AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Maybe, just maybe, it could be my saving grace.
With a burst of adrenaline-fueled strength, I grabbed the object, pressing its singular button and praying to every deity I knew.
To my amazement, a blinding flash of light erupted, momentarily blinding both Chius and me.
The intense brightness was followed by a sound that resembled a sonic boom, causing my ears to ring.
The sensation was both invigorating and disorienting.
Capitalizing on the sudden turn of events, I pushed myself up, using every ounce of strength to regain my footing.
My senses were a whirlwind.
I had to focus, to capitalize on this fleeting advantage.
Chius, momentarily stunned, shook his head as if to clear the cobwebs.
His gaze locked onto mine, a mixture of surprise and grudging respect evident in his eyes.
For a few heartbeats, neither of us moved.
The crowd’s cacophony had morphed into a hushed murmur, their collective anticipation palpable.
We were, once again, on even ground.
And then, as clarity dawned upon me, a plan began to form.
A potential way out, a tactic that might just tilt the odds in my favor.
I had an idea.
* * *
The roaring crowd and the electric atmosphere faded into background noise as I formulated my plan.
It was crazy, absolutely mad, but in the pits, sometimes madness was the only sane response.
With a deep breath, I did the unthinkable.
I turned my back on Chius, my every sense screaming that I was exposing myself to his impending strike.
The adrenaline coursing through my veins made every sensation heightened.
The feel of the rough fabric of my jacket against my fingers as I reached inside.
The cool, slightly slimy texture of the tw-headed snake-like creature, which I’d named Seris, after an ancient legend.
The distant calls of the birds outside the arena penetrated my ears.
Their musical chirping vied for attention versus the tense silence within the pit.
Holding Seris gently but firmly, I reached for the small vial of black ink.
Its contents, rich and viscous, were said to house auspicious spirits revered by the Ethurians, a species known for their spiritual beliefs.
The ink stunk.
I hurriedly smeared it over Seris, turning the creature’s naturally luminous scales to a deep, gleaming black.
