Last fifty

I made it to the hotel without incident, and back up to the room just as easily. Fighting Luke, and beating him so easily had put me in a good mood. I did my usual shifting routine, and turned on the hollo screen so I could watch the matches. I really didn't care about the matches, but there wasn't much to do in this little room. I tapped my claws on the floor.

Making my own tapping sound mini song. The matches for the day ended a few hours later. Savannah, and Ethan both came to my room afterwards. We chatted for a while about strategy, and such for the next few rounds. Just some friendly chatting.

I'd missed this kind of friendly chatting. We'd hardly did this kind of thing anymore. It was pretty bad that most of our conversations revolved around cause, and effect type things. Someone threatened me or found out my secret. Followed by us trying to figure out how to get out of the trouble.

The wolves seemed to like me because I'm an origin species. Goliath seems to be testing me. I'd gotten lucky with both of them. Savannah left when I started yawning around ten that night.

"So top fifty?" I gave Ethan a sideways glance.

"Yep," Ethan flopped down on the bed.

"Still want to win?" I dropped my head on the bed.

"Winner gets to fight a mage," Ethan smiled tensely, "And that mage is my brother this year. If I beat him then I'll..."

He trailed off.

"You don't actually know what you're going to do when you win," I snorted as I curled my body up, "You're funny."

"I just never thought of what I would do once I beat him," Ethan stared at the ceiling.

"What did he do to you?" I picked my head up.

Silence. Seemed like he still didn't want to talk about it. Images flashed through my mind. Beatings, being yelled at, insulted, and then there was an image of a friend. Someone Ethan had once thought of as a friend anyways.

He did something that made Ethan bury him so deep that I couldn't figure out what he even looked like. Let alone what happened with him that hurt Ethan so badly. I shook my wings out to relax them. Settling in to sleep. I woke to the sound of an alarm.

My alarm. I shut it off as I stood up. Stretching out slowly. Picking up my semi clean clothes, and giving them a sniff before switching forms. I put on the same clothes I'd been wearing yesterday, and left with the half awake Ethan.

We were both in the first round of fights today. I just hoped we weren't fighting each other. We sat next to each other in the prep room. I tried to get Ethan to chat with me, and relax, but he was too nervous about the fights to talk. They stared at us sitting so close together.

The idea of someone like me having a friend stunned them. The lights clicked off, and it was time to get started. I went out first when the door opened. Ethan was right on my heels. We split up after giving each other a fist bump, and headed to our arena's. Both of us were just glad we wouldn't be fighting each other.

Another unfamiliar face looked at me with an expression of nervous readiness. I didn't feel even the slightest inkling of danger so this guy probably couldn't kill me either. I left my left hand free, and stuck my right hand in my pocket. Ready to deflect any attacks he threw my way. The start sound went off, and the kid in front of me didn't come rushing at me.

He threw his hands forward with his palms out. A wave of wind hit me full force. It was enough force that I was almost thrown off my feet, and the treads of my boots squeaked slightly as I was forced backwards. I threw my weight forward, and slammed my fingers into the floor. Digging in for a good handhold.

My right hand came out of my pocket as I used my handholds to pull myself forward one armlength at a time. I had to slow down, and fix my beanie often as the wind threatened to whip it off my head. I kicked my shoes off, and let them slide out of the arena. Digging my toes in, and getting myself a good foothold. I used my foothold to launch myself the last few feet between us.

Grabbing his ankle, and yanking him off his feet. The wind stopped as soon as he lost his footing. I grabbed his other ankle, and tossed him out of the arena. Securing my victory as I went to fix my beanie only to realize it was gone. I looked towards the direction the wind had been blowing.

My beanie had been thrown out of the arena with my shoes. The arena lowered now that I'd won. I went to retrieve my beanie, and shoes. Ever so thankful for my blank expression. A bad dye job was a good reason to wear a beanie in the first place.

I doubted anyone would say anything about my hair. I just figured it would be better if no one saw it. I pulled my shoes on, and glanced back at my opponent. He seemed relieved that I hadn't done more than just tossing him out of the arena. I looked at the beanie in my hand.

I didn't feel like wearing it anymore so I just wadded it up in my hand. Heading for the way out. I wasn't the first one done today so I had to wait my turn to get out of there. It didn't take long. My body tensed as I thought about my hair.

The stronger opponents might give me some trouble about it, but nobody weaker then me would say a damn thing. I left the arena. Waiting just outside for Ethan. I glanced up at the woman with a camera as she approached me.