Chapter 3

I jumped off the back of the wagon as it stepped on its breaks just outside the Silver city gates. My feet dug deep into the sand of the desert. Although it was a desert it wasn't that hot.

I walked around the truck that pulled the wagon, thanking the driver for the ride.

I finally got out of that town. All it held was bad memories of my family. It was time to move on.

I had bought silver eye contacts to make me look like a Silver.

It's been two years now since the accident. I'm now 16, yay! I've been living by myself for the past two years.

I tried to find out what happened to Bath, but no one would tell me, all they said was "You don't need to worry about him anymore," and "He's in a better place now."

...

Did you really think I'd believe that?

They couldn't have killed Bath. I just know they didn't. Sadly, I couldn't find him anywhere, so I thought, why not go back to Silver City and see the rest of my living family?

Hopefully they still live in the same house as they did when I was 10. What am I going to say when I see my father and sister again?

Ooo how about, "Hey! Did you miss me? It's been 6 years!" Or something like "Uh hi...shit happened, Mom and Dy is dead while Bath is missing."

Which one sounded better?

Probably the first one right?

I walked up and lined up with the other Silvers trying to get in. Only Silvers can get into the Silver City.

When it was my turn, I made sure everything was prepared.

"State your name." The guard sounded bored.

"Vi Dazai"

"State your business."

"Coming home after delivering supplies to Outlands." I said pointing back at the truck waiting for the okay to go through the gate.

The guard looked up at the truck and then back at her. "You're free to go. Next!"

I walked back to the truck and hopped back into the wagon. While the truck driver actually did deliver supplies to the Outlands the guards didn't like him and he always had trouble getting back in. It was a win-win situation.

I watched the gate as we went underneath them.

I'm back. Did you miss me, Silvers?

One thing happened in the past two years I should mention. I became a beast. Just like her.

I watched out of the wagon as buildings upon buildings passed. It was smaller than I remembered but it was still grand.

Once the truck came to a stop I stood and hopped over the edge of the wagon. My feet landed on the hard black road. I waved my goodbyes at the driver as he sped away when the light turned green. I ran to the sidewalk and read the sign that told me I was close to my old home.

I walked down the sidewalk towards the house I was raised in, towards my father and sister.

There it was. The house looked as I remembered it besides the fact that the painted silvers and blues were now faded and dull.

I walked down the sidewalk that split the yard in half and walked up the stairs. I knocked on the black door and I was answered with scrambling footsteps.

The door was flung open and there stood a girl with the same black hair as me, as our mother.

"Amelthea," I whispered.

The smile on her fast wavered.

"Who are you and how do you know my name?" She demanded.

I could hear Dad coming down the stairs asking his 14 year old daughter who was at the door. When he stopped behind her and looked at me, his face froze.

"Hi Dad," I have a little smile.

"Vi..." He looked the same as when we left.

"Vi!?" Amelthea gaped.

Dad stepped back and opened the door wider, motioning me to come in.

I walk through the familiar house to the living room. I took a seat on their new leather couch that wasn't there 6 years ago.

"What happened? Where's your mother? And the boys?" He had worried written all over his face.

I looked at them with my face full of sadness and sorrow.

"Mom... she's dead. So is Dylan. Bath is missing..."

Dad widen his eyes and Amelthea started sobbing.

"What happened?!" My father shouted.

"The Red Guard. They came for the Outcast Trials. Bath attacked them and they fought back. H-he was just trying to protect me and he paid the price."

"How are you here? Your eyes are silver!"

"Contacts. I do have a power, Dad. I can control lighting and electricity and I'm pretty good with a sword."

Here comes the all famous question.

"Why are you here?" Amelthea asked, surprisingly.

"I want to be Queen."

I will be the Lighting Queen.

I finally made up my mind after watching the advertisements for the Color Games for two years now. They start advertising for the Color Games as soon as the King or Queen dies. But the actual game doesn't start until a couple years later, once they have prepared everything.

First is the smaller tournaments that gets 5 participants from each city.

Good thing my family are Silvers. The tournament for them is usually just swordsmanship. That's something I can do. I've been practicing ever since I realized how weak I was.

I also practice with my lighting. I practiced in private taking electricity from the area and other buildings. I surprisingly learnt to do many amazing things with my power.

"Queen!?" Amelthea smiled. "Really?"

"All I need to do is beat them in swordsmanship. That I can do."

Dad was still worried, but he didn't seem to be listening. He was probably still trying to get over Mom and Dy's death.

