My heart, My love, My dragon

Chapter 21

Today was the big day. Anya didn't dare eat breakfast downstairs because she knows she'll be stared at rudely. Everyone in the palace was supporting Libelle in the tournament. Of course, they would, Libelle was carrying the King's child and has proven worthy for the title of the Queen of Dragons. But Anya was the King's beloved yet, not a single soul in the palace has spoken to her or gotten the chance to know her.

The entire High House Hydra had arrived early in the morning and were already seated in the House Hydra area in the arena. The rest of the High Houses were also seated in the arena and all the chosen daughters of the Houses were preparing.

Ryoko came in to give Anya her armor, "It withstands any blow by sword, arrow, or anything that might penetrate your skin."

The House Colors of House Hydra were displayed elegantly across the armor. A dark blue and an ocean blue clashed dangerously against each other. Ryoko returns to stamp House Hydra's crest on her and to place the armor on her. The armor is tight-fitting and molds onto her body perfectly. There were various pieces that clicked into place on her arms and legs. The boots were leathery and soft to keep Anya's feet steady.

"Where will the crest be stamped on?" Anya asked while Ryoko prepped the crest in the ink. The house crest was a snowflake with an enormous tidal wave behind it and two daggers on the sides.

 "Well, we're trying to show power so it'll go on your shoulder or...." Ryoko broke off into a grin. "Or it could go on your bond spot. That'll give people something to talk about."

"Do whatever you think is best, " Anya yawned. Ryoko tilted her head to the side and stamped the House Crest right on her bond spot. Anya winced and resisted the urge to yelp because nothing else was supposed to be on the bond spot but a beloved's mark. There was no doubt King Vulcan could feel it too.

"Now what do we do with your hair," Rochelle pondered as she suddenly appeared beside them. She had avoided the Chris topic.

"I was thinking a crown braid," Anya suggested. "It's best to keep my hair out of the way."

Ryoko agreed and finished her crown braid while leaving a few pieces of hair on the side, "Now, Rochelle and I are going to the arena. You have to go downstairs with the other girls and wait until you are called out. Once you are out they'll say your names, bla, bla, bla, and then all the High House leaders will bless the daughter that was sent out. Cool?"

"Yeah, cool," Anya replied meekly. No matter what, House Hydra required Anya to win and the pressure was on her. She stared at herself in the mirror, "Let's do this."

****

{Anya}

Downstairs, each of the girls had a deadly glint to them. There was even a thirteen-year-old girl fighting for the title of Queen. When the time came, they stood in a line but Libelle was late.

Soon, she came scrambling down the stairs and fell into line. We gave her a look of disgust when King Vulcan came down and his lips were a bit smeared and Libelle's armor was a bit out of place. Apparently, there was no one to help her with the armor. I rolled my eyes and fell out of line to stand beside her. 

Immediately, I rearrange her armor until it clicked into place correctly, "You'd be dead in a second if you were to go out to the arena."

"Thank you, and I'm sorry," Libelle whispered.

"For what?"

"For taking Arin away from you..."

I laughed, "Please, that man could care less about me so why should I care?"

Libelle locked eyes with me, "He cares more than you think..."

"What-"I didn't have time to ask her more because our line had already started moving ahead. The sun shone in our eyes brightly as the High Houses, in all their glory looked down on us in pride. King Vulcan was sitting on a stage in the middle of High House Vulcan and High House Hydra. The tension simmered in the air as the crowd began roaring in applause. 

"And now, this tournament is programmed by High House Vulcan and High House Magnetron. We'll start with Sierra of High House Terrain the Earth fighters!" the announcer yelled through his microphone. It's quite funny really. Luthor claimed that this world had phone's but since my fourteenth birthday I hadn't seen one since and there was still other technology. Sierra raised her hand to show her House Crest and House Terrain applauded her.

"Kalama of High House Vulcan the Fire wielders!" Kalama pulled off a piece of armor on her knee to show her crest stamp. To me, it was evident that High House Vulcan wanted the reigning monarchs to both be of the same house. A fire king and a fire queen. 

