Pendulum || TAENNIE FF

⚔Chapter 29: The faster hand

A U T H O R

Morning classes had ended and the players for Hinker were called to have an orientation at the Silver Hall-- the place where the game will be held. It's wide and closed. Like its name says, it's shining silver. It's like a birdcage inside an iron box. The players will be inside the cage-like structure with vine-like designs and the audience will all be staying outside. 

Their footsteps echo as they walk to the center. Heather, as someone who isn't familiar with the place yet, had her heartbeat racing. She felt a mix of excitement and fear. The room's undeniably stunning but she kept imagining their battle when the day comes. Blood, broken bones, worse...death.

"I want everyone to take this orientation seriously. For those who are experienced, you may proceed to practice your skills for the game. For the new players, I will be teaching you a few things to remember when playing. Follow me to the inner vault." Eva Lee commanded. 

Heather quickly followed and went first in line. Firo watched them, particularly Heather, going inside the room. Flake noticed this and furrowed his brows. Firo quickly looked away and started flying to the top of the hall. Flake shook away his assumptions and followed inside the vault.

"Now that everybody's here, I want to explain how the Silver Hall works." Eva Lee started. "As you can see, the players are separated from the audience outside. Your battleground is protected from anything outside, and everything outside is also protected from what's happening inside. The shield is built to avoid cheating. Someone among the audience may harm a player to make his or her favorite player win and the school will never tolerate that. You're free to use your powers without minding the ones outside because they're also protected."

Heather looked at her competitors and gulped. They were all slightly practicing their powers. There's one whose hair is flaming blue, another whose arms are growing sharp thorns. Everyone around her had scary powers and she can't help but feel inferior and hopeless.

Eva Lee walked towards a cabinet that's covered with a black satin cloth. She pulled the cloth down, revealing a golden, glittering wardrobe. "This is Stone Academia's old wardrobe. Back in the days, we used to walk in here and this wardrobe dresses us up itself. Now, it is used as a wardrobe for Hinker players for them to change into their cloaks before the game."

Heather raised her arm and asked. "Where does it get the clothes, then?"

"That, we cannot explain thoroughly. The past headmaster believed that the place where this wardrobe is built holds all answers. Unfortunately, that village has been missing for years since the battle in the Unlighted Forest. That place remains a legend until now."

Heather tried to not let her curiosity bite her again. What Eva Lee told them was just too mysterious and she can't dodge away. She bit her lip and stopped herself from asking more questions.

"I will be showing you the cloaks this unexplainable wardrobe has provided for the game." Eva Lee stepped inside and closed the door. After a few moments, she went out wearing a golden cloak that keeps her face hidden in the dark. She also had black gloves and boots. "Wearing this concealing cloak not only keeps your identity hidden and keeps your body structures the same, but it also changes your voice." Everyone in the room 'wowed' when Eva Lee's voice turned into a deeper one, making it sound like she's a male. She took off the hood and her face is suddenly shown. "Keeping the hood in your head will keep you hidden throughout the game. Make sure it doesn't fall off." She returned inside the wardrobe and she's back to her usual uniform again. "That's pretty much everything. Now, join the others and practice for the game. You're not allowed to harm each other yet. Save it for the real tournament." She instructed and gestured them to return to the main cage.

Heather lifted her head and gulped with the sight above her. All the guys were flying in the air with their different-colored powers. Eva Lee saw Heather looking discouraged and secretly called one of the participants. "Fill half of the cage with water. Make it as cold as you can." She instructed. The guy nodded and flew above. Water started rising from the ground as he raises his arms. 

"What's happening?" Heather panicked and looked for some high place to stand. Unfortunately, the cage has a flat ground with nothing else to climb onto. "Stop that!" She shouted as the water rose to her waist.

The rest of the players began flying and coming to the top, leaving Heather all by herself, soaked and clueless. The freezing water reached her head and she had no choice but to breathe some air in and swim. 

Firo started to worry and flew back down to help her. Flake saw him and flew twice faster than the other. Before Firo could feel the water on his feet, Flake dived in and grabbed Heather's waist. He was able to fly to the top with her wrapped around his arms.

"What do you think are you doing?! Get your hands off me!!" She forcefully squirmed and pushed him away. "I don't need your help!!" She shouted at his face. Flake kept his blank face and let go of her in an instant. Heather screamed as she falls back into the water, leaving a small splash. The players laughed at her, including Eva Lee outside the cage. The woman signaled the player to get rid of the water and he obeyed.

Heather was drenched and coughing on the ground. "Okay, that's it for today's session. Everyone's excused from their classes so take this opportunity to practice more." Eva Lee said. The players flew back down and walked past Heather with giggles. Eva Lee also left and quietly laughed for the first time. Heather could only lower her head in embarrassment. 

Flake came to her and knelt on one knee to match her level. "You shouldn't have told me to let you go. I only listened to what you said. Don't blame me." He said with a sneaky smirk at the end and left.

Heather clutched on her cloak to stop herself from attacking him. Firo was the next one who came and sat in front of her. "Look at where your stubbornness got you. I hate his kind but he clearly just wanted to help. Tsk, tsk, tsk." Firo stood up and left the room too.

"Honestly... Does no one have my side? No one?" Her voice only echoed in the closed room. She sighed and stood up, squeezing the water from her soaked uniform. She suddenly heard the door opening and found Firo leaning against the door frame with a 'done' look and his hands crossed.

"Aren't you leaving? We're visiting someone in Magus's Town and it involves dessert so cheer up. My treat." Heather's annoyed face turned into an excited one and gladly came with him. 

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Another little Hidden memory in the next chapter❣ I've made several back stories for this book so the unclear parts in Hidden will be cleared😊 I finished my exams today so I can finally focus on updating😅 I hope the chapter's okay and I'll reply to comments tomorrow because my head hurts🥴😬