#tbpos

[naxos-cadfan]

War’s End || Death || OS

“Only the dead have seen the end of war.” - Plato.

In every story I’ve read about heroes, warriors and leaders they all seem to find peace in death on the battlefield. To fight and die with honor, pride, glory, knowing you are protecting all that you hold near and dear, that is the ideal fall. That there is more awaiting on the other side of the battlefield, so say the stories they heard about those who fought and fell before them.

The sound around me began to fade, my sight darkening and feeling beginning to leave my body. I knew that my fall was not for those principles I idolize and held true. There is no glory in the gladiatorial combat perpetuated by the Capitol, no pride I felt being chosen and no honor to be upheld by dying at the hands of a ruthless killer.

I thought of my family, the hole my passing will leave: how I’ll never be there to guide Troy and Carth on their paths, the sorrow and grief that will befall my parents and the depths Marathon will sink with my loss. Everything I’ve yet to experience with them, my plans for the future. My friends I am leaving behind, the memories. All becoming a part of history.

But even in these last fleeting moments, I had to be strong.

They say death is but another journey, so I ask myself: what awaits me on the other side of the battlefield?

Does one walk the Halls of the Dead and is granted access to eternal peace based on the weight of their heart, a measure of their deeds? Or do you travel through Hades and find peace in the fields of Elysium? Will the Valkyries take my hand and guide me to Valhalla? Will I pass through the pearly gates and be told I lived a good life and now it is time to rest? Will I be told that my work is not quite done and be reincarnated until the soul reaches nirvana? Or will I stay here, destined to walk the field where I died?

Or is what follows life a creation of our own ideals?

Will I find myself with Horne and tell stories for all eternity around the fire the way seasoned warriors do? Will I find myself in Mira’s wish of a never ending winter and show her the proper way to build a snow fort? Will I wind up in Meredith’s wonderland and meet her...friends? Will I find Cypress and Dani reunited with their parents? Will I finally hold that girl in my arms again, keep her safe and give her the love she deserves? And will one day I find myself reunited with my own brothers and family, knowing nothing will be able to separate us again and hear their stories and legacies they left behind?

Will I be able to tell them I’ve been watching over them their whole lives, guiding them along their paths?

That alone caused brought me peace as everything faded around me. The end of my story was just another beginning.

And you might ask which of the above were what I saw when my cannon fired and I crossed over the line between life and death?

Well, I don’t think I could tell you.

It would be rude of me to ruin the ending for you, now wouldn’t it?

[naxos-cadfan]

A War within a War  || Fallen Reaction

I steadied myself as the chute rose, my adrenaline leveling off and breathing slowing. I didn’t know where I was going, who would be in front of me when I was released. The nightstick was still attached to me, and as an extra precaution I kept an arrow at the ready.

I couldn’t see much, just a dim light that revealed concrete walls around me. This went on for about five minutes or so before I stopped moving and the panel opened up to what looked like a prison cell. There was a small bed, food, water and what I assumed was something to clean up with.

I didn’t trust this, and stood at the ready for several minutes before it became apparent I was in the clear...for now.

I dropped down onto the clunky mattress and put my belongings down, and finally taking the gas mask off. I took off the track jacket and my shirt, caring little for how self-conscious I usually am and began cleaning the blood, sweat and dirt off. Just as I did with Judas I didn’t dwell on what happened with Sawyer too much. It was a necessary evil of the situation at hand. 

I can only hope what I did caused her little pain.

Setting my clothes and shoes aside I dug out half of the ham sandwich and began picking at it along with the soup, the water being a welcomed change compared to the sugary iced tea I had been drinking, likewise the broth against my throat. Then I pulled out the first aid kit and began patching myself up. 

I was just finishing up when the Capitol anthem began playing in the room and a screen appeared on a wall. I had heard a number of cannons throughout the day. Our numbers were drawing to a close.

The first to be shown was Salem, taken out by...Cypress. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t impressed that he managed to hold his own, nor did it surprise me the Career went down on his ass. Pride does come before the fall.

