A/N: That up there is what Maia looks like. Of course she doesn't have the red eyes at this particular point in time and her hair is less white. It's something that happens along the road lol.

....

As I walked behind my fellow teammates I had only one thought. If I ever met the gods I would kick them where it hurts the most.

Don't get me wrong, I know the great Olympians were almighty and whatnot but as I walked towards what would probably be the arena of my death, I held them responsible for all this chaos.

If it wasn't for them, mankind wouldn't have gotten the 'gift'. You see, many generations ago the great Olympian gods decided to gift mankind with an assortment of abilities. People gained the ability to channel the wind, control fire and the most showy, the gift to summon lightning.

What the gods did not think of was that man being, well- man, would compete with one another to decide which power was the most superior and thus be worthy of ruling the world.

The gods' gift became a ruse for power wars as ambitious politicians recruited their champions of the elements to win them the right to rule once every four years.

It had been four years since the last tournament and the first term of supreme leader Jiguro Hasashi had come to an end. He had assumed power after his champions, the House of Zeus - those who could summon lightning, had won. This time around, his fellow competition hoped to steal his crown.

That's how I got here. Well actually, I wasn't supposed to be here. I was one of the unlucky few who had no element. It was my younger twin sister Naia who belonged here. She was a pyro and had been summoned to the House of Hephaestus. Naia was a sweetheart and I knew the tournament would destroy her. Plus, I didn't want to lose her. People died in these games and it was better me than her.

I fell in line as we all gathered at our entry doorway to the arena. There were a total of eleven of us house champions. Lady Gwyneth Pavati was our House sponsor. If our house won she would be supreme leader. I didn't know how I felt about her. She seemed okay but I had seen what power does to people.

Our oldest brother Zane had been recruited by the House of Zeus four years ago and he had become a stranger ever since. Naia and I only ever got to see him from afar. As the house champion, he went everywhere with Hasashi.

Now it was just me and Naia. I wasn't going to let anyone get between us.

"Thank you all for your bravery. Your tribute means so much to me. I pray for your protection and victory." Lady Pavati said before the horn sounded.

It was finally time to proceed to the arena.

The number of people who came to watch these barbaric tournament never seized to amaze me. Their cheers were loud as one by one we filed into the arena. The contestants from the House of Zeus and the House of Aeolus had already taken their spot on the center of the arena.

I'm sure we looked like a pretty collage of pictures with our vibrant colored outfits. Blue for Zeus the god of lightning, fiery red for Hephaestus the god of fire and white for Aeolus the god of the winds.

We all stood in salutation as our sponsors all took their place on the great podium. A hush fell upon the crowd as the tournament host began to address us.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here once again to behold the spectacular power that was bestowed upon us by the gods. May the best house win and may the chosen leader of our world reign victorious!" The man announced, hyping up the crowd. "Now, the first game shall be a medley. Each house shall send out its champions against the other house champions. The second game shall be a game of capture the flag. The last game shall be between the last two qualifying teams and it shall be one of combat."

As the crowds cheered in anticipation I couldn't help my fear nor could I help the dread I suddenly felt. 

What was I doing here? I had no gift, I was only going to get myself killed.

Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I resolved myself to my fate. There was no turning back now. I was here and one way or the other I had to suck it up and find a way to keep from getting killed.