III. Per Aspera
In District Two, Reaping Day was a day of celebration. The same could be said for the other career districts but they could not hope to match the celebrations in Two. The normally grey district was flooded with colour and life. Banners and flags were hung from every window.
No one celebrated Reaping Day, quite like two.
Then why did Kaisarion feel so uneasy? Valerian. It was always Valerian. The source of Kaisarion's pain and strife. A former source of courage. At what point had Valerian decided he would shame himself?
He should not dwell on such matters on such a celebratory day. Not his day. Valerian was a coward and fool. It was simple as that. He would show his former brother what colossal mistake he had made.
Valerian. There was consuming his mind again. This was his day. His. It was the day in which he would take the first steps towards glory. A little apprehension is normal for such a momentous occasion, the moment that all his life had been up to. Every would-be volunteer must have felt a little on edge on Reaping Day.
On his way downstairs he bumped into Alecto.
"What was up with your little adventure a couple of nights back?" she asked.
"Why asking about this now?" Kaisarion replied.
"So, what are you hiding then?"
"Nothing!" he said in an exasperated tone.
"Then answer my question."
"Just an after-party."
"So then why the need for all the secrecy?"
"Because mother and father did agree with attending anything after the usual celebrations"
"Then why come at all?" Alecto questioned further.
"So many questions," he said, growing more frustrated.
"You hiding something and know it." Alecto paused for a moment "It has to do with Valerian hasn't it"
"Did send you a message as well?" Kiasarion blurted out without thinking. He was relieved that someone in this household was willing to at least mention his name. Acknowledge that was still alive instead of acting like was dead.
"So was Valerian," Alecto said
"I asked me to come and speak with him and acting on impulse and went did. I had to know why he backed out, so see what he had become," Kaisarion said, letting his former guard down to discuss his now-exiled brother
"Did settle your mind? Alecto asked
"He was holding something back. There was something he wasn't telling me?"
The old abandoned quarry was where Kaisarion always went when need to settle his mind. It was Valerian that showed it to him. They had gotten in plenty of trouble for playing and hanging around out here. Returning to this place always brought back memories of Valerian, it was Kaisaron who tried it tell him that he did not need for it. Valerian was exactly the person he wanted to banish from his mind, but maybe he should focus on what needs as opposed to what he wants.
He made him down the timeworn wooden stairs, down to the bottom of the pit. The rocks and dirt had begun to reclaim them halfway down, leading a steep rockface to navigate down to the bottom. There was the reason that the newer quarries of the outlying villages carved their stairways into the rock itself. He approach the steep love, bending his knees and lowering himself so that he wouldn't unceremoniously fall. Dust and pebbles rose around him from the ground and Kaisaron slid down the slope, some of it clinging to his trousers and shirt. Once at the bottom he headed towards the shaft and down just inside it. The tunnel was quickly absorbed by darkness.
Kaisarion turned his head and stared down into the shadows, recalling the tales Valerian used to tell him, of how the tunnels were haunted. Many decades ago a great collapse trapped many of the workers inside. Trapping them in the place that would become their grave. Since then many how told tales of how their spirits had remained trapped and now haunted the place which was why it was abandoned. Kaisarion had always claimed how never believed the stores, and believing was foolish superstitious nonsense. Although that was merely cover despite that he did consider himself a believer in ghosts, the old tunnel sent a certain chill down his spine.
It used to be a dare, to delve into the tunnels and spend the night in them. Kaisarion had long managed to wriggle his way out of it, letting believers and those who boasted of fearlessness go first. There was only so long, Kaisaron could only avoid the challenge for so long. It was Nero who had dared him, pointing out how he always managed to dodge the task. Kaisarion struck back by saying the same could be said of Nero. The others with them agree that they would go into the tunnels together, but chagrin both Kiasairon and Nero. The two of them had headed into the tunnel with only two near-dead torches for light. The tunnels were cold, a eerie child seemed to hang over them. The first few hours had passed with many incidents, but darkness descended on the outside, was the Kaisaron sware that he had heard something. Initially, he had suspected it was Nero messing with but a quick look revealed Nero was leaning up against the wall, staring at the darkness. Kaisarion had asked Nero if he heard the sounds two and confirmed that he had. It was for reason Kiasarion had never delved deeper into the tunnels and only sat at the mouth of them. No matter how many times he told himself that it was his imagination or the others messing with him.
