(30) Power of Ego |1|

May 19th 3019

4:03 P.M. 

Cambridge H.A.S. Arena, Locker Rooms

Exponentia uses their school uniform during matches. It is an aged-blue Wizard robe with off color lines going down through it, and black shoes. Mirage wears sky-blue robes, Spellcaster wears the standard aged-blue robes, Avenger wears a white uniform with Gray lines and Atlas wears Deep-Blue with Black Lines. 

Livestream is the only one that wears his own costume. He wears black basketball shorts with double white lines going down the sides, a purple hoodie with white laces and a Ying-Yang shaped symbol, instead of black and white it's blue and red, and instead of dots it is a purple play button. He also wears Gray sneakers. 

It's almost 4:15. It's time to go up, the match will start soon. We always use our Codenames during matches to gather a following for once we graduate. As we go over our planned roles we notice a problem.

Usually Sarmon stays at the back sending his Spinners forward, Ron also sends his Golem forward but stays at midrange in case he needs to fuse with it and join the fray. Max is midrange as backup and uses his hair to restrain or distract his enemies. Bonnie and Jacob are always on the Frontline to fight head on.

With Ron out we lose a piece on the middle and Frontlines. I decide to mimic what Ron usually does and stay at midrange with Max and use my wood element to support the Frontline while directly joining the Battle when needed. 

All we have to do now is wait for the Arena to generate. H.A.S. Arenas use advanced holographic technology boosted by Egos. It allows the projection of hardlight structures that mimic reality and the Arena is always chosen at random by the computer from a series of predetermined templates. 

The size of the Arena has a width of a mile, height of half a mile and is completely covered by a giant dome that projects a scenery matching the Arena and records the fight. 

A moment passes and we see a hologram of a prize wheel appear as it spins for a while before landing on an Arena. 

"[Attention! Arena Selected... Crimson Forest... Participating Egoists... Get in place... Match starts in... T-60 seconds... ]"

The Arena Map instantly starts generating on the spot. Small Hills begin to appear, the floor covered in brown, dark-red and purple grasses. Trees with thick dark-red trunks and leaves sprout with one giant tree at the center.

A flowing river of bright red liquid flows, it almost looks like fruit punch but much brighter, the river will work as a normal one should so if we fall we will get wet and my fire won't work on it. On the river bed there are several stones and dark green algae. White particles float in the air like distant stars. The Dome changes to a hot pink with Gray clouds as they shape themselves to show the countdown till the match starts.  

Both teams arrive at the Arena and get in place, Cambridge on the South and Exponentia on the North. We can't see each other but that will let us get the drop on them as long as we find them first. The problem is going to be Livestream's Drones since they will send the Exponentia team our location. 

...

V.I.P. Lounge #2

"Crimson Forest? Is it a custom map for this region?" Richie asks as he watches. 

"Yeah I heard some big shot commissioned it, they say a secret hides within it but no ones been able to find if it's true or not" Responds John as he takes a swig of his drink. 

"Interesting map, it looks almost like a standard forest except for the color scheme" Richie stays silent and frowns as he stares toward the tree in the middle of the map.

"What's wrong?"

"I think there really might be a treasure hidden here" 

"Wait Really?" John looks toward the tree. "Maybe we could explore it after?" 

"No don't, my Ego is resonating but it's also telling me that whatever is in there it has already found an owner."

"Hmmm do you think it's going to be one of the kids?" 

"Possibly..."

"This will be even more interesting than i thought then" John grins widely as he looks ahead. 

...

H.A.S. Arena, V.I.P. Lounge #7

"Hmm maybe this time they will find it, if not I'm withdrawing it, it's been too long" 

...

"Ready Kris?" Max has changed into serious mode as he stares ahead" 

"[10 seconds... 

9...

8...

7... ]"

"Ready as I'll ever be, let's win this!" 

"[5...

4...

3... ]"

"Good to hear! Now let's show everyone what we've got! Remember everyone, target Mirage first!" 

"[1... ]"

"Got it Captain!" All of us say at the same time.

"[Attention... Match... Begin... ]"