As the sun rose on a new day, Jamie found himself restless, his mind still dwelling on the unexpected turn of events in the Colosseum. A week had passed since his last fight, and his injured leg had finally healed, allowing him to move freely once more. With the next battle looming on the horizon, Jamie felt a pressing need to check on his tribe.
Slipping away from Srides's mansion, Jamie made his way to the forest where his people resided. As he approached, he could sense the familiar atmosphere of contentment tinged with underlying fear. The tribe was thriving, just as he had left it, under the watchful eye of Fear.
"Did anything happen, my lord?" Fear inquired as Jamie padded into the clearing.
"No," Jamie replied, his voice gruff. "I just came to check by."
Fear edged closer, a hint of curiosity in his tone. "When will my lord be done with fighting?"
Jamie paused, considering the question. "Well, can't say for sure, but I think it'll end sooner or later."
"I bid good luck for you, my lord," Fear said solemnly. "May you be victorious."
With a nod of acknowledgment, Jamie turned to leave. He knew he couldn't linger too long; Srides would surely come looking for him if he didn't return soon.
As Jamie entered the Colosseum once more, he was acutely aware of the mixed reactions his presence elicited. Some spectators glared at him with undisguised hatred, their pockets lighter due to bets placed against him. Others gazed at him with admiration, their eyes shining with hope for his continued success. Jamie, however, remained indifferent to their opinions. His sole focus was on emerging victorious, driven by his desire to free Srides from her cruel fate.
The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, introducing Jamie's opponent: the Lord of Nandy Bears. As the massive creature was released from its chains, Jamie felt a surge of anticipation. This was no ordinary bear, but a formidable foe that would test the limits of his newfound powers.
The Nandy Bear lumbered into the arena, its vigilant gaze sweeping over the spectators before settling on Jamie. Unfazed, Jamie stepped forward, reverting to his full size as he entered the battleground. He puffed out his chest, projecting an air of confidence as he approached his opponent.
Deciding to start strong, Jamie unleashed his Dark Howl, the haunting sound echoing through the Colosseum. To his surprise, the bear seemed unaffected, continuing to stare at him impassively. Irritated by the prolonged eye contact, Jamie charged forward, lashing out with his claws. Yet, his attack seemed to have no effect on the bear's thick hide.
Just as Jamie prepared for another assault, the bear spoke, its deep voice resonating with a hint of amusement. "Do you understand what I'm saying, silly wolf?"
Taken aback, Jamie hesitated before responding, "Yes, I do."
"That's better," the bear rumbled. "All the other opponents I fought were stupid and couldn't understand what I was trying to convey."
Curiosity piqued, Jamie asked, "What did you tell them?"
"I told them to surrender so that they may live instead of dying by my hands," the bear replied matter-of-factly.
Jamie scoffed, his competitive spirit flaring. "You think you can defeat me also?"
"Yeah, I do. I've seen tougher guys than you," the bear retorted.
Their banter continued, a mix of bravado and thinly veiled insults, until Jamie, growing impatient, declared, "So, are we gonna fight?"
"Okay then," the bear growled, "don't blame me if you end up dying."
Without warning, the bear closed the distance between them and delivered a powerful slap to Jamie's face. Stunned, Jamie stumbled backward. "Why did you do that, man?"
"I'm sorry, it's for the best," the bear replied cryptically.
Suddenly, Jamie felt an overwhelming wave of drowsiness wash over him. His vision blurred, and his body began to feel numb. "What did you do to me, ya bastard?" he slurred.
"Nothing much, bro. It's just my skill, hibernation slap, which renders my opponents weak and sleepy," the bear explained, a hint of pride in its voice.
Fighting against the encroaching darkness, Jamie managed to spit out a final insult before succumbing to the bear's mysterious power. As he collapsed to his knees, the last thing he heard was the bear's oddly gentle voice wishing him good dreams.
Jamie's consciousness faded, and when he next opened his eyes, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. The soft breeze from an open window carried the scent of the Colosseum, confirming he was still within its confines. Before he could fully gather his thoughts, Srides burst into the room, her face a mixture of relief and concern.
"I thought you were dead," she exclaimed, embracing him tightly. "Your heartbeat suddenly stopped."
Confused and still groggy, Jamie barked questioningly, prompting Srides to explain the situation. "After you went to sleep, the fight was temporarily paused," she began. "Oh, and another thing—there were thirty contestants left, but after the matches, only ten remain. I know it should be fifteen, but among them, five were selected and killed even after they won their match fair and square. However, luckily you are kept alive as you're a fan favourite."
