PrologueNothing is free in this life. You have to

pay for everything you need; food, water, money. Once you’re in a critical condition, you must do everything to get what you need, what everybody needs.

Sometimes life is not so fair. Everyone is depending on you to do an extreme work for everyone’s well-being. Sometimes you can’t do anything to change it.

World might sees you as a weak and worthless kind of person that needs to be just disappear from this life. You need to sacrifice yourself for everyone because everyone doesn’t need you.

We might be use to be everyone’s shield, the last choice that everybody has. But things will actually turn around when they actually really need someone like you, a hero like you.

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All I can see is just sadness in there. There will be no time to be sad, cry. We have to keep moving so we can live. There are only 2 things we can do; kill or be killed, chase or be chased.

During that day, who knows who’ll died. Our loved ones, our hated ones? No one will know. All we have to do is fight and protect them with everything we got. We all need to fight together, protect each other, and support each other.

LifeIn a nation called Alzbeta –the area is

shaped circle–, the central of all villages. It is located a little far from the north village. There are 8 villages around it. In the north side there is a village called Apollena. Next in the northeast, there is a village called Aurelius. Next in the east, there is a village called Huslav. Next in the southeast, there is a village called Boszena. Next in the south,

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there is a village called Dalibor. Next in the southwest, there is a village called Dalmil. Next in the west side, there is a village called Eliska. And the last in the northwest, there is a village called Lenka.

Apollena is the village which is so rich of poultry, so do Dalibor and Lenka. Huslav and Boszena are rich of rice dan vegetables. Eliska is rich of wheats and fruits. Dalmil and Aurelius are rich of meats but Aurelius is the poorest village. 30% of their products must be sold for Alzbeta, where the nobles live. All ordinary people live in those 8 villages.

In the middle of the circle area, there is a huge arena. It is so much bigger than all 8 villages size combine. The arena is a forest with some of wild animals live and around the arena, there is a big wall covering it.

Because they have to sell 30% of their products to Alzbeta, their needs aren’t always fulfilled. So they need to buy things from other village, they don’t have much money either. So Alzbeta decided to make a deal with the head villagers: every year at least 6 youths from each village will be participating in a battle in the huge forest in the middle of the land, and the last group

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from a village that survive from the battle will be a guardian for Alzbeta and their village will get foods and money support from Alzbeta.

The youths from all villages are all scared to die in the battle so since then, they have been practicing to fight and defend theirselves. Even so, it has been years since that deal was made. Many people don’t even survive more than a week because others are better than them.

The battle was usually 2 weeks long. The rules are easy. First, you have to be in a group of 6 with all members are from your village. Second, you don’t need to have all your members alive as a winner. So the winner is the group who survived with any members alive with them. Third, you freely kill other groups in any ways. Fourth, you are not allowed to escape from the battle field, if you do, then your families or friends will be killed. For the village which doesn’t sign for the battle every year, the village will be destroyed.

For the last 2 groups who manage to survive, they will have to fight face-to-face. The fight will be around 2 hours for each

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person and only 3 people will fight each day until one of the group’s members are all dead and the other group who win, they’re the champion.

I am Flan from Aurelius village. I’m 18 years old and I live with my sister and 4 other friends. My sister is Ardelis, she’s 16 years old. My best friends are, first Celestine. She’s so good at medicine, she’s smart. She’s in the same age as I am and she lives with her big brother, Sumner who’s good at making plans and he’s always so serious if it’s about Celestine. Next is Arion, he’s 18 and my best friends said he likes me. He’s a good person and he’s good at making weapons. The last one is Hariel. He’s the youngest, he’s only 15 and he’s so clumsy. Even so, sometimes he can be a good advice giver to all of us and sometimes he even encourages us.

We all 6 live in a orphanage in the outskirts of the village. Our dorm is never get any donates from the village. Every year youths from this dorm are forced to sign for the battle. This year is going to be our turn

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to fight. The villagers see us like nothing. So they will basically volunteer us. And we all six want to protect the dorm and the village as well, so we don’t mind going to the battle.

This morning me, Ardelis, and Arion are going to Huslav. We need to deliver some meats that they bought and we are going to Eliska as well to buy some fruits and wheats for us to make some bread.

We arrived at Huslav in the evening. Soon as we arrived, I and Arion are going straight in to the shop who ordered meats from us and Ardelis is waiting outside the shop, looking from some goods.“Here is your order, Ma’am”, I handed to the elderly woman, the owner.“Thanks, here’s the money. Just take your leave quickly”, she said. She’s surely a rude person…“Thanks for buying, Ma’am”, said Arion and we take our leave.

