Challenger

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Here is Chapter 1 for the beginning of the story

Chosen as the challenger was rushing through Persephone’s mind as she rode in the car to Golgotha. The bumpy roads only made her stomach worse. Even hearing her parents' stories of their time at their challenges, the first challenges that were not fatal, yet even all the cooperation was not enough for Adrian Minosoke. His rule started the current games. The fatality aspect and the choice of one challenger to face ten deadly challenges over the coming years. The last Oleander had fallen to their death, and the challenges became deadly since then. Persephone sat in the car, looking at the guard, knowing each was ready to meet the Challenger Series quota. This trial was the real challenge, with many saying the Games were controled, especially Oedius. This year’s hope was Persephone not even one of the unassessed climbers from the territory. It was no longer about exploring the old courthouse; now it was a televised event of epic proportions. Persephone sat back, wondering about the horrors she would soon see in the Challenger Center. Her father and mother had been here before, but before the Challenger Series began. Persephone attempted to distract herself from all the work she had left unfinished in her father’s shop, leaving it to Oedious. Everything had gone wrong, and now, as a legacy, she was thrust into the spotlight. Only the love of her family occupied her thoughts as she was preparing to fight for their freedom and her territory. As the trip dragged on, Persephone’s brown eyes closed as she rested before the biggest challenge of her life.

The towers of smoke ran out of the towers. The machines of Golgotha were much larger than expected. Each factory was only a giant compared to any Alagacian buildings. The roads were smooth and filled with so many vehicles. Persephone could only look out the window, waking up to the metropolis as the lights poured brighter than the stars, as bright as the day. The buildings were taller than the low sky, and the smoke filled the city. It was a location of power that sucked everything from the many territories, as did the power of its citizens. Persephone could only feel so small as she could not decide for herself. This place was full of jobs and funding, exactly what was desperate for in Alagacia, especially for her family. The old Golgothic Engines were ancient history, but the newer, simpler engines could be seen in the fancier cars, losing one of their greatest contribution. Persephone observere the lights in the buildings for miles, but she was not even in the capital city yet. Skullina was impressive from afar, but also the scariest place to face deadly challenges. The Golgothic Challenger Center was huge, but it will always be an Alagacian building, designed in friendlier times. It proved a sight, though, and the chance of dying or becoming a slave was not really welcome in her mind. This place was not her home, and surviving at least seven of the challenges along the way would be the goal. The place only described by others who have returned could not express the view. The words could not fully express the place itself. As the train station came into view, it was almost time. Hope was low, as the Challenger Center was in last place for so many.

The car stopped at the station, where soldiers stood guard at every exit. Someone had tried to escape at times. Persephone kept her feelings in check as she saw the other challengers, all dressed in plain clothes. Challengers was watched closely as they were lead to their train car not to allow for escape. The competitors glanced at each other; the ones who looked confident were often the first to die. Persephone stepped into an elegant train car, filled with furnishings she had never seen before. The burgundy seats and a table with water and what looked like juice made her feel a bit better. She learned she was a day away by train instead of making a big entrance. The room was comfortable, and she noticed a small, finely crafted box on the side table. Inside, she found an oleander-flower pin, her family’s crest, which was her father’s. There was also a note in her mother’s handwriting, which brought her comfort. Persephone sat down and began to read it.

Our dearest Persephone,

I know you are scared and alone right now. The challenges are difficult but not impossible if you think them through. Your father and I both did them when they were less dangerous and wish we were with you now. I know we have taught you the skills you need to get through them. Even Oedious has said that if you can think through them, you can survive them. We all have faith in you that your strength can get you through the challenges alive. The key is simply to keep your head down and avoid provoking the challenge’s conservers’ anger. We all believe that you can exceed, but it is okay if you just come home with seven challenges finished with no shame. Freeing our territory is not important, but your survival is the top priority for you to come home. We love you and will keep our prayers for your success in these unfortunate circumstances. Everyone is cheering for you, and we love you that much. Here is our crest to wear proudly, especially for your uncle Gorghan.

Your father and mother

Gargus and Olivia Oleander

Persephone pinned the flower to her dress and put the note in her pocket. She had to get up to stop herself from crying; her parents had faith in her. She had never been away from them and was never in the challenges. She walked around the room, looking for the bathroom to wipe her eyes. She knew she was not the strongest in her land, and yet she was chosen for any reason Adrian Minosoke could have. All she could do was weep, trying to be as strong as Oedious , the most decorated challenger. As Persephone looked for a door and found a small bedroom with a single bed and a stand holding a new dress and nightclothes, neatly folded. The dress was nicer than one an Alagacian would wear, decorated with more frills and a prettier flower pattern than she had ever seen . When she sat on the bed with clean sheets and noticed another door, she opened it, discovering a small, efficient bathroom with a toilet and a shower in the corner. Staring at herself in the mirror, she saw running makeup, a look that matched her desperation. Her uncle was already dead from these trials and suspected it of murder; now, such a fate could be hers. She took a towel, wiped her face, and looked more in control. She then returned to the living area to calm down before dinner. Silence was only possible if she could survive on her own.

There was a bump as the challengers climbed into their cars. The train began moving toward the station near the challenger’s center. The smooth ride was calming. Golgothic books and magazines were everywhere, and the clothes and lifestyle here showed real luxury. The neighborhoods outside were all paved, with happy families living in houses nicer than any Persephone had seen. Hours went by, and then there was a knock. Persephone opened the door to the best-smelling meal she had ever encountered. The food was hot, with tender meat and mashed potatoes. Persephone could smell the meal filling the train car as the attendant entered.

