"Catch, Lynx!" I shouted throwing a hot piece of coal at Lynx. He caught it immediately.

"Oara, catch!" He yelled as Oara slid on her knees catching the piece of burning coal before it could hit the ground.

"Phibi, your go!" Oara shouted as she threw the piece of coal at Phibi. Phibi caught it and slammed it into the bucket... Well, used to be bucket. It melted. There were so many hot coals in it... it burned.

"Very good, apprentices," Instructor Martinalli said, "Y'all have done good in training this week. As you know the games are tomorrow."

We all cheered. This is the last day of training. We already looked like we've been through the games with our scars and bruises from training... but we all know we will look worse after the games are done.

"Well... I think you all need a team uniform... don't you?" Instructor Martinalli asked pulling something out from behind the wall.

We all ran over to find shiny blue armor with a lightning bolt on both sides of the metal helmets. There was one uniform, though, that stood out from the rest. It had a clean coat of metallic black metal instead of the blue, and it had big red lightning bolt in the front of the helmet, instead of a yellow bolt on each side.

"This one is yours, Cara, since you are the leader," Instructor Martinalli said as he pulled the black and red armor off the rack handing it to her.

"Wow..." I said as I put the helmet on— perfect fit— along with the armor. I was speechless. "Thank you, Instructor Martinalli," I gave him a gentle nod and he returned it.

"Alright... who's ready for an epic Thundervile camp-out?" Oara said jumping up and down. Her armor clanging.

"Me! Also we need to figure out a good catchphrase..." Phibi said as she neatly set her new armor down on the bench, "Do you want to join us Instructor Martinalli?"

Instructor Martinalli looked baffled for a second and then smiled, "I think I've been around y'all too much this week... go on ahead. I have to meet with the other team instructors anyway."

"Oh... okay. Well... lets get camp set up!" She yelled. We all cheered and ran out of the arena saying goodbye to Instructor Martinalli.

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We got the camp set up and ready, we then pulled logs over to the campfire and sat down in our nightgowns. The weight of armor can wait until tomorrow. Right now... its relaxing time.

I took a deep breath. The pine scented air filling my lungs. I—

Bird noises startled me as I started drifting to sleep. I looked around and saw everyone else asleep. I didn't bother to wake them up. They worked hard this week... also the games are tomorrow. I sighed. I started dosing off just as I heard the bird noises again. They seemed a little unnatural...

Out of nowhere someone popped out of the bushes. Before I could scream, the person put a hand over my mouth.

Wait a second...

I bit the persons hand... or his hand... or Drake's hand. He pulled his hand away. I turned around, "What the heck are you doing here?"

"I was just walking around the forest..." Drake said as he stared off onto the distance.

I sighed, "This isn't a good time."

"I can tell," He said gesturing to the team... still asleep. I rolled my eyes and shoved him away.

"I am the leader of the team, by the way," I said standing up. His eyebrows shot up.

"You're kidding, right?" He asked. I punched him in the shoulder. He grimaced.

"What? You think I can't be?"

"No, of course not its just... I'm leader of Team Scaleneburg," He said carefully.

My jaw dropped, "You're kidding, right?"

"What?" He said smirking, "You think I—"

I dragged him into the forest, careful not to wake up the team, "You know what this means right?"

"Um... that if we both make it into the final battle... we have to fight each other? Then, yes," He said taking a leaf out of his short, messy brown hair.

I dropped my head into my hands, grimacing when I realized I had a bruise on my forehead from training. I turned to him, "You are really calm about this."

"Uh... and you're not?" He said.

"No, can you tell!" I shouted in his face, "Dang it, Drake. Why are you such a good fighter?"

Before he could respond Oara came out from a bush, "Cara..." She said as she turned to Drake. She blinked. Out of nowhere someone came out from another bush. I started banging my head against a tree. It was Mira.

"Drake..." She started but then looked at me. She grimaced. All four of us passed glances at each other.

"Well, Drake," I said sticking out my hand to him, "I'll see you in the games. Good luck."

"You to," He said and shook my hand. We both turned away from each other and walked back to our camps. I felt tears run down my cheeks, but I didn't feel them. I didn't sob either. The tears just came. Oara sat down next to me on the log and looked at my face and patted me on the back. I didn't feel that either though.

I soon fell asleep. That night my dreams were filled with bloodshed, fire, and war. And then I saw Drake in my mind.

"Why are we fighting?" I yelled across the battlefield.

"You know the rules, Cara!" Drake shouted. He smirked and drew out his sword.

There was already blood on it.

My eye started hurting as I felt a liquid running down my face.

"Drake—"

"Fight, stay fighting, and be fought!" He yelled as he charged toward me with the bloody sword. Then—

Right before he was about to stab me, I was awoken by the sound of drums. I ripped open my eyes and looked around to find my friends looking around also. Then there was an echo of a voice, "Apprentices! Welcome to the sixth day of the Forty-second week, also known as the Bellum Games! I recommend you get your armor on and come to the front of the forest. But be prepared and take all weapons and items of survival with you... It is going to be a very, long day."