Half a Dozen - Private Training
Although he knew he would be the one called into the training room first, he was still surprised when the peacekeeper guarding the door, called his name. For a moment after his name rang out across the silent waiting room, he remained completely still, as a battle raged on in his head. Since arriving in the Capitol, his inner demons had been at constant war with themselves. Some were telling him that he was foolish to even believe he had a chance of winning the games and that there was no possible way that little Killian Miles would ever rise victory, while others were there to constantly remind him that he was a monster, who had killed before and would be able to kill again.Â
He couldnât decide which voice he hated more.
When the Peacekeeper called his name for the second time, in an aggravated tone, he decided that it was time to go. Standing up, he crossed the room to the door, and entered the training centre, all while making sure he kept up his usual act of pure cockiness. There was no way he would let any of these strangers, tribute or game-maker, see his weakness.Â
As soon as he crossed the threshold, his eyes began to dart around. The weapons that were supplied for their private training sessions, were slightly limited compared to the selection they had been presented with during their training sessions. It was a minor setback, noticing that the one weapon he had trained with the past few days was not there, but soon he found a hefty replacement kit are sword. In fact, the one that he found, was a lot more like the one he had trained with, back in District One. Has he picked it up in his hand and tested itâs weight, he realized that if he closed his eyes and blocked out the meaningless chatter of the game makers, he could almost pretend that he was back home, once again.
Upon returning to the centre of the room, he quickly programmed the simulator to produce a series of opponents for him. As half a dozen projections began to materialize to life, he noticed that all of them bared an eerily resemblance to a tribute who he would have to face in just a few days time. He couldnât be entirely sure that the simulations were programmed to look like them or if his mind was just playing a cruel trick on him, but thankfully, he managed to push the morbid thoughts to the back of his mind.Â
He quickly pressed the start button and took a step back, preparing for the immediate onslaught. As predicted, the simulations began to move forward at once, each unsheathing their own weapons. All the standards were there -Â Â a sword, an axe, a pair of daggers, a spear, a trident, and a bow and arrows.Â
The simulation with the axe attacked first. The first few seconds of the simulation was spent with Killian attempt to block his every move, until he found a perfect opening. The simulation had moved to raise the axe above it's head, so it could come down with a heavy strike, but Killian was too fast. Within a second, he managed to calculate the position he would need to be in to easily finish off his opponent. As the axe went up in the air, Killian dove to the side, bringing his sword up and cleaning raking it across the simulationâs neck. Fake and projected blood squirted from the gaping wound, as the simulation fell to the ground and began to fade away into nothing.
The one with the spear took Killian even less time to finish off, as an opportunity to cut deeply into the simulationâs leg, presented itself almost immediately. After halting his opponent from any more advances by using that technique, he brought his foot up and delivered a quick kick to itâs chest. It felt to the ground, where Killian proceeded to promptly drive his sword through itâs chest cavity. It faded almost as quickly as the first.
Killian was beginning to feel pretty good, as he managed to take down the moderately skilled archer. The simulationâs moves had been to predictable and with such a light weapon to defend itself, Killian had been able to disarm it, before ending it.
As a result of his three success and the curious glances we was receiving from the game makers, Killian was feeling as if he could take the world by storm. His earlier nerves had been replaced by the burning sensation of adrenalin rushing through his veins, that a goodnight always managed to bring to him, but it didnât last long.
Rather than attack one by one, like that had done so before, all three of the remaining holograms, the sword, the trident, and the two daggers, attacked at once. Killian managed to keep a steady hold of his sword, but after a few minutes of purely fighting defensively, he realized that if he did not strengthen up and take an offensive tactic on, he would loose and get a low score. Diving to the ground and rolling out of the way of getting stabbed by the trident, he managed to  sever the trident-simulationâs legs in two. The hologram disappeared even before the body hit the ground.
Four down, two to go. He could do it, but he was growing more and more exhausted as the moments weighed on. Eventually though, he managed to get the upper hand of the sword-wielder. He ended that simulation as quickly and efficiently as he could, but not without receiving a projected âcutâ to his arm. He knew that the injury would not last for long and the pain was more a factor of his imagination, but it slowed him down, nevertheless. He turned to face his last opponent, but was caught off guard. The simulation had reared up and knocked his sword out of his grip, using a simple kick. Killian inwardly cursed himself for getting so preoccupied by the fake cut, that he had almost forgotten about his final match.
Having nothing but his bare hands to fight with, Killian could only dodge as many attacks as he could. He managed to throw in the odd punch, but nothing seemed to be working for him. The simulation was not slowing down, but almost seemed to be gaining energy, rather than loosing any, while Killian was strictly doing the latter. As the moments ticked by, he realized with an alarming sense of self deprecation that he was loosing to a bloody simulation. Fortunately, just the thought brought up enough anger, that he managed to make his opponent fall. Without thinking and letting his instinct get to him, he brought his foot down harshly onto the simulations âheadâ. While his foot just went straight through the hologram, the effect was the immediate. The visible skull of the simulation seemed to cave in and blood began to trickle from itâs nose. After less than thirty seconds, the simulation faded away, entirely. Soon, Killian was the only one left on the floor, once again.
He didnât give himself enough time to think twice about how easily he managed to kill all those simulations. Yes, they were only that, simulations, but they resembled actual people and in a couple of days, he would be fighting against real life human beings. âI hope that was entertaining enough for you all. I am Killian Miles of District One. Good day."
