Arc 1.1 - Beginning.

"OMEGA IRAE HAD BEATEN AMOR ALPHA!!!"

A gargantuan stadium filled to the brim with spectators, flashing neon lights, high-pitched screaming and falling confetti there stood a group of five distinct individuals on stage with eccentric outfits unfitting for their era.

The one in the middle, the tallest youth of a man wore a golden-lined monocle with a finely crafted top hat alongside an extravagant leather suit with same quality leather boots with a cog-shaped design. With a triumphant smile and moisturized eyelids, he gripped the heavy handle of the golden trophy as his eyes scanned the entire colosseum that bellowed in response to his proclamation.

"OMEGA IRAE! THE WRATH OF THE END! MAKE NOISE!!"

- The youthful man released a battlecry. His voice echoed throughout the entire futuristic colosseum after his clothes seemingly disintegrated into blue hexagonal holograms before he morphed into a much more relatable appearance of a young man who wore a black, organization uniform with the words "Omega Irae" Printed over his right shoulder and tag that says "Nikko" Over his left chest.

- As the Confetti fell over the entire bustling colosseum, the crowd showed no signs of ceasing on their cheers but rather intensified even more when the other members emerged to join the tall youth on the stage, with some even throwing valuable jewelry at the players while the chat log showed on the large screen beside was exploding with donations.

[OMEGA IRAE!!! MY TEAM!!]

[THEY WON!! HOLY CRAP!!!]

[WHAT A NIGHTTTTTTTTTT!!!]

[ITS DAY RIGHT NOW HERE IN MARS BUT COOL!!!]

- The finely dressed announcer gazed at the booming crowd in awe, as the realization began to dawn on him, he unknowingly formed a small smile as his eyes began to moisten themselves, he hung his head before tightly gripping the microphone and hovering it over his mouth.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!!!!! I PRESENT TO YOU!! THE NEW ADRENALINE AGE LEGENDS!! THE EARTHIAN OLYMPIAD CHAMPIONS!!

- The announcer took a deep inhale.

OMEGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.."

[I]

[R]

[A]

[E]

"IRAE!!!!!"

_______________________

As the four, youthful bunch stood on the stage showered by confetti, they yelled out a piercing wail as they collapsed on the screen-like stage, sobbing uncontrollably.

However amidst the gradiosity of such a celebration, a lone persona stood a few meters away from the group whom were receiving all the praises and glory, a youth enshrouded in the gloominess of the backstage gazed at them with obscured but visibly awed eyes before smiling softly as he saw the four hugging each other tightly.

The youth softly chuckled before taking the first step outside of the shadows, as his feet entered the scope of the spotlight, the young man whom was holding the trophy earlier clicked his tongue as he saw the individual walk towards them.

The whole stadium fell into an abrupt silence as they saw the figure slowly making its way to the middle of the podium, the young man smiled softly as the spotlight glazed against his fair white skin and was absorbed by his unkept black hair.

"Hey..!! That's..!!"

- One spectator yelled as he pointed at the approaching figure, his surprised expression was suddenly curled into a wide smile that stretched all the way towards his ears as his eyes sparkled in so much anticipation.

"..OHHH..!!"

"SERIOUSLY..!?"

"THAT'S.."

- The announcer formed a gleeful smirk as he saw the persona walking forward, he discreetly wiped the lower half of his eyelid before placing the glowing microphone centimeters away from his lips once more.

"EVERYONE...!!!!"

- The eccentric announcer's voice echoed throughout the gargantuan stadium once again, as the figure finally entered the scope of the main spotlight surrounding the first group of youth, the crowd immediately erupted into a wide-scale, unrestrained cheer.

"E-JEAN!!!!!!"

The crowd's ever intensifying cheer continued to bellow even further as the figure finally made itself clear to the audience.

A young man of a rather lean stature, unkept black hair, differently colored irises and robed with a ragged red scarf, silvery greaves, leather gauntlets that stretched all the way to his forearms, and to top it all off a brown medieval-like pants that was fastened below his copper-like skirt using a modern-day belt.

