MythoMorph☆

3

I woke up to a loud noise like pans being banged together. I complained but opened my eyes.

I saw light streaming in through the entrance of the cave. A very happy looking wolf trotted up to me. 

 “You slept in till lunch. Are you sure you're okay?” she asked as a swirl of blackness enveloped the wolf form. In its place stood the girl from last night.

  “Yeah… I just have a really bad headache but I'm fine, Luna.”
I said, standing up and brushing off the feathers that molted off. I ran my hands through my hair in an attempt to smooth it out and make it look somewhat okay. 

  “Okay well then come on! We're all waiting for you.” she said pulling me along. I shielded my eyes as I stepped out into the sun.

  “About time, sleeping beauty.” Sapphire said, looking up at me.

She got up and handed me a plate with some rice, beans and dried fruit on it. “I tried to find something you liked in the small amount they gave us." She looked over at Cobalt.

  “Hey! Do we get to practice fighting or are we just thrown into the arena without any idea what to do?” She said, crossing over to him with folded arms.

  “Fine! If you are all so desperate to learn how to fight, grab one of the large sticks and we will start.” he shrugged but made no move to grab one himself.

 “Wait, what about an arena?” I asked them, confused. Sapphire froze and she looked over at me and sighed.

Luna rubbed her arm and looked away. Even Cobalt looked a little nervous.

 “Remember when we were at the lake when you were eight? And when I said that I might have to leave you eventually? Well, I was talking about the arena. They take volunteers for a fight or they just kidnap some of the kids.” 

I couldn't believe it was her saying she wanted to kill others. She wanted to fight!

“I was planning on volunteering. After you win enough rounds you can go to the human lands. Both my mother and older brother are there. I know that you were probably going to hate me for wanting to do this so I never told you the truth.” She finished. 

  “I wouldn't hate you. If I could go home to my family I would do anything even if I don't really remember them.” I took her hands and held them in front of her.

“I could never hate you. I'm sorry that I made you feel like I wouldn’t trust you.” I hugged her.

  She stiffened for a second but then I felt her arms wrap around me. She was a little shorter than I was so I rested my head on hers and patted it.

  “You don't know a thing, do you?” Cobalt was sitting on a rock. “You can't trust anyone!”

  “I know I can trust you and Sapphire and Luna.” I said stepping toward him I reached my hand out. But he swatted it away.

   “YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!” he said getting up. “You don't know anything about me. You don't know anything about those two. IT'S KILL OR BE KILLED! HUNTER AGAINST PREY!” the cloth over his eyes started to get wet where his eyes should be. “Strong against weak.” he whispered the last part.

  “I'm sorry I didn't mean-” I tried again to comfort him.

  “I'm FINE!” He interrupted me. He grabbed a long stick and threw it. “Here. You need something to practice with.”

   Me and Sapphire tapped the top of our staff together. We slowly circled each other waiting for the other one to make a move. Suddenly Sapphire charged and she swung at me but I ducked. I managed to barely hit her ankle.