"Winning isn't everything - but wanting to win is"

- Vince Lombardi

That night, the families of four more tributes wept as the faces of their children flicked in the sky. If their loved one had still been alive, Trintie had quickly disposed of them - only one person would exit that arena.

Vera Brick (as written by RedTears)

Kodiak Polonicum (as written by ElfOfResilience)

Abigail Hadaway (as written by -Raven-)

Abel Bartlett (as written by MagmaKepner)

If their loved one had still been alive, Trintie had quickly disposed of them - only one person would exit that arena.  

The tributes that remained were barely a shadow of their former self, a hollow shell mostly void of all emotion. Slowly, they were crumbling and falling apart. Their loved ones could no longer see the person they missed; the tributes left behind were not the same as when they had left their home.

Neptune Naiad, accompanied by his loved one, Calder.

Kiefer Elwood, accompanied by his bird after choosing to kill his eldest brother.

Aerion Caenis, accompanied by his loved one, Verity.

Lilith-Aline Ricci, accompanied by her bird, after choosing to kill the woman who rejected her work.

For many of the four remaining tributes, their decision the day before had taken away their last shred of secrecy, or humanity, or sanity, or all three. They still had one final fight.

***

The Task - This is the final day within the arena. The tributes, of course, know that only one of them will live to see their home and their family after the torture within the labyrinth. Under the instructions of Trinitie, they all make their way for the Cornucopia. Today, there will be death.

Except, if you remember from last task, the tributes had to make a choice.

IF YOU ARE ACCOMPANIED BY A LOVED ONE, then I am afraid your loved one must die. Trintie will not let them leave this arena, and she knew that from the very moment she forced them to enter. How your loved dies, however, is entirely up to you. Would one of your fellow tributes take them to watch you scream, or would you rather spare them the pain of a final fight?

IF YOU ARE ACCOMPANIED BY A HUMMINGBIRD, then you'll be pleased to know that your hummingbird is safe. On the other hand, you might not be. Death can find even the strongest of fighters, and I am sorry to announce that it is going to find you. Within the final fight, will another tribute find the strength to take you down, or will you make that difficult decision on your own?

There are no kills, there are no word limits and there is no scoring - the victor will be decided by a public vote.

The Twist - You will all be writing to a song.

You may choose your own song, and it may be instrumental or with lyrics. I only ask that you tell me your song when you send me your entry so that I can post it with your entry and the readers can judge how well you did.

The Deadline - Saturday, the 5th of September, 11pm GMT. If you all hand in earlier, then I can post earlier.

For the final time, may the odds be ever in your favour.