It was the day before competition on the island. Everyone was doing their normal chores, and preparing for the big day. But this year people were not excited, they were afraid. Because they knew the truth now, what the other side holds. There used to be at least 50 participants for the competition but this time only 10 people participated.
Arix Valmor woke up earlier than his usual time at seven am. He was excited because finally he was able to participate in the competition. He got out of his bed and moved downstairs for breakfast. His house only had two rooms, one upstairs and one downstairs.
The kitchen, dining and bedroom were all adjusted in the downstairs room, His mother slept there while Arix used to sleep upstairs.
His mother has made the usual breakfast that morning, two pieces of bread and water to wash it down.
Arix sat down and started eating. His mother's face was still, her eyes fixed on dishes and her jaw tightened, teeth pressed together. Arix knows that his mother doesn't want him to participate in the competition. He was looking with side eyes at her while eating his bread. He knew what was coming. After a while she said "are you really going to participate in the competition?"
Arix replied "Yes, I am" while he kept eating his bread. He was not looking at his mother now instead was staring at his bread.
"You do know what Vaelor said, right?". His mother replied, The dishes clatter into each other making a loud echo throughout the room.
"Yes I know Mother, there are monsters on the mainland but that's what I have been training for". Arix stopped and took a bite of his bread and continued again "I always knew the mainland was not going to be safe, but I still wanna go. I have to find my father."
He looked at his mother while chewing his bread, she was not looking at him and kept doing dishes. Arix swallowed his bread and spoke again. "And think about our Island. There is no more space left for making new homes for people, and food is also running out. We don't even know if we will get to eat tomorrow, do you want to live like this?" He said this in a low voice, he already finished his first bread and was going to start the next one.
His mother stopped her movement and said "You want to throw your life just like your father did?" a few tears fell from her eyes as her voice began to tremble.
Arix was about to take a bite from his bread but he stopped. He threw his bread down on the plate and stood up. His both hands were on the table and he said in a loud voice "Father is not dead and I will find him, I will pass any competition I have to and leave this Island". His eyes widened instantly and words stopped coming out of his mouth. He has never talked to his mother like this.
His mother started crying, Arix realised what he had done. He sat down and put both his hands on his head. He said "look mother, I know you are worried, but relax. I know what I am doing, and no one is stronger than your boy here on the Island, these monsters will run away as soon as they see me. I will leave the Island, find my father, find a new land where we can settle and live our lives in peace."
His mother wiped her tears but her face was still wet. She said "Please be safe, and be away from those monsters." Arix said "Ok mother, don't worry" and started eating his remaining bread in peace.
His mother thought to herself "It's a waste of time to try to stop him now. I hope he fails the competition." She wiped the last utensils and went outside to dry the clothes.
Arix also finished his bread, before leaving he said " Bye mom, I am heading out." and left the house.
Arix was heading through the market. Some people were decorating the street with flags and balloons. Shopkeepers were selling bread and milk like always.
On his way Arix saw Rowan Crowe. Rowan was going to participate in the competition too, he was the chief's kid and quite arrogant. He was the same age as Arix.
Upon seeing Arix his smile faded away and he straightened his shoulder, slightly lifted his chin and said "Peasant" while walking past Arix and ignoring him. Arix didn't say a word and kept walking forward. He didn't want to make a scene here and he knew it was useless to say anything.
Rowan's father can eliminate anyone without any reason. He was not a good leader but still won elections by bribing families and making promises he never intended to keep.
Arix reached the beach and sat on the sand there, the beach was empty like always. He likes looking at the waves, it gives him peace for some reason. Arix turned 22 years old a few weeks ago, but he never cared about his birthday, most of his days were spent training.
"Are we going to stare at waves again?" someone spoke from behind. Arix turned around and saw Elena. "Gosh, She is beautiful" he thought to himself while staring at her face. She had long black eye lashes, her hair was long and she always had a smile on her face. She was smart and strong, Arix liked Elena.
