The Gladiator Dules

'Just breathe.'

Such words of wisdom. Whoever came up with that phrase? Probably not the person who was in a panic about their looming fate. I doubt they'd even think of such silly words if they were the ones in the life-threatening situation.

Just breathe. I didn't want to breathe. I wanted to scream! I wanted to punch something and run far away from here. But I couldn't do those things. I had to put on a brave face and not give in to the panic that was threatening to consume me. So I just took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

While I did that, I tried to calm my head and diffuse my dark, spiraling thoughts, but my anger was like a nagging unwanted guest, and I knew it wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. In retrospect, I was allowed to be stuck in a miserable mood. Who in their right mind would be optimistic about today's "special" occasion, given that it was a tradition of condemnation?

A brush of fabric grazed my arm, bringing my focus back to my surroundings. I kept my head down and followed the single-file line of girls in front of me as we made our way to the Sorting Hall. The press of my classmates' bodies along with the loud shuffling of footsteps were the only reasons my feet were moving forward. Every time I inhaled, I'd get a whiff of a pungent mixture of sweat, and body wash from the girls around me. I listened to them- all 151 footsteps. 151 girls. Well, women now- all of us graduating after completing secondary education together.

No, not together. I sorely corrected myself. One of us would be tossed in a different direction. A direction all of us collectively dreaded. Yet we'd all be accomplices in the making of a decision of who that one girl would be. It was cruel and sick, but we had no choice. If we refused to vote, they chose for us. If we refused to cooperate, the Order Officers would punish the girl's entire family for it. Or boys. They weren't spared from the event that occurred annually. But this year it was the girls' turn, meaning every 18-year-old boy right now was off celebrating instead of silently making their prayers.

I was feeling bitter toward them, though I couldn't blame them. If the roles were reversed, I'd be celebrating too. At least until the boy's name was announced and the cold reality hit. I'd know him. Our Order Sector was a small one- just under 10,000 people. The nation was made up of forty Orders, each one having its own unique functions, and were overseen by Senators. But the others had double the numbers, which meant their voting pools were bigger, less personal, and less intense. It also meant more abled bodies to perform their Order's functions.

Our Order's trade was in the manufacturing of armor, weapons, vehicles, and other mechanical equipment. It was a very lucrative trade, which made ours one of the most prestigious Orders. But the metals required to assemble those items didn't just appear. We had to mine for them. It was a long and arduous process, especially with less man labor. Even so, the expectations to produce remained high, and my people were constantly under pressure from the government to deliver.

As we continued down the Academy's corridor, my thoughts shifted to the sheer amount of girls who'd be walking to their own Sorting Halls today. There were probably thousands, and forty seemed like an acceptable loss in comparison, which was probably why there hadn't been an uprising.

I lingered on that concept. Why the Orders hadn't risen up against the system. Why, even though it was an obvious form of discrimination, we'd all just accepted it. We were the minority. The bulk of Halicarn's population were those who lived in Metropolis, reaching just over two million- that wasn't counting the Order Officers stationed at each sector.

And they despised us.

Mutants, they called us. Tainted. Defective. History had taught us that they waged war against us because we became a threat to humanity, which I found odd, considering we were humans, too, and I often wondered how we became a threat to begin with. They didn't teach us that in school. Brainwashing, my father used to tell me. They wanted to keep us ignorant, and sadly, it was working. People had long stopped viewing this occasion as inhumane and tolerated the abuse so long as there was no additional punishment involved.

It made me sick.

These Metrolanders, as we liked to call them, thought themselves supreme. Everything they did was to remind us that we were inferior to them. That we were a lesser race, and to drill that home, they organized this annual event, treating us as though we were nothing but animals for entertainment.

And what could we do?

Their vastly superior numbers were humbling, making a rebellion seem pointless in the grand scheme of things. Our side would definitely have more casualties, and therefore it wasn't worth the consideration. Not when the alternative was forty every year. It hardly seemed like a dent when it was only one person from each Order, and rotated between the genders.

I had to hand it to the Metrolanders. It was such a clever way to instill fear, but not so much that we'd refuse to comply.

I tightened my fists as I thought about which girl among us would be sentenced to her death today. She wouldn't stay here. Those chosen were immediately whisked away to the opposite end of our country, where Metropolis was located just on the other side of the bare lands. The once-thriving valley became dangerous and uninhabitable due to the intense radiation from the war. Chancellors over the years have said they left it in its decrepit state as a testament to the magnitude of the suffering we as a nation had experienced, and we should never allow ourselves to forget.

