Destiny
"I volunteer!" The words flowed out Hero's mouth as naturally as he drew breath.
He confidently up to the stage walked up to the stage and took his place next to Regal De Loughery, his district partner who had also volunteered just a few moments earlier.
"What's your name, handsome?" The District One escort asked
"Hero Sol."
The crowd cheered. Hero looked out at the crowd, his one the place had been destined to be since the beginning. Volunteering for the Games had always been his destiny, that's why despite his parents pushing him into training it did not feel like had been forced, it was just a natural step toward achieving what he was meant to. Hero and Regal shook hands.
"People of District One, your tributes."
Hero and Regal were led off the stage and into the Justice Building. Hero waited for his parents to come to say their goodbyes. He wondered who else would come to see him. He had been friends with many of his fellow trainees at the Academy, too many for them all to come and wish him goodbye. Though he had not been markedly close to being a few of them.
—
Hero walked up on the train, taking in the luxurious surroundings. It didn't seem all that alien to Hero, this was the journey he had been destined to take. The doors closed behind him and the train pulled away from the station. Hero gazed out of the window watching District One fade away until it became a distant shadow on the horizon. Hero looked over to Regal; the two had not shared any words for the entirety of the journey so far. Hero moved to make conversation, but he was interrupted by the arrival of their mentors – Legacy De Loughery and Shimmer Astor.
Hero wondered if Legacy would favour Regal away considering their family connection. Though even if that were true Hero's skill would still encourage Legacy to pay attention to him. Shimmer was also not prone to such biases. Hero looked over to Legacy and noted that she was put on edge by Legacy's entrance. Perhaps Hero had to fear the opposite of Legacy's and Regal's connection – it was clear that there was some animosity between them.
"Time to look at the other reapings and what they have to offer. A look at your soon-to-be allies and what and to sew what the other outer districts have come with," Legacy declared. "You never know the outer districts might come up with some worthwhile," He added
"Little can be gleaned from such a quick glance," Regal spat. "The outer districts are often the deceptive sort."
"Knowing your enemy is key. You'll soon see that a lot can be gleaned from such a quick glance, sister dearest" Legacy said, mocking Regal's words.
"I think it would be best to leave the personal disagreements that your two share behind you to focus on what matters." Hero interjected
"Well, if she didn't argue with someone who knew better then…"
"Legacy!" Shimmer chastised
"Let's focus on the matter in hand and take a look at the reapings," Hero said
Legacy switched on the screen, showing the Reapings of District Two. "Berthold Augustin and Hippolyta Creed. District Two's rigorous training program has once again produced two fine warriors. Both seemed to rather be the domineering type who vye for the leadership position of the Career pack. Jumping to District Four, who have always been a little unconventional and casual, has seemingly managed to produce two worthy tributes this year Kaito Hamasaki and Tethys Vale. Though Kaito does seem a little laid back and nonchalant."
"Looking forward to meeting them." Hero said.
"Berthold seems like the typical brute. Kaito looks like a fool. Hippolyta and Tethys, however, seemed like they had some sense about them" Regal commented.
Legacy did not remark on either of their comments. "Now back to Three neither boy nor the girl is a threat. Pay no attention to them. As for District Five, the boy shows a slither of promise though he is just as sombre as any citizen of Five. The girl is twelve – not a treat. Six: both these seem hopeless. Seven is not bad for an outer district, to keep half an eye on them for a day of trading then act accordingly. Eight two sorry-looking street urchins. The boy is exceptionally pathetic even for a little boy from an outer district. Nine the girl has some promise, the boy is unremarkable. As for Ten neither seem to be anything of note. Eleven shows some potential for once. Last and least is Twelve, they're from Twelve and that speaks for itself"
"The Twelve boy won last year. Dusk Morningstar was his name, I think." Regal said "He was twelve years old too. Did even kill anyone?
