AURORA

Chapter 12

               My body aches from training yesterday. I'm in pain, but I feel accomplished. I stand outside with Mecius and Troy as we prepare for day two of my training. We're in an arena away from the people's view. Troy looks exceptionally attractive today. His eyes glisten in the sun. His black armor adds to his striking physique. He catches me staring and I pretend to act like I'm busy. He walks over to me. "Better prepare yourself. Today won't be as easy as yesterday. We'll be working on your durability and duration. The longer you can last in a fight, the longer you live." He walks off, but then turns around and says something that makes me nervous. "And I saw you looking at me. Whatever you do, don't fall in love with me." He looks into my eyes feeling what I feel, but putting up a block. Mecius walks over and begins the session.

           "Alright, today you'll be able to choose your secondary weapon. You have a choice between a hammer, two mid-sized daggers, an ax, a spear, and a bola. Choose your secondary weapon carefully. The weapon you choose will remain by your sides at all time. After you make your choice, there is no turning back. You will master your weapon of choice. To train you with your secondary, you will run a course. The course will contain different enemies perpetrated by six young boys in which you must kill. Do not take their youth take to be easy. We have trained them every day since the beginning of Aurora's reign. They are four of the best. Now step forward."

            I step forward and carefully study each weapon. The bola is a baton with a ball hanging off the end and spike covering the ball. No doubt it would do damage, but its design could easily harm me instead. The hammer is a dependable weapon, but more suitable for someone larger than I. The ax is a true weapon. It can be used consecutively without damaging it. I move to the last weapon, the two daggers. They're so sharp, there ends sharpen to a serrated point. Each one bonded by leather strings across its bass. I can feel that the daggers are meant for me. They're compact and I can easily conceal them. If I need to hunt, which I will, this will help me more than the other weapons.

            I lay my hands out and grab the daggers. I toss them around in my hands trying to become one with them. I say in a whispered voice. "Two daggers for two lives." Troy steps in the ring with me. "Learn to love your weapon. Give it your all." I nod in agreement. "Now, stand in the middle of the arena. You will fight in four different waves. The first wave will be the easiest. Only two boys will step in, but you need to defeat them quickly. Every minute, two enemies will step in. if you fail to defat them all in time, you will become overwhelmed and the task will reach maximum difficulty. In order to complete each wave, you must say, "You're dead. Begin." A sounds rings through the air, like the sound of a gong. It rings through my ears. Two tall boys step in. Their eyes show that they have been bred for fighting. "This is John and Amos."

           We pace around each other in circles. One on my left and one on my right. I'm in a crouched cautious position. They each carry hammers. I stare each of them down, guessing which one will strike first. I take the first move and swing at John to my left, pinging off of his armor. Amos trips me. I quickly get back up and spar with the two. I'm well aware that the minute is almost up. Out of nervousness, I lift my right leg up with all my strength, I pushed Amos directly to the ground. I stand over him and lay my sword under his chin, "You're dead." I quickly spin around and finish off John. He swings at me and misses. I take advantage and knock him down to his knees. I place my daggers at his neck. "Dead." The gong rings, signifying round completion.

           Mecius speaks. "This is Sirius and Blake. The one to your left is Sirius and to your right, Blake. "There was absolutely no rest time. They were bigger than John and Amos. They both have long swords. Sirius was taller than Blake and more intimidating. They rush towards me without letting me gain my composure. Sirius hits me in my mouth and I bleed. Blood drips from my lips. After sitting in the dungeons for months, this doesn't discourage me. They slow down, smile and watch with a sense of triumph. As the blood drips one by one on to the ground, I spit it out like saliva. I then run towards Sirius. He swings his sword, making contact with my dagger. I grab him by the neck and swing forward. Blake runs toward me as I'm swinging. I put my right leg out and as I swing from Sirius's neck, we fall back as Blake is pushed away. I stand up and before words leave my lips, the bell rings. The last wave begins.