Re-Imagine

Chapter 1

PICK ME.

He dug his nails into the wooden hilt of his sword, to stop himself from fidgeting. Sweat beaded down his back, but he couldn't tell if it was from the beating of the midday sun, or his heart pounding in his chest. Thoughts spiraled in Hayo's head, thinking about all the different possibilities. He took a deep breath, shut his eyes and tried to stand still.

It was my time, it had to be.

The general made the selection very grueling, taking his time to eye the candidates down, enough to make every person swallow. His knitted brows and scrunched up face deepened the scars running from his eye to his forehead; showing his many years of experience.

"Take your time, General," Kamiya spat, a not-so-subtle reminder that she had already passed the test, and was looking down on the newbies aspiring to become one like her.

She smirked at the new candidates, eager to learn who the next person she was about to defeat in the graduation match. The general shot her a dirty look, and turned back on the candidates to continue to make them squirm. Hayo could feel the heavy air around him. Everyone wanted to pass; but were cowering in the prospect of having to face the girl behind the General. Word was around that not one of the candidates that had passed were able to hit her. You didn't need to beat Kayima to qualify, but you didn't want to look like a weakling, and some wanted the sweet, sweet taste of victory defeating a General. But Hayo was ready. He had been training, and did not want to be left behind. His brother had already been picked a week before; and was patiently waiting for Hayo to be passed too. He could defeat her. He knew it.

"Hayo Asakura."

The General's deep voice ripped through the deafening silence, and there was a collective exhale echoed from the other 15 girls and boys who were not chosen. The name bounced across the Army's weathered grey walls before Hayo realised that the General had called him.

" Seriously?"

" I could pick someone else -" the General retorted.

" No, it's fine, sir." Hayo hurriedly straightened up and bowed.

The sea of faces parted as he moved through the crowd. With every step, he couldn't help but focus on how his boots dragged along the rough sand floor, testing the friction of the land to ensure victory. Blood was surging through his head which was enveloped with mixed feelings; proudness, fear. His heart was beating vigorously against his ribs. He thought about the excitement of the onlookers; the widened smirk of Kamiya as he stepped onto the black mat that marked the arena. 

The General handed Hayo a wooden sword to use for the match. Grasping the hilt and feeling the power surge through his body he readied himself for the battle. Kamiya bowed first. She stared at Hayo, waiting for him to do the same. But her overconfident gaze only sparked fire in his core. There was no respect in her fighting stance, she didn't even think this will be a proper fight.

'She's looking down on me,' Hayo thought to himself, 'She thinks I'm going to lose.'

'Well, I'll just use this to my advantage.'

As soon as he bowed back, the two eyed each other down. Kayima's physique was lean but muscular, the perfect build for fighting. This match wasn't going to be easy. 

The General blew the whistle hard. The sound bounced against the walls and ringed in the air, until the sound was taken over by the rough smack of wood against wood. 

Hayo was straight on the defensive. One second she swung her staff high over her head. The next it was at his neck. Her blows were fast, as well as powerful. As she swung her staff behind her back to gain momentum, Hayo knew he would usually strike with this opportunity. But not this opponent. He knew that she was trying to bluff him- with the aura that she radiated. Hayo took this chance and jumped back, making space between him and the fast, cheetah-like being of a General. But he had no time to rest. Kamiya swung her staff again in a split second with a sideways cut, with Hayo just managing to block it at point-blank range.