Maze of Blood

The sudden light almost blinded her as she stepped into the arena. She was alone. Apophis was nowhere to be seen. Panic rose inside her as the reality of the situation flooded her stomach. She was alone in a battle to the death. Apophis wasn't there – she didn't know where he was. The heavy metal door behind her swing shut, leaving her alone between the two thick walls. The chains that bound her hands clicked and caused her to look over her shoulder as they fell to the floor with a clatter, freeing her wrists. Magic instantly flooded her body.

"Welcome, everyone, to the official start of the third Dark Magic games!" The voice seemed to come from everywhere, the sound bouncing off of every solid surface. She looked around and saw that a few miles above her were thousands of chairs, all filled with people cheering and hollering. "Our first game is the 'Maze of Blood', and I, Lues Kizo, will be your commentator!"

More loud cheering. She flinched and then looked around her. She was between two tall stone walls that seemed to stretch for ages. At the end, if she squinted, she could see where they stopped and forked out in different directions.

"In this game, will we watch The Green Team – Apophis Serpentenes and Autumn Locania" so Apophis was here, somewhere. "And the Orange Team – Artemis Grace and Fuyuka Hayato battle for the gold!"

More cheers – Sadistic bastards. When the commentator – Lues – spoke again, his voice lost it's cheerful tune and lowered to an evil chide.

"And remember – If you lose. You die." He chuckled. "Now let's see the rules for 'Maze of Blood' shall we?"

An translucent red wall suddenly shimmered and appeared in front of her, crimson words unfolding across the structure. She scanned her eyes over them. It was the same stuff that had been on the sheet of paper delivered to her and Apophis's cell.

The rules for 'Maze of Blood'.

She winced as she read them again and could hear Lues repeating them to the eager audience. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She would win this thing. She had to. She looked back up at the rune wall in front of her and scowled, her eyes scanning the words again. Damn them.

Rules for 'Maze of Blood':

Each contestant must find their teammate and together make their way to the goal that is hidden in the maze.

If a contestant reaches the goal alone, it will disappear and move. Only a full team can reach the goal and win.

Hidden in the maze are various obstacles. Wild, bloodthirsty beasts and also – fellow contestants.

Kill all obstacles.

Only one team can win. The team that loses will be either killed by the victors or left in the maze without their magic.

The winning team will be let through to the next round.

She gripped her fists at her sides. How could they get enjoyment out of this? All of a sudden the wall shattered, leaving the path ahead open wide, ready for her to enter the maze. She heard a horn and new that that was her signal to start. She charged forward.

'You can do this, Autumn!' Her mind screamed, egging her on.

Over all the cheers that had erupted from the crowd of dark mages, she could just hear one thing. Lues's voice.

"Good luck, puppets"

Very short, I am aware. I only mentioned her name once at the end for the reason that I wanted you to figure out who it was. Although, when she thinks about Apophis it's pretty easy. This chapter is so short because I just wanted to get the start of the game out of the way. Next chapter, the fighting starts.

I am no longer accepting Oc's, sorry :(

I have so many, and I also have enough to make 10 teams of two. Thank you to all who submitted an Oc, I am immensly grateful!

Bye Bye!

P.S. Poll is now closed. You'll have to wait to see who wins though :)