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“I don’t have a choice,” I replied, bracing myself for the conflict ahead.
Theron’s expression darkened. “I won’t let them,” he growled. “I’ll fight for you.”
I shake my head, knowing that it’s not that simple. “I have to do this.”
Theron looked like he wanted to argue, but then the announcer’s voice cut through the air. “Let the battle begin!”
I took a deep breath, my eyes locked on Tannethe as he smirked at me, her eyes filled with malice.
I stepped forward and gave a curt nod. Nyana’s face lit up in ghoulish anticipation, and my stomach churned. The emperor gestured to the stairs leading down to the sand below, a cruel smirk twisting his lips.
I began walking down the stairs, feeling as if every eye in the crowd was on me. My steps were steady, but my heart was pounding in my chest. My eyes darted around the arena, taking in the sand-covered floor, tall stone walls that towered above us, and the distant roar of the masses. Their anticipation growing with each passing moment.
I took off the heels I wore, tossing them behind me as I tore my skirt, ripping the fabric until it was short enough to swing without hindering my movements. Hoots and calls came from the stands, but I ignored them, my thoughts only on the battle ahead. Tannethe strutted around the sand, wearing metallic armor in gold and copper, and I racked my brain trying to remember what copper did. Gold added strength... Better to end this quickly before she wore me out.
I stepped onto the sand; it was hot against my feet, but I welcomed it as if it were a familiar friend. She wouldn’t be as used to fighting on the sand as I was.
As I ventured into the stadium, I could feel both Xadrian and Theron’s eyes on me. But it was Theron’s gaze that held me rooted to the spot. It was like lightning flashing between us; despite all odds, I knew I wasn’t alone. Taking one last look at Theron before turning away from him, I squared my shoulders and marched into the center of the arena.
I swept my eyes around the arena for a weapon and saw a rack of swords and blades. Without hesitation, I strode across the sand towards them, picking up a short sword that was like the one I had stolen from Theron. The hilt felt good in my hand as I wrapped my fingers around it; this would do. Then, without pause, I took hold of a dagger too - at least with it in hand, I wouldn’t be completely exposed if Tannethe had any tricks up her sleeve.
Holding both weapons aloft, I turned to face my opponent. She stood tall and proud—her armor gleaming, a whip coiled around her waist like an extension of her body. Her eyes were sharp and calculating—as she sized me up and down—while a smirk twisted her lips into a cruel expression that sent chills up my spine.
“Ready to die, whore?”
I had faced death before—but none of it compared to the fear I felt now. They wouldn’t let me leave this arena alive. But I refused to run—I was no coward. Instead, I held my weapons firmly and stepped forward.
“Let’s see what you’ve got,” I said, my voice strong.
Tension filled the air around us as we both waited for the signal to begin. Then, with a single nod from the Emperor, the battle started.
Tannethe struck first, her whip snaking toward my wrist like a viper. But I moved faster, dodging her strike and lunging forward with my sword. She blocked my attack with ease, her armor deflecting my thrust. A surge of dread ran through me as I realized I had underestimated her fighting prowess.
A flurry of parries, thrusts, and blocks followed, and soon the battle was in full swing. I dodged her strike with my own while attacking with my dagger. But her armor was too strong. I needed to find a way around it.
“Don’t worry, after you’re dead, I’ll comfort Theron for you.”
Tannethe’s smirk widened, and she stepped closer, her whip cracking in the air.
That’s when I saw my chance. With a fierce cry, I lunged forward and cut her whip in half with a single stroke. The crowd gasped in shock as the weapon fell to the ground in two pieces, and their fear was palpable as they realized what was coming next.
Without pause, I closed the space between us and brought my sword up, plunging my dagger into the gap of her armor in her armpit.
Tannethe crumpled to the ground, and everything went silent. Or the roaring was so loud that I couldn’t hear anything else. I couldn’t tell anymore.
She struggled to remove her chest piece, blood pumping out of her as I watched. Blood dripped from my knife onto the sand.
“You fucking bitch,” she said, her voice full of contempt and pain as she glared at me. “I’ll kill you.”
I glanced up to see Theodas and his brothers running toward us, their eyes wild with anger. I stepped back to let them attend to their sister, as Xadrian had when Caelia was injured. But they didn’t go to her.
Theodas pulled his sword with a shout, advancing on me, his features contorted in rage.
“You will pay for this,” he sneered, an evil grin on his face.
Trevyr’s silver eye rolled in anticipation as they surrounded me, ready to attack. My heart raced and my palms started to sweat—I was outnumbered and outmatched. But I had overcome fear before, and I could do it again. Fear is the mind-killer, and I would not die today.
The brothers all attacked me at once, their swords cutting through the air as they fought viciously. I whirled around them like a dancer, flipping and spinning away from their blades. Only Tykas pulled his punches; the other’s strikes were aimed to kill me.