When we both step outside to the street, I see bunch of people are surrounding a person and they seem mad. I heard yells from there. “S-sorry, sir. I really

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didn’t mean to… I accidentally bumped into you while I was walking. I really am sorry…”, I heard someone was talking. I know that voice… That’s surely wasn’t one of those mad people. I’m curious and I tag Arion along with me to the crowd. And what I see is… Ardelis with 3 drunken men.“Ardelis! What happened?!”, I’m so panic and run to her.“Hey, what’s going on here?”, said Arion.“Hey brats! Who the hell are you?! We have some problems here with this little girl! Step away!”, said one of the drunk guy.“Hey can we talk about this in peace way? We shouldn’t have to fight and yelling like this…”, Arion tried to calm them down.“Step aside brat! This is our problem with this girl!”, said one of them.“But we can deal this with the other way okay!”, I’m getting really pissed with these drunk people.“Hey kids! Just get out of the way! This is their problems not yours!”, said the crowds around us.

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“Hey! Everything that appertains with my sister is my problem as well!”, I said.“Please, I’ve apologized to you guys…”, Ardelis said.“Hey are these guys from that Aurelius?!”, said the crowd again.“So what if we are?”, said Arion.“You bunch of trash!”, said one of the drunk people.“What did you say?!”, these people are making me so pissed. I stand in front of those drunken guys. But then he suddenly slap me and I fall to the ground.“Hey! No violence, please?!”, Arion said. He looks pissed as well.“Flan! Are you okay?”, Ardelis come and help me to stand.“Let’s just get out of here!”, I said. And we left that place.

It’s already night when we are on our way to Eliska. We are on a horse carriage. I can feel the pain on my cheek. This night feels so cold, and no one in the carriage.

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“Hey let me see you cheek. It looks kind of bad”, Arion said. “Oh… Yeah it’s kinda hurt”, I said. He suddenly draws his face close to me. “H-hey what are you--- aw!”, he just touched my cheek! “Sorry, was that hurt?”, he touched my cheek gently. “Not really”. “You two… why don’t you just start going out together?”, Ardelis teases us. “Wh-what are you talking about?!”, I feel so awkward. “Come on Ardelis, stop teasing your sister! Hahaha”, he sounds like teasing me even he told my little sister to stop.

Soon we arrived at Eliska and return back to Aurelius. I’m actually really tired and I’d like to get some sleep but I have to stay awake and keep an eye on us. There could me some bad people hanging around the road and hijack our carriage so it’s better to stay awake. Ardelis is sleeping already. She must have been really tired. And Arion, he’s still awake and gazing outside to the sky. There are plenty of stars tonight and it looks so gorgeous.

Once a while, I yawn. It looks like Arios has been watching me and started to talk. “If you’re tired, just get some sleep. It’ll be okay, I will watch you guys and make sure nothing’s bad happen. Besides, no way

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you’ll stay awake for 2 days right?”, he said. “But you do need some sleep too…”, it’s not fair if he doesn’t get any sleep, right? “Don’t worry, I can sleep next morning”, he pats my head gently. “Okay then, good night. Just wake me up if something happen”. I admit it, Arion is the most grown-up and mature guy.

I wake up that morning and the sunlight comes through my eyes, it’s so bright. It’s probably already at 8 or 9. The last thing I remember when I went to sleep last night was I was sleeping in my sitting position. And now I woke up lying on the seat. It’s not just a seat, I feel something familiar. Wait a minute…

“Woah! I-I’m sorry”, that was the most shocking thing that had ever happened in the morning. You woke up on someone’s lap! “Good morning, sleepyhead. And why did you apologize?”, Arion gave me a good morning. “N-nothing!”, I hurried turn away. “Hm? Your face is all red, are you sick? Fever or something?”, he peeks to my face and he’s too close! “No! I’m not sick. Oh anyway, you have to sleep now. You must have tried”, I said normally. “Hm you’re worried about me? Hahaha, just kidding.

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Okay I’m gonna sleep now. See you later, Flan”

“Hmm… that guy, flirting in the morning huh? He’s totally in love with you”, suddenly I heard Ardelis. “What?! I thought you were still sleeping!”, I said. “No, I was all awake. No need to be shy like that. I can see through your eyes you like him too right? Don’t lie to your little sister”, ugh that annoying smile on her face! “W-whatever!”

After around one and half days in the carriage, we finally arrive back to our village, Aurelius. We walk back to our orphanage. Maryle–the orphanage’s head– and the other children and our friends give us a warm welcome. But then Maryle ask us –me, Ardelis, Arion, Celestia, Sumner, and Hariel– to come with her. We are now in her room, wondering what she wanted to talk about with us here.

“Umm… Kids, the time is getting closer and closer, 8 days left... Are you guys ready for that…?”, she asked with a really worried face. We all turn so quite. “We are ready, Maryle. We are all prepared”, suddenly Sumner breaks the silent. “I hope we are…”, said Hariel looking sad. “Don’t worry too

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much or our chance to win will be gone”, I tried to encourage us. “Yeah that’s right! We’ll show them what we can do!”, Celestia said cheerfully. “I hope you guys come back safely”, I can see Maryle’s smile after that but I there’s still a worryness on her face before we get out from her room.

