The path seemed to form as she ran, walls swirling into place ahead of her. At first, Iris thought that they were holograms – mere projects, judging by the way they appeared – but when she touched the rough the structure and felt the rough texture of brick beneath her fingers, she knew she was wrong. At random times, things would pop out from the walls, trying to catch her off guard and prevent her from making it any further. Dangerous things, like poles adorned with an array of scattered spike. Blades would sometimes fall from the sky, like a guillotine aiming to sever her head from her neck and the rest of her body.
There was no moment in which she could pause and catch her breath, for if she did, Iris was sure that the game would throw out something menacing as she rested – something that she wouldn't be able to dodge. The exertion of running full stop made the green haired girls body ache and burn and her breathes came out in tired, ragged gasps.
Suddenly, she jumped high in the air, her feet barely brushing the spiked barrier that had shot out from the solid brick around her. She bit her lip and continued to run – she couldn't give up, even if her body gave out. Her wind manipulation magic made it slightly easier for the green eyed girl – it meant she could easily manoeuvre herself around various obstacles, the wind lifting her feet effortlessly off the ground. The only down side was that the more magic she used, the more exhausted she became – and quicker.
She sped up suddenly as she felt a hitch in the air around her. She didn't have to look up to see what was coming down and she ducked and skid along the floor, dodging the gleaming metal blade just in time. She wondered how they managed to come up with games like this. Did they ask random dark mages for ideas?
Then, there was an explosion from her right and Iris only had time to glance at the orange swirl gaining on her before she was thrown backwards, shards of brick slicing through the skin on her arms and legs and tearing fabric. She coughed up blood as her back hit a wall but she carried on going through the solid structure, the force of the explosion that strong.
Then, everything went black.
Jet wiped the sweat from his brow as he looked at the shattered wood barrier in that was in front of him, its metal spikes strewn across the floor along with many, many splinters of sharp wood. He smirked and then started running again. This game was easy- there was no way he could lose this. As he rounded another corner, he suddenly lost his footing and fell to the mud floor, feeling something hot fan over his skin and something else collide with his side. He felt something sharp scratch at his skin and winced.
The spiky, silver haired boy groaned and turned over; trying to get a glimpse of what had hit him. His eyes went wide. Next to him was an unconscious girl, her green hair singed at the ends and the mint locks falling messily around her pretty face. Jet slowly clambered to his knees and crawled over to the fallen teen. His thumb brushed strands of hair from her face and at the touch, her face twitched.
She was from the other team, no doubt about it. Tied loosely around her head, as a sort of headband, was a strip of golden fabric. Jet didn't know what to do as he scanned the scratches on her body. She was the enemy, so he should leave her. But, at the same time, she was just a mage like him – stripped from her family and friends and forced to take part in this horrendous game. A war raged in his brain, and then, he sighed and scooped up the unconscious mage and held her bridal style in his arms. Her head rested softly on his toned chest.
He would save her for now. He wasn't going to be heartless and kill her while she was down. When she woke up, he would give her an even chance of winning. That way, if she died, at least she would've fought for her life.
Iris felt something warm on her cheek and her eyelids slowly fluttered open, revealing and blur of black and grey. The green haired, green eyed girl groaned and tilted her head upwards, sending rivets of pain through the beaten body. Her emerald orbs widened when she saw the chiselled chin of a boy, his eyes set dead on the path ahead. Suddenly, she began to squirm in his arm, catching him off guard and making the nine-teen year old fall to the floor with a thud. She gasped as a jolt of pain flashed through her.
"Wow, feisty much?" Iris snapped her head up to look at the boy above, noticing the amused smirk on his face.
"Who are you?" She jumped straight to the question, trying to stand up at the same time.
The teenager hissed in pain and would've fell to the ground again had it not been for two strong arms supporting her. For a moment she was dazed and a small brush of pink painted itself across her cheeks, but she hurriedly regained her composure and pushed the boy away, letting herself stand shakily on her own.
"Alright, alright." The boy said, sighing and running a hand through his spiky white hair. To himself, he then mumbled. "You would think she would be just the tiniest bit grateful that I saved her life, wouldn't you?"
Iris froze and slowly turned to look at who she had just been told was her 'saviour'. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, trying to decide what to say. Finally, her voice cooperated with her.
"Y-you saved my life?" She whispered, as if someone was listening to their conversation. Actually, people were listening to their conversation – about a hundred-thousand or so dark mages.
"Yeah," The boy replied and then glared at Iris, his bright green eyes almost piercing. "And do I get any thanks for it – no. I should've just left you to die."
Iris was speechless for a moment before she bowed, startling the silver haired boy in front of her. He looked down, one hand mid way through the air as he pulled it from his neck, his eyes wide.
"I'm sorry!" Iris blurted, feeling incredibly bad. "I just thought that because you were on the other team and all…" She trailed off.
"Yeah." The boy smiled softly, although Iris couldn't see – what with her head facing the floor and all. "This game is pretty awful, allies killing allies is just wrong."
Slowly, Iris raised her head and looked at the boy. He stretched a hand in front of her face and she hesitated before taking it in a firm shake.
"I'm Jet. It was nice to meet you at least once."
"I-Iris" The mint haired girl stuttered out. "N-nice to meet you too, I guess. B-but, what about… you know… us being on different teams?"
Jet just continued to smile; only it softened, and Iris felt her face heat up. Why did she just now have to notice how attractive he was? Not to mention the muscles…
"Why don't we focus on surviving for now." He said, his eyes trailing off into the distance. He dropped Iris's. "Run. I'm sure we'll meet again anyway."
Iris didn't understand. He was letting her go? Sure, he seemed like a decent guy and all, but this was a game of life and death. A game where you had to kill to survive.
And he was letting her go? It didn't make sense. She was wounded as well! A perfect catch!
"Go, now." He said, his smile dropping from his tanned face. "Quick. We'll have to fight against each other soon, but at least let me do one good thing. Please?"
Slowly Iris nodded before backing away.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"You're welcome." Then Iris was gone, already dodging obstacles that jutted out from the walls. She glanced back momentarily at Jet – the spiked haired boy who had saved her life and let her escape. It broke her heart that someone like him was in a game like this.
Because soon – not matter how much they tried – their innocent hands would be stained with blood.
Carter: Hello, everyone! First off, BrOkEnToYbOx is very sorry about the late update. She's been caught up with homework lately. See, she's even late to doing her little authors note here.
BTB: C-Carter? ((Mouth stuffed with toast)) How the hell did you get out of your character profile?
Carter: Magic. Look, someone had to talk you your lovely readers, considering the author can't even be bothered to show up on time!
BTB: W-Well… You see… um…
Carter: Wow, it's a miracle, you're actually speechless! I don't think Mrs. Taylor would believe this!
BTB: Shut up and go away!
Carter: Fine… But if you're late again I'm coming back. Bye everyone!
Stupid Carter and his stupid thinking that he can just barge in on my story… I hold his life in my hands, he does know that right? Anyway! This chapter wasn't one of my best, but I'm planning on having a sad, touching ending to this game. Wonder how that'll turn out. Only one or two chapters more of this game my friends, then it will be the next team and more Lucy and Carter!
Thanks for reading; I owe this story reaching 27 chapters to you guys!
Carter: BTB! Who the hell is 'Matthew' and why is his name written in your Death Note?
BTB: Gah! Get away from there you stupid character!