"A mistake. A stain upon the Games. That will not be repeated." Legacy hissed
"I think that Regal has a point. We should consider the fact that everyone has a fighting chance" Hero said, trying to mediate the situation
"That would be a waste of your energy, Hero"
"The games are often unpredictable." Shimmer said "They don't play out like they do in your mind Legacy"
"Only fools concern themselves with Twelves." Legacy declared coldly.
"So we have to look out for the Sevens, the girl from Nine and the Elevens? Hero enquired, trying to direct the conversation away from an argument.
"They could be your primary targets in the arena. Though their training performances will reveal whether or not that is true." Legacy
"Should we look to recruit any?" Hero questioned further, "Surely having more people on our side will only help us."
"I'd advise against it. Outliers are more likely to betray you early on." Legacy hissed
"If they're up for it, then it'll be something to consider. Though Outliers rarely side with Careers it is considered treachery to do so." Shimmer said. "See if they are willing and have potential. If they don't have both then don't push for it." She added
Things so far had not gone exactly as Hero expected. Legacy was not all the heroic victor had expected him to be. The coldness with which discussed matters concerning the Games. Shimmer seemed different though she had the nobility that the Academies spoke of. Regal had seemed promising as well. Though Legacy seemed to be an outlier, he would find his heroic destiny in the Games.
Legacy left clearly with anger still consuming him, Shimmer followed by his clear intention calming him down. He found himself left in the company with Regal. An uneasy silence fell over the train carriage, which Hero decided to break. He wanted to know his district partner better – it was the right and nice thing to do.
"Why don't you and Legacy get along? How can there be such bitterness between family?" Hero asked
"Why do you want to know?" Regal replied, dismissively
"Because we should get to know each other. If we're going to spend the next few days together."
"De Loughery tradition. We're De Loughery siblings are always at each other's by our parents how it has always been. We fight for their favour as much as we do for a spot in the Games. Legacy always looked down on me."
Hero never imagined such a family dynamic would be possible. Fighting amongst each other? His parents had always been supportive of everything that did. "Well, he doesn't seem like the kind of person you'd want to get along with. You seem to have a better outlook than he does"
"What do you mean by that? You know nothing of me!" Regal snarled
"I mean that you will prove him wrong, that you'll show him that he should look up to him instead."
Regal's demeanour shifted. "I will."
"Just play his games for now," Hero suggested. "And we'll get some better advice from Shimmer." He added.
"That'll really annoy him," Regal said, letting out a light chuckle.
"How so?" Hero asked
"De Loughreys and Astors never got along. Particularly Legacy'' Regal answered.
"Well, then I'm sure Shimmer will be more than happy to help us out then. "
"I think we are going to get along very well, Hero."
—
Hero waited anxiously by his chariot. This was the moment he had been waiting for the entirety of his life. He was to be shown off to all Panem, as District One's pride and glory. He looked over across the room to see if the other tributes were also on edge. The two stood by each other, stern and serious. Tethys, the girl from Four seemed to act as if she was above it all. Kaito sat with his back lent against the chariot.
"Why are you looking around Hero?" Regal whispered
"Just scoping out the competition the First time we've seen them properly" Hero answered "See if we can talk to any of our allies before training starts."
"The Two's don't seem interested. " Regal said
"Kaito looks like he might be" Hero suggested
"You go talk to Kaito, I'll speak to Tethys. Leave the Twos till later"
"Going for Four as well?" Hero asked
"Legacy doesn't much like Four. Getting closer to them will surely annoy him."
Hero walked over to the Four's chariot and sat beside Kaito.
"Ah, one of my allies has come to talk to me early. Tell what lured him. My natural charm and allure? Kaito said playfully.
"Well, the Two seemed more concerned with each other, and your district partner seems to be closed off. Whereas you seem open."
"Natural charm and allure it is then. What'cha want to walk about?"
"Let's just start with properly introducing ourselves. I'm Hero Sol from District One"
"Kaito Hamasaki's my name, from District Four as you know already."
