Author's Note:
I hope you guys are enjoying this arc! It's my first time trying an arc that's focused more around slice-of-life rather than mafia. I hope I don't disappoint! Not to worry, there will be action too!
Chapter 18: A Commotion Explosion!
The start of day two was definitely way more hyped than day one. And it should be. You see, day two is what we students of Venice High likes to call the 'Day of Conquer'. Why? Because today is the day where every club, showcase, groups and activities will challenge each other in a desperate bid to take home the Badge of Creativity. Wearing it signifies that you are better than anyone else in Venice High in terms of Creativity, Passion and Commitment. Today, the public takes the seat of the audience, and are granted the opportunity to judge and decide who is more deserving of the award at the end of the day. Whereas yesterday was the day of interaction and entertainment, today is the day of victory and competition. I just hope I don't get caught in the crossfire.
"All right! Let's give our best today!" The prez say out with vigor and brimming with confidence. "Yes, Mdm!" The class replied. Huh, they seem more enthusiastic than I thought, though we are just a bunch of game stalls. Still, I don't be a spoilsport or anything, so I went along with a smile on my face.
As I walked towards my stall however, the wind blew stronger and colder than before. As I looked around, a reflex action from the cold, I had this really strange feeling. It felt like strangers had surrounded me, their voices drowning my thoughts and making it harder for me to think. Instinctively, I find my hands reaching for Fenris. Then, the feeling disappeared, and I find myself standing under the blinding sunlight. Was it my senses? Was it a dream? Shaking my head, I continue walking as I dismissed such worries.
Come to think of it, did something happen yesterday? I kinda feel like I came across some important information. As I got to my seat, I shivered. Indeed, it does feel colder today. As I got on top, I felt like I reached a mountaintop, as I could see the whole Festival from up here. I could see that some of the students wasted no time, and were already starting their acts and performances. I could also see Aria as well as my Famiglia already here, walking around and enjoying the performances. Still, one can't help but feel confined as I sat up here, being a target and all.
Soon, I can almost feel myself dissipating into the seas of sound, color and people. The beat of the boomboxes from the dance clubs makes your body bounce with each note, from Hip-Hop to Classical, we even have some people Free-stylin. The bands are of course, at it again. The competition between the bands had always been very, very strong, so you can hear songs churning out every few minutes. This year, though, they seem to be spicing it up a bit, I can hear the Military band playing timeless classics and the Orchestra performing some of the more recent hits. Strange stuff. My nose was also assaulted by the multitude of smells coming from the food and beverage stalls scattered all around. It seemed this year, each class had at least one food and beverage stall, so the variety in food is quite diversive. You can even hear the sizzling as the food is getting cooked.
Yeah, trying to describe the things happening seems pretty lame, huh? "Sigh..." I gave out as I slumped back on my seat, above the tank of freezing water. Because of what little luck the public had when they tried my stall yesterday, no one seems to be coming at all. I doubt I would have the slightest chance at winning the badge.
Still, the whole festival was a commotion explosion, as the crowds were definitely larger in number than yesterday. From my height, I could see the students working way harder than yesterday, they seem genuinely yearning to win that badge, interacting with the public more as well as trying hard to draw the public's attention. I see some of the more lowly tactics such as stealing customers and propaganda being used also. Soon, shouts, roars and cheers exploded forth, turning the feeel of the place to that similar to a sports competition. Some of the attractions and showcases that I had forgotten yesterday, such as the Haunted House and Cafe, is now brimming with people. The Haunted House seemed to have gotten their hands on more better quality costumes, and now, they actually look a bit scary even in daylight. I wonder if they planned this, that they kept the best for day two. I also heard from a group of girl walking pass, that the Cafe has gotten a whole new menu, complete with extravagant food, handsome waiters and cute waitresses. I feel sorry for those people who could only come for the first day.
Would you have believed me if one of the biggest commotion, one that draws about half of the public's attention, is actually happening in one of our stalls? As the boredom grew, I find myself looking to find out just what had the crowd so engrossed. It turns out, it was the 'Test of Wits' that Sergio was in charge of. Sergio's stall was quite close to mine, so from my elevated height, I could see what was happening. There, smacked dab in the middle of the circle of people, was a table, and atop of it, a chessboard. At each sides was two guys, staring at each other and at the pieces with intent. Sergio was at one side, and the other is the guy with similar hairstyle, Gamma. No words was given as they engaged in what I think is the players thinking of which move to make. Gamma stands at the side of black, while Sergio stands with white. Wait, is that a chess clock? I thought they were only used in competitive games?
