Faith trust and a little pixie dust [Foh day 4]

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

He walked for what felt like forever. A parched tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth while an empty stomach rumbled begging for some food. Water was scarce, yet Zeke held onto two full canteens and could drink them all. But holding onto them was the smartest move right now because who knew when water would come into the horizon again. Water was important, and Zeke knew he needed it right now. It had been a while since urine left his body. Fatigue and weakness was setting in, but he knew he had to keep going at least until he reached safety despite knowing no place was safe.

Red tears leaked from a broken heart as he leaned against a tree ready to call it a night. Breathing was difficult as an invisible clenched his throat leaving a narrow opening for air to enter and escape. Death haunted him, and even though he knew it was inevitable, Zeke wasn't prepared for it. Working in the hospital and watching people die, holding their hand as the light left their eyes, none of that even ventured into the world where survival was important. Two have died by his hand, and while they may have traveled to another dimension, their souls linger behind following the healer everywhere he went.

Tonight was different. Cesare wasn't around looking out for them. A man so strong that he fought through the pain while everyone tore him apart piece by piece. The boy from two fought bravely, and maybe the other deemed him a threat - Zeke would never understand, but he knew the career wanted to bring honor to his family, and in his eyes, Cesare did just that. Leaving behind his friend was one of the hardest things he had ever done.

A heavy sigh left his chest, and he didn't even know where he was going. The arena was slowly devouring him taking his soul away from the world that he knew before placing it in another. Change was happening. Once upon a time, Zeke never imagined himself taking the life of another, but that was just a fairytale the world forced upon him. Some were lucky enough to never venture into the place of becoming an executioner for someone else's fun. For the longest time he thought he was one of the lucky, however, the scruffy hair boy from six was mistaken.

"Are you all okay?"

For a moment his voice hung in the back of his throat barely making a sound, but as the final word flew past his lips, Zeke hoped they would understand his question. Being with them without Cesare was different, it was difficult standing beside them knowing that just days ago they were ready to send him packing. But this question was more of a rhetorical one. One that he needed to know the answer to. To prove that he wasn't alone. That the fight, that killing Gabriel and Volkner was worth it. Dove was injured, and Ollie was hurting inside, but it was a hurt Zeke didn't know how to heal.

A single tear slid down his face as the anthem blared through the sky. None of those faces deserved the fate they received, yet the games stole away their lives as it was slowly taking his.

---

Shaky arms stretch high above his head as tired eyes dart around wondering if they left him alone, but when his eyes rest on them, a grin spreads from ear to ear. Maybe they do care. With a slight nod of his head, Zeke gathers his things. Blood stains the tip of his sword, and he wants to wipe it away. He wants to clear away the sins crawling up the metallic blade.

But when he rolled over to make sure Cesare was awake, his heart sank deep into the pits of his stomach. He's gone Zeke, you saw the life leave his eyes. He was a protector. A friend. Someone he actually cared for.

I'm sorry.

Once his blade was clean, Zeke found himself looking at Dove and Ollie almost willing them to move. Someone had to take charge, and he didn't have it inside. But staying in one place made them a target. If it wasn't to other tributes moving through the arena, they'd become prey for whatever creatures the gamemakers created. The mutts scared him more than the tributes. Tributes were people, but the mutts were monsters created to destroy.

Even the careers had a heart living somewhere inside.

Throwing the backpack over his shoulders, he moved forward. His legs ached, his hips were on fire. His body was falling apart from the wear and tear, and it was only day four. Six have died, and seventeen more stood in his way. Seventeen people were keeping him away from his father.

When heavy eyes found a hole resting beneath the trees, Zeke thought his mind was playing tricks on him. Yet as he grew closer he realized he was wrong. Venturing between the cracks was fun, and the roots went on for what seemed like miles. This place looked even better than the place he found a couple days ago. His eyes were wide - this was a wonderful place to hide. A place to stay, but nothing in the arena was ever as it seemed.

"Be careful."

The further into the underground he went, the creepier it became. It was the right size for some evil creature created by those in charge. He took a deep breath as the ground moved beneath his feet. Something was coming, and it was coming fast. Tightening his grip on the sword, his eyes found the faces of his allies.

