Group. Wren saw Jules and rushed towards her ignoring Isaac complaining, she deadpanned, “Have you seen the other 3?”
“No, Luis from Group 16, Lupus and Aaron are missing as well,” Jules replied quickly, Isaac and Jay walked up to listen to the conversation. Wren looked at Isaac and gestured in a “SEE” type of way. Then a voice came from overhead, Apprentice Gould’s.
“Six members of the students have been reported as missing, the following names are the students missing Luis Morue from Group 16, Aaron Reaper from Group 37, and Lupus from Group 37. From Group 1 we have Pandora Erye, Talia Avion Everton, and Jackson John Wells, if you see them please contact the nearest member of staff,” with that Wren went ballistic, she cursed loudly and started complaining about the staff being bad at their job. Isaac dragged his hand down his face then rubbed his eyes, eyes still closed he gestured and talked.
“Ok how about we ask if we can join up with Group 16 and 37, it will help us know that we are still here, and if one of us disappears we will know.”
“That my friend… is a rubbish plan, I hate Panda, you hate Panda, we all hate Panda. So joining up with Panda is a big no no, get it?” Wren hissed, Group 15 started to get intrigued by the conversation that was being held, Isaac pulled Jules, Jay and Wren towards him and started to think of a better idea.
Jay sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose and looked up at her fellow Group members, “We have to try it, just to be saying that no one else gets taken. So we can stop holding out grudges like kindergarten children, and stop fighting over a toy in the sandbox.”
“That is extremely descriptive, Jay. Have you dealt with the amazing adventures of the sandbox?” Wren asked mockingly, Isaac rolled his eyes, Jay grinned a mischievous grin and continued the banter, Group 15 started to get bored.
“Why yes Wren, I have had many experiences with the sandbox and to be exact the Principal’s office,” Jay replied jokingly, Wren and Jay continued the banter as Jules and Isaac looked at each other annoyed. Eventually, the two Group leaders grew bored and walked off towards Apprentice Hender and asked if they could merge their two groups together with Group 16.
~
Jack’s eyes fluttered open, he was lying on his stomach head facing towards the right, in front of him was a grey object due to the dim lighting it was clear the object was the white walls that lined the corridors of the army base. Jack’s whole body flinched with pain as he rose upwards and gazed around, there were four other people lying on the cold dark grey floor, unrecognisable in the lighting. Down the corridor, there was a frightful sight of which made Jack’s heart pounded out of his chest. The lights flickered off and on up ahead, showing glimpses of what seemed to be bodies. The bodies were lying on the floor, a puddle of blood surrounding each one; from where Jack was standing he could clearly see the bodies were all wearing the Alpha Reign Staff’s uniform. The four bodies around him started to shuffle as well, causing Jack to back towards the wall and hold his breath as the outlines of the bodies got up and rubbed their eyes or faces.
A familiar voice came from the nearest one to his left, the voice cursed and groaned. Jack caught a glimpse of who it was, Aaron. The one nearest to his right also groaned, but this time it was not as familiar as Aaron’s voice. A quiet but soothing female voice came from the body opposite Jack, “Luis? Aaron? Is that you and who are the other two people, speak your name?”
“I’m J- Jack, Jackson John Wells, Pandora is that you?” Jack called out to his female friend, he walked forwards arms first reaching out to his friend, his friend grabbed his wrists and he grabbed hers before pulling into a hug. A whine came from Jack’s left, the familiar whine that annoyed Jack so much, Talia.
“EW, EW gross I have blood down the front of my shirt, do you know who long it takes to get blood out of a shirt. I’m going to be washing this for days,” Talia whined, Aaron’s groan made Jack smile at the remembrance of how much Talia flirts with him. By now Jack’s eyes had adjusted to the little light given to him, he looked at the four others, they all had some kind of cut on their face, Luis a small cut on his eyebrow, Talia from the right nostril to the lip, Pandora a tiny cut under her left eye, Aaron a cut from his right temple to the jaw. Jack looked around trying to make sense of everything, when he heard yelling from down the corridor where the bodies were, someone sprinted around the corner, running fall pelt towards the five.
They were yelling something Jack couldn’t hear but Luis seemed to hear it, he started running backwards away from the oncoming person before turning around and sprinting off, Aaron starting to follow him. Jack finally heard the person’s voice, it was British but a hint of a different culture, “RUN! RUN! RUN THE OTHER DIRECTION NOT AT ME! RUN”
Jack was confused for a second before his eyes widen realising why he had to run, behind the person a group of dog-like creatures were running after the person. Jack cursed loudly and started to run as well, following his friends, Pandora and Talia following in pursuit.
A long corridor that seemed to be going on forever due to the lighting, the corridor has prison cells of a small size dotted down the parallel walls, instead of normal human screams they were muffled and more animalistic. The hands were clawed, scaly and long, the faces had dents for eyes and mouths, the skin was a deathly pale. They had no faces, scales shielded their skin. Screams of pain or excitement and yells of hunger made Wren’s stomach twist. Behind her there was a loud bang, she spun around to see the chimaera lizard was scuttling towards her. Wren’s immediate response was she grabbed the two pistols from her waist and shot creature multiple of times, the creature shrieked and dissolved. Wren physically relaxed and sighed, and then starting sprinting towards the end of the corridor, which seemed to go forever.
After constant running and dodging the hands of the creatures, Wren fell to the floor. She got up again but leaned against a wall between two police cells, panting heavily. Wren stood there leaning on the wall, clearly wasting precious time for herself. When she stopped panting and had slightly steady breathing, which took about 30 seconds. Wren stopped leaning on the wall and started to carry on running, yet again it was unending. She groaned in frustration and kicked a stone, then looked at her grabbing her grey hair and tugging.
That’s when Wren noticed something; it was quiet, silent, a vacuum of silence like space. Wren looked inside the cells; the creatures weren’t there, Wren stepped towards one, looking in. The back wall was usable due to the lighting, a shadow cast over it so the cells looked like they were unending. Wren noticed movement and craned her neck to get a better view, her face practically going through the bars.
There was a shuffle in the darkness and a scratching sound, Wren rubbed her eyes to get the dust out of her eyes. Suddenly something came from the darkness, it a human shape, long brown-blonde sombre hair that led to the waist, tall and skinny, familiar to Wren’s eyes. Wren jumped back instinctively reaching for her pistols and pointing the guns’ points towards the creature. The creature had grabbed the bars and stared at Wren, Wren’s breathing hitched. It was her friend, but it wasn’t. The creature was like the man she saw all those months ago, the dark blue liquid of IOS leaked from their nostrils, the corner of their eyes and worst of all, cups came oozing from their mouth. Their eyes weren’t their normal heterochromatic, they were sky blue and their pupils were bright electrocuting blue.
