An hour had passed as Sirn and Ana softly hummed away as he rubbed her back, feeling whole for the first time in forever. His gaze wondered to the guy Ana was talking talking to earlier, seeing him dancing with the young woman, a happy yet almost denying factor written on her grin. She seemed familiar, yet he couldn't find where he had seen her before.
A tapping noise erupted from the speakers, as everyone turned their attention to the dj, whose hair flared a neon yellow, all brushed to the side as it dangled down, covering their ear.
"Alright everyone! Its time for all of the The names of the students who will participate will now be announced!" Their voice echoed as the students suddenly began muttering, guessing who will be the luck eight students. Their gaze looked about, curiosity steadily treading around.
"Jackson Virera!" Jackson? Ana's ears perked up at the name as she leaned up, her gaze following towards the stage, as the nervous gray orc slowly walked onto the stage, his gaze staying on his feet.
"No way. . . He's gonna be your competition?" Ana muttered softly as she let out a soft sigh. Although she had just met the young orc, he was far to gentle and kind to pick up a fight, let alone join a tournament. What was his end game?
"Next up, we have Venus Voltimore!" The young woman that Jackson had asked out suddenly she steadily walked onto the stage, her overconfident steps and the sway of her hips caught the attention of the men and woman, sending one side into a jealous fit, and the other acting like a swarm of dogs. Ana could see right through that calm and mature facade, a harlot in the making, seeking validation from the eyes of others, and the jealousy of those who believe she has it all. It sickened her.
"Last year's champion, Chase Centiro!" The crowd's voice roared as their gaze flew about, desperate to find their emperor of light. Just then, a lone coin clicked loudly, silencing the cheering crowd. It was a quarter, soaring in the air, as its flicker shined against the varies lights, like a prism showing off its whimsical colors. Just as it reached its peak, slowing and steadily falling, a divine cry shot out, a blinding light overwhelming them all.
It was as if a phoenix had let out an angry scream, its voice steadily fading as the light faded, a lone figure in a black standing on the stage, the coin in hand. Once everyone's eyes returned back to normal, their gasps and awes returned, recognizing their school's hero in all his glory. In sync, they all screamed loudly, shaking the gym they were in with just their noise alone.
"Can they get any louder?" Siren muttered, under his breath, his gaze staring coldly at Chase. But there was something different about the egotistical football player. When Chase's eyes met Siren's they weren't filled with that same animosity from before, no. . . It was one that disregarded that pointless conflict for something more personal. But what exactly was going on between the two? His eyes left Siren's and for a short moment, glanced into Ana's. Although it was short, there was a hint of sorrow, jealousy even, however it was clear Chase had changed, even if it was a little bit.
"Then we have. . . Terrance Bonanza?" Three small claps came from the crowd as a young black man ran onto the stage, yelling random noises as his trimmed head swayed about, glasses firmly pushed to his light skinned face. Although nobody was really excited for the random event, he still held that confident composure as he stood next to Chase eagerly, bumping shoulders as he muttered something enough to put an even bigger frown on his face.
"Micheal Lamont!" Another young black man rose from the crowds, his black hair was twisted into dreads, and his amber brown eyes sparkled under the light. His attire was almost casual, wearing a blue collared shirt with black jeans, yet his face was almost drained of all livelyness. Although he had a very tall height, Micheal had this hollow aspect, like he was starving.
Then there's the normy, John Milton!" A young light skin man stood up, his head bald and his eyes an obsidian black. His deamenor was hard, just as his steps were firm. John was someone that Siren had heard about. One of the few people born without any magic, nor any contracts with a familiar. He was just. . . Normal. But that brought even more questions, like why would he be fighting against people who can shoot lightning, or creates beams of light out of thin air? It was a death sentence.
"Next up, Siren Thompson!" Hearing his name, he gently scooted from under Ana, as she gave him a peck on the cheek, a smile forming on his face as he walked up onto the hard wooden stage, as he stood right next to Chase on his left, and Terrance on his right. A cocky grin formed on his face as his eyes locked onto Chase's.
"Whats so funny, half n half?" Chase muttered, his tone almost sad, like he got hit by a truck.
"People were talking about the video spreading around recently. Is the video about your mom on her knees calling herself a sl-"
"Not. Another. Word, Siren. . . Not right now." His tone was cold as he stared at Siren with anger steadily boiling over the pot. He was hurt, aching. It must be hard for him to know someone out there broke into his home, beat his father with a baseball bat, and made his own mother beg for her husband to live, to not bleed out and die. . . Only forced to debase yourself online as an irrisponisble, neglecctful, and whorish mother. One that only cared about the ecstasy of getting knocked up and throwing the fetus away down the drain. Was it true? Was it a lie? Whose to say.
Even with this in mind, Siren's grin couldn't have been any wider, his face turning towards the crowd as he steadily leaned his body close to Chase's.
"If the video is true, tell Laura i'd like her stripper line."
Chase's head turned slowly to look at Siren, his gaze filled with confusion and anger. Siren could tell that Chase wanted to leap onto him and bash his head in right then and there, but there was something holding him back, a bitter line yanking him back.
"So your the big Chase? Letting him talk about your mom like that is nasty work. Me personally I wouldn't let him do that . . . But I'm guessing you don't since your just taking it like a little baby~" Terrance muttered from the side, his grin wide and malicious as if he knew he was instigating something greater than his mind could perceive.
"Both of you are dead."
Siren and Terrance both glanced at each other at Chase's death threat, and unserious look in their eyes.
Kill? How were they supposed to take him seriously? The two of them laughed as Chase's face grew more solid, a vien nearly popping.
"What? You gonna cry to mommy and daddy?" The two burst into laughter again, this time, Chase snapped forward, reaching out to grab them, only to stop in place, as a yellow aura surrounded him.
"Calm down, please. . ." Jackson muttered as the same yellow light wrapped around him. The announcer stood between them as they let out a loud "Hey!"
"Alright you guys settle down, save it for the tournament."
"Now lets hear it for our final contestant, Ana Thornheart!"
Ana? Wait, why is she in the tournament? Last time Siren checked, she wasn't a fighter. He wasn't going to stop her but it was odd to hear her name being called.
As she steadily walked atop the steps, making her way in between Siren and Chase, her gaze wandered between the two.
"Siren. . . You know that wasn't called for, right?"
"Why? Its not like he wouldn't do the same to me if I were in his shoes."
"And? Its about being the better person, now could you please apologize?" She asked softly, Siren's eyes lowered slightly, his bothered face softening under her watch.
"My bad man. . ." He muttered. Chase glanced at him for a couple of seconds, his anger still there, but clearly letting some parts of it go.
"You can keep your half assed apology. You rich folk are all the same anyways. Acting like your better than everyone else just because you have money. I bet you've never struggled in your life have you?"
Siren's brain stopped at his words. His instincts told him to respond, to say something back, but. . . Was he right? Was there ever a time Siren actually struggled to do or get something? Nothing came to mind, not one. Then he started thinking deeper, when did his beef with Chase even start? In a way, they've just never got along without any real point of origin. . .
"Thats not true Chase. Siren isn't like every rich person. " Ana quickly said, her tone confidently defending him.
"And how so? The last time I checked, his family stretches from the military to his shady uncle in the police force."
Ana looked down at his question, staring at the wooden floor for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.
"Let me tell you how I met Siren."