“I wasn’t thinking that.”
Glacier nods her head, her gaze solely on her runners, “Right.”
“Don’t leave without me, Neena!” Glacier’s head turns at the sound of a new voice. Keena jogs to where the two girls stand waiting. A shrill beep echoing in the silence indicates the elevator finally arriving.
Finally.
Once the doors open to the elegant elevator, Glacier steps inside the small box, gravitating towards the back corner.
“You have to go in a separate car to me anyway.”
“That doesn’t mean that I want to catch the elevator by myself! What if someone from the Pyre team gets on it with me? There is no telling how much damage I would do to them when I unleash my move.”
She has a ‘move’?
The twins step into the elevator, their conversation continuing as Keena ignores Glacier’s presence. Neena makes awkward eye contact with the outcast as she tries to carry the conversation with her twin.
“There would be no damage. You cannot harm any of the competitors until we are in the ring—”
Keena shakes her head at her sister, annoyed, “I know, Neena. I was just saying…”
Standing with their backs to her, Glacier notices very subtle differences in their demeanours. While Keena stands tall, her shoulders pined back and her chin slightly jutted, Neena’s form is slightly hunched, making her seem smaller, not as confident as her sister. Keena’s short cut bob creates a strangely intimidating harshness, giving her a strong aura.
It is silent as the three make their way to the lobby. The ride is unbearable because of it. There is a chime through the box that Glacier believes to mean they are on the lobby floor. When the doors open, they reveal two of the earth elementals from the Terra team. When the two of them notice the girls, their smiles turn deadly.
“Good morning ladies.” The one with thick brown hair tied at the base of his neck speaks first. Glacier remembers him being introduced last night as Gamble Kelmen.
The other one stands with his hand resting on Gamble’s shoulder. His blonde hair isn’t so sharply spiked this morning, but it still has an unnatural stiffness. Porter Kayt.
The twins ignore the boys, shuffling back to make room. Glacier’s current fear of the earth elementals is not misplaced as both boys eye them with predatory stares.
Finally noticing Glacier hiding in the corner, the boys advance into the small box. Only once the doors close and the box continues its descent do the boys speak again.
“What is your name again, my little Ice Princess?” Gamble’s deep voice rumbles from his chest, but his words are no louder than a whisper, as he shuffles dangerously close to where Glacier is huddled.
Porter sniggers at the nickname, but adds nothing. Glacier takes a deep breath, hoping to release her anxiety.
It doesn’t work.
“Glacier Wardgrave.”
“Right, right, of course. Miss Glacier Wardgrave, the ice elemental!”
“I’ve been watching the news reports from my room. Some are throwing around the term hybrid.” It is Porter who speaks this time.
The word ‘hybrid’ strikes directly to her chest like a spear, but Glacier manages to hold her ground, unswayed. Her eyes swell with a potent burn, and her teeth clench painfully.
“I’m not a hybrid. Chamberman Amster said I'm evolved—”
“You're a liar; he’s a liar. You are something else entirely. Scientists predict that fire elementals will evolve to create fire, not melt it into lava like that grotesque friend of yours.” He snipes, voice full of malice. “My father is one of the scientist who estimates your species won’t even begin to evolve for at least another twenty generations…”
Suddenly her chin is held tightly between a thumb and finger, and her face is lifted. Gamble watches her with a cruel smirk, her skin crawling with fear. His stare is intent and searching, his curiosity barely masked.
“And you are just like him, that lava elemental. Both of you are freaks.” He releases a short laugh before dropping his hand from her jaw. His skin had felt neutral against hers, similar to a water elemental’s touch.
The glass lobby opens to the five contestants, shinning its bright light into the small elevator box. Before he turns to the now opening doors, Gamble sends a dangerous wink her way. The earth elemental exits the elevator, following Porter’s lead.
“Well, that was intense.” It is Keena who speaks. The rougher twin doesn’t turn back to check on her teammate. The twins both exit the elevator, leaving Glacier alone in the box.