"You seem awfully laid back."
"Just how I approach things. Makes it easier." Kaito said.
"That makes sense. Seems like it's a skill that I haven't acquired yet."
"Capitol always loves the Ones. Not much to worry about. "
An announcement sounded calling the tributes to their tributes.
"Seems like our meeting is going to be cut short." Hero said, "It was good to meet with you, Kaito."
"You seem pretty cool as well. I look forward to working with you." Kaito replied.
—
From discussion with Legacy and Shimmers main goals today were: to meet his fellow Careers from Two and Four – one of which he had already acquainted himself with, look for potential dangers from outer districts and to show his strength and skill to all tributes. He headed down to the Training Centre, where he met up with his fellow Careers. Kaito was the last one to arrive.
"At last everyone is here?" Berthold declared, shooting a grimace at both of the Fours
"It's not my fault my district partner thinks he's on holiday," Tethys said
"I'm worth the wait" Kaito retorted"
This response angered Berthold, who let out a low grumble. Such animosity so early could not be a good thing.
"Let's not fight amongst ourselves." Hero said.
"Hero right we should be a unified front. Show the outers that we're their biggest threat" Regal said backing him up.
"This is hardly a fight, One" Hippolyta hissed.
"Well let's not let it escalate further." Hero said.
"Very well. " Hippolyta replied sternly.
"What's everyone's preferred weapon? Hero asked.
"Throwing knives," Regal replied.
"The axe, melee and thrown," Hippolyta declared.
"Longsword," Berthold declares, simply.
"The trident," Tethys answered.
"Spear and the shield for me." Hero said. "What about you Kaito?"
"No particular preference, just whatever I can get my hands on."
There was going to be no fighting between themselves, come the games and Kaito's flexibility was more than welcome.
"One more thing, I and Tethys will be the leaders!" Berthold declared.
Legacy was right about one thing. Berthold and was domineering. He seemed not to be interested in truly working with any others viewing their alliance as something purely methodical and necessary. He did not see it as a place where kinship and camaraderie could be found. Hero got along with Regal well enough and Kaito seemed to like him. Tethys seemed to fall a bit more in line with Hippolyta and Berthold. Such matters made Hero feel easy- as an alliance, they were all supposed to work together, something that half the alliance didn't seem particularly interested in, still it was early days. It was the first time that they had all properly met each other.
The careers dispersed. Hero had headed towards the weapons rack and picked up a spear. He gauged the weight and its feel, noting its difference from the one he had used in the academy. It would take some time to adjust to.
He threw it down the range and the target. The spear found its target. It seemed that the new spears had thrown his aim off at all. Though that's how things had always been; things coming naturally to him as if they were inherited attributes. Any changes would not throw him, he would adapt to them with ease.
He walked over to the spear rack to collect another spear, and throw it at the next target. He noticed Berthold watching him from the side, half-heartedly practising with a longsword. Did Berthold have his about him? What reasons could he have? It was most likely noting his mentors had probably just told him to check out the skills other than the careers. Shimmer and Legacy had told him to get to the other careers and get a feel for the skills that would certainly yield insight.
The next spear found its target, just like the first. The proceeding two first followed the path as the first two.
"You have good aim," Berthold said finally
"Shouldn't be focusing on your sword training." Hero retorted
"Nothing wrong with scoping out the skills of one's allies."
"You're better than most people back at the Academy in Two."
"Well there's a reason, I'm here and they are not." Hero said. The whisper of hostility was fitting for Berthold's confrontation demeanour.
"Of course." Berthold replied, "I'm better than them, after all, that's why I'm here."
"I'm sure you were the strongest back in Two. Here though things might be a little different."
Berthold smiled slightly, amused by Hero's response. By Berthold's standard, he was positively beaming. Hero was found that Berthold could be someone he could get along with. How could it be any other way? He could be with other people and subsequently, other people liked and got along with him. Sometimes it took that bit longer for people to click with each other as a matter of finding common ground. Friction between him and Berthold or any other of his allies was not something that was not prepared to even imagine.