"Though a find you here."
Kaisarion looked up to see Telemachus standing over him.
"Your mind seemed to be elsewhere," Telemachus commented.
"Just reminiscing," Kaisarion replied. "Remember the tales of how these old tunnels were haunted?"
"Of course, we dared each other to spend the night in them and you got stuck with Nero, which I'd say is worse than being with the ghosts."
"Did you ever believe the stories?"
"Not really. But the thought that he might be true always seemed more exciting to me, which was why I was disappointed when not much exciting happened on my night, not so much as an apparition, Telemachus said.
"All I got were spooky noises, no doubt it was the other messing with me, probably you in particular."
Telemachus smirked. "Enough about old ghost stories and dares, let's talk about what brought you here."
"I came here to try to forget Valerian."
"Look, Kai. Valerian threw away his opportunity and whilst you should not forget about nor should you dwell on it. You going proudly volunteer today and anyone from Two would." Telemachus said.
"I know Tel, but I feel that still live in the shadow of his-" Kaisarion paused a moment "-of his cowardice."
"A shadow, if there is even one that will soon be banished when you volunteer and will but a distant manner then you return victorious."
"You seem awfully confident of my return."
"Of course I am, I'll be rooting for you all the way. You have doubts that you able to win?"
"No, I'm confident, but I want it blinding my judgment," Kaisarion replied.
"Of course."
"I must be returning home, get changed since I've gotten these clothes dirty," Kiasairon said. He got up and walked out the mouth of the shaft and began his ascent back up to the surface.
The square was rammed, filled with people eagerly waiting to see two of the finest warriors volunteer and take the stage. The District's sigil and the flag of Panem hung from every one of the tall buildings that surrounded the square.
It was known that he stood here, as the Treaty of Treason was read and the mayor read off the listing previous victors that he was taken back that fateful day three years ago when Valerian had thrown everything away.
The day was a joyous one. The square was filled with the same euphoric energy that it always was on Reaping Day. Cornelia Candelaria stepped towards the female bowl. Reaching into the bowl she quickly picked out a name. A formality, in reality, she knew that someone would step forth and volunteer, taking the place of the one reaped.
"Octavia Basalt!" Cornelia announced
Octavia did not move.
"I volunteer!" declared Alessandra Strophe
Alessandra emerged from the eighteen-year-old female section and walked confidently towards the stage with her head held up high. Alessandra took her place on the stage and introduced herself.
"District Two can always be counted on to provide strong and worthy tributes". Cornelia commented.
She swiftly moved towards the male Reaping bowl. Valerian's first moment of glory had almost arrived. With a similarly quick pace as her selection for the female Reaping bowl, she picked out a name.
"Bacchus Karn!" Cornelia declared.
Once again Bacchus did not move. Silence fell over the square. Valerian's voice did not break it.
Why isn't he volunteering?
Kaisarion searched for his brother amidst the crowd. His eyes soon were directed towards where everyone else watching. Valerian was just standing there. Not even the slightest thought of volunteering appeared in his mind.
Just say the words. Just shout out "I volunteer."
WHAT FUCK ARE DOING, DEAR BROTHER?!
No one else moved. There was no desperate scramble to volunteer. No doubt a combination of the shock and the punishment rouge volunteers faced. What exactly was the procedure for a chosen volunteer who did have the bravery to commit?
Kaisarion should take his place. Redeem what honour his family had lost. The words "I volunteer" began to formulate on the end of his tongue. He stopped himself. It was a foolish idea, this was Valerian's moment. He was just taking his time, Volunteering for the Games was a momentous occasion after all. Volunteering in Valerian's rightful place would make him a rouge volunteer. Most likely damning Valerian and not only his chances of volunteering but Alecto's and Julian's as well.
But still, Valerian did not move. He did not say a word.
Bacchus had begun to walk towards the stage, suddenly faced with the possibility that he would have to enter the Games after all. Eyes had begun to shift towards Bacchus's slow approach but Kaisarion's remained locked on Valerina.
"Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer!" Kaisarion mouthed furiously at him.
Valerian simply shook his head.
He wasn't planning on volunteering, what the fuck is thinking? This was coward the brother that he knew. The real Valerian had been dedicated to training, loyal Two and its ideals and not simply a volunteer but a future victor.
Where had that Valerian gone?
"I volunteer." A voice suddenly sounded throughout the square.
