Story 13:

The Champion pt 3: What is Real?

"Avery, my gods, you look like the walking dead!" Caridee is the first person to greet me when I come into the Arena.

She is probably right. I haven't been sleeping well and it is showing in my performance in the Gladiator Games. I've almost been defeated…twice. That is terrible for a five time Champion. I feel embarrassed, yet at the same time, I really don't care.

Something has changed. I don't know what it is, but something is different. My life just isn't the same as what it was. I feel like something's missing…. And I keep hearing things. Voices, screams of pain, words in another language, numbers… 261746.

To tell you the truth, I am terrified. I have a sense of dread hanging over me that just refuses to leave me alone. Diana and Kreighton definitely don't help the situation. I am tempted to just go into the woods and disappear until after the games. Unfortunately, that is not an option.

"Has Kreighton been bothering you?" Caridee's voice is unusually harsh.

I run a hand through my hair, agitated. "EVERYTHING is bothering me, Caridee."

Caridee places a hand on my shoulder. "Alles ist gut, Avery."

My eyes grow wide as I look up at Caridee, astonished. "W-what did you just say?"

Caridee gives me a funny look. "I said, everything will be alright. What did you think I said?" She reaches out and touches my forehead, checking my temperature. "You're a little warm, do you want to sit out today?"

Shaking my head, I tell her no. "I won't be weak."

I think the gods are trying to test me in life, because as soon as those words left my mouth, Kreighton was at my side.

"You don't look to good, your highness," He smiles at me and touches my forehead. He leans close and I can feel his breath on my face.

My blood boils as my energy suddenly returns. My lance materializes in my hand and I am about to decapitate Kreighton when I feel a hand on mine, preventing me. I look down and see Kreighton squeezing my hand. My eyes flare with anger, but Kreighton looks serious.

"Calm down," He says as he moves even closer, whispering in my ear. "Stop being so damn dramatic. I'm trying to help you out."

I grit my teeth and hiss, "I don't require your assistance!"

Now Kreighton smiles, his eyes twinkling. "We'll see." Releasing me, he winks and walks away.

I take a seat on a nearby stool as my emotions start to calm. I run my hands through my hair, shaking as I do so. Why am I so shaking? Why does that cretin have such an effect on me? I hate him so much I almost can't control it.

I need to get away. Away from everything. Especially Kreighton Adler.

This is the last straw. I will not stand for this any longer! I will destroy him!

Patience my child, Avery Grey will soon die. You will have revenge on Trivia.

My world is crumbling. All around me. Everything is breaking…shattering. Everything I've ever known is rapidly collapsing. Nothing is real. What is real? What is fake? Am I unsure of everything now. Even Trivia. I've never doubted Trivia. Ever.

I'm scared. This is the only life I've known. Why must I leave it? Why is everything falling apart? Why is my world being crushed around me? There is a voice…its faint, but it's calling to me, begging me to awaken. Am I sleep? Am I dreaming? What is real? What is my reality?

261746

Why do those numbers haunt me? What could they mean?

Green and blue. I see eyes. One green and one blue. Heterochromia. The eyes are filled with tears.

The voice cries for my awakening. Begs for it…screams for me to wake up. The voice is fading…dying.

"AVERY!"

I bolt upright, falling out the chair I was sitting in. It is the sixth day of the Gladiator Games and my visions are getting worse. Normally they occur only when I'm sleeping, but these assault me everywhere I go. Almost anything can trigger a vision. When the visions come, they are jolting. They completely pull me out of reality and into the dream. Soon, I fear I shall lose my grip on sanity. I am truly frightened.

Caridee has been speaking to me, but over my thoughts, I couldn't hear her. I turn to her now.

"Repeat that, please?" I croak.

Her eyes reveal worry. "It's your turn."

I realize she is telling me that it is my turn in the arena. Standing to my feet, I mentally prepare myself for the upcoming battle. Caridee is begging me to reconsider going into the battle. I shrug her off because I have been anticipating this battle. I have fought my way through the games, reaching for the top, because I knew who would be waiting for me.

