The challenge, it is an event that takes place every year. Races, hunts, violence. Ive never been a huge supporter of it, well Ive never been a supporter even a tiny bit. But the king forces the entire kingdom into watching it.
''its a great deal'' and "be proud of those who participate" He shout at the start every year just repetition of the same lines, multiple times each year.
The one thing that bugs me the most about this 'amazing' yearly ritual is that you dont have a choice. I mean five days before it begins the king sends out letters to ten people with the invite, no the ORDER too fight. I have always felt sorry and guilt somehow always runs through my veins when I watch. Unfortunately, this year I dont have the pleasure of watching, no instead Ive been ordered. Its ever a chance to live or be mocked in front of the town then murdered by the king himself anyway.
Before we start, my name is Adam Davies. Please if you remember one thing after I pass remember my name, please.
So here I am finally back in my time. This years challenge is different though. Normally its four or five challenges that must be completed but this year its just, one? Im not complaining but its strange there must be a catch. Well Ill focus on that later right now here I stand.
Here standing in this human cage under the disguise of an 'arena'. The sun radiates down from the sky. Illuminating every speck of sand and dirt on the ground. The crowds who sit higher up watching like a hawk on its prey. All cheering, all turning into one giant roar of an ungodly creation.
I havent explained he first challenge? Hadnt I? well I dont know a lot about it. I know that we can team up and we cant kill anothers 'prey'. From this I guess that we get an animal that we must fig-
"Gooooooooo"
I am brought out of my thoughts by the roar of the king – which powers over the audience – and begin. Running forward, my sword dragging along beside me. I struggle. The weight between the sword, the little armour we were given and the shield – which is heavier than my sword- drag me down I drop my shield and start to run when suddenly
Im violently thrown to the ground; a booming roar reaches my now sand filled ears making I sounds like a kittens meow instead of what it was intended to be. I quickly back away stumbling to my feet. It wasnt easy if I do say so myself. Trying to scramble in sand while also backing away from an unknown creature. No, it isnt easy at all.
On my feet, I immediately turn around, getting nauseas as I do. I stare at the creature. Its fur was orange like the sky during a setting sun. With blood, red spots printed onto it. black almost ink like spots peppered it. The white underbelly and the split face of white and orange. Yellow, bright yellow eyes stare at me, searching my soul. Its eyes hold hunger and regret? How can it? Never mind. In front of me held not in pride but forced stood a leopard. How did it even get here? Its illegal to hold these captured or hurt one in any way. The king wrote it himself.
"DONT STAND THERE! FIGHT!"
Im forced out of my daze by another growl but not from my opponent but from above. In the direction of the king. Im stuck between two decisions. If I fight and hurt it, I can be killed anyway and if I back out I will still be killed but by the king. He has always disliked me, I dont know why I just thought he didnt like me because I didnt like watching. I am interrupted Again but by an unhuman shove.
"Dammit, come on cant you give me a second" I whisper out enraged by the constant interruptions. Ok focus, focus on now, whats in front of me, on the fight.
I scramble up and rush the giant feline with speed raising my sword and bringing it down. I hear the tearing of skin and an inhuman scream. I go to attack again but I dodged. It ran at me while I try to turn. It pushed me down but jumped away leaving me without even a scratch. I confused why didnt it attack me? Why did it bac- NO! no! focus I need to focus. I see the leopard staring at me almost curiously. Sitting not moving, just turning its head to hold its eyes with mine.
Ive had enough, I charged my voice being drowned out by the sudden roar of the crowd. For some reason, it doesnt move, doesnt defend it just sits there with sadness captured in its eyes. This leopards movements are to strange it acts too...Human. What it does. The way it fights doesnt seem like the way a leopard fights. Well a wild leopard fights. What did they do? To change its very nature.
I drag myself back just as I bring my sword above my head subconsciously and heave it down. Regret fills me as my arm curves down I force my eyes closed. My heart telling me to stop but my mind keeps telling me to do it, get it over with. An internal war. I wait, in darkness for the roar of the crowd.
