The Friendship of the Maze

Chapter 10

Averi-

Today was the day. Either I'll win or I'll be dead. I groaned and forced myself to open my eyes. I rolled over and glanced at Rennee, she was still in bed. Silently I pulled off the covers and placed my bare feet on the cold wood floor. After dressing I attached my new sword and my quiver to opposite sides of my belt. I slipped the knife into my right boot and picked up my bow. I'm ready, so now what do I do? I sat down on my bed and prayed for Cade, for Rennee, for me. When I lifted my head Rennee was awake and getting dressed. I muster a smile the best I can for her. She did the same for me. This must be hard for her. When fully dressed she handed me a loaf of oven-baked bread and a chunk of yellow cheese.

"You should eat," she said motherly. I grabbed the food from her and forced it down. I needed to eat. No one can survive The Arena on an empty stomach.

"Thanks." I wiped the crumbs from my face.

"Averi." Rennee's voice makes me stop. Is she going to tell me to use a napkin?

"Ya."

"Don't act with me, please. I know you well enough. You're scared, afraid. If you mess up it's not only you who will suffer the consequences." She grabbed my shoulders and pulled me into a stiff hug. Neither of us are hugers but we hug anyway, it might be our last.

The Arena was a large stadium with lots of seats. The area where the contestants fought was a dirt floor and surrounded with cages. In a side room that opened up to The Arena's fighting area Rennee and I strapped on armor.

"Whatever happens," she started as she attached a breastplate to my front, "remember why you are doing this. Do not lose focus." She pulled one of the straps tighter and stepped back to admire her work. I had stiff weightless armor on my arms, legs, and chest. Rennee knew how to put her armor on so I went to a shelf selected a small helmet with a wide visor and placed it on her head. Then I placed another helmet on my head.

"I love you, Sis."

"Love you too, Rennee." Hand in hand we went through the gate into The Arena. Surrounding us in the bleachers were people screaming and cheering. The way they acted made me sick. They like this. I collected myself as I stared at all the cages. We had no idea what we would be fighting. "Remember what the Guard-master taught you." I nodded. Fortunately, we were the first event of the day so everything was clean but I could still see blood stains on the rock walls from previous kills. I gagged at the sight. Quickly I turned my attention to the cages like what Rennee was doing. She was counting on me and so was Cade. I knocked an arrow into my bow as Rennee drew her sword. I hoped nothing would get close enough to have to use a sword. A rising gate drew everyone's attention. As the slaves worked to rise the gate I could hear screeching from inside. I readied my stance and blocked out the crowd. The screech was unmistakably Varren. It had to be Varren. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rennee glance at me to make sure I was fine. I have told her of my history with Varren. Not one but two glossy, black Varren clawed their way out of their cage as soon as it was open far enough. One Varren flew as high as The Arena cage would allow then dove at Rennee. I heard her grunt and fight back but I couldn't go to help because the second bird attacked me. I shot as soon as I had another arrow ready. A few found their mark and pierced the Varren's wings and chest but it didn't stop. The bird flapped its wings and tried to catch me in its talons. I ducked so it missed and then shot it again. My hand went to find another arrow but only found empty space. I am out. Uh. I dropped my bow and instead drew my sword wishing I had more days to train with the Guard-master. The Varren landed and I took a swing at her nicking her wing. Then she swipes a claw at my face. Too slow. I didn't block it in time. The talons cut my face from my cheek across my eye to my forehead. I stumbled back with blood dripping into my line of sight. She attacked again but I wasn't quick enough again. The bird grabbed me in her talons and chucked me painfully against the wall. I tried to get to my feet but even with all my strength I couldn't. The Varren looked at her partner and then dove towards me. This is the end. I've failed. I lay there limp awaiting my fate. I heard a screech. I didn't see where Rennee was. Is she alive? I'm picked up by the Varren's talons. Is it the end? Rennee was running over to us. She stabbed the bird till it dropped me to the ground. I screamed out in pain and furry. Rennee and the Varren try multiple times to finish this fight but neither gets the upper hand. Rennee thrust her sword at the Varren in a last-ditch attempt and stabbed the bird through the heart but not before it pierced her flesh with its claws.

Rennee-

The pain was almost unbearable as the Varren drew its claws from my chest.

"Uh," I gasped with all my might to bring oxygen into my lungs. I tried to tell Averi how much she impacted my life but I couldn't force the words out. All the things I want to tell her can never be said. I wish she didn't have to see this. I captured the image of Averi's face in my brain. Everything is fading. The world... growing... black.

Averi-

"No," I shrieked. Wiping away the sweat and blood from my face I heaved the sword over my head with all the strength I had left and brought the fatal blow to the bird's head. Dropping my blade I crawled over to where Rennee was lying. Her face showed the pain and shock and I can't do anything to ease it. I held Rennee's hand until all the life drained out of her. Her blood will join the stains on the wall. She gave her life to save mine. She killed both Varren to protect me. I vowed right there holding her limp hand that I would never forget her sacrifice. NEVER!