Micheal paused what he was doing and stared up at the towering figure in front of him.
The guy in front of him was Victor, a towering figure who had been terrorizing him for weeks, collecting a weekly "debt" of 50 cents, a supposed repayment for the 2 dollars worth of food Victor claimed Micheal had knocked out of his hands in the canteen.
But Micheal knew the truth - he had been sitting alone, minding his own business, when Victor walked by, tripped, and spilled his own food.
Yet, Victor had used Micheal as a scapegoat, demanding he pay back the money, and every Friday, he would come demanding for 50 cents with his fist clenched, ready to strike if Micheal couldn't pay.
The memory of Victor's previous bullying flashed through Micheal's mind - the public humiliation, the snickers from classmates, and the feeling of helplessness.
Micheal's anger rose.
"I don't have anything," Micheal said trying to calm himself.
Maybe because he had just brushed pass death in Elyria this morning ,Victor's normal towering figure didn't seem so towering anymore, so instead of fear he felt anger while remembering the humiliation he suffered
The classroom fell silent, with all eyes fixed on the unfolding drama.
They knew how these things end up.
Either Micheal is beat to a pulp or .... He is still beat to a pulp.
There was no way around it, Victor after all was most likely the strongest in their grade and he always found a way to bully who ever he wanted.
"You're telling me you don't have 50 cents? Again?" Victor's voice sounded deep and threatening. "You're really pushing your luck, Micheal. I swear, you're begging to get hurt."
Actually Micheal couldn't just understand this guy, probably because He, Micheal had no friends apart from Alex and always behaved low key, Victor thought he could do anything to him.
Well, he actually could do anything to him, he was stronger than him and had gang like friends who were always ready to help if things went south.
So Micheal despite the anger brewing in him instead of the normal fear, still behaved as he would do normally.
"I really don't have anything here, please....." Micheal said but was cut of halfway.
Victor's sneer deepened. "Please? You think 'please' is going to save you? I don't think so. You're going to pay, Micheal. One way or another. You can either hand over the cash, or we can take a little trip to the bathroom. Your choice."
"No please? Then go f**k yourself in that bathroom" Micheal reply followed up almost immediately while fuming and his eyes shining with anger, he didn't forget to point in the direction of the bathroom.
Time seemed to stop as everyone watching the drama had their eyes widened.
Even Micheal was surprised by his own reaction but damn the consequences, he actually could have done this a long time ago but he was scared of them picking on his sister.
The classroom went silent, the only sound was the heavy breathing of the two boys.
Micheal's heart was racing, he has never done this before, it felt good but what will happen now?
Alex who was getting ready to plead on Micheal's behalf was shocked.
What the hell was wrong with Micheal?
Even the whole class wondered, they couldn't lay their hands on where the courage came from.
Victor eyes widened in shock, he couldn't understand what just happened. He knew Micheal as someone who was always pleading, so this sudden burst of confidence?
Where was it from?
Just as Victor was about to do what he does best.
The bell rang out loudly, its sharp tone echoing through the corridors and classrooms of the school.
As the last notes faded away, a woman's voice came over the intercom.
'Attention students,' she announced. 'All individuals above the age of 15 are required to gather at Hall D immediately. Please make your way to the hall promptly. This is not a drill. Repeat, all individuals above 15, please report to Hall D at once.'"
Most of the students in Henry's grade were of the age between 16-18 with few cases of 19, Victor being one of them.
"You are dead meat" Victor said to Micheal as he turned and left.
Micheal watched as he walked away, he didn't really feel any thing from the threat.Alex walked up to him while looking at him strangely.
"What's wrong? Why that look?" Micheal asked as he looked at his best friend.
"Nothing really but you surprised the whole class just now because nobody really dares to stand up against Victor including you before" Alex replied while shrugging his shoulders, he was surprised but not much.
He knew Micheal too well if it wasn't for his sister He would have long traded blows with Victor even if he ends up getting beaten.
Micheal hated people like Victor the most.
"By the way, why do you think they gathered us? Do you think it is related Elyria" Alex asked feeling excited.
"Should be." Micheal replied while the scene of Elyria flooded his mind, surprisingly to him, he couldn't wait to get back into the game.
GroundofAwakening? Powers? Whatwasthatmonster?
Micheal silently thought, his interest piqued. He glanced at the bracelet on his wrist, he couldn't really wait for much longer.
As everyone made their way to hall D, Micheal could hear people trying to guess the reason they were suddenly called to the hall.
"What's going on? Why are we being called to Hall D?"
"I have no idea, but I hope it's not another boring assembly."
"You guys haven't heard about Elyria? And how the school is planning on hosting a completion based on it?"
"Who doesn't know about Elyria?"
Another student who couldn't hold himself any longer asked
"What's ELYRIA?"
Everyone stared at him and burst into laughter, with someone even replying mockingly.
"Bro where are you from? Even the unborn baby in my mother's womb knows about it."
Another round of laughter could be heard.
As the students entered the hall, they started chattering and murmuring, everywhere was pretty noisy.
The hall was pretty big though.
The stage at the front of the hall is set with a large podium, the school officials were surprisingly present at the back of the stage looking stern and serious.
But what caught everyone's attention was the presence of the city officials.
The murmuring increased and nobody could why city officials will suddenly come to their school.
Everyone was more shocked when another person walked through the entrance of the hall.
"The mayor?"
Everyone was shocked.
Seeing the mayor was a very rare sight.
Just as it seems like the noise is reaching a fever pitch, a loud sound echoed through the hall.
It was a hammer that was struck, like the small one used in court to demand order and quietness.
The room fell silent.
The principal, a tall, imposing figure, stepped up to the podium and surveyed the crowd with a stern expression.
The principal had a bright eyes and a sleek appearance, he looked to be in his late 40's.
Seeing that he had everyone attention the principal smiled and said.
"By now I believe everyone knows about the virtual reality game Elyria"
Its Elyral after all .... Micheal thought
What puzzled him more was what made the city officials come here in person.
Is ELYRIA really just a game?