"ELLIS!"
I screamed as I saw him lying down on the floor, with a knife stuck on his left thigh. He was wearing this tight pink latex swimsuit, spikes on his arms, nets on his thighs, and messed-up hair. I ran to him and he looked at me with his dilated eyes and said…
"The f/uck are you doing, Trick?" he whispered.
I slowly turned my head at the back and I saw all of them sitting on the chairs. Then, I turned my head to him and murmured. "Oh, shit. Are you performing?"
"Yes! Rain on me! Go away!" he mumbled.
I ran towards the back and sat on the empty chair. I saw them all giggling because of what I've done. Oh, gosh. This is totally embarrassing.
Fei sat on the other side of the room and he looked serious, still. I observed him, and even Taki was talking to him and he was smiling and laughing, I could tell that something's bothering him. I felt bad about what I did.
I couldn't talk to my team right now. I'm feeling uneasy about everything. Anyway… I just watched Ellis perform Lady Gaga's hit song.
All of them here were cheering for him. I remained quiet. Still thinking about what happened.
Then, I heard Eneko calling me. [Master?]
[Yes, Eneko?] I replied in my mind.
[Just wondering… Have you thought of a name for us?]
I sighed. I haven't given it a thought. I was too busy showing off, which is really bad.
[I will let you know once I return.] I just said.
The entire time Ellis was performing, I was just thinking of a name for my army. While he was actually performing, I thought of those artists and their fandom names. So, Lady Gaga calls her fans 'little monsters'. Ariana Grande's fans are the 'Arianators'. I think Taylor Swift called her loyal fans Swifties. So… What now?
How about… Tricksters? Nah, borderline tacky.
Trickles? Borderline weird. I mean, they're not just droplets.
Trick or Treat? Trickies? Trickerbells? Ugh. I can't even think of a name. I'm the definition of the borderline dumb.
After Ellis's performance, the people clapped their hands. The Filipino twins even whistled loudly. Even the little bitch Benedetta was cheering.
"So… Thank you, my little flames, for that wonderful applause," Ellis said.
[Little flames. Wow. Of course, she's Miss Conflagration. That's just the right name for her fans.] I thought.
"For my next song…" Ellis was about to speak, but Mrs. Akira Xing arrived at the grand hall and interrupted her performance.
"Dear, I hate to cut short your wonderful performance, however, for the time being, we need to discuss something as preparation for your upcoming tournament. My son, Wang Lei, reported to me that The Krieg will take place on a vast island called Orkatta. It is a special place where the participants must go to Northern Siberia in Russia to enter the portal to Orkatta, which was heavily guarded by the Sovietskys. Now, Orkatta, we may not know much about this land, but I want you all to prepare for the worst. As a gift from the Xings…"
Mrs. Xing opened her hand and there appeared several rings and they all went to each one of us. All of these gold rings contain a stone of varied color. Mine's black. Like a black diamond, I guess?
"These rings will serve as your protection to any foreign land you go, specifically to detoxify you. The air you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat. Anything that you consume. I hope this will help you especially in the dire time you most need it."
Everyone clapped and thanked Mrs. Xing. I observed their rings. They all have different colors, but mine is black. Does that entail a certain meaning?
"Gramms, how's Dad?" Jia asked.
Mrs. Xing replied. "He's on his way home now, together with your mother. Business-wise, everything's already settled in our European branches."
"How about Mom and Dad, Gramms? The last time I talked to Mom was this morning. She didn't mention about going home," Haru spoke.
"Oh, they are also going back here in Manhattan tomorrow. Asian branches are doing well too. They just informed me a few minutes ago," Mrs. Xing replied to Haru. They'll be here tomorrow to give all of you more support or assistance in your magic. My dear children, I may not expect you all to win, but at least, all of you shall return here safe… and alive. Please take good care of yourselves wherever you go. I wish you all the best."
