Chapter 2
"MOTHER!" I screamed as I ran towards her. I knelt beside her and scooped her lifeless body into my arms. I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes threatening to fall, just like the rain that threatened to fall from the clouds above. Thunder and lightning crackled around me, the dark clouds shrouding my world in shadow. I raised my face towards the sky and screamed in anguish and rage, my tears broke free and began their descent down my cheeks. I lowered my head into my hands and sobbed until an all too familiar voice startled me.
"It seems I was correct in assuming there was someone hiding beneath the ruble."
I leapt to my feet and spun around to face him, the world around me swirled and changed into a battlefield. I now stood face to face with my mother's killer, surrounded by nameless, faceless, lifeless bodies. I glared at the monster before me as he gestured to our surroundings.
"There is nothing you can do to prevent this from happening, child." I tore my eyes off of him and took in my surroundings as he continued to speak. "This is the future of the universe. Half the universe sacrificed so the other half may live in tranquility."
Everywhere I looked I saw nothing but ruins surrounded by blood and death, just like my world had become. Enraged, I turned back to him, " NO! NO! I WILL NEVER, NEVER, ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN! NEVER WILL I ALOW THIS TO BE DONE TO ANOTHER WORLD, LET ALONE THE UNIVERSE! I WILL NEVER ALLOW ANYONE ELSE TO GO THROUGH THE PAIN YOU HAVE CAUSED ME! NEVER WILL ANYONE KNOW THE PAIN OF HAVING YOU RIP EVERYTHING THEY LOVE AWAY FROM THEM! I WILL DO ALL I CAN TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING, EVEN IF IT IS THE LAST THING I DO!" I seethed and screamed as I prepared to attack. A disappointed look crossed his face before he raised his hand adorned with a gold glove. I stared in awe at the six beautiful gems decorating his glove, each radiating various levels of energy, before I heard the faint sound of a snap. In an instant I was blinded by a rush of energy and light before I was swallowed by darkness.
Bolting upright, one hand pressed firmly to my chest as my heart beat rapidly beneath my palm, my other hand pressed firmly to the window beside me. My eyes darted around the room as I attempted to remember where I was as well as why I was on the floor. As my memories came flooding back to me, I lowered my hands from my chest and the window. Shifting my legs so they were crisscrossed, I took a deep shaky breath and ran my trembling hands through my messy hair. I untangled my fingers from my (h/l) (h/c) locks and glanced out the window to find the first rays of dawn peeking out from the horizon, just above the city's skyline. Dropping my hands to the floor, I rolled over on to my hands and knees and pushed myself up to my feet. Once I was standing, I turned to face the window and watched the sunrise. As I watched, I felt a small smile pull at the corners of my lips, but it was quickly replaced with a frown as I remembered the beautiful sunrises I would watch from the balcony of my home. Turning away from the window, I pushed all thoughts of home from my mind and began to get ready for the day ahead.
After stripping myself of the tank top, leggings and boots that I had unintentionally slept in, I made my way over to the, in my opinion, rather large wardrobe. I yanked open the doors and stared at the multitude of clothes and began to wonder what would be appropriate for meeting the ruler of this amazing city. Carefully I examined each outfit until I found one that felt right for the occasion. I pulled out a simple yet semi elegant one shoulder multi blue top that was a rich midnight blue at the top that blended down into sky blue and a matching pair of midnight blue leather pants that included a thin black belt. After changing, I realized that the top was just a bit longer in the back so that it draped over my rear a little, something I was actually glad about.
After tugging on my boots from last night, I made my way over to the lavish bed and sat on its edge. As I sat down, I reached over to the small table and grabbed the brush. After fixing my hair, I sat the brush back on the small table before heaving a mournful sigh and glancing back at the windows. Standing, I made my way back to the windows and leaned against a portion of the protruding wall. Folding my arms loosely across my chest, I stared down at the unique city below me and allowed my mind to drift back to my arrival, as well as the events that encompassed it.
