THIRD PERSON POV
It has been about 5 minutes since the first group participated in the marathon. Group one just retired back stage for re-corporation, and preparation for the next game.
As the crowd erupted in cheers, the contestants celebrated their victories, while others planned their next line of action. Harper sat backstage, her heart still racing from her unexpected win. This was all thanks to the handsome young man she met earlier. She couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Zayn.
Just then Zayn walked in with a handful of his friends. Harper's heart fluttered as she walked towards him.
"Thank you for saving me, back there," Harper said, breaking the silence.
Zayn's lips tipped downwards into a frown, his golden eyes glinting with boredom. "I would say you're welcome. But seeing that you stole my spot light, I should probably start seeing you as my rival," He voiced taking Harper aback. "I hope you are ready little missy cause I don't take kindly to competitors."
"Calm down dude. I just wanted to extend a hand of friendship, we might be competing for the same goal but that doesn't necessarily makes us enemies," Harper explained with a nervous smile, her heart pounding in her chest.
Zayn looked down at her, his eyes turning cold. "If only that was the case. There can only be one winner in our group, and that's me. So I would advise you to quit while you are still ahead, or get crushed," Zayn declared, walking out before Harper could speak. Harper froze for a heartbeat more.
She had expected to make friends, but apparently that was off the table since the only person that was nice to her, wanted to crush her all of a sudden.
She had to focus on the next competition, and win it, even if it meant going against the one person she owed her life to.
Harper took in a deep breath, her determination renewed. She knew she had to stay focused if she wanted to win.
The next few hours were a blur of intense competition. Harper and the other contestants participated in various games, each one testing their skills and strength in different ways.
Game 2:
The second game was a hand-to-hand combat tournament, where contestants had to fight each other in a series of matches.
The rules were simple;-
–Knock your opponent out of the ring and win.
–The person with the shortest time advances.
–7 competitors were to be evicted after this round.
Harper was paired against a skilled fighter, a woman known by the name "Amazon of Alaska" a woman who sincerely looked a lot older than 18.
Once they got into the ring, Harper noticed the humongous difference in their height and realized she was in great danger. She had to think fast or she might lose her life. That was when an excellent idea spun through her mind.
Immediately the bell was rang, Harper ran out of the ring, heading straight into the locker room.
The crowd erupted in "Boos." They had come here for a fight, not to see a little girl run away with her tail in-between her legs.
At that point the Amazon of Alaska burst into laughter, it was clear that she had won the match, but just as she let her guard down, Harper returned, executing a perfect spare to her stomach.
The Amazon of Alaska fell out of the ring and Harper won, in good time too.
When it came to Zayn's turn, he won with a single punch, in less than half the time.
At the end of the day the results were as follows; First place goes to Zayn Acosta with a total of 200 points. Second place Samuel Mint with 150 points and third place Harper Devenchy with 100 points.
Game 3:
The third game was an intelligence test, where contestants had to solve complex puzzles and riddles within a set time limit.
Most of the questions were about werewolf heritage, and the great war.
Harper happened to be a history nerd, so most of the questions were a breeze. She finished the game with a high score.
The results for this round were:-
Zayn Acosta– 1000 points
Harper Devenchy– 800 points
Samuel Mint– 600 points.
Once again 8 contestants were evicted leaving just 15 to advance to the next round.
Game 4:
The fourth game was a crossbow competition, where contestants had to hit targets at varying distances. Harper's aim was true, she had been practicing since she was two so there was no way she was going to loose. She hit most of the targets, earning her a very high score.
The results were as follows:-
Harper Devenchy– 2000 points.
Emily Waters– 1800 points.
Zayn Acosta– 1500 points.
As always, a handful of contestants were evicted, bringing only 5 contestants to the final round.
Game 5:
The final game was a physical fitness test, also known as the Life Force Test. Contestants had to demonstrate their physical strength, endurance, and agility by completing a series of challenging obstacles. Harper gave it her all, pushing her body to its limits, but at last she wasn't good enough due to her lack of magic potential energy.
After all the game was completed, the judges tallied up the scores. The final standings were:
Zayn Acosta - 2400 points
Harper Devenchy - 2000 points
Samuel Mint - 1600 points
"We have come to the end of the 100th Reaper games," Akane announced, the contestant's heart skipped.
"Our judges have jailed in their verdict and it is time to know who is going home or is going to reaper academia," She said as she grabbed an envelope from the judges table.
She opened it and a gasp escaped her mouth. "Interesting."
"I will begin reading from the bottom. Note; each group was to provide a single winner," Akane said, clearing her throat. "Without further Adoes, let's begin the reading."