[ E - J E A N ]

With a neon-blue outline, those letters flashed on the gargantuan LED screen behind the figure, shortly followed by a montage of the same avatar engaging in rigorous physical activities such as fighting otherwordly monsters using flashing elements. after it was finished, his name was imprinted on the screen while the attached stage cannons released a pillar of fire that surrounded the group.

"THE MAN HIMSELF!!"

"E-JEAN!!"

"THE E-JEAN HIMSELF!!?!?!?"

"DOESN'T HE RARELY MAKES APPEARANCES..!?!?!?"

"I'M SO HAPPY I WAITED UNTIL MIDNIGHT TO PURCHASE LIVE TICKETS..!!!"

If it was still possible, the cheer of the spectators roared even louder, with some coughing really severely after releasing a long duration of sustained yelling.

The announcer chuckled softly before opening his mouth and gathering every single air inside his lungs.

"PLEASE WELCOME!!! YOUR CHAMPIONS!!!"

They bellowed once more, the young man's appearance didn't dissipate and instead of his clothes disintegrating into blue, neon hexagons before unveiling a similarly designed uniform like the rest, he instead lifted his arms in the air and revelled on the moment, the previous group shot each other troubled glances before reluctantly joining the figure. The young man whom was holding the trophy slowly walked over, flashing E-Jean a deep glare once he was out of camera sight before returning to his gleeful smile as he faced the audience.

"..."

_______________

Inside a rather quiet hallway coated entirely in a spotless white color devoid of any lights attached to the ceiling however still having unrivaled illumination. Filled with perfectly symmetrical decoration, the hallway stretched out into countless turns each labelled with a different code.

Amidst these halls, a young man with a hunched back, a lowered gaze, unkept black hair, fair white skin and a brown singular iris on his right eye walked briskly on the golden streamlined floor while keeping his gaze steadfast on it, as other individuals passed by wearing formal uniforms.

As the individuals wearing the same uniforms became more and more prominent in the hallway, the young man gulped and hastened his steps, eventually turning into a full blow brisk walk. A woman passed by before taking a quick glance at the youth and whispering ; "Isn't that..?"

The other staff member that was with her shrugged his shoulders, causing the woman to sigh and shake his head before focusing her eyes forward.

The young man heaved a quiet sigh of relief as he speed-walked throughout the hallway.

____

"Painful isn't it?"

- a figure enshrouded in darkness spoke with a rather raspy voice towards a the same young man who held the trophy before. He had a rather downcasted expression and a droopy face as the murky voice of the enigma entered his ears like a resonating whisper.

"Annoying Isn't it?"

- The voice echoed throughout the neon-lined, spotlessly clean room, filling it with a sense of calming dread, a danger that offered a soft embrace to whoever heard it.

"What a pain isn't it?"

- As the final bellowing whisper of the enigma, caressed his eardrums like a chilly smooch. The youth shuddered before gritting his teeth.

"Bastard."

-He muttered under his breath, amidst the shadow completely obscuring the whispering figure behind him, a small parabolic glint manifested itself inside the darkness before the figure spoke once more, this time, sounding more mischievous.

"That's it... You know what to do."

- With visibly throbbing veins prevalent on the youth's forehead, he clenched his fists as the nails drilled deep into his skin, causing blood to ooze out of his palms.

"Shut the fuck up."

- A barely audible scoff, echoed from the darkness once more before it spoke, devoid of the previous high-pitched cheerfulness it gave.

"Disappointing. Its because of Cowards like you why supposed legends are erased before they can even be written..."

- Another curved glint materialized itself from the shadows.

"Very well.. I shall be waiting."

- A card, of rectangular shape fell down on the floor, sounding way louder than what its supposed to be.

"Make the Correct Choices.. and we will meet again.. Future Legend."

- The shadow slowly coalesced into itself as the curved glint continued to expand itself.

"Nikko Linareo."

- A quiet, muffled chuckle resonated inside the youth's head like a whirlwind of needles while the shadow behind him imploded upon itself and instantly vanished. He clenched his fists even tighter while biting his lower lip, causing it to ooze out a dark, crimson-colored liquid.

" Jean...JEAN VARSINIEV..!!!"

