By the time Seth Colls had exited his classroom, most students had dispersed from the hallways. There had been a few stragglers left chatting away, but most students had left the school already. As Seth passed a group of students chatting away and couldn’t help but overhear bits and pieces of it.

“-couldn’t sleep man. The way he decked him and knocked him out? I didn’t think that was possible. Can’t wait for tonight’s stream.”

“ I know right? That was an amazing comeback! I thought the porcupine freak was gonna win, but he just punched straight through! Spikes and all! It the finals for this season of rooftop challenge, right?”

When Seth heard the topic of the conversation, he deliberately slowed down to hear more about the fight. He had missed watching the last fight himself as he was focused on trying to finish a certain assignment

Rooftop Challenge. A popular streamed event between two fighters who duke it out between each other on abandoned rooftops. The fighters were usually awakened, people with powerful abilities that was out of the norm. One could call upon the elements, transform into a terrifying beast, or perform feats that’s couldn’t be explained by science. Almost 50% of the world were considered awakened. Unfortunately, it was discouraged to wantonly use abilities in public for fear of public disturbance in Seth’s City. Those caught using their powers without reason would be either heavily fined or sent to jail.

So where was the Awakened suppose use their abilities if they weren’t allowed to show their powers in public? The Rooftop Challenge was the answer that people came up. It wasn’t uncommon for someone who had just awaken to want to test out their powers especially for the young and reckless. These fights use to be done in secrecy, away from public eyes, however awaken fights could be unpredictable and disastrous. There was enough property damage that could bankrupt a company. This continued to give the city government headache for quite some time.

No one realized it, but eventually these fights were filmed and streamed secretly. People realized there was money to be made and decided to make an exclusive streaming service for duels between the awakened. The fighters on the stream could gain fame and money depending on how well they fought. The government had turned a blind eye as it acted as an outlet for the Awakened, but also decrease the amounts of complaints and property damage that occurred.

“We all know who’s going to win tonight right? It’s gonna be King Kong right?”

“Duh! He beat this guy last year! Man I wish I was also an Awakened. Can you imagine what kind of powers I would get?”

“Probably something lame. Something like turning into ant and getting squashed-”

As the conversation began to change topics, Seth picked up his walking speed to the school exit. Even if the classes were over, he still had one final place to go and be educated

***

It took about 15 minutes to get from Seth’s high school to the park, 10 minutes if he actually rushed the trip. He headed for one of the small hills on the side of the park. It was away from the more popular parts of the park and obscure enough to be hidden from view. There was a large oak tree growing on it, not on the peak of the hill but close enough. The tree towered above Seth, it’s branches and leaves providing ample shade for him. As he stepped up to the tree, the shadows wavered and darken. At the base of the tree, the shadows grew to Seth’s height, beckoning him in. With a quick look around to avoid peeking eyes in the nearby vicinity, Seth stepped into the shadow which swallowed him up.