Five: Forward Into The Light
June 14th
Day Seven
The Dead Forest
Late morning
It had rained for much of last which had seen fit to carry on to the next day. Only today had also fit to return of cold, icy chill of a few days prior. The howling winds blew the falling shards of rain right against Pluto. Cold, wet and alone he trekked from the forest, leafless branches othering little to no cover against the rain that fell from above. The abandoned villages had long since faded from the sight but events of occurred that had not faded at all from his mind. Pluto's tired to focus his mind on other things. After all, had no supplies, save for having eaten a small slice of cake which he had kept wrapped under his cloak but the relentless rain probably turned it to despite Pluto's efforts.
He had been a fool to think that wouldn't end up alone during the Games, especially not in an arena like this. A dying world, where the days could be as dark as night and the nights themselves still managed to find a way to grow even darker still, warping one's sense of time. A place where simply having the days as the blacks as the nights were some better days. It was better having the chill, the winds and the rain. It was a place where only the damned and the wretched could survive, and if already so this area would see it to make it so. A place and good where the good and kind-hearted had none.
The Elevens still lived. Pluto had thought the trade they had made back on the first day. It was probably just a trick though, some grand scheme that had yet unravelled. It would be a mistake to expect any more kindness from them if he ever encountered them again. They might not even live that much longer. He might not live that much longer. As the Elevens lived as did Crinn. But what of always that had already perished? The fallen that Pluto did not know, where lay the scale wretched or goodness.
The darkness of this place did have its way creeping into your mind and warping mind, but Pluto could let it let break him for Cassia's sake. He had to cling to what goodness he could.
A figure slumped against the side of a tree came into view. Pluto began to approach. The figure pulled itself to its feet clearly noticing that he was approaching. He did not seem to moving to attack.
Goodness. If was to continue to cling to it he he would have to assume that person had no ill intent.
The figure turned around to the same. "Ah, a potential new ally, just who I was looking for" he said
"Who are you?" Pluto asked
"Dirk Ancrath," he answered. "I know you were at the village during that ambush. Shame about your allies.
"You were a part of that attack. You helped kill my-
"I really was minimally involved, you see was more to the than just Crinn's betrayal. Deals within deals within deals, I wasn't fully in any of hit, hence more currently solitude. But I believe that the Ones schemed against the other and dragged all others into it." Dirk interrupted.
"How I can trust what you say? What would a Career like you want to ally with someone like me If the Ones betrayed each other, why did they attack other during the chaos of yesterday?"
"Questions, question, such a flurry of questions" Dirk committed. "First of you can't really you just have. Partially because I'm alone despairing but partially because I know Crinn has run off with the Ones, Thaddeus I reckon. You have reason to track down Crinn as I to Thad, rather two against two than to against one. Lastly the Ones dramatic little hoes they a grand final showdown and can I tell you this now they're not going to get one."
"So you're asking to trust me off nothing?"
"Yes, pretty much," Dirk answered
"I have no garment that you won't stable me in the back." Doubt and trust him exactly what this Place wants you to fall ing to Pluto, it cannot consume you. But that does not mean that you trust anyone with reckless abandon especially not people like Dirk. Exactly kind of the games that the area wishes your mind to play.
"Well, I had plenty of opportunities to kill you yesterday and just during this conversation. If I wanted to I'd have done it already." Dirk answered
Pluto gritted teeth, recalling how he told himself that he should cling to his kind-heartedness the best he could. "I suppose that don't have much other choice," he said "But just one thing tell me your precise involvement in the events of yesterday
"Well as soon as realised that the Ones had betrayed each other, I fled. Rather not get caught in the crossfire y'know."
"So you're a coward then."
"Guilty as charged. But I did save my ass. I recalled that you did something similar."
"That was. That was different-
"I'm just messing with yer. To longing lived alliance," Dirk said half-sarcastically
"So where do you think that Crinn and Thaddeus have headed?" Pluto asked
"That ominous dark tower that looms so ominously over the arena. That's where we camped when you somewhat functional Career alliance," Dirk answered.
