The Survivors

Four

After two weeks of training, the day had come. The tournament would start in no more than an hour. Yellow was ready, she had trained hard, taken many bruises and cuts on her body. She also had put on a bit of weight for the outside world. She was confident.

The Empress Diane sat on a balcony above the rows and rows of benches surrounding the arena, the bottom row twenty feet above the large, sand field. She looked down at the pit, waiting as her Uncle stood and called the fighters in. They all filed in, about thirty in total. She felt bad, as a few of them would be dead soon and the rest badly injured. Only ten could be glorious, and only one could ever hope to be her betrothed.

Yellow felt the sun burn, making her squint. She looked up at Diane. "I'll do it for you..."

Diane rose to her feet, her blue dress the same color as the sky. "I welcome you all! Today marks day one of our week long trail period! After today, ten of these brave fighters will have until Thursday to heal, and then there shall be a ball! Whoever can make me laugh will go on to the Outside and camp until Saturday, then they shall return. I will then choose my wife or husband."

She smiled, tightening her grip around her pendant. She was ready to fight to the death. The Empress sat and rose her hand in the air. The fighters gripped their weapons as they waited for her signal to begin. She let her arm drop and, with that, it began. Blood instantly splattered the arena as magic wielders used their unfair advantages against the weaker beings. A woman's head flew into the sky, her dead eyes meeting with Diane's. Her beautiful, white cat ears were red with her own blood.

The forgotten Wine twin fought bravely, swiftly moving away from the stronger opponents. She used defensive maneuvers until she had a clear opening to attack. A servant kept count of the deaths on a chalk board; so far there were four.

Brave Yellow had blood in her long hair, it splashed across her cheeks and mouth. She fought a male that was bigger than her and she managed to win. Soon, only ten people stood in the arena, bodies and broken beings laid in the sand dyed red with blood.

Yellow looked at her fellow warriors. She wiped her cheeks softly with a handkerchief. "Thank you Bamboo," she whispered.

Healers raced among the living, healing their more fatal wounds and helping them out of veiw. Diane stood and clapped, smiling down at them all. "It is truly amazing to watch you all fight. All so brave, and all so skilled. You have four days to heal and to prepare for the ball!"

The gold eyed female bowed down to her slightly. She was the only one that thanked her. Plum Juice gently healed her wounds with a smile.

"Empress Diane, I wish to challenge you for your throne! For too long have you ruled and accomplished nothing! We should be healing the Outside, helping those who may live beyond our borders! What if there are other settlements beyond?! Other Empires!" Emperor Tiss shouted from his box below Diane's, always below Diane's. The crowd grew upset, screaming and shouting their disapproval- and some even voicing their agreement.

Red snapped, "shut your mouth you overgrown dog!"

Diane raised her hand for silence, which soon came. She met Tiss's eyes and smiled slyly. "If it is a challenge you present to me, it is a battle you will receive." She looked at her servants. "Get Emperor Tiss and myself prepared for combat- to the death."

Tiss looked nervous, clearing a lump from his throat. His three eyes shifted behind his cloth mask. "Your Highness! I have people to rule! If you kill me in battle, who will take my throne?!" He cared about his people more than his own life, and had no one to take over and rule the monster folk. The monster community felt the same way, they wanted him to still rule over them and keep peace. They said their beliefs out in unison.

"Emperor, I cannot leave someone who wishes to overthrow me alive. And what good are you to your people behind bars? No, this battle must happen and so must your death. Or, perhaps, mine. If anyone else wishes to test my ways of ruling, now is your chance."

Tiss nodded slowly as no one else came forth. "Fine, then, Empress. A battle to the death. If I die, I appoint my cousin, Skully, to the throne." The black man with the glowing blue skeleton stood, bowed, and sat again.

The two were taken into the barracks to prepare. They soon went onto the field, the champions and healers moving into the stands to watch. Everyone was anxious. Diane had a duel bladed spear that she held masterfully. Orange flames licked at the blades. Tiss held no weapon, the werewolf didn't need anything but his claws and teeth and wits.

Yellow whimpered softly and hid her mouth. She looked over at Plum. "Are you sure this should go down?" Yellow held onto her dear friend's arm. The white haired healer gently pat her hand, calming her with the simple gesture.

Tiss changed into a wolf, a giant, 300 pound being of muscle and fur. He sprinted and tackled down Diane, attempting to bite her throat. The woman became fire, making the wolf jump away. She spun her spear and charged, plunging a blade into Tiss's chest. It was a quick, merciful death; the last thing she could give to the traitorous man. She let her flames sink back, behind her skin and bowed. "I'm sorry, my friend."

The monsters screamed insults and harassment at Empress Diane. The werewolves howled for their fallen leader. She slowly removed the cloth from Tiss's eyes, showing all three of them were shut. Monsters flooded on to the sand, surrounding their dead leader. They took his body and ran to their home, vowing silently to avenge Tiss.

Diane didn't let any emotion show as she left the arena, her uncle taking her to their castle. She broke down in his arms, crying and sobbing. "They know nothing of the Outside! Nothing exists but death!"

Yellow relaxed, trying not to say anything. She was sad about the fellow leader. "This shouldn't have happened..." She pulled Plum along with her. He followed quickly, wanting to heal her further. He gave weak pleas to let her let him finish his work. Yellow returned to their castle, trying to wipe her eyes and erase the memories of today. She didn't like fighting at all.

Bamboo took Yellow's hands as soon as she entered the throne room. "You were fantastic, my Wine Drop!"

She blushed softly at the praise. "Thank you... I was kinda scared and I want to set a prayer for the fallen..." Her eyes watered. Plum nodded softly and went into the kitchen for some tea.

"You poor girl." He stroked her cheek and planted a kiss on her forehead. "I give you all the luck in my body, and all the spare love in my heart."

She hugged him softly and relaxed. "You are such a doll, Bam..."

Plum returned with three cups of tea. "You should really calm down... Your wounds won't heal like that!"

Bamboo seated them all on pillows and sipped his tea. "To the stars above, please let the fallen rest in peace. To the moon we send our love." It was a simple prayer, but got the point across.

She repeated the same under her breath and set a stick of incense for their spirits. The tea was from another healer, but it made them feel much better. "Ah... Is this from Cloud Tea's creation?" Plum nodded softly and blushed at the thought of Cloud.

"You Tea's truly are something else. Something else entirely." Bamboo murmured, smiling. "Chocolate had the baby today."

Yellow squeaked and looked at him. "And so?! What do they look like?" Her eyes sparkled, her wounds no longer there. She was fully healed.

"A little girl with two, big brown eyes. Such rare things brown eyes are these days. I read a book that said everyone had brown eyes at one point in time."

"Wow... You are so lucky! What is her name?" She leaned into him and offered him some cakes.

He took one and submerged it in his tea. "Ah, she's Chocolate Shake. She's got to be." He bit into the cake.

They spoke on about the girl as Red listened, bitterness in his heart.