During training, the initiates learn how to shoot a gun. Mega initially struggles but manages to hit the target after being mocked by an Eruditus boy named Ron.
"Statistically speaking, you should have hit the target at least once by now. Even by accident." Ron says.
After five rounds she hits the center and feels a rush of adrenaline at all the power and control she has in her hands.
The next training involves testing agility and speed as they run in an open space. There, they encounter a group of Domitares.
"Hey. What have you got?" Alpha asks the leader of the group.
"Outcast. Not doing anything," the man replies.
"Check it out, Pawn. That's gonna be your new family," an Eruditus boy mocks Omega pointing out the Outcast.
"Go say, Hi," he added.
*Someone's POV*
At their compound, Domitare is training in some techniques when Hades approaches Alpha.
After lunch, the initiates will begin learning how to fight. Alpha teaches some techniques, then tells them that the next day, they will begin fighting each other.
"You ready for some real fighting?" he asks.
"Not even close," Alpha replies.
"First jumper! In the ring," a man commanded.
"Last jumper! Time to fight," Hades commanded.
Omega and the last jumper enter the ring.
"How long do we fight for?" Melpomene asks.
"Till one of you can't continue," Hades replies.
"Or one of you concedes," Alpha added.
"According to the old rule. New rules, no one concedes," Hades contradictly replies to Alpha.
"You want to lose 'em on their first fight?" Alpha says.
"A brave man never surrenders," Hades says.
"Lucky for you, those weren't the rules when we fought," Alpha says.
"You'll be scored on this, so fight hard," Hades said loudly.
Go!
The girl attempts to attack Omega, but Omega accidentally steps outside the ring and then returns.
Don't be scared, Pawn!
Omega let out a deep sigh, bracing herself for what was coming. Without warning, the girl lunged at her, aiming for her face. But Omega was quick to evade the attack, narrowly escaping a direct hit.
Nice, Meg!
The girl launches another attack, aiming for Omega's left ear. In response, Omega tries to lift the girl, but she counters with a punch to Omega's body and then another to her face, causing Omega to stumble.
Nice. Yeah!
Hades commanded the girl to end the fight with a wink. Omega gently stood up but was blocked out after receiving a punch in her face from the girl.
Omega wakes up and finds herself in an infirmary, she sits on the bed and touches her face swelling from her opponents' punches.
"All right, guys, over here," Hades commanded while walking through the infirmary and going to a board where the scores are posted.
"Listen up. Know what this board is? It is your life. We grade you every day. If you're still in the red by the end of the first stage, you're out." Hades announces.
The Initiates Ranking from 1 to 33, the white colors are in number from 1 to 21, while the red are from 22 to 33.
1. Clark
2. Allesandro
3. Kira
4. Eos
5. Thaddeus
6. Ian
7. Germaine
8. Ron
9. Lysandra
10. Scott
Her friend Hemera is on the 17th Rank and me at the second to the last rank, the 32nd rank.
At lunch, Mega sits with Aion and Hemera, and they discuss the facts of their previous coalitions.
Candidus and Abnegatus, don't usually associate with each other, even though Candidus' real problem is with Amicus.
"I'm never gonna make it," Omega says in despair, sitting at her bed.
"Yes, you are," Hemera cheers her up.
"I'm the weakest one here," Omega sighs.
"Then you'll be most improved."
"You're Candidus. You're not supposed to lie."
"I was Candidus. And I'm not lying."
"If they cut me, I think my parents would take me back," Ron says.
"No, it doesn't work like that. Even if they wanted to, their coalition wouldn't allow it," Aion replies while taking off his shoes.
"Even if my parents would take me back," shakes her head, I wouldn't belong there anymore," Omega says.
"This is getting depressing," Hemera utters.
Ron and Aion chuckles, "Yeah."
Later on, Hemera declares that he's ready to get a tattoo, and he convinces Mega to undergo a makeover to enhance her Domitare look and make her more "noticeable."
"You know what we should do? Get tattoos," Hemera suggested.
She puts Mega in a black dress, takes out her braid, and gives her eyeliner. The new friends go to watch Aion get tattooed.
"Did you know they had a tattoo of your face?" Aion says.
"Like it?" Hemera asks Aion.
"Yeah," he replied. "Where would you get it?"
"I don't know. Where do you suggest?"
"Anywhere you want."
"Here, it's this thing here." Aion utters.
Nyx, the woman who administered Mega's aptitude test, is the tattoo artist.
"You remember me, right?" Omega asks her. "I was just wondering if you could..."
"No. I just do tattoos," she replied.
Okay.
She recognizes Mega and praises her for being the first jumper. Mega wants to talk to her about her Anomalous, but she refuses and instead offers Mega a tattoo.
"I'd like this one. Please," Omega requested.
She eagerly agrees and chooses three majestic ravens to symbolize each beloved member of her family. With determination, she places them on her collarbone, watching as they soar directly towards her heart.
"Can I just ask you..."
"You made a mistake choosing Domitare. They'll find out about you..." Nyx warns her.
"Who? Who will?"
"The people you're a threat to," she answers.
"What people? Who, Domitare?"
"No, society. If you don't fit into a category, they can't control you."
"I don't get it. I'm Domitare. I'm going to be Domitare. I chose Domitare."
"For your sake, I hope so."
Early the next day, Omega wakes up. She is ready for training.
"Ohhh... Ahhh...Yah!"
She relentlessly pummels the punching bag in the ring, her focus unwavering as she pursues her goal of becoming a Domitare and concealing her extraordinary abilities.
YOU ARE READING
Anomalous
Science FictionIn a futuristic world where society is divided into five coalitions, Omega Dianna Crawford faces a life-changing decision as she enters adulthood. Forced to choose a coalition and commit to it for life, Omega opts for Domitare, a group known for pur...