I wake into the Arena, gathering all my regality and power around me, creating an ethereal aura. I feel the energy of the crowd and channel that as well.

Kreighton smiles as I enter the arena.

"Welcome, your highness." He bows. "It is an honor to stand here today in the presence of the Gladiator Games champion!"

I say nothing, holding my glare fueled by ferocity. Kreighton smiles at me again, his eyes twinkling as the sun hits them just right.

"You are silent, is something wrong, your highness?"

I step forward. "Silence! Let the battle commence!"

The arbitrator comes forward and tells us rules we already know. I don't listen and I'm sure Kreighton isn't either. We hold each other's eye, I am stoic while Kreighton grins like a cat. How I wish to wipe his face clean of that sneer. And this is my chance.

The battle is heated; our blades clash and clang. Kreighton is a Retiarius. (A gladiator that fights with a net and trident.) My current weapon is a sword, but it could change in the blink of an eye.

Kreighton is a formidable opponent, but he is no match for the Champion. The battle has been long and trying, but I finally render Kreighton to the ground, his Trident a few feet away, but out of his reach.

I glare at him. "Surrender."

Kreighton grins. "Of course, your highness, but first-" He looks into my eyes and raises his hand to his shirt. He unbuttons his shirt, pulling his shirt down as he goes.

Anger flares inside. "What the hell do you think you are doing?"

Kreighton's smile is wickedly beautiful as my eyes follow where his finger is pointing.

My lance drops from my hands and I stumble backwards, completely stunned. All the breathe leaves my lungs and I gasp for air.

Across his chest, there are the numbers 2 6 1 7 4 6.

"No…what, what are you doing to me?" I manage to wheeze.

Kreighton's smile gets wider. "Aufwachen…Avery." Translation: "Awaken...Avery"

The world tilts on its axis, everything is a blur. I see my life…but these memories can't be mine. Trivia isn't there. I see none of the memories that I remember from my childhood. Instead I see I brutal murder of a man and a woman by soldiers.

I see a younger version of myself in the arms of a girl that can't be more than seven years old. I am crying and she is speaking sweet words to me.

"Alles ist gut, Avery. Alles ist gutt."

I cling to those words, my heart slowing breaking in my chest.

"Sierra…" I sob, tears flowing from my eyes. "Sierra…!" I fall to my knees, wailing for my beloved sister. Sierra. Sierra. Sierra. Her mere name fills me with uncontrollable joy and hurt, I don't think my body can handle it.

Trivia and Caridee are at my side.

Guards are dragging away a very smug Kreighton and Diana is standing, glowering at me, sneering at me. This makes me cry even louder.

Trivia yells to all the guards to escort the people out the arena. I am still wailing, flinging my arms around like a madman, begging for my sister. I remember everything; the camp…Auschwitz, World War II, Nazi, Germany, Hitler, My parents and their murder, Sierra. Worst of all I remember being taken from her…someone took me from her…

"Trivia…" My voice is filled with rage and hatred flares in my eyes. "You stole me from my sister!"

Caridee whimpers beside me, trying to hold me back from assaulting Trivia. "Avery, no, no, no..."

I shove her away and stalk forward, my fists clenched in pure rage. "What happened to Sierra?" I seize Trivia by her shoulders, violently shaking her. "TELL ME!"

Trivia turns to me, her eyes shining with tears. "This is for your own good, I love you so much-"

Sharp, thick vines come from the ground and fly towards me, wrapping themselves around my body. I am trapped…captured. For some reason my powers won't seem to work. I throw back my head and scream to the heavens.

I break down into tears.

Sierra…Sierra…I need you.

A/N: I'm sooo sorry it took me so long to post this! I'm also sorry about the errors because I know this story is full of them…I wrote it in such a rush! School and Holidays will be the death of me. Also, sorry the fight scene between Avery and Kreighton is so short, honestly I didn't feel like writing it. If you all ask me to, I will go back and write it though.