Six and I were standing side by side, waiting for the further instructions and observing the other competitors. I decided to stay with Six for now, we will fight when the time comes, but for now I will use him to beat the chambers quicker. He is older and much more experienced than me. He also seems to know a lot more about the arena than I do as my parent's knowledge didn't give me any advantages. Mostly because it was wrong.
I noticed a girl peeking our way from time to time. She looked nervous, moving back and forth. She didn't look threatening but you never know in this place.
"She's been observing us for a while." Six said cautiously. "Do you think she's dangerous?"
"She doesn't look so, but you can never tell."
Our eyes met and she beamed with happiness. The eye contact we had made her confident to come closer. I tightened the hold on my spear subconsciously and at the back of my head realized that I haven't seen Six's weapon yet. I couldn't see the weapon of this girl as well.
"Hi." She said when she came closer. "I'm Rose."
She certainly was rose. She was wearing pink skirt that looked like rose petals and a green top without sleeves. Her blonde hair was up in two space buns and her cheeks were pink and freckly. She was quite adorable, but that could also make her dangerous. She looked like someone who was good with poisons so I tried to keep my distance in case her skin or smell could hurt me.
"What do you want?" I said sharply. I didn't want her to think that just because Six and I are allays that we want more people in the group. Six was standing tense behind me.
She flinched a bit at my tone but didn't give up.
"I saw that you guys are going to fight together. I was wondering if you maybe need another comrade."
I knew it. I don't even have a reputation yet but this allay business is going to ruin every chance of it. My parents were right, I don't need friends, they slow you down.
"I'm sorry, but we don't need anyone else."
She looked quite disappointed. I'm not sure why she thought we could team up in the first place. I would say neither me nor Six look particularly nice or friendly, nor is this competition a place for teams. There is only one winner after all. A winner who can get one of his wishes fulfilled. And I'm sorry Rose, but that's going to be me.
To my surprise, she didn't look discouraged. She turned to Six and asked him the same question, "Can I please join you?"
But he wasn't even looking her way. He felt as cautious as I did.
The same announcer appeared once again in front of us.
"Congratulations for being the first 500! Whoop. Unfortunately, there is still too many of you and administration will give me trouble because of it." He chuckled creaky. "Also, there is not a single drop of blood spilled yet, so I think we should change that!"
The walls in room started moving and floor started changing colors. We were now in a circular room, a real arena you could say, the floor changed color to blue and red. We ended up being on the blue side.
"Now, I would like to ask first 250 to go on the blue side and the other 250 to go on the red side."
I froze. Neither Six nor Rose were moving. They were just watching people left and right, meaning that Rose was also in the first 250. So she as well was better than me? I should've killed her when I saw her for the first time. One less strong opponent.
I knew I had to move. It was embarrassing, humiliating, watching this many great people around me. But I still can't lose my hope. I know why I'm here, and I have to fight for my goal.
"Agh." I gritted my teeth. "I'm on the other side." I said cooly. I pretended that I didn't see Six's surprised face. Rose didn't react much. Screw everything, if I'm team red then I'm team red. Who knows, maybe it will be my advantage.
As soon as I crossed the line the announcer's voice echoed in the chamber.
"Okay! Let us begin!"
The room started changing shape again. A stone seats appeared on the top, it reminded me of funnel, especially with all the drains on the floor. They were probably there for the blood.
The red color overpowered the blue and now the whole circle was red. Everyone on the blue side was teleported on top. They are going to watch, I realized. I felt like I was inside the eye of the storm. It didn't feel good but I was prepared for anything. If they want to watch, I will give them something worth watching.
"There is currently 250 of you. And I was actually supposed to let only first 300, but that is so boring and not trilling at all. So, I figured you can all just fight to death, until only 50 of you remain."
I knew something like this would happen. This was the arena after all. Everyone is going to die at some point. Only one winner.
Being on team red was definitely a disadvantage.
The countdown began and it was as everything around me became still. Everyone was tense, I could feel blood in my mouth going down my throat, I could feel the drops of sweat forming on my forehead. Everything was hypersensitive.
This is good, I thought. This was exactly how I was supposed to feel. This is how I felt every time I was about to fight back home.
I held my spear closely to myself. I also had my daggers, which was an advantage since most people here got their weapon at the entrance, but I've always known how to use my daggers and I also practiced with spears as well.
I'm going to be okay. I've prepared for this, I've been preparing for this for a long time. This is my destiny. Today, I will win.
The horn was sounded, and then, all hell broke loose.