THIRD PERSON POV
The world has been plugged into chaos. A centuries ago Claw and his army of living dead emerged from the shadows to cause terror on mankind. Humans were no match for those monster, no matter how much they tried, it was never enough.
In a state of utter despair, the humans turned to their only hope for survival, the werewolves. The werewolves agreed but their collaboration came at a steep price, power over the entire human race.
The werewolves, with their supernatural powers, suppressed the living dead and seized control over humanity.
A long time has passed since then but still werewolves reign supreme like gods, and humans remain blissfully unaware of the secrets that lurk in the shadows.
To maintain a fragile balance, every year, a handful of fortunate 18 years old humans are selected from various districts to attend "THE SCHOOL OF THE REAPERS," a prestigious institution that promises glory, status, and a chance to mingle with the elite. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so those chosen are hailed as the fortunate few, destined to aid the werewolves in eradicating the living dead. And today is finally going to be that day.
"Harper, you have to leave now, the Madam just left. Hurry up you're going to be late" Venus, Harper's mom informed, consequently pulling her from her daydream.
"What are you thinking of child?" She questioned upon noticing Harper's sad demeanor.
"Nothing mom, I am just thinking of a better life. A life out of this brothel " Harper dismisses with a genuine smile "I can almost picture it mother, me being selected into the School of Reapers, graduate with honors, get a good job in the wolf council and buy back both our freedom"
Venus looks up at her little girl, tears filling her eyes as she caressed her cheek.
"Dear, you don't need to push yourself. I have seen how much work you have put into this, and I will be proud of you no matter the outcome"
Her words were so touching that they made Harper's eyes water.
"Thank you mom, your support is all I need. I promise I will do my best and I wouldn't over push myself" She assured with a hug but in reality Harper was stepping out with a do or die mentality.
It was either she won the competition or her life was officially over, seeing that she was given a life plan barely 24 hours ago.
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Harper stepped into the streets of Wolftopia, a new fire burning with in her as she got her sight set on winning it all.
She walked into the venue with an aura of confidence as she stood among the other contestants.
Suddenly a minute girl, with short gray hair and blue eyes, who appeared to be in her early twenties strided up stage with a microphone in hand and a broad smile on her face.
"Good day ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the 100th annual Reaper games" The lady announced with great excitement "My name is Akane Katsuo and I will be the referee for this competition"
"Firstly, I will like to introduce the judges. Our judges of today are Philip Sanchez, Melissa Athens and Mark Devon" The lady announced in a hoarse voice and the crowd erupted in cheers as each judge rose to their feet for a wave. The smile on the judge's faces managed to create a serene environment for the contestants.
"Now to the rules" Akane said with a straight face, consequently sending shivers down every contestant's spine. A tense atmosphere quickly erupted as Akane confidently read the rules.
"Rule number one: you all will be competing in five games, that is; a marathon, hand to hand combat, a game of intelligence, a game of cross bow, and finally a physical fitness test aka the life force test, after which the top five shall be selected" She informed and the crowd erupted in mumbling. Indeed this year's stats were higher than ever, the School of Reapers always took in 15 lucky students each year, so for them to reduce that number to a mere 1/3 of the initial amount from a competition featuring over two hundred competitors was just brutal.
"Rule number two: Each game will have a set of rules that must be read before commencing. Rule number three: The rules are to be followed to the latter. You will be divided into five groups, in which a winner would be selected from each. And last but not least, everything goes," Akane announced in a high pitched tone, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
"Now, without further adoes, let the reaper games begin..." She yelled, her voice bubbling with excitement as she threw away her microphone for dramatic effect.
Immediately, a gigantic screen appeared, with names displayed on it in 5 groups of 40. The group one happened to have Harper's name, alongside an astray hybrid werewolf of alpha lineage.
Once more, Akane appeared again, but this time on the big screen.
"We are now moving on to our very first event of the day, a 30 km race. Here the rules are simple, first 30 people to get to the winning line advance, and as always anything goes."
Just then the doors to the Marathon track fell open and the competitors ran in.
Harper swallowed a lump in her throat, made a sign of the cross before stepping into a track that would change her life forever.
The race track was gigantic, it was made of fine marble, and drawn in a circular motion such that the finish line was just a kilometer behind the starting line.
The competitors moved to the starting line and took to their knees, each one burning with fire for victory.
"On your mark, get set, and go," Akane ordered, and each contestant obeyed. Immediately she said the last word, she shot a flare gun, and the match was officially on its way.
As soon as the contestants began running, weapons were toss into the ring from every angle. That was when the real, reapers games began, with all the carnage one could stomach. The violence was out of this world with people using weapons on each other just to get ahead. That was when it registered in their minds what the reaper games meant. It was a game of tango with the reaper himself.
The crowd erupted in cheers, their eyes sparkling with amusement from the blood bath before them.
Harper stood froze as she grabbed a small shovel, unwilling to use it. She intended to scare people off, but unfortunately that didn't happen as she got struck from behind with a wooden box.
Harper's eyes spun, and she fell knees first to the ground, her body numbing from the brutal attack. She laid on the ground staring up at the perpetrator, a tiny young man with brown eyes and hair. He raised his box ready to strike her, and Harper made her final prayers, a tear escaping from her eyes as she thought of this being the last time she'd see her mother.
But just then, something extraordinary happened, A young man with golden eyes, and beautiful brown hair walked in, blocking the tiny man from finishing her, It was none other than Zayn.
"Stop!" He commanded, his tone absolute. "She's already down. Move on."
The tiny young man didn't insist, instead he just nodded and left. Zayn turned to Harper, and with pity in his gaze said, "You don't belong here little one, go home,"
And with that, he took to his heels. As he ran out Harper's determination was immediately sparked alive, the promise she had made to herself. She wasn't going to loose, but she knew moving ahead was certain death. If only there was a way to cross the finish line without having to meet with those heartless monsters in the front.
That was when it registered to Harper, there were no rules about winning from the front, the main thing was to cross the finish line, whether it be from the front or back.
Swiftly, she made her way to her feet, pulling herself back to the starting line. The crowd all erupted in, "You're going the wrong way," screams, but Harper didn't care, she was determined to make it by all means.
Harper approached the finished line and that was when she saw Zayn striding towards her. Her stepped quickened, and in one desperate attempt limped to the finished line.
Immediately, a buzzer echoed.
"We have our winners," Akane announced, and everyone froze. "The judges have made their decision. First place goes to Harper Devenchy with a total of 1000 points. Second place Zayn Acosta with 800 points and third place Samuel Mint with 600 point."
"Here is the spreed sheet," Akane announced, and a gigantic screen appeared once more. "The last ten are disqualified."
Harper's mind went blank, she didn't hear much, just the fact that she ranked first.
She fell to the ground bursting into tears of joy, she was finally one step closer to her goal, now it was time to ensure she remained there.
The reaper games was a brutal field, and out of the 30 competitors left, there was only room for one winner.
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