The stage was dark with the exception of light peaking in through the curtains, covering the windows. A few lights lit the back of the arena so the concession girls would have enough light to see. They slowed their movement during a performance to not distract performers.
The audience was completely silent in anticipation of the next act. After seeing Gemini destroy his opponent, they were eager to see what was next.
Zia had to go on before Emrie was revealed, so she took her place on stage. She glanced over at her ring to see if it was a different type of ring or if they altered her original ring.
The darkness made it difficult to see any differences or markings. She wondered where the fire would come out of. Where would she be able to secure herself in a ring of fire?
"Fire." She said in deep thought, as she stood in an arabesque position with her head leaning back, chest forward and arms in place.
"My hair!" She whispered. Hurriedly, she began braiding her long white hair into a tight braid, all the way down to the tip, knotting it at the end. Her long, thick hair would be a problem with fire so close to it. She couldn't risk it.
As soon as she dropped the braid and got back into position, the curtains slowly began to open. She investigated the audience to see if she could spot the strange man, but she couldn't see any faces in the darkness. The arena was a sea of undefined figures waiting patiently to be entertained.
The spotlight turned on and it was time. Music began playing and Zia began her routine. She couldn't get lost into her performance this time.
There was so much going on in her mind. The thought of dancing in fire was unnerving though it didn't reflect in her performance. She had to be extra careful.
Zia continued her dance until the moment she dreaded arrived. She danced over to her ring and gracefully lowered herself to pick it up. She elegantly slid off her tutu and picked up the ring as it raised her off the ground. Twirling the ring, she awaited the eruption of fire.
Zia placed her hands as close to the top of the ring as possible without getting too close to center where the ring was attached to the cord, so she wouldn't pinch her fingers. She held on tightly since she wasn't used to positioning her hands at the top like this.
She spun the ring rapidly as it suddenly ignited. The fire startled Zia as her hands slipped from the top of the ring.
Zia gasped along with the crowd as she fell to the bottom of the ring, grabbing it with one hand as it continued to spin slightly slower than before. Her heart and mind were in a race with no reward at the finish line.
Zia took deep breaths and held on tightly with her body completely straight as she pointed her toes, crossed her legs at the ankles and closed her eyes for a moment to gather herself. The fire burned the two sides of the ring, leaving the top and bottom open for her to touch.
She held on to the bottom of the ring with two hands situated close together as she reversed her hands, so her knuckles faced her. She lifted up both of her legs together, pointed them through the space her arms made, and pulled herself up, hooking her legs through the ring and into a sitting position.
Immediately, she reached for the top of the ring for balance as the heat from the flames surrounded her. She was very careful not to touch the flames.
Zia slowed down the ring and looked over at where Emrie was. He sat there waiting and watching. He wasn't happy. Something was wrong.
As a spotlight was placed on him, he lifted his foot and got up on his hind legs as they always rehearsed. Zia was lowered slowly, closer, and closer to his foot.
"A little bit more boy. We are almost done." She whispered.
Suddenly, loud flares began firing up around Emrie. "This wasn't part of the plan. Damien said nothing about flares." She said, as Emrie kicked up his foot, hitting the flaming ring. "No!" Zia said softly with fear in her eyes as she grabbed at the air while falling from the ring.
She tumbled onto Emrie's tusk as it sliced through her side. Zia hit the ground as Emrie went into a frenzy inadvertently stepping on her arm, crushing it. The crowd was silently in shock for a moment. Not a word emitted from any patron.
Men came from all angles of the arena to contain Emrie as Zia's vision blurred. The curtains were immediately dragged closed as fire began engulfing the curtains. More stage handlers became visible, frantically putting out the fires before they grew beyond control.
The announcer made his way towards the front of the audience to keep control of things as they put the fires out and tried to remove Emrie and Zia.
Zia turned her head towards Emrie slowly as they locked eyes. She mouthed the words, "its ok boy." As tears filled her eyes and ran from one eye into the other, then saturating the floor.
Emrie began to calm down while he stared into her eyes. He tried to walk towards her, but the men began shocking him and pulling the chains they placed on him. He grew angry and tried to force his way to Zia. No! They would hurt him if he became aggressive. She thought.
Emrie fought until he couldn't fight anymore and was removed from the arena. Zia watched as they dragged Emrie out forcefully. She couldn't move or speak but her heart bled for Emrie along with her wounded side. He would feel responsible for her injury.
Zia's pain was more intense than anything she ever felt before. She began to feel lightheaded as her hot blood poured from the wound Emrie's tusk inflicted.
The announcer continued entertaining the audience as the scene was controlled. "Let's give a round of applause for Zia, the ring Goddess." He said as the audience gave a standing ovation, with loud screams and whistles.
One of the stage men gave the announcer the signal to stall for five more minutes. He assured the audience that the show would go on shortly. "This is what you paid to see." He smiled, stalling, and making a fool of himself as the arena was prepared for the next act.
"Zia, can you hear me? Damien asked as she lay in pain and unable to make out figures. She couldn't respond, nor could she move. "Get her out of here now! The show must go on!" He said.
Zia felt herself being lifted off the ground. The throbbing in her head became unbearable as she began to drift into darkness.