Chapter 2

Hunter

Hunter and his friend, Chase, were getting ready in their cabin. They were told to dress for a fight - for the tournament that would be held in the afternoon, and Hunter had put on a plain white buttoned shirt and brown slacks, which were loose on him despite his muscular build. Chase was also ready and he carried a sword.

"Who knew bringing a sword from home would be useful," Chase said, glancing at Hunter.

Chase had dark brown eyes - nearly black and he had curly black hair that curled around his ears, and his skin was a dark brown. They'd known each other since they were six and Hunter smiled at his closest friend.

"We're always prepared," Hunter said, grinning cheekily. He waved his sword that was made out of the finest steel - a gift from his father. "Let's go. Liana is probably already there."

They exited the cabin and entered the field that went on for miles. Around them were more cabins and they could see people departing their cabins to head towards the field, where a wooden stage was temporarily placed on - like a ring where boxers would fight. Surrounding the stage were logs a few people sat on and Hunter and Chase made their way towards the contest, letting the sun kiss their skin as they glided across the grassy field.

As Hunter walked, he waved at people who smiled at him, their eyes lighting up at the mere sight of him. He would bow at girls and wave at guys. Most of them he'd never met before, but within one day he'd become friendly with most of his fellow campers.

Soon, they reached the field of the battle, where Dawson stood on the stage. Hunter spotted Liana - her red hair was hard to miss amongst a crowd of blacks and blondes and browns, and he waved at her as he approached her. She immediately beamed.

"Well, hello there," Liana said.

Her blue eyes shone with a joy that made Hunter smile. Chase nudged her and she narrowed her eyes at him, and they turned to face the stage.

"Well, I can't wait to crush everyone." Liana smirked. "We grew up training. This should be a piece of cake."

"Well, technically everyone grew up training," Hunter countered. "Just not as much as we were forced to."

Liana narrowed her eyes. "You must be fun at parties."

Hunter chuckled and his eyes slid away to where Cassia marched towards the field. She was wearing black pants that hugged the curves of her legs and a white top that was also fitted, emphasizing how small her waist was. She was shoving past people who shot her looks and scowls.

"Out of the way peasants," Cassia said, stalking towards the logs.

Behind her, her guard was scrambling to keep up with her, her face full of panic as people cursed at Cassia. Hunter's eyes lingered on her, wondering about the girl who always wore a scowl.

"You think you're better than us because you're a princess!" someone snapped. Cassia slid to a stop and wheeled on the boy, who was glaring at her with dark eyes. "But, your mother was sent away for bearing you. So, don't act like you're special because you're not."

Cassia faltered. Like when Hunter called her out, her eyes widened, the browns of her eyes shimmering as she stumbled back, as if recoiling from a blow. Hunter's eyes remained on her as he drank her in.

"What's her problem," Liana mumbled. She began to twirl her sword around, shooting Cassia a look. "I've heard rumours of the princess being dreadful and well, clearly she is."

"She confuses me," Hunter said.

Liana frowned, her eyebrows furrowing and Hunter shrugged. His eyes then coasted towards the stage where Dawson settled into the middle.

"Well, looks like everyone is here. The first contest can begin now," Dawson said, grinning. He waved towards the crowd. "Who wants to be the first to duel?"

Liana's hand shot up and so did Cassia's. Dawson waved them over and they climbed onto the stage where Dawson handed them extra swords and body armour they quickly put on. They then settled into separate ends of the stage and they stood face-to-face. Cassia was smirking. Her eyes livid, her body tense as if someone had wound her up before she would tick and blow up like a grenade. Liana was also smirking, but with a confidence that made Hunter glance between the two girls, curious to see who would win.

Dawson hopped off stage. "Okay. Remember, no blood can be spilled. Try to disarm your opponent or get them to surrender."

They nodded. Cassia's and Liana's eyes remained locked on each other's.

"Okay, begin!" Dawson exclaimed.

Cassia flew at Liana, like a lighting bolt, and struck down at her and Liana threw up her sword to block the blow. Their swords collided and bellowed out, a ringing sound that made Chase wince. And then, Cassia struck again, forcing Liana to parry her blow and then strike back.

Cassia ducked, her eyes full of delight. She swung her sword again and Liana reacted, but not before Cassia maneuvered her sword to sneak in and knock Liana back, sending her reeling.

Liana gasped and Cassia struck again, slamming her blade into Liana's to fling it off stage. Liana shrieked and Cassia laughed.

"Looks like we have a winner!" Dawson shouted.

A few people clapped and Cassia hopped off stage, sword in hand like a warrior coming back from a battle she won. She strode back to Astra, face full of delight, and Hunter yanked his eyes away to Liana, who was picking herself up.

She climbed off stage and trudged towards Hunter.

"Good job," Hunter said. "We underestimated the princess."

"I hate her," Liana spat. "She thinks she's all that when she was raised with the best knights. She's just privileged. That's why she won."

