Prologue I:

One Year Ago

Seraphim Lukianas

"Oh Ophelia, you are literally a lifesaver," Seraphim sighs as he can just barely see a coffee cup slide across the table towards him from where he rests, his head on a pile of medical textbooks. He grabs the to-go cup and pulls it towards him, clutching the warm beverage he's been drinking by the gallon. "I don't know how I could ever get through med school without coffee."

"I'm not Ophelia."

Seraphim immediately picks up his head, more alert than if he just had five shots of expresso. He blinks a few times and rubs his eyes, wondering if he has fallen asleep and this is just some weird dream that he's having. Because there is no way the blue haired woman is sitting across from him right now in the university library. "Did I fall asleep?"

The woman across from him laughs loudly at him, bringing glares over to her from a few people nearby who are trying to cram for finals like Seraphim was just doing. Ophelia stands behind her, her eyes wide as she looks at Seraphim and gives him a shrug, clearly having no idea how this is actually happening. "You might have, based on the drool on that textbook, but no, you are not asleep right now," the woman tells him and Seraphim awkwardly glances down at his textbook and closes it to hide the drool stain he left. "Allow me to introduce myself."

"I know who you are," Seraphim says in an awed whisper.

The woman smirks at him and lifts up the sunglasses from her eyes before reaching across the table to shake his hand. "Lisia Arune, Head Gamemaker."

Seraphim takes her hand, still looking at her with what must be a dumb expression on his face. He still thinks he might be dreaming right now. "Um…pardon me if this is rude…but why are you in the university library during finals week? And why are you talking to me of all people?"

"No need to pardon yourself, it's not rude," Lisia tells him as she leans back in her chair, crossing her arms as she stares across the table at him. "I'm here because, believe it or not, I'd like to retire soon."

"So the rumors are true," Seraphim mutters to himself before clearing his throat at the disapproving look Lisia gives him. "Sorry… I still don't understand why you're talking to me. I'm just a poor struggling college student who just wants to pass their finals. And you're…" He gestures at her, really in awe of the woman and everything she has done with the Hunger Games. "You're legendary."

"No need for flattery, Seraphim," Lisia tells him, but he can see she enjoyed the compliment. "I will let you get back to your studying soon, don't worry. But I have a proposition for you."

Seraphim raises his eyebrows at her, before looking around to make sure she's really talking to him. "Okay…" he says hesitantly, still feeling like this is certainly a bizarre stress dream brought on by finals week.

"Look, I am getting ready to retire in the next year or two," Lisia tells him, leaning forward to rest her arms on the table. "I have been searching for someone to take over after me. I refuse to have just anyone take over my legacy. Someone that I can start training now so they can work with Fabio – the only one I trust to take over for me right now, even if he doesn't want to – who will take over after me in the transition years, before they are ready to truly be the Head Gamemaker." Lisia puts her elbows on the table and clasps her hands together before resting her chin against them, staring back at a wide-eyed Seraphim. "I've searched through many programs. The students training to be Gamemakers right now suck. I need a bright mind. Someone who can take an idea and bring it to life while also making it thrilling and exciting. Someone who can weave a story together with the tributes. Someone who knows when to wait and when to move the pawns on the chessboard together."

"Well that's not me," Seraphim tells her, shaking his head.

"Not according to your professors," Lisia remarks and Seraphim widens his eyes a little. "I've been talking to the faculty here to find their brightest students, regardless of their field of study. And you," Lisia points over at him, making him freeze up in fear of the powerful woman, "You have been recommended more than any other student here."

Lisia stares at him for a long moment before continuing, "So, Seraphim, I have an offer to make you. Will you start training with me now, learning all about what it takes to be a Gamemaker, so that someday you can become the Head Gamemaker?"

"I…I don't really know what to say," Seraphim tells her honestly, never having thought about being a Gamemaker. Not when he was always so fascinated with becoming a doctor someday. "It's not something I've ever thought of and I really want to be a doctor-"

"How about you join the medical team for the 136th Games?" Lisia interrupts him and he stops, considering that offer. "Get a little taste for what being part of the Games is like. I have a feeling you'll reconsider my offer then."

"I…" Seraphim looks up at Ophelia, finding his friend nodding her head aggressively to get him to agree. And he wants to. What a cool interning opportunity that is? "Would I get to see the victor right away when they win?"

"You would be on the hovercraft that picks them up," Lisia says, leaning forward. "One of the very first people that gets to greet them as a newly crowned victor."