He strode towards the stage and took his place next to Cornelia.
"What is your name, young man?" Cornelia asked.
"Cadmus Gunner!" He declared
Cadmus emerged from the crowd of eighteen-year-olds walking towards the stage somewhat cautiously, absent was the typical pride and confidence. Kaisarion believed it was because knew that shouldn't be volunteering and that he was stealing Valerian's rightful place. Though Valerian had it given away and Kaisarion knew that. But he would not admit it. He was not yet prepared to and sweet lies taste so much better than bitter truths.
Cadmus had taken his place on the stage and introduced himself to Cornelia just as Alessandra did.
"A somewhat unusual turn of events, it appears that who was originally supposed to volunteer did not, but I'm sure Cadmus Gunner here shows the bravery that his peer did not," Cornelia commented.
"His name his Valerian Van Doren. His cowardice should be known to all Panem. But I would also like to thank him for throwing this opportunity so that I may take it!"
How dare he speak of Valerian like that He does not know him and he's slandering his character to of all Panem. He stole that stop from Valerian, who sure to have said the words Cadmus had if had waited but a moment more.
Upon returning home, Kaisarion along with his sibling were banished to their rooms. Valerian was left to face his parent's anger alone. Kaisarion remained on at the top of the stairs and as the door was slammed behind him, he crept back down on them. He pressed his ears to the door. Though he soon learned no need as the conversation would not be one of hushed words.
"What the fuck did just do?!" His father yelled "You have brought shame upon yourself, upon us and up of all the damn district"
"What was right, that I what did," Valerian replied."
"Right? You have the audacity to talk about what is right, after the student you pulled!"
"I knew you wouldn't understand."
"Understand? I understand very well I understand that you are a coward. That had no place in this house.
"I didn't indeed on sticking around long here, anyway."
"Collect up your things and leave," His father declared.
Kaisarion backed away from the door. His brother emerged from the other room and looked at him briefly before silently walking up the stairs. A few minutes passed and Valerian came back down the stairs with a single band left without a word.
Chasing after him. Kaisarion ran past out and his parents and out the door. Valerian stopped in the street, clearly having heard his brother's frantic footsteps.
"Why?" Kaisarion asked.
"You wouldn't understand. No one here will." Valerian said flatly
"The fuck's that supposed to mean?" Kaisarion spat.
Valerian said nothing and continued walking, leaving Kaisarion standing alone in the street.
Cornelia walked up on the stage.
"The time has come and again to select one brave young man and woman for the honour to represent District Two in this year's Annual Hunger Games. First the ladies."
Cornelia walked over to the girl's bowl and dipped her hand in selecting the first slip hand came across, knowing the name of the slip was irrelevant and someone would quickly step forth and take the place of the reaped girl's name.
"Boudicca Stryker" Coneralia annocuned.
"I volunteer!" Enyo shouted out proudly.
Enyo emerged from the eighteen-year-olds section and walked up to the stage with her held high. Looking forward she paid no attention to the crowds that surrounded her, acting as if she was above all of them.
"What is your name, brave young lady?
"Enyo Thebes!"
The crowd applauded and after it has subsidised and Cornelia walked other the male reaping bowl. Kaisarion watched attentively as Cornelia reached into the reaping bowl, not that any fear but ensure that it did look like he had hesitated to volunteer. It seemed that Cornelia took a great time selecting a slip from a male bowl, but she soon grabbed a slip from the top of the pile of names.
"Trajan Grey!"
Kaisarion's moment had come
"I volunteer!" He declared.
The boys in the eighteen-year-old section move aside, creating a path for him. He stepped forth towards the stage. Holding himself in a similar to manner Enyo, he did not at the crowds around him though he was tempted to look around for Valerian and see the expression on his face, to see the regret in his eyes, as he was reminded of the opportunity that he had thrown away and that Kaisarion was now taking from himself.
"And what is your name, handsome young man?"
"Kaisarion Van Doren."
The crowd applauded again.
"If I recalled, your brother was supposed to Volunteer a few years ago but backed out, allowing someone to take his place," Cornelia said.
"I'm not like him. He is a coward and unworthy of the Van Doren name and her to show you that Van Doren's a brave and worthy child of Panem." Kaisairon declared.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you tributes Enyo Thebes and Kaisarion Van Doren!"
Kaisarion's path to glory had begun.