Sprinting. My heart was racing as I raced through the forest with my sword and shield. I concentrated on my breathing pattern like I was taught in training. Everyone split-up. Some people deciding to hide and distract others. Lyrra and Lux were in charge of that. I stayed alert as I sprinted faster, medal armor clanging.

I heard a scream from somewhere deep in the forest, but I kept running. Me and my team decided to shout something special for when one of us gets hurt or lost.

All of a sudden, I saw someone in a black cloak run into a bush. A huge tree up ahead started shaking. The tree was falling in front of me. This must be one of the obstacles. I ran faster. I then dropped to my knees and slid underneath the tree right before it hit the ground. I barely made it, but I did. I kept running.

I looked straight ahead and saw Oara and Lynx running ahead of me. We decided they would be the main people to go after the flag for out team.

"Oara!" I shouted as I saw a rope on the ground. A trap. "On your left!"

She side-stepped and kept running, avoiding whatever deadly trap was put in place. I heard a creaking noise behind me and turned around. The tree that was about to crush me was rising back up into its normal place. I looked around. How many of these trees are fake?

Out of nowhere the ground split. I tripped as my foot got stuck in a crack in the ground. Did they just trigger an earthquake? How is that even possible? I ripped my foot out from the ground and started sprinting again. I saw the ground split somewhere ahead of me. I saw Oara and Lynx up ahead and... were they floating? I ran faster and squinted, realizing that they were swinging on vines over a huge trench that looked like it lasted miles.

I found that out to late.

I stepped over the edge, I shrieked as I started falling into the trench, but then out of nowhere someone caught my arm. I breathed heavy as I swung my other hand onto the side of the cliff and helped pull up. I flew forward once I made it out of the trench. I looked up and locked eyes with the person that helped me up. It was Drake.

"I was never here," He said as he ran over and swung from vine to vine. The vine spun him around facing me.

I mouthed a simple, thank you.

He nodded thoughtfully and swung over to the next vine. I realized I was supposed to keep moving, so I got up and—

"Lightning strike!" I heard someone shout. I started running toward the sound. That's the special call we have if someone on my team gets hurt.

"Thunder noise!" I yelled. That was me letting them know I was coming. The person repeated the call. It sounded like Phibi. I realized that she was on the other side of the trench.

Dang it. Dang it. Dang it!

I grabbed a vine and quickly swung over to the next one. It felt like I was gliding, I was moving so fast. I reached the last vine. It was a far jump from here to the land beyond the trench. I saw that Drake, Oara, and Lynx were all gone. I heard a rustle behind me and saw Mira. I started swinging. I have no doubt she's going to try and shove me off the vine. She started catching up to me. I heard her unsheathe her sword from her holster.

This is it. I'm dead.

I've never expected the person I'm in love with to always win... but to always try, Drake's words echoed in my head.

I gave a battle cry and did a final swing. I felt Mira's sword barely nick the back of my neck. I then landed out of the trench area and onto safe grounds. I was panting. I looked up and saw Mira hanging on a vine with one hand and putting her sword away with the other.

"Nice try, Mira," I said as I ran off into the woods. "Thunder noise!"

"Lightning... strike," I heard a faint noise.

"Phibi, where are—" I gasped. Phibi was laying on the ground around her own blood. I took a deep breath, pushing down the rising anxiety. Be prepared for anything, I told myself. I ran over to Phibi and dropped down to my knees. Where is the wound coming from? I rolled Phibi onto her stomach to check out her back. Then when she rolled over there was a note in the dirt. Love Mira, it read.

I put a hand over my mouth. "You're going to be okay, Phibi," I said with a panicked tone. I saw a dagger in Phibi's side. "Wake up, Phibi."

No response.

"I see you got my gift," Mira said coming up from behind me. I clenched my teeth.

"You horrible, no good—"

"Watch yourself, Cara, I don't think you want your punishment from me anymore painful than it already is gonna be."

I looked at Phibi. Did she murder Phibi? I started thinking of a plan. What am I going to... I saw a rope behind Mira.

"You're right, Mira... I apologize for my disrespect... but I do have one thing to say," I said as I planted my foot on the ground.

"What's that?"

"Unlike you I try... and win." I then shoved her toward the rope. She fell on the ground. I grabbed the rope and wrapped it around her wrist as the trap triggered, she flew upward. I heard a small snap.

Mira cursed under her breath, "I think you broke my wrist you, rat!" She yelled at me through clenched teeth.

"That was payback." I then picked up Phibi and ran.

"Cara!" I heard someone scream. Lynx. Him and Oara were carrying the team flag.

I felt a tear of joy slip down my cheek. I don't know how long Phibi has left. Oara and Lynx caught up to me. They both looked at Phibi.

"Phibi!" Lynx yelled. He dropped his end of the flag.

"I know Lynx... we can save her if we keep moving," I said as I shoved Phibi into his arms. I grabbed the end of the flag. "Come on!"

It was difficult getting through the trench, but we managed. We all sprinted fast. Lynx looked the most determined. He kept whispering motivational words to Phibi. I couldn't help, but wonder if he had a crush on her. Then—

"We made it!" Oara screamed. I looked over and saw Lux and Lyrra at the front. They were covered in cuts and bruises. Me and Oara threw the flag at them. They caught it and gave it to Instructor Martinalli.

We saw two other teams with their flags but other than that... we made it. Out of eight teams. We aren't being eliminated. I held my breath as Lynx set Phibi down gently in front of the medic.

The medic felt her pulse and—

"We can save her. She'll be okay," The medic said as he wrapped his hands around the dagger handle. I turned away so I wouldn't have to see as I let go of the breath I was holding.

We officially completed round one in the Bellum Games.