The New Academy- East Canton, 21rst July, 250 A.D-10.00 A.M
Val woke from the girls' cheery sounds. Despite her heavy head, she knew exactly where she was and why. Her dreams had been uneasy, and cold. She could only remember her last one clearly: She had yelled at her dead parents' backs, but they wouldn't turn to face her. Then a little hand touched her back, a voice started whispering and Val knew it was the girl that had started all this mess, but when she turned around to confront her, she was gone.
As her eyes got used to the source of pure sunlight, Val realized that she saw her room for the first time. It was a simple, bright rectangular, a wooden door on one side, a window on the other. The room's main space was occupied by three rather large beds. Opposite them stood one enormous wardrobe, divided into three equal parts. Amy and Mandy were sitting in front of it, exclaiming their surprise.
"Look, Amy, they even have our old clothes in here. And new ones in the right size. They really know their job in the Council, eh? How many people are involved in this mess? Shopping assistants, landlords, our own mothers? What the hell?"
"Not a lot of people you can trust today it seems. The creeping factor is even more intense than I thought yesterday." Amy frowned and shook her head. "I am more concerned about those top outfits, though. I don't suppose they expect us to wear those, do they?"
Val looked up the way Amy was pointing, a hanging pole full of strange clothes White tops and black pants. "With those, we'll probably look more like accountants than superheroes."
The two girls turned their heads towards her.
"Crap, Vallie, we woke you up. Sorry..." Mandy started apologizing.
Val shook her head, in a calm gesture. "No problem. I had to wake up at some point, didn't I?"
Amy turned around, her almond green eyes staring her intensely. "Had a good night's sleep?"
"Of course. Dreams full of green fields and peaceful sunsets."
Amy chuckled ironically. "Sounds nice."
Val got up from her bed and stood next to the girls, facing the closet. "Let me guess. We are apparently having a dress code in this Academy."
Amy sighed. "Yes. We received a message in our PAs. 12 o'clock in front of the Training Grounds. Don't be late. P.S Dress in black and white."
"Well, the clothes themselves are actually tasteful. It's just that... we are all going to look the same" Mandy admitted.
"I think that's the point, though," Amy muttered. "A team assembly. They probably think they have the perfect plan."
Val thought of yesterday's encounter with Alice Green and shuddered. Well, they definitely didn't plan this.
Their growling stomachs lead them instinctively to the Main Hall, where plain, sturdy metal tables and benches waited for them to be seated on. A large breakfast buffet stood at the edge of the room, being refilled endlessly by the cheery, all-white dressed cooks. The girls barely had time to eat a healthy portion of breakfast and chat politely with some of their new teammates, before it was time for their Training meeting.
Mandy was caught up in a conversation with some friends, so it was up to Amy and Val to find the boys. Val was searching the crowd in vain when Amy surprised her with her concerned tone.
"Val, listen to me" she started. "Yesterday in your sleep, I think... I think you were crying. Did Lucas upset you somehow?"
If only it were that easy, Amy.
Val shook her head. "No, of course not. He seems like a nice guy, to be honest. It's the whole new situation that's been bothering me, coping with anxiety and whatnot. I'll be alright in a couple of days." She patted Amy's back gently. "Besides, how could you have heard my cries? Weren't you sleeping? Maybe something bothers you as well."
Val tried to be humorous and change the subject, but Amy was panic-stricken for a second, standing frozen in place. When Val was ready to shout at her, she snapped out of her trance, as suddenly as she had entered it.
"It's just... how many people we've trusted are secretly into this? Council employees? And how much do they know about us?"
There was genuine concern in Amy's voice, a fear that made her shuddered. "I think I know what you mean. It's unethical and wrong. But what's done is done. And if we get to come out stronger from this whole ordeal, then the joke's on them, you know?"
She winked with the hope of cheering Amy up, but she just bit her lip.
"There are some things you don't understand, Val."
"What even do you..."
A light touch on her waist interrupted their conversation. She turned around to see John looking at her, Sebastian and Mike right behind him.