And then I saw Dani, being torn apart by Meredith.

I couldn’t zone in on one emotion. But before I became too wrapped up in myself I remembered that this wasn’t the time or place to be concerned for others, mourn their loss and wish I could have been there to protect them, ”And sometimes acknowledging that change is in its’ own way a sign of bravery, courage, to overcome yourself.”

Averting my eyes for the briefest moment I remembered our time together at the pool, showing her how to light a fire and cooking. And then there was that last night in the Capitol, and I couldn’t help but smile slightly at the memory of that scene. “Buddy, I know I’ve asked for a lot already but...take care of her for me will ya?”  I looked back at the screen as the fight faded, letting the memories go with it.

Judas came up next, followed by a birds-eye view of myself taking him out. It didn’t phase me much seeing myself like that. I did what was necessary.

Brunelle and Angus came up next, both of them taken out by Meredith. That girl had to have been going mad by this point.

I stood up and stretched a bit when my fight against Sawyer was shown. My calf wasn’t ailing me too much and I ran a few tic-tacs to keep it from getting stiff. As far as I can tell it was just a bit bruised.

And then I saw Cypress, slaughtered by Wednesday. I sighed and leaned against the wall. At least they’re with each other again. Just as I did Dani I didn’t let myself dwell too much on what happened.

There would be time for that later.

The anthem aired again and I was left in silence. 

I slipped my clothes back on. Focusing on what was before me I took some time to sort through what I had brought out of the fight with Sawyer, finding uses for some of her items that would normally be overlooked and discarding those I knew I would need no longer.

Three of us left: myself, Meredith and Wednesday. I could only imagine tomorrow brings the final fight. 

The end of the war.

[sawyer-caldwell]

Stacking the Odds || Arena Day 3 || OS

Waking up to the sound of an announcement ringing through the arena, I’m surprised to find Angus gone. Did he just leave? Looking around, I check if he took any of my supplies, only to find everything as I left it. Shrugging it off, I wipe at my face. I’m sticky and gross and more than ready to move on. Clearly they were trying to herd us out of our hiding places.

I guess it worked.

Gathering my things, I debate whether to even bother with the paint bucket and bleach anymore. It’s so hot. Still, I don’t want to be caught off guard. I decide to take them, but not before pulling out my knives and tucking them in my rope belt, feeling like a handyman going to work. Well, at least I’ll never actually have to be a handyman.

I take a few steps out, sensing no immediate danger. As I make closer to the exit, I spot her. Brunelle, and it’s clear she’s seen me too. Directly before me is a trap door- had that always been there?- and her eyes dart back and forth between me and the door.

My first instinct is to engage, but I’m hot and sticky and hungry. Before I can make a decision, she makes it for me, bolting in my direction. I scowl, dropping the can of paint in favor of a throwing knife. Raising it, I throw, missing her by a few feet, as she suddenly veers to the side, dropping down the hole and closing the door behind her.

Sighing, I pick the paint back up and retrieve my knife, suddenly aware of all of the sounds about me. The clash of metal and sound of yells come from all directions. Not ideal. I still need to get to the door, though. At least closer to the door. I feel like I’m baking in this fucking building.

There’s sounds of a carnival outside and I cautiously step out into the sunshine. The Cornucopia has been traded in for a carnival, and there is food and drink as promised. The ‘little something extra’ has me on my guard, though, and I decide to stay near the door, shedding my jacket and settling down to eat the last sandwich. The Nestea is a gift and I savor it as it, combined with the light breeze, begins to cool me.

As soon as I finish, I begin to prepare for the battle I have no doubt will be coming for me. It’s a miracle that I’ve only encountered a giant termite so far, and I know the odds are not with me, but I can at least try to stack them in my favor. Laying out my materials, I take stock. I’m out of food and am tempted to go into the carnival for more, but if I can last just a bit longer, I can have all of the food in the world.

