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It was hard to distinguish one voice from another, but I could still pick out Tix’s name being chanted by some.
My fingers tightened around the railing as I strained to see the fighters clearly.
The scent of fresh alien snacks that smelled disgusting to me wafted through the air, blending oddly with the musky undertones that seemed to emanate from the fighting pits.
This was an atmosphere of excitement for some, but for me, it was one of heart-thumping dread.
When the announcer’s voice echoed with the news that Fleth wouldn’t be fighting Tix, a whirlwind of emotions swept over me.
Panic.
We had prepared for Fleth, not Chius!
Every hair on my body stood on end, a chill running down my spine despite the warm, stuffy air around me.
Chius was a name whispered in hushed tones amongst the Prizes.
His reputation wasn’t just confined to being one of the most formidable fighters but extended to his erratic and unpredictable choices of Prizes.
Victory looked different for everyone, and for Chius, it was variety.
No Prize was ever chosen twice, keeping all of us in constant fear.
I licked my lips nervously.
I found it hard to swallow, my throat feeling parched and tight.
I had never been chosen by Chius, a fact that had brought me comfort before, but now that very fact seemed like a ticking time bomb.
The sinking feeling in my stomach intensified.
In my ears, the murmurs of the audience surrounding me grew louder, their voices tinged with excitement and anticipation.
Some spoke about placing last-minute bets, some gossiped about Fleth’s sudden exit, and a few seemed to pity Tix.
“He’s done for,” I overheard someone whispering.
It felt as though a weight pressed down on my chest, making it difficult to breathe.
The smell of roasted meat suddenly felt nauseating, and the radiant heat of the surrounding lights seemed overbearing.
The cacophony around me was a cruel reminder of the stakes at hand.
Tearing my gaze from the pit, I glanced around, taking in the faces of the other Prizes.
There was a shared look of fear.
No, it was more than that.
There was also an unsaid understanding, a silent plea in their eyes.
They, too, were afraid of being chosen by Chius, and they, too, wished for Tix to triumph, not just for his sake but for their own.
I had to do something.
I had to take matters into my own hands.
But how?