She notices the door about to close, but before she has the opportunity to catch it, a hand shoots out between the closing doors.
Glancing up, Glacier finds the unforgettable orange eyes that have haunted her for six years.
Fielder.
She struggles to breathe as his intense orange-brown eyes watch her, creating a vice-like grip across her chest. Glacier appraises him with her own eyes, absorbing the many differences that have improved since the last time she saw him when they were younger. His light hair is styled naturally, his curls fraying on top his head. A tight uniform jacket similar to Glacier’s, his reddish-orange instead of blue, hugs his large biceps and chest. The collar propped up outlining his neck.
“Glacier.”
Glacier… He said my name. That is the first time he has ever said my name.
The sound of her name falling from his lips seems too easy, too natural. Like a calming breeze in the wind, his voice is soft like a caress. It reminds her that she never told him her name all those years ago, and he never told his. You can’t snitch on someone when you don’t know their name.
“Fielder.”
Simply seeing him transports her back six years ago to when he was a young boy with a thick mop of light curls on his head, dazzling her with the same orange eyes he has today. The pressure on her chest grows at the memory she has both cherished and mourned.
Fielder seems at a loss for words as he studies the girl he has missed for what feels like half his life. Glacier cannot move her eyes from his, even as she hears the ding of the elevator wanting to close the doors.
She shakes away from his trapping eyes, looking down at the elevator floor.
“How are you?” His voice is deep and rumbly, smoothing out any creasing that has gathered on her forehead.
Her father’s warnings from years ago to stay away, resounds in her ears like a taunting melody. Telling her to never go back.
++
“Dad, he’s the only one who has ever been nice to me. He’s my friend…”
“It is not a request, Glacier.”
“But it’s not fair!”
“I don’t care if you don’t think it’s fair or not. What I care about is that you are safe.”
“He wouldn’t hurt me…”
“You can't trust anything a Halen says or does. He is breaking the Law by roaming the outskirts as well.”
“Dad, please! I promised I would be back tomorrow–”
“I’m not discussing this any further, Glacier. You are not going out there again. This is the last I’ll ever hear of this, understood?”
++
She had hated her father for a long time after that argument. But Glacier never swam under the wall again.
“Uh, I need to get to the stadium…” Her voice is barely a whisper. He seems dejected by her quick dismissal.
“Right, yeah me too.”
Glacier takes a cautious step forward, waiting for him to grab her arm like he had at the stadium last night.
He doesn’t. He lets her pass without any move to stop her. She gazes around the lobby for her driver, trying very hard to not look back. His stare itches at the back of her head. She spots Lien sitting on a white sofa near the entrance, and quickly approaches him.
“Good morning, Miss Wardgrave. How are you feeling this morning?” Lien rises from the sofa as he speaks.
“Just fine, Mr Grimond.”
He rolls his eyes, “Just fine?”
Glacier tucks her lips between her front teeth and nods. His eyebrows rise at the unconvincing gesture, but he says nothing else about it.
“Alright, let’s get you to the stadium. The tournament starts in an hour or so, but you and the rest of your team need to run through with your coordinator about the rules and regulations that you have to adhere to as competitors.”
Nodding once more, she follows his lead. When Glacier can no longer resist, she looks back to the elevator. She finds Fielder still watching her from the elevator. His eyes follow her with wonder. He doesn’t look away when she catches him staring. He smiles at her. It’s encouraging for her to see.
I can do this.
Glacier turns back to watch where she walks, continuing towards the exit of the lobby. Fielder is lost behind her as she climbs into the Hover that waits at the entrance, the engine running. The leather interior is as welcoming at the last time, and the drive is as uneventful as she anticipated.
Day one.
~
The stadium is equally as extravagant as last night.
Long banners line the walls, ceiling to floor, with each contestant’s face, their names in large bold letters below their portrait.
