"That's Zarn," Jia says suddenly and I look at her. "Which one," Fiadh says and Jia swallows before answering. "The Makskin. We danced twice," Jia says and I grow curious. Zuri and Fiadh have both had champions approach them after their fights, so maybe this is the male for Jia. I look back at the field and study the burgundy-colored alien with a more critical eye. He is tall and his body is covered in thick muscles, but it's his face that is captivating. His jawline is sharp, and the bridge of his nose is straight. His big eyes draw you in and his lips are a delicious shape. All in all, he is probably the most handsome champion in the tournament. He is facing off with an equally strong-looking Vaal, and I wonder if the pretty male will be able to win. He looks more beautiful than strong even though he is just as fit as the champions. When the crowd's growl cuts off, they both run at each other, looking determined. The Vaal goes for the Makskins' stomach while Zarn punches the
As we enter the deserted eating hall, I turn around to face Jia, and what I see breaks my heart. Her eyes are saying so much as she looks at me: hope, disappointment, sadness, anger. I don't know if I can help her, but I know she can't go back to her room now. Krystal and Jia's correspondent will try to console Jia with pretty words, but something is telling me that Jia needs my unbiased opinion and statistics now. She needs something concrete to get her through the night not sweet words meant to soothe her hurt feelings. She needs the "bitchy" Xiu to tell her how it really is. She needs something that she can trust to be true. "I don't know what the Makskin said to you during your dances with him and I don't need to know. What I have surmised is that he most likely had a strategy about who he would choose based on whether he won or lost today... What I believe is he chose two females that he liked. You... and the Puelo female. His second, and first choice females. A losing fem
"Day two of champion-against-champion fights is about to begin. Get your banners in the air and cheer on your favorite champion. First up, we have Lt. Shaan of Cok and Capt. Vipul of Hassin. Please step into the arena," the announcer says and the two of them leave the holding area. I look around at the half-empty space and breathe a sigh of relief. Most of the champions who have already won didn't stay to watch the fights today so the area is more comfortable. Burk and I are here, but only for support. Nole's match is the second one of the day and he is anxious to get it over with. "Vipul," Burk says and Nole folds his arms. "Shaan," he says and I shake my head. "Vipul," I say and Nole shoots me a look before refocusing on the two champions heading for the middle of the arena. "What am I missing," he demands and Burk chuckles. "Vipul is unpredictable and fast. Almost as fast as me. Shaan is all power. He will get outplayed by speed," Burk explains in a low voice, and I nod.
I follow behind Jia and smile at the several audience members who are waving at us. The two-day-long fighting between champions is finally over. Now the fights between the winning champions and the beasts can begin. I sit down and look out at the familiar field. I try not to recall all the blood and blows that have been exchanged in the middle, but some of the more gruesome images come to mind anyway. "We are down to the top twenty-seven champions. Our three-way champion winner Captain Bolis of Vaal, has chosen to fight a Bunte. Will the other 26 champions line up, please," the announcer says, and I hold my breath as the line of winning males come out onto the field. I haven't seen Modok since he beat the Bronkark, and I have missed him. When I spot him my entire body heats up instantly. His bare chest and tight abs are so beautiful. I want to lightly run my fingers over every piece of exposed skin. I want to feel the texture of his hard scales. I want to learn what makes him f
Burk, Nole, and I haven't fought our beasts yet and the atmosphere in the holding area is tense. All fifty five champions are back today so the place is packed full of angry and determined males. Burk keeps eyeballing Tilk and vice versa. The Cok Commanders keep eyeing Burk, but he hasn't noticed and I keep posturing myself closer to Burk's side just in case someone pops off."He won't catch fire no matter how hard you stare," I mumble, as Burk glares at Tilk again.He snorts and shoulder bumps me to release some tension. "He keeps looking at me," Burk growls as if that clears him of any wrong doing, and Nole chuckles."Modok wiped the ground with him. He is probably embarrassed," Nole says rather loudly and I try not to smirk.Tilk went down even easier than I expected him to, but I don't want to shame the guy. I have no hard feelings toward him. He learned first hand not to disrespect us."Focus on your fight. You are the next one up," I say lowly, and Burk finally peels his off of
"Come on, Nole," Jia whispers lowly as the big Bronkark, who came to kiss her hand after his first battle, walks into the arena. The tension on her face mirrors the emotion battling within me. After our talk in the cafeteria, I was scared my prediction of someone else wanting her wouldn't be true, but Nole seemed genuine when he offered her his hand. "He will make this look easy," I whisper and Jia gives me a smile. "Thank you," she whispers back as the Latroot enters the field already on its stomach. Its shifty green eyes look around the area in all different directions and I feel as if I will be sick again. It bares its moldy-looking teeth, and Nole smiles at the creature. He tosses his knife as if the field is a stage rather than an arena and Jia chuckles. "I guess he is enjoying himself," she says and I relax a little. The orange giant does look comfortable out there. The creature begins to run at Nole, and its freaky arms immediately make my horror return. Nole, however, sm
"The Final day of the Harvest has arrived. All champions that fought a beast have moved on. All may challenge one another to prove they deserve the top spot. The last man standing goes first as the Winning champion. The order after his pick will be based on the fastest beast kill time. Then we move on to the champions from days three and four who lost. The longer they lasted in their battle against the top contenders, the higher their ranking. May the strongest win," the announcer says, and the crowd explodes into applause. The males run out of their holding area in a line while waving out at the crowd. When I spot Modok in line behind Commander Burk I can't stop my lips from tilting. He looks rather solemn compared to the other smiling champions. The others seem to be acting as if it's all over, but Modok looks as if his mind is strategizing for the brawl. Even his friends look more at ease than he does. "Warriors of the Universe, it has been my honor to introduce you. Good l
