Masks and First Impressions
Inside was a council with a big rectangular table and four empty chairs with distinct designs on each; perched on a wide staircase, clearly to show prestige.
The chair on the far left was a light beige-colored chair with a design like the pillars outside, supporting the arena. The chair next to the light beige was a plain old wooden chair, which looked blank compared to the obsidian stone chair right next in line to it. On the far right, a gray chair with an orange limestone inlaid.
That must be where the leaders of the arena sit for important stuff or something.
What the public knew was that Hornet Mask, a reserved and stoic man, was front and foremost on many newspapers and was running the arena for the humans who worked there.
Then there were two other women whose names came across only once with no picture to support their presence.
Just a facade?
But the question lingered: who was this fourth person?
While I was lost in thoughts, the door to the left opened, and a tall, buff man came through the side door accompanied by a chubby, brown curly-haired woman.
The man had dark black hair with strips of aging white hair. A dull orange mask, like a hornet, covered his face, and he wore an overly white tuxedo, which seemed like too much. On top, the suit was clinging to him like a second-skin - outlining every curve and muscle of his body.
The thick woman next to him was wearing a pink flared skirt reaching just below her knees, a white buttoned-up blouse on top and white flats. She had round-framed glasses, giving her a cute overall appearance.
Stella Lumaris.
The man, famously known as Hornet Mask, walked over to the gray chair with orange limestone and sat down. Stella stood by his side as he looked through a file lying on top of the table.
What did the file contain? Was it about me?
Before I could ponder more, he spoke up.
"Ms. White. As in Zia White or now by the selected hero name of White Watch."
"Yes," I replied.
He added, "You've been selected. Integrate well — the rest will follow."
I smiled behind the mask I wore, feeling quite pleased because they chose me.
"Right. Yes. I hope so."
"Stella here would show you around the arena."
After that, he got up from the chair with nothing in those thick, old hands and walked out the door he entered through earlier.
What a straightforward man. He got to the point in seconds. No wonder the arena was in trust of his leadership.
Only Stella and I remained in the room.
I looked toward her, waiting for her to show me around just as Hornet suggested she should. She picked up the black file from the table - the one Hornet was reading from. The files were pressed against her enormous chest, the blouse flaunting her curvy figure.
She descended the staircase, walking towards me with an odd look on her face. The look spoke of suspicion, as if she didn't trust me.
Why was she looking at me like that?
She led me out the door, walking quite fast for someone of her height and size.
Despite that, I kept up with her pace, keeping my head straight like hers. The moment of silence continued to stretch on for a while before she cut it sharply with a sweet tone.
What was with this woman?
Did she know?
Chills ran down my spine.
No… she can't.
"I am not sure if you have read the letter, so to recap, keep your identity to yourself. If we find out you are out there telling everyone about your alias, we will sadly have to let go of you."
"Right. I will make sure of it."
"And…" she paused. I turned my head towards her, looking at her while waiting for her to continue.
She abruptly stopped, which made my steps come to a halt as well. As I watched her, I noticed an odd look on her face, as if she was contemplating telling me something important.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"No. I just remembered something I must do. You carry on. The main training room is just a few meters away. You will find someone to help you integrate."
I watched as she walked away in the opposite direction, leaving me stranded.
Once again, I was off alone to myself.
Just my luck.
I shoved my hands into my trouser's pockets and paced towards the main training area she talked about.
A few steps away, I saw a slightly opened large door.
Seriously, why was everything so large?
Every door I had entered through the main arena over the past few days was humongous. I started to believe giants once lived on Earth.
I peeked my head inside the training room and…
I saw more than a dozen people training. Some were alone, practicing, while others were huddled together in groups of 3 or 4; they were chatting.
"Excuse me…"
I jumped up slightly when I heard a voice behind me.
I turned around and saw a lean, fit girl - or perhaps a woman, standing right behind me. I stepped back, letting her enter the training room.
I watched her while she walked away, her yellow-colored skin apparent despite the black and orange striped suit clinging onto her form.
That must be the tiger girl. One of the GOU members. Her strides were catwalk-flawless. Smooth. Sharp. Tiger energy dripped off her.
The smell of pine entered my nose as she walked by.
I didn't even get a good look at her face, busy ogling at her body, which served tea.
I shook my head, trying to bring myself to the current moment. I squeezed in through the slightly parted door.
When I entered, my eyes widened.
Amazing.
I gawked at the colossal arena.
It stretched farther than my eyes could follow — a massive, open arena that looked like a Roman gladiator pit if someone cranked the grandeur up to insane levels.
Arches towered all the way to the ceiling, letting in sheets of bright light that washed over everything. Beige stone pillars — carved, ancient, impossible to ignore — held the whole area up like it was nothing.
A balcony wrapped around the entire arena in one perfect ring, and the marble floor gleamed back the sunlight like it had been polished just for today.
I was speechless as I walked into the scene.
While I was trying my hardest to blend in with the crowd, it seemed difficult, especially since everyone's eyes turned towards me as soon as I entered.
Thud. Thud.
The arena suddenly felt too quiet. My steps echoed in the place that could swallow me whole.
Thump. Thump.
My heart raced, feeling odd. What am I supposed to do?
I cleared my throat, contemplating what to do here.
Just then, the half my size, silver boxy robot that showed to the council room came sliding towards me out of nowhere. It seemed to recognize me.
"Ms. Stella has instructed me to show you to your people."
My people?
What was he talking about?
Before I could ask, it drove further into the arena. I followed, ignoring the eyes that watched me. I kept my gaze downcast, enough to keep eyes on the robot.
"Here are your people."
I finally looked up to see a huddle of the small group of three known faces.
They were Earth's origin heroes - working to protect Earth from harm. I have seen them on billboards, magazines and studied their interview videos with various media companies. Even one with the Delton News.
There was Fern Mask in a mossy green mask, then there was Odd Star in his split two coloured mask: purple and black.
Lastly, there was a man in a white mask, Black Watch.
My mouth was ajar behind my mask.
Reality came crashing down. I realized why I felt so odd about the hero name I selected for myself. White Watch… and Black Watch.
Both names were so… similar. Was it weird?
It was definitely weird.
Thump. Thump.
Oh, what would they say about this…?
⋆⋆⋆