“Wol- Wolfia?” Wren managed, her voice staggering, she stepped back again, her pistols still raised, Wolfia’s hands reached through the bars and tried to grab Wren. Wren stood firm as Wolfia’s hand brushed the right pistol, the one with the wolves on. Wren glared at her friend and Wolfia’s eyes looked around widely, too late Wren realised people are getting infected as well as animals. The bars disappeared in front of Wolfia and they ran at Wren, Wren faced away and shot with the right pistol. There were an ear breaking bang and a small grunt, making Wren turn forward.
Wren turned back; the sight forced her to swallow a sob, the image before she was her friend. Normal, no IOS liquid escaping from their eyes, nose or mouth, neither did they have the infected eyes, they were normal. Her friend was looking at Wren in shock, and then they slowly turned their head towards the bleeding bullet wound in their left shoulder, visible due to the shirt being ripped. Wren kept her pistols pointed at her friend, though she had tiny droplets of sadness coming from her eyes, she stood strong. Wolfia looked back at Wren with a heartbroken expression and croaked, “You sh- shot m- me. You shot me, I thought we were friends.”
“You’re not Wolfia, Wolfia would understand. You’re not Wolfia, they are not dead- you’re- not dead,” Wren practically whispering, her voice cracking ever so slightly, with her final words her friend dissolved into a pile of orange cubes. The cell in front of Wren had its bars once more, suddenly lights lit up in that cell alone, a metal door with was now visible, the door had a massive lock. Wren’s pocket grew heavy; she looked down after lowering her pistols and saw the key from earlier hanging loose. Wren looked around the cell and saw a wooden door on the right side, leading inwards. She ran forward and hit her shoulder against the door until the hinges gave away, Wren ran towards the metal door and fitted the key into the lock, turning the key the door gave a satisfying click and swung open. Wren was greeted by friends, but she was too tired to get up and greet them, she fell to the floor and rested her legs. Her friends smiling warmly at her, but they will never be her best friend.
*
Lupus looked around the weapon room, scanning each of the weapons but got disappointed, there wasn’t a weapon that suited them. Then something caught their eye, there was something reflecting the light on the top self in the corner. Lupus took a step closer and took the weapon from the shelf; it was a two bladed knife, a haladie to believe. The wood was polished, shiny and smooth. Layers of dusts was still present even though there was a lot of movement, Lupus brushed off the dust and walked out of the room into the Hallway’s starting room, yet again there were four falls with no way out except the door they go went through, confusing Lupus.
The familiar robotic voice somewhat calmed Lupus down, they relaxed and stood in a readying pose, unsure which way the hallway will appear. The buzzes started once more, making Lupus light-footed and ready to run. Five buzzes went and left, the wall of the hallway disappeared, Lupus sprinted quickly, unlike Wren’s this was to have a lot of climbing, ducking and weaving. Poles in random places in Lupus’ way were connected to the opposing wall. Lupus ran dodge their way through the poles, grabbing a higher up pole and swinging themselves through a gap between two poles, as if this was just one big gymnastics tournament.
The others were watching eagerly on the TV screens outside of the Hallway, the TV screens show the views from the CCTV cameras inside. They all gaped at how Lupus bent and flew through the hallway, unlike Wren’s theirs seemed to be harder to run through. But nobody seemed to notice the Alpha Reign staff rushing around, locking spares doors and closing the door to the Outside.
The lights started to flicker, the camera glitched. Everyone looked up at the lights and the screens, racking the knuckles on it to see it would help. Luis, Pandora, Jack, Talia and Aaron backed into the same corner unintentionally and bumped into each other making each person jump. Isaac took a step closer to the TV screens and leaned in to see if he could see what was happening.
Lupus made their way down the hallway, reaching the climbing rope, their breathing was harsher than usual and their heartbeat unnaturally faster. They tried to ignore this as they sped past, above Lupus, the little number of lights flickered on and off, their movements faltered a second halfway up the rope at the second disturbance in the lighting. They jumped off the climbing ropes and they got up, rubbing off the dirt. Before they could do anything else, the lights blinked out, leaving them in darkness. Lupus couldn’t see anything through the pitch darkness and sweat began to break their skin.
For the others, everyone stood silent and still, everybody in the room tense with fear. Five seconds passed, people practically holding their breath. The backup powered lights flickered to life. Everyone went back to a relaxed mode, breathing calmly until Apprentice Gould’s voice carried over the speakers, his voice was stuttering and glitching but still, a sentence came from it, “All nov- NOVices, pleazze stay in the Tranning all, this is not a dr- drill. Go to your Group’s highlighted section, a selection of numbers should appear over each section ranging from 1-60. Please stay calm and go to the appropriate number. Thank you for your cooperation.”
“What did he just say, please stay calm? HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO STAY CALM?” Wren complained, Isaac raised his hand for silence and looked at the TV screen once again, Jules leaned towards it as well, the video jotted from static to normal picturing immensely quickly it was hard to analyse the picture properly. Then the screen stopped switching and went to the dark green night vision it does it times like this, it showed the climbing rope section from high in a corner. The climbing rope was cut from below, the top part was swinging slightly and a pile of ropes at the bottom, the ends of the ropes were jagged and puffed outwards.
“Hold on, where’s Lupus? No way they could have heard the announcement from inside there, the ropes are cut,” Jules started frantically speaking, rushing towards the entrance of the Hallway, Saskya and Jay following. Jules skidded to a stop in front of the doors of the Hallway’s waiting area, slipping from stopping too quickly; Saskya shoved the doors open and proceeded to run forward, Jay waited for Jules who stood up quickly and followed after. They ignored the massive hole in the wall of the waiting room and ran into the Hallway area, ducking and weaving through the poles to get to the climbing poles.
Once they reached the area, no one was there; all there was a torn black scarf, in the dark light they noticed a struggled was definitely held. Droplets of blood skimmed the floor; a bloody tooth was near the ropes. The three grimaced at the sight, looking around trying to figure what exactly happened; Jay picked up the ropes and examined them. Saskya looked at massive scratches on the wall and frowned, “Do you think Lupus is ok? These aren’t the same size as the chimaera’s claws; it must have been some kind of knife or blade in general?”
Saskya looked at Jules who was making her way back to the waiting room; she seemed to be following something on the floor. Jay and Saskya looked at each other than preceded follow Jules back to the waiting room. They spotted what Jules was following, a trail of blood that was leading back to the room. The two started speeding up and weaved through the gym of poles, they caught up with Jules and climbed over her using the poles and carried on following the blood trails, with Jules now behind them slowly walking not noticing the others.
