Short Stories

Glory and Gore, but Still Sane

I push and shove the people that live down my street to try and get to the poster posted on the road sign. Everyone wants to make sure that their name is not on it. Well, everyone except for me.

Two years ago, a man killed the king and stole the crown since there was no one else to rule after him. The new king is a monstrous man. Everyone in the kingdom wanted him to step down, but he refused. However, he made a deal. Every month, he would battle to death someone from the kingdom. If he won, he got to keep the crown for the month. If he lost, his opponent would be the new king or queen.

No one has won yet.

The people vote for whom they think should go into arena. There is two voting periods. In the first one, anyone can vote for anyone. In the second one, they count up how many votes each person gets, and the top five are announced. Then, everyone- except for the five chosen- votes from the five. Whoever wins, battles the king.

People think that I am crazy. They think that because I actually want to go against the king. I am sick and tired of this man, and I want him gone. If you want something done right, I guess that you have to do it yourself.

My electric blue eyes land on the paper. They don't have to travel long since my name is at the top of it:

Lilac Quin

"Yes!" I shout at the top of my lungs. Nobody thinks it to be odd. They just think that I am happy that my name isn't on the list. How wrong they are.

I race straight back to my cottage and begin to work on my advertisement signs.

I believe that people will vote for me because of the posters. They'll think, Hey! I don't know any of these other people. Might as well vote for some stranger who wants to go fight the king.

I work well into the night on the posters. As soon as I finish the last one, I go hang them up all over my village and the surrounding villages.

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A month later, it's time to see who will be going into the arena. I stand on a wooden stage with the four other choices to go into the arena. The king and an unknown man stand on the stage. People flood the area in front of the stage. They try to get as close as possible to try and get in a better area to hear the results.

The unknown man steps to the front of the stage.

"Attention!" the man shouts. "Attention, everyone!"

The crowd falls silent. The humans that know someone personally that is on the stage seem to lean towards the stage in anticipation. I know for a fact that there is not a single body out there leaning forward because I am up here. That's why I don't care that I could die in the arena. No one will miss me. No one will be devastated that I have left the world of the living. No one cares about me except for me. That's just how my life is and has always been.

I grew up in an orphanage. The woman that took care of the children was very cruel. She was only nice when someone of importance was looking. I learnt at a young age that in this world it's every man for them self.

"Before I announce who will be going into the arena this month," the man says, "I would like to review the rules.

"Number one, once the king's opponent has been announced, no one may speak or even attempt to assist them. If that happens, the consequences will be severe.