Quintus and I stand silently side by side off the side of a grand staircase. In a few short minutes, we would all be paraded down the staircase and into the banquet below as guests of honour. Already, other contestants are starting to arrive, standing with their Kindreds (as I am) and not speaking to anyone. I am very nervous-drumming my fingers against the chair I am holding onto for support. We can all hear undistinguished chatter of hundreds of esteemed guests below us, and I can tell I am not the only one on edge. A tall, pretty brunette in the corner has little bolts of electricity shooting from her fingertips. A blonde boy with a fancy suit is pacing tight circles around his Kindred, who is sitting in a chair with her eyes closed shut.
The tension in the room grows with every passing minute. The chatter down stairs grows louder as more people arrive for dinner. More contestants keep showing up, until there is at least 15 people packed into this crowded corridor. I don't feel pretty anymore-I'm too nervous to feel pretty.
The silence in this tight hallway is strained and awkward, until Empress Alura strides in. She is wearing a white, flowy dress that compliments her caramel skin, and a golden crown upon her dark brown hair. She is powerful and strong, and I can feel the tension in the room dissipate quickly.

"Good evening contestants....welcome to my home. Today, with this meal, the Trials begin. This banquet is in honour of you. Enjoy it, and good luck to all of you!" She announces, walking proudly to the top of the stairs. Still out of sight of the guests, Empress Alura turns to us, looking us each in the eye in turn.

"Now, please line up in order of your social status, and in alphabetical order." Alura commands. My fellow contenders and I shuffle into a disorganized line, trying to figure out our places. I am second to last, in between a boy named Zephyr, and a boy named Rame. Nervously, I wipe my sweaty palms on my dress, taking deep breaths in order to calm my nerves. My hands are warm, and they start to spark dangerously. Quintus shoots me a warning look, and I clench my fists together tightly. Bursting into flames would probably be a bad first impression.

Control
Control
Control

"When your name is called, you will proceed to the stairs, and walk down them. Be sociable; courteous. You will then sit at the head table with myself and your Kindreds. Does everybody understand?" Empress Alura says, going over last minute instructions. I nod my head mutely. This is about to get very real.

Empress Alura smiles politely at us once, before disappearing around a corner and down the stairs. The roar of the crowd grows louder as she descends the grand staircase. We hear the crowd quiet, Alura says some  undistinguishable words, and then it's our time.

"Ana, house of Larons!"

The pretty brunette I saw earlier with electricity shooting from her fingertips exhales a long breath before grasping the arm of her Kindred, and disappearing down the stairs. The crowd roars, then silences once more-eagerly anticipating the next contestant to appear. This goes on several more times, until finally, the boy in front of me is marching his way down the grand staircase, waving and smiling like he was born to do this.

I feel nauseous. I don't want to do this...I really don't. I don't want to face all the high class citizens who will disrespect and disregard me throughout the night. I don't want to see the faces of those that I am going to fight against. I just don't want to do it.

But I don't have a choice now do I?

Quintus takes my arm, looping it around his elbow, and waits patiently with me. I grip his arm tightly, my nails digging into his skin. He winces, turning to me.

"Ouch! Just calm down Elixir....you'll be fine." He says, patting my arm in what could be seen as a reassuring gesture. I'm going to choose to see it that way anyways.

We step forward, a blinding light hitting me as I hear my name-rolling and graceful from Empress Alura's mouth, bouncing around the room. I smile cautiously-raising my free hand in a polite wave as I descend the staircase. Loud claps engulf the room, like thunder dancing around the sky. Camera's buzz and flash around me, projecting this dinner live to all of the hologram sets around the city.

This is alright I suppose.

Still clutching Quintus with all my strength, we finally step off of the staircase and onto the lavish marble floor instead. A illuminating light follows us as we weave our way through the packed room. The head table sits on a small platform, just large enough for us to be elevated above the rest of the crowd. Empress Alura sits in the middle, flanked by two Elite bodyguards. Spreading out of her, the rest of the contenders sit, eyeing me warily. I suppose this is the first time they are really seeing me.

This is the first time I am really seeing them.

Near the end of the table, I see a small, intricate place card bearing my name at one of the seats. Sitting in my designated seat, I stare down at my plate for a moment. When I say that there are literally 3 forks....I kid you not. There were 3 freaking forks-varying in size and placements. Is this how Elite people eat?

I can't even imagine getting through this dinner...never less the rest of my life eating with these ridiculous instruments.

"Don't worry about those.....just choose one and stick with it. Nobody will notice if you don't use the other ones!"

I turn my head to my right, and see a grinning blonde girl, winking at me.

"Thanks?" I stutter, shooting her a weak smile, and returning my gaze to her plate. The blonde girl however, is not deterred so easily. She sticks her hand in front of my face,

"I'm Laura.....and you are?" She chatters brightly at me.

"Elixir....nice to meet you," I respond to her, wincing as she shakes my hand tightly. Laura is absolutely breathtaking, and even now, I can see that half the boys in this room are already falling madly in love with her. Her blonde hair is tugged into a fancy bun, with little strands framing her face, and she wears a long, shimmery purple dress that almost reminds me of a waterfall. Her blue eyes sparkle as she leans closer to me, dropping her voice to a whisper.

