The faint sounds of dripping icy water filled the stone cave. I swatted at the stray blonde hairs in my face, attempting to push them back into my french braid. Even though the cave was cool enough, I could feel myself sweating in anxiety. This was the seventh assignment I had been given and I was determined not to fail again.

The prey I had been stalking for three hours was cornered. Its pale yellow eyes stared at me with condescension. I glared at it furiously, yearning for it to fear me. It laid down and started to clean itself, obviously mocking me.

I gripped the sword in my hand, waiting for a sudden opportunity to decapitate the hideous creature. Its fur was red and had ears like a fox, but that was the only similarity. The skyrithia had leathery skin pulled tightly over its grotesque frame. It had a spiky tail with poisoned tips, intimidating any predator. The snout was long and resembled a k-nine's, but it had mangled teeth, making it near impossible to close its mouth. The feet were wolfish with extra long, dagger nails, perfect for making my death as painful as possible.

It turned its hideous face towards me, attempting to lick its lips. I pointed my sword towards it, shaking from head to toe. You are so weak, Iris! How can you be Kristine Kent's sister?! The words from my teacher rang in my ears. I growled subconsciously and stepped closer to the monster. The skyrithia only yawned, revealing several rows of vicious teeth anxious to make their way into my pale arms.

What are you trying to prove? It seemed to ask me. It then decided that it was bored of waiting for my first move and lunged towards me. I rolled out of the way, the ruler-length nails barely grazing my skin. I regained my balance and charged the creature, hoping that I would live until the Council Meeting that night.

Of course, the monster expected this and swished its tail from side to side. I instinctively blocked with my sword, slicing off one of the spikes. The monster wailed in pain, backing away and hissing. I picked up the spike and threw it at the skyrithia, hoping it would sink into its skin and poison it. But nothing ever goes my way.

It growled and leapt for me, this time, my roll was too late. The giant monster had me beneath its claws, drips of slime spilled from its muzzle into my eyes. I screamed in frustration, shaking my head to rid myself of the sour smelling liquid. My sword was too far from my grasp, and I was about to accept my death.

Suddenly, a silver arrow flew from the entrance of the cave and sunk into the monster's ribcage. It shrieked and released me, clawing at the arrow. I wiped my eyes, looking for my savior. A tall, muscular boy stepped into the mouth of the cave. The light behind him gave him a heavenly presence. His dark straight hair was soaked in sweat and it framed his chiseled face. His deep gray eyes radiated power, power that I have never know. But all too quickly I realized it was my rival, Drew Rambus.

This was the seventh assignment he had come to my rescue, and each time I wanted to enjoy it. But the horrid feeling of defeat always ripped me apart and left me emotionless. I was always short with him and wanted nothing more than to beat him at something, anything.

He fired a few more silver arrows into the monster until it stopped squirming. He offered his hand, but, as always, I refused to take it. I brushed myself off and retrieved my sword. The class bell rang and we rushed for lunch.

"Again Iris?" he smirked. I wanted so badly to punch him, but Headmistress would punish me severely. Maybe force me to clean the toilets with my only toothbrush, or vacuum the sidewalks, or scrape basketball sized clumps of gum from the ceiling. I had experience in all of them, and I wasn't about to become a 'pro toilet scrubber'.

"I'd kill you right now," I muttered under my breath. He raised his eyebrows.

"You can't even kill a skyrithia, let alone kill a classmate," he taunted. I balled up my fists, tempted to unsheathe my sword. He laughed at me and we walked out of the cave to the entrance of the school.

"Just shut up, you-" I began.

"Iris!" a short, pudgy Asian girl came running from the school. Her smile made my heart melt. She was the cutest little nine year old I had ever met. Her name was Quin. She had straight ebony hair that stopped right at her jaw. Her eyes glistened with innocence and joy.

"Did you do it? Did you win?" she bounced with excitement. I didn't want to dampen her mood, so I faked a smile.

"It's dead!" I announced. I hadn't really lied. It was dead, but I didn't kill it. She squealed with delight and ran off to tell her friends. I shook my head.

