CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
"LADIES and gentlemen, the Central District's team!" The arena got drowned by the applauses of the people. I felt the ground slowly elevated us towards the stage.
Liam Henderson, the governor's son is now a friend of mine. Nag-usap lang kami sa may restricted area at napag-alaman kong gusto niyang buhaying muli ang imperyo. He hustled and did his best to gain his father's trust. He promised himself that once he get the position he wants, he would do what is best. He would rebuild the dead empire and put the right successor to the throne.
Sa kaunting panahon ng pag-uusap namin sa restricted area sa A.N.A., naging magkaibigan na kami kaagad. We exchanged ideas about how he can make Arinth a better place. He even told me that he's planning to abolish this stupid league. He does looks like someone who's unapproachable but he's nice to me. He even regarded me as the next empress of the new Arinthian Empire he have in his mind. He is a just person and I wish he could really have the position he wanted to.
"This is it. We're already here," Mafi whispered to me. I held her hand tightly as the blinding light turned to our direction. Mamayang gabi na ang opisyal na pagsisimula ng liga. Ngayon ay ipinapakilala kami sa buong mamamayan ng Arinth habang nakasuot nitong costume namin. Isa-isang binabanggit ang mga pangalan namin at kung anong ability meron kami. I could see my face at the big screen and a lot of people are cheering for me.
"Onyx! Onyx! Onyx!"
"Central District! Central District! Central District!"
Chants from the different parts of the arena filled the place. I showed them my sniper, my AWP, that I would use later at the league. When I smirked at the camera, the pandemonium worsen. I feel like a celebrity. But despite this overwhelming feeling of being famous, deep inside me I'm scared. Kung pwede lang umatras, kung pwede lang huwag nang tumuloy. Sana may mangyaring makakapagpatigil ng oras.
Even how confident I am at the moment, I could still feel fear crawling up on my veins. But I won't cower nor stop. I was born strong and brave. But bravery doesn't mean you can't feel any fear anymore. For me, bravery means embracing your fears. If you face your fears, you are brave. And that's what I'm going to do. I am holding on that little hope Gaea gave me when she held my hand. Mabubuhay pa ako pagkatapos ng ligang ito.
"Our defending champion, the South District!" Another batch of chant filled the crowded arena. Mula sa gilid namin ay umangat ang mga players ng South District. I could see Brandon, their captain, smiling widely at the roaring crowd. He's the most confident one on their team. He must be thinking that he can win this league just like his seniors did.
Sila ang nanalo noong nakaraang liga kaya malakas ang loob niya. Hindi niya alam, may bagong taktikang ginawa ang distrito namin para mapantayan sila. But I still can't let my guard down. The South District's representatives all looks bulky. They must have trained in the most difficult way. I had to keep my eyes on them.
"From the abundant land where the sun rises, the East District!" The third to appear on the stage were the Eastern representatives. They are known as the most brutal district when it comes to the league. Eastern people are mostly soldiers and I am not gonna lie when I say everyone fears them. Sa mga armas pa lang nila eh. There's a girl from their team whose weapon is an axe which blade is as big as her head. Sana hindi ko siya makaharap sa liga.
"Please welcome, the North District's team!" The North District's representative looks normal to me. Hindi sila 'yong tipong ibinabad sa training. Pero syempre hindi pa rin tayo makasisiguro. Hindi naman sila mapipili sa liga kung hindi sila magagaling. I don't know how they pick their players but for sure they are not good for nothing.