As we all get out from Maryle’s room, suddenly Arion grabs my wrist fast and drag me with him. “H-hey! Where are we going?”, I shocked. “I have something for you. Well I have something for everyone but I want you to get it first! Hahaha”, he’s so easy-going...

And soon, we arrived in front of his ‘second room’. It’s actually a small warehouse in the orphanage backyard that we didn’t use it anymore and he uses it now for making weapons for himself. He works at a blacksmith in Aurelius so he usually gets some leftover metals from the owner and he often got plenty of it. And the first thing I saw is a lot of weapons hanging on the wall. He has been making all of these?“Here”, he handed me something long, 2 pieces.“What are these?”, I asked.

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“Swords. I remember you always like swords. And since the battle will begin in 8 days, I made it for you. And for everyone else too! You guys didn’t realize that we don’t have any weapons to fight so I decided to make some for us. I got many free metals from my boss and they have a really good quality. He said I should use them for us”“Oh my god…”, I’m seriously amazed when I pulled out a sword from its case. It’s so shiny and I can see it’s so sharp.“But wait… I can’t even use swords! More of it, I have never fought with swords before!”, okay I’m so stupid, I just realized that!“We still have time to practice with everyone starting from tomorrow”“Oh you’re right! Then we should tell them now”“Yeah let’s go”“Oh and… Thanks. You must have worked so hard to make all of these…”“It’s fine you know”, he patted my head.

Soon everyone filled Arion’s room. I can see their amazed face when they see all those weapons he made for us.

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The next morning, we are all training and I can see, we are all on fire! We train really hard until it’s already evening. We just realized that we haven’t eaten anything after breakfast and now we’re so exhausted. We run to the dinner hall and everyone is there, eating already. We are all having fun. Soon the day goes on, it’s finally time.

To AlzbetaA few months ago, Celestia decided to

start working because our orphanage needs more money. She works at a therapy center near our orphanage. And today, I’m waiting for her to finish her work since she asked me to go buy some foods with her. It’s almost dark and she finally finished her last

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day of work since tomorrow is the day. The co-owner of the therapy center walks her to the door. Celestia said she has a crush for him. I’ve been so curious what kind of person he is, since Celestia isn’t someone who fall for someone that easily.

From his look, he’s not bad at all. He’s tall, his hair is light brown and his eyes are green. I remember Celestia said she likes green eyed guy and she found him.

“Nice work today, Celes”, he said in front of the door. “Thanks, Castiel! Thanks for walking me to the door”, Celestia reply. “Oh, Flan! You’re here already, did you wait too long?”, she continued as she saw me. “No, I just got here!”, I said. “Is he the guy you’re talking about? He’s not bad at all”, I whispered to her. “Really?! Yeah, he is!”, she said happily. “Oh Cas, this is Flan. She’s my bestfriend!”, she introduce me. “Ah, hi! I’m Castiel, Celes’s workmate”, we shake hands. “Well, we should go now before it’s too dark. Bye!”, Celestia waves to him, so do I.

After we bought some foods, we walk to our orphanage. I’m a bit nervous for tomorrow. I don’t know if I might come back

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alive or just my corpse arrived here when I come back. Time goes so fast since the last year’s battle and now this is my turn, our turn.

That night, I can’t sleep. Ardelis is sleeping already beside my bed. I decided to go outside to the backyard. There’s a bench there, maybe I can relax there a bit. But then I see Celestia is there sitting with her head down, looking sad.“Celes? You can’t sleep too?”, I walk to her then she looks up.“Oh, Flan. Yeah, you too?”, she said. I nod and smile.“I was thinking if I can’t go back here alive…”, she said sadly.“Don’t say things like that…”“I wonder if I can see Cas tomorrow before we go”“We can go see him first if you want. It will make you get more courage maybe?”“Hahaha, thanks Flan. Well we should go to sleep now or we can get sick”“Yeah, right. Let’s go.”, we walk in together.

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“And Celes… Try to not thinking about those stuffs or you won’t be able to concentrate tomorrow”, I said to her, hope it can make her feels better. Then she just smiles.

The next day, after we finished our breakfast earlier, me and Celestia are going to see Castiel before we head to Alzbeta. Soon as we arrived at his house, he’s outside his house, cleaning his front door. And he sees us and greets us.

“Oh, Celes and Flan. Hello, what’s up?”, he said. “Nothing, I just want to say goodbye since this may be our last meeting before we go”, Celestia said. I can see her sadness in her eyes. “Oh right you’re going today… well, I can’t help much but I’ll pray for you”, he said as he pats Celestia’s shoulder. “Thank you, Castiel. Oh we should be going now. Wish the luck is on our side”, I said. With that, we left his house and head to the village main gate. The Alzbeta officers must be arrived already now.

