Legacy Of Altherion

Bracken university hosted an annual Tri-university tournament comprising of both athletic and academic events. The winner of the tournament received a generous monetary prize for their university, as well as the glory of dethroning the reigning tournament champions for the past ten years, the prestigious BU.

The roar of the crowd reached a fever pitch. Thousands of feet stomped on the concrete floor, sending thunderous vibrations from the stands all the way to the edge of the sports field. Each spectator cheered for their team with infectious fervour, unrelenting screams and whistles. Nathan and Bradley sat among those spectators, proudly wearing the green and yellow colours of Bracken University. They chanted and cheered for the BU soccer team, who led the match against Faro University by two goals to one.

"Just twenty minutes to go, do you think we'll be able to hold on to the lead?" Bradley said.

"Probably, our defense has gotten better in the second half. I think we'll score another goal soon." Nathan said.

"That would be awesome, there's no way they'll be able to come back from a two goal deficit."

Nathan got off his seat. “I'm going to the restroom."

"Can you bring me a bag of potato chips and a can of soda on the way back?"

"The match is almost over."

"And your point is?"

Nathan sighed and made his way down to the restroom on the second floor. He passed a familiar face he wished he hadn’t. With a swift motion, he turned his back towards Professor Groves, and sidestepped along the rail pretending to be focused on the match.

'Please just ignore me, please just ignore me.'

"Mr Gremzor!, Over here, Mr Gremzor!" the dreaded gruff voice yelled over the crowd.

Nathan sidestepped from the third exit all the way to the second, refusing to remove his gaze from the field. When Professor Groves finally relented, he dashed towards the restroom.

Although the stadium seats appeared to be packed to capacity, quite a few people gathered around the kiosks, or simply lazed around the area. Nathan queued in a line of ten people waiting to buy snacks.

"You seem to be quite popular with the Professor, Nathan Gremzor." a hypnotic voice said behind him.

The familial tone of the statement startled him more than the sudden mention of his name by such a distinct voice.

His mind raced as he did not recognize the woman’s voice immediately. He decided not to overthink it and turned around.

"It's a curse." he said, then froze.

The woman had brunette hair in a bun, with a straight cut fringe a few inches above her hazel brown eyes. She wore a baggy BU hoodie, and black sweatpants.

‘Damn, she's gorgeous!’

She laughed at his response. "Well I suppose that's true, he can be quite overbearing."

Nathan shook his head.

"I'm terribly sorry, I don't mean to be rude but ,do I know you?"

The woman frowned.

"You really don't pay any attention in that man's lectures do you?" she said. “I'm actually surprised at how fond of you he is."

"You're a classmate..."

"What gave you that impression?"

Nathan grinned.

"Perhaps your blatant stalking while I meditate during lectures?"

"Is that what you're calling it?"

"What would you call it?"

"Being hung over after various meetings." she emphasised the word meetings with air quotations.

Nathan’s eyes widened.

"You handed in my assignment on Monday!"

She rolled her eyes. "Now he remembers me. Jeez Nathan, if you’re going to entrust your work to someone at least try to remember what they look like."

"Your hair was down, so I didn't get a good look at your face."

"Excuses, excuses, how much deeper do you want this hole to be?"

"Next!" a rough voice yelled from the snack kiosk behind him. When Nathan turned his head, he noticed the person in line ahead of him leaving the kiosk.

"He's calling for you." the woman said, turning around to leave.

"Yeah. Hey wait, what's your name?"

The woman glanced at him with a mischievous smile.

"I would tell you, but you probably won't remember it."

"See you around Nathan.”

"You're really not going to tell me?"

"Nope."

Although frustrated for various reasons, he couldn’t contain the corners of his mouth as he watched her leave.

Nathan returned to his seat and handed the snacks to Bradley.

"Thanks. What took you so long?"

"The kiosks were very busy."

Bradley nodded. "I see, I thought as much. Hey, we scored another goal.”

"Yeah, I heard the announcement. That should settle the match.”

Nathan’s thoughts shifted to the woman at the snack kiosks. Although brief, their encounter left quite the impression.

Bradley tapped his shoulder. "Hey, what's with that look?"

"What?"

“Don't play dumb with me, I know what that look means." Bradley wiggled his eyebrows.

"What happened while you were getting these?" he said, before forcing a handful of potato chips into his mouth.

Nathan turned his head. "Nothing."

"I don't believe you."

“Chew and swallow before you speak.”

“Don’t change the topic.”

Realising his friend would not relent, he decided to tell him about his eventful encounter at the snack kiosk.

"Wait, so you're saying that you've been in the same class as this hot chick, and you haven't spoken to her until today?"

"We've spoken before, but briefly."

"How is that even possible? I mean, I get that there are a lot of people in those classes, but how have you not noticed her before?"

Nathan chuckled. "Well, that's because I usually sleep during that specific lecture"

“Oh.”

"Anyway, I'll definitely see her again so I'm not too worried about it."

Bradley nodded.

