Andromeda Orchid

The alabaster walls possessed the same crumbling weathering they had when she once studied in these halls, the smallest variations of white and cream of the stones reflected the strong summer sunlight. It illuminated the open walled walkway, greenery dappling the light before it met the well-worn stones of the ground. Soft shuffling noises of the people that waited out in the courtyard echoed in the small rectangular garden that ran parallel to the hallway. Large open arches allowed people to peer into the lovely display of nature, all bright greens and peaceful trickling of the small pond in the centre. A breath of serenity in the moments before cruelty.

Every year the games were held and most were uneventful, all of the kingdom's heirs were older, almost all of them had graduated and now sent champions in their place. When champions competed, it was still entertaining for the masses, but there was not as much riding on the deaths that may or may not occur. Fortunately for the population, Marmoor never sent a champion. The heir was expected to attend every year until they ascended to the throne, which happened sooner than most would expect. The delicate nature of their bloodline meant a horrifically shortened lifespan, the cacophony within their own minds would become too much to handle and they all succumbed to the pressure early.

There was a push from her parents to acquire a husband, to delegate the next heir, then she would be able to send a champion in her stead due to the fact she would be ruling the kingdom and hence could not attend. Yet, this was her third competing year. The theatrics of the event felt like clockwork, the same speeches, the same crazed excitement from those not willing to risk their lives for the sake of this tradition. One thing did stand out to Andromeda this year. There was an unprecedented amount of true heirs this year. Not only herself, but if her informants were to be believed there were a handful of the graduating class that were of royal persuasion. A champion here and there, but for the most part, it would be royal blood spilled in these games.

She knew of two well. Leon Finoviard, a wild card from an equally unhinged kingdom that embraced their animalistic impulses, earning them a fierce reputation amongst the lands. The other was a less than fantastic turn of events. Florence Barboeux, the youngest heir of Cutter’s Edge. A foreboding man with a towering frame and power to match the rumours of his talent. In the previous year’s games Andromeda and Florence’s older brother had been competing, they had made it to the last stand, the hardest of the trials and the decider of who would be victorious. Andromeda did not want to do those things to that man, Cassius had been his name before she scrambled his brain so badly he couldn’t remember it anymore.

Threats had been delivered to her chambers at home, scrawled and sent with malicious intent from Florence since the day Cassius died. It had been a slow event, the ruined contents of his head fighting to keep him alive for as long as possible, but he had begun to lose who he was and soon after his brain completely gave up. The other competitors didn’t concern Andromeda, it was the Ice Kingdom that had a knife to her throat before the trials had even begun.

Her name was announced from beyond the doors. She was always announced first, she wasn’t a surprising fact to see here, so they got her out of the way quickly. The wooden doors swung open as two people on the other side opened them and light came flooding into the calm space. A wave of noise joined it and Andromeda’s moment of peace had come to an end.

Stepping out onto the raised dais in the courtyard, she felt the familiar placid smile ghost itself onto her lips. Her arms moved with delicate poise that matched the flowing sheer garment that hung from her figure perfectly. All pale shimmers and demure movements, Andromeda took up her position to the side of the dias, leaving room for the next competitors to join her. Her glazed eyes moved to watch each heir as they were called forwards. It seemed that Marmoor’s tradition was catching as numerous returning heirs were called forth. Thaola and Tarron were faces that she knew, she had seen them struggle through the last year’s events with her, perhaps they would remember Cassius and seek to eliminate her as a threat from the beginning. It would not be surprising, she would do the very same if she were in their shoes. Unsurprisingly, Rheagan was returning for another chance at the bloodshed. Something was wrong with that man. He held a glint in his eyes that set Andromeda’s teeth on edge, like he could see her very thoughts, absolutely impossible considering her abilities. Either way, when he stalked onto the stage in front of Thaola and Tarron and settled beside her, the energy that rolled off of him made her skin prickle.

The headmaster was blathering on about traditions and the importance of these games, to ensure connection between kingdoms and upholding their values. All a bunch of useless drivel. They wanted to see people brutalise each other in the name of their kingdom. Now, they had an entire cast of royal blood before them. Not a single champion to be seen. Four returning powerhouses and four unknowns emerging from the graduating class. No matter the winner of this year’s games, the people were sure to be in for a show.