When I heard my own tribute, Lacie Greenly, explain my story in the simplest of terms, I realized that even she didn't realize that that the boy she was talking about was myself. The boy who gave everything he had for those he loved, only to lose them forever. I realized that my own history was slipping away from me before my very eyes.

I may not be the youngest Victor out there - anyone can tell you that. I've endured 50 Reapings as a Victor. Countless children have been sent to their death under my supervision, and only a lucky few have come out the other end.

Everyone in District 4 knows my name. I'm as ingrained within District 4 as the Hunger Games are within the culture of Panem. Many of the citizens of my District couldn't imagine a reality where I wasn't the Victor of the 76th Hunger Games. But, that was almost the case. I almost died, and I was almost left behind in the history of the Games like so many other kids. Like Aurora, who despite my best efforts has been forgotten by those closest to her.

I now realize that I owe it not just to myself but also to so many others to share my story. For the 23 children just like me who couldn't be the lucky one to return home and see their family just one more time.

It brings back so many vivid and painful memories, of course. It's been over 50 years since I entered the Arena, and I will never, ever forget it.

The first time you heard my story, it was in a few short paragraphs. Lacie didn't even mention my name - I don't think she knew I was the boy she was talking about. Everything in her story was so simple. If only that was how it actually occurred.

Where else could this story begin other than the day the war ended? The day everything changed. Nothing was the same after that fateful day.

Rising from the Ashes - The 76th Hunger Games

I wipe the slick sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand as the fishing boat unties from the dock, sailing back out to sea. Fresh in its place is another ship, and a sailor quickly jumps to the dock, tying the boat in.

"Let's go, keep it moving!" Owen, my supervisor, barks as my crew and I enter the ship. There are crates of supplies from District 11 along with fish from the sea on-board, and I waste no time in hauling crates from the deck to the dock, where another crew will sort and transport them within the District.

There are a few seamen aboard the ship, and they help me pick the first of the crates up. "Be careful with these," one of them says. "It's fragile."

I step out of the ship and back into the sunlight, a crate of grapes in hand, when I notice something is different than when I walked onto the ship. Asher, my closest coworker, collides with me, swearing, but he pauses too when he notices something is wrong. The docks are deserted. Where did everyone go?

I see a man running frantically to the ship.

"Hey!" I wave him over. "What's going on? Where is everyone?"

He looks like he's about to pass out. "The war's over," he pants. "We lost."

Asher and I exchange a quick glance before we take off in a sprint back to the village.

Sue me, okay? I skip the mandatory broadcasts every day from the Capitol. Why would I watch Capitol broadcasts when District 4 is in control of the rebels? There aren't any Peacekeepers left here to enforce the mandatory viewing, and I quite frankly don't care enough about Capitol affairs or the war to watch anything from either side. I'm just trying to make enough money to support myself and my girlfriend. Now I'm regretting my decision.

I throw the door to my family's house open, running inside after slipping out of my shoes. Inside, my sister, Clarissa, and both my parents are already watching, transfixed. They barely notice me as I step in behind them. On-screen is President Snow, as intimidating as ever. He's dressed in all white and has a triumphant grin on his face.

"The rebels have been defeated once and for all," he gloats. "District 13 is no more. The tributes of the 75th Hunger Games under rebel control have been killed. All rebel forces are crushed, and many Districts have returned to Capitol control. With the death of rebel leader Alma Coin, the Second Rebellion is over. And now, for all of Panem to see, I present to you the execution of the Mockingjay, Katniss Everdeen."

My sister gasps. She idolized Katniss ever since her Victory about five years ago. The camera switches to show the poor girl, tied up against a wooden pole. A Peacekeeper approaches her, raises his pistol, and fires with deadly accuracy.

That's when I know. The war is really over.

It's not long before the broadcast returns to Snow. My parents sit in terrified silence.

"The Mockingjay is dead," Snow slowly says, clearly enjoying every word. "With the arrival of this historical national event, some old traditions must return to remind the Districts who is truly in power. It is time for the return of the Hunger Games."

