This may be my dumbest decision yet. I paced back and forth in my cell. The cell is dimly lit; the only light source is a small iron grate high above my head, allowing faint rays of light to creep into the room. I can hear the muddy footsteps of the guards pacing up and down the corridor outside my cell. I approached the far wall and leaned against it while tilting my head back and closing my eyes. 

"Gods, why did I decide to do this?" I murmured to myself. My restless hands were fidgeting with the fabric of my ragged cloak. I wore my finest clothes for this, or rather the ones with the least amount of tears. A black dress with fraying edges and a large black cloak. I pulled my large cloak around me to keep out the cold and prevent my teeth from clattering together. The Nexus Games were tales my small village knew of, where the Fae did perilous challenges to maintain the intricate network that sustained the courts.

The Games are dangerous challenges designed to test the Fae's skills, power, and resourcefulness. Each person has their own reason for being drawn to it. Many Fae didn't make it to the final because of fatal injuries. These challenges can range from physical feats to strategic battles and intricate puzzles. Taking part in the Games is not only a way for Fae to prove their worth and ascend the ranks within their courts but also a means of channelling their energy into the Nexus. The Nexus is how we manage our world. The rewards for participating in the Nexus Games are power, glory and, of course, lots and lots of gold. So I devised a plan: take part in the Games, get through just one challenge so my family gets paid the money, and we would all disappear. Foolproof, right?

I arrived hidden in a carriage and requested an audience with the King to the royal guards outside the castle. With a grin, I invoked the blue code and expressed my wish to participate in the games. I would love to relive the moment of confusion on their faces. A halfling invoking the code wasn't heard of, but as I am still a part of the Fae house, they must respect it, even if it's only partly. As a result, I'm in this cell. It seems the King didn't appreciate me invoking the code to get into the castle for our meeting. Despite knowing better, I had to force his hand.

The blue code is a closely guarded tradition within Fae courts, used only in the most dire situations when urgent attention from the King is required. The King won't consider it dire in my case. I can already hear my sister yelling at me about taking risks. I shook my head and tried to ignore the image.

I slid down to the floor and curled my legs into myself, and rested my head on my knees; well, isn't this just fucking great… I pictured my sister Tahlia's auburn hair, which was a similar colour to mine, and her green eyes; I was already missing her. She was only 1 year younger than me, and we always had each other's backs. It was moments like this that I really wished I had her with me. She could always spin terrible situations into something positive. My decision to come here was met with her refusal. We talked for hours and agreed she would have the same opportunity if I did this. We decided that flipping a coin was the only fair way. I won the coin flip.

Retrieving the gold coin from my coat, I flipped it back and forth in my hand, showing tails on both sides. I hoped Tahlia would never come to the realisation that she had no chance. As I took a deep breath with my head between my legs, I heard the key turn in the door's lock. I quickly rose to my feet, wrapping my arms around myself.

The door creaked open, and a guard stepped inside. He was a tall, imposing figure, wearing a dark uniform and a stern expression. He glared at me, his eyes cold and unyielding.

"What do you want?" he demanded. "Why are you here?"

I took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye. "I want to compete in the games," I said firmly.

The guard scoffed. "Do you really think the king will want to speak to you, halfling?" he sneered.

I held my head high, my throat constricting. "I invoked the blue code; he has to speak to me."

He snorted before opening the door fully and waving me out. I stepped out, and the guard closed the door with a slam. I tried to stifle my jump, and he smirked, got out a pair of cuffs that glowed, and put them on my wrists. Their aim was to suppress magic, but I posed no threat.

We started walking down the murky hall. The hall was lit by torches that were hung on the wall. It was cold, and the smell of mildew and piss permeated the air. The screams of prisoners echoed down the hall. The idea of being down here for so long made me shudder. We reached the end of the hall and started making our way up the stairs. We went round and round, and when we finally reached the top, I was actually panting. Embarrassing doesn't even cover what I'm feeling right now. The guard's face still displayed a foolish smirk.

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We walked through the castle, the guard tugging me along. Sunlight poured through the windows. I shielded my eyes from the blinding shine. They had adorned each window with beautiful white swirls that danced in the sunlight and made the ground sparkle. The castle's tall windows cast so much light my eyes burned, adjusting to the light. The only sound was our footsteps clicking against the marble. We had almost reached the King's throne room at the end of the corridor.

