The Selection

Bro, I am gone!

Piper's POV

I look at him, stupefied. He takes Leo's bag off his shoulder and brings out his sword. He whirls and gives it to me.

"Take it. He is more of an enemy to you than me. He deserves to die at your hands." 

"But-"

"I know you can do it after all that has happened to you. And you will do it. He is weaker than you, Piper. He can't do anything bad." He cups my face. "And if something happens I promise, I will never let him hurt you again." 

"But if Dylan cheats...How will you-"

"I have my ways." He smiles. The same smile that he gave before we confronted Dylan's soldiers the last time. I have a feeling something bad is going to happen.

I try to open my mouth but nothing comes out. Now, looking in those electric blue eyes, I see are filled with faith. I will be strong. I will fight. I took the sword while he clears the path for me to enter the arena.

"Take care-"

"I know. I will take care of your sword."

"Of yourself."

I spin around to steal a last glance at his lean and slender figure. With a sense of foreboding, I take a firm hold of the weapon in my hand.

"Oh. So, the princess has finally let go of her prince." Dylan starts.

"Who says I need a prince to fight for me!" I snap.

"That we will see." He attacks. I defend his stroke which results in me stumbling back, my legs still wobbling. He takes advantage of this. He strikes me on my arm, opening a wound, blood oozing out of it. It hurts a lot. Another strike. I could feel Jason Grace's body tense. For a moment, I want to give up. But then, the memories when I was tortured behind these walls seep back in. And a new fire kindles inside. I swing the sword sending him backwards.

He will pay for his sins. He will pay for the pain he has given to me. It's my time to attack and I don't stop. I remember the first time his knife cut through my skin. I will have my revenge. I give him another blow. The day he intruded on my room and tried to kill my friend and kidnap me. Dylan wanted to kill him, but I shall never let that happen. I charge at Dylan. His sword slips off his hand as he falls. 

I put my sword on his neck about to make the move when I hear something. A shrill strike followed by a loud thud. I look at Dylan. A grin forming on his face. 

"If you can't be mine, you can't be of anyone else. He. Will. Die." No, he won't. He said that he has his ways. He promised. Then again, he has broken his promise before. I trusted him the most, more than myself.

"And you will die too," Dylan says, enjoying my anxiety. Dylan takes this moment to stand and pick up his sword. But I know better. He has to atone for the sins he has done, the damage. To me. And to him. Rage boils in my blood. The moments I spent with the person I used to adore, his smile, his blue eyes, the scar on his upper lip, all come back in a flash. I won't let these memories to fade away.

"That would never happen."

I take a firm hold on the sword. The metals clash. I kick him. His weapon drops to the ground again. I strike him. With each blow, tears start brimming in my eyes. I punch him in his face. I blow at him so hard that he falls to the ground. I kick him. I kick him harshly before I finally stop. Energy draining out from my body. 

What if Dylan is right? What if he has...?

With a feeling of apprehension in my heart, I close my eyes, letting the tears fall through my scarred face. I endured the biggest pains of my life for nothing. I endeavoured to see him happy, smiling always. Little did I know that I would become the reason for his doom. I won't be able to forgive myself ever. I would rather have died.