"The first round starts tomorrow..." Amelthea warned.

"I know. That's why I need Dad's permission to participate."

Anyone below the age of 18 had to have permission from their parents. Meaning they need to be with them when they sign the contract.

There were 5 arenas, each holding their own matches. The winners of each arena gets to go to the next round.

The five arenas were Ruby, Rose, Apple, Blood, and Fire. I was going to try for Ruby. Most bloodthirsty ones will probably go to Blood or Fire, while most girls would go to Ruby or Rose. Apple is for the weak. Apple was probably my best bet, but I wanted to stand out just a little bit.

The names of the arenas were the same in every city because it was named after the late King.

"Dad?"

Dad snapped his head up and Amel said his name.

"Were you listening to Vi?"

"I'm sorry. I was just trying to remember your mother's face."

Pictures of her were hung up all over the room, but he didn't look at those.

"Dad? Can you take me to sign up at Ruby?"

"You want to participate in such a thing!?" Dad snapped.

"I'm going to be Queen. I will save this country from itself."

"You? You think you could do that?"

His words sliced through me leaving behind an angry wound. Anger built up in me. Without knowing it I called out to my lighting, my calming lighting.

It responded.

I could feel the sparks dancing over my skin. I felt alive. I felt calm.

Thunder roared from above us. From above the house. Then we heard the pitter patter of rain drops.

We were in the desert and it was raining. This was my storm, my fury.

Dad looked at me then out the window. The lighten on my skin caught my clothes on fire, and I was trying my best to stop the spread of the fire.

"Vi!"

Amel ran out to the kitchen and she came back with a bowl of water. She dumped the on me, droning both me and the fire.

Dad stared at me.

"You're powerful. Just like her..."

Yes I'm just like her. But stronger. Better.

"Let me try, Dad, please!"

His eyes filled with tears that threaten to spill over. "I don't want to lose you too!"

"I promise nothing will happen to me!"

"I think she should do it," Amel spoke up. "I have a feeling she'll be just fine, Dad. And you know my feelings are never wrong. Look, she literally brought a thunderstorm with rain to the desert!"

"...fine. But if anyone finds out what you are, never come back to Silver City."

This was a strange request but I'd be able to go to the Ruby tournament!

"Come on," Dad grumbled.

He led the way out the door, me and Amel followed him to his car parked in the driveway off to the side.

Almost no one had the money to buy cars in the Outlands, so there was no need for driveways or paved roads.

We drove through the city. The storm was already gone and it was immediately replaced with the burning sun. I had to squint against its sudden brightness.

I watched the buildings, new and old, pass through the tinted window. Dad stops here and there when there was a red light or stop sign.

Ugh! I just want to get there already!

My nerves starts to act up and my legs started to shake.

Finally, Dad pulled into a parking lot. I looked at the huge red circular building. A stadium. It was huge! Everyone got out of the car and headed towards the lines of the others that were signing up last minute.

It felt like forever before it was our turn.

"Next!"

We walked up to the window that shouted. A young man sat there, papers scattered all over the counter between us.

"Hello. Who is signing up?"

"Me!" I raised my hand.

The man raised an eyebrow as if he didn't think someone like me can be entering this. Yes, I was short, but I was strong and fast.

"Okay. What's your age?"

"16," i was prepared for these questions.

"Oh. Is this your Dad?" He asked as he turned to my father.

"Yes."

"Good. I need you both to sign here," he made and X on the paper. And then another one. "And here."

Taking the pen from the man's outreached hand, I signed my name then I passed the pen to Dad who also has to sign it.

I notice behind the man there was an electric board with what seemed to be a countdown. It jumped from 10 to 8 then 7. Whatever it was it was dropping fast.

"One last thing. Please both of you sign this contract saying you know the chances of death and major damage."

Oh. That sounds fun! Haha!

...

No it doesn't.

I signed and looked backed at the timer. 5.

Dad took the pen but didn't sign right away. 4

He looked worried. 3. I pleaded that he would sign it fast. 2. His hand was brought down on the paper. 1. He signed it. Then the man hit a key on his keyboard.

A buzzer went off somewhere as the countdown hit 0.

"All of the spots in the Ruby arena are filled! Thank you for participating!"

I looked up in shock. Did we make it in time?

I looked back at the man who must of knew what I was about to ask.

"Congrats on filling the spot, Vi."

I was in. A small smile started to spread on my face. Perfect.