SWEDEN - Sasha Bertal
It started with a war. A war that we had hoped would never happen. They say that war is inevitable, that it will always happen and that it's part of human nature. Whoever said that can possibly be right.
World war three. It was a war that lasted 12 years, longer than both its predecessors, and ended with devastation. They say it was a war so bloody and so vicious that some countries were completely destroyed.
However there was a solution, the only solution (or so our new leaders tell us). All the countries in Europe finally came together one day and ended the war amongst themselves. They came to the conclusion that the country known as The United States of America was to blame for the war (whether this was true or not, I don't know) and so as punishment towards America they took half of it and formed, not a new country, but an entire base that became known as "The European Union of Tranquillity" a foundation that was determined to keep Europe as peaceful and as united as possible.
And that's why I'm here. On this stupid Plane flying over to Denmark. The best way to show unity was to show sacrifice. In the old days a sacrifice meant tying someone down to stone, pulling out a fancy knife, saying some odd prayer to whichever god you wanted and then butchering someone like a pig. But now sacrifice had a different meaning, it meant sacrificing yourself for your country and for the entertainment of the world.
The Eurobattle games were set up not long after the EUT was set up. It was a game where European countries sent representatives to participate in a bloody battle to the death. The winner gets a trophy; eternal glory and the honour of having their country host the next games. Last year's winner was Denmark and so I am currently flying in the first class section of the International travelling station-Swedish branch plane to Copenhagen. I've always wanted to visit Copenhagen, just not like this.
"Så du är vår spelare i år?" A large woman in a black suit, sitting across the aisle from me, asks in Swedish.
"I thought we all had to speak English in the competition?" I replied to her. Could she speak English? Surely she could, since the games were established it was made mandatory that all countries taught English to all citizens so that we have a universal language.
The woman sighs at me and rolls her dull eyes "We're not in the competition yet. Once we land in Denmark then yes, we must speak English but until then, you are fine." Her accent is strong, stronger than mine "You are so…" she studies me, looking me up and down "Typically Swedish."
"How do you mean?" I ask
"You're looks." She tells me, leaning in closer. "You have that classic Swedish beauty. Blonde hair, kind blue eyes, soft pale skin. You look so innocent."
I smile at her, I never considered myself a beauty.
"Shame." She then adds before giving me a mocking look. "Innocence gets you nowhere in this world"
I look away from her exhaling a breath. She's right, what will innocence give me in a game where I have to compete against 37 other countries in a fight to the death.
"I'm Morgana" The large woman says "I'll be looking after you during your time in the games." Morgana takes one short look at me, staring into my eyes uncomfortably "I'm sure we'll have lots of fun."
I feel the plane lower as we land in Copenhagen. I was told to stay sat by Morgana whilst the rest of the passengers (which only consisted of the Swedish prep team for the contest) left the plane. Once they had all done so she looks down at me.
"Are you ready?" she asks holding out her hand to me.
"For what?" I reply taking it.
"For the world to see you." She grins dragging me out of my seat and towards the exit of the plane.
Quick flashes of light met my eye, almost blinding me. I can hear people screaming my name, Swedish flags being waved in the air as boys and girls, men and woman all scream for me to do my country proud.
"Go on little girl." Morgana nudges me "Give them a wave."
I hesitate for a moment before doing as she says. At first it feels weird, the flashing lights, the screaming people, the news reporters begging me for a moment of their time but then after a couple of seconds I kind of enjoyed it. It felt fun, like I was a real celebrity, technically I was.
I guess I'm entitled to a bit of fun, after all in a couple of days the real work will begin.
So that was just the opening to the story. Not meant to be serious just a little bit of fun.
Participating countries: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
37 countries in total.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter and look forward to the next.