"Something is coming, and it's coming quick."

Whatever came his way, Zeke was ready to face it no matter what.

table by ryan<3

Ezekiel attacks worm #1 | sword

OL6JjAQpsword

{result: 1168 -- Shallow Cut on Stomach -- 4.0 damage}



title inspired by "All you need is a little faith, trust, and pixie dust."--Peter Pan (Peter Pan) sword

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Silence roams further then the path of traveling steps ever could, within a domed atmosphere of violence and decay - far from the peace of quiet. Thoughts, however, did not match the stillness of mute words. Confusion screamed through Ollie’s mind in unattainable understanding, facing her with the naivety of her youth that she never had to view before. Death was comprehended long ago, as many have before even being at an age of realizing it, but having it upon a screen was far opposing to the reality of it. Even the death of strangers from days past had carved unforgiving scars across her facade of innocence, while the destruction of Ces had inflicted so much more.

Fear had distanced Ollie from the Career within the Capitol. Their first introduction of an encounter within the Arena itself should had enhanced the anxiety of the threat he radiated. His knuckles of steel graced upon the purity of Dove’s exterior, yet the halt of such united them afterwards. Safety of his presence cradled her as Dove’s arms had, though it probably shouldn’t have…because twenty-three must succumb to nonexistence, and somehow the strongest of them all was one of the first. After solely a couple days of unison, a connection formed only to be painfully broken.

A pause broke their ventures minutes before Ollie even realized such, though her feet halted just when they did. Dried streaks of tears had seized replenishment hours before, though her core still quaked with resentment, guilt, and denial all in one. Had her presence hindered his continuation, or prolonged it if only a minute more? With Zeke being the successor of it all, it was difficult to imagine the latter being valid. Would his breath have returned if she had persisted in healing a lifeless Being? Given both Zeke and Dove claimed the booming canon denied his chances, it was unlikely - though still she regrets the lack of attempt. Maybe the beat of his heart was paralyzed in seek of fooling the enemies to depart, and he was seeking on their trail as she thought it…

Four simple words trail from Zeke’s tongue with deep meaning. The Blonde’s lip part in an automatic desire to assure she was fine, but an inability to claim such a lie leaves only her mouth ajar. Seconds later her head maneuvers in a silent gesture of answering no, as she knew none of them were - and there was no point in secluding it. And with that admission, the anthem followed in it’s dreadful song that addressed them with information they didn’t need to absorb again.

“I’ll keep watch tonight.” Is offered from the petite voice who had not missed a single night of slumber. Rest would not cocoon her anyways, with the horrific realization that both hardship and destruction will approach at any moment. She had to assure her new family were cared for in every aspect. Mistakes would not deliver loss as it had today, though eventually she knew that it must. But for now, she’ll do all within her power to prevent a repetition.

- - -

Exhaustion doesn’t welcome her into a new sunrise as it had every day now since leaving her home district. A second wind of sorts? Or perhaps the mental exhaustion overriding the physical. Potentially it’s the direness of being alert in protecting the ones she still has remaining… No matter the reasoning, energy carries her sullen mood through the morning in patients of the others to catch up on vital shuteye.

Dire need for distraction has her mindlessly collecting nearby rocks that linger of beauty within her brown eyes. A small mound forms in marking of where she’s been, that it was her here… though no one within this arena would understand such - until Dove’s wakening eyes discover her doing such, and she springs to vocalize her memories of home. “Some of my foster siblings are guarding my collection where we live. I’m sure they’ll give you a couple if you visit them.” Innocence breaches from her in confidence of Dove’s existence, without realizing the meaning of her own words. A petite smile coils across her lips in reassurance, rejecting the possibility of a negative interjection the only one would make it out.

A shuffle informs them of Zeke’s return to this nightmare, and she forces her grin to override the sorrow of their new reality. Surely her foster siblings will give a chunk of her rock collection to him as well if he’s the one to strive past this cruelty alive, but she doesn’t dare to continue such a topic. He turns in his slow awakening, his shoulders crippling in evidence to the loss still swallowing them all alike.

