The 8th Writer Games & The Reader Games & Writer Games: The Deadly Decade

Lee Glider vs. Raven Zerice

Lee's POV

The final battle. It  wasn't then, it was now. Lavinia had won the last round against Lee, but  they hadn't killed him. Lee wasn't sure why they spared him then, but  he knew now. Griffin, the scrawny 12 year-old from 3 had creamed Raven  nicely. But Raven was still alive, too. They didn't find out until  Brielle came back on.
"Congratulations to Lavinia Heavensbee and  Griffin Fayre. You are the 8th Writers Games winners! Lee Gilder, Raven  Zerice! The reason you both have been spared is to see who this year's  runner-up is! You will both fight each other. That is all." Brielle told  everyone.
Lee stood up, and walked towards the center of the arena.  Raven did the same. Lee met eyes with Raven, and saw that his despair  was mirrored in the other boy's eyes. Despair of not winning. Despair of  accepting death, just to find out that you have a chance to live, when  you're already prepared to die. That kind of despair. The countdown  commenced.
"The final countdown." Lee thought as he stared up at the  glowing numbers. "5, I didn't win, 4, I tried my best, 3, at least if I  win this round, 2, I might see my family again, 1, and be able to give  Diehard's his message, but either way, 0, goodbye."
When the buzzer  sounded, both boys surged forward, wanting to get this battle over with  as soon as they could. The crowd was overjoyed at an unexpected battle,  especially between two of their favourite gladiators. They were whooping  and hollering, jumping up and down, and Lee did his best to block them  out.

Lee was leaning left as he ran, aiming to swipe a spear,  when a sharp pain erupted on the side of his head. He was thrown  sideways, while dimly realizing that Raven had just kicked him in the  head. He dug his hands into the ground to stop the slide, while inwardly  cursing himself for forgetting that Raven was all kicks and punches.

His back hit something,  and he whipped his hand around to grab it. Finding two, he grabbed it  with his other hand. He brought the weapons into the light, and smiled.  His precious swords were back in his grasp. Lee turned around, and  ducked just in time to miss a kick coming from Raven's boot. He stepped  forward, and swung his right sword at Raven's thigh. He felt as the  sword cut through the fabric covering Raven's leg, then flesh. Raven  cried out as the sword pierced his leg. He took a step back and spun out  of the way of Lee's other sword.

Raven realized that he needed a  weapon if he was going to survive, so he picked up whatever was  available. His hand came into contact with a bow, but he tossed that  behind him. Lee cried out as the bow hit him in the shoulder, causing  him to stumble. He caught himself just as Raven swung around with an  axe. He swung that at Lee, and he brought up his sword to meet the other  blade. The two weapons skimmed each other lightly before each party  pulled them back.

Lee smiled as he sliced the blade through the  air, listening contently as it whistled. He remembered what his father  used to say, how 'you were born with a wrench in your hand, and grease  in your hair.' But he know wonders if his parents were keeping something  from him. Everyone back in 6 had known his grandfather, and how amazing  a mechanic she had been before she died. But now he wondered if it had  been for another reason too. Could she have been a victor from a  previous Games?

Lee was so lost in thought that he missed the  swing at his hand. He cried out as the axe blade cut a line into his  hand, drawing a fine line of blood. He clenched his teeth and caught the  axe below the blade, and with a flick of his wrist, it flew out of  Raven's hand and skittered across the ground. Both boys stared at the  axe, then at each other.

Without pausing, Lee  swung again at Raven's shoulder, and Raven blocked him with another  vicious side kick. The sword twisted in Lee's hand and he was forced to  drop it, otherwise he would've broken his wrist. He tucked his empty  hand behind his back as he swung at Raven repeatedly, and Raven  continued to block using his kicks. Finally, Raven stumbled and Lee slid  the blade across his stomach. Raven cried out as the long cut started  to bleed.