____________________

- With muffled screams and barely-audible cheers entering his ears, the young man with unkept black hair began to fiddle with some lockers with a soft smile on his face. He took out a small, brown sling bag and began to pack up some belongings while humming a distinct tone.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

- The young man froze on his packing before directing his eye towards the neon-lined, white door. After a few moments of treacherous silence, the monotonous voice of a woman echoed inside the room.

"Lina Gia, a competitor from Omega Irae wishes to speak with Jean Varinisiev, a competitor from Omega Irae. Does the administrator wishes to grant her entrance?"

- The young man's cautious expression softened itself into a smile before mouthing his reply with a warm overtone.

"Permission Granted."

- The door quickly lifted itself, revealing a young woman with a black short-hair with neon-gold linings, fair white skin, pinkish irises and eyelids, dressed in a tight bodysuit highlighting a rather slender stature.

"Leaving so soon?"

- She smiled before leaning in on the doorframe. The young man shot her a glance before releasing a lighthearted chuckle.

"Need to run some errands plus.."

- The young man finished packing and hanged the sling bag on his shoulder.

"Nikko wouldn't want me around."

- The young woman giggled before granting him a coy smile.

"Oh really?" - She asked, slowly walking towards the young man.

He scoffed and shrugged his shoulders.

"You know him. I don't want to ruin this celebration for everyone."

- The young woman halted on her tracks and when she was near him, she looked up and straight into his eyes before pausing.

"You Idiot."

- She lifted her hands and began to fix the young man's erected collar. Even fiddling with his crumpled necktie before straightening it out.

"What's wrong, Gia? Rather unusual for you to be this hung up towards me.."

- The young man chuckled softly, causing her to flinch slightly and pause.

"Hey..Jean. You're strong right?"

The young man blinked before squinting his eyes in a rather overexaggerated manner.

"Where is this coming from.. Don't tell me this is about the bett—!"

- The young woman quickly pulled the young man's necktie, causing his eyes to widen before he yelped in pain as his neck tightened.

"Its not that. No."

- Her eyes dropped as she quietly gripped the young man's necktie.

"You're kind Jean.. Always forgiving Nikko."

- She whispered, leaning in closer to the young man's chest but not touching it.

"Are you like that to... everyone?"

- The young man's previously humurous expression slowly degraded into a solemnized expression as he uttered;

"What is this about?"

- She tightened her grip on the necktie even more.

"Jean..."

- She muttered quietly before looking up at young man with moisturized irises.

"Am I.. Important to you?"

- The young man paused as he gazed on the young lady's deep, wet pinkish irises with a soft glint. His eyes widened as he couldn't find any words to express whatever he was feeling.

"..Gia..I.."

The young man mouthed a few words that caused the lass to pause and afterwards form a soft smile, her eyes transitioning to the same curve before squeezing a little drop out.

"..I see."

_________________

That was our final exchange..afterwards she became distant and aloof, avoiding me in every chance she got. All until that day came.

"Get the Fuck out of Here."

"What...?"

- I stood there frozen, clutching my bag tightly as I slowly registered the words of my team captain entering my head.

"Ni-Nikko..! What is this abou—!"

The team Captain, Nikko Linareo Made a deafeaning stomp forward before looking down on me, his mere presence was enough to tower over mine.

"I said get the fuck out of here."

I blinked a few times before looking to the set of individuals behind him.. back there was a set of familliar faces, ones that I always interacted with.. but a certain one struck a deep chord within me.

"..!!" - My eyes widened upon realizing who it was.

"Gia..?"

- She looked at me with half-opened eyes, expression filled to the brim with disgust, even going so far as to avoid eye contact with me.

"Hey."

"..Ah!"

Nikko grabbed my collar and leaned in, with his face inches away from mine, he glared at me with minimized irises, his forehead throbbing with visible veins as his teeth grinded against themselves.

"Don't talk to my girlfriend. You Cheating MotherFUCKER!"

Those words echoed inside my mind like a swirl of infinite bullets, my eyes widened immediately despite me not being able to fully digest the meaning behind his words. But one thing was clear.

"..." - Gia looked at me in contempt.

I no longer belonged here

---- Chapter 1 End ----

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