Hi guys! District 2 male out. Sorry the update took a few days, a lot of stuff happened.

Still open:

5M, 8F, 8M, 9M, 10F, 10M

MAGNUS FLINT
DISTRICT 2
18

I watch Gray as the victor Amber Bellator – her mentor - pulls her away. Poor girl. She doesn't even realise how awful her parents are being to her. Even I haven't gone as far as to starve myself. That's not training, that's straight up abuse.

I turn back to the dummy I'm on. My axe swings into the side of the head, all but cutting it off. Instant trip to Valhalla. I'm proud of my progress. I can win these games, I know it.

The axe is one of my two specialised weapons, along with the sword. They're both so satisfying to use. I move between dummies, not spending too much time on any single one, slicing off different limbs. Disarming them, then in for the kill. A quick and honourable death for an honourable fighter, for I am sure that all the other tributes must indeed be honourable. Especially the other volunteers; for they intend to bring honour to their districts.

I value honour very highly.

One of the victors, Flint Champion – not my mentor, but still a Victor – walks in as I slice off the dummy's head with one clean swing of the axe. He lets out a low whistle, before walking over. "Magnus, visitor for you."

I bow, seeing my superior, and a man I respect. "Thank you, Sir. May I ask who? I'm currently rather occupied."

"Your brother Piotr. He's out at the entrance, waiting for you."

Immediately, I smile at him, thinking of Piotr. "Thank you, Sir." I bow before putting away my axe, hanging it on its respective rack, then making my way to the exit of the gym where the stairwell is.

Piotr and I have always been close. I don't see him much though, I'm at YFDCS. He stayed at the monastery, where we were raised after our parents were killed in that freak accident. I don't remember them. They raised us, teaching us of the Norse Gods, the beliefs that we all follow. At least, in the monastery. I doubt that the Capitol approves, but I doubt they know, and if they did why should they care. I always go home when I have a break.

I was always tougher than Piotr. He was more meditative, and honestly I think he might be smarter. I've always preferred sports, and the martial arts of the monks. The Abbot – the wonderful Abbot who raised all of us orphans – felt that Piotr would reach Volk, and I would reach Valhal – if I die in the games, I might well reach Volk – I feel I am likely to win. Of course, I am. I've trained for 5 and a half years, I've always done manual labour, and I'm a volunteer. I was chosen to volunteer. I am the best of the best, for District 2 is certainly the best trainee district. I don't acknowledge the fact that both 1 and 4 also have 5 victors. My opponents, the other tributes, will reach Valhal too, I will just be sending them there. To a better existence, I suppose. It makes sense to me. It didn't seem to make sense to some of the other trainees. I'm not cruel. I won't drag out a kill. I will give the other tributes an honourable death, a quick death, and a fair fight. Although, few of them have trained for this like I have. But I will make sure to give them honour in death, and to be an honourable fighter.

I jog out of the gym and to the YFDCS entrance. There, I see Piotr. He smiles at me. He didn't want to become a trainee. I did, and since the Monastery has a deal with YFDCS they encouraged me. I've been here since I was 13.

"Did you get my letter!" I ask him.

"I did. Congratulations. I'm proud of you. You know I'm not certain this is the best thing you could do, but I'm proud that you are the best at it. And I'm proud that you are achieving your dream."

"Thank you." I replied quietly. Piotr's made it clear that he doesn't agree with the whole idea of trainees and volunteering, but he understands that it's what I want. "You know, the Reaping might be one of the final times that I meet you upon the earthly plain of Midgard."

"Magnus, don't talk like that. You're coming back. I know you are."

"I can only hope and pray."

"And I will pray with you, brother."

There is a brief moment of silence between us.

"Hector wants to see you before you go."

"Why didn't he come with you?"

"He's growing tired.

"How old is he now?"

"Old. I don't know."

"I'll see if I can be granted temporary leave to visit for a couple of days. If I don't come back I'll miss h-"

Piotr interrupts me. "Please, don't talk about not coming back. Please. You're going to come back, okay?"

"I really hope so. But have you seen Gray – my district partner? She trains day in day out. She might just kill herself from overworking. And I haven't seen any of the other tributes yet. Who knows."

"Magnus, I believe in you. I really do. Not just because you're my brother, but because you are strong. Because you have trained for years for this. Because you are District 2's chosen volunteer. Because I'm sure you'll have loads of sponsors."

I smile at my brother, before he pulls me into a hug.

"I will do my best to win." I speak into his ear.

Piotr doesn't respond. After a moment, he pulls away from me. "May the odds be ever in your favour, Magnus."

"Thank you."

I hear Flint calling me.

"I must go now. I'll ask for leave."

Piotr nods.

"I'll see you in a couple of days, and if not then after the Reaping. Goodbye, Piotr."

Goodbye, Magnus."

I notice the sad look in his eyes as he walks away. I turn around, walking back into YFDCS. This is my path, and he has chosen his. The Reaping may well be the last time I ever see him on the earthly plain. I push those dark thoughts out of my head, and join Flint back downstairs in the gym.