"Iris of High House Forest!"

"Remi of High House Viper!"

"Rose of High House Flora!"

"Aria of High House Slasher!"

"Aceso of High House Medela!"

From afar I could see Ryoko yawn lazily and flash me a smile. "Libelle....Of High House Magnetron!"

The Magnetron's wasted no time in boasting and began acting like crazy hooligans. Libelle revealed her house stamp that was on her shoulder and stepped back in line. I knew that House Magnetron and Vulcan programmed for my name to be called last and my house knew that too. Lucia and Hydreich were discontented but the corner of their lips was ready to turn up for what was to come. 

"Anastasia of High House Hydra!" I stepped out of line as House Hydra stood up and made a spectacle of dousing raindrops above me and a wave behind me. I tilted my head so my House crest was exposed. Collective gasps echoed throughout the arena as they saw I placed the stamp on my bond mark where the King's mark was supposed to me.

I locked eyes with King Vulcan. His hands clutched the sides of his chair angrily. He was fuming in anger and bit his lip to refrain from shouting anything. Lucia and Hydreich sneered happily and the rest of House Hydra applauded. This was a sign of power that said that even if I won I would still belong to House Hydra. King Vulcan instinctively placed to fingers on his bond spot and I narrowed my eyes at him before focussing on Rochelle.

She made a crossed-eye silly face and Ryoko rolled her eyes but there was no Luthor. I mouthed, "Where's Luthor?'

Ryoko point to where House Vulcan was seated and sure enough, Luthor was sitting beside Kaida, looking guilty. I shook my head at him and fell back in line. Most were in favor of Libelle and therefore, I knew what was going to happen. 

"Now, these daughters of the High Houses will be put into pairs and fight two against two. This way we'll eliminate the weak faster," the announcer yelled. I glanced at Rose of House Flora. She was the thirteen-year-old girl and considered the weakest because House Flora only controls plants. They seemed to be bored with the event but generally worried over Rose. It's evident they knew they'll never get a place on the throne. I knew many considered weak so I wasn't surprised when the announcer said, "First pair, Rose of House Flora and Anastasia of House Hydra."

It was an act the insulted both Houses who wasted no time in glaring at House Vulcan and Magnetron. 

Next pair..." the announcer's voice trembled. "Iris of House Forest and Remi of House Viper."

The rest of the girl's left the arena to a separate sitting area. I approached Rose who was trembling with fear. The rumors were true then. Remi was the most vicious daughter of House Viper and a treacherous snake. Iris was the most brutal and Rose could only control plants. 

"Ready?" I asked her but she shook her head furiously. I tilted her chin to make her lock eyes with me. "Listen, stay close behind me and we'll survive."

"Are you strong?" she whispered. "I'm not and I'll never survive against them."

"Believe in me," I offered.

"You need to work with your pair to defeat the opponent team. The objective is to leave the enemy team unconscious and with enough injuries to be considered valid," Dave, another announce spoke up. "Chose your weapon from the armory."

There was a rack of weapons to the far left where the four of us approached. Iris got an axe while Remi got a full set of daggers. Rose was having difficulty choosing a weapon for herself. There was a full set of long sharp needles that was best for her height so I gave her these and she smiled gratefully. All eyes were on me as I chose a bow and arrows.

"You are allowed to use your abilities," Dave said and then a dome was built around the fighting area to protect the audience. "Now...without further interference...BEGIN!"

Remi was quick to attack Rose. Striking down the weakest opponent was her tactic. But I slid in right on time to shove Rose aside from the flying daggers. I blocked them with the armor on my arm. Then there was a change. Remi and Iris whispered to each other and then charged at me. They've changed tactics. Defeating the difficult opponent and then strike down the weakest lastly. 

Iris swung her axe at me but I dodged it swiftly to face a dagger aiming at my face. I ducked quickly and took hold of Remi's legs- knocking her off her feet. We struggled for Remi was strongly holding a dagger at my neck. We rolled over until her knees were on my chest and her dagger only a centimeter away from my neck. 

