I entered the arena again, ready for my next match.
My opponent was a large Boaz, wielding a sword that was longer than me.
"Time for Round Two! Can the Ker keep her streak alive? Or will she become just like her alias; a spirit, to be forgotten?
I rolled my eyes at Ibri Achaa, readying my spear as I listened to the introduction of my opponent.
"Her opponent this round is-"
Raising his arms he got the crowd riled up, everyone chanting...
"The Captain of the Moccus Familia, the Raging Wild Boar, Tu'Aurn!"
The Boaz raised his sword, turning his smug gaze towards the crowd as he walked around.
Setting into a loose stance, Tu'Aurn looked at me, smirking.
"Let the battle... begin!"
"I AM GANESHA!"
Bolting towards the Boaz, I twirled my spear and sent multiple jabs towards him, grunting as each one was blocked.
Rolling to the side, I avoided a downward swing, lancing my spear towards his midriff, only to feel the spear clang against the flat side of his large blade.
Pulling away, I slowly circled the Boaz, my eyes flickering over his guarded figure as I tried to locate an opening.
Smirking, I looked towards his shoulder, stabbing the spear towards his...
Raising the blade, the Boaz tried to block my blow, only to widen my eyes as I lanced the spear into his side, making him grunt as the blade dug into his flesh.
Staggering back, he glared at me, his overconfident smirk disappearing as he snarled at me.
"Damn bitch, become my stepping stone!"
Tu'Aurn lowered his body, barreling towards me at high speeds, his blade hurtling towards my chest.
Dropping to the ground, I rolled out of the way, only to widen my eyes as his blade slammed into the sand beside me.
Jumping to my feet, I spun out of the way again, raising my spear shaft to block the downward swing of his blade.
Grunting, I pushed his blade back, only to grit my teeth as he pushed back harder, forcing me to a knee.
Grinning down at me, he poured more strength into the blade, before widening his eyes when I released one hand from my spear, his blade sliding down the shaft towards the ground.
I snaked forwards, dropping the spear altogether as I scrambled up his back, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He clawed at my arms, digging his nails into my flesh.
The pain of having my flesh dug into made me grit my teeth, but I grinned when his clawing grew weaker and weaker.
Eventually he fell to the sand, and I was tempted to yank my arms back, snapping his neck.
However, I could feel the heavy gazes of Shakti Varma and Ilta Farna, the Captain and Vice Captain of the Ganesha Familia.
Sighing, I released the Boaz's thick neck, stumbling back before scooping up my spear.
Leveling it with his chest, I waited to hear Ibri announce my victory.
Not hearing anything, I turned to see the tanned man staring at me with awe, before clearing his throat.
"The Ker has done it again! This is her second victory; she only needs two more! Can she do it?"
I lowered my spear, taking a deep breath before turning back towards the tunnel.
My arms still stung, the scratches reacting to the warm air.
Entering the tunnel, I walked past the surprised man who was my guide, and entered the waiting room, only a few people around after the last two rounds.
Sitting down, I looked around the room for some cloth, maybe a bottle of wine or beer to help sterilize the wound.
However, before I could get up and grab the bundle of bandages in the corner, the golden haired Sword Princess appeared, her golden eyes narrowed at me.
"I would say good fight..."
"But it wasn't. After all, I have to hold back; I prefer going for lethal blows, but if I even try to maim someone the Level 5's of the Ganesha Familia will do the same to me."
She nodded, before holding out her small hand.
In it was a vial of red liquid, a healing potion.
Taking it, I unscrewed it and downed the bitter liquid, grimacing at the strong medicinal taste.
Corking the vial, I handed it back to Ais, who sat beside me.
"Why do you kill?"
I chuckled, looking towards the ceiling.
"Many reasons. To defend myself, for revenge, but mainly... the thrill."
Her golden eyes went wide, looking at me in shock.
I laughed at her surprised expression, saying "Don't think so highly of me know, huh? Don't blame you; after all, I have a lot of blood on my hands. More than I care to admit sometimes."
Pursing her lips, Ais asked "This thrill... do you experience it any other time? Is there no way you could... stop?"
Looking down at the young girl, I shook my head.
"Yeah, there is something that rivals that thrill; sex. However, the thrills I feel are different. They're two different lusts, two different urges. The pleasure of flesh on my own I intoxicating, while the pleasure of ending a life is just... euphoric. I don't think I could stop; but I also don't just go around killing anyone."
She looked towards the floor with a furrowed brow, before nodding.
"I have heard... you kill only those that attempt to wrong you... or those you are paid to..."
It was my turn to nod, sighing as I looked down at the flesh knitting itself on my arms.
"Another question... why do you remain the only member... of your Familia? Surely some would like to join you... some would like to recruit you."
Chuckling, I shook my head.
"There haven't been any people I would want to join Bia and I. Either from trust or because I just know they would do better where they are at currently..."
The images of Sigrid, Astrid, and one other girl from my past flickered into my head, making me smile wryly at the young Ais beside me.
"As for Familia's recruiting me... yea, I had a few offers. Hell, I had an offer from Hermes way back when. Thing is, I just don't trust any Gods that easily; only Bia, and that's cause she raised me. I know her well enough, enough to know that she won't betray me, cast me aside like my blood parents did."
Ais looked at her hands, nodding, before saying "I understand... even though she is a Goddess of Trickery, Loki is trustworthy... but some, like Freya... I feel weird around them."
I laughed at that, saying "Probably because Freya wants to bed you."
Ais tilted her head, confused, before nodding.
"Many of the older men have said something similar, about wanting to 'bed' Freya. What does it mean? What... is 'sex'?"
I shook my head, raising my hands as I said "Nope, I won't tell you. Ask your Goddess or Captain about it. Ask Anakitty."
She glared at me, only to sigh before nodding.
"Very well... good luck in your future fights..."
Getting up, the lithe girl made her way to the exit, only to turn when I said "I don't need any luck; I'll win with my own skill."
I froze for a moment, seeing Ais smile at me. She truly was a beautiful girl... and if I was either into that or was closer to her age, I would have fallen for her, just as many others have.
Watching her leave, I took a deep breath, shaking my head before closing my eyes, getting some more rest before my next match.