As we were there sitting down hugging each other the audience were in tears. President Snow liking these two tributes. Expressing their sacrifices and gratitude. How the games were no different from their everyday lives at home not bringing up anything about a revolution but another way at looking at things in a different perspective. How the only thing that was real is death. No lies. No fancy words. Just true and ever looming.
While president snow was lost in his thoughts at the D12 tributes the rest of Panem were lost in tears. Giving a new out look on the type of way to embrace death and tell there loved ones about their adventures. The protective Prince. The big brother. Defender of the innocent. The Prince of Games. Titles and sweet words filled Panem with a new type of hope.
[D12]
This young boy has been raised well. "Look at our daughter. The first and last "Princess of the Mines." The mother said in tears.
"Look at how strong and courageous she's become thanks to that boy. He made our baby girl into a real princess." The father added with pride.
"He's killed so many and he hasn't been injured yet. They're conserving there energy. That's smart. Waiting to move at night and plan accordingly. Never thought the kid would be this smart." Says Mr. Everdeen.
"No one but the ones that work at night would be able to have energy like he does. They'll be slow to act especially in the sand." Says the girls father.
"All he has to do is silently take out the one on watch and kill the other silently as well and he'll win." Says another.
Everyone in the square look at the girls father not with pity but respect. She'll be the one to do it.
"She'll kill the guard and hunt the rest then they'll have to end things in the fight." Says the mother crying more and more.
The four parents hug each other crying and just being their for support. Then the rest of the people in D12 start to come in and hug ina big ass hug circle. Then they here the boys voice saying it was time to end things.
So they all break the hug and look at the screen. Together as one.
[Arena]
"It's time to end this little one are you ready?" I asked her breaking apart from the hug. She nods in agreement. Takes her bow and arrows. Equips them and we take off.
Back at the supply cache area there a small fire going one lookout and everyone asleep. I had her wait a bit because they were switching shifts and the guy looked extremely uncomfortable. The one who was released from watch just fell down asleep not that far away. From the fire he truly does look like he's out cold. The one on watch goes a bit closer to us trying to wake up. He inzios his pants starts peeing and I signaled for her to take the shot and she hits him dead in the throat as he falls to the ground.
The cannon goes off waking another as she goes around looking at what happened. Little one takes and loads another arrow and lets it loose and hits the girl in the back piercing her heart and drops dead.
Another blast goes off causing everyone to awaken. They come out battle ready as can be exposed in the open while she takes aim agin I told her to hold off and wait. They noticed the two dead bodies one gets closer to look around but we commoed our selves to the flatish sandy terrain as she has her bow and arrow ready to be pulled back and fly.
I had her practicing this type of shooting until she got used to it. Every arrow was saturated in snake venom. So even if they get the arrow out they'll die slowly from poison. This wasn't a normal fight. This was a battle of attrition. It was the only plan I could come up with at the time. Especially in this terrain.
As the girl gets back from checking the bodies she told them it was done by an archer and maybe only one. Because they were silent and no ambush. I told her to aim for the leader she was reporting to and not move after the arrow sent flying.
It hit the guy in the arm as he was turning but since it was at an angle he couldn't tell which direction it came from as he recoiled in pain.
He got a rating of an 11 and this was all he could mount up to while the princess was rated with a 4.
They found where she might have been gave me a knowing look and a smile. I smiled back as tears came down our faces she knew it was time.
They came running down. She steadily aimed her bow hitting one in the leg and the other girl in the chest. The last one tripped and fell and then an arrow hit him in the throat. A blast goes off.
I end up racing towards the leader in his blind side and threw the kunais and knives hit the guy all over. Killing him. Blast goes off the girl with the bow panicked and decided to shoot at me instead like an idiot I dropped to my stomach.
It would have missies anyway as it landed 10 feet away from me as I made my observation. I looked back at her noticing she was on her back with an arrow to her stomach crying in pain. I got to her and shove my blade through the to of the head.
We collected the tributes bodies cleaned them made some make shift crowns placed them on their heads ready to be picked up by the crew that takes them back home. I had them look like warriors in death. As clean as possible with there weapons in hand we had a small service for them.
As we were doing this. She asks me why. And I told her because we weren't enemies. We play these games so families can still live. So they can have a chance for a better future. For a better life.
We were never true enemies just kids playing war so others can live. So others can work hard and have families of their own.
Who knows maybe we could have all been friends. Or even had families together.
"Always remember that life just like death. Is a mystery. You'll only know when it's your time. Never early, only after." I said solemnly ok on more person and it all ends." Are you ready?" I asked saddened.