"Change of rules...You need enough damage to leave your opponent on the verge of....death..." Dave struggled to say. There was no doubt now that this was programmed.

Remi smirked as the tip of the dagger began settling against my neck. I placed my palm on her chest and yelled, "Frost!" 

She winced and staggered back as ice enveloped the armor on her chest and eventually, to her skin. Rose was being cornered by Iris and put a plant prison around her to which she scoffed and cut the trees down with her axe. 

I tried running to her but Remi pulled me down by the shoulder. I flinched at the armor hitting my back and yelled, "Rose! Your needles!"

Rose scrambled to get them out but did so right on time and threw a needle at Iris's neck. It hit her neck and Iris fell to the ground. The needles were filled with tranquilizers. Rose's eyes widened and poke an unconscious Iris. Remi hadn't given up summoned her viper venom ability. 

She pulled off a piece of armor on my calf and dug her nail into my skin releasing her venom. I screamed as House Viper's venom burned your insides unless you stop it's spread. I fell on one knee in pain and Rose ran to my side. I hadn't taken into account of Remi's venom. 

"Get away, Rose..." I urged and Rose scooted further away from an approaching Remi. She grabbed my crown braid and threw me against the dome. House Viper roared with pride at my downfall. I coughed up blood. The venom was clotting my blood but it burned immensely.

My vision blurred as I staggered to my feet and used the dome as support. Remi grabbed me by my hair and slammed me down onto the ground. I felt my eyes roll back and the world began to spin. I opened my eyes to find that there was a black curtain blocking my sight. My hair had fallen out of its braid. 

I couldn't see anything but blobs of colors and I heard a piercing scream come from Rose. I looked up and there was a Remi blob injecting venom into Rose who balled into sobs of pain.

"Rose..." I groaned and stood up once more. I stumbled until Remi returned to me and gave me a knee in the stomach. I had a coughing fit which resulted in more blood. She pressed me up against the dome and pressed her dagger on my cheek, making a cut. 

"You're weaker than I thought," Remi hissed and grabbed my chin with her long fingernails, injecting more venom. "We need you to die quickly though."

My eyelids drooped and Remi sneered, "I wonder what prize I'll receive for killing the King's beloved."

Then, my eyelids shut completely and Remi took a step back to let my body fall onto the floor. Rose had stopped screaming long ago...I heard Remi's house chant her name in victory.

"T-that was....Ahem....And the winner is Remi! Iris is disqualified for being tranquilized and....Rose of High House Flora...deceased," Dave paused a moment. "Anastasia of High House Hydra...deceased."

The crowd went into an uproar as House Hydra and House Flora clashed with House Viper. My heart stopped and I fell into a deep sleep. 

Wake up....You must get up! I've got the venom from your body out but now you must fight! Your story does not end here....

'Who are you?" I hoarsely whispered.

GET UP!

 I woke up hearing various shouts of outrage and feeling something warm around me. There was a white blanket above me and I was on a medical bed being carried away. King Vulcan's voice was enraged toward House Viper who began shrinking in fear.

I sat up immediately and the white blanket fell away. Dave was quick to reach the microphone, "Anastasia of House Hydra and Rose of House Flora live!"

All were on us as I quickly ran to Rose who looked shaken of the occurrences. "The fight continues!" He announces.

"Rose do you have a tranquilizer?" I ask her.

"Yeah, I-I have a needle left," her small hand trembles as she hands me the sole needle.

"Thanks."

I surprise Remi by tapping her shoulder. She whirled around and I landed a punch in her face. She falls to the ground and I place my knee on her chest, pressing harder until she was out of breath. I leaned in to whisper, "You should think twice before trying to kill me, Viper."

I stuck the needle in her neck and she immediately fell into sleep. Dave sighed loudly, "House Flora and House Hydra are the Victors!"

Rose had already retreated to the infirmary so it was my turn but I've never expected to crash into King Vulcan. His cheeks were flushed, hair messed up, and terror in his eyes.

He engulfed me in his arm and whispered, "Don't die on me again..."