Chapter II:

Noooo! I inwardly cried aloud as the red-heads path veered from mine. He was under number 6. I wanted the free eye-candy, but I was sure I’d see him around the campus. As I approached my new group, I scanned their hair. Looks like I’ve got a bunch of pretty competent people in my zone. It was a diverse group, no dominance of one color. I nodded my head, glad to see it.

I’m sure it was done to prevent that from happening… I glanced at group six and saw Clan cliques forming. There were too many from the Main and Minor Clans. I can already feel the headache. It would be like Hell being in that group. No, wait, mine might be worse? I turned my attention back to my group to see they were gathered in a circle in front of the guide.

“Excuse me,” I said as I swept past them to the guide in the center. She had purple sister locks that were styled in curls. There were small strands sprinkled throughout that had a deep purple glow that traveled down the curls. The color complimented her dark complexion. Pretty. I thought. The guide’s arm was extended. She used her watch to project the large violet seven in the air.

I stepped closer. She noticed me, looked at my hair, then at my face.

“I like your hair. Silver and black. That’s pretty rare,” she said.

I jumped up and down inwardly, giddy with excitement, and beaming like a sun ray. Complimenting someone’s hair is akin to complimenting their entire existence. It means nearly everything in this world. Of course, I try not to follow those societal norms, but hey, a compliment is a compliment. Hehe.

“Ah, thank you. Your hair is gorgeous too.” I smiled back.

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you. What’s your name?” she asked.

“Isoria Venex,” I replied.

Her eyes dropped to my wrist. “Your watch, please.”

I held my watch to hers, her device responded with a beep. Then a circular purple hologram flickered in the air between us, struggling to stabilize. She frowned.

“I told them not to change tech providers. Israel’s stuff’s better.”

She flicked her watch with her middle finger, the hologram stabilized. She looked over it swiftly, then dismissed it with a double tap.

“Okay. You’ve been confirmed. I am Polaria, a third year at the school, and will be your guide today.”

I slightly bowed my head. “It’s nice to meet you, Polaria.”

“Likewise, Isoria.” She gestured behind me. “You can wait over there with the other students.”

“Okay.”

I turned and walked toward the edge of the crowd. I wouldn’t consider myself an introvert, but in a group this big, I’m definitely not extroverted enough to strike up a conversation with anyone. I felt a few eyes focus on my hair as I passed a large bulk of my peers. I felt butterflies stir within my stomach. So uncomfortable.

I waited patiently as more members arrived from the final rows. I brought up my holo-pad. A black slim hologram the size of a phone appeared. I opened an app and mindlessly scrolled. Nothing interesting to see there, but it felt odd standing alone when others had already begun mingling.

I glanced up to see the yellow-haired guy from earlier talking to Polaria. Huh, guess he’s in my group. Cool. He turned and looked at me. Ah, he noticed me staring. After checking in with Polaria, he began walking towards me. As he passed the group, a few members called out to him. He dapped up a few of them, then continued to me. Shit.

“Hey, you’re that girl from earlier, right?” he asked.

“Yup, that’s me.”

His eyes scanned me, hair first to bottom. “What’s your name?” he continued.

“Isoria. You?”

“I’m Ysolde.” He held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Isoria.”

I shook his hand. “Yeah, you too.”

“So, how’s it like in the Silver Clan, or is it the Black Clan?” His eyes widened, then he swiftly added, “Oh no disrespect or anything like that. I’m not tryna peep game or anything. Just a little curious since you know they’re different from the other Clans. They’re small, you know.”

I nodded. “No, you’re good. But, uh, I wouldn’t know cause I’m Clanless.”

He looked slightly shocked, then quickly hid it. Ha, trying not to hurt my feelings? I get why he’d assume. I mean I do too, so I don’t blame him….

“Oh, you’re Clanless?”

“Yup…”

“I gotchu. That’s cool, that’s cool.”

There was a momentary awkward pause between us before I asked, “So, are you a part of any Clan?”

“Uh yeah, I’m in the Yellow Clan.”

I’d guessed from his name, but you can never be too sure. Clan members usually have first names that start with the same letter of their Clan's color.

“Cool. Well then how do you like it there? Not tryna peep game or anything either, just asking,” I said with a smile. I didn’t care what it was like in the Yellow Clan. I knew enough.

“It’s nice. Normal. You know, it’s home, so.”

“Yeah, I get it.”

Suddenly, Polaria called for our attention.

“Alright everyone, I said this to you each individually, but I’ll introduce myself again. My name is Polaria, and I’ll be your guide today. Please follow me closely as I take you to your designated zone for orientation.”

Everyone followed behind Polaria as she approached the arena wall. She pressed on her watch for a moment, then a large doorway lifted open, sending dust flying forward. Once it cleared, we could see the way.