I turned to see her taken hostage bow just out of reach and an arrow in her hand. She just smiles through fallen tears.
"So if your here this close then you had to hear our conversation. But right now you're being a coward. And if you harm her I'd kill you in away that'll make the game makers kill me out of fear. So what is your choice." I asked in a bone chilling voice that dropped the temperature a few degrees in the hot desert.
He was stunned at my response. No panic no emotion. Just cold indifference. Eyes glowing so blue it could freeze death in its tracks. But he didn't respond. The little princes didn't hesitate and quickly stabbed him in the throat but before she got away he stabbed her in the back.
She falls forward into my embrace as the cannon blast goes of as I hold her in my arms. She smiles and said I was safe now I nodded. Her smiles brighten more. I hold her in my arms tell her she ok that it's all over. She tells me she just wants to be held to let it happen naturally. To just hold her.
That my hands are clean of her blood that we fought together. That I was protecting her this whole time that for once she wanted to protect me. And show our people that no matter what she wasn't a coward hiding behind someone strong.
"I'm strong too. Just like mommy and daddy. Tell them I love them. And that I can't wait to hear their stories and adventures." She says as she takes her last breaths in my arms. I promised her I'd have more adventures and stories to tell her when we meet again.
Then the canon goes off. I kissed her head. And started doing the same with her and her kill. I cleaned them. Made their crowns. And paid my respects. I kissed her head. I stood up and did the three finger salute as everyone did. And I became the "Crowned Prince." Guess it was because of how I made all my kills crowns and respected the dead tributes.
I had survived the games covered in blood. I end up being escorted out. Washed down dressed up in royal like attire. And sent to do my interview.
Cheers and applause.
"Here he is ladies and gentleman of Panem! The one, the only, the Crowned Prince of Games!" Cesar says excitedly. I walk in stoic like a true royal. Every step measured. Not too fast not too slow. Every move calculated.
"We meet again Cesar." I said with a gentle smile.
"Yes Orion. That we do now tell us how is it now that you come back to us safe. Without a scratch mind you?" He asks curiously.
I took a moment to gather my thoughts. And let out a chuckle. "I feel alive." I stated almost like I was defeated.
"Well you certainly are my young friend. Tell me what are your plans for the future? Are you going to go ahead with that scandalous move of marrying your adopted family's daughter.?" He asks anxiously waiting for them answer. Along with the crowd.
"Well to be honest Cesar. I might have to wait on that. Before coming here I ended up taking a nap and I had a nightmare. So I have to collect my mind and soul first." I said with a defeated smile. "How can a woman love a man that's not all there." I added tapping my temple with my index finger. Cesar nods in agreement and try's to lighten the mode and we did light hearted jokes. I took the time to thank Effie and the game makers for their hard work and preparations. Along with all the hard work of the organizers to put these things in place. It's not easy ever. No matter the situation." I said to the capital. I stand up looked directly at the cameras and addressed the people watching. "People of Panem. I'd like take a moment of silence for those that we love and had cherished. They fought with dignity, honor, and hope. So that you at home can live proudly and honorably. Please don't forget them or the hard work they placed into their own home. I will not apologize for surviving because that'll be an insult to them. But I will apologize for being unable to know them. And possibly befriend them. Please everyone rest with peace of mind, and love in your hearts because that's what we all want." I finished with tears in my eyes.
Everyone cheered and applauded as I left the stage calling me "The Prince of Games."
I stayed with Effie talking for awhile I asked her how she and haymitch got so many people to send me things. They totally took the credit told me not to worry and that they were happy I came out alive.
When I got home everyone cheered for me. I saw the parents and I knelt at their feet and told them I was sorry for not protecting her like I promised and they just embraced me in a tight hug. Telling me it was ok as we cried. That I made her "The Princess of the Mines."
The cameras catching our every move as they unveiled a corner of honor and their she stood with her princess dress and face with a smile as she is armed with a bow in hand and a quiver on her back giving a three fingered salute. With her monicker and kill count and arena type with dog tags with both our monickers on each one I had switched one of mine for hers and placed a set on her statue making sure I kept my Prince I asked the people to do a quick weld on the chain because I don't want bad weather to lift it off my partners neck.
The people agreed as I kissed the head of the statue and told her we made it home safe. She was a badass. I waved back at the cameras and thanked them for their hard work. And out of pure mental exhaustion I fell face first on to the ground. Everyone panicked but made way for Mr. Everdeen. To come and get me.
They took me to my new house. It wasn't extravagant but it was beautiful. I had momentarily woken up told them to move in with me. Then passed out again before they could respond...