"Coming in 5th place, is Sonia Dominic from group three with a total of 5000 points," Akane voiced, her tone sharp as the crowd erupted in cheers.
"In fourth place we have Jackson lie from group two, with a total of 5200 points."
"In third place, we have Nathaniel Colen from group five with a total of 5400 points."
"In second place, we have Boris Voldest from group four, with a total of 5500 points."
"And now to the moment you all have been waiting for, the leader of the board. A person with an outstanding score of 5900 points," Akane voiced and drum rolls were heard.
At this point, Harper could hear her heart beat in her ear drums. Her limbs trembling underneath the weight of anticipation.
"First place is from group one. Now put your hands together for Zayn Acosta" Akane's heart sank to her stomach. She lost, she gave it her all but still lost. Her mom was going to be so disappointed.
"... And Harper Devenchy" Akane voiced, her tone alarmed, and the crowd erupted in "This is awesome" chants.
Harper froze, her eyes widened with shock as she gazed upon the big screen. Unceremonious tears escaped her eyes, as she thought about all the sacrifices she made to get to this point.
She made it, she was finally a reaper.
–————————————
Meanwhile far away, deep in the Himalayan mountains, there was a storm on the horizon.
"Have mercy my lord," a trembling, brown-skinned man begged on his knees. His voice trembling as he gazed upon the intimidating presence of Claw, King of the living dead.
Claw had abducted him cause he had recently formed an alliance targeted against bringing Claw's reign to an end, and he wasn't pleased about it. Rebellion was the last thing he could stand.
Claw looked down at the old man, his eyes filled with contempt, but instead of showing mercy, he and his army of living dead burst into a nemesing laugh.
"Mercy, you say?" Claw repeated, his tone deep, drawled, filled with anguish. "That word doesn't exist in my vocabulary."
In all honesty, Claw didn't know what it meant to be merciful. It was a luxury he couldn't afford, considering his own mother had abandoned him in the woods, at his birth.
"Give me one reason why I should mercy to a member of your worthless species," Claw questioned, his voice laced with disdain. His eyes taking a furious shade of blood red, that it made the man quiver in his state.
He had already made up his mind to end every human who stood in his way of world dominance. After all, humans were just a means to an end; they were the problem this world had. They were selfish, conniving, and cruel. They deserved no favors.
"I have a daughter who needs me," the man pleaded, tears streaming down his face, his limbs trembling with fear.
"Oh, you mean the one you sold?" Claw questioned, his voice dripping with venom. This man was the worst, pretending to be the local saint, while secretly offering his daughter to men in exchange for wealth.
Guilt creeped onto the old man's face.
"I needed the money. It was either me or her," the old man replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
"And you chose yourself," Claw stated, rising from his seat. "I've heard enough."
Staring at the old man's pathetic face, Claw said his favorite four words: "Dispose of this trash."
Claw commanded five of his living dead friends, who quickly descended upon the old man. The old man pleaded for mercy, but it was no use. The dead had no use for words. Limb by limb, they tore him to shreds.
As Claw looked on, he felt nothing; no strand of excitement or empathy. He might have been born from a human, but at this point, he was no better than his living dead friends.
His heart had grown cold, his soul ripped out by those so-called humans who thought it was wise to ostracize a kid just for being hideous.
The screams persisted for a couple of seconds, then suddenly there was silence. That snake was no more, no more shall he cause havoc.
Claw and his minions then moved to his game room for their monthly game of death. This game was a twisted ritual, with Claw and his army taking turns suggesting targets for their next attack.
Claw stood among his army of living dead, their undead eyes fixed on him. He grinned, his fangs glinting in the faint moonlight.
"Who's ready for a game of chess?" he asked, his voice booming through his abandoned castle. The living dead responded with a chorus of groans and cheers, their voices like a chilling breeze.
Claw laughed, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Excellent! Winner gets to choose our next target."
The living dead cheered, their voices rising with each passing moment but before they could begin their little game, they received an unexpected visitor.
"Greetings lord Claw," A voice boomed across the room. Claw's lips tipped over into a smirk, he didn't bother looking back for he already knew who it was, Wolftopia's greatest aid, Beta Ivan, Queen Lunaria's right hand man.
"You are late, I have been expecting you," Claw said, his tone laced with nonchalance.
"Pardon my lateness my lord. I had to watch the reaper games, for appearances sake," Beta Ivan announced, and Claw chuckled.
"Fresh meat for my boys, that's good."
"The absolute best, curtsy of Luna queen Lunaria," Beta Ivan announced with a nemesing laugh.
##################