Doesn’t take much longer for them to return to their venture, leaving behind Ollie’s mark in their wake. Anxiety rumbles every new step, though doesn’t breach across senses of oncoming threats. A breath of relief sighs past Ollie’s throat, but not in acceptance of safety that’ll never arrive here. Ears never calculated the warning of yesterday’s dangerous incomers, leaving the unexpected to be expected. And sure enough, a foreign obtrusion slithering through the mud beneath alerts them all too late from the chance of escape.

A comment of such cations from Zeke’s determined vocals. Once exhaling lungs hold it’s air as if another breath won’t be permitted. The ground rattles, and moments later Zeke’s striking at a monster solely crafted by another of equal evil entities. Without another thought, or consideration, Ollie follows in suit of eliminating yet another rival seeking their demise.

{Ollie Brooke attacks Worm #1 ~ Flail}
Z6y9WkpHflail
{12045 -- Miss -- 0.0 damage
(Flail)}

Accuracy

flail
{12189 -- Broken Left Wrist -- 6.5 damage
(Flail)}flail�flail

[Arrows]

It's easier to pretend. To imagine that it isn't really the end. To convince myself that the two boys are only sleeping. It's easier, but the thickness of this lie's layers are too impactful to ignore. The red rivers seeping stickily into the soil are too visible. The shuddering sobs of a child are too loud to be silenced by thought. There are no tricks or techniques to shutting out the truth of a slaughter, and that's exactly what our steps are leading us away from. 

My hands hold no warmth as they have done in the past with Ollie's interlocked with them. Today in the wake of the war, we stagger in silence as the survivors of severe trauma. We are an ally down in a sea of swarming enemies thirsting for blood. There is no joy or positivity left in any of the deepest crevices of this passing of the sun. And what's worse, today was just the first singularity in a system of events that will shatter our reality. We have now been officially christened in the bloody baptism of the games' cruelty. 

Small scarlet streams stem from my fingers pushing pressure against my arm. The pain no longer pierces every possible nerve, but it is far from giving way to relief. I think of the girl who gave me this gift of torture. I remember her face but know no other information. I long for an understanding of what has allowed her to advance into such aggression. I crave the formation of her name across the arches of my lips. I cannot let myself hate her if I do not know her. For all I know she is just like me but with a One sewn into her story. 

As the sun sinks lower into radiating rays of immense illuminated beauty, I begin to sway with my steps. Sweat hangs over my head heavily weighing me further towards the forest floor. My arm, although healing, needs rest for my body to manage the process. I am about to request we finally retire against the same trees we've remained unsuccessfully sheltered in from the start when Zeke stops to settle in. A silent thank you slips from my lips as I allow my legs finally to break under the burden of my exhaustion.

Sleep is far from a luxury I've allowed myself to indulge in since rising into this apex of terror. With the massacre of living children constantly churning, hidden in the stark shadows of this island, my dreams have been distant. With Cesare now departed by the hands of Akira, I am ready to return to my ever existent wakefulness. At least I try to before somehow sleep drags me deep into its array of delusional and dangerous dreams. 

There is only enough times for five different dawns of death to rise before the anthem alerts me back into the black and bloodstained forest. As faces both foreign and familiar share the sky with the shimmering stars of this arena, my mind thinks of home. I wonder whether Kestrel has finally been able to stop her sobs of sorrow. I worry whether Raven, as strong as she has been sewn together to be, is managing running our havoc of a household on her own. I then think about how they will feel when the chill of cold covers my body and it is my face dancing within the celestial heavens. It makes my stomach swell with unspeakable fires of fear. 

---

Tiny droplets dripping through the branches from  the early sun tickle me from the constrictions of my restless slumber. Tearing myself free from the thorny vines of the darkness, I notice a stack of stones now built by my side. A tiny face now witness to multiple monstrosities tells me the the tale of their origin. Her voice is threaded with warmth as she speaks nearly stirring a small smile onto my lips before the needle pricks me with ice as she finishes. It's as though her hope, once vibrant and flourishing, has been suffocated into painful acceptance. 

"Don't be silly. Why would I do that when they can give them to you instead?"