The blood led to the waiting room, then turned left from the Hallway’s entrance going towards a wall. The wall had a door sized part sticking out, like a secret door; the door had handprints of blood smeared over it, some of the handprints were larger than others. Saskya and Jay looked at each other and walked over, Jay reaching out and grabbing the side of the door with no blood. The door swung open with a scraping of the floor, the inside was a passage going straightforward for ten steps then turned left, pipes for walls, which kept wheezing out gas, and dim lights for a sight that flickered randomly.
Jay was about to step in and investigate but someone grabbed the back of their tight shirt and pulled them with a lot of force. Jay tumbled back and fell on her back, she propped herself up slightly with her elbows and stared up at the person who grabbed her it was Apprentice Hender. Hender looked at the two then at Jules who rushed in because she gave up looking at the floor following a trail of blood. She looked at Jay then Hender, her expression hardens with anger. Saskya walked over to Jay and pulled her up by the arm, looking at Apprentice Hender with confusion.
“You three, go back to your Groups, there’s a head count happening. We’ll sort it out, stay calm,” Hender said his voice commanding but informal, not his usual voice; his scarred face looked worried, almost afraid. Aside barely shown from the angry man, the three in front of him left the room quietly, the emergency lights guiding them to their Groups. Jules’ Group, Group 37, was with Group 16 and Jay’s Group, Group 1, was with 15. Saskya and Jules walked back in silence and when they reached their area in the trap section expecting to see Aaron waiting for them. They came to only 3 of 4 members of Group 16, who were looking worried and confused.
“Do you know where Luis is?” Loki asked his voice in deep concern.
“No, do you know where Aaron is? Jules replied and asked, her voice withering slightly. Wait, Luis is gone as well? This is weird, something is definitely up. She thought to herself, she looked at Saskya who had a worried look in her heterochromatic eyes, her messy blue and pink hair that was tied in a ponytail was falling apart. Jules thought of something, “Stay here with Group 16, Sass. I will go see what’s up.”
“Are you sure?” Saskya asked, she looked at Jules’ expression then sighed, “Yep you’re sure. Hurry up and get it over and done with.”
Jules smirked and ran over to Group 1 and Group 15 in the combat cube with a few other Groups, Group 15 seemed to be calm and collected, whilst Group 1 was acting like a dysfunctional family, yelling at each other, complaining, all their faces had worry etched upon. Wren and Isaac were arguing, Jay was sitting by herself, there was only 3 out of 6 in the Group. Wren saw Jules and rushed towards her ignoring Isaac complaining, she deadpanned, “Have you seen the other 3?”
“No, Luis from Group 16, Lupus and Aaron are missing as well,” Jules replied quickly, Isaac and Jay walked up to listen to the conversation. Wren looked at Isaac and gestured in a “SEE” type of way. Then a voice came from overhead, Apprentice Gould’s.
“Six members of the students have been reported as missing, the following names are the students missing Luis Morue from Group 16, Aaron Reaper from Group 37, and Lupus from Group 37. From Group 1 we have Pandora Erye, Talia Avion Everton, and Jackson John Wells, if you see them please contact the nearest member of staff,” with that Wren went ballistic, she cursed loudly and started complaining about the staff being bad at their job. Isaac dragged his hand down his face then rubbed his eyes, eyes still closed he gestured and talked.
“Ok how about we ask if we can join up with Group 16 and 37, it will help us know that we are still here, and if one of us disappears we will know.”
“That my friend… is a rubbish plan, I hate Panda, you hate Panda, we all hate Panda. So joining up with Panda is a big no no, get it?” Wren hissed, Group 15 started to get intrigued by the conversation that was being held, Isaac pulled Jules, Jay and Wren towards him and started to think of a better idea.
Jay sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose and looked up at her fellow Group members, “We have to try it, just to be saying that no one else gets taken. So we can stop holding out grudges like kindergarten children, and stop fighting over a toy in the sandbox.”
“That is extremely descriptive, Jay. Have you dealt with the amazing adventures of the sandbox?” Wren asked mockingly, Isaac rolled his eyes, Jay grinned a mischievous grin and continued the banter, Group 15 started to get bored.
“Why yes Wren, I have had many experiences with the sandbox and to be exact the Principal’s office,” Jay replied jokingly, Wren and Jay continued the banter as Jules and Isaac looked at each other annoyed. Eventually, the two Group leaders grew bored and walked off towards Apprentice Hender and asked if they could merge their two groups together with Group 16.
~
Jack’s eyes fluttered open, he was lying on his stomach head facing towards the right, in front of him was a grey object due to the dim lighting it was clear the object was the white walls that lined the corridors of the army base. Jack’s whole body flinched with pain as he rose upwards and gazed around, there were four other people lying on the cold dark grey floor, unrecognisable in the lighting. Down the corridor, there was a frightful sight of which made Jack’s heart pounded out of his chest. The lights flickered off and on up ahead, showing glimpses of what seemed to be bodies. The bodies were lying on the floor, a puddle of blood surrounding each one; from where Jack was standing he could clearly see the bodies were all wearing the Alpha Reign Staff’s uniform. The four bodies around him started to shuffle as well, causing Jack to back towards the wall and hold his breath as the outlines of the bodies got up and rubbed their eyes or faces.
A familiar voice came from the nearest one to his left, the voice cursed and groaned. Jack caught a glimpse of who it was, Aaron. The one nearest to his right also groaned, but this time it was not as familiar as Aaron’s voice. A quiet but soothing female voice came from the body opposite Jack, “Luis? Aaron? Is that you and who are the other two people, speak your name?”
“I’m J- Jack, Jackson John Wells, Pandora is that you?” Jack called out to his female friend, he walked forwards arms first reaching out to his friend, his friend grabbed his wrists and he grabbed hers before pulling into a hug. A whine came from Jack’s left, the familiar whine that annoyed Jack so much, Talia.
“EW, EW gross I have blood down the front of my shirt, do you know who long it takes to get blood out of a shirt. I’m going to be washing this for days,” Talia whined, Aaron’s groan made Jack smile at the remembrance of how much Talia flirts with him. By now Jack’s eyes had adjusted to the little light given to him, he looked at the four others, they all had some kind of cut on their face, Luis a small cut on his eyebrow, Talia from the right nostril to the lip, Pandora a tiny cut under her left eye, Aaron a cut from his right temple to the jaw. Jack looked around trying to make sense of everything, when he heard yelling from down the corridor where the bodies were, someone sprinted around the corner, running fall pelt towards the five.
