The Shifters: Katrina

I was sweating, the cloth stuck to my face. My hair was in a ragged ponytail, my hands aching. The bandages couldn't prevent the breaking of the skin on my knuckles, and they'd gotten bloody.

It was the night before the duels. Today, i'd manage to sneak the name Sarah Ross into an element fight in my age category, and I found a lone black face mask in one of the few clothing stores in Iluita. I'd spent most of the rest of my day in the main gym, hitting a training dummy repeatedly. It was a stronger one meant for shifters in animal form, and was a good practice toy. Shifters from other compounds were already arriving in Iluita, setting up tents and small huts around the entrances to the town. Highly ranking shifters from other compounds stayed in Coraline's building or the other two around it, in more luxury. Many of them looked bulky and powerful, but I refused to feel afraid of them.

After another combination of jabs and kicks, I felt my muscles twinge with exhaustion. I slowed, pulling the damp mask off my face and hiding it in my pocket. No one else was around as I left the gym, heading to the dormitory with the fountain in front. The water was cool on my face as I splashed my entire front with it.

I stared at the stirring water, the fountain on a continuous loop of spewing.

I could get hurt tomorrow.

The thought wasn't new to me. I'd been thinking nearly the same thing the entire day.

I could hurt someone tomorrow.

I pursed my lips, pushing myself away from the fountain. Forgetting all of my doubt, I stormed into the dorms, holding my head high. People recognized me as the girl who pounded Heather into the ground, stepping out of my way as I began my climb of the stairs. My legs burned even more by the time I got to my room, but my mood brightened. Someone, probably Molly, had left a takeout box on my dresser. After showering and getting into sweats, I took my takeout to my desk, finding a sticky note on top.

Eat well, Sarah. You've got a big day tomorrow.

-Gene

The surprise from my friend brought a wide smile to my face, and I dropped the note into a drawer to keep. Wolfing down my food, I felt myself satisfied and fell into bed.

My eyes closed almost instantly, and I dreamt of victory that night.

I wasn't nervous, but bouncing with excitement. In the morning, I slipped into the standard jumpsuit for shapeshifters, the one that melded to any form, and tied back my hair. I put on gloves to cover my apprentice bands and slipped my mask into place. I looked completely average as I slipped on plain boots and grabbed my sign up sheet that was under the name Sarah Ross. It was surprisingly easy to get in considering I had messed with the schedules myself.

My blood ran hot as I left the building, earlier than anyone else. I handed in my sheets before anyone could get to the fields, the organisers just barely taking their seats. It took five minutes, and then it was all set in stone.

"Alright Ms. Ross. You'll be fighting a fire shifter from a foreign compound named Rowan."

I nodded, saying nothing as I turned to the stands. I sat in the back, watching people fill them up as time went by. Soon, matches began. Today was all elementals battles, but the first few were extremely low tier. I wasn't on the edge of my seat until Gene sauntered into the ring, red band on his arm for all to see. Red paint was smeared onto his cheeks, and he wore leather gloves with regular shifter clothes. His opponent was a short boy with a white band, his eyes fixated on Gene. Their names were announced, and apprently the air shifter was called Fergus.

Fergus was ruthless. He threw Gene up into the air, keeping him suspended and throwing him around. His advantage disappeared quickly, though, as Gene exploded with fire. He'd been training hard, and Fergus' control disappeared as he scrambled to get away from the blast. Gene threw fireball after fireball, scorching the ground around Fergus and the boy himself. The air shifter went on the defense, taking away the oxygen that the fire fed off of. He then started sending strong winds Gene's way, making it harder for him to shot fire at him. My friend seemed to pause, eyeing his opponent before exhaling.

"You've got this..," I murmured, watching the cogs in Gene's head whirl. The entire crowd was routing for Fergus.

That was, until Gene's eyes glowed red and Fergus' shirt was set on fire. The other shifter screamed, out of fear, not pain. The match was called as Fergus fell to the ground, unable to put out the flames that were beginning to burn him. Once Gene was declared winner, the flames were gone.

Thrilled, Gene joined many others in the stands. He spotted me amongst the crowd and shot me a thumbs up.

I grinned back, turning to watch the matches. They seemed to go by quicker until mine was next and I had to get ready. I stood at the edge, eyes on my covered face. I was the only one without an arm band or any bands since mine was hidden, and the only one with a covered face.

Finally, the prior match was finished, and I stepped into the ring.

I didn't know what kind of opponent I was expecting, but it wasn't what I got.

A tall, muscled boy with brown hair and almost-orange eyes stepped into the ring. His tan was darker than mine, red bands that marked him as an apprentice around his wrists. He looked ready for a deadly fight.

But so was I.

"Sarah Ross against Rowan Embers!" The announcer's shrill voice said. That was the signal to begin, but neither of us moved. Rowan knew my element because the people at the desks would've told him, but everyone else held their breath, unsure of who or what I was.

I thought all was well until there was heat behind me. Rowan had been building up a fire behind my back, but it was gone almost instantly. My instincts had taken control, blue glow appearing around my gloved hands as I doused the fire. Filled with adrenaline, I rushed forward, charging at Rowan. He readied himself, a fireball appearing in his hands.

As I hit him, I froze the water around me to create a circular shield. The ice clashed with his fire, cancelling out both our elements as I dropped my shoulder and rammed into his torso. He began to fall, but I wasn't prepared for his next move. His hand wrapped around my arm and brought me tumbling with him, his touch burning. I shot water into his eyes as we fell, making him close them as my mind went perfectly clear. I poured energy into my power, keeping a heavy stream aimed for his face as I used my other hand and formed a fist. My punch landed on his throat, causing him to couch and choke on the water as he gasped for air. I rolled off him, nearly escaping when he grabbed my ankle. He pinned me face down in the dirt, his hands burning me as one pushed on my back and the other tried to ground my face into the dirt.

Rage built up and blue glow exploded up my arms. The water instantly cooled my skin and pitched him off, both of us dirty and aching as we bounced away from each other.

That was when the crowd began to chant our names.