Glacier finds hers to the right of the building, with her first name written beneath her picture. She puffs her cheeks, blowing out a long breath at the image of her curled white hair framing her face last night. Her skin had been a ghostly white, if the image was anything to go by, almost as pale as her hair.
Her shoulder is shoved harshly, causing her to stumble back from the entry gate. Glacier glances up as Aleena strides past her. Tric follows close behind, arms swinging and fists clenched. Glacier stands straight before following their lead.
The Hydra team makes their way towards where the stage had been last night. Now, a large circular arena sits below the floor of the stadium, covered with a dome-like glass.
“So are you still going to tell me you’re latent?” Glacier turns sharply to her right. She finds Branch walking alongside her, clear excitement in his eyes. They follow Aleena and Tric towards a flight of stairs against the side of the building.
I didn’t even notice them last night.
Glacier lowers her head, remaining silent as she follows up the stairwell to what she guesses to be the prep room. The door at the top slides open as they approach it. The door opens inwards, revealing another door with a small spiral in the form of a raindrop, white with a light blue outline of Hydren’s crest.
Branch leans closer and whispers, “What you did last night was incredible! All that ice, it was amazing—”
“There was nothing amazing about it.”
Surprised by her abrupt response, his jaw slackens for a short while.
When they approach the door with the Hydren crest, their Passkeys on their wrists beep. Glacier’s gaze lowers quick enough to see a quick flash of light blinking on the side of her Passkey before the door slides open.
On the other side is the rest of the team. Neena looks up at the sound of the opening door, the others continuing with whatever they are doing.
“Glacier, you’re unique. That’s pretty amazing if you ask me.”
She turns back to Branch when she hears his voice again. She finds him watching her with an unsure smile and stiff eyes. Having no words to comment, Glacier stands stiff with a tight-lipped grimace. Branch reaches out to grip her shoulder, giving it a small squeeze before he walks past her into the prep room. Glacier stares down at her shoes, his words echoing through her head.
Unique? That’s just another word for hybrid. Freak. Mutant. Unique. They all mean the same thing.
Different.
Glacier turns to her team with her teeth clenched and her back straight, continuing on into the prep room. Everyone is sitting on a separate bench, all keeping busy.
Keena and Neena are holding each other’s hands as Keena speaks in a hushed voice. Tric is sitting close to Aleena, his eyes drift to her every few seconds in between adjusting a strap on his jacket. Aleena is the only one away from a bench, standing in front of a full-length mirror as she adjusts her appearance, loosening her braided bun to enhance its size, pulling some tresses down to frame her face.
I hope whoever she’s up against deliberately messes her hair.
Glacier glances over to catch Branch resting his forearms on his thighs, exhaling loudly. His foot bounces; his face is a mixture of excitement and nerves. His lower lip is held between his teeth.
Before she has the opportunity to approach one of the benches and take a seat, the sound of the door opening behind her has her pivoting back around. A guard enters first, the same one from the hospice with dirty blonde hair and green eyes, followed by Karn, Emilia and another guard.
There is a shuffling sound in the room as her team rise to their feet. Karn and Emilia make their way into the prep room, the door closing behind them.
Glacier’s face remains impassive as the two newcomers approach. Karn steps forward, wearing a dark blue suit across his torso with a high collar and long pants.
“Chamber Emilia, Chamber Karn, it is an honour.” Aleena’s voice is sickly sweet, her head lowered in respect.
Karn’s focus is deterred by Aleena’s presence for less than a second, the crease between his brows deepening slightly. “Thank you, Miss…” His sentence trails off as he prolongs the formality.
He’s forgotten her name.
Glacier notices Aleena’s jaw tick when she realizes this as well, “Staren. Aleena Staren.”
“Of course, Miss Staren.” And with that, his eyes centre on Glacier. “How are you feeling, Miss Wardgrave?” Aleena’s shoulders still when Karn addresses Glacier without hesitation.
