The arena felt quiet. I was walking towards my clan room and the walk there was dreadful. Creatures were staring at me, turning their heads to whisper to each other.
"That's the one."
"She's supposed to be executed today."
"I bet the person who saved her planned it."
"Poor girl."
"That's what she gets."
I sighed and did my best to ignore them all. Blaze was behind me. I felt his warmth radiating through my back. The walk felt like forever. Each step seems to be slower than the last. I just want to get to my room and prepare.
"Hey, Mel." Blaze's hand clamped down on my shoulder. His firm grasp brought that fuzzy feeling to run down my shoulder. He leaned in and muttered very lowly, "I gotta go prepare. Don't worry." By the time I rolled my eyes and turned around, he was already gone. The gathering crowd was too thick to try and find his abnormally golden hair. The whispers from the crowd seemed to get louder, thus encouraging me to speed up my pace and head to my room.
It took a few minutes but I was soon in the clan room. I had opened the door and slammed it, leaning against it. I took a few more deep breaths to calm myself. The urge to yell and hit everything in sight from frustration was building up.
"Melody...?"
My head snapped up quickly, not realizing that there was people in the room. It was my parents, my brothers, Adrian, and the twins. J.J. and Nate were in one corner of the room, both arms folded. Nate's eyes were full of caution while J.J.'s was a bit smug. They new what was going on but they were still worried. Adrian was sitting on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees. He wasn't looking at me but at my father. His eyes followed every movement of his. The twins were the closest to me. They were near the door, hands twitching. They were ready to sap my emotion if I decided to go overboard. Then there was my parents. Right in front of me was my mother, her arms outstretched and she started to walk towards me. My father was behind her, his eyes cold and hard. I honestly cannot tell how he was feeling but I bet it was something along the lines of disappointment.
"Oh sweetheart," my mom continued. She enveloped me in a hug, her arms constricting all movement. "I'm so sorry, so so sorry." She let go but her hands were on my arms. Her eyes were filled with tears yet none was falling. "My only baby girl, what happened? Did you know that boy? Is he a warrior?"
I looked over to my father who was now turned away. I gave a defeated sigh, "Mom...let me start from the beginning, okay?...You may want to sit down for this." I led her to the couch. Suddenly, the tension became intolerable in the room. We all swore that we wouldn't let my parents know what happened between me and Leon, but seeing how I'm supposed to die in 10 minutes, I might as well let them know. It didn't take long to explain what happened. I know the twins were quietly feeding on my father's rage and my mother's concern because their reactions weren't as catastrophic as I expected.
"This is an outrage." my father snarled. "And stop feeding on me!" he yelled at the boys. The twins jumped and held their hands in the air as a sign of surrender. "The jury needs to know that the person who interfered was a vampire."
I shook my head, "Even if the jury was to know, rules are rules. Someone intervened on my behalf." I could tell my dad was trying to calm himself because he was using the same breathing exercises I was, expect steam was coming from his nostrils. "I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner about Leon. This probably wouldn't have happened if you'd known."
By that moment, I heard the muffled announcement of my death sentence. The doors leading to the arena opened and two burly guards were at the entrance. I stood up and gave everyone a hug. First my mom. She petted my hair before kissing my cheek. Next was Adrian, his hug was warm and I could tell he was trying so hard not to cry. Nate and J.J. hugged me at the same time, they both knew the plan but they were still unsure about it. I wouldn't blame them. I'm still unsure as well. Lastly, the twins. They were already crying, their shadows clinging to me.
By this time, my father began to blink away his tears. Everyone except for Nate had tears rolling down their cheeks. "I love you, sweetheart." My father muttered, "I'm proud that you survived your Change, I just wished I was there for you more."
I wiped away my tears, "I love you all." Taking one more deep breath, I followed the guards out towards my supposed death. The arena was full of boos and shouting. Fortunately, there was no food or items being thrown at me.
I was on the stage, facing my family, friends, and the noisy crowd. I began to shake, nervous for what was to come next. My thoughts were elsewhere, they were not focused on the undertaker or the announcer who was repeating the rules of tradition for those who are not a Warrior.
"Any last words?" she asked.
I looked at the announcer, confused. Why would I need to have a last say?
Oh Dragons, Metzli can you hear me? Right now would be a wonderful time for you to come.
No response...
The announcer shrugged and was about to talk when I interrupted her, "Wait! I mean - uh, I want to say something."
The crowd hushed, an eerie silence as I was handed the microphone. Holding it in my trembling hands, I looked slowly over the crowd in hopes of seeing Blaze. "Hello," I started, "uh... I know that some of you are looking forward to this, and others, I can tell you're enraged because of what happened. I just want to clarify with you all that the person who intervened...please do not blame him. He did not know the rules and was under the assumption that my life was in danger." I exhaled, calming my shakes, "I assure you, no matter what is to come, everything I do, is in honor of my Dragon. Though my last trial did not go as I wanted it to go -- I mean, I really didn't need saving-- everything I have done, up to this day has made me closer to the Dragon that has chosen me. And if she decides that my life should ultimately be ended right now, I...I completely understand."
I handed back the microphone and took my place next to the undertaker. He was a tall man, heavily built and dressed in all black. His face was covered with a black mask. No features were shown. In his hand was a battle axe. A purple aura was glowing around it. I cleared my throat to get his attention. "So are ya gonna chop my head off?" His face was in my direction but he never spoke a word. "I guess not?"
"Melody Lynn Ryuu. Step forward."
I looked at the announcer and took a set onto the small platform had risen from the stage.
"As punishment for the interruption of your trial by another source, the penalty is death by the soul axe. One swift blow through the chest will not only sever your heart but sever the soul, causing it crumble."
"Sounds painful." I muttered.
"It is." I turned my head to the undertaker. Did he just confirm that it was going to be painful? Oh Dragons.
I stood up tall and held my head high. I took one last breath as the executioner lifted up his axe, ready to strike.
Melody
My eyes opened at the same time a powerful force bubbled up from the core of my body. A surge of blue energy and wind whipped around me, causing the executioner and all around me to stumble backwards and fall. I heard a collective gasp as fell onto my knees, trying to surpress the sudden overflow of power.
Child, do not fight it.
The energy around me exploded into a beam that reached the clouds. I could hear Blaze laughing and my brothers cheering. My eyes were blinded by the blue aura as energy was pouring out from their as well. I was able to stand up and look down at the undertaker. I picked up his axe and held it in my hand, no way am I going to let him do a sneak attack on me. I sensed Blaze nearing, his golden aura was a force as strong as mine. Even though I could bearly see, I noticed his energy matched mine as his create a beam up to the sky as well. I followed his lead as he held a hand out to the sky. That's when I finally realized what he was doing...we were summoning our Dragons.
