The Sundering

Chapter Three

(Leena’s PoV)

I can hear the loud cheering of the Dulas from here at the Alien House. They’re shouting “Mate! Mate! Mate!” over and over.

Today is the Khantra Games and all Dulas giants are at the Khantra field to watch, while I’m still here in my little house preparing myself. I sighed as I look into the mirror, fixing my leaf hairclip after braiding my long black hair.

“Hey, I didn’t know elves wear pants.” I glance at Istire’s reflection in the mirror as she appears behind me. “Pants are actually the female elves’ warrior clothes. I have to make one for myself since I never able to bring some clothes when I was brought here,” I said and smile, “this is actually supposed to be green but since we’re this place, the fabric is gray.”

"But there's no war, so why wear that?"

I chuckled. "Well, you're right. There's no war. But humor me, please? I just need to wear this to lessen my fear."

Istire stopped beside me and look at me through the mirror, “You look beautiful, Leena. Probably the most beautiful elf I have ever seen.” I chuckled by her comment and glance at her beside me, “Have you even met an elf before?” She then grins and said, “Nope. You’re the first one.”

Just then, a loud knock came at my door and a female Dulas guard burst in. “Hey, Elf! Time to go!” I take one more glance of my reflection in the mirror before standing up and walk to the door.

“Leena, you forgot your bow!”

“I don’t need that, Istire, all I have to do is run. Besides, killing or hurting someone in the arena is strictly forbidden, you should know that by now.” I said and left.

~~~

Bright lights blinded me the moment I stepped in the arena. The massive scale of the gaming field steals my breath as I gasp. The field stretched so wide it seems to curve along the planet itself; the ground made of different metals. The landscape is terrifyingly beautiful, dangerous and magnificent. “It’s massive…” I turn to my side and heard Reef mumbles who’s also participating in the game.

Thousands of Dulas have gathered in the arena to watch the annual game. Their voices boom across the expanse, chanting and cheering words that vibrates in the very ground I stand on. This Khantra game is not a normal game; it is a sacred rite of mating for Dulas with a twist of entertainment. For Dulakhan giants, the way they choose their mates in a form of a wild chase, is the very spectacle of the event.

And somehow, by the twist of fate…I’m one of the entertainers in this messed up game.

I walk toward the starting zone for the Aliens, with Reef beside me, and a few friends here and there. There’s almost a hundred of us Aliens participating in the game, so there’s an equivalent of a hundred giant Dulas chasing us within a few minutes. Everywhere I look, eyes follow me—curious, amused, intrigued, doubtful, entertained. I kept my guard up and take it all in, trying to memorize and observe the entire path where I’m supposed to run.

I turn around to glance at the giants standing beside us before the announcer declared the 10-seconds timer before the chase starts. I glance at Reef and whispered, “Run as fast as you can. It’s now or never, Reef.”

“Worry about yourself, Leena. You’re the girl.” I managed to smile at Reef’s comment before nodding and took a deep breath. Then the countdown started.

10…

9…

8…

“Hide if you get tired, Reef. You know your agility isn’t fast enough here on land than in the water.” I whispered to Reef and he just gave me a thumbs up.

7…

6…

5…

‘The countdown’s killing me! Please be faster, I really want to run away now…’

4…

3…

‘This is it…’

2…

1…

*Airhorn sound*

***

(His PoV)

I stepped into the stadium along with my cousin, Ronan. She’s meeting her mate too, like me. “I sense that someone’s excited today..” I glance at my cousin and smirked. I know she’s talking about me, and well, I can’t really blame her because I’ve waited for this moment my entire life.

“Shut up.” I simply muttered before walking towards the starting line of the Dulas chasers. While waiting for the countdown, I stretched a little while my eyes scan the line of the Aliens a few feet ahead of us. The game was built that way, so when the game starts, Aliens can run ahead of us. Ronan was also stretching beside me so I continue watching the Aliens. Then…

…I saw her.

The only elf in the runners’ line standing out in the crowd… ‘or is it just me noticing her?’ I saw her roaming her eyes around with curiosity and amusement. She’s so small, not too small but still small. She’s probably the height of my waist. Staring at her like this urges me more to chase her. To wrap my arms around her waist and carry her out of here as soon as possible. Wearing that green pants and top made of forest leaves, her hair in a single braid with a green leaf as hairclip in her hair. ‘She’s beautiful.’ I thought in my mind.

“Did you just smile?” My face quickly went blank when Ronan asked me.

“No, I’m not. It’s just your imagination.” Dang it…

‘Did I really smile? I never smile.’

The elders told me that my thravesk will know who my mate is first before I do. Now that my heart is beating so fast, I am more certain it’s her. My eyes went back to the little elf girl and watch her fondly, while my heart starts beating fast the longer I stare at her. She then talks to her blue friend as the countdown starts.

She’s exquisite. She’s perfect. She’s beautiful.

I've waited years for this rite...

…and now I've found her.