Calloway Haldor, District Two Male, 18 years old
The showing of the dead tributes happens a bit earlier than we've had it before and I think it's because the Capitolites are anticipating the victor; there's four of us now and it's only a matter of days before one of us is crowned. I don't blame them - these Games have been slower than usual so I'm sure the Capitolites are itching to have some more action.
The first face to show up is Ellie's which saddens me a little. We got close when we had a temporary alliance and, if it weren't for the circumstances of the Games, I'm sure her and I would be great friends. She was smart for her age but had the humour and sarcasm that went with that. To survive so long with a dangerous wound was impressive and to come sixth out of twenty-four isn't a bad feat, especially when you spent most of the Games having to cower out of fear of being injured further. If I win I'll make sure to give her family the speech she deserves.
The second face shocks me a little bit because it's Brock. Besides the whole both of District Eleven being taken out in one day, his death has surprised me because nobody in the arena could kill him, surely? He and Tesla are in an alliance, Dion's been pretty elusive the past few days and Candella doesn't have it in her to kill him. I mean, I'm glad he's gone because that's one step closer to going home but clearly someone out there is stronger than I thought. This raises alarms, really. Someone out there has been so unsuspecting until now and should now, and will be, considered a threat.
If they can kill Brock and he was the size that he was, then they can kill anyone and that means there's only one choice the other three of us have - we need to kill that one tribute.
I think Tesla or Dion is responsible for Brock's death - Candella wouldn't be capable. She's too younger than the rest of us, smaller too. For her to kill Brock would be a stroke of luck and, if she did, then really she's no bigger threat than she was before. No, either Tesla or Dion is responsible and they're the biggest threats in the arena for me as of right now. If I can take out Dion and take out Tesla, then I can live.
I think the best strategy I have is to camp at a set place, one where they have to go and, from there, I'll be able to kill them.
The Cornucopia is the best place, I think. With the Games drawing to a close, each tribute will be driven slowly to the centre of the arena and that's why it'll be the best place to be. I can hide within it or on top of it and strike when necessary.
With only four tributes left, I can taste the victory. Brandishing my sword to my reflection in the water, I pack my bags and make my way to the Cornucopia for what'll be the final battles of the Games.
Tesla Mason, District Five Male, 17 years old
It's a shock to see Brock's face in the night sky - I would've assumed that Dion or Candella would be the other face and not the big beast of a guy. I mean, I was going to try and kill him but that's besides the point. I don't know whether or not Calloway killed him and, if he didn't, it means either Dion or Candella (or both) are a bigger threat than they've been showing us. That unnerves me a little bit; part of me I had banked on Dion and Candella killing each other and then whoever lives injuring Calloway enough for me to come in and take the victor's crown. But now, now there's another threat in the arena that I need to face; one more obstacle standing between me and going home to Five.
Regardless, Calloway's the biggest threat at the moment and I think killing him would be the most sensible thing to do. I don't know where he is, though. He could be patrolling the arena to try and find Dion and Candella and kill them promptly and I'm not sure whether or not I want to take that risk. I need to kill him though. However big of a threat Candella or Dion has become, Calloway will always be the bigger threat and until he's gone I don't know how good my chances are at winning.
A light bulb metaphorically goes off in my head and I remember the fact that all tributes will be driven to the Cornucopia and it's probably better than I go there in advance to have the sneak attack on him and anyone else that comes near me. Candella'll be a difficult kill, however. Unless she attacks me first I don't know whether or not I can bring myself to kill her and I wonder if she knows that; if she's been stalking any tributes she would've seen my exchanges with Victoria and how, even when she so clearly killed my allies, I wouldn't kill her.
I sigh, counting up my spears and packing the food I had been cooking away and heading in the direction of the Cornucopia. By now I know my way around the arena and I should make it there in no time - I just have to hope that I'm quicker than Calloway is.
I make sure that, as I walk, I hold a spear offensively; you never know when a sneak attack'll happen and catch you off guard. Part of me thinks I hear a snap of a twig as I go past the lake and, instinctively, I move past the surrounding foliage and take a look inside. As the arena is, I can't see much past around halfway of the lake, but part of me is confident that nothing's moving. With another quick, final glance, I take my leave and make my way towards the Cornucopia.
Dion Ouyang, District Ten Male, 16 years old
Seeing Tesla look through the hedges and looking straight at me unnerved me and I could only stand still, stopping my breath and praying that the sound of my beating heart isn't heard. Seeing him walk away causes relief to wash over my body as I sit down, throwing my head back and leaning against a tree, panting heavily. There's only four of us left now and any tense moment is ten times worse than it would've been before. Before, there's a chance your killer could be distracted but now that's unlikely. Impossible, almost.
Maybe I'm more scared because I'm sad, sad over Ellie's death. She was a fighter and we truly bonded. We had thoughts of going to the final two together and then having a fair fight to see who'd live. She always joked that it'd be me but I personally think she would've won - she had the drive to win and it's sad that Phantom got to her before she could truly start showing Panem what she was capable of. Still, it's impressive how long she survived and I think that was her iron will at work; she wouldn't die on Phantom's terms but die on her own, even if it was perishing later on.
