Ava
“Let the first trial begin.”
The village square had been converted overnight into a makeshift arena, with barriers all around the center area and crowds gathered in all corners. The large metal braziers had been lit at all four corners, and lines had been painted in the dirt in preparation for today’s trials.
I sank back in my seat beside Chris, unable to tear my eyes away as the two teams lined up on opposite ends.
At a nod from Chris, a shrill whistle pierced the air, signaling the start of the first trial. The cluster of muscled, shirtless contestants surged forward, two teams fighting for one thing: a round leather ball.
The game, which we called Moonball here, was very similar to the human game of rugby; it was a chaotic game in which the goal was to touch the
