First Blood
It began when Azure was dragged from bed in the middle of the night.
The harsh bright light of torches pierced through her previously shut eyes. She stumbled to her feet becoming accustomed to being awake after being torn away from blissful slumber. A group of the Academy's trainers surrounded her.
They were silent only indicating that she was to follow them.
As she was marching down the courier she looked behind her, to her only of her training mates being dragged out of their room.
Maybe the whispers she had heard were true.
The last trial for trainees. The Glorious Shore Academy's darkest little secret.
The Rite of the Vicious Tides.
Amongst some of the trainees, it has been something that was only rumoured about. Azure had believed it to be false or at the very least greatly exaggerated but so far her experience this night had matched the rumours exactly.
The cold wind bit at Azure as she passed through the front gates of the Academy. She looked back once more to get another glimpse at her fellow trainee. To see if she recognised her. Azure hoped that she didn't. The other girl's her was long and light brown, her piercing sea-green eyes met her own. It was not a gaze that she recognised. Relieved Azure turned ahead forward and steeled herself for what she assumed awaited her.
A series of sharp and jagged rocks soon came into view.
Sharktooth Point.
Azure was led through a small parting between the dagger-like rocks and was thrown to the ground, cold wet sand sticking to her skin. The bitter gust was stronger at shoreside, made seemingly all more potent by the circle of vicious rocks. Shortly after the other girl was led into the circle and similarly thrown to the ground.
"Azure Bermuda and Aqua Haddock! Your heaven has been chosen to face The Rite of Vicious Tides." Head Trainer Titan Angler boomed. His voice pierced from wide and the lashing of the waves against the rocks.
A dagger was thrown at each of their feet.
"You are to fight to the death. For honour being District Four's female tribute in the 95th Annual Hunger Games! Do not hesitate! Show no Mercy! And may the odds be ever in your favour!"
Azure sprung firm, clasping the dagger and quickly raising herself to her feet. She charged at Aqua.
No. Her enemy. One of them would be dead shortly. Why should she give this other girl whose name she did not know? It was unlikely that her enemy would extend the same courtesy. Maybe if she were facing Ripley, Celeste or Baylee things would be a little different.
She would have to take their names from them.
She would have ensured that would remember them.
She would have acted with the same decisiveness.
She would have done so reluctantly.
She would have to pray that it would break her
She knew that it would.
But ultimately she'd have done the same as he was doing now. Ultimately the results would have been the same, she would become a killer or be a killer herself. Would the doubt, hesitation and reluctance hesitation would've had even meant anything? It was no use dwelling on such things, not when the situation her facing a stranger
But what if?
What if nothing!
Nothing else matters! Nothing but the dagger in her and the foe before her.
Aqua charged towards her with cold determination and vicious intent in her eyes.
Azure quickly ducked down dodging Aqua's strike. She swung a blade arm across, striking Aqua in the side. Aqua hissed in pain, clenching at her side with her other hand, blood dripping down on the sand below.
The first strike is the most important one. The one who draws blood first will most likely claim victory.
Seizing the opportunity to strike once more, Azure once again charged. Frantically, Aqua dodged out of the way, but Azure's blade had cut deeper than she had perhaps initially realised and she stumbled to the ground.
Azure walked over to Aqua as she struggled to climb to her feet.
Azure looked down before slicing the knife across Aqua's throat giving her neckless of crimson. Aqua fell to the ground lifeless.
"Congratulations Azure Bermua you will be District Four's female tribute in the 95th Annual Hunger Games! You did not hesitate and you showed no mercy. Remember these lessons and what his night has taught it for it will serve you in the Games." Titan declared.
As Azure stared at Aqua's lifeless body she felt as if she had lost something that would never get back.
It was almost like Ripely was lying there. Baylee. Celeste.
It was almost like she could feel herself beginning to break.