***FLASHBACK*** After waking in excruciating agony and digging myself free of the rubble from the home I'd crash-landed in, I began my search for fellow survivors. After wandering the city for what felt like hours, and could have easily been so, my search enabled me to conclude that I was, as I feared, the last of my kind. Refusing to allow myself to fall into a bottomless pit of negative emotions, I held fast to the anger boiling in my blood. Gritting my teeth, I did my best to remain at least somewhat calm as I returned to my, now war-ravaged, home to gather my belongings and anything else I thought I might need. After gathering all that I desired and needed from the floor containing my room, I set everything down on my bed and went out to the balcony, that had miraculously survived the attack, and placed my hands on the banister as a wave of sorrow crashed over me causing my (e/c) eyes to close for a moment. After getting ahold of my emotions again, I opened my eyes and looked around at the smoldering city around and below me before looking up at the star-filled midnight sky as a gentle breeze blew by ruffling my (h/c) tresses. Turning away from the once beautiful sight, I headed back inside and picked up my belongings before heading back down the stairs to continue gathering provisions, knowing full well I won't be returning.
Once I finished gathering everything, I took a deep breath and left. Refusing to look back and lose control of my emotions, I made my way to the dock. Upon arriving at the dock's edge, I set everything down and muttered the ancient incantation that would transform the water into a gateway between worlds that would take me wherever I desired to go. Inhaling deeply, I backed up a bit, whispered my goodbyes to my homeworld and took off at a run before diving off the dock into the water. As I fell through the portal a swirl of colors mixed with glimmers of light danced around me until I felt myself summersault on to a solid surface. Opening and refocusing my eyes, I found myself kneeling on an oddly colored floor between a wall of windows, which I must have come through as it was the only reflective surface near me, and an odd-looking turquoise couch with white cushioning. Before anyone could say or do anything, I quickly raised my hands in the universal sign of surrender to show I was unarmed and meant no harm, as I introduced myself and the reason I was there. "My name is (y/n) and I have a proposition for the Grandmaster."
The colorfully dressed male sitting on the couch, not far from where I knelt, ushered the woman next to him, most likely his bodyguard or something, to lower her weapon and once she did he turned his attention back to me. "I'm listening." He stated simply, giving me what could only be described as a charming smile as he waited for me to speak.
I lowered my arms, however, I remained kneeling as I had yet to be told to stand, and told him, "I am the only survivor of my kind and I have come to you seeking refuge," I paused for a moment unsure of how he would take the rest, "and I have come to be a willing participant in the Contest of Champions." I'm not entirely sure why, but as I finished I glanced at the man and our eyes locked for a moment. In that moment it became only us, our eyes connected, and suddenly it felt like I was attempting to convey everything that had just occurred in my world to him in a single look as if my thoughts and emotions could be transmitted through our locked eyes. The moment ended when the woman from earlier got his attention, asking if everything was alright, to which he responded by simply shooing her away, and he focused back on me, a look of intrigue evident on his features.
"From my understanding, your proposition is that you will willingly fight in the Contest of Champions and in exchange, all I need to do is provide you with a place to stay. Is that correct, (y/n)?" the Grandmaster asked as he motioned for me to stand.
"Yes, sir" I answered as I stood.
"Very well. We will discuss the finer details tomorrow. For now please show her to a room." he waved someone over as he finished.
As I turned to follow my guide, I suddenly remembered my belongings waiting for me on the other side of the portal, which I had yet to close, thankfully. I turned back to the windows, stuck my hand through the portal and mumbled the spell that would bring my stuff to me. As my belongings landed at my feet, I snuck a glance at the Grandmaster and found his eyes were a tad bit wider and filled with amazement and interest. I looked back at the window and whispered the spell to close the portal, then stooped down, grabbed everything and followed my guide to my new room.
***END OF FLASHBACK***
A sharp knock on my door shook me from my thoughts, making me jump a little. I turned to face the door and made my way over. Once I reached the door I made sure to push away all thoughts that might cause me to falter during my meeting with the Grandmaster. I swung open the door and revealed the same person from last night that had brought me to my room. As soon as the door was open, they turned and motioned for me to follow.