The Tournament Dominantium (The Tournament of Rulers)

Seven teens. Seven different lives. Seven completely different personalities. At Luna Academiae Magia (Luna Academy of Magic), the path is power, or nothing. As their ancestors in the Roman Empire were, Lupus, Aelia, Lucia, Canus, Naomi, Camilla, and Nero have been chosen as seven of the twelve students with the most prominent characteristics, that could rule the country of New Rome successfully. The Tournament Dominantium (The Tournament of Rulers) is a competition performed every four years, and the way to win is simple. Be standing as one of the four champions. If that means death to your opponents, so be it. The four champions then compete to become the next Inquisitor. The Tournament has arrived on the doorstep of Luna, and the lives of these seven teens are about to change forever.

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Hey everyone! Riya here. (: Here's a story I will be finishing. I promise. I swear. There. Now you can all hold me accountable. Here's chapter one, which is basically a character introduction. I hope everyone likes it! Definitely give feedback! Thanks. <3

*** This story will not be like Hunger Games or Harry Potter. Yes, it may have some some parallels, such as magic or a competition involving death, but I intend to make this story completely my own.

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“I wonder who it will be this time, Canus.” Camilla said, studying her wand in her black-painted nails. She swept her bangs back with an impatient flick, and scowled, “The Tournament Dominantium. What a load of crap.”

“Camilla, insulting the Games won't stop the Inquisitor from returning with them this year.” Canus sighed, running his hand through his neck-length, golden hair, “You've got to just accept the fact that you might be chosen this year.” Camilla growled, “I can't stand for this! Expecting us to kill each other off, are they? I won't do it.” Canus rounded on her, “I'm not saying I would do it either! Stop taking your frustration out on me, Cam!”

Camilla and Canus had been best friends since long before they could remember. No matter how strong their friendship was though, the stress that the Games brought on the school was ten times stronger. At the beginning of the school year, when the Inquisitor brought the Games around, fear and panic enveloped the school. The Inquisitor was a ruthless leader who wanted to be sure that only the best ruled, which meant only the best would survive. Many good relations broke during these distressing times, and Camilla and Canus could feel the tension between them.

Canus turned back around and resumed his position, leaning against the wall. He looked up, “Hey, Cam. I'm sorry I snapped at you. I'm just worried and-” Camilla raised her hand and silenced him, “It's alright, apology accepted. I know what you're talking about so just forget it, okay?” Canus shrugged, “Fine.”

Canus didn't want this to happen. He hated when he fought with his best friend, but it couldn't be helped. He watched as Camilla stuck her wand in her boot, then coughing, he scruched up his nose, “Do you smell that...?”

From around the corner of the walls of Luna, came the babble of talk and laughter. Camilla turned just in time to get hit in the face by a blast of perfume that smelled like the world's largest bouquet of flowers. A possie of laughing girls came around the bend, sporting shorts and flip flops, as if the chilly weather in October was as warm as the temperatures during the summer. Leading the group was Aelia, her light brown hair in a high ponytail.

“Oh come on, guys. There really isn't anything to worry about! I have influence. I'll make sure none of us get into the Games this time around.” Her face fell as she thought about Cecily, her friend who had been chosen last year. During the previous season's games, Cecily was poisoned by an Atropa Belladonna, or a Deadly Nightshade. One of her competitors wanted so desperately to win, he had placed a few of the toxic leaves in her morning meal. After that event, Aelia was certain she didn't want to lose any of the students in her school, no matter how annoying, dim-witted, or egotistical some people were.