We followed the man until we reached an unfamiliar part of the camp, and an unfamiliar field that could easily hold all of us, and more.

But in that unfamiliar field were some familiar faces.

As we squinted, we made out Ares, Celine, Damon, and another boy who we didn’t recognize.

They stood in front of close to the same number of students as we had in the Maidens.

As we came nearer, we found that the students all had impassive expressions on their face, and they regarded us as if we were fish on the chopping block.

Bristling, we stared back at them, only for our gazes to disappear into the voids that were their eyes.

Narrowing my own eyes, I thought, “Those were expressions that you don’t see on normal children.”

Then, glancing at the rest of the maidens, I smiled as I thought about how none of us were normal by any stretch of imagination.

Facing the opposing senior students, we squared our shoulders and jutted out our chins as we stood there menacingly.

For we were sure that they would be our opponents.

Drawling, Sir Liam said, “Year 1 class… meet your seniors from the Year 2 class.”

Silence dominated as nobody said anything, including Ares, Celine, and Damon, who had cold expressions on their faces.

Realizing that they were probably treating us as enemies for whatever was coming, I almost frowned before I relaxed as I understood that if I didn’t treat them the same way.... Well, I was probably going to be in for a world of hurt.

Then calling out loudly, Sir Liam said, “Class representatives, step forward and greet each other.”

Though I had surmised as much, I was still caught by surprise as Ares, Celine, Damon, and the unfamiliar boy stepped forward.

Whereas on our side, Sia hesitated for a moment before she straightened her back and stepped forward alone.

Behind her, we didn’t move, but our will and spirit followed behind her. She must have felt it too, as she stood even taller and moved with more purpose in her steps.

Facing the four, she scrutinized them as they stared back in turn.

I watched, searching for a flicker of recognition from the three who stood beside the unfamiliar boy.

But there was nothing. Disappointed, I looked behind them at the solid block of students and saw that their bodies bore many scars, and looking even closer… I saw that some of them still bore wounds that covered their bodies and wept blood.

Frowning now, I felt an uneasy feeling course through me.

Looking back at Sia, I saw that she had seen the same thing as I did as she scanned the second-year students briefly before she returned her attention to the four in front.

Sir Liam, who was following every action with great interest, raised one hand as he spoke. “Greet each other!”

Stiffly, the two sides bowed to each other, and then dropping the hand, Sir Liam proclaimed, “Let the challenge begin.”

Freezing, we stared at the opposite side as we tensed, only to see the second years look as impassively as before at us.

Still tensed, we waited as Sir Liam laughed and said, “First though… we need to have a little selection.”

As the words rang out, the four in front of the opposing side brightened up as predatory looks appeared in their eyes.

Glancing briefly at Sia and me, they turned their attention away and began scanning the Maidens, who shifted uncomfortably.

Calling out, Sir Liam said, “Decided? First one picks, and the rest follows. Rules that I am sure you remember.” and he ended with a chuckle that had us tensing up even further.

Striding forward, the unfamiliar boy grinned as he pointed to Marrok, who flinched.

Shocked, I stared at Marrok, who ignored my gaze, and avoided the boy’s gaze in front.

Slowly, the boy said, “I choose… this.”

Eyes narrowing at his words, I looked at the boy and instantly disliked him. Moving ahead and standing beside Marrok, I met the boy’s eyes as they swivelled around to focus on me.

Disdainfully, he curled his lips, before he turned back to look at Marrok, who flinched again as he lowered his head.

At that moment, Celine walked forward and emotionlessly pointed at Iole, who looked back puzzled.

Then it was the turn of Damon, who looked at me briefly before he focused his gaze on Celsus and jerked his head at him.

Finally, Ares walked forward, and as he met my gaze; he seemed like a different person from when I had seen him last.

His eyes were steely, and carried not a hint of anything but determination, and raising his finger… he pointed at… Marana.

Quietly, Marana looked at him as all of us stood puzzled.

Clapping his hands, Sir Liam spoke, “Girl, you have two choices. Will you choose now, or later?”

Pausing, Sia spoke, “Later.”

Grinning widely, Sir Liam said, “Congratulations. You have just lost one choice because of your decision. You have one left.”

Sia stood silently as she stiffened up before she relaxed and nodded with a smile on her face… a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Clapping again, Sir Liam spoke out, “You have made your choice. Now make your next choice.”

Saying so, he walked forward as he offered two sticks to Sia with their ends hidden in his hands.

Looking carefully at the two, Sia chose the one on the right, and Sir Liam held it out to her as his eyes smiled with glee.

Drawing it from his hands, Sia looked to see that the bottom was painted black.

Quietly, she looked at Sir Liam, who proclaimed, “Time for the grand melee to begin. Year 1 against Year 2.”

Then, looking around at us, he settled his gaze back onto Sia, and the other four as he said, “The last man or woman standing might take it all. Or he or she might not. Make your decisions and make them carefully.”

Then, shading his hands with his eyes, he said, “Once you make them. You can’t take them back. No, you really can’t ever take them back.” he ended as his smile faltered for a moment before it came back.

Beaming at us, he strode away.

Leaving Sia standing there alone as the other four turned back and walked back to their group and toward the grand melee that was about to begin.