THRANDAL: The Phoenix and the Siren [UNDER EDIT]

WARFARE

CHAPTER 4 - WARFARE

Weeks have passed since that night in the cove. Nero and Kitara never once saw each other again after that. As per usual, she had been too busy training day and night for tomorrow's annual event that she never had the time to take a stroll around Thrandal.

The moon shone bright around the training grounds where all eligible warriors of the Fire Nation were gathered.

"We will only temporarily have each other's backs this time so you may not be able to survive for long but that happens all the time. You'll eventually get better. Presently, the top four consists of our very own Kitara Fang, Nero Siege of the Water Nation, Galen Bane, a Lunar and last year's winner; and yet another Lunar, Damon Euclid. Now, you might end up having to battle against each other so if you have some unresolved issues, tomorrow's the time for that. Just don't beat each other too much, save that for the other race. If someone dares to chicken out and shame the Fire Nation, that person is dead meat. Give it your all and stay alive", Rayde Lock lectured, mostly to the first-timers.

He turned towards Kitara and asked, "Any advices for the newbies?"

Kitara gave them a grin and said,

"Try not to die too early."

Once again, all the Four Nations were gathered in the Battleground; the Amazons in green, the Sirens in blue, the Phoenix' in red, and the Moon warriors in white. Kitara didn't bother to look towards the Water Nation for she knew she'd meet a pair of glass blue eyes. She smirked and wondered if somehow, they would fight against each other again in today's battle.

Beside her, Erina was fiddling her fingers as she stood. Kitara furrowed her eyebrows as she eyed her friend.

"Are you okay?", she asked.

"Yes, I'm fine", Erina gave her a small smile before staring back at the ground.

"You know you can't lie to me, Erina"

Erina lifted her head up to meet her eyes. Her expression screamed abstract as her lips pursed into a thin line.

"I just- I've been having a bad feeling lately", she admitted.

"If it's still about that prophecy-"

"No. It's not just that. I feel like something's coming our way", Erina said. Kitara's expression softened as she placed her hand on her friend's shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Everything's going to be fine. For now, let's focus on today's battle. I can't have your back for too long, you know that", she said.

"I'll be fine. You're the one who has more chances than me. I hope you win this time", she smiled.

"We don't know, but I'll try", Kitara smiled back.

The crowd cheered loudly as the ancient drums echoed throughout the stadium. Five deities appeared from the balcony as the people watched. Ethoran cleared his throat and the stadium silenced. All the warriors stood in attention.

"This year, the warfare will be slightly different. A randomly selected duel will be done when only ten warriors are left. Those who win will be known as the last five, and then battle 'till only one is left", he announced.

"Goodluck and let the battle begin!"

Again, the warriors found themselves in the battlefield in a blink of an eye and everyone began to battle. Caspian, Kitara, Erina, and Jace battled side by side as they made their way inside the forest. Kitara looked up to see the sign that said only 309 of 400 were left and it was continuing to decrease.