I cringe at the smell as I fill the empty bottle with a nasty mixture of  bleach and paint and shove it into my other pocket. They’re heavy, but worth having, I think. Between that and the small can, I feel good. Next I being examining the sprays. I doubt they’ll do much for me, but it’s reassuring to have. Turning all of the triggers to jet, I set them aside as well.

Though my home improvement supplies may prove advantageous, I know that the real weapons will have to be made of solid metal. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to give them a bit of an edge. Taking the blades out, I dip each in the bleach a few times to coat them. It’s not much, but it might help.

Suddenly, a thick fog begins to appear and I tuck my knives away, before shoving the spray bottles in my bag and I ducking back in, leaving the large paint can, but snagging the now only partially filled beach, just in case. Running to the nearest trap door, I jump down and keep moving, hoping that the fog wouldn’t follow me down.

[naxos-cadfan]

No Mans Land || OS

The shop I walked into was bare, and after holding my position to make sure nothing would pop out at me I slumped down to the floor and began sorting out my possessions, chugging down nearly half a bottle of nestea before digging out the first aid kit and beginning to patch myself up. 

There wasn’t much I could do about my jaw aside from tear off a strip of my jacket sleeve and press the cool, drenched fabric against it, same with my nose. I still felt a bit jittery after the shocks and took advantage of this brief moment of peace to collect myself.

I pulled out a sandwich from Judas’s pack as I began re-stringing my bow. I didn’t let myself dwell too much on what just happened, knowing I did what had to be done. That becomes the role of every soldier, every warrior when they’re set out onto the field.

But unlike most, I didn’t lose myself too much in the heat of battle.

I felt myself easing but knew I couldn’t stay held up in here for long. Seeing as how there was nothing in here I would have to go back out into the watery corridor. I armed myself, pocketed what I needed and went for the door.

“Figures.” I thought to myself when I found it locked. As if on cue a panel of the wall shifted aside and revealed a dimly lit passage way. Bringing my bow to the ready with an arrow loaded I cautiously went in.

The passageway was silent, no unexpected shadows crawling along the walls or floors. This seemed to go on for a while, and I only stopped when I heard the sound of faint foot steps around a corner ahead of me, followed by what sounded like a door opening and closing. 

I stuck my head around the corner a few moments later and found a large door at the end of the corridor in a dead end. It didn’t take long to put one-and-one together.

I dug out my token and held it for a moment, made my peace and then tucked it back under my shirt as I began towards the door, weighing my pieces before I reached for the handle.

[anguscorriedale-blog-blog]

Underground || Arena Day 3 || OS

The loud, chirpy announcement woke me up. Whoever it was seemed way too happy about this whole thing. It was also starting to warm up quite a bit, which kind of sucked. Not as hot as a shearing shed in the summer, but getting up there. Good thing I took my jacket off last night.

I looked around, confused. Where was Sawyer? Where was I? This was not where I was last night. I stood up and wandered through the nearest doorway, trying to figure out where I was. The person talking cheerfully on the announcement started talking about food. Damn. Sawyer had all the food. No Sawyer, no food.

I didn’t have too much time to think about this, though, because right in front of me was the girl from Two. Crap. Her name was Wednesday, I think? I had gone out of my way to avoid her. She was not the friendly sort. I was not going to be good to defend myself against her with just a dagger and an empty stomach.

I look for the closest way out. A trap door just by the fountain. It’s right next to Wednesday, of course, but I go for it anyway. She doesn’t seem that interested in going for me, which seems odd. I kept running until I reached the trap door and head down. 

[naxos-cadfan]

No End in Sight || Fallen Reaction || OS

'But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life. “ 

I shifted over a bit to give Dani and Cypress some room to lay down while I took first watch, continuing to shape the arrows I had just made while finishing off my first bottle of iced tea. Two more cannons fired since we settled down for the night and from the vestibule we could see the Fallen aired outside the grocery store.

The first was Salem taking out the girl from Nine, brutally mind you. I guess he wasn’t as injured as we all thought, but the body can only endure so much, even with hours of rest and medicine. 

And then I saw Mira, a dagger protruding from her forehead and the boy from Six holding the handle. 

