I rock in my seat anxiously, awaiting my turn in the Queenstrial, a competition where every High house sends in their eldest daughters to fight for the hand of either of the Princes. But I know better: It's a battle for Strength and Power, the same quote we said just a day ago, when a brutal Red terrorist group, proud enough to name themselves the 'Scarlet Guard', attacked West Archeon.
My name is called by the ring master and I step into the Arena. He is a silence from the House of Arven (signified by the white stripes marked on his clothes), ensuring that none of the girls starts attacking each other for a chance on the throne. I feel my shoe crunch against the white sand under my feet as I walk to the centre of the Arena. I feel the weight of everyone's stares and I hear my family's roar behind me. I look up to the Royal observatory to see Prince Maven sitting on his father's right while Cal sits on his left.
I had met Cal the other day and was enchanted by his kindness when I saw him generously give money to the Lower Houses, the Houses that could not compete with the stronger houses and was thus deemed insignificant to our society. How I would love to win his hand in marriage. Then, the sudden fear of embarrassing myself in front of the Royal Family kicks me in the gut and I silently wince at the thought.
"Mare, House of Barrows."
The crowd hushes at the sound of my father's voice. He is the General of the Iron Legion, a veteran that has earned respect from all silvers by leading his troops to victory against invading Lakelanders without losing a single soldier. His title has put a heavy weight on my shoulders, pressuring me and my siblings to do the same, not that any of us could do the same.
"Electro."
I feel the lightning rush to my fingertips and I call upon a lightning storm from the clear dark sky. The clouds thunder and lightning flashes above, sending the crowds into awe.
My family has been known to have the most abilities: I am an Electro, a human battery. My elder brother Shade is a Jumper, with the ability to teleport at will. Gisa is a Bender of Time, allowing her to slow down or speed up time. She probably already went to the future to skip the previous trials to watch mine. Bree is a Constructor that allows him to create any object that he desires and Tramy is a Spacer, allowing him to manipulate the gravity around him while Father is a Whisper and Mom is a Shadow. We are well known amongst the silvers for our diversity and range of abilities, powers that no one has seen before.
Looking into the heavens, I point at the ground a few feet away from me and lightning strikes down obediently, letting it leave a burnt patch of sand on the ground. The crowds clap, impressed by my ability that demonstrates Strength and Power. But I'm not finished. I was just warming up, letting the crowd and the Royal Family see a glimpse of my power. With the electricity in my hands, I strike my lightning at a nearby tree, letting the people watch as it appears in a bundle of ashes within seconds. I smile at my deed. That felt good. Then, I suck all the electricity out from all the electronics in the Arena, sending the whole crowd into darkness as the lights flicker off. And without any hesitation, I release all of the power into the sky, creating a beautiful light show in the clouds above. The Arena remains silent and only after I bow do they applause.
"That is enough for today." The King's voice booms across the Arena. Everyone is thrown into confusion: Did the King call off the rest of the Queenstrial? "We have all made a unanimous decision, and we shall deliver the news tomorrow morning. Thank you." We all obey, all quickly exit the Arena. As my family and I leave, I can't help but grin to myself. 󠄀