My focus flutters towards the towering trees surely sheltering the eyes of those always watching. Sorry, I think to my sisters and to my brothers. Already once have I condemned them to hear my words of welcome to Thanatos' chariot. Already once have my words of wisdom in knowing my odds sent clear falls of water down my smallest sibling's cheeks. Hopefully this time they can recognize why I must form my phrases in this way. Ollie is a child, she deserves far better than death at the age of twelve. She deserves to be a teenager. To be dramatic and to have troubles with love. She deserves to to know more than such few years of living. 

And what about you Dove?

I can feel Raven's words searing into my thoughts.

Well, I haven't been a child for years. I've lived a whole life time in just sixteen intervals of 365 days. I grew up. I stopped school. I became a Mother and raised a family. In just a short span I've lived a century. I have no life beyond being the care taker of my siblings. At home I lived within the walls of that house while rarely leaving. If I go back then I'm a Mother once again, an adult. Ollie can go back and start as a girl. It will be a hard life, but she will get to live it. It's better than someone who has already lived their's. 

We set out later that morning. As our steps scuttle the leaves littering the floor a new sensation enters our surroundings. Splashes spill against the soil as rain runs through the warm air. In result, our pace quickens as we seek shelter from the potentially poisonous or dangerous droplets. 

A hole of all things provides us with our wish. As rain continues to rattle through the trees I look around our underground expanse of space. My fingers follow the winding roots of the structure when a subtle shaking begins to vibrate the walls. At first it's confusion crawling across my mind. Then its fear as my weapon slides swiftly into my hands. Today it's not people, but demons of larger proportions. Yet, somehow it makes it easier for me to let my spear free from my grip.

"We have to get out of here!"

I shout following my sailing silver spear with my eyes. These beasts were bred for this hole. They are home, and we are invaders.

Dove attacks Sinking Worm #2 <> Javelins
IEOoohQijavelin
{Spear in Forearm -- 8.5 Damage}

javelin

[gm bourgeois decadence [aya]]

Sharp teeth break through the firm dirt and twin bear-trap jaws snap shut in menace. The air feels foreign on their bald grey heads, a curious and gentle caress unfamiliar to creatures of the earth.

Certainly a more pleasant feeling than blades and broken bones. They hiss, and in tandem twirl, descend with their fangs open:


[Sarlacc (worm 1) attacks Ollie, teeth]
bL|m5o4Yknife
[2084 -- Shallow Cut on Back of Head -- 4.5 damage]


[Fip (worm 2) attacks Dove, teeth]
knife
[2182 -- Miss -- 0.0 damage]

knife�knife

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

"We have to get out of here!"

Doves words echoed through a tired, frantic mind while a pounding heartbeat boomed through his skull. Every hair stood on end. Wide eyes watched the creature erupt through the ground. They were ugly little creatures, and Zeke wanted nothing to do with them, but as the snapped at his friends, he knew they were all in danger.

Zeke was nothing more than a prey that walked into the predators trap, and the two girls, Dove and Ollie followed his lead without even thinking twice.

"Ollie! Dove! Watch out!" The words scratched his throat on the way out making it impossible to move. Impossible to even think, and yet he found himself running over racing to their aid. Part of his body begged him to run away, to just escape and leave them behind, but a healer would never do that. From the moment his training ended, Zeke swore to save those who were in need. A healer was more than someone who tried to save people from the brink of death, and it took this moment, this terrible moment of being in the midst of the hunger games to finally realize that.

Butterflies danced around inside his stomach twisting his intestines into knots. Each breath caught in the back of this throat. Moving was hard. Someone took glue and plastered his feet to the ground. Knobby knees quivered beneath the weight of his body. Fighting humans was one thing because they had feelings. They knew what it was like wanting to survive, but whatever this crazy mutt was only knew one thing. The gamemakers created it to kill. To devour any tribute that stepped in its path. And that was what they were trying to do.

A heavy sigh left his chest as his feet broke free. Standing still would only make him become more of meal for a mutt, and whatever was holding him back slipped away. Today Zeke wouldn't become a meal for the horrible, ugly beast.

He took a deep breath forcing himself to calm down, to relax because living in fear would only make things worse. Right now being in control was important. Fear only increased the tension around him, and despite hiding behind a blank face, Zeke was panicking more than anyone would ever know.

"Quick! That way!"

