Tales of a Dragon

Chapter Fourteen

Axis was woken up by guards at his door. There were knocks against the wooden door, metal clanging on the other side. Avril groggily sat up with Axis. Axis yawned while standing, rushing down the stairs.

"What's going on?" Axis yelled, looking through the peephole in the door.

"The Tournament laws require all contestants of the Tournament to be at the Colosseum before eight o'clock. You have broken the laws, but will not be punished if you let us come in your home for a thorough check through."

Axis opened the door, angry. "That doesn't make any sense. It's barely ten minutes past eight! Hey, stop it now! What--" The soldiers had bursted through the entry with swords.

They searched everywhere on the first floor, lifting up the floorboards, the pillows, checking the sofa, too. Avril came down the stairs, yawning, slightly confused.

They're searching, Axis mouthed to her. She nodded and stood next to him, now in her casual wear; a blue blouse with tight jeans. "Yeah, they're searching," Axis said loud enough for the guards to hear. "Without a warrant."

A man stood up and said, "We don't need a search warrant." He gestured to his fellow guards. "Check the upstairs," he commanded.

After a while, they couldn't find anything besides some dirty shirts and other unholy clothing. They led them out of their home and they rode to the Colosseum on a carriage. The horses didn't neigh once as they clopped to the Colosseum. The ride was silent.

It was actually happening. Axis could die today.

And the gates opened for their carriage.

===

There was a board that showed who would be fighting today. Thank God Avril and him wouldn't be fighting each other, but... No, Axis was fighting today. But he was last since he was of the highest status, the son of the King. It was kind of unfair, but he was so glad. He was shaking uncontrollably... where was Rastiv? He had to be there for him...

The fights started almost instantly. 

Before them though, Axis had talked to a girl named Anna Lynn. She was tall and thin, but she was menacing under that metal armor. There was a glint in her eye that showed her bloodthirtiness. The people here were much more trained them him, Axis thought. He didn't have even a quarter of a chance.

"Let me show you how it's actually done," Anna Lynn said to Axis. She grinned under the helmet and charged into the battlefield where there was a tall girl with fluffy, blonde hair. She carried a spear instead of a sword, which was interesting.

And then, they called out their dragons.

Anna's dragon was small like her, but she still looked devious and menacing. It huffed out a red fire from its nostrils and stared at its dragon component. The other girl's dragon was green and heavy, brown scales shading its feet. It didn't have wings, but its claws were as big as its teeth, white and long.

Axis didn't want to watch. But as the announcer spoke, his eyes were drawn to their battle.

"Anna Lynn Rickey and Alexandra Smite have the first battle."

Anna grinned once more and charged at the other girl.

She slammed her sword down onto Alexandra's shoulder, making her armour ring a symphony. The other girl staggered backwards against the blow, and she winced as another swing hit her right in the arm.

She fell. But she grabbed her sword and sliced at Anna Lynn's unprotected legs. Anna screeched out in pain and walked backwards, retreating. But only enough for Alexandra to get up. After that, she unsheathed a dagger and threw it, missing by a mere inch.