As we arrived at the main gate, there are already 6 horses and some soldiers from Alzbeta. And our villagers are here too, so

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do our orphanage mate. With those horses, we can arrive at Alzbeta by the Evening.

We stand in front of everyone and give a bow. We say goodbye to everyone and wish for our best. I can see Hariel is crying on Maryle’s hugs, he’s such a crybaby. But still, he’s still young and has to face things like this. He will see deaths out there. And Ardelis, she’s holding my arm real hard. I’m 100% sure she’s in a super panic condition now. Well, we are all in panic and scared condition now, even Arion and Sumner too. Of course, who doesn’t scare of death?

“Right, everyone! Let’s go now!”, the soldier said. And with that, we ride our horses and say goodbye for the very last time. I don’t dare to imagine if one of us die later. But I can’t guarantee if we can win with complete members or even we are all alive there. We don’t have any fighting experience at all. I just keep hoping for the best from now on, we can’t go back now. There is no escape.

And in the evening, we arrived safely. Gladly, we are not the last group arrived there in Alzbeta’s town hall. Apollena, Eliska, and Lenka are there already. We get off the

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horse and sign a paper filled with a lot of texts. Overall, they just want to tell that they don’t guarantee our life out there, obvious huh?

A few hours after that, all the groups are there and we all gather in a pretty big and elegant room and suddenly an old man come out. As expected Alzbeta, the old man’s clothes looks so expensive and elegant. And then he starts to talk, “Alright, everyone’s here. Welcome to Alzbeta! Now I’ll give you a little briefing for tomorrow. Before that, this is the map of the arena you all must be have this in your room by now. Don’t forget to bring it tomorrow so you won’t get lost in there.

So let’s begin to the main topic. You all can defeat each other in any ways. And for your group identity, here is a band for everyone. Apollena got red, Aurelius got blue, Huslav got green, Boszena got yellow, Dalmil got brown, Eliska got purple, and Lenka got orange. And later after this briefing, in front of your room, there will be any stuffs you need for tomorrow; 2 big tents, 6 sleeping bags, 6 ropes, 6 water bottle. And today’s dinner will be delivered to your room and so do the breakfast

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tomorrow morning. That’s all, please get enough rest today and good luck tomorrow”

After that, he left the room and everyone’s still here. A few minutes after that, they all start to leave the room and so we do. We walk to our room on the third floor with Huslav on the same floor. But then when we arrived at the third floor, Huslav group is gathering on the way and we can’t pass through the hallway. The hallway is pretty small, it’s like only fits to 3 people. They seem like they don’t know we are here, waiting until they finish on the front hallway.

Then suddenly Arion walks to them. “Excuse me but you’re blocking our way. If you can, please move a bit”, he said politely. But then the big guy in front of him turns back to him and talk back, “Hey kid, we’re talking here. Did your mom told you to not disturbing people who are talking?”. “Sorry but I have no mom but I’m sure I didn’t mean to interrupted you. We just want you to move a bit so we can walk pass and you guys can continue talking. Besides, you have your group own room, why don’t you talk inside?”, Arion said. The atmosphere is getting so tense.

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I was about to approach him but then one of the guy’s comrades talk, “Let’s just get out of here. There’s no point of talking to these trashes”, he said. “Hey! What did you call us?! Listen up! You better respect others!”, suddenly Hariel yells at them. “Tch, let’s go”, and with that, they’re gone and we go to our room and take our stuffs.

The room has 6 beds, 3 on the left side, and 3 others on the left side. It only has 2 bathrooms so we have to take turns to bath. Ardelis goes to bath first and the boys are still trying to decide who’ll go first. Well, it’s normal since we had been outside all day and we’re all sweating now. But still, they’re so childish but sometimes they can be so grown-up too.

After everyone has done bathing, we’re now talking about tomorrow. Before that, we decided to eat our dinner first. To be honest, this food is awesome.

Before we take some rest after talking about tomorrow, we decided to check out the map of the arena. It doesn’t look complicated, it’s just weird. In the middle of it, there is a big lake with an island in the middle of it and there are some small lakes

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located randomly around the arena. It says that the island in the middle of the big lake is the place where the top 2 going to fight.

Before we sleep, Celestia suddenly jump off the bed. “What’s wrong, sist?”, Sumner asked. “I almost forgot!”, she runs to her backpack and then she come back bringing a box, it’s not too big, not too small. “Here, I made some kind of lotion. It can heal bruises and cuts. And I have some roller bandage too. There are 6 of them, here take it. It will be useful for us later”, she share them to us, 1 cup of lotion and 1 roll of bandage each of us. After that we all thank her for what she gave us, and for me, it is really really useful.

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The Battle Started

It’s morning already.

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