As much as all of them would like to stay to watch Ellis for more performances, they all decided to sleep early, so tomorrow, they can all prepare further. Fei was the first one to leave the room, and the rest followed. Ellis, Haru, and I remained at the grand hall. Although Haru was about to escort Ellis out of the room, I asked Ellis to stay with me in the meantime.
We went out, to the mansion grounds, to get some air. I told him what happened before between me and Fei.
"You almost killed him?" Ellis asked.
I sighed in disappointment. "I didn't know that I created this monster. I just think imaginatively." Of course, that's a lie. Ufara helped me with this
"Well, now you know. How is he holding up?"
I sighed again. "He's not talking to me after I interrupted your 'Rain On Me' performance. So, I'm gonna have to share your bed tonight."
"And jerk yourself off to sleep? Nuh-uh, honey. Sleep somewhere else. Go to the Marasigans' room. Not a bad idea, right?"
"Well, I suppose…" I bit my lower lip, then Ellis slapped me.
"Now, you're taking the slut slot from me? And you're slutting in your boyfriend's pad? The slut of it all!"
"Bitch!" I shouted. "That hurt! I was just joking. As if Fei and I are officially boyfriends. But, hey, how about you and Haru? Did he really do it? The injection?"
Ellis laughed. "I may be a slut, but I'm not a kiss-and-tell bitch."
"What are best friends for? You used to watch me flick my bean!"
"This one's special, Trick. Haru is special. Of all the guys I've met, he's really something. So… I'm gonna keep it a secret for now. Anyway, what are your powers aside from fire? Mine's more of transformation, though. That's what I wanna focus. Transforming things," he replied.
"I can do elements, some transformation too. I can also do summoning. I guess I haven't explored much on the combat side, you know? But I'd like to learn it, like kung fu, or karate, or anything that doesn't need superpowers. Just for immediate attack, yeah?"
"Ooh," Ellis uttered. "how about weapons? Have you thought of any weapon yet?"
"No, actually. You?"
Ellis brought out little toys from his pocket. "These are some."
I checked the items that he took out. There are stuffed flowers, kittens, puppies, hearts, and all the fancy things, hand-stitched from a piece of cotton fabric, and in the size of gummy bears. You know those chewy jellies? "These are cute bombs. They explode on my command. So, I'm like in a fight, right? I'm gonna slide these to my enemies' pocket or shirt or whatever. Then, I can just detonate it when I want it."
That's so badass! I have never imagined Ellis does such innovations. At least, he has those. How about me? Should I just rely on my team?
My team whose until now, I don't know what to call them…
"Work, bitch!" I snapped my fingers to applaud him. Then, my eyes landed on his necklace. "Oh, you're still wearing the necklace Haru gave you. The Camo, right?"
"Oh, yes. This necklace is the center of my power. Sometimes, I just want to engrave this in my body, like Tony Stark did to his chest, so it's forever in me. You know, I don't want to lose this in that Orkatta land," he said, which is totally a great idea.
I then flickered Valenti I wouldn't like to lose this too. My team is in here. "How about we ask them tomorrow how we can do that?"
"Yeah, sure. But for now… You won't stay in my room," Ellis stated.
Then something registered in my mind. "Hmm, are you planning on blowing Haru's dick tonight?"
Ellis laughed. "I told you. I don't kiss and tell."
I laughed too. "Bitch, I know every guy you've had in all the boroughs of New York City. Do you want me to start in Manhattan? Upper, Midtown, and Lower?"
He smiled nicely. "Come on. Spare me this one, please? I don't want to jinx this, okay?" He then stood up and walked towards the door. "Good night, my best buddy. Have fun sleeping here."
"Hey!" was the only word I said when he slammed the door. So… Where am I gonna sleep tonight? Plus I haven't created a group name for my team.
What if…
What if I stayed in Valenti the entire night?
But… How about my body? What if someone attacks me in here?
Maybe I'll try hiding in Valenti where my team is.
Valenti?
V…
Wait… How about I call them…