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We weren’t counting on her combat skills but on her ability — that ethereal force that could very well be our key to victory.
However, in a place like this, expecting the unexpected was the norm.
And in the unlikely event she would need to defend herself, I wanted her to have something to fall back on.
As I buckled the last strap of my armor, familiar faces approached.
My students, males I’d trained and fought alongside, each coming forward with words of encouragement.
Their faith in me, evident in their proud smiles and firm handshakes, was heartening.
There was Lira with his fiery red hair, his grin mischievous as always, clapping me on the shoulder. “Give ‘em hell, Ashale.”
Then came Jax, stoic and reserved, nodding solemnly.
His respect was evident in his eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the challenge ahead.
Finally, Kael, the youngest of the trio, stepped up. “We believe in you,” he stated simply, his words carrying more weight than a thousand speeches.
I nodded at each, feeling the warmth of their belief surge through me.
Nova squeezed my hand, her eyes misty. “Ready?”
Taking a deep breath, tasting the thick anticipation in the air, I looked at her and nodded. “Always.”
With that, the great doors to the fighting pit began to open, the brilliant light spilling in, temporarily blinding us.
The roars of the crowd grew louder, nearly deafening, as we stepped forward.
The sight of the vast audience, a sea of faces each eagerly awaiting the spectacle, was overwhelming.
As the door clanged shut behind us, sealing our fate, I felt Nova’s reassuring presence by my side.
And in that moment, regardless of the outcome, I knew we were where we were meant to be.
We had entered the lion’s den.
* * *
The roar of the crowd was thunderous.
It washed over me like a tidal wave, full of energy, anticipation, and a touch of bloodlust.
It wasn’t my first time standing in the spotlight of the fighting pit, but it was Nova’s, and I could feel the tension in her body as she gripped my arm.
Every corner of the fighting pit was alive, with spectators from different corners of the universe, each bringing with them their unique scents, sounds, and colors.
I raised my arm, giving them a wave, attempting to look confident and unaffected.
My heart raced, keeping pace with the beat of the crowd’s fervor.
Beside me, Nova seemed more like a fragile bird than ever.
She was squinting, shielding her eyes from the blinding lights, trying to process the enormous crowd before her. “It looks so different from up there,” she whispered, glancing up at the Prize Pool area, where she used to stand.
Her voice was a soft melody amidst the chaos, grounding me in the moment.
I could imagine how she felt.
