Ariana’s POVI had completely stilled in Damon’s arms, forgetting myself. For a brief moment, I forgot reality and the panic that coursed through me a few minutes ago was gone and forgotten.“Do you feel better now?” His voice was sweet, soft even.“I… I…” I pushed him away, looking down. “We should resume talking about the battle plans.” I couldn’t look up at him, I knew I was red all over.He raised my chin to meet his gaze, smiling tenderly at him, “I’m glad you’re feeling better now.”Quickly I removed my face, stepping back. “S… Stop, we should… yeah… we should keep talking about the more pressing issue.” God I felt like a fool, I could tell I was panicking a lot and potentially humiliating myself.“You’re right, so what do you think we should do?”I began thinking, pacing around, “Since we know that the person or persons doing these killings is not stopping, I wouldn’t suggest waiting here and I’d like to wander about and find out what the ‘heated battle’ was about yesterday. We
Ariana’s POVThere’s was a gnawing desperation that seized me when we neared the top of the hill.Avoiding the monsters became harder. In total, there were eight of them, and even those that fell, kept standing, running after us. I knew if this kept up I’d be out of breath soon but I knew this wasn’t the time to give up.As we reached the steepest slope, something grabbed my foot, pulling me down, harshly. I screamed, turning, seeing I’d been grabbed my one of the monsters.I kicked furiously, fear gripping my entire body.If I went back down this hill I’d be mauled, instantly.Someone held my hand, kicking the monster on the skull. The sound of his skull cracking froze me. The monster fell to the ground, tumbling down and I knew it was dead. On seeing their dead comrade, the monsters slowed down before stopping, hesitating.I turned, seeing Damon, his rubies illuminating a golden hue.It reminded of the day Jasper and I went looking for Lorna, something that totally escaped my mind.
Ariana’s POVJasper smiled at me, “I guess I have to prepare myself then. Duty calls.”I smiled back in return, Jasper’s unflinching loyalty to the Kingdom never ceasing to uplift me regardless of his past actions. Regardless of where we were now I believe we could smoothen our issues amicably and one day I’d be able to forgive him, completely letting us go, fighting for this Kingdom.“Do you have water?” He asked, “This place is next to being a desert.”“Yeah, I do,” I turned my back to him, reaching for my supplies, “Let me—”There was a sudden sharp sensation on my leg, causing me to turn in haste. A drop of blood trickled down and I knew I was injected or stung with something. Suddenly breathing heavily I looked up to Jasper,“What did you just—”An overwhelming sensation of nausea followed by dizziness caused me to fall, my breathing labored. He stood, looking down at me.What did you…do to me?” My heart rate had exceeded the normal and it seemed like I’d get a heart attack soon.
Damon’s POVEverything changed as soon as I watched that monster grab her by the foot. Immediately I saw them by the hill I knew who their creator was and who exactly sent them. There was no mistaking the hunger in their eyes as they went after us, the soulless enmity that consumed them, beasts of darkness.He had truly gone mad. I knew that if I wanted her to make it to the finish line alive, I had to leave her side, at least for a while. The panic that consumed me once I thought that I had failed to protect her was enough to want me to send this whole place to the ground.After I departed from her I went back to the hill, standing at the top, watching the monsters who were feeding on their dead sibling, become alert, chasing after me.One hand in my pocket, I raised the other, building an invincible barrier. Two of them tried crossing the barrier, instantly bursting, their blood and scattered organs painting the transparent wall, reversing its invincibility. The remaining five pause
Ariana’s POVMy eyes peeled open, and I groaned, meeting direct sunlight. I instantly closed them back.Someone was stroking my hair so tenderly and it reminded me of the times my mom used to play with my hair when I was younger. Maybe if I went closer the sun wouldn’t be this bright. So I did, leaning in closer.“Too bright.” I complained, my voice childish, in need of care.Suddenly I couldn’t feel the sun rays on my eyes anymore and I smiled, leaning even closer.“Thank you,” I smiled, “How did you do that so quickly?”“I control everything that surrounds you.”Ah, that voice. I remembered it all too well. His hand fell to my cheek, cupping them. Dazed and not fully present, I reacted, leaning my face in his hand.“Open your eyes, princess, let me see the sun I’ve concealed in your eyes.”I obeyed, parting them open. He was above me, seated, leaning his back on a tree, my head on his thighs while we stared at each other. I felt completely lucid, only existing in the present, existi
Ariana’s POVThe sun was setting gradually and I realized tomorrow could be the finale and we had just gone two days yet it felt more than that with all the things that transpired within that time frame.Even if I did want this to be over, a part of me thought about the endless possibilities that came with it all ending.Neither of us knew of Chief Fenrir’s capabilities or and weaknesses and even though Jasper had deceived me then, I pondered on if what he mentioned about Fenrir’s powers were another lie too or if he had added that truth to back up his treacherous lies.“You think a lot, princess.” Damon’s voice spoke, echoing within me.Even while he was within me, his baritone still rumbled, startling me especially now when I could hear all of him.“I love it when your heartbeat races when I speak to you, at least I know the feeling is not unrequited.”“What… what are you even saying?” I could hear the fast heartbeat of my chest but I wouldn’t admit that. How could I?He chuckled, a
Ariana’s POV“Good morning all, that is, our seven contestants remaining. I believe we all rested well. Now as stated yesterday once the amount of remaining contestants drop to eight the top three players locations will be revealed.”I stood, Damon beside me, scroll in hand listening attentively in complete silence, holding my breath.“The top three contestants are: The Ore Merchant Damon, The Royal Princess of The Warwick Kingdom, Ariana and Chief Fenrir from The Central Academy.”As suspected I and Damon were both at the top. The only thing that remained which was the most important was how wide the gap between our points and Fenrir’s were.Damon’s signal flares first, black smoke filtering the sky. I gritted my teeth in anger.Why did they expose Damon’s location first?This could serve as a problem because Fenrir could see this and attack us first, since he must know we both work together. He wasn’t supposed to see Damon.My signal followed after, worsening the situation. It was a
Ariana’s POVThroughout my entire twenty-one years of living, I’d experienced a lot of things that should’ve sent me into full rage then but didn’t, instead I either ignored them or worked 'against' it.Example, when I found out and saw with my own two eyes on my birthday my own mate cheating on me. When I found out I locked myself up and came back ‘stronger’ the very next day, helping him find his partner and child.I didn’t live through my pain, rather I didn’t let it wash all over me under the rain of my sorrows. Instead I took an umbrella and shielded myself.Another example; the day the twins dislocated both my shoulders in a fight. That was my first real fight and it was meant to be a test battle, to give the opponents an opportunity to find out their cores and strengths. Those two took it far and dislocated both my shoulders at the same time. What did I do?I got it glued back to my arm that day and began training the very next day. I still remember what I thought then,“I have