The tournament sect field was like a giant battlefield. It's borders were mounted by tall iron skates, each crowned with fluttering flags of Andoths. The red flag bore the image of a Dragon, an ancient beast woven with gold embroidery. The flag danced and snapped like the wind, with the bright sun casting it's shadow on the ground.
At the centre of the field was a huge cage, made of bamboo sticks and iron steel. It's locks was bounded by heavy chains. It was big enough to house a creature. From there,
the high watchers would observe the fights and blood shed to come.
Banners were hung on tall poles around viewing stands, where mentors, instructors, nobles and daring spectators gathered in anticipation.
The offenders were pushed into the cage. Then it was locked.
"Release the Skornak".
One of the instructors announced.
The spectators stopped cheering. Just the name of the beast commanded silence and instilled fear in the hearts of the people present. The air that was once thrummed with energy was filled with fear and silent wagers.
The sound of an unseen gate was opened. It's loud creaking was unpleasant, brewing fear from the depths of their hearts of what was to come after. The ground shook as a thunderous rhythm echoed from the underground.
The beast emerged from the shadows, it was massive and magnificent. It's skin was rough and scaly, etched with scars from past battles. Each step it took stirred the ground. It's eyes were sharp and feisty, it burned with thirst for blood, human flesh.
The horns atop its head curled like twisted roots, with patches of moss that clung to its back, like it had been claimed by nature. Its wings were powerful and strong, strong enough to wipe out a whole sect.
The offenders unconsciously took steps backwards, staring at the beast that towered over their petite statures. They were like shrubs within the forest before tall canopy trees.
Rachel was trembling with fear, she shivered like a cold breeze lingered in the air.
Though she was brave, she couldn't deny the presence of the beast before them. Isadore's eyes welled up with tears, she was so terrified that she could hear the throbbing sound of her heartbeat.
Tyra's face was flushed, she felt like her heart had stopped beating. But that was the least of her worries, the main issue was surviving the fight. As she looked up at the beast, it's power could be felt. It was intimidating, like they had no chance of survival.
Gwaine had stood behind them, staring at the beast, like they had few seconds of eye contact. Then when he noticed that the others were still, he took a spear from the wooden table beside the cages gate.
"What are you doing?".
Isadore whispered gesturing him to drop the spear. She saw him moving towards the beast, by its wings.
He shook his head like he had made up his mind to fight it head on.
"Hey, hey... I'm here". He screamed diverting the attention of the beast.
That small act made it furious. It was hungry, more thirsty than ever. With its gaze fixed on Gwaine, it chased him round the cage breathing out balls of fire.
"Tyra, what do you think you are doing?".
Isadore had noticed Tyra climbing the bamboo sticks that bounded the cage. She had climbed while Gwaine was distracting the beast.
Tyra ignored Isadore jumping on the beast. She landed on the Skornak's rigid back grasping one of its twisted horns. The beast roared, it's guttural sound split the air and trembled through the ground.
It reared up, it's large left wing stretching wide with a sharp snap. With one brutal sweep, it sent Rachel and Isadore flying across the cage like rag dolls. Dust and screams filled the air as the beast tried to shake Tyra off, it's rage was now fully awakened.
As Rachel and Isadore fell to the ground, they grunted in pain. Isadore still laying on the floor winced in pain coughing out blood. She shook Rachel with her foot as they layed opposite each other but she didn't budge.
Tyra, still on the Skornak's back struggled, she was almost losing her balance. She tried holding one of its horns when she fell to the ground. She rolled to the gates and fortunately grabbed unto one of the stakes. She tried standing up but did so with great difficulty.
She had sprained her ankle.
Tyra felt a sharp pain in her cheek, the liquid slipped through her teeth escaping through the corners of her mouth. It tasted like metal, slightly salty and light. She was bleeding from a bursted lip. But was soon distracted when she heard loud screams from the beast but it was not in her direction.
It was heading towards Isadore. Gwaine had tried waking Rachel as she laid unconscious on the floor. There was no where to run to as the beast had the whole space in its command.
Tyra stood still in confusion. She tried running but fell almost immediately because of the sharp pain in her foot. Her heart was pounding in fear, all she could see was the troubled and afraid looks of the trio before the beast. Her heart ached, she was armless, without any weapon. She felt useless.
She knelt down screaming at the skies till she heard muffled sounds. It seemed like time had paused. The flags stood still, the crowd went silent.
Her eyes burrned with fury. She felt power surging within her body, like it wanted to escape, to be set free. She felt like her body was burning, but there were no flames.
She screamed extending her arms towards the beast. Her veins popped out of her skin, traced like branches throughout her body. Her eyes turned white as a blue light emitted from her soul, light like the colour of the sky.
A spear from the wooden table travelled like a flash of light towards the beast, striking it. It's loud cry made the spectators cover their ears. It felt like a sound to make one bleed from their ears.
The Skornak fell to the ground immediately it was struck. The earth grumbled and dust filled the air.
Tyra knelt down panting, she was weak, she had used up her strength. She could only hear her quickened breath as she slowly fell to the ground. Her eyes gradually became weak as she could only see blurred images.
Then everything went blank...