The tip of the sword pointed to the exit. Perhaps they would make it out. Maybe all they needed was a distraction. For the worms to follow him, and when they were safe, only then would Zeke run towards the safety of the exit. It was wrong to let these things stand between him and his escape route.

His only hope was the mistake wouldn't become fatal.

table by ryan<3

Ezekiel attacks worm #1 | sword
jacHhSBDsword


{result: 1156 -- Shallow Cut on Right Calf -- 3.5 damage}sword

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

The second wind doesn’t overpower the lack of sleep developing beneath the innocent’s eyes, weighing the pure skin along with the stress and bloodshed she refuses to absorb otherwise. A strive of her weapon misses entirely upon the beast before, though doesn’t cave to the defeat in return. Instinctively her dancing weapon wields once more in determination, to strike upon the scaled monster in any which way that didn’t matter aside from the impact and result of it. The held breath releases with the collision, solely slightly satisfied by the carves it continues to make. There was no ending brightening the finish of this violent tunnel of an Arena, leaving her curious to just how much any could swallow.

A desperate command suggests from Dove’s booming voice of sweetness. An escape is wished for, while these horrific creatures of the Capitol made such success doubtful. Would it be these nightmarish mutations to destroy them, rather then the true threats of opponents capable of claiming the sole victor right? Did such a label as threat, or what they even were to begin with, matter when the deadly forces was right ahead…or below? The bare muscled foes seemed to have disappeared into their dirt of home, though not permanently, as the ground rattled beneath them - fooling them into the confusion of the pests slithering in every which direction all at once. And before another action could be taken, one appears from such stealth to pierce a taste at the back of the Blonde’s head.

Feet stumble in uncertainty of her current fate. Has her conclusion finally breached her, as Ces’s had the day before? Her heart ruptures in an unsteady pace, as she realizes truly her lack of wanting to succumb to the nothing of darkness. Heels seek desperately to gain footing, while hands scramble in search for freedom - unsure if the monster has clasped her for eternity, or simply for a mere bite. Connection to such a creature doesn’t yank her into the earth however, leaving her palms to collapse upon her knees in brief relief.

Shouting words comb through the silent chaos of violence once more, though it’s Zeke’s words demanding their escape this round; the tip of his weapon pointing in the direction of their chance. Arms upon the Blonde continue to rattle again, though it’s unsure if they ever hung in calmness since entering this miserable place to begin with. Heavy breaths proceed past her lips in uncertainty of how to understand yet another aspect her innocent mind never imagined having to wrap around. But what she could comprehend, perhaps if only unconsciously, was her lack of craving to run.

There was no running from the Arena. There was only so many time they could run from opposing Tributes, until the Makers above hungered for their end. There was no escape from any of this. And what was the point of running again, if they were only going to head towards further destruction instead? “No! We can take them!” Confidence glistens from her as it never had in her entire twelve years of existing. And with this reversal to determination and strength, she hurdles her weapon once more towards the new threat.

{Ollie Brooke attacks Worm #1 ~ Flail}
AhQN3fJtflail
{12025 -- Broken Rib -- 7.0 damage
(Flail)}flail

[Arrows]

I had a nightmare like this once.

"Dove!"

It was terrifying.

"Please... help me! Please, Dove!"

The walls were dirt and the roof was root which became snakes slithering from the shadows.

"Dove! Hurry! Please!"

My sisters were there. My brothers too, I think.

"Dove get Raven!"

I remember they were all over her body. Her eyes swirling with the stormy seas of panic burnt like brands into my soul.

"Get her quick! Why are you just standing there? Go!"

I was frozen with fright, its tentacles slipping under the surface of my skin. Its toxins infecting my nerves. I was its puppet and it was the marionette.

"Dov...e... I..."

I watched the snakes slice her throat and a waterfall of red run over their scales. They came for me next still sewn to my strings with a silent scream scarring my face. Their teeth were just tearing into my skin when finally the terror become to palpable for my mind to manage.I woke seconds letter sweating, wreathing in my shredded sheets.

"Quick that way!"

