Prey in the Storm.

Every year a battle, more of a game really, is held at the countries capital (Hollowshade). One magical person or creature from every one of the nine sections of the country is chosen to participate. They fight to the death using their magical and battling abilities to try and win the crown and rule the empire the evil king has created. The king hand chooses each of the participants and watches them closely as they fight to the death. The final contestant though, does not immediately win the crown. They are put up against the all powerful and merciless king to see if they are truly worthy of the crown, and if they lose their lives in the ultimate battle, the king gets their magical abilities and the crown for another year.