They were yelling something Jack couldn’t hear but Luis seemed to hear it, he started running backwards away from the oncoming person before turning around and sprinting off, Aaron starting to follow him. Jack finally heard the person’s voice, it was British but a hint of a different culture, “RUN! RUN! RUN THE OTHER DIRECTION NOT AT ME! RUN”
Jack was confused for a second before his eyes widen realising why he had to run, behind the person a group of dog-like creatures were running after the person. Jack cursed loudly and started to run as well, following his friends, Pandora and Talia following in pursuit.
Luis was sprinting at full pelt, he had his friends following after him, and Pandora and Talia were starting to lag behind, the person who told them to run was behind the last two trying to make them go faster. Aaron was slowing down, his legs were getting tired from running, and the person noticed it. Jack was just behind Luis, Aaron behind him, Pandora and Talia were slowing down a lot more then Aaron was. The person ran to catch up with Luis and yelled at him, “There’s a room we can go through to get away from the troktikas but will need to hold the door shut.”
“OK, SURE! THAT’S A GREAT IDEA IF WE WERE THAT CLOSE TO DEATH, THESE A HOLOGRAMS!” Aaron shrieked from behind the two in front not quite understanding the situation, the person looked over their shoulder and looked at the dog troktikas which were gaining on Pandora and Talia.
“THEY NOT HOLOGRAMS! THEY ARE ACTUAL TROKTIKAS, THE PERSON IS RIGHT!” Talia yelled back as a dog troktikas scraped her leg with its claws. Luis turned a corner; sure enough, there was the door, second on the right-hand side. The door was metal and heavily defended. There were a hand scanner and an eye scanner next to each other, CCTV cameras around the door. The door had no window and looked like it was hiding something important. The person beside Luis put more power into their sprint and started to zoom ahead of the five; they reached the door and stopped. They grabbed something from their side and stabbed the gap between the wall and the hand pad. They pushed on their blade which the hand scanner pop open. The person proceeded to cut wires that were tangled together; the wires were in a rectangle box that was full of holes for wires to pass through.
Luis reached the person was turned to his friends, the troktikas were catching up to Talia and Pandora who were about to reach the door. Luis started panicking at the sight of troktikas scraping at Talia’s and Pandora’s legs, so he practically screamed at the person, “HURRY UP! THEY’LL DIE!”
The person got up and handed the knife to Luis and yelled back, “FINE! Cut all the wires and connect them to the opposite coloured of the colour spectrum that will open the door!”
“What are you going to do?” Aaron asked quickly glaring at the troktikas, the person looked at them but Aaron couldn’t see their face in the lighting. Suddenly the person ran forward as Jack stopped by the door as well, grabbing another knife from their waist. They charged at the troktikas their knife in their hand; Talia and Pandora didn’t make a gap for them to move through. The person ran up to the two and the last second jumped over them, doing a barrel roll above their heads and landing in a three-point pose in front the on troktikas. They slashed with their knife out stabbing one in the were the dog’s collarbone and pushed inwards and down. The dog yelled but fell to the ground, its stomach and chest cut open.
Another dog came running at the person, leaping at them. The person flipped over and did a backwards one-handed handstand, knife still in hand they landed with it raised in the air ready to strike. They titled back and landed perfectly, the person smiled as the dog ran at them, they jumped up and landed on the dog spine, there was a loud snap and the person stabbed the side of the dog’s stomach. Whilst the others stared at the person they just meet, Luis was connecting all the wires with the opposite of the colour wheel, he was almost done and was about to finish the last connection with the red and green wires when the door opened by its self.
The others turned as a loud screech hit the ears of the door opening, the person unaware of this happened due to the loud sounds of the dogs barking and growling as they slashed at the person, the person killed every last one of them as if it was the easiest thing in the universe ever. Aaron, Luis, Talia and Pandora ran into the room but Jack stayed behind for the person who was still fighting the dog troktikas. Something was wrong, there were more troktikas coming around the corner, and they kept coming, the troktikas started changing which animal was dogs but they started changing to chimaeras and more mutations that the Government made.
“JACK COME ON, WE’RE ABOUT TO SHUT THE DOORS!” Aaron yelled at Jack, who was getting frustrated at the person not coming, Jack called back that they had to wait for the person but they weren’t coming.
They kept fighting, Jack was getting really annoyed. He groaned in frustration and ran up to the person grabbing them by the arm and pulling them away from the battle they made, they struggled for a minute before turning about and looking at Jack, Jack still couldn’t see their face due to the lighting but he could tell they were little annoyed but they realised they need to stop fighting and listen to Jack. They shrugged him off and ran into the room, Jack following them just before another wave of troktikas came running down the corridor.
The six people grabbed the large door and started to push it shut, it was a door that was a sliding door, and this door was stiff and strong so it was hard to push shut. All six of the people there were trying to move the door shut, Talia at the front, with Pandora next, Aaron, Jack, Luis and the person in a row pushed against the door, screeching it shut. The door was almost closed when two chimaeras decided to say hello and jammed the door with their bodies, Talia squealed as a claw was about to scrape her hand. Aaron yelled words of encouragement, “PUSH THE BLOODY DOOR OR I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU!”
“VERY FRICKING ENCOURAGING BECAUSE I LOVE BEING KILLED AND THEN BEING KILLED AGAIN,” the person yelled, receiving a glance from Luis from other his shoulder. The person got into a position to be able to push the door easier and with much force and pushed. The others pushed against the door with more power, the loud shrieking sounded like a mosh pit of a concert, the sounds made Talia’s right ear bleed a little. They pushed the door, groaning with the effort. They pushed all the power into shutting the door, their muscles screaming at the pressure.
The door finally started moving into the chimaeras’ bodies, squeezing them, the chimaeras started to vomit up the food they just ate. Talia whined loudly but ignored the vomit going on her shoes and pressed the door. They pushed the door for 30 seconds without it budging, the person from the start let go of the door and grabbed the two knives on their waist and pushed the handles together, making a two-bladed knife, a haladie. They ran up to the chimaeras and swished the haladie down the two chimaeras who were on top of each other, the heads came off and a bunch of IOS came squirting out of the heads and drenching the person. At that moment Jack yelled, “PUSH!”
The door shrieked shut squishing the remains of half of the chimaeras, as soon as the door shut the six fell to the floor, breathing heavily. It took 5 minutes before the six stopped breathing heavily, they lent up at stared at the person who was leaning against a pillar by the door, and they had IOS liquid glowing in the faint blue light from the room covered their shirt and some of their trousers. The six got up finally and looked around at the two chimaera heads on the floor by the door then around at the room. The room horrified them more than the heads.
