Chapter one.
The sun beat down on the shores of Haggard beach. Especially this secluded little corner that Valkyrie had found while she was training. Skulduggery had said that the water element of her magic needed training, so here she was. She had mastered propelling herself through the water and it came almost effortlessly to her now. She found this spot while she practiced and decided that she loved it. Her days off were few and far between but at every chance she got she came here to relax and reflect. She knew it would be hard for mortals to follow her here without exhausting themselves and she figured because she was in Haggard that she'd be safe from any sorcerers following her.
The thump to the back of her head caught her off guard to say the least, she hadn't seen anyway approach because the only way onto the beach was to swim onto it. Unless they were already waiting for her… She barely had time to register this fact before her attacker hit for the second time. She fell backward from her sitting position and caught a glimpse of her attackers face before he raised his boot and kicked her into unconsciousness. She happily welcomed the darkness.
In the arena..
Valkyrie woke. Her whole body ached. She looked down, she was dressed in a full body.. What was it? She had never seen one of these before. Was it a jumpsuit? She didn't recognize the material it was made of either. She looked around but the sun was too blinding to see anything other than what was right in front of her. She tried to raise her hand to cover her eyes but couldn't She tried to move the rest of her body but got the same response, nothing. Only then did she notice the very pale purple mist the surrounded her. She tried to think of what it was, but her thoughts were too heavy and hazy and she couldn't concentrate on one thing for more than a few seconds. Just as she tried to call out for help, a voice rang out over.. Over what? She was outside, she knew that much but the voice sounded like it was on speakers. How could there be speakers that sounded so loud, and clear outside? "Hello, tributes!" The male voice boomed. "I see you are now all awake. Good. We can start the games now. How impatient we were getting!" The man over the speakers gave a giddy laugh. "You're probably wondering how you get here, why you're here and who we are. The first and last parts aren't important, but you're here as our little form of….. revenge, let's say. All 9 of you are in this arena and will fight to the death until one lone victor remains. Then that victor will be let go, to live on the rest of their little lives in peace." At this, he let out another laugh. "You all know each other. Around you are.. friends.." he hesitated on the word, "which should make killing each other easy.." Again, another laugh, but from several people over the speakers this time. A female voice this time, "I will name each tribute in the arena now, and each time a tribute dies I will announce their name and who killed them. Alive in the arena now are Valkyrie Cain, Skulduggery Pleasant," Valkyries heart beat fast in her chest at his name, she wasn't alone! "Ghastly Bespoke, Dexter Vex, Fletcher Renn, Tanith Low, Billy-Ray Sanguine and Dusk. When the mist disappears you will all be able to move again. You will find a survival pack beside you that contains a weapon suitable for your needs, rations and other items that will prolong your death. Goodluck, tributes, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"