Hey, this chapter is shorter than my last one but I can assure you that it is worth the read. You get to learn more about Ares and meet your new presenter and Gamemaker. There is also some information regarding the Games. Be sure to read the author's note at the end. This chapter is A Quick but Painful Death. The next chapter shall be Death of a MockingJay. Enjoy.
"So you want me to act as the presenter and Gamemaker?" Luxen groaned as he rubbed his temples. His feet placed on the glass, coffee table that took pride of place in his brother's office. Ares watched him from the other side, his eyes glaring at him as he swished the whisky around in the crystal glass.
"Don't refer to the roles using those names, makes it seem like it's The Hunger Games-"
"That's what it is, is it not?" Luxen asked, holding his own whisky glass to his right eye, watching a small spider scramble up the smooth surface, it's legs working overtime to make it to safety, something that took him back to his childhood. "Just because you half the numbers does not change what it is, brother,"
"Yes...well I guess it is but-"
"But what Ares?" Luxen snapped, smacking the glass into his lap, crushing the spider. "You lied to us all, the only thing everyone asked for, as a nation and you went against it, like the prick you are," Ares hummed in response, leaning back in his chair as he watched Zenobia walking around the rose garden, the only thing Ares had left from Snow. He did not keep them out of obsession but merely because Zenobia found them pretty.
"It's not like I have a choice in the matter-"
"You always have a choice, to stand up for what is right...well, that's what the Ares I knew taught me," Luxen growled, lifting the glass up to his lips, sticking his tongue out in an attempt to catch any stray liquor. At home, he would have just filled it right up, being the alcoholic he was, but Ares rationed him, not caring for his brother's drunk antics. However, Ares understood his little brother's reasons, the alcohol helped forget about his time as a shoulder. Taking over a nation was not easy and the casualties were great. Even a war loving man like Ares was effected.
Ares coped with the pain by bird watching. "Ew, ya gay!" Luxen would cheer, despite his own sexuality, before stumbling away and ultimately, walking into a wall. Ares kept at it, though. Something about the innocence and beauty of nature made every horror he had faced seem secondary.
"What could be worse than bringing those hellish Games back,"
"War, with the British," Ares sighed in reply, taking the last mouthful of his drink and placing the empty glass on the table by Luxen's feet. Luxen chuckled a bit at first, half expecting balloons and streamers to fall from the ceiling and Ares to shout that it was a joke. Sadly, his older brothers expression stayed the same, his green eyes flooded with a mixture of sadness.
"Shit," Luxen said under his breath, "and all because we don't take pleasure in killing kids?"
"And if the nation does not like it,"
"How do you make a nation that hates the Games cheer for them?" Ares replied to Luxen with a shrug, leaning over and placing his face in the palm of his hands. Luxen pulled his legs away from the table and sat cross-legged on the chair, stroking his blonde goatee. "I mean, you could tell the nation it's a show of understanding from England...so they understand what we have been through," there was a moment silence, Ares slowly raising his head from his hands but he quickly shook his head.
"No, that won't work-"
"You will get more people on your side than if you just said you were bringing the Games back for shits and giggles," Luxen said with a shrug, his blue blazer restricting how far he could lift his shoulders.
Ares hummed in response, his mind wandering as he looked back out of the window at the sun illuminating the glossy, white roses. "Does this mean you are agreeing to help me?" he asked, his green eyes drifting over to his lanky, blonde haired brother. Luxen sighed, leaning back in his armchair, his own blue eyes taking in every slight twitch of emotion on his brother's face, something he had done with people since he was a child. He would break down every single body movement, being able to relay most of their life story without talking to them that much. He clearly knew Ares' but it annoyed his big brother and he took pride in that.
"I guess I owe you after you accepted me for who I was and saved me from a death many of times,"
"Thank you," Ares said with a large smile on his face. "So how are we going to do this?"
A sly grin, like that of a snake closing in on its prey just this prey happened to be an idea that would place him above his brother for once. Despite his love for him, like all siblings, they had their rivalries. Ares was an overachiever, always rising to the top. Having a sexuality that was not shunned, leading the rebel army, overthrowing the government, becoming president and even marrying one of the most beautiful girls in Panem. Luxen didn't have to be straight to see her beauty. However, Luxen would never do anything to harm his brother. No, he just liked coming up with ideas Ares would never come up with on his own.
"You want these Games to go past as quickly as possible and be as fair as possible, right?" Ares gave a small nod, cocking his head to the side as he awaited more. "Well, how about you put a twenty-four-hour limit and give them all the same weapon. That way it has gone too fast for anyone to get angry about Plus, everyone gets a fair shot at victory,"
"People will still get angry-"
"People will get pissy no matter how you handle it, the least we can do is to make it as quick and as painless as we can...for the people of Panem,"
So basically, these games will only be twenty-four hours long. I will do a chapter for every hour of the day. If no tribute is a victor by that point, they will all be shot dead (but don't worry, we will have a victor). Every tribute is given the same weapon but I will tell you what that is later. Sponsors are allowed but they are from the British public. I think that covers everything you need to know for now. Onto the questions.
What relation are Luxen and Ares? (1 point)
Thoughts on Luxen? (1 point)
Thoughts on the chapter? (1 point)
That's all for now, had trouble coming up with questions this time haha. Until next time.