The room was large, grey walls lined it, the opposite wall had another large metal door but to get there you had to go through the contents of the room. The contents of the room were rows of giant test tubes of blue liquid, the contents were teens. The teens were floating in their prison of light blue liquid, the teens had needles sticking into their body with tubes connected to the end of them, the tubes led towards the top where a top with a larger tube that led to a vent on the roof that went straight through the middle of the room, going towards the other door. The test tubes teens had their eyes closed as if in a deep sleep, their hair floated around their head like they were drowning, and every so often bubbles came from their tight shut mouths or their nostrils which had breathing tubes. In the tubes, there were different liquids flowing through, there was red liquid going upwards to the big tube, most likely blood. An IOS blue type liquid went downwards to the floor, the teens’ skins were pale, even though the variety of skin tones they all looked like death themselves.
In some test tubes, there were young chimaeras also in the tubes and liquid, with the pipes and tubes connecting into their body. The six gaped at the sight, frozen with fear. Then the person walked up to the light and walked towards a test tube, everyone finally able to see their face and features in general. They were tall with an athletic built but thin body, guessing their age is 20; long dark, dark grey hair that looked almost black was tied into a ponytail but still reached their tailbone, their hair faded into a dyed mixture of red, blue and purple at a little more than the ends of their hair. On their left forearm, they had an unrecognisable symbol for the others tattooed. On their left wrist, they had a minimalist crescent moon tattoo; it looked familiar to the members of Group 1. The five stared at the person as they walked forward; they looked at the test tube and the person inside.
“Does anyone recognise this boy? He seems somewhat familiar to me,” they said calmly, not bothering to look at the five. Aaron walked forward, stumbling slightly as he saw who it was. The boy inside had short brown hair, a damaged arm, as well a swollen eye. His eyes were closed and his face pale. Aaron gasped with shocked.
“He’s Justin, the kid outside Gould’s office when Lupus joined us… Why would they take him?” He breathed out, stuttering. The person’s eyes flickered to Aaron then looked back quickly, they moved towards the door. The others started to move around, moving slowly and cautiously, as if someone or something will come out and attack them.
“Why are they doing this? This is giving the freaks,” Pandora said blandly, her voice giving little emotion. Luis nodded at that and carried on looking at a chimaera in a test tube, like the others he was searching for an answer. There was an eerie silence for a long time.
“They’re trying to find a cure, using Valiosos,” the person explained, when saying the word Valiosos in an accent, the five gave confused expressions in reply, the person continued, “Valiosos are immune to IOS, their rare, to find out if they are immune they force feed them mistletoe berries, if poisoned they are immune if not well you’re more likely to get IOS, due the mistletoe being one of the things that made god damn virus. Ruining us all, then America had to go and go to a mine and blow things up with powerful missiles, and that triggered Yellowstone.
“To be honest I am disappointed they had to go to this level, drugging kids and taking their body fluids, it makes me sick. That is why I am glad we’re going to leave and stay away,” The person said, before turning around to look at the others, they had a tanned face, two heterochromatic eyes of a storm grey for the left and a sea blue for the right. The strangest thing was a silver grey tattoo on the right side of their face; it looked like a spider diagram or a tree, with straight lines and dots when changing direction. The tattoo ended at their forehead and their collarbone was drawn in zigzags or straight lines, there was a line under their eye, two on their cheek, about 5 on their neck and chin. As well as that they had many scars one of which just underneath their left eye and going down half way of their cheek. They looked extremely familiar. Without warning, the lights flickered on suddenly and then off but they caught how the top of their hair was slightly dyed a brown and blonde.
“Who are you?” Luis said, his French accent coming through due to his fear of coming through, the person looked at him, then Aaron and every single person before they sighed loudly.
“I am Lupus, that’s not my real name, but it’s the name he gave me,” They said pointing to Aaron and looked around at the faces of the five as if they wanted to see what the five made of them. Aaron was gaping at them, mouth open, shocked and looking extremely stupid.
“Lupus, I noticed you said we are going to leave? Why would we want to leave? IF WE LEAVE WE DIE!” Talia started to yell at Lupus, not really grasping the situation. Lupus turned to her, their eyes full of annoyance, their face went into a scowl as they walked up to Talia.
“Ok fine let me rephrase leaving this place, HAVE YOU LOOKED AROUND, OR ARE YOU TOO DUMB? LOOK AROUND KID, THINK ABOUT IT! WE ARE GONNA DIE ANYWAY; BETTER GO OUT WITH A BANG! I AM LEAVING! IF YOU WON'T WANT TO LEAVE, FINE BY ME BUT YOU HAVE TO PROMISE ME YOU WILL NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT THIS, NOT TELL ANYONE THAT THEIR “Alpha Reign” IS WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TRY TO FIND A CURE THAT DOESN’T EXIST!” Lupus yelled, using their hands to talk, raising them up, pointing a finger and pressing it against their temple. They turned away from a dumbstruck Talia, the other four stared at Lupus as they walked up to a console by the door opposite the door they had to hold push shut. They reached inside the pocket of their ripped hoodie’s front pocket and took out a flat circular object; they placed the object on the screen of the blue console, the console turned jittery and glitched out. It was extremely confusing for the others so Luis acted out first.
“What are you doing?” Luis said, walking up to Lupus and the console. Lupus looked up at Luis; their silver tattoo shining in the light, then looked back down. The circular object lit up a dark purple glow; Aaron was intrigued and walked up as well to see what was happening only to get halfway. Lupus took the glowing circular object from the console that was now black and threw it into the middle of the room where it hovered to the floor, the others watched this happen and walked up to make a circle around the object. Lupus walked up to the object and pressed its centre, almost immediately a 3D hologram appeared in the air, it was about 90cms by 90cms and it showed a large dome and a bunch of buildings with tunnels, around that part there was hills and a wood in the left corner. The hologram resembled the Alpha Reign and the surroundings, Lupus twirled their fingers in the air vertical and the hologram zoomed into the biggest building out of all of them. The hologram’s camera zoomed in on the inside of the building; it showed the Training Hall and the people inside as holograms. The people were all ladled differently, most were the same colour as the pastel green hologram, a tiny amount of the people were purple and they were standing by the doors and guarding them. Eight people, who were all in the same section of the Training Hall, were a metallic gold colour; they all had numbers floating above each of them.
Wren was 2, Niji 3, Jay 4, Loki 6, Panda 9, Jules 10, Saskya 13 and finally Isaac 14. The others looked up at Lupus who was in deep thought, staring at the moving holograms of Wren and the seven. They sighed and swiped their fingers in the air; the hologram zoomed in on the exists and the ventilation which was all guarded by purple glowing people. The others watched as Lupus moved around all the rooms exist, that’s when Aaron finally lost it, and “Ok what are you exactly doing? Trying to find a way in so you can lead your troktika friends with you?”
