Jacob found himself in the middle of the gym, surrounded by three experienced instructors who were ready to test his skills. With his intelligent assistant, the orb that seemed to be integrated with advanced artificial intelligence and floated around him, he was prepared to face the challenge.
The instructors lunged at Jacob, trying to destabilize him with a series of punches and kicks. However, Jacob demonstrated astonishing reaction speed. Every time an instructor approached, the orb emitted a subtle signal, alerting Jacob to an imminent attack with slight and subtle sounds.
With constant reminders from his intelligent assistant, Jacob managed to dodge the strikes with agile and precise movements. His body moved with elegance and fluidity, allowing him to evade the attacks at the last moment.
As the fight progressed, Jacob began to counterattack. Using his Kusarigama, he executed quick and powerful moves, seizing every opportunity to strike his opponents. The rope entangled around the instructors while the knife cut through the air fiercely.
Despite his skill, Jacob didn't emerge from the fight unscathed. He received some blows, but his resilience and determination were unbreakable. Every time he was hit, he quickly got back up, leveraging his agility and speed to counter the attacks.
The intelligent assistant continued its work, providing Jacob with a 360-degree vision and alerting him to any suspicious movement. Thanks to this assistance, Jacob could anticipate the instructors' moves and effectively counterattack.
With each interaction, Jacob became more skilled and confident. His movements became more fluid, and his strategy more precise. Blow by blow, kick by kick, Jacob fought with tenacity and conviction.
Finally, with a combination of quick and accurate movements, Jacob managed to disarm and defeat the three instructors. The audience erupted in applause and admiration at the impressive display of skills.
Jacob, although he had taken some hits during the fight, remained standing, showcasing his determination and resilience. His strength and prowess were evident, and the magical orb that assisted him had proven to be a valuable tool in his victory.
With his demonstration, Jacob made it clear that he was not only a formidable competitor but also a cunning and capable strategist. His reaction speed combined with the assistance of his intelligent orb had led him to triumph in this challenging fight against three experienced instructors.
By the time Jacob looked at the Gamemakers, they had all been watching his demonstration for a while. Some had surprised looks, realizing that he was on par with the professionals, while others expected this outcome as they had correctly analyzed his performance.
"Thank you for your attention!" After saying this, Jacob walked toward the gym's exit and then took the elevator. Inside, he pressed the button for the twelfth floor, and it ascended slowly.
Upon entering his designated floor, Jacob heard Haymitch's voice coming from the room, so he approached slowly to discuss the outcome of his evaluation.
"Were you in my training session?" At this point, Jacob had some doubts as to whether the mentors had access to the private sessions with the Mentors, so he asked this question hoping for an answer.
Haymitch, sitting in a chair, responded in a soft tone, "We mentors do not have access to the presentations in front of the Gamemakers. We will be informed later about your results if there were any surprises, but we will find out about your performance in the skills presentation in the training arena."
"That's right. Now, tell us how it went." Effie Trinket was very excited to hear about Jacob's performance in the private session.
"I'm sure I'll get a high score. I showed them everything I've got, and I think I did pretty well. With my training and skills, it's enough to grab their attention."
Haymitch said skeptically, "You're good, I won't deny that. But the Hunger Games are not just about physical abilities. Strategy, politics, and manipulation come into play. You can't underestimate your opponents or the circumstances you'll face. Most people die before they even confront the other tributes."
Jacob understood this perfectly, so he replied in a slightly different tone, "They should be aware of the strategy that Katniss and I have. We've been working on that strategy to manipulate the audiences since we arrived in the Capitol... It seems like you were the same age, the costumes, the advice to stick together, and all that crap to grab the Mentors' attention."
"You're quite clever. Since I met you, I knew you were fully aware of what you were getting into... Have you been training for three years to win the games? I'm not sure, but I'll give you some advice. Arrogant and overconfident people die at the hands of the weak and foolish with luck."
Effie Trinket intervened enthusiastically, pointing out something important: "Dear Jacob, the Hunger Games are a spectacle. The audience expects more than just physical strength. You need to captivate them, impress them. The public wants a tribute who excites them and makes them thrill, and you have done a great job alongside Katniss. That proves that you are the favorites of the audience."
Jacob sat in a chair in front of Haymitch and Effie, stretching his sore muscles and said, "It wasn't easy to have Katniss by my side. Let's say she doesn't like the idea of being a puppet of the Capitol, who would? Sometimes, I even feel like shit for acting the way I do. I volunteered as a tribute for a reason, so Haymitch, focus on helping Katniss, she needs it more."
Haymitch looked at Jacob seriously and asked, "Are you seeking death in the games? What a way to die, that's very regrettable... Always being so unpredictable, strange, and an idiot with goals that are too different."
"It's not how you think. I will win at all costs, but I'm looking for a completely different path... Katniss is my ally, and she needs the most help. If she is strong, I will be strong... Destiny will decide for us, isn't that right?" Jacob couldn't reveal his plan. In fact, he had said too much in front of Effie, but he wasn't afraid she would disclose anything to others.