It's Zeke's voice that follows the rush of my own. Yes! It runs through my head in his suggestion to find safety in flight. He is strong, I have seen his hands commit calamities incapable of being forgiven. He is strong, but he is clearly sensible in his thoughts. He could stand, show his strength for the sponsors and for the murderous reputation running rampant among the District Six males. But instead he does not give into lunacy, into the drug of fame of the allure of fortune. He is smart, and for that I am appreciative beyond saying.

Denial sends certainty of our actions into contemplation. But I do not hesitate, her words hold hope yet they must be managed. How much longer will we all be together? How soon again before a terrible tragedy takes us from her side? From the beginning I've protected her, surrendering my own skin and blood for her well being. I promised myself to her survival and have happily been serving my sentence. Yet now I cannot allow my wings to cripple or my intentions idle. She must learn what is foolish and what molds a child into the wearer of a killer's crown.

"No Ollie, follow us! We have to stick together!"

I've never been one for a stern tongue, so I'm certain my words send with more softness than I mean. I care for the girl with a braid of blonde I crafted. In her eyes, in her laughter, in her tears I see my smallest sister. I see a child who needs guidance through the darkness of our existence. The Hunger Games is not where a twelve year old she be, but here she is. For now I am with her, here for her. We are fighting and we are strong as she says. But I must also help her learn limits. This world is going to change her, it is already changing me. But perhaps with help I can keep most of the demons away from the light still living within her heart.

The hole shifts with the movement of weight. Another round of offense, another moment to shed away the shyness of inflicting pain. There is no room here for a bird who cannot use her talons.

Dove attacks Sinking Worm #2 <> Javelins
1_ZlGzcWjavelin
{Shallow Cut on Stomach -- 4.0 Damage}

javelin

[gm bourgeois decadence [aya]]

Sarlacc lay mangled, body broken. But the worms are not trained for retreat. Fip longs for the comfort of its burrow, screeches in agony that they should have gobbled up their prey while they'd had the chance. But their movement had been too hard to conceal. When earthquakes announce your presence, the notion of stealth is right out.

Despite the grey blood oozing from its wounds, Fip still teeth — and still knows how to use them.


[Fip (worm 2) attacks Ezekiel, teeth]
jaVhDQvrknife
[2078 -- Stabbed in Back -- 9.0 damage]


Sarlacc is, in fact, not dead. It flops from the floor to sink in its teeth:

[Sarlacc (worm 1) attacks Dove, teeth]
knife
[2005 -- Block -- 0.0 damage]

knife�knife

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

What happened to the healer that struck down tributes like it was nothing? Zeke couldn't stop the thoughts from racing through his mind as his eyes locked on the worms. One of them was injured almost beyond repair, but most of the damage was from Ollie. She had broken many bones - was the young blonde from ten capable of destroying a mutt the healer could barely hit?

Was there something different? Was there a reason the lives of humans were easier to take than an ugly best crawling along the ground?

The answer was far away despite the efforts to find it.

For being only twelve years old, Ollie was different. She was brave and filled with hope. Haley was filled with hope. She always had to remain strong despite the world trying to knock her down. Perhaps that was why the young blonde from ten reminded him so much of his younger sister. But it was almost painful. The thoughts of her dying, and maybe having to watch her die again -

She's not Haley. Reminding himself of that was hard, but it was something that needed done.

Her words echoed through his mind as she swung the heavy weapon down. So far she was doing well, but there wasn't much time left for them all to be together. This was an individual game as only one would survive. For now Zeke chose to remain by her side and to fight along with her.

Dove's words came next, and she was trying to stop Ollie from charging the mutt. Together they could escape. Together they could make it out of this alive. Together they stood a chance to face the rest of the arena until the time came to separate from one another.

Perhaps thinking about all that was his downfall because he didn't even see the worm coming. The jaws snapped shut against his vest forcing all the air to exit his lungs. The healer stood perfectly still trying to take it all in. Trying to catch his breath. Worms weren't meant to hurt people. They were such tiny creatures trying to live. But these were different.

These things were monsters bred to kill, and they didn't deserve a chance at life.

His eyes turned towards Ollie trying to find the words to say. Her courage was something Zeke admired, but there was a difference between being brave and just playing stupid. A heavy sigh left his chest as the air returned to his lungs, and in that moment, he wasn't sure what to do.