“The first I can help with, but the second part I can’t help you with, hermano. If you know any troktikas, let me know, I will release hell on them all,” Lupus said jokingly, a sense enjoyment at Aaron’s concerned expression filled their face. Lupus carried on, “We need to get your friends out, and so I nominate this: I will go with Pandora and Talia to collect everyone’s stuff and belongings. Whilst Aaron, Luis and Jack to get their friends and take them to this point.” They first twirled their fingers, and then they pointed to a tree hologram section, right in the centre of it. They looked up at the other five and waited for questions, only one came.
“How do we get our friends out the fricking room? Step 1 “hermano”, remember we need to get our friends out of the room and get them the hell out of a place like this!” Luis said, his French accent merging with his broken English. Lupus looked up at Luis and grinned a mischievous smile, they twirled their fingers and the hologram went back to the Training Hall. Then looked up at the others, eying each of them before swiping the air with the index finger and the middle finger, the hologram zoomed over to the weapons room, and showed the pile of assault rifle pile.
“First you want to get weapons for each of your friends, the first day I hacked into the console and saw each of the three Groups’ members’ fighting styles and came with this conclusion on weapons,” Lupus explained pulling a piece of paper that was folded into a small square from the pocket of their hoodie, they threw it at Jack who caught it just before it got to close to his eye. He was startled for a few seconds before he opened up the paper and it read;
Isaac - Shotgun + Machete.
Wren - Two pistols + assault rifle.
Saskya - Katana + a small gun.
Aaron - Combat rifle + small pocket knife.
Jules - Steel axe + pistol.
Talia - Magnum + pocket knife.
Panda - Scorpion Knuckles.
Jay - Metal Bow + Explosives.
Luis - Rifle + pocket knife.
Niji - Metal baseball bat.
Loki - Duel blades + small pistol.
Pandora - Assault Pistol.
Lupus - Sniper Rifle.
Jack - Army gun + throwing knife.
Lupus through a bag to Luis who caught it and looked inside, it was big and empty. Luis looked up at Lupus with a confused face, they deeply sighed and muttered something in Spanish, then said, "it's for the weapon cases and army belts, bring any equipment you think fit for this, get judgement from Wren and Niji... I'll tell you why I need their judgement soon," Lupus turned to Pandora and Talia who were standing next to each other in the circle and breathed a deeper sigh then before, "You two, listen closely, it will save your lives and it will keep me sane from people who are idiots... You three, go get your friends, this vent will take you to the Training Hall, the pattern of turning is: right, left, right, forward and then the last right."
Aaron, Jack and Luis looked at each other before running off to the vent and breaking it. Luis slid through and Jack following in pursuit then Aaron going through last after waving to Talia and Pandora then sliding through.
Wren, Panda, Loki, Saskya, Jules, Niji, Isaac and Jay sat, extremely bored in the trap section. Jay was slumped over with their chin resting on the palm of her hand, her elbow resting on her knee. Wren was leaning on the wall and was half sleeping half awake, Isaac was leaning on her running his hand through his hair. Loki and Niji were playing tic tac toe, Panda was actually sleeping. The lights were off and it made everyone sleepy, the staff rubbed their eyes and yawned trying to stay up.
"What do you think the others are doing right now, do ya think they're having more fun than us?" Jay said miserably, the others turned to look at her glaring at her, she sighed, "it's a joke lads, will you please lighten up?"
The others sighed loudly and went back to their tasks, Jay stretched and yawned then heard a quiet banging sound from above her, it appeared again, then again and again. The sound getting louder and louder, finally the sound go loud enough for the others to hear and she had to look up to see a vent. She moved out the way as the vent shaft fell to the floor with a clanging sound, the others leaned forward; Panda woke up as well and looked up at the vent when Luis' head popped out from the roof looking upside down. He yelped and breathed, "Bonjour."
“OK, SURE! THAT’S A GREAT IDEA IF WE WERE THAT CLOSE TO DEATH, THESE A HOLOGRAMS!” Aaron shrieked from behind the two in front not quite understanding the situation, the person looked over their shoulder and looked at the dog troktikas which were gaining on Pandora and Talia.
“THEY NOT HOLOGRAMS! THEY ARE ACTUAL TROKTIKAS, THE PERSON IS RIGHT!” Talia yelled back as a dog troktikas scraped her leg with its claws. Luis turned a corner; sure enough, there was the door, second on the right-hand side. The door was metal and heavily defended. There were a hand scanner and an eye scanner next to each other, CCTV cameras around the door. The door had no window and looked like it was hiding something important. The person beside Luis put more power into their sprint and started to zoom ahead of the five; they reached the door and stopped. They grabbed something from their side and stabbed the gap between the wall and the hand pad. They pushed on their blade which the hand scanner pop open. The person proceeded to cut wires that were tangled together; the wires were in a rectangle box that was full of holes for wires to pass through.
Luis reached the person was turned to his friends, the troktikas were catching up to Talia and Pandora who were about to reach the door. Luis started panicking at the sight of troktikas scraping at Talia’s and Pandora’s legs, so he practically screamed at the person, “HURRY UP! THEY’LL DIE!”
The person got up and handed the knife to Luis and yelled back, “FINE! Cut all the wires and connect them to the opposite coloured of the colour spectrum that will open the door!”
“What are you going to do?” Aaron asked quickly glaring at the troktikas, the person looked at them but Aaron couldn’t see their face in the lighting. Suddenly the person ran forward as Jack stopped by the door as well, grabbing another knife from their waist. They charged at the troktikas their knife in their hand; Talia and Pandora didn’t make a gap for them to move through. The person ran up to the two and the last second jumped over them, doing a barrel roll above their heads and landing in a three-point pose in front the on troktikas. They slashed with their knife out stabbing one in the were the dog’s collarbone and pushed inwards and down. The dog yelled but fell to the ground, its stomach and chest cut open.
Another dog came running at the person, leaping at them. The person flipped over and did a backwards one-handed handstand, knife still in hand they landed with it raised in the air ready to strike. They titled back and landed perfectly, the person smiled as the dog ran at them, they jumped up and landed on the dog spine, there was a loud snap and the person stabbed the side of the dog’s stomach. Whilst the others stared at the person they just meet, Luis was connecting all the wires with the opposite of the colour wheel, he was almost done and was about to finish the last connection with the red and green wires when the door opened by its self.