Haymitch sighed with a headache and said, "Jacob, I understand your determination and bravery, but you must understand that the Hunger Games are a game where any help brings you closer to survival. Don't underestimate the power of strategic alliances or the maximum assistance you can receive before the games."
"Thank you for your concern, Haymitch. These games will be the most unforgettable of all time, I'm completely sure of it," Jacob said up to a certain point.
"That's why I like you, kid. I'll be able to train you and Katniss on the last day, since you're allies. That shouldn't matter to you."
Jacob remained silent, reflecting on the words of Haymitch and Effie. Although he was confident in himself, he began to doubt if his approach would be enough in the Hunger Games. The conversation planted a seed of uncertainty in his mind, making him question whether he should reconsider his attitude and seek even more allies to face the challenges that awaited him in the arena.
"Katniss, darling, you're back." Effie Trinket said as she got up from the chair, but soon noticed that something was wrong.
"Katniss, come here!" Haymitch shouted with a deep voice. However, Katniss ran to her room and closed the door.
In the next moment, Haymitch and Effie Trinket climbed the stairs to look for Katniss, who seemed to be in a very distressed state. The only one who didn't move was Jacob, who seemed to understand what was happening.
"Did you do it in the end?" Jacob murmured those words.
...
After half an hour, Haymitch and Effie Trinket had moved away from Katniss' door as they waited for her to calm down. Jacob, on the other hand, walked away, saying he would rest after receiving certain blows from the instructors. However, he wanted to talk to Katniss to help her feel better since he empathized with her, and if he ever had a sister, someone like Katniss would be enough for him to give his life for her.
At this moment, Jacob sat silently next to Katniss' room door. He could hear muffled sobs coming from inside the room. He knew she was going through a difficult time after her performance in the private session with the Gamemakers. Therefore, just this once, he decided to open his heart and share his own experiences with her, in an attempt to offer comfort and understanding.
After a few minutes of hesitation, Jacob gently knocked on the door.
The last time he spoke so frankly was in a phone call where he cut ties with his family. His brother's betrayal had changed him, and his life in this world had shaped him in a way that he struggled to understand.
Jacob asked with a clear, deep, and sincere voice, "Katniss, can I come in? I want to be here for you."
After a few minutes, Katniss' voice was faintly heard, "Yes..."
Jacob cautiously entered and sat next to her on the bed. Katniss had red and swollen eyes from crying, but she still looked beautiful in her vulnerability. For anyone focused on something else, their heart would race, but Jacob, who was as wounded and broken as a walking dead, the last thing he noticed was her beauty.
Jacob, without staring at Katniss and with a soft voice, said, "I know you're going through a lot right now. I can feel your pain and confusion. I want you to know that you're not alone, Katniss. I'm here for you, and I always will be, until the very end."
Katniss, wiping her tears, said in a weak and helpless voice, "Why do you care so much, Jacob? I don't understand why someone like you would care about someone like me when, in the end, we'll have to kill each other... We should be enemies, you should be thinking about how you'll end up killing me..."
Jacob fell silent, she was right... Didn't he consider Katniss as a tool that he could easily discard? When did he change? No, even better, what was happening to him? However, ignoring his own questions, he started speaking without realizing it.
"Allow me to share a part of my story with you, Katniss. Before I came to this place, my life was filled with abandonment and loneliness. I was left behind by those who should have loved and cared for me. I knew the pain of feeling invisible, of believing that I didn't matter to anyone. But when I saw you in that demonstration, something inside me awakened..."
The Jacob of now was different, and Katniss could feel it, so she curiously asked, "What do you mean?"
This time, Jacob stared directly into Katniss' eyes and spoke sincerely, "Seeing your bravery, your strength, and how you face challenges with unwavering determination reminded me that there is always hope even if others don't admire your courage. There is no greater sacrifice than making it for a sibling, even if you can't believe me, I understand you perfectly... That's why I applauded that time in the square, I admired your bravery and saw in you something that I had only seen in myself a year ago..."
Pausing, Jacob said in a much closer voice, "You are a symbol of resistance, Katniss. You volunteered as tribute to protect your sister, and that shows how incredible you are. I want you to know that if you ever need help, if you ever feel like you can't face all of this alone, I'm here for you. I promise to be your unwavering support, in life and in death..."
Katniss was moved to the point that she had stopped crying. "Jacob, I don't know what to say. No one has ever offered something like this for me before. You've left me speechless..."
With a warm smile, Jacob said, "You don't need to say anything, Katniss. I just want you to know that you have someone by your side. Together, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way. You are strong, brave, and deserving of all the love and support you can receive from this world... If there's one thing I have to do, it's to give you my support. We're in this together, Katniss."
Katniss approached Jacob and embraced him, feeling the comfort and hope emanating from him. In that moment, both of them understood that they were willing to fight together, to support each other in this challenge called The Hunger Games.
This time, both of them were sincere about their feelings, both of them were willing to sacrifice their lives for the other to survive.