As I was pulled away from the royal garden, the sight of the beautiful roses and lavenders quickly disappeared behind me, leaving a lingering feeling of loss and despair in my heart. The large men who dragged me were relentless, their hands bruising my arms with their firm grip. I tried to keep my head held high, but the weight of my fate was too much to bear.
Inside the carriage, I found myself surrounded by other young women and men, all of us chosen for The Selection. Their faces mirrored the hopelessness I felt, and the air was heavy with an atmosphere of gloom and fear.
Chloe Bourgeois, once beautiful in her pure white crystal-covered dress, now looked like a shattered version of herself. Her mascara-stained tears streaked down her cheeks, and her clothes were now now torn and disheveled. She huddled in a corner, a bristling mess of emotions.
I mustered the courage to approach her in the tightly packed carriage, trying my best to offer comfort despite my own turmoil. "Hey, are you alright?" I asked gently.
Chloe's shuddering form jerked towards me, her bloodshot eyes glaring daggers at me. Snot dripped down her nose and she wiped it with the back of her hand in an unladylike way I wouldn't have expected from someone of her status…well, former status, at least.
"Alright? Of course, I'm not alright! Look at what they've done to me!" she spat, gesturing towards her torn dress.
"We're going to be fine," I said, although I wasn't even sure anymore if I was trying to assure myself or Chloe. "We're going to be fine. Maybe we can all plan a team escape, or we can protest, or maybe somehow someone else will volunteer in our place last minute, or—"
"Shut up. You know nothing." Chloe hissed. She leaned forward, so close that the tip of our noses touched and I could feel her breath on my face. "Being a Hero isn't some cute storybook thrill with a happy ending. It's a death sentence. Killing a royal is a crime. This should be a crime." Her fingernails dug into my arms and I let out a loud, pained yelp, toppling over backwards.
As I fell out of the moving carriage, the world around me blurred into a whirlwind of chaos. My body hit the ground with a loud splash, and I found myself immersed in a large puddle of icy water. The shock of the cold seeped into my bones, leaving me shivering and disoriented.
Before I could fully comprehend what had happened, the men in uniforms—The Dark One's henchmen—hastily dragged me out of the puddle. My wet clothes clung to my skin, adding to the chill that now permeated my body.
"You foolish girl! Watch where you're going!" one of the men snapped, his tone filled with annoyance.
I winced. The bruises on my arms throbbed, and my whole body felt sore and achy. The henchmen's grip on me was rough, and I felt utterly defenseless.
They led me to another carriage, this one much smaller and less luxurious than the one I had been in before. The interior was cramped, and the air felt suffocating, making the despair I already felt even more palpable.
As I huddled in a corner, trying to get away from the cold draft that seeped through the carriage's cracked windows, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of loneliness. I had been isolated from the rest of the people chosen in The Selection. Chloe might've been absolutely deranged, but at least she talked to me.
My mind raced with thoughts of the life I had left behind. I missed my family, my parents, and Alya. The ache in my heart intensified as I thought of the pain and worry I must have caused them. They must be wondering where I was, what had happened to their daughter, their friend. I wished I could reassure them, to let them know that I was safe, but I couldn't even be sure of that myself.
As the carriage continued its journey, I shivered and hugged my knees, trying to find some warmth and comfort within myself. But the cold and dampness had settled deep into my bones, and my injured tailbone throbbed with every bump on the road.
My thoughts drifted back to Chloe, who had been in the same carriage as me before the fall. I wondered if she was okay, if she was still cursing me inside her head, or if she had completely shut herself off from the world.
The carriage rumbled on, the sound of its wheels grinding against the road becoming a constant, rhythmic reminder of the slow descent into what was likely a new hellhole of a life.
As the weariness and cold overpowered me, I found myself slipping into a fitful slumber. But my restless sleep was abruptly interrupted by a firm hand shaking me awake.
"Get up! We've arrived," one of the henchmen yelled, his face an emotionless mask.
I groggily rubbed my eyes, trying to adjust to the sudden brightness outside the carriage. As I stepped out, I was met with a breathtaking sight—a massive, palace-like training facility loomed before me.
The grand building was an architectural marvel, with towering spires reaching towards the sky and intricate carvings adorning its pristine white walls. The entrance was guarded by men in sleek uniforms, their eyes sharp and vigilant.
The interior was even more lavish than the outside. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm glow over marble floors. Elaborate tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of knights and heroes in henchman guiding me offered no explanation as he led me into the facility. He waved at some other men who were guiding the rest of the selected people, and we now travelled together as a group.
As I was led into the grand training facility,, I couldn't help but be awestruck by the opulence that surrounded me. The intricate, fancy glass mosaic window - similar to the ones found in churches and grand palaces - illuminated the palace foyer with a kaleidoscope of colors, making the place feel both magical and imposing.
As I tried to take in my surroundings, a figure emerged from the stairs, his black hair dyed turquoise, giving him a unique and mysterious appearance. He wore a Turquoise tunic that seemed to complement the colors of the stained glass, along with black pants and a black belt. His fingers adorned with rings and his ears with earrings, he looked like someone who belonged to a world far beyond my own.
Stepping into the light, the colorful rays from the window illuminated his face, giving him an almost ethereal glow.
"Welcome, newbies."
His voice was calm and inviting, like a gentle breeze cutting through the tension in the room. I found myself drawn to his presence.