"I don't want to become worm food today!" The words filled the air much louder than he meant to, but perhaps it would become the motivation he needed. Tiptoeing around was becoming difficult, and the roots were standing in his way blocking the walls for a chance to escape. "We can't stay here even if we do kill these because there's probably more coming after them."

His heart leaped as he gripped the sword.

Maybe they would run away. Maybe they could all make it out of this alive.

table by ryan<3

Ezekiel attacks worm #1 | sword
SNAeMQMzsword


{result: 1103 -- Miss -- 0.0 damage}


accuracy reroll
sword
{result: 1131 -- Shallow Cut on Right Calf -- 3.5 damage}sword�sword

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Only a sole claim of the end, of survival, of victory, lingered while twenty-three others would perish in strive to claim it themselves. Already so many have collapsed in such desperate desires, as more canons erupt from a distance - fidgeting the Blonde’s heart with every pop, frantically gazing her vision towards both of her new family members in anxiety a worm had caused there own destruction without warning. But three lungs remain inhaling and exhaling, in determination to remain… for how long there was no telling, while for now a chance still offered upon their outstretched grasps.

The naive hope for strength of Ollie’s attempts to be pulled back by the wise words of Dove. It seems within her opinion this is not a battle worth fighting, while in actuality she’s all too right. Another kiss of her weapon slithers upon one of the unwelcoming worms, leaving evidence that these creatures do not easily succumb to their demise. Temptation points Ollie’s toes in the direction of her team who hungers for the safety of the exit, though their cravings only send their unruly host to punish the guests seeking an early leave. A step is not permitted, as for just a second the Blonde’s is frozen in baffling fear as she witnesses a worm wrap it’s teeth around Zeke.

Muscles are unable to move. A breath again seizes from continuation. Eyes and ears remain widened in fear that another echo will declare Zeke’s destruction.

But one doesn’t. A sigh releases from Ollie’s paused lungs, just as Zeke seeks to regain his own. His torso armor is left in near shambles, while not a scratch rests upon him. Fret panics the Youngster’s vision in search for Dove next, only to see that her Five refuses to let a worm touch her. Relief relishes a petite grin across the Blonde’s round cheeks, finally accepting of their desire to escape. Strength is not the single component of winning this game, but rather survival truly is.

A joke flutters from Zeke on refusing to be worm food, followed by the unfunny truth that more worms may be approaching. Brown eyes of innocence discover Dove’s once more in apology for her momentary stupidity. Feet scurry towards the two she’s learned to call family, but the worms continue to swim bellow in determination - popping up like a game where a hammer is needed to slam into their heads and force their return to the dirt beneath. Gashes linger upon their already despicable exteriors, broken areas bending their weaving forms in unnatural ways, but they crave for the Tributes’ blood still. Even in Ollie’s seek for retrieval to the other’s, in her correction to not be naive, she’ll protect despite. And when a monster’s existence shows again, her weapon claws for it once more.

{Ollie Brooke attacks Worm #1 ~ Flail}
b2VkAt8Xflail
{12047 -- Broken Left Hand -- 6.0 damage
(Flail)}flail

[Arrows]

I'm lucky, youth relinquishes to wisdom and together our team stands. Before us the battle is far from ending but successes are spawning. Together the two I now find myself attached to end the life of one of the slithering creatures. Its blood is thick spewing from the scars their blades bore into its skin. The stench swirling forth from the flowing rivers causes quaking deep within my stomach. The aftermath of violence is never a sight sewn together by beauty. 

My eyes, as they so often do, drift to Ollie standing over the shattered structure of her first kill. On previous days over the broken bodies of the dead tears fell from the wells of her eyes. Today there is no sorrow, no regret. She stands small yet beaming with brilliance and bravery. I know in facts she is still twelve and cute child from District Ten, but here now within this world she is far older and defined by the name of tribute. A potential victor. 

Such thoughts within my head turns attention towards Zeke. I imagine he was once fragile, a glass figurine with a small fire flickering at his center. Now such an exterior has splintered, and in a metamorphosis of exponential change blood has seen his fire explode. He is now unlimited by the suffocation of once fragile containment. His fire now burns across numerous lives and scorches deep into the stained soil of this forest. On a blade he has built a new life as well under the name of tribute. Another potential champion of casualties. 

