4 Storm

FOUR

She took a seat one of the tables. Everyone stared at her, but she just looked forward. The man leaned in and whispered something to the other woman. She nodded and started to type something at a small screen. She showed it to the girl from the mirror. She flipped through it and then stopped, touched the screen and returned it to the man. He smiled and typed something in.

Jungkook couldn't stop staring at her.

„I can't believe we got to see her." Person next to him whispered. „Isn't she beautiful?"

„Who is she?" Jungkook whispered.

„Isa Storm, one of the most celebrated warriors in the arena, goddess of battle. Don't tell me you never heard of her? She is a living legend."

They were then lead off the stage. Blue coat appeared again.

„You have incredible luck, boy." He told him. He lead him and two more to the car. „Wait here. Your Lanista will come soon. Be obedient."

Almost immediately a woman came and the two next to him gasped. It was the woman that sat next to Isa in the hall.

„I am your new lanista." She said, her tone firm. „My name is Fausta. Welcome to the Clan of Winds. Tell me names."

„Marco."

„Tobias."

„Jungkook."

Fausta nodded. „From today on, you are brothers. You sleep together, you train together, you die together. Now get in. I don't have the whole day."

Jungkook climbed behind Marco. „What is going on?" He asked as the car drove off.

„We were incredibly lucky." Tobias said. „Imagine. Clan of Winds. We belong to the most famous gladiator school ever!"

„Gladiator?" Jungkook flinched. They mentioned them in school. In ancient Rome, they were the fighters who fought to death in the arena.

„Don't look so scared." Tobias said. „Lanista Fausta thought Storm to fight. And Storm is unbeatable. I hope I get to train with her."

„Me too. How old are you by the way? I'm 27." Marco said.

„25."

„22." Jungkook said.

„The youngest." Tobias said. „Good luck, by the way. You look underfed."

Jungkook just shrugged. It looked like they reached their destination. The house was at least ten stories high. They were taken to the side entrance, because Fausta said they "need to deserve the honor of walking through the front door". Two girls stood in the patio and Jungkook recognized Storm instantly.

„You know Storm and Rose." Fausta said. Both smiled faintly. Storm looked at him and blinked twice, like she was trying to remember where she saw him before. „Those two and Ray will be your mentors. Where is Ray?"

„Probably sleeping." Rose said. „Can we choose?"

Fausta shrugged. „Fine. Storm first, since she did the picking anyway."

Storm's eyes never left his. „Him." She said.

„He looks like he will be snapped in half if a stronger wind blows." Male voice said form behind. „Are you sure?"

„Positive." Storm said. „Name."

„Jeon Jungkook." He couldn't help himself, he smiled.

Rose gasped. „I think I want him."

Storm turned to her. „Too late. Come along Junior. I am very busy so you will train when I see fit."

Jungkook hurried after Storm. She took him to a small room on the first floor. „I believe this was a closet at one point, but you need to earn better place. This is how everything here works. You have to earn things. The only thing that is given is food and training."

„I saw you before." Jungkook blurted out. „Twice. First time you were crying. Second time, you were wiping blood from your cheek."

Storm stared at him for a long moment. „The reflection in the mirror." She whispered.

„Yes."

„It changes nothing." Storm said finally. „Not why I picked you. Tell me, do you have any combat training? Martial arts?"

„I trained tae kwon do." Jungkook said. „But besides that, nothing."

„All right, Junior. Time for running. But before, let's see if I can find you some clothes." She disappeared through the doors, just as Marco and Tobias came in.

„What is she like?" Marco asked.

Jungkook smiled as wide as posibble. „Wonderful."