The closer we got to the throne room, the more I could feel my heart racing. I tried to keep my breathing steady as I followed the guard, but everything seemed surreal. I wish Tahlia could see what I see. Everything screamed wealth; even the flowers sat in vases on the windowsills.

When we finally arrived, the guard pounded on the door. It swung open, flanked by two guards, and I stepped into the room. I inhaled deeply and attempted to steady my quivering hands. This situation had an unsettling effect on me despite my usual composure.

In the grand hall of the palace, I stood before the imposing figure of King Ashriel, the ruler of our realm. He sat on a massive throne made from dark wood and had his black hair perfectly combed back over his head. His sharp eyes gave him an air of intelligence and intensity, adding to his already striking appearance.

A blend of determination and trepidation churned within me. The hall exuded opulence, from the ornate tapestries that adorned the walls to the intricate chandeliers casting a warm, flickering glow upon the polished marble floor.

"Your Majesty," I bowed, going over the speech I had gone over and over in my head as I met the King's term gaze.

King Ashriel's gaze remained unyielding, his deep voice resonating through the hall as he responded, "Brynn, daughter of the Fae and Humans, invoicing the ancient code is the only reason you are standing in front of me today. You understand the weight of that code, don't you?"

With unwavering determination, I held his gaze as I nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. I called upon the code to petition for a chance to compete in the Games."

His doubt flickered for a moment, a fleeting sign of uncertainty. I held my head up higher at that. "The Games have never been attempted by half-fae and will remain that way. You have invoked the code for a ridiculous reason. Do you understand we must prosecute you for using it?" He slowly moved his gaze down me, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "The odds are stacked against you, Brynn."

My voice barely made it out; it was a whisper laced with emotion. I considered telling the King I was here to help my family but decided against it. "Taking part in the Games is all I've ever dreamed of doing."

"We hold the games yearly because the Nexus relies on the infusion of Fae energy to maintain the Winter, Summer, Autumn and Spring Courts. Being a halfling that doesn't produce much energy wastes our resources."

A heavy silence blanketed the hall. The King's eyes softened further, and at that moment, it seemed like he saw beyond my mixed heritage into the fierce determination and desperation that fueled my plea.

"Brynn," he finally spoke again, a blend of authority and compassion in his voice, "I will grant you the opportunity you seek. But because you invoked the code, if you wish to take part in the games, it will be through all the challenges. You cannot leave throughout the Nexus Games. Be aware that the outcome will probably result in death."

Gratitude surged within me. I knelt before the King, my voice sincere and resolute. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

He raised his arm, and magic shot out and entered the copper badge on my left arm that adorned a tree shedding its leaves, showing I was a part of the Autumn Court, and I felt the weight of the deal on my heart. 

The Nexus channels the energy harnessed by the Fae through a badge on our left arm. They gift the badge to all Fae at birth, and it has its own magical signature. There are different levels to the badge depending on your position. There is Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Copper. So, depending on your stature, it can change. 

The King of the Fae Ashriel is obviously platinum. There are the high lords of each court who wear gold badges. High-end workers or rich people are silver. Bronze is for the average Fae, while copper is seen as inferior. Copper is for the half-fae, for the poor or shunned. When Fae produces magic, the badge will harness some of it and send it to the Nexus. The Nexus channels the energy harnessed from the Games and other activities through towers connected to each court. These towers act as energy pathways, allowing the flow of power to interconnect the courts and maintain the overall balance.

They sustain it through collaboration among the courts. While each court has its own high lord, they recognise the importance of cooperation to ensure the survival of their kind. The high lords convene periodically to make decisions, share information, and address any imbalances that might arise within the network.

King Ashriel nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "Take her to Thornhold in preparation for the Games."

The guard pulled me up, and we left the grand hall, hope and trepidation twined together in my heart. I had secured the chance I so desperately needed—a chance to reshape my family's future. The King cared for the competitors' families when someone passed the first challenge. I just needed to find a way to escape the King's deal so I could leave after the first challenge. The trials ahead loomed like formidable mountains, but my determination blazed brighter than ever, illuminating the path toward an uncertain yet promising horizon. Feeling at peace knowing my family would be taken care of soon, I smiled to myself.