"Good morning, sunshine!" Mike exclaimed, excited.
"Isn't it unfair that men look so good in shirts and black trousers, Val?" She had to agree with Amy on that part, putting aside their weird conversation just seconds ago. The trio of men looked extremely good.Dressed in their white T-shirts and black pants, they looked just enough serious for the job.
"I wouldn't even think that such a thing was possible with you three," said Amy, raising an eyebrow.
"It's certainly more practical than a white top and black shorts," said Mike, sticking out his tongue.
Amy opened her eyes wide and turned her back on him, addressing Seb. John fondled Val's arm and she smiled.
"You also look great, girls," he said. Val felt comfortable in her black tight jeans and shirt. Looking pretty was of secondary concern.
"Well, the point is, why do we all have to look so perfect at 12 o'clock in the morning?" wondered Seb. "Because I hope there is a point in all of this".
The moment he finished his sentence, Vanessa Rehberg appeared right in front of them. She wasn't standing at a podium this time, therefore she looked small and cute, much less intimidating than the night before. The crowd still kept a safe distance as they gathered around her, though.
"Good morning. I hope you all had a good night's sleep because the following two days are going to be long ones."
Exclaims were heard from the crowd, happy cheers and anxious whistles.
"There is nothing to worry about", she continued, sincerely amused. "I just wanted to welcome you once more and wish you the best of luck for the rest of the day. I have a few matters to attend to, but I am leaving you in good hands. Peter, will you please?"
A charming tall guy roughly Vanessa's age, with light brown hair and eyes and a wide smile on his face, took her place and looked at them with overflowing confidence.
"Greetings to you all, future Heroes. And Heroines of course."
He pointed gently at some girls and they chuckled silly. The boys rolled their eyes, but Val felt mildly amused.
"A male teacher crush. How original" Seb pointed out.
"Well, you have to admit, he looks kinda cute," Amy said, earning Seb's outraged look.
The instructor continued, unmoved by the events taking place around him. "My name is Peter Smith. I am your main instructor. Let's start with the basics of this crazy journey, shall we? Many of you are probably wondering where we are. We are at the Eastern part of the Island. The exact location is a secret, as to avoid over-worried parents and clingy partners. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to see your loved ones for the course of your training, which is an estimated two or three months time."
There were some weak signs of protest, but Peter hushed them with his hand. "Distractions are strictly forbidden. Besides, you will be allowed to call them once a week and they are all in good hands. "
The whispers died down in an instant, and Peter rubbed his hands, excited. "Before we start with the interesting stuff, I'd like you to meet the rest of your Instructors."
Three figures moved from the darkness of the room to the entrance, where Peter stood.
"Priscilla Smith" Peter pointed to an extremely tiny, thin woman, with mousy curly hair and big wet eyes, "the Library's boss and my wife."
Exclaims of disappointment came from the crowd, but Peter seemed oblivious to their true cause. "Don't worry guys, you won't have obligatory classes or anything like that. The Library only exists to help you understand the process of your journey and the history of Old."
"Ok, he's slow," Amy said, and Sebastian laughed, pleased.
"And our crowned wrestling champions, Beth and Guido Fayde." Peter presented the two siblings standing next to each other and Mike jerked Val's arm violently.
"Val, remember the video I send you once? The two on two pro-wrestling."
She did. Even though she was no fan of sports, she was mesmerized by the siblings who, in their early thirties, were considered the best wrestlers in Canton. "They do look different in real life."
Guido Fayde was a rather short, well-built dark guy, with black eyes and a lot of facial hair. He looked serious, with a sad undertone on his face.
His sister, Beth, was exactly the opposite. Extravagant, having the same dark tones in her skin and hair, with heavy facial makeup, a high-ponytail and heels.
"Of course, you won't be facing them today," Peter continued mischievously. "We don't want you dead from the first day. The task at hand is a lot simpler than that. Harmless, even. You are all going to enter the Training Grounds, and you're going to face what lays inside."