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Percy's condition and words scare me. He’s laying on the large bed of his room, his hair scattered all across his face, hiding his eyes. The wounds he carries are not normal. Why does he have them? My father did that to him. His father did that to him. Those bruises on his body. Oh God. Why would Father do that? I need to confront him. How dare he harm my brother?

A hand wraps around my arm and stops me before I can even begin walking. Percy's awake.

“Percy, Percy are you okay?” Breathing feels unnatural as the sight of those horrible injuries on my brother’s body replays in my head. His hand holds my arm firmly; a silent request to have me stay here. He doesn't want me to talk about this to Father, but why?

“I am okay. I'll be as long as you stay quiet,” Percy says in a voice that's equivalent to a whisper. His eyes have a silent prayer visible in them, though I'm unsure which God he prays to.

“I need you to tell me everything,” I command him in the ‘older brother’ voice I barely ever use. He snickers and rolls his eyes, accepting defeat.

“I can't. Father forbid me, I broke the single most
important rule of my life today, Casp. I can't break it
further. Just know that it's for your good.” Every word he says confuses me more. My good?

“How's it any good for me? You being hurt hurts me more, Percy. You're my little brother, the best one. Please,” I say like it's the most viral request of my life, “please let me talk to Father. I'll let him know that he can't treat you like that.”

“He can. I deserve it. He's my father, the King of Avon, he can do anything.” His voice is firm now, like usual. The grip on my arm has become rougher, telling me just how on edge he is. Is he scared of Father? But why?

“Percy, I don't understand this-”
He cuts me off and says, “You don't have to. Forget it. He's your father, love him like you always do. Everything he does is the best for you.”

“Percy.”

“Caspian, please.” That wordless request holds more meaning than anything I've ever heard. I shouldn't know why and how Father hurts him. It will stay a truth that's shadowed from me. I shall remain the happy Prince while my brother suffers for reasons I must not know. Why?

The sound of the royal drums beating as loud as ever brings me out of my thoughts. I think I know why they're beating so loud. The Power Maze.

“Percy, I think it's the announcement of the trial contestants, let's go!” I know it's stupid to be excited because I know both my brother and I will compete in the same thing, something that's probably deadly. But I know Percy, he's one of the strongest men out there, he will survive.

My brother's face holds visible discontent. What is it that makes him so upset? Is he scared that he won't be selected? The people love him. He will definitely be selected.

“Don't worry, you'll be selected, Perce.” I pat his shoulder gently, careful of the large bruise I know hides under the shirt. Percy shouldn't have to go through that, I'll talk to Father sometime about this. Not now though.

The drums are so loud that Mother covers her ears as she approaches Avon's amphitheatre.  All of us are walking out of our homes. The Royals from inside the castle and the subjects from their homes. Avon's amphitheatre is the largest of all the kingdoms and we take pride in that. Music and plays are something we are good at.

“Listen Avon, the results of the polls are here! We will announce the names of the contestants for The Maze Trials, The Power Maze!” the brunette lady announcer speaks into the voice enhancer, ensuring that every single citizen hears her.

“Caspian, come here,” Father calls me. I remember the bruises on Percy's body and hesitantly walk towards him.

“We're supposed to sit there.” He points at the glass box inside the amphitheatre, one that has three royal seats and four simpler ones. I frown. Where's Percy's seat?

“Father, where will Percy sit?” I dare to ask because he's never tormented me like he has done to my brother. I refuse to believe it, but the marks on his body are irrefutable proof. And it's believable. Percy's strength is incomparable, I doubt how many people except Father can harm a strand of his hair.

“Oh, he's not going to sit.” I fail to understand his words. Why won't he sit? What has he done wrong? I glance back at Percy and walk alongside Father and Mother, the citizens staying away and the four ministers following us.
That look on Percy's face says that he knows why this is happening, then why am I clueless?

As soon as we sit inside the box, the subjects start applauding. The drums start playing louder and the announcer starts speaking again.

“Under the merciful gaze of King Alastor, Queen Aeliana and Crown Prince Caspian, I, Brienne, take the pleasure to announce the names that will participate in the most radiant event in all of Avon. After eight years, we will witness the Trails again!” Why did she take my name along with Mother and Father? I'm a contestant too.

I glance at Percy, standing amidst the crowd, yet being so noticeable. He understands this.

“This year, the Maze Trials have something in store for us. Something that I don't know yet. The Power Maze holds a secret that King Alastor is sure will take us by surprise. Without further delay, I present to you the names of our fifteen favourite contestants!” The sky lights up in several colours before it forms a shape and shows a name. So Brienne's power is visual, just for entertainment. Her job fits well.

The first name glows a bright yellow against the blue sky.

Llyris Bronx.

The crowd applauds as Brienne reads the name out. A muscular guy emerges from the crowd. His unkempt beard doesn't take away from his sharp looks.

Koberic Enan glows in a dark violet in the sky as the crowd appaulds. Two men have been named. Thirteen left.

Xirenia Amaz.

Jerath Nedo.

Mais Blunt.

Xandyr Sito.

Juan Benett.

Isabella Gonzalez.

Eden Sanders.

Tobias Lauren.

Oh God, when will my name appear?

Nico Crawford.

Nathan Trace.

Darcy Alvarez.

There's only two left now. Maybe they left Percy and me for the last. But Sancy deserves it too, she should be here. All these people are standing on the stage, Sancy should be here too. Percy and I certainly are.

The sky glows in the same shade as Percy's eyes. Sancy Brixton.

I watch her emerge from the crowd, completely covered in dark clothes of different colours, only her face bare for people to see. She goes to the middle of the theatre and stands beside the other participants. The applause to her is the loudest I have heard yet. She deserves it.

But that leaves only one person left. Both Percy and I should be here. Not only one of us.

The light blue of the sky is contrasted with the Navy blue of Avon. Perseus Damaris.

The applause is so loud that it's deafening. But it's not the applause that startles me. It's the lack of my name in the list. Why? Percy stands beside Sancy, probably wondering the same thing about her appearance as me. But I'm not thinking of that now.

I stand up from my seat but Father pulls me down. He has read my reaction and it shows. He makes me face him and stares directly into my eyes. His lips move.

“Future Kings don't compete to show their strengths. A deadly competition is for the others, not you. You were never meant for this, Caspian.”

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