They were both friends from childhood. "Are you just going to stare at me or say something?" She walked beside Arix and sat down.
"I like looking at waves," Arix replied, looking sideways at her eyes again. She was looking at waves too, he diverted his eyes and looked at the waves. "Don't you want to train for competition?" Elena asked.
"Some famous people said that you should always rest a day before competition, as it helps to relax your body and mind so it can perform better in the competition." Arix replied while smiling a bit. He was nervous about the competition but didn't want to show it to her.
"And who were those famous people?" Elena asked again, her eyebrows were raised and she was smiling a bit too.
"Well I don't know that." Arix replied.
"You know that this competition is held to find the five strongest people from the island to send to the mainland, right? and if you don't win you have to wait five years to try again" Elena said to Arix, still looking at the waves.
"Yes, I know that." Arix took a brief pause and spoke again "I will win, don't worry, and what about you, are you ready for the competition?" Arix replied to her. He turned sideways to look at her, she stopped smiling , her eyes were fixated on the waves, she was not even blinking. "I will win this competition and leave this Island for good, don't you worry" she replied.
Elena's both parents died from a fire accident years ago. She was just 16 then, now she is 21 and lives all alone.
Arix turned to the waves again and said " We will find a better land than this one to settle down." Elena didn't say anything. She turned sideways in the opposite direction from Arix. She saw Vaelor who was also looking at the waves standing at the beach far from them. Elena said "Look there is Vaelor, It's been 2 years since he returned". Arix turned sideways and looked at him.
Vaelor is the first person to ever return to the Island after leaving it. But he was also alone, all his group members died. He said there are giant creatures as tall as 2-story houses on the mainland. His group was first to ever leave this Island and Vaelor was only 18 at that time. He returned after 28 years. He warned everyone these creatures on the mainland were so fearsome and could kill anyone in an instant. Many people got afraid and dropped out of competition because of this. They wanted to be safe on the Island instead of facing monsters.
Vaelor lives alone in a small hut now, he doesn't talk to anyone or go anywhere except the beach.
"Leave him alone, let's do some training." Arix said to Elena. She agreed and they both trained for a few hours afterwards.
In the evening while returning home Arix saw Tarin, he was training with his giant war hammer. Years ago,when Tarin was only 4 his father lost competition but still left the Island without notifying anyone. That is why Tarin got the tag of Traitor's son.
He was big, he started training when he was 10. Now he is 24 years old and is stronger than most of the people on the island. Arix raised his eyebrows looking at the Tarin train.
"I hope I don't become his opponent." Arix thought to himself. He didn't say anything to Tarin and left
It was night time, stars were shining bright and the moon was half exposed. Arix went to bed early that night but he couldn't sleep. He was laying on his bed and staring at the ceiling. It was silent all around, he couldn't hear anything. He thought about the day when his father left him.
He was only 12 at that time. Everyone was celebrating around him and waving them goodbye. But Arix was standing beside the crowd crying silently. His father noticed him and came closer to him and put his hand on his head.
He bent on his knee and said " Don't worry Arix, I will return soon. And when I do, I will tell you about all my adventures." Arix wiped his tears and said "Promise me, you will return soon." His father said, "I promise, my son." It's been 10 years and he never returned.
Arix's eyes were wet. But he cannot let emotions take over him. He was anxious about the competition.
"What if I lose and never get to leave this Island?" Arix thought to himself. He was overthinking again. "What if I never find my Father or if he is dead?".
"No, I should not think negatively. I will win, I have to. And my father will be safe too." He went up from his bed and looked outside of his window. He can see waves of sea from his room. It was quite a nice view. It helped him relax a little. Tomorrow is a big day when everything will be decided, If he leaves the Island or stays here forever.
Arix kept staring at waves for a few minutes and went to bed again. There was still a little unease in Arix's mind. But he still fell asleep this time.