Seraphim shuts his eyes for a moment, picturing himself standing on the hovercraft after Elliot has announced the victor of the 136th Hunger Games. Who will it be? Will it be an underdog that he always roots for with his mother? Or will it be a career victor? Or an unexpected outer District powerhouse? Who can say? But all he knows is that it would be dumb to pass up that opportunity. He opens his eyes to find Lisia staring at him expectantly. "What if I want to keep being a doctor?"

"Then you are welcome to stay on that team," Lisia tells him, but her face says otherwise. "But I think once you have the taste of the Games, you'll be working by my side for the 137th Hunger Games."

Seraphim really doesn't think that will be the case…but he'll let her think that will. "I accept your offer then."

"Excellent," Lisia answers, a smirk instantly on her face as she stands up. She rests both hands on the table as she leans forward to stare down at Seraphim, making the young man sink back into his chair from her intimidation. "I will have someone on the team send you more information and set up a meeting time so you can be prepped before the Games start. I'll also set up a meeting for you to tour the Games Headquarters with me. Good luck with your finals. I will see you soon. And just think about how Head Gamemaker Lukianas sounds."

And with that, the Head Gamemaker slides her shades back on before walking out of the library, her heels loud and distracting on the tile floor, but she doesn't seem to be bothered by it as she walks with her head held high. But, Seraphim supposes that's the sort of confidence you gain when you are the Head Gamemaker for fifteen years. A Head Gamemaker that just offered him to train with her and take over for her someday…

"Seraphim, I love you, but you are a fucking idiot sometimes," Ophelia says as she slides into the now vacant seat across from him. She crosses her arms and shakes her head at him. "Did you really just turn down the opportunity to get trained to become the Head Gamemaker?"

"Did that really just happen or am I in a stress induced dream right now?" Seraphim asks, frozen in place by everything just happening. Ophelia leans forward and smacks him on the side of the head. "Ow!" He says, rubbing the spot she slapped. "Okay…definitely not dreaming…" He reaches for his coffee with shaking hands, getting overwhelmed by all of this. "I'm not qualified for this. I'm just a stressed out college student."

"Seraphim, again, you're a fucking idiot," Ophelia tells him once more. "When are you going to realize how brilliant you are and your potential? Lisia Arune has noticed it."

Seraphim shakes his head at this, taking a slow sip of his coffee, his brain overwhelmed and unable to focus on a single thought. How is this happening to him? "I can't believe this is real life… I need to call my mom."

All aboard the hype train! It is that time, once again, to embark on the start of another SYOT! *waves party noise makers* Welcome to Legacy: The 137th Hunger Games! This story is something I've had the idea for for a long time so I'm very excited to finally get going with this!

The way this story is going to work will be just like Wayward. It is a partial SYOT with each District having a featured tribute spot. Those are the tributes that will have POVs and be focused on. Any of the featured tributes have a shot at winning! Four of those featured spots are my own tributes and the rest, along with the non-featured spots, will be submitted by you! Now obviously the non-featured tributes aren't seen as much. They're still a crucial part of the story and if you show you're still actively reading, I'll make sure we see them a good amount.

The featured spots this time around (excluding my four) are: D1M, D4M, D6F, D8M, D9F, D10M, and D11F!

Also, like always, I have a blog for the story! It is up right now at legacy137th . weebly . com (just remove spaces, obviously) and at this time, it's mostly info on the mentors and Capitolites. Eventually it will have info regarding the tributes! And warning: the mentor list contains spoilers for the Wayward victor.

Subs are open right now and all the info is up on my profile. I've already gotten quite a few good tributes and I'm really excited to see what you submit! Subs are going to be open until I finish up the four prologues, so earliest the end of August, but also maybe some time in September. So no rush on that! I'll get a more definitive deadline in the next prologue or two! There are also escort subs, but at this time, only D1 and D4 are open! There are some familiar faces returning and some new ones. Info on subbing an escort is also up on my profile!

I really hope you will join me on this crazy journey and send me your craziest tribute ideas! So buckle up and get ready for chaos because we're upping the stakes in Legacy. You thought Wayward was crazy? Just wait. Lisia is going out with a bang.

See you soon with the second prologue where we'll take a look at the first bunch of mentors! Half will have POVs from their Games and the other half will be more present day POVs! (well, as close to half as you can when you have 11 mentors lol). Anyways, see you after Senseless Party Part 1 and Wayward Epilogue 1!