As the contestants walk out one by one into the arena, the crowd's cheers slowly become louder. I sat in the shadows awaiting my turn, tension built up every second that passed by.
My stomach feels like it's a mess... my heart's shaking... I glanced down to see my dagger, I gripped the handle tight, anxious... what if I fail on the first round?
"You'll be alright," For a second I thought I saw Hiroto comforting me, covering my hand with his, but when I blinked he was gone.
I'm grateful Alfie gave me this dagger... but I have no skills with any weapons at all. Best I could do with this is to treat it as a kitchen knife and swing it without much form or thought.
"Number 8," I stood up and took a deep breath. Just show your strength... that's the only reason you're useful to them... the only way I could help... my power.
I placed the dagger back into the scabbard and walked into the bright light, blinding me for a moment. Seeing all these people... looking at me. I... I can't fail. Not as Crimson. Not as Amber. My worth is on the line...
They told me to walk anywhere inside the arena and they'd announce the rules after everyone got inside. The blazing sun is burning me...
I strolled into the shadows and sat still, waiting.
"What are you planing?" Shin muttered, walking past me.
What plan do you want from me? Just what do you think I'm capable of?
"Believe what you want to believe, but it doesn't make it true," I sighed, looking away from Shin.
Suddenly, the crowd went crazy, making me look at who the cheer was for. Giant redhead with some golden armour. Oh! Him... I've alright forgotten his name... golden dude! That's your name to me now until... uh... forever!
I thought this contest was for newbies. How the hell did he manage to get in here anyway?
Oh, wait... he probably pulled some strings to be here cause he got RECKED by Fay... petty people with power are such a pain. Oh well... I won't have to hold back while beating him.
Unconsciously, I had a demonic smile on my face and wicked stare looking at golden dude. Emitting an aura as if to challenge him, letting him know I was there.
"You're outmatched," I whispered. Snapping back, I realized what I was doing.
What was I thinking?! Idiot! Just stay in the shadows where you belong...
Golden guy proceeded to come up to me. Literally looking down at me.
"Was that a challenge?"
"No... there was a spider behind you... it was big... I hate spiders,"
Spider?! I... really suck at lying...
"S-Spider?!" He freaked out and frantically shook his body in fear of having a spider on him.
A big fellow is scared of spiders? I laughed lightly, trying to cover my mouth so that I'd stop.
"Are you laughing at me? Why yo-"
"Alright, everybody! Time to announce the first round's rules!" The announcer caught everyone's attention and waited for the arena to quiet down. A large sand hourglass flipped and the white quartz sand started to flow down.
"The contestants will have to knock each other out. Making someone unconscious or just getting them out of the arena is fair game! Death also counts, not recommended, but that's just the risk! Don't let the time run out! It already started!"
With that, it starts. Sounds of weapons clashing started. It truly was like I was watching a war. The shadows covered me... it keeps me safe. Here, not a lot of people would see me.
The sun only burns.
I sat and observed. Shin's fighting was barbaric with no form or anything behind his punches. Fay's style was the opposite, all form with no punches at all. She's just using other's strength against them.
Golden dude's like Shin with no magic. Using his giant sword to take everyone down.
"So... you're sitting on this too huh?" A boy my age with fox ears and tail sat next to me.
"Yeah, seems kinda pointless to fight. Maybe they don't want to be seen as a coward? Can't speak for people with honour I've never had," I shrugged making the fox boy chuckle.
"What are you here for? I've heard you're already joined the northern storm's party,"
Words sure spread fast eh? Maybe people could see me... but they're scared. How cute...
"Money. I'm no different from others here. How about you?"
"Money as well. To buy my freedom... maybe her love," He spoke quietly while messing up his orange hair to hide his embarrassed face.
Oh! A love story...
Let me guess. Two people separated by class. Millions of worlds apart and yet they still found comfort in each other. Tragic...
I'm a sucker for those...
There's only one winner though... sorry foxy... better me than you.
"I wish you the best of luck," I got up... if I heard anymore I might just wish he'd win instead of me. It'd be rude if I just sat down somewhere else... I'll just dodge people in the battle then...
About an hour past by, the last grain of sand dropped and a horn blew. The battlefield was filled with bodies, unconscious or dead. Leaving only a few people conscious.
Golden giant, Fay, Shin and fox boy's conscious... not bad.
I caught my breath as sweat rolled down my face.
Following me regaining my stamina, they sent me back into the changing room, telling me that they'd tell me who I'd fight one on one within a few minutes. After a second of me being silent and waiting, I got bored and explored the halls that surrounded the arena.
Brick walls and wooden floor... nothing special... there's some storage rooms, but they're only filled with crappy stone or iron weapons.
"That was a letdown..." I sighed in disappointment and head back into the room.
"Number 8, you're up to fight number 12."
Wow! I'll totally know who number 12 is... why the hell did they even tell me?
I got to the entrance of the arena.
Just breathe...
You won't lose...
You can't lose...
Slowly I stepped into the sun.
My eyes widened, my chest tightened at the sight of the orange haired boy with fox ears...