We all walked through the large hallway into the arena lobby. There was a wall of glass, so clear and pristine. I could imagine someone walking into the wall on accident while trying to get outside. A smile formed on my lips as I giggled internally at the thought. But truly, I was in awe. Sun rays bled through the glass and hovered in the air like a call from heaven.

I looked at the campus behind the glass and felt excitement creeping to my heart. It looks so sick. Large, lively trees, students and others bustling around, and the campus buildings. They were further away but they blended a modern high tech look with a traditional feel for the different Clans. The architecture is so beautiful, and everything looks like money and maintenance. Love to see it, I thought.

We left the arena, headed outside, and walked down the paved campus paths. As we walked, Ysolde continued to make conversation. I couldn’t figure out why, considering there really wasn’t much chemistry. Maybe he’s one of those people who assume being alone means you want company? I’m not one of those people. I like my solitude. I’d actually much prefer walking alone in silence than walking and having conversation I’d rather not have. Maybe I should say that?

Option A: “Hey, so do you normally talk this much?”

Option B: “Have you ever heard of reading the room?”

Option C: “I don’t really feel like talking right now, let’s chat later :)”

I considered my options, then chose Option D instead.

Option D: Do nothing.

Is it kindness or idiocy that I’m trying not to hurt his feelings, so I’m just letting it continue on? I shook my head to myself. I can be so disappointing sometimes.

We arrived at a massive building, the size of a stadium. Its sharp edges and tech-filled architecture gave it an alien feel. The dark gray surface bordered on the color black, and the structure seemed to absorb the sun's energy. Rainbow ripples glided across it, one after another, as if the building were saying it was alive. This thing is dope. Polaria turned to us then said, “We’ve arrived at Trineum 3. This holds three zones: red, blue, and black. You all are assigned to zone three–black.”

I pumped my fist. Let’s fucking go! I’ll be where the headmistress was when she was a student. She made the zone infamous. I should do the same.

“Looks like one of your zone mates has arrived.”

I looked where Polaria was looking and saw a group of students trailing behind a black man with back-length red braids, and a bandanna on his head. He had a smug look on his pretty face as he smirked, then said, “Hey Polaria, you’re looking good.” I rolled my eyes internally. It’s giving fuck boy energy. Some of my groupmates looked at him like he was crazy, confused.

“The fuck? Did he just flirt with a Purple?”

“Yeah, but dude’s a Red…”

“Is bro on something?”

“Yo, ain’t no way. He’s wildin’.”

I listened to them whisper. To be honest, that sorta stuff has always been dumb as fuck to me. There’s a story passed within Main Clans that if you breed with someone from another Clan, God will strike you down with a bolt of lightning. It’s all bullshit of course. No way God cares about that. It’s just lies to stop color dilution and blending. But of course, Minor Clans follow the Mains like dogs, so many also partake in the culture.

Polaria was unamused. Her tone stark, and full of disinterest, she replied, “I know I am, Rhazor.”

He tilted his head. “Still tough as ever.” He then spoke to his group, “She’s like a rock, I tell you. A rock. I doubt being thrown in lava would move her. She’d just… burn to a crisp.” He laughed like something was funny.

I looked over his group, and bang. There he was. My eye-candy. He was in the center of a group of Reds by Rhazor. I felt the flutters return to my chest. We had parted ways, but God brought you back to me. “Thank you God,” I mumbled.

“Huh? What’d you say?” Ysolde asked.

“Nothing.”

My eyes were locked on him, and they didn’t want to let go. I want him to look at me. Notice me, I thought. But then I quickly backpedaled. Maybe he wouldn’t want to be stared at. I looked away then heard Rhazor say, “Ah, enough of that. My crew, let’s head in.”

“Us too. Let’s go guys,” Polaria added.

So our groups headed into the Trineum together. When we got inside we went right, while they went left. Goodbye, I said to him internally.

A wall of black met us once we reached the entrance of our zone. It stretched wide and looked very smooth and solid like ice. Yet, I phased through it easily, and while I did, the hair on my skin prickled. It was warm and comforting, like it accepted me. Once inside, it felt like I was in a new dimension. So, this is the black zone.

I was overwhelmed at the sight. So much was going on. A fighting stage levitated over ten feet above ground. Holographic study cubes. A dining area with an array of restaurants to choose from. Combat cubes for training and sparring. Labs for creation. This looks so cool.

“Yo, this is dope.” I said aloud.

Ysolde's shoulder bumped me and agreed, “For real.”

Polaria chimed in, “The orientations this way. You’ll have time to look around after if it finishes early.”

She then lead the way. As we walked through the zone there were different segments that showcased different colors pride. Whole orange or green sections. Even the dining areas were color coded based on each colors culture. I haven’t had this green dish yet. Looking forward to it. Greens are vegan vegetarian and their food is the best.