Shadow Army: The Shadow War

Chapter One; The Shadow Girl

Icre was going on about it's day in the dark. The market was open and since it was Wednesday the Arena was open. Just a bunch of losers thinking they actually have a chance against the beast, thought a girl named Row. Row Presley. Or the Shadow Girl. She mostly stayed in the dark. Where no one can find her. Row's parents died when she was little and... she was mostly living on her own. Not all alone. She hung out with her best friend Katie's family. Katie was a big softy. Always trying to keep Row from trouble. Katie was a bit too late today because Row had already stolen a loaf of bread from the market.
"Hey Row," Katie said as she was approaching Row.
"Hey Kat."
"Where did you get the money from?" asked Katie.
"I stole the bread Kat. Can we skip the lecture today?" Row begged.
"Geez fine. Wanna go to the Arena today? I'll pay for seats," Katie pulled the bread away from Row.
"Sure. I can use a laugh anyway."

When Katie and Row got to the Arena they found their best friend Caleb. Caleb's face was already stuffed with his own bread that I'm guessing he stole.
"Hey Katie! Hey Row! Over here!" Caleb mumbled with bread in his mouth.
"Who's challenging today?" asked Row.
"Just Nicholas today."
"That loser again? He really needs to give it up already. No way he can defeat the beast."

The beast was almost like a large three headed dog and roared like a lion. The king set up an Arena for challengers to fight the beast. If they ever defeated the beast they would become new king and take all his riches. Row always thought it sounded like crap. If you've challenged the beast three times and lost each time... no one really knew what would happen. No one wanted to see what would happen but this was Nicholas' third time...

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!! WELCOME BACK TO THE ARENA!! WE HAVE ONE BRACE CHALLENGER TODAY!!! GIVE IT UP FOR NICHOLAS!!!" shouted the Arena host. Only a few people applauded.

"LET THE CHALLENGE... BEGIN!!" hollered the Arena host once again.

The gate slowly started to open releasing the beast. Row looked at the beast and looked at Nicholas.
"He's not going to make it," Row said in a whisper.
"What!?" shouted Caleb and Katie.
"I said he's not going to make it!" Row shouted back.
"Why do you think that!?"
"Look at Nicholas' eyes! You can see the fear! The beast can see it too! He's going to take advantage of it!"

The beast roared a mighty roar and Nicholas tried to strike but missed. He repeatedly kept trying to strike but missed every time. Row was right.

Everyone was shouting from all over the Arena. Row was just concentrating on the Beast and Nicholas.  After the time was up and Nicholas was beat the gates opened again and the beast went back to it's cage. Nicholas lost for the third time.

Not too long after the king arrived and he had some sort of... grin.
"Sir... why are you smiling? I... I lost. I didn't. defeat him," Nicholas looked ashamed.
"Yes I know that Nicholas. Son of Roman and Teresa. I have come to take you back to my castle with me to be..." the king whispered the last part to Nicholas and you could hear him scream.
"NO! NO YOUR MAJESTY! YOUR MAJESTY PLEASE! DON'T DO THIS!" the king's guards took Nicholas away from the Arena.
"I hope everyone has a good rest of their Wednesday!" the king waved goodbye and was off.

Row looked back at Katie and Caleb and they were looking at her.
"Did he...?"
"Yes Katie. I think. Let's go. Meet you guys at the tree," Row ran off.

Row ran until she reached the border of the village. There was a tree at the very border with a tire swing attached to one of it's branches. The tree was where Katie, Row, and Caleb liked to play as kids. Row saw a few people walk through the village. Not being able to see her because of the curse until... one boy looked straight at her. She walked up close to him and tried to examine him.
"What are you doing...?" asked the boy.
"AHHHHHH!" Row screamed and hid behind the trunk.
"I'm not blind you know. I can still see you."
"You shouldn't be able to."
"What do you mean??"
"No one can see us! The curse!!"
The boy looked so confused and Row closed her eyes and reopened them hoping it was a dream. Sure enough the boy was still there. Looking right at Row. It was no dream. He was really standing there...