Beautiful Darkness

➵Prepare for Death

           

After all the participants were called and assigned to individual preparation rooms the games truly began. The formal druid from before, Amelia, gave each of us gear that reflected or race and strengthened or specific abilities and skill sets. I remember her thorough explanation of how everything would work.

"An intercom will call your name and you will have two minutes to prepare yourself. You will exit this room through the red door and enter a battlefield. The controllers change the setting and variables according to each fight. For instance, Graham and Zara could battle in a desert while you and Rosalina fight in a forest. Weapons will be chosen for you, so I cannot guarantee if you will be at an advantage or disadvantage. First to fall or concede forfeits any and all rights to their province and heritage. Do you have any questions?" She finished.

I grimly shook my head. This game is animalistic and revolting.

I was never told when I would be fighting. The order is completely randomized. The only information opponents have is who their first match will be against.

I said my goodbyes rather quickly, if at all. During Roman and I's kiss I bolted. I was too afraid to face the possibility of what could happen and the consequences. His attempts to catch up with me were persistent but I was quicker. Lincoln and I shared eye contact as our final goodbye. He bowed his head in a show of loyalty and respect. He had complete faith in me which gave me an ounce of peace.

I never saw Ruelle, Natalia, or any of the others. Words would have failed me if I would have.

The clothes I was provided with are tight, to put it mildly. The black material clings to me like a second skin. While being decently comfortable it allows for full movement and maximum agility. I can only imagine what Rosalina's is like.

"The victor of the third saga has been declared: Graham Douglas. The losing opponent, Zara Astrella, has forfeited all rights to her province of the druid." The intercom states with a voice so emotionless I wonder if a real being is speaking the words.

"The next chosen descendants are Arailia Beaumont of the Dark Elfin and Rosalina Vladimir of the Children of the Night. Prepare for death." The voice states and then is simply gone.

A cold feeling consumes me as my lungs ache and struggle with the ability to breathe. I walk over to the table to claim my chosen weapons. Two sharpened daggers with ancient carvings and a soft glow to them lie on the white counter. Fear and panic overwhelm me.

"Are you kidding me?" I scream at the empty walls. Daggers. My life and the future of the world is dependent on two moderately sized daggers. The rage consuming me is welcomed. I will gratefully use it against my opponent. My movements are harsh and hateful as I grab the daggers and walk over to the door awaiting for it to open. Each weapon skillfully twists and turns through my fingers. At least I am well familiar with them. I briefly question why they hold the soft glow to them. Is it enchanted? Poisoned?

The red door opens.

I leave a piece of my soul behind in the white room as it closes behind me. The ground beneath me crunches with dried leaves and broken twigs. The setting is a forest. Amelia was trying to help me and I was oblivious. I smile at the trees and the branches they provide. Rosalina is in my home territory.

My feet move silently as I quicken my pace towards the center of the environment. The creators of such an event are definitely having us videoed for the entertainment of those watching. It is like a televised show in an ironic twist of reality.

Spotting a steady tree, I waste no time climbing up it. I do not stop until I am twenty feet in the air being heavily concealed with a good advantage point. I squat on the branch while tracking my surroundings.