I heard another branch snap and for a moment I think Tesla's returned, so I look quickly in the direction with fear on my face. What I see is much worse, far worse. Instead of Tesla there's a bear mutt, one that's looking straight at me.
In the brief seconds that I have, I look around and consider my options. I could jump into the lake and try and swim away but I don't know how good the mutt is at swimming and I don't know if I can trust myself to swim for that long. I could run away, but no doubt the mutt could navigate the seeming maze of trees better than I ever could. My only option is, is to climb the tree I sit under.
I throw my backpack over my shoulder, leaving the sword on the ground as I try my hardest to ascend the tree. I can hear the beat mutt coming and part of me is thankful that it's on the other side of the lake; it gives me more time to try and climb the tree. I place my foot on a branch that snaps under my weight causing me to fall back down to the ground. My back aches and pain jolts through my legs when I try to stand up but the sound of paws ascending on my position gives me the spur I need to try again.
I'm more successful this time and I manage to climb up the first branch. Then the second, and then the third. Soon enough I'm just high enough for the mutt not to see me but I can see it. I watch as it circles the tree a few times before getting bored and disappearing off into the overgrowth. Again, I sigh and throw my head back, leaning against the trunk.
I better thank Lady Luck for being on my side tonight.
Candella Cartwright, District Seven Female, 15 years old
I don't move from my tree around the Cornucopia opening; it's serving it's purpose well and it avoids me going on the ground and moving about. Besides, nobody saw me kill Brock so, really, nobody knows I'm here. Opening a pack of nuts, I lean back against the trunk of the tree and relax; nobody can see me unless they get right underneath me so, for tonight, I'm safe.
I hear movements beneath me and, in shock, I nearly drop my bag of nuts on their head. That'd be a great way to go - discovered via dropping their bag of nuts.
Beneath me is Calloway who's hunched over as if he's a predator stalking his prey. I follow where his eyes are looking, the Cornucopia, to try and see if I can see anyone but there's nobody there. He's being cautious, clearly, and probably understands the strategic importance of the Cornucopia at this point in the Games. He walks slowly into the opening and makes his way to the centre, looking about constantly with his sword raised offensively.
When he's about halfway to the centre, a spear comes whizzing behind him. I, like Calloway, turn my head in the direction extremely quickly and see Tesla at the edge of the clearing. There's a standstill for a second before both of them leap into action; Tesla throws another spear which skims the arm of Calloway who clutches it with the other one, all while charging at Tesla. Tesla goes to throw another spear but is unable to as Calloway swings his sword. It's clear the injury Tesla has just given him is proving difficult to work with; although he swings powerfully, he has difficulty getting it where he wants it to go, giving Tesla the chance to knock Calloway to the floor after a few attempts.
Tesla gets beat up in the exchange too; Calloway manages to slash at his arm, giving Tesla a near identical injury to the one he had given Calloway not too long ago. I almost fall out of the tree as I watch the exchange. The two roll about on the ground, a flurry of punches being given to each other. It's clear neither of them want to give up and it's obvious that both of them view each other as a threat of sorts.
At one point it seems that Calloway has the advantage and that it's the end for Tesla; the latter has his arms pinned down and his legs aren't in the suitable position to make any real attacks. Or, at least, that's how it was. Tesla bucks about, legs flinging themselves wildly until they're dislodged from Calloway's legs, allowing Tesla to send a kick to the Career's groin. Naturally, Calloway doubles over in pain, giving Tesla the chance to grab Calloway's sword and decapitate him in a swift motion.
BOOM!
Tesla stands up, head back as he breathes heavily. He looks around the clearing once, not spotting me, before making base where I assume Calloway would've done; in the mouth of the Cornucopia.
Eulogies:
4th - Calloway Haldor, District Two Male, killed by Tesla
Calloway! I have a soft spot for you because you were among the first ever Career's I had received that had an interesting ulterior motive. I loved that you had a jokester personality and that you had some humanity in you; allying with Ellie when you could've killed her was such a noble thing of you, in my opinion. Of course, you did have some downsides like when you assumed Buckingham killed Calamity but I'm sure we all would if we were in your situation. Thank you so much to Apollostjames for Calloway! He was a joy to write and I think his deaths will be one of the hardest for me. :c
Tributes Remaining:
Tesla, District Five
Candella, District Seven
Dion, District Ten
Alliances:
N/A
Solo Tributes:
Tesla, District Five
Candella, District Seven
Dion, District Ten
Ahhh! We're SO close to finishing! I'm so glad I kept on going through with this SYOT because it certainly feels rewarding! :)
Next chapter will be the final chapter in the arena, mostly seeing as I'd have three POVs at max and I feel like the death of Calloway, the one most of the Capitolites would bank on winning, would cause the Gamemakers to push the final three together.
AFTERWARDS! I might do a victory parade chapter and the part in the Games where the victor rewatches all the deaths of the Games. If you think that's a good idea - let me know! I think it would be, considering how each tribute would have varying reactions to each death.
As always, reviews make me happy!
~ Oli
(p.s. someone stop me from doing another syot aha)