"I hate these stuffy functions.....people can be so arrogant right?" She murmurs, subtly rolling her eyes. A sigh of relief escapes me as I realize that I am not the only one that is completely out of her depth.

"You're an Elite right?" I ask her, now generally curious to find out more about her. I have no idea why she is talking to me, and I want to make sure this isn't some sort of ridiculous dare or game.

"Born and raised. I have the gift of Ferrokinesis....using metal. See?"

Laura closes her eyes in concentration, and flicks her wrist quickly. One of my forks lifts from my plate, hovering in the air before contorting before my eyes into a small band of gold.

That is seriously cool.

"That's so neat!" I can't help but be in awe over her Gift-how creative it is. I have never seen anything like it. For the most part, Elites and Unmentionables don't mix. We stay to our slums, and they live up in the nice part of the city. It is practically an unofficial law that classes don't socialize with each other unless they absolutely have to. On very rare occasions, you may see an Elite, but those times are very few and far between. I have never seen a Gift this powerful up close before, and it truly is amazing.

"What's your Gift?" Laura speaks up, breaking me from my awe inspired trance.

I can feel my cheeks slowly turning scarlet as I stare down at my plate. I can't help but feel embarrassed sitting here next to Laura, my Gift no where near as incredible as hers.
No...I can't think like that. I can't go into this competition feeling inferior. I have to be just as confident as the Elites-just as brave. In any case, I have to feign confidence.

Clearing my throat, I lift my hand slightly, closing my eyes and trying to summon my Gift. It comes easier this time, a small burst of flame in my palm. It crackles there for a moment, and it takes all of my might to keep the flame tiny and in the palm of my hand. I hear a small gasp from Laura as I fight with the fire-doing my best to control it. When I can't hold it any longer, I close my fist, squishing out the sparks that dwell there.
Opening my eyes, I look back at Laura, one of her perfect eyebrows cocked high on her forehead.

"Not too shabby....actually, that is pretty impressive for an Unmentionable!" Laura exclaims, offering me a small smile. Somehow, I know she is offering me a sincere compliment, and I feel the last of my nerves slip away. This is good. Laura seems like a decent human being, a possible friend in this sea of opposition.

I go to smile back, and respond to her, but before I can, the room goes dead silent. Not gradually, but all at once. Startled, I look around the room, the nerves starting to make a reappearance. What's happening?

Then, on the elevated stage to my left, Empress Alura appears, graceful and majestic, and begins to speak.

"My friends-welcome to my home! I am grateful that each and everyone of you could make it here tonight. As you know, we are here to celebrate the beginning of the Trials!" Empress Alura starts, and crowd applauds her enthusiastically. She smiles graciously, before holding up a hand, silencing the crowd. Turning to us, she continues to speak.

"Each of these 10 competitors have shown incredible skill, which has landed them their places in the Trials. One of these talented individuals will take my place as the newest Emperor or Empress of Adepto a Vita!" She announces, and a thrill of adrenalin rushes through me. Empress of Adepto a Vita.....that sounds pretty darn cool. But it's wishful thinking. A wild, impossible thought.

"This year, the Trials will consist of 3 stages; Strength, Cunning, and Power. The contestants will be tested in each of these stages in very different ways. The strongest will thrive, but the weakest will be....eliminated. The last one standing at the end of the Trials will win, and become the next ruler of our fair country."

I listen intently as she continues to speak, trying to soak in as much information as I can from the Empress. Never underestimate solid information. And honestly, I am going to need all the help that I can get.

All of a sudden, a frightening thought hits me. The Empress said eliminated...what happens when you are eliminated?

I nudge Laura, who is still sitting at attention, until I get her attention.

"Wait...what happens when you are eliminated?" I whisper to her quietly, trying not to draw attention away from Empress Alura, who is still speaking.

Laura turns to me, taking me by surprise. Her face is pale, and her blue eyes lack their lustre. She looks...haunted. Like she's seen a ghost.

"I can't tell you that," she murmurs back to me.

Now I'm genuinely dying to know. What on earth does eliminated mean, and why won't Laura tell me?

I go to protest, but she cuts me off.

"Trust me Elixir...you don't want to know." Laura states firmly, turning back to Empress Alura.

I don't want to know?

A sinking feeling comes over me, and I feel almost nauseous. I have a bad feeling about this-a really bad feeling.
This can't be good.

As Alura raises her hands in victory, and the crowd roars in approval, I grip my hands tightly together, and try to stem the panic swelling in my chest.

The Trials aren't an innocent contest....the losers don't just get to go back home. This a death match. The losers of this contest will die

Another chapter down! Yay-now we're getting into the real stuff hey? I hope you guys are having a great day!

Question of the day....what is your favourite movie?

I actually really love the Lord of the Rings movies-love them with a passion! That's me...what about you guys?

Till next time my fair readers!

-a_person66