Hunter said nothing and his eyes slid to Dawson, who asked for the next pair to come up. And this time, Hunter's hand shot up.

"Okay, come on then," Dawson said, waving Hunter and another boy, Locke, on stage.

Hunter hopped on stage and Locke climbed on as well as they quickly grabbed their armour to throw on. They then faced each other and Hunter held his sword pointed towards the ground, and the sun glinted off of it, shining upon his foe who wore a smirk.

"Okay, begin!" Dawson exclaimed.

Hunter motioned for Locke to come at him and Locke swore before he flung himself forward, and Hunter ducked below his sword. He then swung his sword up and Locke rolled away, but not before Hunter nicked him, leaving him staggering back.

Hunter hadn't moved. He rather look at his opponent, read what they're about to do, and then attack back.

Locke pounced again and Hunter parried his blow, sending his sword flying with ease. Locke gaped at him, falling to his knees with defeat, and Hunter bowed before stepping away.

"Hunter is the winner!" Dawson cheered.

This time, the audience roared with applause and Hunter bowed before he leapt off stage. He strode back to Liana and Chase and he could feel Cassia's eyes on him. He glanced at her and she wavered, a look of astonishment spreading across her face before she scowled.

"Not bad," Chase said.

"Show off," Liana said.

Hunter chuckled and they continued to watch the fights. It was a tournament, which meant whoever lost each round was kicked out and they kept fighting and fighting, knocking out campers until the last two would stand. Hunter kept fighting and every time, he would win with ease.

Cassia and him were the ones to disarm their opponents easily. They kept climbing the ranks higher and higher and soon, it was just them two left. And as Dawson cleared up the stage, Hunter's eyes lingered on Cassia.

"Why do you keep eyeing the princess?" Liana asked.

Her eyes hardened and Hunter was caught off guard by the rage in her tone.

"Isn't that what's needed?" Hunter asked.

Liana rolled her eyes and soon, Dawson was waving both Hunter and Cassia over.

"Now, only Hunter and Cassia are left," Dawson said as Hunter and Cassia threw on some armour. "Whoever wins between them gets the highest score for this contest. Everyone will receive a score depending on their rank, but this is the final duel to see who's best. So both of you, please get ready."

Hunter settled into his spot, turning to face Cassia who stood across from him. She was a lot shorter than him - despite being an average height for girls, and she was a lot frailer with her lean muscles that ran down her arms. She was glowering at him as if she couldn't wait to behead him.

And Hunter smiled. He smiled at the girl who was smouldering him with her eyes.

"Okay, final battle here," Dawson said. "Begin!"

Hunter waved Cassia forward and she scoffed, rage filling her eyes that calculated her foe, before she lunged at Hunter. He lifted his sword to block her blow, but she wheeled the last second and swung her sword down, and Hunter acted fast. Their swords struck together. The sound rang through the crowd and people gasped.

His eyes flew wide. Cassia wasn't like any of his other opponents.

Cassia jumped back and waved him forward, her eyes filled with devilry delight, and Hunter wavered before he leapt at her. He lunged forward to knock her sword out, but she parried his blow, making his sword fly back. She struck forward, like a cobra plunging on a foe and Hunter staggered back in shock.

His eyes hardened and he swung at Cassia, but she wheeled away, and he lashed out again. Their swords clashed together, creating a clanging sound.

They kept exchanging blows. They were equal opponents and for very blow one of them threw, the other would return the blow back. Their swords kept slamming together and the crowd cheered, elated to see them warring it out, and sweat trickled down his face.

Not bad, Cassia. Not bad at all.

Hunter thrusted his sword forward and Cassia panted heavily, sweat sliding down her face as well. Their swords collided and rung out, and Hunter ducked beneath her sword and he struck his sword forward, and she staggered back to avoid it.

But then, he swung his sword again and it slammed her sword out of her grasp. She gasped as it flew off stage and Cassia stood before him, eyes wide with horror.

Finally.

There was silence for a moment before the crowd erupted with applause. They screamed Hunter's name, like a prayer, like a mantra - like he was someone who swooped in and saved them from the fire breathing dragon.

Cassia stood there panting, eyes on him in shock. He tried to smile, but she glowered, her face full of hatred.

"Look who lost," Hunter said, breaking out into a grin.

"I hate you," Cassia spat. She was trembling now, her body quivering as she stepped forward to close off the space between them. "How could I lose to you!"

Hunter rolled his eyes, but he smirked, twirling his sword in his hand. "I don't know, princess. You tell me."

"We're enemies now." Cassia threw her hand up to point at him - as if she could ward him off with a spell. "So watch your back, Hunter. Because I'll be the one to win this competition."

Cassia wheeled around and stormed off to grab her sword, and then she stalked off as everyone continued to cheer for Hunter. He could hear their applause, their calls for him, but all he could do was stare after Cassia.