Ibong Adarna Games Of The Faction Rings

Chapter One

What kind of world is this? Controlled by people who risk the lives of those below them for their own happiness... I just wish this would all change, but it would take a miracle for that to come true...

"Welcome to the Reaping Ultimatum! And welcome to the 5th Ibong Adarna Games of the Faction Rings." President Xaia Snow greeted. Nobody responded. "Here in this bowl, I have the names of all the scavengers. Oh I remember when I was a little girl..." She continued.

I believe Ms. Snow and I are thinking of the same thing. The 28-year war. It's the reason I lost my parents when I was 14,  7-year old sister Cathy when I was 15, 13-year old Isabella when I was 16 (during the 4th games) and my youngest sister Riah the day I turned 17.

"Alright here are the first 27 scavengers..." President Xaia called out the first 27. Surprisingly, I knew some of them. The next 25 were called... And then the last name... "Azuril Zerese Isidro Inocencio..." When I walked to the stage, she shot me a nasty look. "Azi..." she whispered. I smiled. "So you know my name... Ah yes, of course, for you were the one who formed these foolish games that caused the death of my sweet sister Isabella because you didn't let me volunteer when the game's age range was from 7-14 years old." "Oh you... you..." "You what? Rotten little kid? Nasty lilliputian child? Remember, 'Keep your thoughts right, for as you think, so are you.' I therefore conclude that if you call me anything inappropriate, then that only proves how insolent you are." "Oh you disrespectful little runt!" "Keep your thoughts right, for as you think, so are you. I therefore conclude that you have no right to tell me any of your lies. I do not believe those words describe you, but your words and actions describe who you are so..." "Get in line you street rat!" "I am not that rich, but I am also not that poor Miss Snow. You have no right to call anyone that though." "You will be a stone statue after the games..." she whispered. "Then your heart will be the same... will it not, Ms. Snow?" I told her. "Azi Inocencio!" I then got in line. "I'm going to keep my eye on you, Azi. You..." "Go ahead, Ms. Snow. Stalk me all you want, but I think I'm too hot for you, pedo." Ms. Snow stormed away.

We were then sent to the Capitol. As we prepared to go to the chariots, there was a girl in front of me. She's a tall, tan, intimidating young lady... I had the guts to actually talk to her--someone who can eliminate me in the games. "Hey." I started. "Sup." She responded. "Nothing much. Just had a little chat with the president." I told her coolly. "I'm impressed." She tells me plainly. After an awkward silence I said, "Azi by the way." "Sevi."

Since then, we were the best of friends... allies in the coming games.

I also met a childhood friend, Zed. He's from District 6. In the Children's Education Society (what used to be District 13), he's in the Erudite Sector. Before I chose to stay in the Amity Neighborhood, we were the best of friends. We would spend time in the 100-floor library studying. He would help me in Mathematics and Chemistry, while I would help him with History and Psychology. We would help each other in Language and Physics. Besides academics, I told him all my secrets, my flaws, my queries and everything else. He hides his negative emotions and problems from me at first, but eventually, when he really can't take it... He comes to me. We treated each other like siblings. I miss him, the old him. Physically, he's still the 'Handsome Cutie' I know, just taller. But... his attitude isn't cute at all. He's different now... I just hate it... I greeted him, but he just shrugged and looked away. "Who's that?" Sevi asked. "An irresistible disrespect." I told her. Something in her face tells me she didn't know whether she should smile or not. "He used to be a good friend. We used to do almost everything together."

"Same." Sevi looked at a pretty tan girl with golden earings. Looks familiar. "She was in Dauntless. We ate Dauntless cake, trained, designed clothes, and had tattoos together. Then, her mom encouraged her to move her to the Amity neighborhood, because Fina and I were too dauntless for her." She rolled her eyes at the word 'dauntless'. "She was still nice in Amity though. When she had the chance to move, she chose to be in Erudite. I dont know why. She loved Dauntless so much and Amity was a great place for her too. Since then, our communication snapped. Erudite does so many weird things to people." I nodded and asked myself, 'Amity?' Well Sevi's story doesn't ring a bell. "What's her name?" I asked. "Fina." She said. I gasped. Fina the farmer... I was with her for four years. She's extremely kind; a good friend of mine. She helps me harvest and bake bread. Suddenly, when she moved to Erudite, we failed to keep in touch. "Something wrong?" Sevi asked. "No." I answered. "It's just that... I know of this girl you speak of." "You know Fina?!" "Yeah, we were good friends." "Oh yeah! I remember Fina talking about you... she mentioned the name 'Azi', but since there's so many Azi's in the world... I didn't know it was you!" I've also heard Fina mention a mysterious person by the name 'Sevanne'. However, she didn't do this often, because we were busy. So I said, "Small world." "Yeah I know right!" She exclaimed.

Then... we had a grand entrance. I wore silver sandals, earrings, and a long-sleeved silver dress that sprinkled rainbow-colored leaves as the wind blew. Oh and my hair! Since it was silver and really really straight, they made it look cooler than it already was. As I flipped my hair from side to side, it changed to different shades of gray... to the amazement of all. After all 53 chariots, we literally flew to 'Scavengers Central', our training place.

"You will be paired up... and your partner will be your training buddy. You all know the rules." Ms. Snow said as she entered the room. Some moaned and some rejoiced as Ms. Snow paired everyone up, although there was one trio. I was with Fina and Sevi was with Zed.

"I know you."

"Indeed you do. I am Azuril of the Isidro-Innocencio clan, and I believe you are Helena Josephine."

"Indeed. However, may I please request that you call me Fina?" "Alright then."

"Alright. May I call you what I am used to calling you?"

"Yes, you may."

"I believe that name would be Azi?"

"Affirmative."

"Azi. I believe that I can trust you... and trust you I shall..."

"Indeed I can be trusted. My father was from Candor."

"But wasn't your mother from Amity? They are great liars."

"I therefore conclude that you do not trust me at all. It is still not trust if you have doubt. If there is doubt, then there is no trust; no trust, bigger doubt; bigger doubt, small problem; small problem, big problem; big problem, more problems; more problems, more worries; more worries, confused mind; confused mind causes humiliation which eventually leads to a heart attack. See the effect of telling something to someone you do not trust?" I said all in one breath.

"Okay! I'll take the risk. I do not trust you, but still trust you."

"That is a very senseless statement, but I understand it."