".....Be proud".
His words made quite a ruckus as gasps and mumbles could be heard throughout what seemed like an auditorium. Caden narrowed his eyes. The Game Master. That must be the boss around here.
Themus looked around, his face expressionless like he wasn't affected by the noise. He simply tapped the staff he held in his left hand on the floor.
The next thing that was heard was a loud sonic scream that seemed more like a screech. Everyone closed their eyes and shut their ears with their hands, trying to block out the noise. What the hell was that sound?
After a minute or two, the sound stopped and everywhere was back to its original silent state. Some used their index fingers to move in a cleaning motion round their ears as if trying to get the sound out.
Lucy let go off her ears and looked around to see where the sound had come from. She looked around Themus and around the auditorium until something interesting caught her eye.
It was an animal, more like a beast that looked like the yeti drawn in cartoons and depicted in movies. It stood at the corner of the room trying to be the least source of attention, but it wasn't exactly working entirely as it was very large. The animal had milky white fur, short brown horns and pure blue eyes.
It's eyes were blue in a way that there was simply no white or any other color in its eyes. They looked empty and hollow. When Lucy looked at it, she felt like her soul was being sucked into its eyes, like she was being plunged into a deep blue sea.
It's fur was almost as smooth as silk as it fell over most of its body, covering even it's legs. When it moved, it seemed like it was floating but when looked upon closer, one could see the little toes which were peeking out of its furry garment. It was amazing.
The creature met her eyes for a brief moment before heaving a grunt and looking away. It made it's way to a much more secluded corner, so as not to be noticed.
Its grunt had startled Lucy who felt a little offended at the beast's behavior. It sounded odd but she felt like the beast was belittling her. An animal was disregarding her? How dare that big fur ball?!
Caden who quite a distance away from Lucy saw how she frowned and grumbled. He looked towards her direction of sight and spotted the animal who seemed to have a blank expression on its face as it ignored Lucy who was fuming at it.
The beast didn't look like any other animal on earth. As a matter of fact, it looked alien and foreign, like a mythical creature that would be seen in the medieval times. Judging from its look and the whining sounds it made, it must have been the creature who left out the loud sonic scream.
The creature seemed very fascinating. He looked at the creature's back where something like a rider's seat had been placed along with two horn like structures to steer. It seemed like the animal was not only someone's pet but someone's form of transportation.
It was cute how it had provoked Lucy and ignored the look on her face. Caden could have sworn it even shook its butt at Lucy as if mocking her before turning it's back at her. The beast was a real troublemaker, Caden thought.
Themus cleared his throat. The action immediately brought everyone's attention back on him. Seeing that everyone's focus had returned, he continued to speak, " As per the letter, you have been selected to participate in the UniGames Tournament of Honor. The winner who overcomes every obstacle will be crowned best gamer of the universe and will of course be given some other exciting prizes ".
" As participants and contestants of the UniGames Tournament of Honor, you will be expected to be staying here for a while. For this reason, special state of the art dormitories, for both male and female, have been prepared to suit your taste and preferences. If you would please pay attention to the card around your neck?..."
All the participants looked at their necks as per Themus' order. Caden glanced at his card that seemed like an ID. On it was a number, his picture and a dorm number along ith some other personal informations that were required.
Themus explained, " The number on your card serves as a name while in this tournament. You will not be called by your name by officials nor when results are announced and so on. The number, more like the card, serves as your identification card, confirming that you are indeed a participant of this competition. You lose the card, you lose your spot on the tournament ".
Some contestants frowned but dared not say anything after the excruciatingly painful screech they heard the last time they made a ruckus. Their ears were still ringing from the screaming and they didn't want another one.
Themus continued, " The dormitory number, as the name implies, are the numbers and locations of your dorms. The card serves as an entry card to go into your dorms. Without it, you have no access".
Caden examined his card carefully as he observed the numbers on the card. His dormitory number reads, ' D016, M, B7,'. He listened to Themus as he explained, " The number of your dorms might read, for example, 'D520, M, B89'. The D520 simply means Dormitory 520. It is the room you will be staying in. It is similar to a room number. The M or F, as for the females, is your gender symbolizing M for males and F for Females. The B89' is your bed number. This is different as it is the ID of your bed and not your bedroom or dorm. Heed the warning saying on no account should you switch beds or dorms at night".
The contestants waited for some more information but Themus didn't disclose any. He simple stood there scanning them, group by group. The contestants were confused. Was that all? That was hardly enough information. Plus there was nothing about their challenges or what they would be facing while they were here. What the heck?!
Themus saw the confused expressions on their faces and a small smirk which wasn't visible to others formed on his lips. He killed it as he said, " That will be all for now. You may go to your dorms. Female dormitories are on the North wing and the males on the East. You will be back for th orientation at exactly the 18th hour. Good luck. And please familiarize your selves with the place but note that the West Wing is restricted for participants. Thank you and have a good day".
With that, Themus was gone. He had disappeared and zapped away with no trace of him. Caden looked nck at the corner for th beast to find that it was also gone. It must be Themus' pet, Caden thought.
He looked around and saw that the other contestants had began to disperse, heading to their various dorms. Caden thought about the West Wing which was said to be restricted.
" What a weird place" he mumbled