My heart drops. I'm not 19 yet - I just turned 18 a few months ago. Just when I thought I was safe from the Games, I'll be back in the Reaping bowl. And what about Clarissa? She'll be in the bowl for more years than I will.

Snow continues. "To commemorate this year's special return of the Hunger Games, the children of rebel leaders will be Reaped, along with a District partner that has a special relationship with them. The leaders of the Rebellion will not only be responsible for their children's deaths, but also those of children caught in the crossfire."

I feel dizzy, and I have to hold onto the couch in front of me to steady myself.

Aurora.

When they announced that the war was over, I didn't even think about the fact that the mayor of District 4 could be in danger. Now that I think of it, the mayor was one of the only ones to join the rebel cause without a rebellion from District 4 citizens. He's one of Snow's major enemies, and now that the Capitol has won, he will certainly be executed.

While Mayor Killmer may be a nice man, he's not the one I'm worried about. I'm worried about his daughter, Aurora. The girl who has my heart. I can't lose her.

I sprint down the empty streets to the mayor's house. Already, I can tell something is wrong. I'm too late - Peacekeeper caravans line the street outside the mansion.

I step between the vehicles, running up the long driveway to the house. As I climb the front steps, I see Mayor Killmer being escorted from the mansion in handcuffs. As he spots me, his eyes light up.

"Griff!" He calls, but the Peacekeeper to his left knees him in the stomach, making him buckle over.

I stand back, fearful of the Peacekeepers and their guns. The mayor looks at me, and I see the desperation in his eyes. "Protect my daughter," he gasps as he's thrown into the vehicle.

The last of the Peacekeepers exit the building, following their colleagues. I stop one of the last ones, a young man barely older than me.

"What's going to happen to him?" I ask, my heart thumping. All I can think about is Aurora. Where is she?

"He'll be executed, of course," the boy says with a celebratory smile. "He's a Capitol enemy. It's time for a new mayor."

I run into the mansion, finding Aurora in the living room, weeping at the coffee table by herself. Her mother died long ago, and now it's just her in this huge mansion. Just her and me, at least.

Aurora gasps for breath, sobbing uncontrollably. "Griff…"

"It's going to be okay," I soothe her, embracing her tightly. "I'm right here."

"What's going to happen to us?" she cries. "I can't fight in an Arena. I'd rather die."

"I don't know," I say quietly. "Everything will work out, I promise."

It's an empty promise. I feel helpless. What if Aurora is sent to the Arena to die? Will I be able to live my life without her? I always assumed we would grow up to be married, and we could live in the estate Aurora's father promised her at the edge of the District, right where the olive groves meet the sand of the beach. All of that seems so distant now.

Then it hits me. What if she's Reaped, and I'm the one they Reap with her? Sure, I'm strong and fast, but I'm not willing to bet that I'd outlive 23 other kids.

In one week, I may be sent to my death.

All I know is one thing. I have to protect Aurora. If that means going into the Arena with her, I'll do it.

Whatever it takes.

Welcome to Rising From the Ashes! This will be the story of Griff's Victory. In my other story (Hunger Games: Bleeding Hearts), Griff is Lacie Greenly's mentor in the 125th Hunger Games. While I post that story, I thought I would supply you all with another story to read, so here is Griff's story. In the other story, Lacie does describe what happens in this story vaguely, but in this story, you will meet all the other tributes and see the story unfold in full detail, and we'll learn exactly how Griff came to be the first post-war Victor of Panem.

Unlike the other story, this story is closer to the war, so there will be a FEW canon characters, as you'll see soon enough, so look out for those! Other than them, though, all the characters will be original.

This story takes place in my own Hunger Games AU in which the rebellion failed. The seven 'surviving' Victors in the HG books have all been killed, but there are six other Victors who remained neutral during the war who survived (my own OCs). You'll see soon enough.

Thanks so much for giving this story a try!

~S