I was sitting in the stadium inside king's palace. The stadium was big like the ones that we would see hosting human fights and beast killings on television. There were many seats. All but, few were empty.

There was a balcony high up, made for the king, it was at such a distance that I couldn't see anything but, the two soldiers on the either side of the throne.

The king was yet to come, I could feel the anticipation on the two boys close to me. The other two, frightened me.

The one sitting at the very last, with his red mouth covering mask looked intimidating. I could see his black iris looking at the ground, calculating.

All these guys looked around twenty, I was the youngest one here.

"Gosh, I should've listned to Mr. Brodbeck" I mused. Yep, the portly man who was the owner of the Stall.

I was thinking all this thoughts when the announcement of the kings arival snapped me back to reality.

I saw a commotion at the balcony and saw few heads entering, the guards on the side of the throne sported some movement, I couldn't see anything properly. After a while a man came to the railing of the balcony.

"My greetings, to all the gathered callen" he boomed. I looked around, we were only five, who was this guy reffering to.

"I am sure you are eager to know, why you are called here" his booming voice continued "We have gathered here to test you all. In the test we will see how good a warrior you are. You would join the king's elite group as an assassin of the callens, if you pass this test. This will not only help you to train while the other callens fight for survival but, would also help you to gain knowledge and news on the others movement giving you a edge over them"

Me an assassin no chance, still it might be better if I can stick here until I learn more about this mess. I will have to pass the test though.

"If anyone of you think that you are not suited for this can withdraw now" the man said and looked over at them "Okay then come down, whenever you are ready"

Saying this he went back to stand beside the throne, on which sat the king. I couldn't see any of his feature.

"Guess I will go first then" the red head beside me said standing up, he made his way to the side steps and entered the ground.

He reached the centre of the stadium, all of us looked at him.

"So, what should I do, show my skills, introduce myself or should I show what weapon I........" Before he could say more, the gate inside the stadium opened and five guards came out.

"You will have to defeat them all to pass" The man announced from above, while the soldiers circled him.

I could see the guy looking around, the guards had their sword out. Those looked real enough, they must be kidding to use real sword, one wrong step and the guy is sheesh kebab.

Guess I was wrong, cause one of the guard quickly made his way to the boy breaking the circle. I could see him tense.

The guard reached him and swung his sword, suddenly the guard was flying through the air, he landed on the far end and didn't stand up again.

There was a long rope in the boy's hand now. He had used it like a lasso and thrown him. The other guards became alert.

They circled him, while he looked at them simultaneously.

Suddenly the guard at his back, started towards him with a roar. The boy turned around and flicked his hand, the rope winded around the guards ankle, making him stumble.

He kicked him hard and the guard came crashing to the fence below which we were sitting. I heard a sickening crunch of his ribs breaking.

Seeing two of their commarade down motivated them and the remaining three started running towards the boy, from different direction.

They all reached him at the same time. They swung their sword hard hoping to cut through him but, it clashed against each other. The guy had jumped just before the sword could cut through him.

He was a little away from them now before the guards could so much as blink an eye the boy again flicked the rope lassoing all of them together, rendering their movement.

"Do you all except defeat?" He asked, moving to face one of the guards. They all looked down accepting defeat.

"I think, I passed the test" he said triumphantly as he released them and made his way to come back. He took his place beside me.

"Congrats" I whispered to him, he looked at me and then looked away. What was that? Weirdo.

"Okay, now who else is ready" The man again shouted from above.

The guy beside the red head got up, he had two little knives sheathed to his belt. He confidently made his way down to the centre of the stadium.

"I am ready" he shouted looking at the high balcony, the gates opened and the five guards came in.

They all stoped infront of the boy facing him, the boy unsheathed his knives and poised himself. He nodded to indicate that he was ready.

The guards took the cue and all made their way together towards him.

What? Are they all going to attack him together, he must be insane to try and fend them all.

Though he still stood there determined as they all made their way towards him.

The first guard reached him and swung, he blocked it with one of his knives and with the other slashed at his jaw, throwing him side ways.

He side-stepped the other two coming behind and punched them both in the stomach, the knives slicing through their sides.

The stumbeled sideways hurt, he ducked down as the fourth one sliced his sword, he kicked him in the shins as he ducked, this made the guard pause as agonizing pain shot through his body. The boy punched him ad he fell back.

This had cost him so much time that the boy wasn't able to do anything as the last guard shoved the sword below his face, the tip a mere away from the neck.

The boy was about to make a move to stab the guard's exposed stomach, when the second and third guard too came and pointed their swords to his neck.

"Do you conceed defeat?" the guard in the front asked in a harsh voice.

"Yes" the boy admitted grudgingly sheathing his sword.

He turned to come back up but, the guards blocked his path. "Scuttle away now, will you. I accepted defeat" he spat.

Instead of answering the guards caught his arms and moved it back behind him.

"What is all this, leave me" he shouted wriggling to get out of their grasp.

"Stop struggling, they caught you because you lost" the voice of the man again came from above.

"So, what if I lost. Why had they caught me, what is the meaning of all this" the boy shouted, his nervousness evident.

"Forgive me but, I forget to mention a little detail..." the voice said slyly "..... If you win then its all good and great but, if you come down here and loose then...... YOU DIE!!"

***Before we go I have something new, some of my readers told me this idea so, here you go***

I have given down two title here, vote for the one, which you want to see as the title for the chapter.

Rope is better than knives/ The worst punishment to fail (comment down which one should I keep as the title) CLOSED

A/N: MATT's prespective of the story follow the story by MJaM31

Thanks, have a great day..............