“Hey, I won’t forgive you if you don’t ask her out or get her number next time.”

‘I should have asked for her number!... I’m such an idiot.’

“Yeah, I’ll make sure of it.”

The referee blew his whistle three times signaling the end of the match, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause as BU was declared the winner of the match.

Following a week and a half of gruelling competition, the Tri-University tournament came to a close. To no one's surprise, BU ended on top of the scorecard yet again. This year's competition turned out to be the toughest in recent memory, with all three competing institutions breaking records and setting new standards for the tournament.

Traditionally on the last day of the tournament, spectators had the opportunity to participate in various activities around campus. The spectators represented their respective universities in various mini games and challenges. A day of fun to release stress and tension built up over the course of the tournament.

Nathan and Bradley strolled around campus observing the various stalls and games on offer. The relaxed atmosphere spread a jovial mood around the university.

Bradley stuffed his face with as many treats as he could fit in his hands, to the extent that Nathan resorted to scolding him like a child.

"We won't stop at another snack bar until you finish what you have in your hands!" Nathan said after their second snack bar.

"Let's go over there" Bradley said, mid-chew, pointing to their right.

Nathan raised his brow, prompting Bradley to swallow his food and present his empty hands.

After a quick inspection, Nathan asked him to repeat himself.

"Let's go to that one, it looks like they have caramel popcorn!"

"Let me guess, it's your favourite."

"How did you know?"

Nathan couldn't help but laugh at Bradley’s genuine look of surprise. He nodded and the two headed over to the confectionery stall.

Nathan knew the drill by now. Bradley always asked a bunch of unnecessary questions, then taste tested everything in the stall before buying.

He turned his attention towards the other offerings on campus. He stood with his back against the wooden structure, watching the different games being played.

"Charlotte, I'm going on a break!" a familiar voice yelled to the left of him.

‘That voice, could it be?’ Nathan turned his head in the direction of the voice. His eyes widened.

"It's her!" he said under his breath.

‘Why am I so nervous all of a sudden?’ he felt a sudden spike in his heart rate.

"Hey that’s her, the woman from the snack kiosk" he said, turning to Bradley.

With half his body inside the structure, Bradley focused solely on trying every treat on offer.

Nathan shook his head.

When he returned his attention to the mysterious woman, it took tremendous effort and focus to keep his expression as normal as possible.

She directed a mesmerising smile towards him as they made eye contact.

She waved and mouthed a silent greeting.

Nathan grasped her intention and followed her example. He waved his hand in a semi circle across his chest, and mouthed “Hello” with exaggerated movement.

She giggled then extended her left hand, curling her index finger towards herself repeatedly.

Nathan pointed at himself in surprise, he mouthed “Me?”

She shook her head, pointing to a gentleman walking behind him. Nathan turned his head and smiled when he noticed her supposed target. He approached the man and spoke to him, pointing in her direction. She covered her flushed face while peaking through her fingers.

Nathan moved his hand left then right, pointing to different locations. The man responded by pointing to the left, Nathan shook his hand and nodded with a smile.

He approached the woman with a smug grin on his face. She lowered her hands and stared at him with narrowed eyes.

"Hey, nameless woman."

"And nameless I shall remain after that stunt you just pulled." she said, unable to control the corners of her lips.

Nathan laughed as he shortened the distance between them.

"So, how have you been?"

"Has someone noticed my absence from lectures? Nathan, I didn't peg you as a stalker.”

He gazed into her eyes then leaned forward. "Well, it's quite difficult to ignore the absence of such a beautiful face."

Nathan heard a faint gasp when he brushed past her face

“Even if...it's nameless." he whispered in her ear.

She burst into uncontrollable laughter.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine! It's Sam, my name is Sam. Are you happy now? Are you proud that you forced me to reveal my secret?"

Nathan grinned. "Yes I am, it's one of my top five accomplishments.”

"Nathan, where'd you go?!" Bradley yelled.

Nathan sighed.

"Your girlfriend is calling.”

"He can wait, he has loads of cake to keep him company."

Sam giggled. "I have to get back to the turkey race, my break is almost over."

"Turkey race?"

"It's a long story" she said. "I'll see you -"

"Hey, what are you doing tonight?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I was thinking of going to the festa, but I'll probably be bored out of my mind if I go with that idiot." he pointed his thumb over his shoulder.

"And?" she raised her brow.

"I'm seventy percent sure that I'll be less bored if you're there." he said. "I can probably push it to about seventy five or eighty percent if I really put my mind to it."

Sam pressed her lips together tight.

"I see, so what exactly are you asking me Nathan?"

‘You're really not going to make it easy for me are you?’

"I want to see you tonight, will you meet me at the festa?"

Sam stared at him for a moment.

"I'll check my schedule, I'm a busy girl you know."

"I'll be dressed as a vampire in disguise."

"What does a vampire in disguise look like?"

"You'll find out tonight at the festa."

“So, see you there?"

"Maybe."

Nathan grinned. "I'll see you tonight, Sam.”

He turned around and walked away.