I let out a soft sigh and leaned my head back against the wall. If there was any girl who made me smile as much as Dani, it was Mira. But not in a puppy crush sort of way, more like a kid sister. The obstacle course came back to mind, how much fun we had as if we weren’t training for a battle royale, how excited she was when I showed her the snow at the track, the snowball fight we had. 

“I got my wish and I can hardly believe it.”

I couldn’t suppress the smile that came to my face, the same sort of one I had last night when someone affiliated with Horne sent me the bow, Take care of her, buddy.

Finally Wednesday took down both Cyprus and Joan. Cyprus and I didn’t speak for long during training, but when I saw Joan I thought about the game of tag we had and rolling in the mud together. The Capitol eagle flashed and the mall went silent. 

As did all my concerns for those who fell. This wasn’t the time or place for me to be distracted with what I couldn’t control. I knew what would happen before the countdown reached zero. 

Our numbers were falling. I knew it was only a matter of time before Dani, Cypress and I are separated and either forced on others or each other, and in part I’m glad Dani and I really haven’t had much time to ourselves here. We made it clear to each other when we opted for an alliance that we were acting with each other and not for each other, that there would be no heroic sacrifices on my behalf. I knew this was the end of the line for us, I can only hope she remembers that as well, Cypress too.

And that I wouldn’t hold back if the unfortunate presents itself

[meredith-wilk]

three kills later ;; day one ;; self-para

Meredith held onto Saphir’s head, it was her victory prize of killing the delusional girl from One. Along with the sword, pack of knives, and her whip, Meredith walked away from the mess she had caused. Now she was covered in Saphir’s favourite color: red. She walked out of the section she was in and into the new one, (yellow). The Hatter pointed to the right and she obeyed. The fight was brutal and now she needed to rest and heal. Meredith walked closer to the stores, finally making the decision to enter the one on the right. (F)

She walked into the store, weapons at the raise, but didn’t find any trouble, the room was dark, maybe they didn’t turn the lights on? Meredith walked to the counter and hid underneath, curling into a ball. She smiled at the Cheshire Cat, “Good night kitty!” She clenched a knife with her as she tried to catch some rest as the day way coming to an end. Saphir’s head was placed where the Cheshire Cat was, her empty eyes staring at Meredith as she slept. 

[anguscorriedale-blog-blog]

Book Barricades || Arena Day 1 || D10

It did not surprise me that Sawyers first instinct was to head for the book store. PuddleRocks. What kind of name was that? What did puddles or rocks have to do with books? I thought people who read books were supposed to be smart.

The first thing I noticed when we walked in was the picture of the girl with a big THIEF written above. She was a tribute, even though I hadn’t ever met her I had seen her about. It seemed a bit mean... You’re in the Arena for the Hunger Games, Angus, everything about this place is mean. Honestly, sometimes I could be so stupid I surprised myself.

Sawyer left me to guard the door because I had a dagger. Not sure what she has in her pack yet, but I get the idea she wouldn’t be too thrilled to share it with me. I watched the gloomy building while Sawyer investigated. Nothing all that interesting.

Sawyer came back with a book and knife tied around her. I almost asked her where she got the knife and then I remembered that the last time I spoke she practically slapped me in the mouth to shut me up. I’m not great at being quiet.

I follow her into the shop and she started to point and make gestures, which I figured was her wanting to move the bookshelves into some sort of barricade or fort to protect us. Pretty smart. It doesn’t take us too long to create a pretty cool looking barricade of books, with her brains and my strength. Not that Sawyer’s not strong or anything...

She settles down pretty quickly with a mountain of books. I realize that I’m surrounded by books and have nothing to do but sit and do nothing or read. Sawyer must be in heaven but this was like my own personal hell. Time to bite the bullet.

I looked through some shelves around our little area. I don’t really know what I’m looking for. I stay away from the larger books. Some of the smaller books look pretty cool and colorful. I pick up a few of those to flick through. At least it’s something to do rather than sit and wait and think about what will happen next...

Though I can’t imagine it’d be worse than being surrounded by books.