Glacier nods her head in response, “Great.” He smiles widely, nodding his head.
“Wonderful. Well, Emilia and I have come to wish you all good luck!” Karn turns way to address the rest of the team. “Over the next three days, before your first program, the Selected will fight their first battles individually. The winners determine who advances from the Seeding into the Harvest battles.” Karn smiles at each of the competitors, admiring his representatives for his region.
Emilia steps to Karn’s side, wearing a deep obsidian gown with shiny sequins adorning every inch. The deep neckline is still modest, with thin straps over her shoulders. Her hair is similar to last night’s updo, however less glamorous.
“You are all to show attendance in the arena, as support for your fellow team members, even if you have already fought your Seeding battle.
“You will be led back down to the arena by your escort. She will explain everything that will be occurring over the next week.” Her smile is constant as she speaks, gazing around the room to the various team members with intrigue.
“Good luck, Hydra! Do our region and your families proud out there!”
Karn’s last chant riles Keena, Tric and Branch to hoot out in agreement. Aleena retreats back to where the rest of the team stand, talking amongst themselves as they guess who they would be paired with for their first battle.
Karn and Emilia do not miss the team’s ignorance towards Glacier, as she remains silent in the corner of the room.
Karn reaches forward to rest his hand on her shoulder. He gives it a gentle squeeze of reassurance. Once his hand drops, the group exit out the same way they came.
No less than five seconds have past when the door opens once more, this time revealing an unfamiliar face. A woman walks in with dark blonde hair and light blue eyes, wearing long, deep blue trousers and a pale coat.
“Greetings Hydra team, my name is Reela. I am your prompter for this year’s tournament. If you have any questions or queries, ask them now.” Her voice is clipped and snarky, with beady eyes following over the faces in the room.
When no one speaks, she continues, “Fine then. Follow me, in your order of
introduction.”
Reela leads the team out the door, down the opposite way they entered from. The team walks in a single file starting with Aleena, ending with Glacier.
Glacier’s feet scrap the ground as she follows Neena silently, the rest of her team buzzing with excitement. They trail down the corridor, passing until they come across another door.
The new door slides open when they near it, revealing a barren, odd-shaped room. The floor has a thin white-blue lighting where it meets the wall, outlining the room’s edges.
“You will all stand in the middle of the platform—”
Platform?
“—In the order of introduction. I want the first introduced standing here…” From there they are arranged to stand one behind the arm of another, facing the opposite wall to the door.
“Once you reach the ground, walk straight ahead down the tunnel, towards the arena. Go down the steps, and you will be further guided from there. Good luck, team.”
The sound of loud cheering echoes through the wall. The team looks to one another in anticipation.
The wall they face suddenly opens either way like sliding panels, revealing the team to the large, noisy crowd. They sit in high stand, situated around a large underground arena. When the shutter opens around them, the crowd’s chants grow in strength. At the bottom is a runway with steps leading downwards at the end.
Suddenly, the floor moves beneath their feet, pulling down towards the crowd.
This is what she meant by platform…
The crowd studies the approaching team, roaring with excitement and anticipation. The platform brings the Hydra’s lower to the ground, moving similar to a sluggish elevator.
Glacier doesn’t miss Aleena standing with her hands on her hips, a confident smirk on her lips. She assesses the crowd, drinking in the attention and applause. The others in the team have their arms raised, smiling as they wave. Glacier simply stands with wide eyes and a locked body.
Finally, Glacier feels a small jolt as the platform meets the floor. Now in front of them is a short walkway, barred with tall glass barriers on either side.
Aleena leads the way with a powerful strut. The glass tunnel keeps the audience back, as they bang and shout against it. The rest of the team follows behind, still waving as they walk. Glacier trails behind, her head down as she studies the back of Neena’s shoes.
The Frozen Beginning (Elemental Diamond Book 1) Page 9