June 14th
Day Seven
Edge of The Dead Forest
Mid-afternoon
They had travelled to the edge of the forest, and the castle's shadow fully loomed over them. It was a tangled mess of towers of black stone that appeared as if had crawled out of the ground. The black stone that had surrounded it was cracked and wrapped, the tower corrupting the ground that lay around it. The obsidian floor, itself of the grass and mud that covered the rest of the arena floor.
"That place is massive we'll never find them in that tangled mess," Pluto said
"That's where the fun begins," Dirk noted.
"So I'm guessing we're not just walking through the front door," Pluto said guesting towards the grand gate that was at least fifteen tall. Strange red crystals sprouting the ground formed a kind of pathway to it. The gate itself consisted of the same obsidian that the castle was made out of, two grand rusted metal doors lay open.
"If we knock nicely they might let us in," Dirk joked. "I know a way we can sneak the back, follow me," he said his tone suddenly serious.
They crept around the side of the walls of the castle. Dirk pressed up himself against the side taking a quick look around to check that it was safe. He guested to Pluto that if was so, as they snuck around the side of the wall. Part of the walls had slightly crumbled, it would take a good jump to reach up to the opening, but it was doable.
Dirk easily up onto the crumpling walls and then down the ground below. Pluto folwed shortly after taking more effort to scale the wall than dirk Dirk did.
"We just go into the door nearest to us. We should able to some weapons stashed just a few towers" Dirk whispered.
Pluto followed behind Dirk his heart ponding. They slipped through the door of the tower. Inside the castle was lavishly decorated. Embroidered rugs line the world. From the wall hung intricate paints, illuminated by torchlight.
Pluto followed Dirk down a corridor passing several turnings before turning left and up several flights of stairs.
"Just a few more stairs and we're at the weapon stash," Dirk whispered
They climbed one final flight of stars and took a sharp turn right. In the room lay several swords, spears and axes.
"Take one and we leave, stating for too long would be risky. "
Pluto stared at the array of weapons unsure of which one to pick.
"Spear's good, if yer haven't got a clue how to fight with anything," Dirk said
Pluto decided to grab a spear.
Dirk had let Pluto to a different part of the castle, he struggled to recall the route as their journey let them down and up the stairs, through many long corridors turning left and right numerous times. Drik had said that was and camp in the castle, and that Crinn and Thaddeus won't find them soon due to the castle being such a maze. Pluto was sure however that Crin and Thaddeus would know that he and Dirk would lay somewhere within the castle, and what was only a matter of time before they found him. Dirk said that was a matter for tomorrow and they would searching for them. But Pluto still felt uneasy.
June 15th
Day Eight
The Shadow Castle
Morning
Their search had begun early, Pluto assumed that Dirk must have awoken him at dawn. They were on their way to the Throne Room, where Dirk thought that Thaddeus and Crinn would have made up. Pluto's journey had made longer as Dirk had hoped that their targets wouldn't be so predictable. Although and look quiet peek down the corridor or into another room revealed no sign of them.
"Must we look in every room?" Pluto asked
"It always pays to be overly cautious. Besides I kind of hope that old Thad would choose to be so predictable." Dirk answered. "Though I doubt it.
"Searching everything room is going to be too long"
"Perhaps I'll run out of hope and patience soon. Dirk commented
Their search continued with the same rigorousness as before.
"No, think Thad has chosen to be predictable. I am disappointed him in really. But it goes to show don't put your faith a dramatic hoe." Dirk rambled.
"What's the quickest way to the Throne room?" Pluto asked trying to get Dirk to focus.
"Follow me, I know a way where spy above to make sure they are there.
What followed was another series of corridors and turnings. They came to a balcony that overlooked the Throne room. Pluto knelt down and peered from the bars. Crinn and Thaddeus were there.
"So should be looking for them?" Crinn said.
"No, let them come to us, no need for us to exhaust ourselves," replied Thaddeus
"What about Selene?"
"She won't try to attack us alone."
"Just as I thought," Dirk said.
"So guessing where to try and surprise them" stated Pluto
"Naturally."
Pluto and Dirk retreated from the overlook and crept down the stairs that they level with the throne room.
The door creaked open signalled that they were attacking.
"They're here" Thaddeus declared, raising his axe.
Pluto saw Crinn flee behind the Throne, waiting to attack from behind. Thaddeus charged forward swinging his axe, lunging at Dirk. Pluto ran around to try and surprise Thaddeus from behind.
