Chapter 69
Sixty-nine
“It’s hard to believe the Gemini Games are almost finished. Have you all had fun? We have.” The citizens clap, hollering their approval. The entire ordeal makes me nauseous.
“Over the past four games, seven competitors have collected eight moonstone fragments. Only two remain to be collected to re-power our Gemini constellation, ensuring power and energy continue to flow to our surrounding planets. Our constellations ensure our survival; it is paramount that they maintain the required energy for sustainability. These Games, the moonstone shards, will ensure the Gemini star grouping will be strengthened for years to come! Let’s hear it for our competitors. ” He pauses as applause erupts.
“Now, a reminder of the current standings:
Zellie Toro: four
Leo Vance: three
Miles Zeno: one
“One of these humans will be granted a life-altering opportunity by becoming a Celestial champion. Following the end of today’s game, a constellation ceremony will take place, followed by the naming of the Celestial champion.
What a promising day we have ahead of us!
” The citizens eat Pluto’s words up, exploding into excitement.
The only consolation is knowing that there are people out there, like the Children of the Constellation, who believe in a different world.
A better world. A world of freedom, free of the Kosmos’ lies, and where one’s livelihood is not tied to preconceived notions of how worthy they may or may not be.
“Throughout the games, specific facets of the contestants have been tested thoroughly. For this last challenge, each competitor’s whole being will be tested in an unrelenting finale.
The rules are simple: persevere or perish.
Contestants will have five minutes to prepare with their sponsors before the final horn sounds.
May the stars guide you. The constellations are the only constant. ”
Nerves plague my system. “Riri, I’m not ready.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I have a bad feeling about this one.” I can’t lose anyone else.
“You’re scared; it’s okay. Do it anyway.”
“Not like I have much of a choice.”
“Your freedom is on the other side of this, Zi.”
“What if I don’t win? What if I can’t get the moonstone and Leo—” My mind spirals as Orion cuts me off.
“Stop it. Remember who you are. You are a fucking viper. One with the sweetest venom. One that holds the potential to ruin. And you will ruin them.” He holds my hands, squeezing.
“I will be there at the end, waiting for you.
I am with you every step of the way. Today will bring us one step closer to everything we are working towards.
To save the universe and change all the worlds.
If anyone has got this, it's you. Today, you will.”
“Today, I will win.” I nod, ingraining the words into my soul.
Orion nods his approval back to me. “Good girl. Today, we will win.” His words remind me of my meeting with the Children of the Constellation, of what is at stake. That moonstone fragment is mine.
As the sponsors leave the arena floor, the seven of us stand around in a semicircle, waiting. Nothing is happening. Why is nothing happening?
“Are we supposed to be doing something, or…?” Celeste calls out to us.
I shrug, looking around to see if there is a sign somewhere of what we should be doing.
There must be something we’re missing. The sands begin to shift and swirl, each of us retreating to the outer edges of the arena.
Instead of swirling down, the grains of sand twist into the air, the ground beneath us vanishing.
“What is happening?” Aria shrieks as she falls. One by one, each of us plummets.
I push myself firmly against the wall as I watch the ground disappearing upwards, quickly barreling in my direction. Trying not to focus on the swirling vortex, I observe what is unveiled beneath us. As the ground dissipates under my feet, I realize it’s a labyrinth.
Then I free-fall.