If someone told me seven years ago that they found a ruin in the middle of the city I would just laugh it all off and tell them that all of that is in fantasy books. But, I guess an imaginative ruin would be far better than reality.
The so-called arena is just what it is, a ruin. Bombed buildings, remains of what were once houses and broken cobblestones. Streets filled with merchant stands or atleast what remains of it and a wide cleaned up area in the center. A forest seemingly outlining the whole city.
"What's this? Do we have fewer males now? Oh my Gods and Goddesses, look at you kids, I see some people in here who have a potential of going into the entertainment industry"
A woman in her mid-30's greeted us and all of us immediately flinched at her image. She appeared out of nowhere with her cat-like ears and eyes squinting at each one of us. Potential in the entertainment industry? More like the potential of becoming clowns.
"And be clowns like you?"
We looked back at the person who made that comment. I almost chuckled when I saw Damian, arms cross and one eyebrow raised up like he's sizing the woman up. I know I just made the same comment in my head but to actually blurt it out. Man, that's some guts he has there.
"I am hurt, did you just call me a clown? A beautiful woman like me?"
Beautiful? I snorted at that description. The people back in the Capital have a strange fashion sense. Some have gothic styles, unicorn princesses and some are just ogre-ish styles. It's like every day is a Halloween party. And what she's wearing right now, that is no way in hell just make up. I'm pretty sure she got those cat-like eyes transplanted. The western colonies pretty much have every technology for their so-called beautification.
"Well it seems that you kids lack in fashion sense also, putting those matters aside. This right here will be your arena, and that is where you can get all the things you need".
A few meters away on what seems like a town plaza are scattered resources, bags, swords, spears, arrows, axes, knives but no guns to be found. That was the only area that was stripped clean of any rubbles and ruins.
"This is one of the abandoned cities here in your country. Don't worry the government drove away all the people that had lived here"
Drove Away? Or killed? Probably the latter. It's common knowledge that the government had already bombed several cities where sparks of revolutions were happening. They were willing to cut any sign of rebels at the earliest times. But there was something about this place that I cannot point out. I can't shake the feeling that I've seen this place back then.
"This… this was my mom's hometown"
I turned around and saw Miisa with her face pale. She was about to rush up front when I caught her arm and placed my palm on her mouth to stop her from screaming but the tear that left her eyes broke me.
"Miisa, don't be a fool. You'll get killed if you fall out of line now and I don't want that. You need to calm down and we need a plan. Now, nod if you understand and I'll let you go"
She nodded at me and a small sob escaped her lips as I let her go. Her legs gave away and she slumped silently by my side. I looked for Iavan and she was already eyeing us. I gave her instructions through hand signals.
Keep Quiet…
Run…
Hide…
Don't Kill…
I'll find you after…
She nodded affirmatively. I scanned the whole area and eyed the forest before eyeing the entirety of the plaza. I'm a hundred percent sure that all of our classmates will run inside the city. I pointed in the direction of the forest and I received a squinty-eyed Iavan like she's saying "Are you crazy?" directly at my face.
I signaled her to just trust me.
Killing is something beyond our abilities, but that doesn't mean we can't fight back, we will if we have to. But for now, our safety upon this bloodbath is our top priority. I do have a plan and a mission and it would only be complete If Iavan and Miisa would be out and safe after this.
"Well I will leave you to your killing"
After saying that the Middle-aged woman disappeared, should've guessed that she was only a hologram. After all she did just appear out of thin air.
"Dear participants, The Herculean Tournament will begin in 10..9..8"
I scanned my classmates' faces, like me, they were all doing the same.
"7...6"
I looked at the town plaza again to memorize the places of the resources there.
"5…4"
There are two bags that are just near the forest entrance. I looked at Iavan and pointed to the bags before pointing to myself.
"3…2"
"Miisa"
I eyed Miisa who stood up and wiped her tears before looking at me. I only gave her a single glance and smiled.
"Yea?"
"1"
"RUN"
I gave her a slight push signaling her to run through the forests' way while I made a run for the plaza. It's just a good thing that I actually jog with my dad and brother on weekends. I saw Iavan and Miisa entering the forest but it was not just them, a small guy, Simon, came running after them.
Because I was faster than everyone I was able to grab an arrow and bow as soon as I stepped foot at the plaza and shot one arrow at him. I hit him in his right leg and he landed face-first on the ground. I saw the other kids entering the plaza, some little girls were being smashed through the walls by the bigger kids and I doubt they'll be fine after having their heads bashed right through. I got to my feet and quickly grabbed the two bags and made a run towards the forest.
"Hey, bitch!"
I don't know what got into me but I turned around and saw one of my classmates about to throw a knife at me. I placed one of the bags in front of me and I was lucky enough that the knife made contact with it and not with my skull. I glanced at her for one millisecond before I continued running.
"Stop running bitch!"
"You really hate me that much Tin?"
She was seething in anger and it showed right through her voice.
"First things first don't call me Tin, only my friends do that. Second yes I hate you to death, you stole something that is mine"
"Correction someone, he's basically not a thing"
Christine... The only girl in my class or in school to ever hold a grudge over me. Why? Because her boyfriend dumped her for me, well not that I ever liked or entertained the guy.
"I'm gonna kill you"
I was running through the depths of the forest, my breath running rigid as I tried not to trip. Due to the large roots of the trees it makes it very hard to run straight. I took in my surroundings, If I run any further my chances of being separated with Iavan and Miisa will only get bigger.
"Christine I don't want to kill you"
"Too bad because I do"
In just a split second, she threw her second knife and I barely dodged it, it caught my right arm which made a light cut in my skin. Not deep enough to kill me but deep enough to make me bleed and grimace at the pain.
"Hey, bitch you're bleeding!!"
I bit the inside of my lower lip, I saw Miisa and Iavan going my way. If I shout at them, Christine will know their current location. If I run further away from her, she may redirect her frustration to nearby victims and my friends would be the perfect victims for that.
"Damn it"
I set my bow and arrow towards Christine's direction but before I could even pull the quiver, someone behind Christine threw a spear that launched inside her body.
I stopped in my tracks as I faced Christine with blood flowing from her mouth and the injury she has in her body. Her eyes went to the tip of the spear protruding through her chest. It's sharp edge coated with her blood.
"What a joke"
As she says what might be her last words, which I think it is she fell on her knees and closed her eyes. As Christine's body flopped out of the picture, behind stood that charming handsome guy with a deep set of hazel eyes, staring hard at me. I breathed heavily when I realized what just happened.
"Damian"
He had killed Christine without batting an eye.