Snakes and Dragons

The Juuni Taisen

{POV Snake}

     I must kill until only one warrior remains... Fucking hell, if only I knew that before I got myself into this mess. How can I be expected to possibly have to kill my own twin brother? It's sickening how I'll probably be dead by the end of this, and even if I'm not dead, my brother will be.
     These are my thoughts as I walk down the street on my way to the building that I've been dreading to go to for the past few years.

"Hey lil' bro," my older (well, only 10 minutes older) brother starts, breaking the silence.

"Am I gonna have to save your ass like I have countless times over the course of our 19 year-long lives?"

     The comment kind of stings, but I know he doesn't mean it. We've always been quite the competitive pair, but ever since finding out only one of us could get out of the Juuni Taisen alive dragon-boy there has been rather callous to say the least. Nevertheless, I can see through this 'layer of separation' and know that as much as he may deny it, he's scared to death of losing me.

"Hah, you're funny. I could win this single handedly, with or without your help." Is all I'm able to respond.

     What I said isn't completely untrue, I could theoretically win the Taisen on my own. However, as much as it pains me to say it, I'd only have a slim chance without my brother's help. We're meant to work as a team, it's how the past warriors of Snake and Dragon have fought for generations.

"Yeah, yeah. You could maybe win on your own, but if we work together, then we will win." He says, sort of as if he'd read my mind.

     Now we're just about to enter the building where the Taisen will start. It's tall as fuck, kind of scary to be honest. My stomach twists into infinite knots as I continue to envision the events that will surely soon unfold. Blood, weaponry, bodies, especially the bodies - all things I'm used to, but never before have I thought of myself or my brother being one of those bodies...
     My brother stops as we enter the lobby, seemingly aware of my disturbed state.

"You ok? You look like you're about to pass out. Don't tell me you're gonna die before the game even starts, man." He says, trying to comfort me with some humor and a nudge to my arm.

"I'm alright I'm alright, just a tiiiiiny bit worried y'know?" I say, clearly an understatement.

"I don't blame you, I dunno if you've noticed but I'm just as worried as you are. Honestly, who wouldn't be in our situation."

"Yeah..."
As much as I know my brother and how he is, I couldn't tell that he was nervous. I mean, it's obvious to me that he doesn't want me to die - what sicko would want their identical twin to die - , but he showed no sign of being even the slightest bit worried. That said, my brother has always been the calm, reserved twin. I on the other hand, am the sparky one. I'm quite to take action on instinct, with little thought given to what I do. Eh, it's a trait that's proven to be both a curse and a blessing.

"I know you know this already, but I hate the thought of losing you" My brother says, interrupting the eerie silence as we both stand in the lobby.

"Why the sudden remark?" I ask, semi-shocked at the abruptness of what he had just said.

"No reason, just sayin' what any older brother would. Anyway, we oughta get going. I believe we're the first ones here and I'd rather not cross path with anyone coming into the lob—"

One of the many elevators located a good 10 meters in front of us opens suddenly, causing both of us to jerk our heads forward.

"A trap?" My big bro questions.

"I sure hope so." I reply jokingly.

We both look at each other and chuckle. This is how it usually is, making jokes that no one else gets. It's comforting really, when not one soul in the world understands who you are or what you're like except for one person. I get him and he gets me, so who cares if the world thinks we're crazy.
Slightly refreshed, we step into the elevator. The door closes behind and we begin our ascent.

"Damn, this is it bro." I say.

"Yeah... the 12th annual Juuni Taisen." He responds, rather dazed.

20, 25, 30...

And the floors kept rising.