As Dirk and Thaddeus traded blows moved to plunge his spear into Thaddeus' ankle. Pluto hesitated for a moment.
"Just bloody do it, Pluto!"
The movent suddenly felt so natural as the spear tip pierced from Thaddeus' flesh. Thaddeus gritted his teeth and growled in pain, falling to his nears. He dropped his axe to the floor as Dirk landed the killing blow.
"Where's Crinn hiding?"
Pluto frantically looked around the Thonre room, dashing to look behind the throne itself but found do sign of Crinn.
"She runs away again!" Pluto's exclaimed
"So the game continues.
June 16th
Day Nine
The Shadow Castle
Midday
"I didn't think you'd want to stick around with me now that Thaddeus is dead," Pluto said
Dirk grunted. "Crinn managed to get away and there is still the matter of Selene, Thaddeus' death would have drawn here. There's also the Elevens. I'm sure that would have been a lure here as well."
"You believe everyone's being drawn to the tower?" Pluto inquired.
"I do, the end is drawing close and what better to end the hunt through endless twisting corridors?"
"So we're targeting Crinn?"
"Her and Selene, yes."
"And the Elevens?"
"Not currently a major concern of ours.
Tracking down Crinn would be a difficult task, the Castle was a maze with thousands of rooms and possible hiding places but that did go both it would also make it difficult for Crinn to find them. Though Crinn would probably be reluctant to take on both Pluto and Dirk at once. Pluto imagined that Crinn would be much more concerned with Dirk, however. There was also the matter of Selene, though from what Dirk had said was unlikely that she try and face them head-on. All the more reason to remain constantly vigilant for a surprise attack. That left the Elevens. Pluto's only dealings with them had been the trade they made of the first day and he wasn't sure that counted for anything now that it was down to the last few tributes. In many ways the Elevens who Pluto least wanted to encounter. Facing the Crinn or Selene appeared to be much simpler.
After many hours of searching that yielded no results Pluto and Dirk decided to short rest in a small room and the end of the castle's many corridors. Pluto was thankful aster an arduous day of relented but fruitless searching.
There was sudden noise emanating down the corridor from just outside their room. Crinn? Selene?
"We should go out and investigate?" Pluto said
"But cautiously," Dirk added
"As always"
Pluto and Dirk slowly emerged from their look and looked down the corridor to see the Eleven's approaching.
"Unexpected but why was the opportunity?"
Pluto looked a Dirk for a moment of confusion. Then a moment of horror. As Dirk grabbed the knife that had been strapped between his side and threw it
"No, no don't maybe we can-
The knife flew air and embedded itself in the boy's skull.
"Not at this stage!" Dirk growled
Without thinking Pluto plunged his spear through Dirks's stomach. The spear tip passed always through Dirk's flesh and out the side.
The girl from Eleven fled.
Pluto considered chasing after but found himself frozen. For a while, he just stood there before the sound of two quick cannons snapped him back to reality.
One of the was for the Eleven girl, the other for Crinn or Selene.
Pluto pulled a spear into Dirk's body, task sickened him but he knew would have to have a weapon if was to face down his last opponent. Pluto fled back into the maze.
June 16th
Day Ten
The Shadow Castle
Early Morning
Last night's death toll had revealed other than Dirk and the Eleven, Selene had also fallen. It was now just him and Crinn. It's what Pluto had hoped for though had pained to admit, he loathed the fact she managed to get away just a couple of days ago. How would they come to find one another in this of maze tunnels? The encounter with the Elevens seemed to have been a case of pure chance. Selene's presence was just close by but another coincidence.
But with all schemes that had seemed at play, Pluto couldn't help but shake that Dirk and Selene had been conspiring together. That their encounter with the Eleven was somehow orchestrated, Dirk. would attack head-on whilst Selene lay want to attack any that had then, using the ensuing chaos as the moment to strike him down. It was possible that Dirk had something that Pluto hadn't. Though would elaborate and with multiple opportunities to fail that was a necessary risk that any would-be conspirators would have to take.