8-YEAR-OLD XIU "Father, may I go with you today," I ask quietly as Father scans his breakfast. Our main housekeeper always prepares Father his favorites, which he scans with a critical eye before eating. "No, Xiu. You must study. One day you will take my place. You will be responsible for our family name. You must be prepared. Taking days off is irresponsible. You must understand this even at your age," he says before glancing at me. "Eat your congee and fruit," he orders and I begin to eat slowly. I knew what his answer would be but I still wanted to ask. Today is my birthday, and I think Father has forgotten. I thought maybe if I spent more time with him today he would remember, but I knew it was a long shot. We see so little of each other. He works long hours and spends all day in his office. I see my tutors more than I see him, but I understand. He wants me to be the best I can be. He owns several companies and I must be prepared to oversee all of them. Being a woman will ma
"The Final day of the Harvest has arrived. All champions that fought a beast have moved on. All may challenge one another to prove they deserve the top spot. The last man standing goes first as the Winning champion. The order after his pick will be based on the fastest beast kill time. Then we move on to the champions from days three and four who lost. The longer they lasted in their battle against the top contenders, the higher their ranking. May the strongest win," the announcer says, and the crowd explodes into applause. The males run out of their holding area in a line while waving out at the crowd. When I spot Modok in line behind Commander Burk I can't stop my lips from tilting. He looks rather solemn compared to the other smiling champions. The others seem to be acting as if it's all over, but Modok looks as if his mind is strategizing for the brawl. Even his friends look more at ease than he does. "Warriors of the Universe, it has been my honor to introduce you. Good l
"Come on, Nole," Jia whispers lowly as the big Bronkark, who came to kiss her hand after his first battle, walks into the arena. The tension on her face mirrors the emotion battling within me. After our talk in the cafeteria, I was scared my prediction of someone else wanting her wouldn't be true, but Nole seemed genuine when he offered her his hand. "He will make this look easy," I whisper and Jia gives me a smile. "Thank you," she whispers back as the Latroot enters the field already on its stomach. Its shifty green eyes look around the area in all different directions and I feel as if I will be sick again. It bares its moldy-looking teeth, and Nole smiles at the creature. He tosses his knife as if the field is a stage rather than an arena and Jia chuckles. "I guess he is enjoying himself," she says and I relax a little. The orange giant does look comfortable out there. The creature begins to run at Nole, and its freaky arms immediately make my horror return. Nole, however, sm
Burk, Nole, and I haven't fought our beasts yet and the atmosphere in the holding area is tense. All fifty five champions are back today so the place is packed full of angry and determined males. Burk keeps eyeballing Tilk and vice versa. The Cok Commanders keep eyeing Burk, but he hasn't noticed and I keep posturing myself closer to Burk's side just in case someone pops off."He won't catch fire no matter how hard you stare," I mumble, as Burk glares at Tilk again.He snorts and shoulder bumps me to release some tension. "He keeps looking at me," Burk growls as if that clears him of any wrong doing, and Nole chuckles."Modok wiped the ground with him. He is probably embarrassed," Nole says rather loudly and I try not to smirk.Tilk went down even easier than I expected him to, but I don't want to shame the guy. I have no hard feelings toward him. He learned first hand not to disrespect us."Focus on your fight. You are the next one up," I say lowly, and Burk finally peels his off of
I follow behind Jia and smile at the several audience members who are waving at us. The two-day-long fighting between champions is finally over. Now the fights between the winning champions and the beasts can begin. I sit down and look out at the familiar field. I try not to recall all the blood and blows that have been exchanged in the middle, but some of the more gruesome images come to mind anyway. "We are down to the top twenty-seven champions. Our three-way champion winner Captain Bolis of Vaal, has chosen to fight a Bunte. Will the other 26 champions line up, please," the announcer says, and I hold my breath as the line of winning males come out onto the field. I haven't seen Modok since he beat the Bronkark, and I have missed him. When I spot him my entire body heats up instantly. His bare chest and tight abs are so beautiful. I want to lightly run my fingers over every piece of exposed skin. I want to feel the texture of his hard scales. I want to learn what makes him f
"Day two of champion-against-champion fights is about to begin. Get your banners in the air and cheer on your favorite champion. First up, we have Lt. Shaan of Cok and Capt. Vipul of Hassin. Please step into the arena," the announcer says and the two of them leave the holding area. I look around at the half-empty space and breathe a sigh of relief. Most of the champions who have already won didn't stay to watch the fights today so the area is more comfortable. Burk and I are here, but only for support. Nole's match is the second one of the day and he is anxious to get it over with. "Vipul," Burk says and Nole folds his arms. "Shaan," he says and I shake my head. "Vipul," I say and Nole shoots me a look before refocusing on the two champions heading for the middle of the arena. "What am I missing," he demands and Burk chuckles. "Vipul is unpredictable and fast. Almost as fast as me. Shaan is all power. He will get outplayed by speed," Burk explains in a low voice, and I nod.