"I'll guess we'll just have to wait and see," Berthold said
"I'm sure we will."
"I'd love to have you as a hunting partner, come to the Games."
The Games. The very reason stood here. For something of that weight it was not something that he considered that much. He had just been following the natural flow of things, sure that he was leading him down the right path. There was no reason to start doubting that.
"Same to you." Hero replied.
Berthold once again returned his attention to training and Hero swiftly did the same.
All proceeding as he expected.
—
The day of the private sessions had arrived. Hero did not have to wait long to be called, he was the second one to be assessed going just after Regal. He was confident and was quietly certain that he would attain the highest score.
"Hero Sol, District One."
Hero stood up and walked into the empty training hall full of confidence. He strode over the rack of spears and picked up one, throwing it at the target taking little time to assess the power and aim of his throw. Hero knew it would be on target regardless.
This was how things had always been, everything came naturally to him. He could have picked up any weapon in the gym and excelled with it. But the spear had always felt particularly natural and instinctive. It was an extension of his very being.
He walked back over the spear rack. He grabbed another spear, intending to throw at the target as he did before, but paused for a moment. Show them what you are truly capable of. He picked up another. If anyone could throw two spears at the same time and have them both hit the same target, it was him. Maybe, just maybe, he was pushing himself too far but he had every intention of showing the Gamemakers the full extent of his skill and he believed that this was the way to do it.
He launched both spears down the range with both of them hitting their mark. Hero decided just to throw one spear at a time, whilst did intend to show his talent, he didn't want to be too theatrical about it.
—
The evening had come. Hero and the rest of the District One team were waiting for his and Regal's scores to be revealed.
"First we have Regal De Loughery with a score of Ten."
"That's a great score!" Hero said
"You'll probably do better than me"
I'll have to get a score of11 or 12 for that."
"If there's anyone who could get such a score, it would be you."
Hero was inclined to agree with Regal, though he did not say as such.
"Next, we have Hero Sol with a score of Eleven."
Hero had come one step closer to achieving what destined to do.
"Told you," Regal said.
The rest of the scores were read out. Berthold and Hippolyta also scored tens. TheThrees had got a five and a six respectively. Tethys got a nine, and Kaito had managed an eight, giving him the lowest score of the career pack.
"Trust Four to get lower scores than us and Two." Legacy commented
Terra the girl from Five had scored a four, the lowest score so far. Her district partner scored six. The Sixes both got fives. The Sevens got scores of 7 and 6. The girl from eight also achieved 7. The boy from district eight got a mere Three. Hero pitied him and Terra both only twelve and was likely to yield the lowest scores of the evening. The rest of the scores passed by with Nine getting 6 and 5, and the Tens both getting sixes. The elevens and 7 and 8. Last of all both Twelves got five, which Legacy was quick to comment on was more than any tribune from Twelve deserved
He and Regal shared a look of resignation. They have gotten used to Legacy's arrogant tirades, though it made them no less tiresome.
Shimmer and Legacy and the District One entourage departed leaving Hero and regal alone.
"How are you feeling about entering the Games?" She asked
"I haven't given much thought to it"
"You haven't given much thought to the very reason for you being here."
"It's just.. that… I don't see how things could have turned out differently. I know saying that makes me very fortunate."
"Just ensure that your mind is focused come tomorrow." With that Regal retreated to her room.
He had said the wrong thing, hadn't he? But it was true and Hero was never keen on lies and deception. Candidness was a mark of heroism. Hero lingered for a while before he also chose to retire to his room and ruminate on what tomorrow would bring.
There was no reason to have any doubts, yet still, he thought he heard their whispers. It was nothing, he banished whatever whispers were an omen to the back of his mind. Tomorrow would continue the journey of achieving his destiny.