"I'm Luka," he introduced himself. "I'll be helping you get acclimated to the training facility and guiding you through the process."
As Luka spoke, some of the fear and uncertainty in the room seemed to dissipate. His aura of calm authority and the beautiful surroundings made him seem like a beacon of stability in this chaotic new reality.
With a small smile, Luka motioned for us to follow him. "Come, let me show you around. Guards, thank you for your service. You are now dismissed."
As we walked through the hallways, Luka explained the different areas of the training facility. Lavish tapestries adorned the walls, depicting heroic scenes and grand landscapes, further emphasizing the place's grandeur.
"The training facility is designed to hone your skills, both physical and mental," Luka explained. "It's a challenging process, but it's necessary for those who have been chosen in The Selection. This is a huge honor and you should be very proud."
I listened intently, trying to absorb every piece of information Luka shared. Despite the luxurious surroundings, I couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. I felt like an insignificant speck in our spacious surroundings, and everything was unknown.
"Based on the way everyone seems to have different levels of panic—" Luka swiftly dodged Chloe's attempt to lunge for him, "—I assume some of you know what your future is and some of you don't. I also assume some of you have been told untrue stories."
"They're true, you liar. How would they not be? I was a royal before you tore me away from my home and your stupid men ruined my clothes." Chloe snapped.
Luka remained composed, his turquoise hair shining under the light from the stained glass window. "I understand that this situation is overwhelming for all of you," he said calmly. "But let me clarify some things. Yes, some of you may have heard stories about The Selection that are not entirely accurate. It is true that being selected means you are now candidates to become Heroes, but the process is not as bad as you have likely been told—"
Chloe's face contorted with frustration and anger. "Not as bad? I had everything, and now I'm stuck here with all these commoners!" Her voice trembled with emotion, and her hands clenched into fists.
"I didn't mean to belittle your feelings," Luka replied, resting a hand on Chloe's shoulder. "What's your name?"
"Chloe. Chloe Bougeois to you." Chloe mumbled, hands still clenched in fists as she stared at her feet.
"I know it's a lot to take in, Ms. Bougeois. But try to understand that The Selection is a chance for everyone, regardless of their background, to prove themselves. Becoming a Hero is about bravery, strength, and determination."
Chloe scoffed, her tears mixed with defiance. "I don't need to prove anything to anyone. I am a Bourgeois, and that should be enough."
Luka sighed, seemingly unfazed by Chloe's hostility. "In the end, it's your choice how you want to approach this journey. But know that everyone here is going through their own struggles and fears. We should try to support one another rather than tear each other down."
Instead of uniting us, the situation seemed to breed hostility and division. Outraged cries broke out amongst the crowd.
"Enough talking. Show us around and get on with whatever it is we're supposed to do here," Chloe demanded, wiping away her tears with a quick, angry swipe of her hand.
Luka's smile hadn't faltered. Either he had an extraordinary amount of patience or he simply didn't care. Probably a mix of both, I thought.
Nevertheless he nodded and continued the tour, introducing us to various training areas within the facility. There were large open fields for combat practice, classrooms for learning about history and strategy, and even a library with ancient tomes filled with knowledge about the kingdom's history and the Heroes who had come before us.
As the tour came to an end, we were led to our temporary living quarters, where we would rest and prepare for the training that lay ahead. Luka read aloud who would be roommates with whom.
He continued down the list, "Adrien with Nino, Ivan with Kim, Alix with Mylene, Sabrina and Rose, Adrien and Nino, and lastly, Chloe with Marinette.
The very thought of being confined to such close quarters with someone who had shown nothing but hostility towards me filled me with apprehension.
Chloe's expression mirrored my own feelings as she shot a glare in my direction. "You've got to be kidding me," she growled, clearly displeased with the arrangement.
Luka's eyes softened as he looked at both of us. "I understand that you two may have had a rough start, but I believe that sharing a room can be an opportunity for growth and understanding. It's important to try and find common ground with your fellow candidates. Who knows, you might discover that you're not so different after all."
Chloe crossed her arms, her lips forming a stubborn line. "I highly doubt it, but whatever."
Luka smiled, undeterred by her defiance. "Give it a chance. You might surprise yourself." With that, he bid us goodnight and left us in our room.
As the door closed, an uncomfortable silence settled between us. I sat on the edge of my bed, not daring to meet Chloe's gaze. I knew that this living arrangement would be challenging, but I had to try and make the best of it.
"Look, I know we don't exactly get along," I began tentatively, "but we're going to be sharing this room for a while. It would be better for both of us if we at least tried to get along."
Chloe rolled her eyes, clearly uninterested in making amends. "I don't need to be friends with commoners like you."
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure despite her hurtful words. "Fine, we don't have to be friends. But can we at least try not to make each other's lives miserable? We're all going through a tough time here, and the last thing we need is unnecessary conflict."
She seemed to consider my words for a moment before huffing in annoyance. "Fine, whatever. Just stay out of my way, and we won't have any problems."
I nodded, accepting her reluctant agreement. It was a small step, but at least it was something. I knew that building a friendship with Chloe was unlikely, but finding a way to coexist peacefully was essential for both of us.
The room fell into an awkward silence once more. The fatigue from the day's events was catching up with me, and I knew that a good night's sleep was crucial for the challenges that awaited us.