As we enter the deserted eating hall, I turn around to face Jia, and what I see breaks my heart. Her eyes are saying so much as she looks at me: hope, disappointment, sadness, anger. I don't know if I can help her, but I know she can't go back to her room now. Krystal and Jia's correspondent will try to console Jia with pretty words, but something is telling me that Jia needs my unbiased opinion and statistics now. She needs something concrete to get her through the night not sweet words meant to soothe her hurt feelings. She needs the "bitchy" Xiu to tell her how it really is. She needs something that she can trust to be true. "I don't know what the Makskin said to you during your dances with him and I don't need to know. What I have surmised is that he most likely had a strategy about who he would choose based on whether he won or lost today... What I believe is he chose two females that he liked. You... and the Puelo female. His second, and first choice females. A losing fem
"That's Zarn," Jia says suddenly and I look at her. "Which one," Fiadh says and Jia swallows before answering. "The Makskin. We danced twice," Jia says and I grow curious. Zuri and Fiadh have both had champions approach them after their fights, so maybe this is the male for Jia. I look back at the field and study the burgundy-colored alien with a more critical eye. He is tall and his body is covered in thick muscles, but it's his face that is captivating. His jawline is sharp, and the bridge of his nose is straight. His big eyes draw you in and his lips are a delicious shape. All in all, he is probably the most handsome champion in the tournament. He is facing off with an equally strong-looking Vaal, and I wonder if the pretty male will be able to win. He looks more beautiful than strong even though he is just as fit as the champions. When the crowd's growl cuts off, they both run at each other, looking determined. The Vaal goes for the Makskins' stomach while Zarn punches the
My eyes drill into the back of Tilk's head as Nole claps Burk on the back. It's Burk's turn to go out onto the grass to prove to his female he is worthy and I know he will win. Moor is a good fighter, but he isn't good enough and he knows it. The way he has been eyeballing my Commander proves it. He is melancholy already and he hasn't even fought. Burk leaves and Nole glances down at me before smirking. "He won't surrender because you are staring holes into his back," Nole says quietly and I barely look at him before refocusing on my target. I am analyzing every move he makes. Xiu is depending on me and I will prove I'm worthy of it. Nole's ribbing won't shake me. "I'm moving up so I can see the match. You coming," he asks and I shake my head. "Burk won't break a sweat," I say quietly and Nole chuckles before moving to stand just behind Tilk. He watches the match for only a moment before commenting. "Burk's out for blood," he says and I smirk. I knew it. Burk would never insul
"Are you ready," Liamee asks as she watches me look over my dress in the mirror. I nod and flash her a quick smile. My dress for today is gorgeous. The flowy material and baby blue color work together wonderfully. The off-the-shoulder straps and the sheer material hanging from them give it a modest touch that I adore. "I feel beautiful. The silhouette is lovely," I say, and Liamee beams before picking up her tablet. "Do you have any questions," she asks sounding eager to provide me with information, but I shake my head. I have researched the fights and I know what I should expect. "It is very brutal to see, but remember, everyone is healed immediately after the fight is over," Liamee says, and I nod. I move away from the mirror and slip on the dainty shoes the recycle machine made. I head for the door and Liamee follows behind me quietly. The silence between us is once again comfortable just like it was when I first arrived at Kea. I will miss seeing her every day when the tour