Metias stared at the golden sundial, glinting so brightly that he winced, closing his eyes slightly and moving his tanned hand to cover his eyes. Groaning quietly, he moved his hands behind his back, stretching. A small cup flew from nowhere, Metias jumping out of the way swiftly.                                                                                        "Boo," An onlooker shouted, waving his hands, causing two gruffly guards to approach him, dragging him away.                                                                                                                                                                                                  I was surprised when no more followed. My older brother, Sven, had warned me that there would be at least one Ash-hater. Ash-haters were people who hated Ashes, the lower group, which was Sven and I. My sister, Caira, had been fatally injured by a mass mob of them. A few days later, she died of her injuries, because Sven had only enough money to buy food and rent, not medicine. At that time, when Caira died, Sven had been 18 and I 12. Our mother and father, Wren and Atlas, had died in their workshop. All that was left of their remains when the fire was put out was our father's old knife, and their mother's ruby ring. The ring had been snatched up by the debtors, but the knife had been worthless, so it was mercifully given to me. Three years later, even after I started working, Sven and I still have 10 000 tervions* to pay. My brother let me bring the blade to my first Trial. He gave me a run-through before, giving me some tips. The Trials are a series of five tests that anyone who is 15 has to go through. The only reason I try to go to the next round is because every round you pass, you receive 1000 tervions. If you are victorious, you win 200 000 tervions, along with a house on Glasgow Avenue. If I win all of them, including the first prize for the last Trial, Sven and I would be out of debt! The sundial turns. The Trial has started. I jog slowly, approaching the 16th door, which is the one I was assigned to. I find a sword, bread, a horn of water, a map, and a bow and arrow. Strapping on the quiver to my back and slinging the bow over my shoulder, I prepare to win the Trial. My strong suit is archery, but Sven insisted that he teach me to wield the sword. I already know who will target me. The Iron Fist. They are a group of the most influential people's children, making them all snobby. Their leader is Varian Hipanus, the son of Chancellor Lark. He had a grudge against me ever since I beat him in a one on one battle. Around a sundial turn later, I encounter him. In the Trial by Fire, killing is allowed. I know Varian will not hesitate to end me.                                                                                                                                                   He charges  at me, revealing his moves. I attempt to inflict minor injuries, one that a Kenarm* can heal. Because there are half a dozen of them, he manages to scratch my stomach, leaving a tear in my clothes. Though most noble children resist the training their parents give them, the Iron Fist's members in particular rebelled. The battle ends swiftly, Varian left gasping on the ground and his goons not left much better. I walk away, taking their weapons and armour. Later, when I have set up camp to rest, I bandage my stomach. All participants were supposed to be given armour, but somebody probably bribed those who prepared the Trial. Luckily, Varian had good armour, made out of valden, a tough material. I throw away his sword, preferring my own blade that I forged. Everyone's sword is different, made of different substances. Mine is a combination of hardened obsidian, noval, and then sprinkled with ground up diamond. Before I rest, I check the scroll that has been provided. Of the 36 that arrived, only 30 remain. There are four which have a yellow dot, signaling that they have been taken down. I smirk. I would bet six tervions* that those four were Varian and his accomplices. Because there are so many people, there are usually around a dozen Trials, and the remaining 24 will battle until there are only 12, then 6, then only 3, then 2, then 1. I plan on becoming the victor. The sun is going down now, it will be too dangerous to hunt down contestants. The looming darkness greets me like an old friend, as if opening its arms and pulling me into the pitch black night. Night has come. 

 *One tervion amounts to around seven Canadian dollars. A Kenram is a healer, the houses of Lemont, Vanserra, Azentine, Aquila, and Terra are most well known because of the amount of Kenram’s it has birthed.