Sigma
– So, what does this mean?! – Nari dropped a stack of towels, – you’re going to open the season?!
Leo shrugged. It had been almost three weeks since their quarrel. During that time, security around the ghetto had doubled. Passes were signed only for a certain period, and Nari had been completely denied any exit to the city. So there was no reason for a new argument. Three days after the loud scandal, Leo came to Nari himself. And silently placed a plate of rice buns on the table. Just as silently, he left. The next day he made her cocoa. And another day later, without a word, he prepared dinner.
Leo had always been like this. Sometimes Nari thought she actually had an older brother who cared for her, cooked delicious dinners, slipped her pocket money, and took the blame for any of her misdeeds. He always made up silently. Never apologized, never forced her to apologize. He simply began to slowly return to her life. And that’s what he did this time. And now, he was sitting on Nari’s couch, watching her tidy up the room. She was doing this only because she was incredibly bored.
– I don’t understand, – the girl quickly picked up what had fallen, – why you? And with whom?
– It turns out I’ve set my sights on Yomiya, – Leo replied, – she submitted the lists. And the opponent will be some Tento. From the northern ghetto.
– You don’t know anything about him?
Leo shook his head.
– Never even heard that name before.
– Most likely, someone from the newcomers, – Nari pondered.
– Haha… newcomers… – Leo said, – was there ever anyone who spoke about us like that?
Nari remained silent. Perhaps someone had spoken. But they didn’t hear it. Each year, three candidates were selected from each ghetto for the Arena. And every year, they had to sing at the roots of the World Tree. Singing transmitted the energy of life to the Tree. If two red flowers bloomed on the Arena altar – both omegas had the right to participate in the next season, to move up a level. If one flower never opened its petals, the omega that failed vanished. Nari guessed what happened to them. But she continued to deceive herself.
Nari, Leo, and Iris were the thirteenth. Those considered veterans of the Arena, who had already passed more than three levels. They never saw their opponents again. And that was frightening. Every new year, every season could be their last. And considering the dire state of the World Tree, she suspected that this year, the Alphas would try to get as much as they could from the omegas. Sacrifices were inevitable.
– Who else is on the list? – she asked quietly.
– Our star trio, – Leo smirked, – me, you, and that snake.
– You mean Iris?
– Who else? – Leo drummed his fingers irritably on the table, – although, in any case, better him than someone else. He has a better chance of advancing to the next stage than anyone.
– You know, Leo, – Nari sat beside him, – I really can’t figure out what happened between you two. Maybe I just don’t have the brains for it, but you, our smart one, enlighten me. We were friends.
Nari was lying. As strange as it was for her, she understood the essence of the problem. But she was curious whether Leo understood. But judging by the innocent, calf-like look on the boy’s face, he had no idea.
– God knows what’s going on in Iris’s head, – he said, – everything started changing gradually after that incident. And why all of a sudden…
The “incident” Nari remembered perfectly. When they were 17, they climbed the wall. Of course, it was Nari’s idea. Leo was against it, but Iris always supported the girl’s ideas. It looked like Leo was their supervisor, watching so the two wouldn’t get into trouble. They always had fun together, it was interesting. They experienced all their teenage adventures together. But that day everything changed.
After the rain, the wall was slippery. Leo begged them both not to climb, but who listened to him? They should have. Nari slipped, and Leo rushed to save her, but accidentally stumbled and fell. At that moment, Iris dove after him. He caught Leo, and they fell together. Iris took the full brunt of the impact. Nari managed to hold on and pull herself up on the ledge, while the boys were hurt. Both were hospitalized.
– We fought in the hospital, – Leo said, – I told him he shouldn’t have taken the risk. My shields would have saved me. He was supposed to pull you out. And he blew up…
– And after that, everything went to hell, – Nari sighed, glancing sideways at the boy, – yeah, yeah, it’s unclear why he...
After that incident, Iris began to distance himself from their company. He increasingly avoided meetings with Leo, his words became harsh, and then he started provoking conflicts out of nowhere. Leo got annoyed, Nari got angry, but remained silent. Because she saw that despite the drastic change in his character and behavior, Iris constantly supported Leo and Dion. At every examination, he drew a lot of attention to himself so that the two could discreetly blend into the crowd and disappear right after scanning. He was the one constantly flirting with the nurses on duty, coaxing them for medicine for Dee, so Leo wouldn’t have to do it. And he constantly kept an eye on Nari, to make sure she didn’t get into any trouble. He did it to protect…
– Nari? – Leo touched her shoulder, – will you take care of Dee?
– What kind of question is that? – the girl looked at him skeptically, – you’re her brother, you take care of her.
– But if I…
– One more word – and I’ll hit you, – Nari hissed, – I’m warning you!
Leo smiled sadly and reached for the girl. His arms came together on her back. Nari didn’t push back, her breathing was even and calm. Leo sometimes hugged her. When he pulled her close, his heart raced wildly, and his hands trembled slightly. That’s how one hugs when they don’t dare to confess their love. Such hugs always convey that you are safe, you won’t be forced into anything. Warm embraces from someone who will stand aside and not insist until you take the first step. That’s how someone hugs who knows their feelings were never reciprocated. Tender embraces, with a hint of sadness.
***
The Arena was at the very roots of the World Tree. Every year, the opening of the season was attended by the heads of all Alpha clans. This year was no exception. At the top of the amphitheater, surrounded by security, they watched a show they had invented themselves. The opening was always crowded. Every seat was taken, even the aisles had people sitting. Betas adored the singing of omegas. Mostly because they had no idea what it meant for the omegas themselves.
Nari and Dion sat in the allocated row for omegas. This year, the convoy escorting them was twice as large as usual. Dee constantly looked around, studying every guard, their equipment. Meanwhile, Nari couldn’t take her eyes off Leo. He and his opponent, the fragile and short Tento, stood in front of the two crimson buds. If one of the buds didn’t bloom, the omega who failed would vanish. They would either be killed or sent to the farm – it was unknown.
A figure rose from the Alpha seats. Nari barely held back a shudder. Just his gaze made her freeze. Cipher Adelson, head of the most powerful clan, president of the Favorit corporation. The most influential dominant Alpha in all of Katoria. Long black hair, slicked back into a sleek ponytail like a raven’s wing. Ruby-colored eyes that pierced through her. In their first meeting, Nari lost her voice. She couldn’t even move from her spot. Her hands trembled, and her breath caught. He smelled of danger. She felt the scent of his pheromones, coarse, sharp, like spicy herbs. His gaze frightened her numb. This was how a predator looked at its prey before leaping after it. Cipher Adelson made it clear with his entire presence that her life was in his hands. One word from him – and she would be on the farm. Or in his bed. Or her blood would water the roots of the Tree.