Then there's me. Inside this microcosm of hatred and despair, I have shed so much of the softness I once wore as my feathers. To Ollie a mother still fixes her long lovely locks into braids, still settles her into sleep upon my lap. But before the eyes of anyone else my feathers are black, burnt by the forging of my own fire. I am no Raven like my sister or Eagle like my brother, but I have given up grace for stronger talons. I wanted to remain passive, persistent in my wishing of well for all people. But I don't wish for such dreams any longer. I still know that soon I will be sent forever into sleep; probably by an unforeseen blade like the boy from Twelve. But now I want one of them to rise from the red seas. I now have reasoning for causing pain. 

There is silence. For a second it sits and I look towards the roots and the dirt keeping us captive. I realize I wish for another thing as well. I want to see the sky again, even if it's false. I want to feel the sun kissing my skin. I want to feel the breeze dancing with my hair. I don't want to have my last living memory be of a hole filled with sickening stench of dying worms. 

I want something better than this. I have earned an ending better than dying in the darkness. And I'm not ready to go yet either. So I will keep on going, keep on fighting for another chance to see the sun. Maybe I'll see a Kestrel, an Eagle, a Raven, or a Falcon among the clouds. 

Dove attacks Sinking Worm #2 <> Javelins
0C5AETVVjavelin
{Spear in Stomach -- 9.5 Damage}

javelin

[gm bourgeois decadence [aya]]

This time, the worm was certain of it: Sarlacc was dead. The segmented corpse lay broken and bloodied on the floor. And with another spear in its girthy abdomen, Fip was certain that the end drew near for both worms. The worm had one good bite left, and something primal, something deep within its gooey blueish brain, compelled Fip to make it count:

[Fip (worm 2) attacks Dove, teeth]
ZgxM|rBBknife
[2024 -- Block -- 0.0 damage]

World's worst worms.

knife

[10th retro gm | paxton hayes]

Frustration was growing as the worm continued evading his attacks. A shallow cut here, a shallow cut there, yet sweet little Ollie continued crushing the worm beneath the weight of the heavy flail. Dove was taking on a worm by herself, and she was doing really well. But all that was left was the world pressing down on his shoulders - Zeke was struggling to hit the broadside of a barn.

Perhaps it was too much trying to figure where the worm would pop up next, or maybe it just wasn't his day. Whatever the case was, it was growing old fast.

At least it was only a mutt.

Maybe Panem loved watching the healer strike down humans without a second thought - they were probably laughing at him. A killer that was incapable of taking down ugly worms. Imagine that.

One worm died as Ollie struck it again, and his heart sank deeper than the ocean. She was still that innocent little girl from district ten. A human life didn't stain her hands yet. The blood didn't coat her soul. It didn't try to devour the spirit living inside;

"Nice work, Ollie." A shaky voice infiltrated the air echoing off the roots wrapped around the home. A twelve year old girl did what he couldn't do, but her flail never crushed a skull, it didn't stab a career in the eye, nor did it strike down the boy from twelve Zeke met in the Capitol bathroom.

A sly grin slowly spread across his lips, and even as Dove's spear penetrated the worm's skin, it still slithered on. The gamemakers must've made this indestructible. They didn't want the tributes to kill them, but the one was crushed, beaten to a pulp like it didn't even matter.

Knowing what he had done, what he caused, it was still difficult to even look the two girls in the eye. They still had this innocence about them. Their soul wasn't tainted by the blood of another. Perhaps that was why Zeke couldn't do much damage. The thoughts were there, and everywhere he turned their faces danced before his. Gabriel and Volkner. Now they were nothing more than a memory. Something that would linger on forever long after his death if it came. But all he could do for now was push them away and live his last days out. A storm was brewing as a war carried on, however, that wasn't enough to hold him down.

The healer wanted was a chance to see his father once more, and that was his reason to fight regardless of what came his way.

"Let's finish this and get out of here."

Before it's too late.

table by ryan<3

Ezekiel attacks worm #2 | sword
0S3ffuFEsword


{result: 1026 -- Deep Gash on Left Forearm -- 8.0 damage + 1 blades}sword