CHAPTER 5

AMY PIERCE

The audience watches in silence, the monarchy's eyes fixed on our demonstration. Each movement is an expression of skill and mastery, a lethal art that transcends physical barriers. The flashes of the daggers reflect the determination and strength within me.

I spin quickly, and seconds later, our daggers meet again, and I can feel the sweat against my forehead.

At the peak of the demonstration, we decided to switch to a different modality. The daggers are collected, and we prepare for a new dance, now without the blades to separate us.

The transition is smooth, a choreography of calculated movements. Our bodies intertwine and separate, creating a sequence of precise steps. Each movement is calculated, an expression of strategy and agility.

I clench my fists, dodging all the vampire's attacks before he manages to knock me down with a move, but I quickly get up and continue my fight.

The spectators, observing through the glass above, are captivated by the change in modality. The physical fight reveals a new dimension of my abilities, a strength that goes beyond dagger handling.

I brace for each move, anticipating his gestures as if reading his mind. Tension grows in the room, and suspense hangs in the air as we engage in an intense dance of strength and strategy. The vampire, with a skillful move, momentarily surprises me, but I quickly recover, maintaining balance between us.

The vampire extends his hand, acknowledging the skill I showed. I accept the gesture with gratitude.

I breathe heavily, trying to catch my breath when my presentation ends. Furthermore, I hear applause and turn my head, looking at each member of the monarchy.

Then, surprise envelops me like a veil when my eyes meet those of the man from the night before.

The same intriguing smile that greeted me in the darkness of the forest now adorns his lips as he watches me through the glass. Confusion takes over me, and questions form in my mind.

The man, with his majestic presence, is no ordinary stranger. He is the wolf king, the supreme authority of the wolf monarchy that rules this supernatural realm. I had never seen him before, and the revelation of his identity sparked a wave of surprise and confusion.

I continue to fix my eyes on him, recalling every word he said to me the night before when we met in the forest.

Furthermore, I breathe with difficulty at this grand revelation. I was in the presence of the most respected member of the kingdom, and I did not know it. He did not reveal his royal status when he spoke to me the night before.

My mind tries to process the connection between the forest man and the wolf king before me. The smile lingers on the wolf king's face, indicating that he recognizes the confusion in my eyes.

Finally, I realize someone is calling my name, interrupting the whirlwind of thoughts.

Reverence becomes my response, a demonstration of respect before the monarchy that observes my exit from the training room. Every movement is calculated, an expression of courtesy in an environment full of intrigue and challenges.

"Amy Pierce, that was a beautiful presentation, thank you for showcasing your skills.", he says with a serious expression, and I nod before forcing my legs to walk out of the castle training room.

I am guided by vampire guards to a room in the castle, and I am extremely surprised to see a beautiful long red dress on the bed for me.

I sigh, hearing some vampire maids enter the room and tell me they will help me get ready. At first, I am confused, but then I realize that tonight there will be a ball in the castle for all the competition participants.

The games will start tomorrow, and they want to thank each of us for our presence with drinks and delicious food. But that will never change the fact that many of us will start dying tomorrow.

The ball has many more people than I imagined, and the participants are the only humans here. I notice that many vampires and wolves are staring at me non-stop, and it makes me very uncomfortable.

To my total surprise, the wolf king is sitting on their throne, watching us. All humans seem excited and drink as if tomorrow does not exist, but I can't drink alcohol to numb my pain.

The hours pass, and I see the wolf king's golden eyes watching me as I pass through the double doors into the corridor, heading back to my room.

Tomorrow my life will change, and I can't stay at that ball watching everyone laughing and having fun when many people will die tomorrow as they eagerly watch.

The hours pass slowly, and the day of challenges begins. I am in front of the mirror, observing the type of clothing I am wearing this morning.

I sigh, feeling my body tremble when I see the red and black jumpsuit I am wearing, and the castle maids have tied my hair. In a few minutes, it will all begin.

None of us know what the first challenge will be, but I'm sure it won't be easy. I hear my heart beating harder within my chest when the door of the room opens, and two vampires follow me to a part of the castle where many people are gathered.

There is a very high stage, and all 11 participants are by my side. I can see the king sitting behind me, and I look at the crowd, seeing that vampires and wolves are looking at us with smiles and cheers, while humans look at us with expressions of sadness.

My eyes fix on my mother, and I feel my eyes fill with tears when I see her looking at me.

I turn my head, seeing the wolf king standing up and standing among us before smiling at everyone as if he didn't care about our lives. I was really wrong when I thought he was different from everyone else.