"Now begins the next round." The Spire's voice boomed through the colosseum again, every time he spoke Dorin felt nauseous. The memory of him commanding Morah to 'finish him' would forever be ingrained in his mind. "With a bid of one bishop, show yourself Ara."
"Humph." Ara looked furious. "They have no idea what I'm capable of."
Dorin put his face to the window as she enter the pit. Now that there were less people in their holding, it was much easier to find space to watch.
"I cannot wait to see what you have to offer, darling." A woman's voice came from above Dorin, out of his sight.
Ara turned to look at their holding as a die rolled in front of her.
"One!" The Spire clapped his hands rapidly. "Lets see what this beauty can do with the worst roll of the day."
Dorin thought he saw a vein pop out of her forehead for a moment when the word 'beauty' was uttered. Soon enough a line of water curled up Ara's leg, before turning into a small dagger with a dark blue hue.
The drum sounded again, but Dorin was ready this time and was able to keep himself still. A large fox with purple circles around its eyes was let into the ring without any restraint. It was clear the battle would begin immediately.
The beast snarled, stepping confidently towards Ara. Its fangs were dripping with a liquid that didn't seem to be saliva. Suddenly it jumped towards her half the distance of their entire arena, mouth open wide.
Ara pulled back her arm and whipped it towards the beast, letting the dagger fly. It glinted in the light, making Dorin blink. By the time he looked again, the beast was shaking its head wildly, and Ara was nowhere to be seen.
Eventually the beast opened its mouth and blood poured out of it along with the dagger, before it dropped to the ground. After a moment, Ara appeared from underneath the beast. She was struggling to push it off of her, but soon enough Veri came to help her.
The crowd gave a scattered applause, but they seem just as confused as Dorin.
"Fantastic aim with such a mediocre weapon." The Spire clapped along. "You are one lucky lady to have won this bid, Ranell."
"What can I say, Spire. I saw something in her that the others didn't."
Dorin heard a certain arrogance in her voice which reminded him of Ara. 'Why did I get the fatty?'
Kari was next, and she didn't last long before getting bit by a similar fox. She was taken away by Veri as Lonn banged his fists on the wall. It was obvious that he wanted to do something for the entire fight, as if he knew that she didn't stand a chance.
"What a . . . disappointment." The crowd joined the Spire in his annoyance, jeering similarly to Rae's battle. "Lets hope that this last one makes it all worth it. With a bid of two rooks, Lonn, your time has come."
"Good luck." Dorin said. "You may need it for once."
Lonn turned to him with a surprised look, but didn't say anything back as he entered the pit.
"Look at you." A burly man with long hair beat his chest. "You might even be lucky enough to be one of my spawn."
"One of many, Jerl, I'm sure." Dorin heard what he thought was Ranell.
"You'd be right, but not many of them gained my physicality." Jerl flexed, Dorin was sure that his clothes would rip but they somehow held.
Lonn seemed uninterested in the conversation, his gaze was fixed towards where they took Kari. The man launched the die in front of Lonn, who jumped once it hit the floor in front of him.
"Another five. Lets see if this one can actually wield some of its power." The Spire gripped the walls as he looked into the pit. "But even that might not be enough."
Five black strands looped around Lonn, before turning into a spiked ball. It was attached to Lonn via a chain that came from a bracer that covered Lonn's right arm.
The next beast wasn't led in by anyone, rather two gates opened. Dorin saw their heads first, and was confused. All he saw was its black eyes, button nose, and fluffy red fur. Once the beasts fully entered the arena however, Dorin realized that they were the same gigantic beast that had almost fallen on him earlier today.
"Ember bears might not be our strongest foe, but few have ever defeated one, let alone two as a mere candidate." The Spire seemed amused, jumping up and down a few times.
Lonn tugged on the chain, and the ball moved from spike to spike as it dug into the floor. The beasts seemed confused, looking towards each other before approaching Lonn. Dorin didn't know whether he wanted Lonn to win or not, he wondered how he would feel if he didn't fight to the death against him in his previous life.
Suddenly Lonn figured out how to use his weapon as the spiked ball was now spinning around him, gaining in speed with each revolution. As it gained speed it was like there was a shadow in the pit, and even the ball and chain were lost to darkness.
"That's definitely my boy." Jerl crossed his arms and grinned.