I tried to stop crying, but I couldn't. Drake is sacrificing  himself for me.

I clawed my hands through my hair as I sat alone on a bench. The last battle with our teammates is over. Of course, Thundervile and Scaleneburg won. I dropped my head in my hands and sobbed.

"Cara?" I heard a voice and looked up. It was Instructor Martinalli. I quickly rubbed my eyes and looked at my metal boots.

"Yes?" I asked.

"I would ask what's wrong... but I think I already know," Instructor Martinalli said as he sat down on the bench next to me.

"I don't think you do—"

"Is that so?" Instructor Martinalli asked. He then showed me his hand revealing an iron ring around his ring finger.

"You're engaged... or married... that's nice," I said to Instructor Martinalli, trying not to sound sarcastic.

"Was  engaged," He said as he put his hand down next to him. "Same age as you actually."

"Really?" I asked. "What happened?"

"Me and her were caught in the same situation as you and Drake... except she didn't make it after this battle. She surrendered."

"Instructor Martinalli, I'm so sorry—"

The announcer started his five-minute warning before the final battle.

"Listen to me, Cara. She didn't make it, but there is a way for you and  Drake to."

"How?"

"One of y'all has to lose," Instructor Martinalli said.

"What? That ends in death!" I said yelling at him.

"Not necessarily... if you both end up unconscious no one can kill each other. Whoever wakes up first wins and the other is usually still unconscious... it works itself out in the end, but because y'all gave it your best fight, no one can die," Instructor Martinalli said.

"That's impossible—"

"Then fake it, Cara," He said looking straight into my eyes.

I then heard the gong just as the announcer's helper saw me and Instructor Martinalli. "Fighting time," He said. "When her name is called, then let her in."

Instructor Martinalli nodded as he rushed me over to the arena entrance. "Remember your training," Instructor Martinalli whispered in my ear. He winked as they called my name over the speakers.

"Of course, Instructor Martinalli," I whispered giving him a quick bow. I then walked out onto the arena greeting my opponent. Drake. We both clanged our swords together, gave a simple nod, and backed up into our fighting stances. I felt my eyes tear up but blinked the tears away.

This is going to work.

It has too.

"Cara Villingsvy apart of team Thundervile will be going against Drake Fallingvail on team Scaleneburg," The announcer called over the speaker. He nodded at the man standing in metal armor. He then walked toward us. I held my breath.

"You both know the rules. Fight, stay fighting, be fought. Understand?" The man asked. We both nodded in agreement. I then exhaled slowly thinking about the words. Living by these rules my entire life, I know life is always a war. I have to fight, stay fighting, and be fought. Everybody does. Its life and death.

Especially right now.

Unless this works.

I then planted my foot on the ground making a steady hold on the ground. I then stared at Drake.

"Fighters ready?" The announcer called.

Me and Drake answered at the same time. "Ready to fight, stay fighting, and be fought!" I felt my eyes tear up again. I blinked them away again. Drake's face was all determination and worry. 

"Good," The announcer said and nodded at the man in the armor. The man backed away to his original spot. "Welcome to the Bellum games," The announcer called out in the speaker. This was the moment my entire life was planned out for. This is what I've been training for. And I am not going to lose. Especially to Drake.

And I'm especially not going to lose Drake.

Not now. Not ever.

The announcer then yelled the words I've been waiting for...

"FIGHT!"