“Roast beef, mashed potatoes, caramelized carrots, and chocolate mousse are your dinner,” the attendant announced.

The attendant brought the cart in and set the food on the table, making Persephone even hungrier. She drank the lemonade, which was so fresh it surprised her. The attendant left for the next car, and Persephone smiled with the best meal she had ever tasted. She quickly ate the hot meat, then finished the rest. Every bite melted in her mouth. She ate the dessert just as fast. The warm feeling in her stomach was better than even her mother’s meals, which she usually only got before her brothers finished the rest. As the lights faded, Persephone read the books provided. They told of the terror in the territories and how the free nations affected Golgotha. Persephone thought of old stories about Alagacia’s former greatness, before Golgothic revenge under Adrian Minosoke’s rule.

After setting the propaganda aside, Persephone heard another knock at the door. The attendant came back for the dirty dishes, apologized for the interruption, and moved on to the next car. The quiet and the train’s gentle movement soon put Persephone to sleep on the bench, and she didn’t wake until much later. She got ready for bed and used the mattress this time. The hot shower felt wonderful on her skin. The pajamas were comfortable, even though they had the Golgotha crest. Sleep came easily as the train’s steady motion relaxed her. Persephone set her alarm early, hoping to have some time to relax before arrival, and she looked forward to breakfast. The room grew dark, and her journey had only just begun.

A loud alarm cut short Persephone’s restful sleep. The stress was not over; she now had to face her fate in the challenges. She would either survive or die in the contest. Getting up early felt good, and she enjoyed watching the changing light outside the window as she thought about what was next. Persephone found a fresh towel and some makeup in the drawer and decided to use them. She did her best to look nice, trying to hide her fear. The dress looked just as beautiful as when she first saw it, and it fit her perfectly. Its shape suited her, and the design glowed. Looking in the mirror, she saw a version of herself she had never seen before.

Suddently the attendent knocked at the door, and she hoped it was someone bringing breakfast. It was the same attendant, smiling, pushing a full cart this time.

“Eggs, bacon, and toast for a good morning start with orange juice,” the attendant stated.

He then placed her meal on the table to rush off to the next car. Persephone smiled at the best-smelling breakfast, as the eggs were delicious. She had eaten them quickly and drank her orange juice in the morning. The bacon was crunchy with less grease, and the toast hit the right spot. Her stomach was full, but the fear of the many challenges had begun. The rolling stone could crush her as the oven could bake and crush her alive. While the engine was not as feared as she knew how it worked, she would take the maze despite Oedious’s warnings of noises. The spider’s web, with the wrong pull and pit if one cannot climb fast enough, had their difficulties no more than the wrecking balls spiking her. Still, the tank is, she could bust it, which would end that terrible challenge once and for all. Even crossing the wire with not enough material meant meeting her uncle's end. Persephone could keep the advice to keep her head down without too much trouble, but that was the family business. Her mind could imagine surviving all ten challenges, but passing only seven. The stress felt tangible as the moment of arrival approached. With her competencies were never assessed, the authorities could not easily plan her downfall, which was a relief to her. She sat in her room, waiting, reading their propaganda about their power over and over. As the hours went on, there was no ease in distraction. All that Persephone had known in the challenges was now to become a reality, and like crossing the wire, it would require thinking.

The train slowed to a stop. Persephone put down her reading and drank some water, then some lemonade, to calm her nerves. She was about to arrive, representing her territory and hoping to free it from its captors. Breathing a deep breath and pretending to be brave, she headed toward the door as it opened. She smiled to hide her nerves while journalists shouted questions she had no time to answer. The guards quickly rushed each challenger into the center. She heard the reports announcing that legacy Challenger Persephone Oleander was leaving the train to prepare for the ten challenges ahead.

It was more than five hundred feet, but Persephone walked faster as the reporters moved on to the next challenger. The center looked familiar—it was just like the old courthouse, only bigger with the same kind of structure. The large beams appeared both familiar and strange in this new place. With a guard by her side, being led straight to an elevator. Another challenger, dressed in a nice suit, got the same instructions and stared straight ahead. This event was the Persephone's moment that would decide the fate of many territories. The guard watched her closely to make sure she reached the right room. Nothing was left to chance, and there was no time to escape. The fear was real, but Persephone kept her composure as the silence in the elevator filled the moment. This moment was the calm before the storm, before meeting the other challengers. Only she knew that the last Challenger Oleander was her uncle, who had sent in a body bag. The elevator ride seemed endless as her mind raced through everything that could go wrong if the conservers deemed it necessary. The guards stood stiffly, not moving even when the elevator stopped. Persephone took deep breaths as the doors led to a hallway that appeared to extend on forever. She walked carefully toward a room with a thick metal door. It looked like the doors in the challenges, but this one had her name and a legacy mark. The guard opened the door, and Persephone took one last breath before entering the next stage of the deadly series. As she entered, the guard kept his blank grin and closed the door behind her. Persephone dropped to her knees, wanting to break down but unable to do so in front of the cameras. She stayed on the floor, trying to gather strength for her family and her country. She remembered her mother’s loving words and slowly got to her feet. The fear remained still there, but even Oedious had believed in her, though he would have teased her if she were back climbing in the old courthouse. She wished she could be there now, safe with her family, and was already tired of the quietness. She had always wanted to leave, but now she missed her family more than ever.