The elevator continues to ascend, finally reaches its destination A wide crowd of contestants floods Blakes view. The atmosphere dominated with an unorganized chaos, panic and anxiety palpable in the air. Everyone's hopes and worries on full display.
"Looks like we have our last arrival just in time no less." Sharp eyes scrutinize and watch Blake as he enters the room. His draconic pupil staring daggers into him.
"File up, with the rest boy." He says, pointing his finger towards the rest of the contestants. the gravitas in his voice demanding respect.
"Cocky..." A whisper brushes against Blakes ear echoing deep into the pond of his mind.
''Who the hell are you!?'' Irritation bubbles forward yelling his thoughts aloud. Only for deafening silence to return. His green eyes are met with snapping scaly fingers, the examiners body language a mixture of confusion and disappointment.
"Are you going to line up"? The examiner says making his presence known before Blake. His eyes sharpening on him wondering if Blake will become a future problem.
"Yes, sir". Blake says. Anxiety making itself known through a flush of red on his skin, only to dim significantly compared to the norm
"You're an odd one". The examiner says not getting the reaction he wanted from the boy, walking back to the front.
With a sigh Blake relaxes himself trying to ease the forming tension in his stomach. Keeping his mood neutral he brushes off the examiners attempts to get under his skin. Finding his way into the conglomerate of participants.
"You all know why your here." The examiner says in a loud voice making sure his voice bounces of the walls of the room.
"Let me introduce myself". He says straightening out his military uniform, a collage of white and silver perforate off his armored uniform. Hexagonal patterns are scattered on it netting together in a wide web glowing with a pulsating energy throughout the uniform. A badge of earth being enveloped in a horizon is attached onto his jacket.
"My name is Atlas, Not long ago I awakened my own power and managed to become a teacher in the process". Atlas says recounting the jubilation of that day, his satisfaction escaping into his voice.
"I was in a similar situation as all of you, suffering from my own weakness. Not being able to pass the exams. No one, willing to extend a helping hand for me." Atlas recounts, his face contorting in displeasure at the memory.
"A dog eat dog world. However I chose to keep eating, that allowed me to keep trying and trying. Until finally I could be one of the strong. That experience was necessary for me to get here" Atlas says lost in the luster of his new found power. Clenching his scaled hands in satisfaction.
"But what happens when that's not enough!" A familiar voice crashes through Atlas's reverie.
"You're thrown away and treated like the trash of the planet!" Blake's voice manages its way through the slew of participants, emerging prominently over the immense amount of noise.
"Just because you managed to get a power doesn't mean the current structure isn't wrong!" His tone becoming more and more sharp. Cutting through the crowds noise with ease now.
"It needs to be changed, just imagine what would happen if all humans were treated with the same resources." Blake explains, conveying his ideals in a brave unyielding tone.
"We would be a force to be reckoned with in so many different fields". Blake says, a goal starting to form in his mind. Resolving himself for change.
'Be the change you wish to seek.' A low menacing reverberation chirps throughout his mind forming the familiar voice causing a shiver to electrify his nerve endings.
"That's great and all kid but you haven't seen the real world. It's not sunshine and rainbows not everyone can be deemed useful" Atlas shuts him down with a tone of irritation.
"You have to give it everything you have and if you don't succeed then that's that." Atlas says, his eyes staring down at Blake seeing him as nothing more then a nuisance.
"So don't think your half baked ideals are going to change anything." He retorts, his tone freezing over, spurring change in Blakes mentality.
"On that note, back to the exam at hand. This generation has been getting more and more brazen i swear." Atlas says, wiping his rough hand down his scaly face.
"The retakes will be handled in a series of exams, fail one and you're done" Atlas says, his expressions straightening out taking on a more serious tone.
"A 1v1 between two contestants will be the first exam testing your capability on your own." Atlas explains, addressing the first exam.
"Followed by 2v2, to see your potential in a team based fight. Then finally an all out match to see who can score the most points, to find out who is the strongest amongst the batch." Atlas continues, pointing towards a board with a layout of the current exam format.
"Today is the 1v1 exam, you each will find your way to a Sim-room according to the number provided to you. There your battle will take place." Atlas sends off the contestants to get their numbers.
"You're an interesting one." Blue hungry eyes meet Blake. Black fingernails find their way onto his face.
"What was your name, Blake"? The two are locked in each other's gaze much longer than his preference, strands of blonde come into view.
"That's corrects. Thanks and all but I don't think were on the same page, i don't swing that way". Blake says with a nervous nod, awkward sweat beading down his face.
"I don't mean like that, you're not my type anyway." Mischievous laughter escapes the man in front of him wiping away a forming tear.
"The name's Morgan, I heard about your exam with Pyre, it was very intriguing not many can push him like that, especially someone without a power of their own. Then you go and do that with Atlas." Morgan says his eyes sharpening to slits curiosity and intrigue painting itself in his thin smile.
"I want to be your partner for the 2v2. I have a good feeling about you. Can't quite pinpoint it. But i trust my gut." Morgan says adamantly, putting a finger to his chin with an affirmed nod.
"But the fact that you stood your ground against Pyre, pushed him farther than most with powers. leads me to believe you have some hidden potential". He says as his mind starts to form the future possibilities and gains of this budding relationship.
"Want to be friends. Might as well ask early on." Morgan says, his voice filling with hesitation for a second.
"Sure, I don't see why not." Blake forms an awkward smile. His eyes filling with a dim green glow.
"Not many are willing to be friends with a person with my reputation, especially someone with no power I respect that." Morgan lets out a relaxed sigh, extending his hand with a wide grin. A foundation of confidence starting to slowly build within him.
The anxiety of the forming relationship crumbling away for Morgan the outcome he desired coming into fruition much to his shock. A warm smile forms on his face.
"You sure like to smoke don't you why don't I help you with that." Morgan smirks snapping his fingers. In an instant a lit cigarette dangles from Blake's mouth, smoke finding its way into his lungs.
"Good luck, I better see you in the 2v2s!" Morgan yells back parting ways, waving Blake off with a peace sign before disappearing leaving him speechless the lit cigarette now dangling from his lips.
"How did he even know I smoke". His jaw hangs in confusion unable to process the speed in which everything happened.
"Hurry up boy! You were nearly late as it is!" Atlas shouts pierce through Blakes confusion, shifting his focus back onto the task.
"Your number 14, The sim room has already been prepared." Atlas says through gritted teeth pointing the way for Blake.
"Your opponent is waiting for you." Atlas barks, arrogance painting his voice. Thinking himself to important for this.
Hurrying to his assigned sim room. A hole forms spreading outward opening into an entrance in the bubble-like film. Stepping through, Blake isn't surprised to see it seal up behind him.
In a bright flash the whole space shifts changing entirely from a series of connected squares littering the floor and the translucent walls of the room. The film of the walls disappearing entirely into the infinite desert before him. Sand dominates every corner of his vision.
"PFFT yuck. Great start, sand in the mouth. How lovely." Blake mutters in annoyance, spitting out the sediment.