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Lily nodded. “It’s a tradition that goes back centuries.”
The pit’s atmosphere was intense, the scent of sweat and raw adrenaline filling the air.
I felt another shiver run down my spine.
The rich taste of some foreign drink reached my lips as Lily handed me a goblet. “Here,” she said, “it’ll help calm your nerves.”
I took a hesitant sip, the drink’s flavor both sweet and tangy, with a hint of something I couldn’t quite place.
Its warmth spread through me, making me feel slightly more at ease.
“I know this is a lot to process,” Lily murmured, her eyes fixed on the ongoing bout. “But you’ll adjust. Everyone does.”
Despite the reassuring tone in her voice, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being trapped.
I was a pawn in a game I didn’t understand, surrounded by beings from worlds beyond my comprehension.
The only solace was that I wasn’t entirely alone.
With Lily by my side, maybe, just maybe, I’d find a way to navigate this strange new reality.
* * *
The Prize Pool was unlike anything I’d ever seen.
An extravagant chamber with illuminated platforms arranged in tiers, like a glistening multi-layered cake.
Each platform held an array of Prizes, stunning creatures of all shapes and colors, each more breathtaking than the next.
The air in the room shimmered, and a soft symphony of murmurs filled the space, punctuated by the occasional giggle or flirtatious laugh.
Lily gently nudged me onto one of the platforms, her hands offering reassurance.
The surface under my feet was smooth, almost velvety, yet solid.
I felt like a doll on display in a shop window, waiting for someone to choose me.
Around me, Prizes draped themselves languidly, stretching and posing to show off their assets.
The distant thud of heavy footsteps echoed in the room, steadily growing louder.
The atmosphere in the Prize Pool grew taut.
The whispers died down, and all eyes turned to the entrance.
A colossal figure entered, each step sending a ripple through the air.
He was a monstrous juxtaposition of man and beast, reminiscent of the minotaurs from Earth’s myths, only larger and more intimidating.
Towering over everyone, his broad chest was covered in thick, dark fur, and two curved horns sprouted from his forehead, gleaming ominously.
His eyes, however, were the most striking feature — deep-set and a vibrant shade of blue, they surveyed the room with an intelligence that was impossible to ignore.
A hush settled over the Prize Pool.
As the minotaur moved between the platforms, Prizes fluttered their eyelashes and showcased their charms, hoping to catch his attention.
The sweet essence of exotic perfumes filled the room, each Prize trying to entice the minotaur with their unique fragrances.
