Warmatch

12

Scoreboard:

Individual Rankings:

1. Shade Alestra- 201 points

2. Iden Ganni- 165 points

3. Yakovan Hejedai- 163 points

4. Ida Ganni- 159 points

5. Katim Faerlen- 150 points

6. Elaine Faerlen- 149 points

7. Liuku Sejna- 124 points

8. Toya Pierce- 95 points

9. Caylan Carrah- 80 points

10. Cascadia Ervine- 40 points

Team Rankings: 

1. Team Arystenn

2. Team Valior

3. Team Kandain

"Welcome to the first task of the finals of the Warmatch Interplanetale!" Lasydra announced. We had returned to the Kilaenas City Grand Warmatch Arena for the final rounds of the competition. The ten finalists stood in a circle, facing a large pedestal in the middle. On the pedestal was a glass box containing six, shining gold medals. Six tickets to freedom.

So close, yet out of reach... 

"So far, two members of Team Kandain, two members of Team Valior, and all six members of Team Arystenn are alive," she continued. "After tasks nine and ten, the team with the most members alive will be declared the champions of the 2901 Warmatch Interplanetale! All remaining finalists- unless granted Mercy Tickets- will be purged. Ready, set, begin!" 

A loud horn sounded, and the mesh-like gates at either end of the arena opened up, releasing four monstrous beasts. They were covered in silvery scales, and walked on two legs, like people. Their "hands" were fitted with whirring blades, and each was at least ten feet tall. 

The first of the hideous things grabbed the contestant closest to it- who just happened to be Caylan- and bit his head off before he could even open his mouth to scream. I looked up as it flung his dismembered body into the stands. I knew that it was wrong and messed up to laugh after witnessing a gruesome death, but I couldn't help it when I saw that the bloody corpse had hit a group of prissy teenage Lessaenites. As soon as Caylan was confirmed dead, the scoreboard updated itself. 

1. Shade Alestra- 201 points

2. Iden Ganni- 165 points

3. Yakovan Hejedai- 163 points

4. Ida Ganni- 159 points

5. Katim Faerlen- 150 points

6. Elaine Faerlen- 149 points

7. Liuku Sejna- 124 points

8. Toya Pierce- 95 points

9. Cascadia Ervine- 40 points

"Genetically modified Rhenan forest stompers- we'll have to commend the Board of Warmatches on this one," Lasydra laughed into her microphone as the audience cheered wildly. "Although, even natural ones are known to be the Rhenan jungle's fiercest creatures. They're sure to end this match very quickly." 

Rhenan forest stompers...I had heard that name before. 

Oh, yes! My mother had told be to watch out for them when I went berry picking! 

"If you see one, drop to the ground and don't move. They have an excellent sense of hearing, but they're nearly blind." 

Trying my hardest to get out of Shade's line of vision, I ran to the edge of the arena, lying flat on my back with my side pressed against the fence. 

I watched, breathing hard, as Shade snuck up behind Liuku, sticking her knife into his throat with the precision of a true expert. 

1. Shade Alestra- 201 points

2. Iden Ganni- 165 points

3. Yakovan Hejedai- 163 points

4. Ida Ganni- 159 points

5. Katim Faerlen- 150 points

6. Elaine Faerlen- 149 points

7. Toya Pierce- 95 points

8. Cascadia Ervine- 40 points

"And, with its second player gone, Team Kandain is officially out of the race!" Lasydra exclaimed. "The climax of this match is fast approaching, with only two teams left vying for the title. Now, Miss Alestra seems to be doing something...er...interesting here. Let's have a look at her." 

Turning my attention to Shade, I noticed that she was carrying Liuku's limp body toward a forest stomper. 

Bending to her eye level, it opened its gigantic mouth, exposing a set of rotten teeth as it roared. Spit flew at her face, but she didn't even flinch. Instead, she held up Liuku's body to the stomper, as if making it an offering. 

The animal grunted, confused, before snatching the body out of her hands and popping it into its mouth. I felt the meager contents of my stomach rise into my throat as it noisily snacked on the dead contestant. Shade winked at the stomper, stroking its arm.

"It appears as if Shade Alestra is trying to tame one of the forest stompers! Is there no end to her brilliance?" Lasydra commented. 

The forest stomper dropped to its knees, lowering its head to allow Shade to climb onto its back. As soon as it rose, she dug her heels into its side and it began to run. 

"Rhenan forest stompers are extremely primitive creatures," Lasydra remarked. "They are loyal to whoever feeds them, and Shade has taken full advantage of this fact."

Shade's stomper ran toward another stomper at breakneck speed, and she stood up on the shoulders of her mount, driving her knife into the other stomper's head. Simultaneously, Ida and Iden Ganni took down a second beast. Now there was only the stomper Shade rode and one more. 

The other stomper stuck its deadly hand into Yakovan Hejedai's back, not allowing for even a minor pause in the killing. 

1. Shade Alestra- 201 points

2. Iden Ganni- 165 points

3. Ida Ganni- 159 points

4. Katim Faerlen- 150 points

5. Elaine Faerlen- 149 points

6. Toya Pierce- 95 points

7. Cascadia Ervine- 40 points

I nearly gagged as Shade and her stomper changed directions, targeting Toya. Shade hurled her bloody dagger at my friend. As usual, she hit her target perfectly on the first try. 

1. Shade Alestra- 201 points

2. Iden Ganni- 165 points

3. Ida Ganni- 159 points

4. Katim Faerlen- 150 points

5. Elaine Faerlen- 149 points

6. Cascadia Ervine- 40 points

"Toya..." I whispered as her body fell just feet away from me, her glassy eyes seeming to stare straight into mine. 

She had been a member of Team Arystenn! She had been guaranteed a gold medal! 

She had consoled me when all hope seemed lost. She had restored the fight to my heart. She was the bravest girl I had ever known. 

No, no, no!

It was at that moment that I lost all faith in the Lessaenite Empire. 

It was at that moment that I realized that I would have to stand up and fight.