The others turned as a loud screech hit the ears of the door opening, the person unaware of this happened due to the loud sounds of the dogs barking and growling as they slashed at the person, the person killed every last one of them as if it was the easiest thing in the universe ever. Aaron, Luis, Talia and Pandora ran into the room but Jack stayed behind for the person who was still fighting the dog troktikas. Something was wrong, there were more troktikas coming around the corner, and they kept coming, the troktikas started changing which animal was dogs but they started changing to chimaeras and more mutations that the Government made.
“JACK COME ON, WE’RE ABOUT TO SHUT THE DOORS!” Aaron yelled at Jack, who was getting frustrated at the person not coming, Jack called back that they had to wait for the person but they weren’t coming.
They kept fighting, Jack was getting really annoyed. He groaned in frustration and ran up to the person grabbing them by the arm and pulling them away from the battle they made, they struggled for a minute before turning about and looking at Jack, Jack still couldn’t see their face due to the lighting but he could tell they were little annoyed but they realised they need to stop fighting and listen to Jack. They shrugged him off and ran into the room, Jack following them just before another wave of troktikas came running down the corridor.
The six people grabbed the large door and started to push it shut, it was a door that was a sliding door, and this door was stiff and strong so it was hard to push shut. All six of the people there were trying to move the door shut, Talia at the front, with Pandora next, Aaron, Jack, Luis and the person in a row pushed against the door, screeching it shut. The door was almost closed when two chimaeras decided to say hello and jammed the door with their bodies, Talia squealed as a claw was about to scrape her hand. Aaron yelled words of encouragement, “PUSH THE BLOODY DOOR OR I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU!”
“VERY FRICKING ENCOURAGING BECAUSE I LOVE BEING KILLED AND THEN BEING KILLED AGAIN,” the person yelled, receiving a glance from Luis from other his shoulder. The person got into a position to be able to push the door easier and with much force and pushed. The others pushed against the door with more power, the loud shrieking sounded like a mosh pit of a concert, the sounds made Talia’s right ear bleed a little. They pushed the door, groaning with the effort. They pushed all the power into shutting the door, their muscles screaming at the pressure.
The door finally started moving into the chimaeras’ bodies, squeezing them, the chimaeras started to vomit up the food they just ate. Talia whined loudly but ignored the vomit going on her shoes and pressed the door. They pushed the door for 30 seconds without it budging, the person from the start let go of the door and grabbed the two knives on their waist and pushed the handles together, making a two-bladed knife, a haladie. They ran up to the chimaeras and swished the haladie down the two chimaeras who were on top of each other, the heads came off and a bunch of IOS came squirting out of the heads and drenching the person. At that moment Jack yelled, “PUSH!”
The door shrieked shut squishing the remains of half of the chimaeras, as soon as the door shut the six fell to the floor, breathing heavily. It took 5 minutes before the six stopped breathing heavily, they lent up at stared at the person who was leaning against a pillar by the door, and they had IOS liquid glowing in the faint blue light from the room covered their shirt and some of their trousers. The six got up finally and looked around at the two chimaera heads on the floor by the door then around at the room. The room horrified them more than the heads.
The room was large, grey walls lined it, the opposite wall had another large metal door but to get there you had to go through the contents of the room. The contents of the room were rows of giant test tubes of blue liquid, the contents were teens. The teens were floating in their prison of light blue liquid, the teens had needles sticking into their body with tubes connected to the end of them, the tubes led towards the top where a top with a larger tube that led to a vent on the roof that went straight through the middle of the room, going towards the other door. The test tubes teens had their eyes closed as if in a deep sleep, their hair floated around their head like they were drowning, and every so often bubbles came from their tight shut mouths or their nostrils which had breathing tubes. In the tubes, there were different liquids flowing through, there was red liquid going upwards to the big tube, most likely blood. An IOS blue type liquid went downwards to the floor, the teens’ skins were pale, even though the variety of skin tones they all looked like death themselves.
In some test tubes, there were young chimaeras also in the tubes and liquid, with the pipes and tubes connecting into their body. The six gaped at the sight, frozen with fear. Then the person walked up to the light and walked towards a test tube, everyone finally able to see their face and features in general. They were tall with an athletic built but thin body, guessing their age is 20; long dark, dark grey hair that looked almost black was tied into a ponytail but still reached their tailbone, their hair faded into a dyed mixture of red, blue and purple at a little more than the ends of their hair. On their left forearm, they had an unrecognisable symbol for the others tattooed. On their left wrist, they had a minimalist crescent moon tattoo; it looked familiar to the members of Group 1. The five stared at the person as they walked forward; they looked at the test tube and the person inside.
“Does anyone recognise this boy? He seems somewhat familiar to me,” they said calmly, not bothering to look at the five. Aaron walked forward, stumbling slightly as he saw who it was. The boy inside had short brown hair, a damaged arm, as well a swollen eye. His eyes were closed and his face pale. Aaron gasped with shocked.
“He’s Justin, the kid outside Gould’s office when Lupus joined us… Why would they take him?” He breathed out, stuttering. The person’s eyes flickered to Aaron then looked back quickly, they moved towards the door. The others started to move around, moving slowly and cautiously, as if someone or something will come out and attack them.
“Why are they doing this? This is giving the freaks,” Pandora said blandly, her voice giving little emotion. Luis nodded at that and carried on looking at a chimaera in a test tube, like the others he was searching for an answer. There was an eerie silence for a long time.
“They’re trying to find a cure, using Valiosos,” the person explained, when saying the word Valiosos in an accent, the five gave confused expressions in reply, the person continued, “Valiosos are immune to IOS, their rare, to find out if they are immune they force feed them mistletoe berries, if poisoned they are immune if not well you’re more likely to get IOS, due the mistletoe being one of the things that made god damn virus. Ruining us all, then America had to go and go to a mine and blow things up with powerful missiles, and that triggered Yellowstone.
“To be honest I am disappointed they had to go to this level, drugging kids and taking their body fluids, it makes me sick. That is why I am glad we’re going to leave and stay away,” The person said, before turning around to look at the others, they had a tanned face, two heterochromatic eyes of a storm grey for the left and a sea blue for the right. The strangest thing was a silver grey tattoo on the right side of their face; it looked like a spider diagram or a tree, with straight lines and dots when changing direction. The tattoo ended at their forehead and their collarbone was drawn in zigzags or straight lines, there was a line under their eye, two on their cheek, about 5 on their neck and chin. As well as that they had many scars one of which just underneath their left eye and going down half way of their cheek. They looked extremely familiar. Without warning, the lights flickered on suddenly and then off but they caught how the top of their hair was slightly dyed a brown and blonde.