Once again, the darkness of the arena of full dying and decaying lands had wormed itself into his mind, seeing schemes everywhere. There wasn't much to suggest that Dirk had been involved in the elaborate plot with Selene. Although Pluto was certain that Dirk had shared all knew about Crinn's and Thaddeus' schemes. However, for scheming that had occurred, it had been for nothing, for every conspirator hall to the arena. All save for Crinn. Their final encounter would reveal if the scheming had been worth it.
It had amounted to nothing, for Thaddeus and another of the Careers they dragged into his plot. So had Selene's. So had any of Dirks. Pluto was determined that would amount to nothing for Crinn as well. The arena wanted to prove that survive deception and cold-heartedness were needed to survive. Pluto was going to the arena wrong.
He picked up his spear and journeyed into the labyrinth one final time.
Pluto heard the rattling of bones and the scraping of the metal against bone emanating behind him. A look revealed a hoarder of living skeletons armed with crude and rusted blades advancing towards him. Pluto raised his jog into a sprint, fleeing from undead creatures that pursued him. A means of drawing him and Crinn together no dobs.
The skeletal horde chased him down corridor after corridor. Fleeing from the horde Pluto pushes various cabinets and pulled many paints that lined walls down the floor aiming to increase the distance between him and the skeletons.
As he began to turn right he was greeted by another cluster of them forcing him to swiftly turn to the other way. He raced down the stairs until he reached the ground floor, where pressed on directly forwards, eventually coming out into a courtyard. He looked behind him to see that the skeletons were retreating. A stone pathway led across the courtyard. At the centre, another branched out leading the other two doorways to the courtyard. In each of the four squares formed by stone pathways lay a dying garden. Barren trees with rotten wood blacked flowers with but one or two petals still clinging to them.
Crinn soon emerged from the other end. The Capitol had led the right to one another. They each took a moment to stare at each other.
Pluto made the first move. He dashed towards Crinn with his spear held tight. Crinn moved swiftly around to the side. Pluto turned to pruse her. Crinn continued to try and evade Pluto's advance. He kept a close eye on Crinn's movements, nothing allow slip from his vision and get behind him, that was had cost him from the skirmish in the throne room.
Pluto lunged his spear forward. The spearhead pierced through Crinn's left shoulder causing her to drop her knife to the floor.
Crinn gritted her teeth and grunted in pain. As Pluto withdrew the spear she grabbed onto it to pull it out of his hands. Pluto pull back and the wood the stained against their collective tugging. Pluto could feel it cracking and releasing.
SNAP!
The spear fell to the floor and snapped in two. The sudden release of force caused Crinn to fall to the ground.
Pluto frantically scrambled and grabbed the other end of the spear and plunged into Crinns chest.
A final cannon.
As Pluto's victory was announced the sun pierced through the clouds bathing the courtyard in sunlight.
June 17th
Pluto awoke to find himself laying in a bed in a Capitol. Cosmo was sitting beside him
"Ah, awake at last," Cosmo said
"I made it?"
"Very much so. Pluto Fang, Victor of the 94th Annual Hunger Games. Has a nice ring to it don't you think?"
"What happens? How long do I have to stay here?" Pluto asked.
"Oh, imagine only a day or so. Then it will be time for your victor's interview. They'll go over your key moments on your journey to becoming a victor ." Cosmo answered.
"I still can't believe-
"Believe that you managed it. I always trusted that you would. Told you that imagination was an invaluable tool. Speaking of wish that trick the bones and the toches just a clever idea and Nothing more."
Pluto looked at Cosmo perplexed. "Yes," he answered.
"Good because that's all it ever can be and words spoke as Cassia was dying. The words someone about loose best friend. Said in grief without much meaning at all." Cosmo said
"I don't understand."
"Nothing," Cosmo replied. "You survived and kept your kind-heartedness intact and managed in an arena determined to warp you into something that you not." Cosmo continued hastily changing the subject.
"But I…
"Killed two people, no victor has entirely clean hands, but I can tell that they weigh heaving on your soul which-
"Does it get better?"
"You just have to learn to live with said Cosmo solemnly.
November 17th
District Five
Victors Village
There was a sudden knock a the door. Pluto suspected was Cosmo coming to give some final pointers on his Victory Tour that would be coming up in a few weeks. He opened the door and was surprised to find someone from the Blood Pack.
"Im Claw from the-
"I'm not dealing with likes you" Pluto declared before slamming the door in his face.