The Game Of Prospe

The Third Champion

Love stared at Death, paralyzed.

"What do you want?"

Death simply laughed and clapped her hands together, "I'm glad you asked! May I come in?"

Love reluctantly moved away from the door and allowed Death to glide in with a chilling smirk on her face.

***

Eva laughed as she knocked her brother's sword out of his hand again.

She grinned at him. "Can't you at least try to beat me?"

Ethan rolled his eyes. "Oh gimme a break, you had me get up at DAWN to train with you."

Eva jumped onto the fence and started slowly walking across it, holding her arms out to her sides to keep her balance. "Well dad's outta town until this evening, so."

"So what? You ALWAYS train, don't you have anything else to do?"

Eva looked up at the sun, now high in the sky, then back to her brother with a smile. "You don't get it, do you? I am a champion of-"

"You're a champion of Life, blah blah blah, ancient city, blah blah blah, training, blah blah blah. Yeah, I know, but would it kill you to actually have a, I can't believe I'm saying this, LIFE?!"

Eva jumped down from the fence. "It's true! I have to stop Death's champion or else-"

Ethan cut her off again. "Death, destruction, blah blah blah. I know."

Eva glared at her brother as he walked back towards their family's farmhouse, dismissing her entirely.

He's a sucky training partner anyways, she thought as she turned back to the fence, staring out at the fields of cornstalks.

"I appreciate the effort Evanna but you really should take a break, overworking is just as bad as not working at all."

Eva jumped, startled by the sudden noise, and turned around. Life smiled at her.

Eva breathed a sigh of relief. "Middle aged today then?"

He laughed. "Yes, well, I don't exactly get to choose."

Life's age was constantly changing. Sometimes he was a baby, other times he was ancient. Today though, he looked to be middle aged. A few gray hairs mixed into brown hair a similar shade to her own, and other small signs of aging.

He had told her that this happened because he represents Life and every point of it. Youth, old age, and everything in between. When she first saw him he was about 12, needless to say, she didn't listen to him very much at first.

Eva laughed. "So, any news?"

Life took on a troubled expression. "I'm afraid it's time to go to Prospe, you'll find great danger there but fear not, I will guide you. I know this is sooner than expected but you have to trust me."

Eva looked at him in shock. "But you said I wouldn't have to go until I turned 20!"

Life let out a long, tired sigh. "As I said, sooner than expected."

"Two years sooner!" Eva exclaimed.

"Eva please! This is what my sister wants! She wants to catch us off guard, but please have faith. I know you can do this, you're ready."

Eva stared at the ground solemnly. "How can you be sure?"

Life smiled gently. "You're a very capable young woman, you can do anything if you have the will for it."