But my father was skeptical. He said it was a way of keeping them separated from us, and us from each other. It was harder to fight back when we were divided and crowded into tight corners, where the only way to reach one another was by risking the bare lands. The only safe method for traveling was by hovercraft or monorail, which was heavily guarded and not accessible to mutants... unless you were the chosen sacrifice.

I was so distracted by my resentful thoughts that I didn't notice the girls in front of me had stopped walking and ran into them. It wasn't a harsh collision, but it earned me an elbow to the gut. I deserved it, so I didn't snarl at her.

I looked up to see what had caused the pause in our march and saw the archway of the Sorting Hall ahead. I could already feel the pressure mounting. The emotions of the outcome were pushing down on me like a vice. I wanted to run from it, just as I bet every other girl here wanted to. But we couldn't. The consequences of that would be severe, and not just for us.

"Keep it moving!" An Order Officer shouted, and I heard the telling sound of static meeting flesh as he shocked the poor girl who held up the line. She let out a shrill scream that echoed through the hall, and I clenched my jaw with vindictive rage. I knew the sound of that scream. I'd heard it many times before, Leigh Anne. We weren't supposed to have close relationships with one another. Attachment just led to heartache. It also made it harder for us to appoint a contestant during the Sorting. But I was never one for rules, and I felt a kinship with her, protective, since she was as delicate as glass. I was protective of all the girls, but her most of all.

There were a few more yelps of alarm- though none indicated pain, just fear- before we all continued on.

I glared at the Order Officer as I passed him, not surprised when I saw who it was through his helmet's visor. Charles Patterson. My least favorite. Then again, I didn't like any of them. They all treated us with disdain. We were told to keep our heads down any time we were in their presence or being herded like cattle. I hated that. To be treated like a beast. And I defied that any chance I got.

He noticed my glare, and I smirked at him. It was a sinister smile, one I reserved just for the Order Officers. It made them uncomfortable, which was why I did it, even though I knew it always led to me getting jolted.

He sneered at me and jabbed me with his stunning baton. It sent a harsh current of electricity through me that started at my stomach and traveled up my spine. It was so intense that I was knocked back and hit the wall before crumpling to the floor. When I opened my eyes again, I watched through blurry vision as feet from the other girls passed by me. No one made a move to help me, though I wasn't expecting them to. It was a 'to each their own' survivor situation we had here. Besides, if they left the line, they'd receive a shock too.

"Get up, Severa, or this next one will be worse."

My lips curled back in a silent snarl at his threatening words. If it weren't for the layers of protection built into the Order Officer's tactical suits, he'd think twice before speaking to me like that. It was because of these suits and the fact there were so many of them that they were able to successfully subdue us. All the government's advanced technology was focused on keeping us under their thumb.

I slowly peeled myself off the ground, fighting back a wave of nausea as I did. He put a lot of juice into that shock. I doubted he gave Leigh Anne that much. She'd be unconscious or dead if he had, and I was made of tougher material.

His head turned to follow me as I stepped past him like he was expecting me to retaliate. I almost did. But then I thought of my little brother and his sad big brown eyes, and it immediately sobered my bloodlust.

One day. I silently vowed.

With rigid movements, I made my way into the Sorting Hall, then scanned the rows upon rows of seats with dividers that prevented us from engaging with one another during the Sorting. The only thing you could see once you took your seat was the screen occupying the front of the room, and the smaller versions built into our desks. It was the only advanced technology we were granted. And while all our educators were virtual, there were always a handful of Order Officers that oversaw our classrooms in case we tried to damage or steal government property.

I looked for an empty seat and then made my way to it. Once I sank into the metal chair, I felt the restraints snap into place. My ankles used to bruise from the aggressive and tight shackles. Now, I was numb to it. Though building tolerance was only part of the reason...

The lights in the classroom dimmed as the screen in front lit up, and a broadcast of Senator Wiliam Harrison appeared. He was the Metrolander in charge of our Order. I didn't like him, but I preferred him over the last Senator we had. He led from Metropolis but still came to our sector for certain events- this being one of them.

I immediately recognized the background as his private office, where he'd be hiding until after the girl chosen today was collected. Then he'd return with them to Metropolis.

