Lily's POV
I stood in a room in one of the entrances to the arena as the host announced the first match, and when he did, I didn't think I would be this shocked.
It was the first match of the tournament. I didn't think I would be put against my own sister.
Ever since our talk in the hospital, I feel like I have been suppressing my feelings, and my involvement with our group has been reduced, too.
I don't know why. But I can't seem to find the courage in me to speak face-to-face with others, especially Nolan. I feel that I failed on so many levels. I was already hated by my father due to being weak and well... for just existing.
And maybe I thought that was not true, I am strong, but the facade ended when Sarah was killed.
No! The moment her legs were cut clean off by Aeon was the moment I failed. It was the moment I realised how weak and arrogant I was compared to others.
Solace, whom I met just four or five months ago, was alone doing so much that I felt weak and ashamed for speaking up against my own father.
I haven't had a single good moment these past months.
Hah, I scoffed.
Appearing tough as I seem to be, I sure do cry a lot.
I walked into the arena. Many of the students were screaming, and many were excited. Despite this, I was determined, and I had an array of emotions that I was troubled with.
I was born a minute later than Vivi, making her the bigger sibling, and that seemingly 1-minute gap now extended into a long 18 years to give me a moment to finally prove something that had been finalized by my parents.
I looked up, finally seeing eye to eye with my big sister.
***
Vivi's POV
I was standing infront my dear sister, and despite standing face to face with each other, we couldn't seem to face each other. Despite standing close to each other, we couldn't be further apart.
Ever since we were kids, she would always follow me around, fascinated and curious by everything I did. I wonder when it began to change.
Maybe it was because of me that she was so isolated. I knew that my father hated her, and I didn't know why. Or at least I didn't know a month ago. Apparently whole of my father's worth was in my name. I didn't know why, but it was in my grandfather's will. Actually It had been for the two of us for the first time, Half for me and half for Lily. But the clause was vague, and since he died before ever knowing that his granddaughter would be twins.
And since I was born before her, all the wealth was passed onto me. I also found out that the relationship between my father and my grandfather was extremely volatile. This is why he left the will in the first place.
It also protected me from the danger of being killed; it seemed that if I died mysteriously, the property would be donated to small charities across Theon. I think this is why my father has been so forgiving of me.
Looking at my sister, my grip tightened around my short-sword
I think I am failing as a sister; I mean couldn't defend my sister against my own father.
How pathetic I am.
I couldn't even protect my own sister, even on the mountain.
I couldn't remove a life-threatening poison that could have killed her had we not escaped the mountain.
Standing across her, I can feel the storm of emotions going through her body. I can feel her desperate need to defeat me. A desperate cry to be seen and to prove to everybody that she is not just a shadow cast by the bright sun.
I love her, and I will make sure she knows it. I will throw away my life for her; a tournament is nothing in comparison.
I steeled myself and assumed a stance.
Waiting for the confrontation that had taken so long.
Then suddenly a Voice rang out,
"Start."