"Iris Kent," I spun around to find myself face to face with a disappointed headmaster. I stepped back, observing the lines on her tired face. She had slitted blue eyes mimicking deep lagoons. Her slick obsidian hair was streaked with silver highlights and was pulled back into the neatest bun. She was tall and had an hourglass build. Her skin was so pale it looked almost translucent. She had prominent cheekbones and a strangely narrow nose that she would always stick in the air. She wore a black blazer, pencil skirt, and blouse. In her hair was a black netting that hung over her eyes. She looked like she belonged at a funeral, or maybe as the person in the casket. Most people would have liked her that way, including me.

"Yes?" I squeaked. She crossed her arms in disgust. I knew this gesture quite well, and nearly memorized the speech afterward.

"You failed your assignment again!" she spat. I started to explain, but she held up her bony hand, forbidding me to continue. "Your mother promised us that you were worthy of being a Warrior, and from your sister's success, I assumed you might turn out the same. You have had sixteen years at this school and you haven't improved once! I was wrong to take you in! You are a disgrace to us!"

I recited each word under my breath. Heaven knows how many times I heard that.

"Iris, I'm giving you another assignment,"

I raised my eyebrow. This was new.

She sighed and handed me an envelop as if my life were literally in her hands. I hesitantly took it, wondering which creature I'd be required to kill. I ripped the envelop open and read a handwritten letter. It stated:

Iris Kent,

You are hereby assigned to a mission beyond campus. Due to our shortage of Warriors, we have chosen you to capture the Orchadnor, the wicked serpent in the west. It is threatening the front lines, keeping our eyes from the real threat. You are not departing alone. With you will go another Warrior, one who has shown excellence in everything he or she does. Drew Rambus is to be your partner. We wish to have one of the Orchadnor's teeth as a proof of your deed. We expect you to present it to Admiral Cook in two weeks. Good luck.

General H.G.

I nearly collapsed. Off campus? Orchadnor? Real threat? Drew Rambus? I shook my head in desperation, but the headmistress stuck up her nose and turned away.

"Extra clothes are in the Laundry Chamber. Concealable weapons are in the Arena, and you can find last minute supplies in the Infirmary ," she spoke over her shoulder. "You'd better get moving."

*******

*******

"Why do I have to go on a mission with you?" Drew exhaled sharply, obviously as thrilled as I was. We were already on an automated bus headed off campus, where no WIT, Warrior in Training, had gone before.

"I don't like it any more than you do," I crossed my arms. He gave me a stone look.

"Its a suicide mission," he gripped his hair, rocking himself back and forth. I shrugged and studied a map. The winding lines streaked across the paper in confusing patterns. I twisted the map around, hoping the other side would make more sense.

I sighed in frustration. Drew snatched the map from me.

"Not only can you not fight, you can't even tell that this is the wrong map," he threw it aside muttering things like, "I don't deserve to die with an idiot,"

Night had set in, causing me to want to rest from the day's assignment. Drew rolled his eyes as I curled up in the bus seat. After a few seconds, I was out cold.

*******

"Wake up, Iris!" Drew shook my shoulders. I sat up in a daze and noticed I was no longer in a bus. I was in the middle of the road surrounded by flaming scraps of metal.

"What-what happened?" I stuttered. Drew helped me to my feet. I wanted to yank myself away but I was too shocked.

"Fire ball," he stated bluntly. I inspected myself and noticed a few minor burns. I looked at Drew and he seemed perfectly fine.

"What?" I looked around again.

"Sayberinth...that dragon-like thing that you fight on level seventeen," he kicked a piece of debris away from him. I didn't know what he was talking about. I was only on level two.

"Oh, of course," I acted as though I knew what he meant. He sighed and looked at me as though I was a starving little puppy.

"Oh, right. You're still in the level with two year olds, aren't you?" he made his way along the road away from the burning bus. My face burned with anger. He looked at me, pleased with my reaction. "Is there a problem, Miss Kent?"

"Don't call me that, Rambus." I shoved my hands in my pockets. I looked among the wreckage and found the map and our bags. The map was, unfortunately, burned past the point of legibility. I groaned and crumpled the ashes. I threw the bag at Drew, hoping that he would miss it, but he caught it with grace. I hated him.

"Why did it just attack our bus...and out in the open?" I asked as we walked to the next bus stop. He shrugged. I looked at him. Okay, the bus exploded, correct? Why is he untouched? And why the heck am I still alive?