Chapter 2- The Catalyst

"Oh hell Evan, this place stinks, how are you still alive?"

Evan groaned and pried open his eyes. Lasts night's hangover beat in the back of his head like drums of war.

"Ughhh, what time is it?" He groaned, trying to shield his eyes from the sudden light. Rin stood at the curtains, hands on hips. "Time to get up. Today's the Catalyst."

The Catalyst. Shit.

⚜⚜two hours later⚜⚜

"Could you put that out now? It's about to start." Rin gestured at Evan's cigarette with disgust.

He sighed and flicked it onto the pavement, squishing it out with his boot. "Better?" He punctuated this with a flick of his shoulder length black hair.

Rin flashed him a smile that was half hidden by his long pink bangs.

"Ladies, gentlemen and unspecified beings-" an automated femal voice sounded over the P.A system and the huge screen came to life.

"Oh it's starting!" Rin whispered, nudging Evan.

"Welcome to the 301st annual catalyst"

Applause and cheers. Boos and yelling. The crowd was as torn as ever in their opinions on the trials.

"Every year, seven of our valued citizens are randomly chosen to compete in the Trials of Humanity. They represent our greatest sins so that we don't have to. We thank you for your sacrifice."

The crowd was split with those cheering with pride, and those nearly causing a riot, but one and all chorused; "we thank you for your sacrifice."

"We will now announce our new Warriors for this year's Trials"

Rin nudged him and whispered; "I wonder if it'll be anyone we know this year?" "Hopefully" he replied, nonchalant. Rin hit him and shot him a stern look.

"Year 3026 Trials of Humanity: Warrior number one, warrior for greed- Hyunbe Sakamoto.

We thank you for your sacrifice."

A tattooed, ruffian-looking man's image was displayed on the screen. He looked capable. Good for him.

"Warrior number two, warrior for envy- Mia Hernandez. We thank you for your sacrifice." A small Latina that looked no older than 19 scowled from the bid screen and there was a ruckus in the front of the crowd of angry Spanish that Evan couldn't understand.

"Warrior number three, warrior for pride- Rinsuke Suzuku. We thank you for your sacrifice."

He looked at Rin. Rin slowly turned towards him.

"Theodore Smith"

He smiled sadly, fists clenched by his sides. "Well. I'm honoured."

"Yuzu Yaoruzu"

He couldn't comfort his friend. As much as he wanted to, he just couldn't. It had been so long that he'd forgotten how......

"Yuuri Hinamori"

He flinched at the sound of that name. He knew it was a common name. He knew it had been nearly ten years. But he couldn't help the feelings, the pain it caused him just to hear his name, it was probably the only thing still human about him.

"And now, last, but perhaps most important. Warrior number seven, warrior for wrath- Evan Hoshikawa. We thank you for your sacrifice. That concludes our listings for this year. The seven of you will know what to do. Through the Trials of Humanity, may the few, bear the many."

"May the few bear then many." A solemn hum from the crowd and then they disperse leaving the few, to bear their many thoughts.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***