The Terror

The terror that I felt yesterday started to build up again when heard my sister’s name. I would be lying if I will deny that. I felt uneasy in my position. Despite that I am in a crowd and Andrea will be having a duel with other person, I am afraid that it will only take a few seconds for her to cut my throat.

“Another archery versus dagger, huh?” I heard a woman, probably in her middle twenty’s, talking with someone.

I shifted my seat, uneasy with these situations around me.

A man, whom she was talking to, laughed and replied, “That girl…is a Vertina.”

I suddenly felt the nervousness and chill clinging around my body. I looked at them and found that he was referring to Andrea. I felt relieved, I am probably not easy to distinguish because of my cloak. Even if I my face is not covered, I doubt that this face of mine will be remembered as a part of our family.

“A Vertina did lose in a duel with another dagger,” the woman replied.

I bit my lip. Our family’s name is shaded because of my weak body. This would hurt my parents if they will hear gossips circling in this pack.

“That was a weak one. This woman is different.” He laughed.

I could say that his word stings. I was always compared with my sister, with her being the treasure and me being a trash. Such words are nothing new but I can help but to feel ashamed with myself for being this worthless. I could have been born in some not-so-prestige family.

I looked at my sister, she is standing in the middle of the stadium with a bow and arrow in her hands. She is smiling devilishly but not as frightening as it was yesterday when she was pointing her nails at my throat. She is wearing fitted black jeans and a leathered sleeves exposing her curves and matured body. She is also with her combat shoes, completely ready for the duel.

Her bow, of course, is exceptional. It originates from our ancestors as it was passed from generation to generation on the most qualified archer, the one that represents the sharpshooters. It is made divinium, an extremely rare metal. Her bow is also made of the rarest gems that was found by our ancestors during their reign. It is also believed to have a magical power brought by the various magical chants performed before.

My father used to have that bow. In their generation, he was the most exceptional and powerful archer that made him respected by anyone belonging in our families and even those from another family. He had contributed so much in the history of our family. And now, the legacy of our family, is handed to my sister who is believed to left various milestone in our generation.

My very own bow was made by my father, he made it for me. It can be distinguished with my initials embarked in it. It was not made of divinium, though. Despite its difference with the bow of Andrea, I am contented with my bow. With the thought that my father has made it for me, I can’t help but to feel loved. As I said, I do not care about the power and prestige, I only want to be appreciated by someone who is dear to me.

I looked at Andrea’s opponent, she is wearing a trouser, jacket, hooded cowl, and light sandals. A typical clothes of the members of the family of daggers. Looking at her, she is much stronger as compared to the one that I fought. After all, the matchings for this duel are based on the strength of an individual. Stronger wolves face stronger opponents. Or else, the probability of killing the weak ones will increase.

Andrea’s opponent attacked quickly, her movement is almost not visible for anyone who does not have sharp senses. Her opponent closed the gap between them and threw some daggers, the speed is exceptional. She might be one of the top members of her family. Andrea was able to dodge those attacks from her opponent.

However, because the opponent is closing the distance between them, Andrea cannot hold her bow and arrow properly to aim for her opponent. It is one of the weakness of archers like us, it would be difficult if the opponent or prey is too close. Since archery is a long range sports, the archer should maintain long distance from its opponents.

With this specific reason, archers were taught to know how to fight closed up combat. Our physical abilities are trained to be able to fight in a short distance duel. Physical abilities are honed to avoid any weakness during a fight. It is the reason why our family have survived several generations and still reign in the pack.

Sadly, it was not applicable for me. I have a weak body and I cannot handle long hours of trainings. Improvements were not also visible after several of trainings. My body cannot keep up with my mind. My physical abilities are similar to the abilities of a normal human. My speed, stamina, and strength are not good enough for combat. As an archer, I can aim and shoot for the target but it is not as precise and accurate as compared to my sister’s.

Andrea attacked her opponent using those sharp nails of hers. It was sharp enough to left a deep wound in her opponent’s left cheek. Blood is dripping from her face excessively. She took a step back away from Andrea after that attack.

I could see how painful that attack is. I unconsciously touched the area in my throat where Andrea pointed her nails. I gulped with the realization that her nail was that sharp and dangerous. Looking at her opponent, who is holding her wounds to stop the bleeding, made me terrified of the things that my sister is capable.