"Good morning, Order Sector twenty-two," he said lightly, expectantly. I knew everyone gathered in the courtyard to watch was muttering their greetings, just as all of us dutifully repeated the words back to him, except we replaced our sector number with his title. He smiled, self-awarded by our cooperation. "Today is a day of celebration of Halicarn's 99th annual Sorting Rite for the prominent Gladiator Duels. I know that you all must be just as excited as I am for this incredible milestone in our country's history." I had to exert a lot of self-control not to roll my eyes. "Especially because there's some very exciting news to share with you all." He gave a slight pause for effect, and a sense of unease licked my spine, causing me to subconsciously lean forward in my chair. "After 98 years of being the same monotonous matches, Davin Geraldt, this year's Chief Match Architect, has noticed the tournament has begun to lose its appeal, and people have grown bored of it. I must confess, I'm a big fan of the Gladiator Duels, but even I'm tired of seeing the same thing play out in a similar fashion year after year. So Chief Architect Davin has surprised us by spicing things up this year. Here he is, to give us all the details!"

I straightened in my seat, anxiety gnawing on my insides as a sense of forbidding hovered over me like a thundercloud. I didn't like the way that sounded.

The video feed then changed to show Davin Geraldt standing in front of the imposing, familiar arena. He was a tall man with a thick, blonde mustache and wore a somewhat dour expression, almost like he never smiled. He was dressed in a formal suit, and was illuminated by a soft light shining from above, as if they had brought the studio to him. Or maybe the whole setting was a hologram. It was always hard to tell where the technology ended and the reality began.

His hands were clasped behind his back as he stared at the camera. "Hello, citizens of Halicarn, and a very special greeting to all the girls who're participating in the Sorting Rite today." I couldn't help but cringe at his syrupy-sweet voice. Like giving us a personal shoutout was some kind of treat. "First, I'd like to say what an honor it is to be this year's Chief Match Architect. I don't take this responsibility lightly, and I swear to you all that you won't be left wanting, for I'll deliver on the most exciting Gladiator Duels Halicarn has ever seen. Actually, I have quite a few surprises in store for you, but I'll save those for later. For now, I'd like to focus on the most important aspect that'll be the highlight of this year's event." An ominous grin crept over his face, like he couldn't wait to reveal this big secret. It made my insides twist into knots. "It brings me great pleasure to announce that this year's contestants will be fighting with their mutant powers instead of weapons."

A cacophony of panicked voices flooded the room, and I felt the blood drain from my face. Did he just say use our powers!? As if making us vote on the participants who fought to the death in a huge arena with blades, arrows, spears and other fatal weapons wasn't enough for their sadistic pleasures. But now, they wanted to add our powers into the mix?

Bone-chilling terror systemically paralyzed my body as I thought about the previous Gladiator Duels. Then I added inhuman strength, fire, ice, and other deadly powers my kind possessed as they were pitted against one another in a battle for survival. It was already horrifyingly gruesome and bloody, but this would bring unfathomable levels of absolute carnage and destruction. How would they even contain it?

"Quiet!" An Order Officer shouted.

I flinched as a sharp zap of electricity shocked my ankle and traveled up my leg. There were a few squeaks as the other girls experienced their own reprimanding jolts before the room once again fell silent.

My mind drifted to those standing in the Courtyard. I had no doubt they were in an uproar, too, and undergoing punishment. A fresh dose of fear spread through me as I thought about Scott getting caught up in the chaos.

No, Tristan would never let that happen. I had to remember that.

"... which is why it'll be safe for spectators," Davin's voice broke through my thoughts, and I hadn't realized he was still talking. Hopefully whatever I missed wasn't too important.

"It'll be a new experience for all, and one that'll be thoroughly enjoyable to watch. I can promise that," he added with a wink. Enmity saturated my bloodstream at his smug indifference. I hated him. I hated every Metrolander, but I especially hated him. He had to be a demented monster to find perverse amusement in inventing insidious ways to make people gut and maim each other.

"I know this is a huge surprise to many and creates more stakes with the variant odds of who could become Champion, which is why the Chancellor agreed to postpone the Tournament for two weeks. This gives the selected contestants time to prepare and practice using their powers," he continued, his tone light and airy, making it sound like he was doing us a favor. "Don't fret, the progress of their training will be broadcasted to keep viewers entertained and involved, so you can make informed decisions on who you'd like to patron. After the two weeks are up, they'll have a week for interviews and meet and greets- just like every other year. We'll have a few more updates as the event nears, so make sure to stay tuned. As always, good luck to those participating in the Sorting, and may your chosen be victorious." The video feed then cut out, returning to Senator Harrison, and the room erupted into anarchy again.

"Two weeks isn't enough!" A girl shrieked, and it was followed by a whimper as she got shocked for her unsolicited outburst.

