Standing next to Dama, I heard her ask "Why'd you drag that out? You could have finished it in mere moments." which made me smirk.
"Isn't the purpose of this to hone our skills? Why would I want to waste the opportunity to improve by making each match as short as possible?"
Dama frowned at that, before shrugging as she turned back towards the window, watching as a Deerkin traded blows with a Snakekin.
The clang of metal on metal as the two wielded their swords against one another filled the arena, and many in the crowd cheered loudly as the Deerkin managed to land a shallow slash on the Snakekin's arm.
Resting against the wall, I stared at the club in my hands, spinning it around and getting familiarized with the weight and balance before watching the fight conclude.
Stabbing the Deerkin's shoulder, the Snakekin grinned down at her as she twisted the blade slightly, before her opponent raised her hands in surrender, her body battered and cut all over.
Withdrawing the blade, the Snakekin licked the blood from the sword before sheathing it, enjoying the rain of applause for her victory.
When the field had been cleared, Dama's number got called, and I watched on with interest as she lazily stepped out into the arena, staring at the two Geri Wolves that growled at her.
Tilting her head to the side, Dama waited for the orator to begin the fight before launching herself forwards, meeting the Geri as they leapt towards her, their fangs bared and coated in saliva.
Many in the crowd gasped in surprise as Dama caught the first Geri and snapped its neck in one fluid motion, before she used the now lifeless corpse to block the outstretched claws of the second Geri.
Shredding the belly of the first Geri completely open caused the alive Geri to be drenched in blood and intestines.
Letting out a surprised yelp, the Geri backed away and tried to shake the sticky blood from its eyes, only to have its neck snapped the same way the first Geri did, dropping to the ground silently.
Without care for the shock of the crowd once again, Dama reached down and examined the Geri's claws and fangs, comparing the lengths and sharpness before selecting one.
Reaching into the Geri's opened mouth, Dama grabbed a fang and yanked, pulling it out of the monsters maw and nodding to herself as she stared down at her new 'dagger'.
Silence blanketed the arena as Dama slipped back into the tunnel, eventually returning to the platform beside me.
Raising a brow, I saw her smirk at me as she showed me the bloodied fang, saying "Guess I got luckier then you huh?"
Rolling my eyes, I shook my head as she continued to smirk at me, her voice turning nostalgic as she said "That fight was a little... nice. You remember that story I told you and Camara about when I first found your mother? It was much like that..."
She trailed off, her eyes growing hazy as she muttered "It feels like eons ago at this point..."
Sighing, she draped her arm around my shoulders, smiling at me as she placed a kiss on my brow, much to the surprise of the various fighters that were quietly observing us.
We watched the next fight in silence, enjoying one another's company and warmth before I was eventually called for my third and final fight of the day.
Making my way back out once again, I saw a serious looking Wolfkin wearing chainmail and leather, while a sharp steel sword was held loosely by her side.
A long scar ran down from her temple to her neck, the flesh discolored and puffy, giving her a rather threatening look for normal people.
"Lilun of the Shadow Wolves has stepped up to fight against Aethisia! Who will win this match~? Will Aethisia continue on her Gladiator's Gauntlet, or will she fall here and now? Make your predictions over at the betting booths everyone~! Odds close in a few moments!"
Many in the crowd scrambled around, trying to reach the dozens of betting booths that were around the arena, hastily putting money on the fight.
"Aaanndd~ Closed~! Alrighty everyone, let the fight COMMENCE~!"
The cheery shout of the orator was accompanied by the Wolfkin woman Lilun dashing forwards, the steel sword pointed at my chest.
Turning my body slightly, I swung the wooden club upwards, smirking as the thick wood was embedded on the edge of the woman's sword, weighing it down.
Splinters flew as she tried to rip the club from my hand, only to stumble backwards as I released my grip on it instantly.
Stepping forwards, I swayed away from the slice of her blade, feeling the sword cut through the air beside my arm with a low whistle.
As Lilun began to swing the sword once more, I spun around her body and appeared behind her, kicking out at the back of her knee and forcing her to the ground.
Next, as she was trying to twist her body towards me, I sent my knee flying towards her face, which she barely managed to block with her arm.
Of course, she still let out a grunt of pain as my knee collided with her arm, but it was better then me cracking her cheekbone or knocking her out with a clean hit to the temple.
With the swords edge still firmly lodged inside the wooden club, she had a hard time trying to swiftly move the blade around, the added weight dragging the tip down towards the sand.
Slowly rising to her feet, Lilun glared at me as I once more kicked out her knee, this time arcing my foot around her and slamming into the side of her leg, buckling it.
Cursing, the Wolfkin snarled at me, earning herself a punch straight to her jaw.
Pulling my fist back, I punched her once more before waiting, watching as she dazedly glared at me.
Raising a brow, I pulled my fist back again, only for her to mutter "Enough... not... worth it..."
Nodding, I shook out my hand as I backed away, keeping my eyes on her as she stood up.
Rubbing at her jaw, the Wolfkin waved towards the orator, who shouted "It seems like Lilun has given up! Aethisia is now 3 for 3~! Will she go all the way~? Who knows, but that's it for today~! Oh, that rhymed!"
Giggling to herself, the orator watched as the people in the crowd went to either claim their bets or go grab something to eat, while some began to leave, likely returning to work or home.
Scooping up the sword, I tore the wooden club off and discarded it, the splintered, mangled mess of wood no longer useful to me.
The sword, however, was very welcome...
Nodding to Lilun, I exited the arena and rejoined my Dama, who was grinning at me this time.