“Who are you?” Luis said, his French accent coming through due to his fear of coming through, the person looked at him, then Aaron and every single person before they sighed loudly.
“I am Lupus, that’s not my real name, but it’s the name he gave me,” They said pointing to Aaron and looked around at the faces of the five as if they wanted to see what the five made of them. Aaron was gaping at them, mouth open, shocked and looking extremely stupid.
“Lupus, I noticed you said we are going to leave? Why would we want to leave? IF WE LEAVE WE DIE!” Talia started to yell at Lupus, not really grasping the situation. Lupus turned to her, their eyes full of annoyance, their face went into a scowl as they walked up to Talia.
“Ok fine let me rephrase leaving this place, HAVE YOU LOOKED AROUND, OR ARE YOU TOO DUMB? LOOK AROUND KID, THINK ABOUT IT! WE ARE GONNA DIE ANYWAY; BETTER GO OUT WITH A BANG! I AM LEAVING! IF YOU WON'T WANT TO LEAVE, FINE BY ME BUT YOU HAVE TO PROMISE ME YOU WILL NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT THIS, NOT TELL ANYONE THAT THEIR “Alpha Reign” IS WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TRY TO FIND A CURE THAT DOESN’T EXIST!” Lupus yelled, using their hands to talk, raising them up, pointing a finger and pressing it against their temple. They turned away from a dumbstruck Talia, the other four stared at Lupus as they walked up to a console by the door opposite the door they had to hold push shut. They reached inside the pocket of their ripped hoodie’s front pocket and took out a flat circular object; they placed the object on the screen of the blue console, the console turned jittery and glitched out. It was extremely confusing for the others so Luis acted out first.
“What are you doing?” Luis said, walking up to Lupus and the console. Lupus looked up at Luis; their silver tattoo shining in the light, then looked back down. The circular object lit up a dark purple glow; Aaron was intrigued and walked up as well to see what was happening only to get halfway. Lupus took the glowing circular object from the console that was now black and threw it into the middle of the room where it hovered to the floor, the others watched this happen and walked up to make a circle around the object. Lupus walked up to the object and pressed its centre, almost immediately a 3D hologram appeared in the air, it was about 90cms by 90cms and it showed a large dome and a bunch of buildings with tunnels, around that part there was hills and a wood in the left corner. The hologram resembled the Alpha Reign and the surroundings, Lupus twirled their fingers in the air vertical and the hologram zoomed into the biggest building out of all of them. The hologram’s camera zoomed in on the inside of the building; it showed the Training Hall and the people inside as holograms. The people were all ladled differently, most were the same colour as the pastel green hologram, a tiny amount of the people were purple and they were standing by the doors and guarding them. Eight people, who were all in the same section of the Training Hall, were a metallic gold colour; they all had numbers floating above each of them.
Wren was 2, Niji 3, Jay 4, Loki 6, Panda 9, Jules 10, Saskya 13 and finally Isaac 14. The others looked up at Lupus who was in deep thought, staring at the moving holograms of Wren and the seven. They sighed and swiped their fingers in the air; the hologram zoomed in on the exists and the ventilation which was all guarded by purple glowing people. The others watched as Lupus moved around all the rooms exist, that’s when Aaron finally lost it, and “Ok what are you exactly doing? Trying to find a way in so you can lead your troktika friends with you?”
“The first I can help with, but the second part I can’t help you with, hermano. If you know any troktikas, let me know, I will release hell on them all,” Lupus said jokingly, a sense enjoyment at Aaron’s concerned expression filled their face. Lupus carried on, “We need to get your friends out, and so I nominate this: I will go with Pandora and Talia to collect everyone’s stuff and belongings. Whilst Aaron, Luis and Jack to get their friends and take them to this point.” They first twirled their fingers, and then they pointed to a tree hologram section, right in the centre of it. They looked up at the other five and waited for questions, only one came.
“How do we get our friends out the fricking room? Step 1 “hermano”, remember we need to get our friends out of the room and get them the hell out of a place like this!” Luis said, his French accent merging with his broken English. Lupus looked up at Luis and grinned a mischievous smile, they twirled their fingers and the hologram went back to the Training Hall. Then looked up at the others, eying each of them before swiping the air with the index finger and the middle finger, the hologram zoomed over to the weapons room, and showed the pile of assault rifle pile.
“First you want to get weapons for each of your friends, the first day I hacked into the console and saw each of the three Groups’ members’ fighting styles and came with this conclusion on weapons,” Lupus explained pulling a piece of paper that was folded into a small square from the pocket of their hoodie, they threw it at Jack who caught it just before it got to close to his eye. He was startled for a few seconds before he opened up the paper and it read;
Isaac - Shotgun + Machete.
Wren - Two pistols + assault rifle.
Saskya - Katana + a small gun.
Aaron - Combat rifle + small pocket knife.
Jules - Steel axe + pistol.
Talia - Magnum + pocket knife.
Panda - Scorpion Knuckles.
Jay - Metal Bow + Explosives.
Luis - Rifle + pocket knife.
Niji - Metal baseball bat.
Loki - Duel blades + small pistol.
Pandora - Assault Pistol.
Lupus - Sniper Rifle.
Jack - Army gun + throwing knife.
Lupus through a bag to Luis who caught it and looked inside, it was big and empty. Luis looked up at Lupus with a confused face, they deeply sighed and muttered something in Spanish, then said, "it's for the weapon cases and army belts, bring any equipment you think fit for this, get judgement from Wren and Niji... I'll tell you why I need their judgement soon," Lupus turned to Pandora and Talia who were standing next to each other in the circle and breathed a deeper sigh then before, "You two, listen closely, it will save your lives and it will keep me sane from people who are idiots... You three, go get your friends, this vent will take you to the Training Hall, the pattern of turning is: right, left, right, forward and then the last right."
Aaron, Jack and Luis looked at each other before running off to the vent and breaking it. Luis slid through and Jack following in pursuit then Aaron going through last after waving to Talia and Pandora then sliding through.
~
"What do you think the others are doing right now, do ya think they're having more fun than us?" Jay said miserably, the others turned to look at her glaring at her, she sighed, "it's a joke lads, will you please lighten up?"
The others sighed loudly and went back to their tasks, Jay stretched and yawned then heard a quiet banging sound from above her, it appeared again, then again and again. The sound getting louder and louder, finally the sound go loud enough for the others to hear and she had to look up to see a vent. She moved out the way as the vent shaft fell to the floor with a clanging sound, the others leaned forward; Panda woke up as well and looked up at the vent when Luis' head popped out from the roof looking upside down. He yelped and breathed, "Bonjour."
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