She was absolutely right. That didn't give any of us enough time. Most students barely exerted their abilities. It didn't make sense for us to. It wasn't like they did us any good in the arena since normally we'd be cuffed with a power suppressor once we were chosen. Besides, it was outlawed to exercise our powers unless it was for our trade.

"Many of you seem to think that two weeks isn't enough time to prepare. But seeing how every contestant will have the same opportunities to train as the rest, I'd say that it was a fair amount of time," Senator Harrison returned and pierced the camera with a harsh stare, seeming fed up with the complaints.

"So, now that that's been said, the graduating girls have fifteen minutes to make their decision on who they'd like to select as their contestant. Remember to carefully consider your vote, and make a sensible judgment, not a rushed one. They're bravely representing your Order, and either their honorable death or triumphant victory will fall upon your shoulders."

It was those propagating words that brought me to my breaking point. A surge of power rushed through me, setting my blood ablaze. My skin gradually became redder as more power bled to the surface. In the next second, my skin was like molten lava and a hint of smoke tickled my nose, indicating that I was burning something, likely my clothes. An alarm went off as the energy receptors detected an emission of power.

Senator Harrison scoured the screen, looking for the culprit- as did the Order Officers. The receptors instantly identified me as the source and sent a sharp current of electricity from the shackle on my ankle. The voltage wasn't high enough to truly affect me, not like Order Officers' stunning batons, but I knew if I let it go on, I'd receive harsher punishment. So I let my powers recede and smiled innocently at Senator Harrison. "Sorry. Couldn't control myself."

He narrowed his eyes at me. "Sereva. Why am I not surprised?" He shook his head like a disappointed father and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Couldn't even get through your last day without causing trouble," he mumbled and returned his attention to the camera with an irritable sigh. "Fifteen minutes," he repeated more aggressively, expressing his growing frustrations over our disruptions. "Your time starts now."

A little black box appeared under him, and inside of it was a digital clock counting down from fifteen. Our own screens flickered to life and displayed the names of all the candidates to choose from.

Suddenly I couldn't breathe. My head was spinning. It was getting harder to concentrate on the visual display, and the names began to blur together. As I tried to focus on one, I felt a palpable shift of energy in the room. I figured it was from the grim, undeniable fact that this was it; the moment we decided one of our peers' fate. Shame settled on my tongue like ash as I thought of what I was about to do, and I realized I couldn't do it. I grew up with these girls. I couldn't throw any of them into a pit to be ripped apart for entertainment. Sure, maybe the name I selected wouldn't get picked, but could I bet on those odds? Could I live with myself afterward?

Just breathe. The damn words returned, and I clamped down on my building guilt for a death that hadn't even happened yet. I should just close my eyes and pick a name. Then I wouldn't know who I doomed. It was a good idea, until I really thought about it. Not knowing was just as bad, if not worse. Because I'd be sitting in front of the screen all summer, wondering the whole time if I unwittingly chose the girl who ended up selected. The question would fester in my soul like an infection, and rot me from the inside out. It'd consume me and taint my existence, and I'd die a little bit every day.

Stop caring! I internally yelled at myself. You have Scott to look out for.

These girls have families, too. A small voice reminded me.

Damn moral conscience! Fuck you for being so soft!

I held my breath as I stared at the list of names when Senator Harrison's voice broke the silence. "Wow, it hasn't been three minutes, and yet everyone's already made their choice. That's a record. I hope you all made your considerations carefully. Now, we're just waiting on one more."

One more!? So everyone was waiting for me then? No pressure.

I was so focused on adding my vote that I didn't even think to be suspicious. It wasn't until I selected my own name and hit the finished button did it finally sink in. I stiffened in my seat like a deer caught in the headlights, feeling the dread grip my spine.

Senator Harrison's jaw fell open. "I- how- this has never happened before." He looked up at the camera in shock as he realized he spoke out loud, and tried to recover his composure, but still gave us an uncertain smile. He was clearly rattled by the outcome. "It seems we'll be making history because, for the first time ever, every voter in the Sorting Rite agreed on the same person."

My mouth went completely dry as I realized what that meant.

"Order Sector twenty-two I present to you, your fearless contestant, Severa Odair," he finished, and I could tell he was still slightly shaken. But he was doing a commendable job of putting up a convincing, excited front.

I felt like he'd just cut out my heart and held it up on a silver platter for me to take while smiling and expecting me to thank him for it.

Everyone. He said everyone voted for me.

My eyes began to water with unshed tears, while my stomach started to churn, and I had the overwhelming urge to throw up.

