No Rest For The Wicked // Cameo
Nov 25, 2015 1:06:50 GMT -5
Post by Arrows on Nov 25, 2015 1:06:50 GMT -5
Screams of steel pierced the air like the bells of battle as grunts of pain quickly followed in pursuit. Across the cluttered gym weapons spun and humans fell in failure. False victors strode in their success as their counterparts reveled in their defeat. The disturbing taste of hierarchy splashed across the taste buds of every last career in the building. However this venomous serum only drove the most powerful to new apexes, it only revealed the best of the best. Even the metallic spots of blood stained pools all pointed to a single fact. Some were made to conquer while others were made to crumble in utter defeat.
A look of pure terror rippled across the face of a young fifteen year old as the vicious teeth of a sword dove for his chest. Then in a sound of pure pain the sword slammed harshly against the padding of the boy's chest sending him flying across the makeshift ring. Cries of shock and of excitement exploded from the surrounding careers as Xander stood triumphantly unscathed before them. A laugh bubbled up through Xander's malicious grin as he looked down upon his fallen prey. "It was a fair attempt to say the very least Jonathan but lets be honest you will not be the one to break my undefeated title." In response to Xander's venomous words laughter lifted off the mouths of the spectators surrounding them.
Light gleamed brilliantly off of Xander's blade as he removed his presence from the dueling arena. Behind him the sounds of a fresh fight danced through the turbulent air as he let a sigh slip through his thinly pressed lips. Compared to him all the others in his age group were little more than seven year olds just learning to fight. Every waking moment of Xander's life he had spent training and allowing his skills only to reach their highest point. To many of the boys in his age group he knew they had accepted their defeat beneath his blood craving blood however they still dreamed of a chance that Xander wouldn't volunteer. But in truth, he would never let the moment slip from his grasp.
A loud whistle sent shrills down Xander's spine as he slid his sword back into its designated sheath. Xander felt his curiosity peaking as both his age group and that of the group below his were summoned to the largest fighting ring the gymnasium contained. Only on highly rare occasions were two age groups such as this called together. Yet Xander soon found the answer he was seeking as he listened to the announcement being given from his age groups trainer. A career Xander had little affliction for considering most of the trainers never did succeed in entering the Hunger Games as planned.
"Hello all of you, for those of you who are unaware of who I am allow myself to introduce myself. I am Rodrick Stantley the head trainer for the fifteen year old group. Now the reason both I and Shailey, the fourteen year old group trainer, have called you all here is for one purpose. That very purpose is evaluation in the form of true competition. Often us trainers are asked to see how the age groups are progressing or whether a certain younger age group is higher rated than those older. Today we will simply be conducting data for those means. How so? Simple, one versus one combat fights with light weight padding included. Now then let's not waste any time. Our first match is Joshi Sampton from the fifteen group and Lee Taurus from the fourteen group."
Only moments after Stantley's voice cut off the murmurs of excitement and nerves shuffled through the crowd. In fact Xander couldn't help but feel his mind shifting at the news of the evaluation as well. The last time there had been one Xander had been in the twelve year group. Apparently Xander had been one of the very few twelve year olds to ever vanquish an older opponent. Since then many eyes have followed his development, so Xander was sure they would all be watching his match today. Including that of his very own Father, who Xander knew all too well than to disappoint.
As the first ten fights past there had been only one fourteen year old to defeat an upper level career where the other matches were complete landslides. Yet little did Xander expect that the tides would change so swiftly as he listened to Stantley's upset tone. "Okay this is off to a rather unimpressive start, so how about we really set things ablaze by pairing up the two strongest of each age group!" Once again Xander found himself amidst the din of the crowd as all the eyes of his fellow age group member's turned toward him. However the name Xander was listed to fight sent memories crashing through his mind.
Brief words mixed with brief blows as both he and Gala Thomas faced off against one another in the most recent Pre-Games. Then not only this but Xander found himself recalling Gala's brute power as she single handedly fought against the beast of Mason Hammerfell. Excitement began to course through Xander's veins as he pulled himself into the ring opposite to his opponent. For once Xander could sense the power resonating behind his opponent's eyes. For once he could feel the storm of a true battle explode into his body as the bell rang to begin.
"Well then," Xander said softly to Gala as they began their dance around one another. "It would seem that fate hasn't seen enough of us." However Xander didn't let his gaze trail from her even for a second. Even with all of the higher ups watching him with such high expectations. He never let his composure slip once, so when he sent his own foot straight towards he left knee he wasn't surprise by the harsh impact he inflicted upon the area. Whether it was badly hurt or broken Xander didn't know, all he knew was he had to win, everyone he cared about was watching him right now and losing was not an option, not even to Gala.