That was when Sergio moved the first piece. The pawn in front of his king moved up a space. "Whoa!" Someone shouted from amongst the crowd, gasps and chatter erupted soon after. It seems that one move made everyone excited. I only sat there with a confused look on my face. "What happened?" I blurted out. I'm not that good at chess, okay!
As the crowd whispered and discussed among themselves, I find myself at a loss at what was happening. That was when a guy suddenly yelled out. "It's the King's Gambit!" "...Huh?" I responded back with even more confusion. That name explained absolutely nothing. I find myself staring at the chessboard and its pieces, trying hard to figure it out by myself.
Before anything else happened, Gamma made his move. I didn't quite catch which piece moved where before another voice shout out once again. "The Panteldakis Countergambit!" That name incited even more words from the crowd. "Intense!" Another guy voices his opinion. "Doesn't this put himself at a greater disadvantage?" A girl asks out her worries. "Such high level gameplay!" An adult declares, stroking his chin at the sight.
"Penta, P-Pantel, what?" I find myself asking out loud as the words draws nothing from my mind. " Ah, I give up!" I whined, looking away from the match. I'll never understand chess. Sigh, looking at it will probably make me even more restless.
The day went by really slowly as I sat atop the tank, sitting and staring at everything else that was happening. Seriously, not one soul has tried my stall since this morning, and I feel like I'll fall asleep at anytime. Honing in a bit, I could hear everything that was happening. The laughter of children, the drop of water from a small leak from my tank, the screech of metal when the stick hits the cymbal. In a stroke of chance, I found myself turning and looking at the main school building. The Festival is held in front of the school, so from my position, I could see the rooftops clearly. As I scanned the walls, from window to window, my eyes caught sight to a small, scurrying black dot that was moving across the white rooftops. Upon closer look, it looks.. like.. a baby? In black leather with a motorcycle helmet on his head? "What the heck?" I uttered out as I squint my eyes. Once the baby was atop the highest point of the school and above everyone else, he started talking.
"My name is Skull, veteran commander and strategist of the-"
"He's gearing up for a promotion!" An excited fan of the still going match cried out. That drew me back into the match, turning my attention away from the baby. I know what a promotion is. Sergio once told me that when a pawn reaches its eight rank, or the opposing end of the board from where it was, it can be 'promoted' to another class. A sort of upgrade, in a more game-like term. "Queen!" Sergio calls out, indicating his choice of class in which his pawn will promote into. As interesting as it was to look at the board and see Sergio switch out the piece, my imagination took over. I see in my mind a soldier, bruised, cut, and covered with injuries, stand atop a mountain. He stood in a position that made him look like he accomplished something great. Then, with a deep breath, he bellowed with his arms stretched out. "Promotion!" I could see him heal from his wounds, and his body was then magically covered with robes of magnificence. A crown appeared on his head, as make-up appeared on his face. Lip-stick and eyeliner replaced what cuts and wrinkles that were present before.
"Ugh.." I gave out by reflex, as I realized how disgusting the image I was imagining was, squinting my eyes in horror. I shake my head as to push the image out of my mind.
Still, ignoring that baby was my mistake. Standing on the rooftops, the baby shivered with anger and irritation. He was annoyed at the fact that no one is listening to him, though he seems to be oblivious to the fact that it was because of his higher-pitched voice, which made it easier to ignore. Suddenly, the wind blew colder. That was when he drew a black pistol from his suit, and pointed it to the sky. "Don't ignore me!" He screamed out frantically as he pulled the trigger. "Bang!" The sound burst forth, stopping everyone and everything that was happening immediately.
I wasn't sure, but I know that Sergio, me, my Famiglia and the Giglio Nero were the first to react, turning our heads towards him. I find my hands reaching for Fenris as the silence continued.