"Congratulations Severa! I'll let you say your final goodbyes before someone comes to collect you," the Senator said before the screen went completely black. It was like he couldn't leave fast enough.

To add insult to injury, my name replaced his face in bold, white letters, mocking me with the finality of our Sorting, denoting that my fate was sealed. My heart was beating rapidly, and I was having a hard time keeping my breathing steady. I was certain I was going to faint.

I stared absently at the screen as the world around me began to fade away into nothingness. I vaguely felt the restraints around my ankles release. I faintly heard distant muffled voices from the other girls in the room. I was still staring at the screen when everything else around me gradually faded to black. It wasn't until someone lightly touched my shoulder did I finally return to my senses.

I slowly turned my head to look over my shoulder at Leigh Anne. I wasn't prepared for the searing, all-encompassing slice of betrayal that I felt when I saw her. "How could you?" I whispered.

She flinched like I struck her and began to tremble. A part of me wanted to comfort her. My delicate glass. The other part of me- the resentful part- wanted to shatter her.

"Severa, please undertsand. You're the bravest and strongest of us," she said through her sniffling. "If anyone could survive this year's Duals, it'd be you."

She didn't even apologize, which felt like another slash to my internal wounds.

I abruptly stood and pushed past her, needing to distance myself before I did something I'd regret. I made it to the bottom of the stairs when I saw the rest of the girls all waiting for me. Their sympathetic expressions made animosity crawl its way up my throat like bile. How dare they give me their pity!

My body shook with my rage. I was barely keeping it together.

"You have to know none of us want this for you," Lizbeth said with tears building up in her eyes until they got too heavy and ran down her cheeks.

I nodded. "Right." I gestured to the screen still displaying my name. "The proof of that is there."

"We didn't make this choice lightly," Rachel spoke up, which was a stark contrast to her usual quiet demeanor. Her defensive response was another punch to the gut.

"Lightly?" I laughed, it was a bitter, sad sound. "No. You made it in under three minutes."

All of them had the sense to look nervous. They should be.

"You voted for yourself too," Harper pointed out, like that somehow made it my fault I was chosen.

"Because I couldn't bare the idea of sentencing any of you into this bloody tournament," I said through my teeth and turned around in a circle to look at each one of them. Seeing their guilt-ridden expressions ruined me. "I've protected you, took punishments for you. I've been beaten, starved, and humiliated for you. And what have you done for me? Other than just vote me out," I said, sheer honesty making my tone flat. I wasn't about to soften that blunt truth for them. Not after this.

"We know," Melissa murmured, coming up next to Lizbeth. "It's not like we're not grateful. But we're not built like you. Our bones break."

I scoffed humorlessly. "You act like I'm invincible. I can die, too. I'm not immortal."

"Yes, but you're close enough," Harper retorted, and I shot her a dirty glare, which she ignored. "You get shocked and you recover within seconds. We get shocked and we feel the effects for days!"

There were collective murmurs of agreement from every girl in the room. I glanced between all of them, getting a creeping suspicion that they planned to choose me beforehand, which was why the Sorting was so quick, and that cut me even deeper. I bet if there even were any who had second thoughts about selecting me, the announcement that our powers would be utilized certainly solidified their choices.

"You'll win this," Sarah said assuringly. "We know you will."

"Win?" I huffed indignantly. "Even if I did, I'd never return. Champions stay in Metropolis forever, remember?" Air got lodged in my throat as I registered what I just said. For a long moment, I struggled to breathe. "I- I'll never see Scott again."

A few girls exchanged distraught glances while others shifted uncomfortably on their feet.

Ashley stepped forward. "He can write you letters." I looked at her. "And we know he has Tristan as a guardian, but we'll be there for him, too. I promise." Her quick response all but confirmed my suspicions that they had thought about nominating me ahead of time as their sacrificial lamb.

Some of the other girls nodded in agreement, already looking significantly less regretful, as if their offer to care for my brother was some kind of redemption for their part in my fate.

Their need to assuage their own guilt sparked a violent, seething, and unquenchable hunger. I was on the verge of bringing the foundations of the Academy to the ground. The only thing keeping me from my meltdown was the thought of what would happen to my kid brother.

I slowly turned to face Ashley, looking her dead in the eyes with my coldest and most intimidating expression. "You better mean it if you make that promise. Because if you break it, I'll come back and I'll make you choke on those fucking words."

Not long after my threat, the girls shuffled out of the room. None of them looked back... No one said they were sorry.

I resisted the urge to wallow in self-pity as I sat alone in the room. I stared at the screen again, watching my name flash repeatedly.

Just breathe.