Warfare Between Lost Hearts

EPISODE TEN: The Meeting

New morning, new beginnings. The Cipher and the other existing factions decided to start up the upcoming game meeting to explain the rules of the game. The room was filled with alcoholic drinks and some music that indicated a little party that was about to happen when the meeting ended. All wore their most beautiful dresses and tux because it was a formal occasion after all. The whole facility was guarded by the Philippine Military itself and the place was off limits to the people who don't live in the country. All representatives came except the Utopians though they did an online call just to hear the rules.

Keisha from the corner, who stood with Zhackary while taking a sip from her wine glass, rolled her eyes, “Is he frightened of showing his ass up here?” She chuckled in an ironic way before she could continue her next sentence. “Well after all, who wouldn’t be scared after some ‘beast’ strangled him almost to death?”

Zhackary who was standing beside her tapped her on her shoulders and signaled that she should control how she speaks. After all, the only people aware of her beastly behavior were none other than Cipher officials themselves. Not a moment later, a guy in black uniform entered. His eye glasses and his light blue left eye indicated that he was blind, and it explained how this man was honorable by his very stance.

“Damn he is cute…”, Rhianna reacted with her eyes glistening towards the man in black. Her lips agape then gasped at a realization, “Wait, the hottie’s familiar. But I couldn’t remember who…”

Shino, who was standing beside her, widened his eyes out of surprise when he heard his friend compliment this mysterious guy. He breathed his air to speak; his voice came out perfectly as if you were listening to a humble narrator in most films. 

“Good morning everyone. As many of you are aware, I am the head of the organization that covers all the factions against the terrorists that are attacking us. There had been a report submitted to me about the battle between two of our main factions. People even died because of this fight that you should’ve all used against the ones who are terrorizing our country. In any case, even if we put it on words and legal terms, nothing’s gonna change. So, I picked up the Cipher’s recommendation of what could possibly be the answer to this fight.” He stopped in a direction where Keisha was standing, pulled a subtly amused expression. “But, whatever law lies in this country does not apply in NJG’s turf. Meaning, Cipher was never at fault for the death cases that rose days ago. Our code states that whoever started an aggression was in definite hot water and not those who defended.”

The unknown man pulled a document from his case and neatly put it on the table in front of him.

“The one named Keisha Vista suggested a capturing game. The rules are very simple. There will be two factions who are battling each other. Two types of roles. One is the Hunter and the other one is the Sprinter. The Hunters have one goal: it is to capture the flags of the Sprinters in a given period of time. If all seven flags are obtained, the Hunters will win. If the Sprinters successfully defend their flags until the time is up, the Sprinters will win. Of course, there is a rule prohibiting the use of weapons that can harm or in the worst-case scenario, kill the enemy. If there are no other questions or violent reactions, that concludes our meeting for today. You all can now enjoy the drinks.”

The gentleman got down and served himself a nice beverage and met some of the faction’s heads. After greeting some of them, he finally got to have the chance to meet Ciphers as well. 

“Good day ladies and gents, how’s the little party I prepared? Don’t worry, you can rest assured, this place is completely guarded and 100% safe from outside battles. The guards are my personal trusted allies so if everything happens to you, it will all be my responsibility”, he greeted the members with full respect and politeness as what gentlemen do.

The impatient Rhianna walked and attempted to greet the young man. Her curiosity about the familiarity of the chap in an expensive suit got to her, and non-reluctantly she approached with informality.

“Hey so... Uhmm. I am Dr. Rhianna. Cipher’s Archery Coach and serves as the guide of the new biotech coach.”

“Also, my co-worker and… the second one under me”, Shino butted in, giggling as a form of teasing his best friend.

“Whatever!”, the annoyed Rhianna rolled her eyes then proceeded to where she wanted to imply, “Anyway, it is very nice to meet you.”

The man laughed in a manner that he was astounded by her approach. He spoke softly then kissed her hand that gave Shino a sour look of disgust, “Pleasure is all mine”. 

Rhianna blushed about what the gentleman did and was puffing her chest nervously. On the other hand, Shino was tearing up from keeping his laughter inside and not embarrassing himself in front of many people. In fact, he’s ready to use the opportunity to expose her funny stolen pics to get a five-hundred peso bill.

“I must say, you have a very lively crew Mr. Zhackary”, the man said with a hint of joy in his voice.

“Well thank you sir. I got the best team I could ever ask for. And it has been an advantage of me to work with my classmates back in our senior years”, Zhackary replied confidently.

“And who is this young lady over here? This is the first time I see her”, he said as soon as he noticed Keisha standing beside Zhackary, whose eyes were focused on something else in the room: the cheese fountain.

“Oh, she is the one who sent you that document. The mind behind the games”, said Zhackary then poked Keisha on her shoulder. She quickly snapped out and noticed the unfamiliar person offering a handshake.

“Oh! You must be Ms. Keisha Canna Vista. It is very nice to meet you.”

She glared at him and won’t take his offer, looking like a child with serious trust issues.

The young man giggled out of her response, so he said to at least make her comfortable around him, “Don’t worry, I am not gonna kiss those hands.”

