A Viper's Venom

The Arena

"There are seven main events in the Viper Trials, all designed to assess the crucial aspects of being a Viper. Speed, strength, accuracy, endurance, stealth, bravery, and a final test between the top two."

"Bravery?" I ask, "why is there an event dedicated to bravery?"

"Because to be a Viper means to be able to confront any issue without hesitation, even facing your biggest fear," Vel explains. "Anyway, since you're the most infamous assassin in all of Solaria, I have no doubt you'll be able to beat everyone in the trials without breaking a sweat."

"Ok... how many people are competing?" I inquire.

"About..." he falls silent for a moment while he thinks. "Seven... hundred."

"What?" I cry, bolting upright from my position against the bedpost. "I didn't expect there to be any more than forty!"

"Well, by the end of the first event, there should be around thirty or forty left," he states, rubbing the back of his neck.

My jaw drops. "What kind of event eliminates approximately ninety-five percent of its contestants in one hit?" I demand. How can they get rid of that many people in such short time? It just doesn't seem possible.

"The Arena. Every contestant is placed in the arena together at high noon, and whoever is left standing by sundown will continue," he answers, shrugging lightly.

"Must be a bloody big arena," I mutter.

He smirks, flashing his gleaming white teeth for a brief moment. "The event itself begins today at noon. But you need to be there no later than nine."

"Why?"

"Because the opening ceremony begins half an hour later. Every contestant is introduced to the people, and the royal family. Then, once all the contestants are announced, the event begins," Vel explains. A glint of light catches his eye, and I turn to see the first rays of sun coming over the horizon. "You should get out of here. Don't want the guards to catch you."

I scoff, heading towards the balcony. "They can't catch me."

"Oh!" He cries, suddenly remembering. "Make sure you wear something impressive. It'll make you stand out to the nobles, and then they'll see your potential. It can even win you sponsors."

I nod. "And who will you be sponsoring?"

"Since these Viper Trials are to determine who my Viper will be, I'm not allowed to sponsor. It can be seen as bias. But..." he adds, "if I could sponsor anyone... I would pick you."

My brows furrow. "You do remember that I just tried to kill you, right?"

"Trust me, I haven't forgotten," he assures. "But I know you would win. Without a shadow of a doubt."

"You seem to be putting a lot of faith in the assassin that almost slit your throat," I point out.

He shrugs, following me to the edge of the terrace. "Everyone deserves a second chance, don't you think?"

I meet his startling silver eyes. They're not cold or harsh like most Purials I've seen, void of emotion. Instead, they're bright and warm, full of light and joy, and kindness. They sparkle like diamonds, and have an intensity that could match my own.

"I'll be at the arena by nine," I promise, then allow my body to dissolve into shadow, and I disappear into the last remnants of night.

When I'm just outside the gates, my shadowy form slips into a dark alley to reform without anyone noticing. Before I head back to the tavern for some much-needed rest for the Arena in a few hours, I steal one last glance at Lightfell Palace, the sun's early morning light touching its crystal stars. A faint smirk tugs at my lips as I remember the instructions written in fine print on the kill request. If caught, join the trials and become his Viper.