"My name is Skull!" The baby declared once more, repeating that which was ignored. I find myself giving sharp and quick glances to Sergio and Gina and see them returning worried looks at me. "Veteran commander and strategist of the Calcassa Famiglia!" He declared again, boasting with his words. "Calcassa?" I uttered softly to myself. It's that Famiglia that has been causing so much trouble for everyone. They were the ones who tried to hurt Ines. "Today, we, the Calcassa, will take Venice as our own!" He cried out, his words almost like a battle-cry. He then drew out a walkie from nowhere and held it to his helmet. "Snipers, fire!" Though it was subtle, I was sure he painted me as the target.
"Wait, did he say snipers?" I yelled out in surprise. "Everybody get down!" I screamed out at my classmates as soon as I realized the danger. Suddenly, I stood up from my seat as my body instinctively moved to dodge an incoming bullet. As soon as I did, the sound kicked in as the bullet zip past me, deafening me for a second. "Whoa!" I called out, even though it was barely audible to myself. Before I regained my sense of hearing, three more bullets zoomed past me in sequence. I could feel my blood pump faster and the adrenaline surging as I twisted my body, bend down low and, in a quick, fluent motion without thinking, hopped upwards. When they stopped, I was holding my body with only my left hand, my body in a straight, horizontal position. I hope no one saw that. The bullets struck the metal pipes, the water tank as well as some of the tables below. Still, they gave me a pretty good idea where the snipers were. Drawing my Legacy Arm out of my holster, I call it out.
"Fenris!" The call drew forth wind and energy, pulsing from the white aura around me. Ignoring all that, I threw my aim at where the snipers were. At that moment, my vision blurred before coming back with depth and clarity. I could see clearly those that were hiding behind walls and structure. My body now lighter than ever, I aimed and shot at the four of them with no delay. One can barely catch the bullets grind through the air before the snipers fall one by one.
The shots drove the crowds into a frenzy, a feral instinct of fear and panic. Darn it, how far are they willing to go for control? As the question roared in my head amidst other emotions, I was already making my way down the tank. The panic was getting to me too.
A few members appeared on the rooftops, making their way to Skull. "Sir, the snipers have been taken out. Your orders?" Skull twisted his fist and cracked his knuckles. "Do whatever it takes to secure the area, I'll handle Zanna myself." Those were his last words before he leaped off the roof and into the sea of people.
"We have to run!" I hear voices screaming out, crying desperate shouts. "Get, get away!" A guy roars out as he pushes a mother and her toddler daughter to the ground. It was painful to look. Soon, panic has all but engulfed the area as everyone dropped what they had in their hands and ran to get as far away from the Festival as they could. I find myself slowly making my way through the crowd. I wasn't quite sure what to do yet, but I know I have to meet up with Kiera first. With my enhanced sense of sight, I could see Mafia members, probably from the Calcassa, surrounding the place, armed with firearms of all sorts. They haven't attacked anyone yet, probably because their target is just me, but the public don't know that.
As I got close to Kiera, Sera and Vito, they already had their weapons in their hands, except for Kiera. "Kiera! Uh.. Right. Emergency protocols! Protect the innocents and evacuate them from the premises!" I gave out orders I never thought I could. "You heard the boss, move!" Kiera gave out as she broke off to a dash towards the entrance, probably to retrieve her shield or help take out those who would block the path. "Roger." Sera responded with her serious look, jumping and making her way up each stalls, with her collapsible staff in hand. Vito only began strolling towards the bulk of the crowds, looking as uninterested as usual. Still, I had no time to order him to get his game face on.
Just as I was gonna head towards Sergio and Gina to see if they're all right, I caught a glimpse of my face reflected on a black surface, before realizing too late that the one called Skull had thrown a punch towards me as he leaped from the crowds. I only managed to raise my arms to guard against it. In that second the strike connected, I could instantly feel sharp jolts of pain, before feeling my muscle tensing, crushed by a huge force. Soon, the force overwhelmed my body.
The next second, I was flying through the air, as I did, I could see people crying, some injured, some unconscious already, and I gripped Fenris harder. Landing, I crashed against one of the stalls that had been set-up, collapsing the wooden stall completely with a loud crash.
As I lay disoriented, I could feel my body numbing, even in my Awakening. I pushed the feeling away, shaking and clearing my head of dizziness.
"All right, time to get to work."
The end of yet another chapter. Seriously, it's getting harder and harder for me to write this arc, I don't know why. I hope the story in this chapter doesn't feel out of place. Please voice out anything that seems weird when you read it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!