Keisha then reached her hand, shaked her hand with him and subtly moved behind Zhack; still scowling at him. And not a second later, her eyes drifted away once again towards the cheese fountain that she wanted to bathe with. Her imagination was currently running wild about the sodium-filled dairy delight, eyes locked as if she was hypnotised.

“This is also the first time we saw you, what is your name?” Rhianna spoke excitedly with a bit of flirting which she’s succeeding because she’s undeniably seductive.

“Oh, I am sorry if I didn’t introduce myself first all this time. It’s just that almost everyone here already knows me, so I got straight to the point”, he chuckled, obviously enjoying his time conversing with them.

“You can call him whatever you want, he came with a lot of different codenames, actually someone called him the fool back then”, Zhackary snorted as he poked fun at him.

“You can also call me Nix for short. And really Zhack, do you really have to mention that embarrassment in front of this pretty lady?”, he sneered at the one who’s giggling his ass right at this moment.

Rhianna cut by and said, sounding like a real nerd, “Oh jeez, the fool is the one from the tarot cards, right? It means a person who is curious about all things in this world. I’d say it’s a pretty cool name.”

Amazed by her smart trivia, his smiling eyes widened and said, “Oh wow, thank you. That’s actually an amazing symbolism, you’re really bright for a beautiful lady.” 

Not a little while, another man from the neighbouring base called him. He politely spoke, sight affixed to Rhianna, “Welp, I guess I have to go, there are still a lot of faction heads I need to meet.”

“I’ll see you again soon, pretty lady.”

Nix jumped right off from one faction to another, talking formally like a typical businessman stating the necessary information he would give.

“Oh my god, he called me a pretty lady”, said Rhianna, bursting in bliss.

Shino told her sarcastically with the most boring tone, “Congratulations, someone actually likes you.”

“Oh, shut up, you just don’t have taste in girls.”

Zhackary turned around and faced Keisha who was seemingly hiding behind him.

“Are you okay?”

“Well, certainly, I am”, she answered, with her eyes still fixed to the cheese fountain but she couldn’t go near it without Zhack telling her to eat anything she wanted. She’s pretty shy about heading there at all and might go uncontrollable chugging the fountain from one of the three blind mice.

“You seemed intimidated by him. Don’t worry, he is a very good guy”, Zhackary said then he finally noticed the reason why her mind’s flying the entire time. “You know what? If you wanted the corndogs and cheese sauce, you could’ve just gotten yourself one or told me that you wanted it. You’re almost drooling all over.”

“I am NOT intimidated, mister”, she replied, pouting like some child. Couldn’t blame her more since she’s a cheese addict ever since her heart began beating in her mother’s womb. She paused for a minute then continued her speech, “Can I get five of those corn dogs and a whole bowl of cheese sauce and camembert?”

“What’s up with a lot of cheese? Eww”, the lactose intolerant boy, Zhackary said.

“I’m in a mutual relationship with cheese, okay? You can never have too much cheese”, Keisha replied and hovered across the table with thick corndogs and cheese fountain with him. She began stuffing the food in her mouth like a squirrel and getting messy all over because of the cheese dip she’s having. The sight became a bit of delight to the lad, that her character changes once the things that comfort her were given.

Zhackary rolled his eyes and said, “You seriously look like a child with bad eating habits.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

The party ended and the faction heads started to return to their bases. Rhianna and Shino were so drunk that they couldn't even walk and both looked so messed up. They returned back to base safely and with the help of Keisha’s strength, she put Rhianna into her room. Zhackary and Keisha met each other in the hallway on their way to their own rooms. There was an awkward silence between them as they both looked so tired.

“So... How was the party?”, Zhackary began speaking.

Keisha replied, holding a plastic bag containing the cheese sauce, camembert and a lot of corn dogs, “I find it quite well. I got the thing I've asked for, about the games anyway.”

“Tell me… were you really intimidated by Nix?”, he asked her.

Keisha grunted in frustration, “Come on. I already told you I wasn’t. Are you really into knowing what I think about him? Well then, Rhianna was right, I find him quite charming. So what?”

“Oh really, okay then”, Zhackary replied bitterly that Keisha noticed. His eyebrows raised at the sudden compliment that wasn’t catered to him.

Zhackary became a bit upset at the thought and walked past Keisha telling him good nights. Keisha suddenly felt a prick on the left side of her chest. Not knowing how to respond to his cold reply nor even identify her own emotions, she tried to do something about it. Without any reluctance, she just spoke up.

“You look… cute as well… Zhack. I am not sure if that’s the appropriate word for it.”

Zhackary stopped walking after what he just heard.

“But, that doesn’t mean to imply that I am attracted to your looks or any shenanigans. So goodnight and have a good rest”, Keisha trembled after seeing him pause from his walking. Her eyes widened like that of an owl and immediately sprinted back. “Did I say the right thing?”, then said to herself, trying to reflect.

Keisha ran back to her room and shut in, leaving Zhakary’s face hot red. He then carefully walked as he almost jumped on his way. 

The lassie jumped in her bed, staring at the plain white ceiling, in thought of the happenings and her own self. “What the f**k am I saying? He’s still unapologetic about his gaslighting behaviour. Why would I immediately forgive a person who made me feel guilty for a little infatuation?”

“Besides, I can’t even remember what he did to our past relationship. I don’t want to be taken advantage of because my mental being is vulnerable.”