This revelation sent Jamie's mind racing. Why had he been spared? They could have easily eliminated him while he slept. As Srides left to fetch food, Jamie gazed out the window, noting with surprise that he had reverted to his smaller size during his unconscious state.
Upon her return, Srides was interrupted by a knock at the door. A man entered, informing them that Jamie's rematch with the Lord of Nandy Bear was scheduled to take place in two days. Despite his desire for immediate revenge, Jamie recognized the need to prepare for this formidable opponent.
As they returned to Srides's mansion, Jamie's mind was already formulating a plan. He needed to become stronger, and quickly. With a purposeful bark, he indicated his intention to leave, heading towards the forest once more.
Seeking out Fear, Jamie hoped to gather information about the Nandy Bears. While Fear couldn't provide much insight, he did mention that they were known to inhabit the riverside forests of the continent. Frustrated but undeterred, Jamie pressed on, explaining his predicament to his loyal subject.
"Did something happen to you in the Colosseum, my lord?" Fear inquired, concern evident in his voice.
Jamie recounted his experience with the bear's hibernation slap, his embarrassment thinly veiled by frustration. Fear, eager to assist, offered an alternative. "If you wish to become stronger, you can fight with the tree monsters called pleep in this forest."
Intrigued, Jamie pressed for more information. "Where can I find them?"
"The monsters only show themselves during the night on the western side of the forest," Fear explained.
With a nod of gratitude, Jamie set off towards the western reaches of the forest, determination burning in his eyes. As darkness fell, he remained vigilant, his senses alert for any sign of the elusive pleep.
Hours passed, and just as Jamie began to doubt Fear's information, he heard a rustling in the underbrush. Spinning around, he came face to face with a bizarre creature. It appeared to be a fusion of plant and animal, with bark-like skin and leafy appendages. Its eyes glowed with an eerie green light, fixed intently on Jamie.
Without hesitation, Jamie lunged forward, his claws extended. The pleep, however, proved to be surprisingly agile. It dodged Jamie's attack, retaliating with a whip-like branch that left a stinging welt across his flank.
Growling in frustration, Jamie circled his opponent, searching for an opening. The pleep remained still, its branches swaying gently as if in a breeze, despite the still night air. Suddenly, it launched a flurry of razor-sharp leaves towards Jamie.
Caught off guard, Jamie barely managed to avoid the worst of the assault, but several leaves found their mark, leaving shallow cuts along his body. Realizing that brute force alone wouldn't be enough, Jamie decided to employ a different strategy.
Concentrating deeply, he tapped into the power that had allowed him to change his size. With great effort, he managed to grow slightly larger, increasing his strength and reach. The pleep, momentarily stunned by this transformation, hesitated just long enough for Jamie to close the distance between them.
With a powerful swipe of his paw, Jamie struck the pleep squarely in its midsection. The creature let out a high-pitched keen as it was sent flying backward, crashing into a nearby tree. Before it could recover, Jamie was upon it, pinning it to the ground with his considerable weight.
As he prepared to deliver the final blow, Jamie paused. This creature, strange as it was, had provided him with valuable combat experience. Instead of finishing it off, he released the pleep, watching as it scurried away into the darkness of the forest.
Panting heavily, Jamie took stock of his injuries. Though nothing was serious, the cumulative effect of the cuts and bruises left him feeling drained. Yet, beneath the fatigue, he could sense a new strength coursing through his veins. The battle had pushed him to his limits, forcing him to adapt and grow stronger.
As the first light of dawn began to filter through the trees, Jamie made his way back to Srides's mansion. His body ached, but his spirit was invigorated. He had faced a unique challenge and emerged victorious, gaining valuable experience in the process.
With the rematch against the Lord of Nandy Bear looming, Jamie felt a renewed sense of confidence. He had underestimated his opponent once, but it wouldn't happen again. Armed with new skills and a deeper understanding of his own abilities, Jamie was determined to emerge triumphant in their next encounter.
As he curled up to rest, his mind drifted to the challenges that lay ahead. The Colosseum battles would only grow more difficult as the number of contestants dwindled. He would need to push himself harder, to become stronger and smarter with each fight. And all the while, he would need to maintain the delicate balance between his life with Srides and his responsibilities to his wolf tribe.
Yet, as sleep began to overtake him, Jamie felt a sense of purpose solidifying within him. He had navigated the complexities of this world, protected those he cared about, and overcome obstacles thrown in his path. Whatever tomorrow might bring, he would face it head-on, with the strength of a wolf lord and the heart of a true warrior.