19. Chapter 17
Chapter 1 7
Lillith
T he underground arena is awash with the intoxicating scent of sweat, blood, and anticipation. Loud, dramatic battle music fills the air as shady characters slither their way into the dimly lit space.
I glance at Asher, who has taken it upon himself to leave my side for a moment. Who knows what for. As he disappears into the shadows, I begin casting a glamour spell to disguise myself. Not enough to make me unrecognizable—after all, the prince doesn't know that I can do this—but enough that it would be more difficult for anyone else to recognize me. Fortunately I don't spend much time in the villain circles and hadn't for several years.,
The music swells mysteriously as my appearance morphs, tendrils of magic weaving around me, changing my features.
Back to where it all began .
"Presenting... Grundle the Greedy!" booms the announcer's voice, cutting through the cacophony.
My heart skips a beat as I recognize the dwarf pit fighter from my past life in this wretched place. His dark shaggy hair is tied up into a messy bun showcasing the many scars he has earned, I imagine, from within this arena. He always did enjoy the fights here, not because he is truly the best, but this man's vice is gambling and I swear he gets off on betting on himself.
Grundle strolls into the arena, his spiked cestuses glinting dangerously under the flickering torchlight. A girl has to admire his armored glove reinforced with metal rings along the joints and fingers as well as protective spikes protruding from the knuckles. The material is leather and adorned with runes and symbols, most of which I do not recognize. I wonder what those can do.
Triumphant music accompanies his entrance, and the crowd roars in approval.
I continue to work my glamour as I watch Grundle strut and play to the crowd. He certainly seems to have improved his showmanship.
"Oi, pretty face! You new 'round here?"
The gruff voice jolts me back to the present, and I turn to see a burly man leering at what he assumes is my true visage. Surprisingly, he’s not someone I recognize .
Suppressing a shudder, I force a coy smile onto my lips and nod demurely. "Indeed, sir. This is my first time," I reply in a sweet tone that belies my true feelings.
The man laughs, slaps my back a bit too hard, and saunters off to join the throng of spectators.
"Ugh," I mutter inwardly, rubbing my aching shoulder. It is bad enough having to be here, but to endure the company of these vile creatures? It is almost too much. Still, I have a mission, and maintaining my glamour is crucial.
The atmosphere in the underground arena shifts, as though an icy wind blows through the crowd. I glance around and spot Gorthak the Executioner stepping into the ring. The creeping, ominous music that accompanies his arrival sends shivers down my spine.
I vaguely remember the day he shaved his head claiming it was to prevent his victims from being able to grip him, a ridiculous notion considering his wardrobe is full of things they could grab anyways.
Grundle might've changed little, but Gorthak appears as cruel as ever.
A murmur of anticipation spreads through the crowd as Grundle and Gorthak examine each other, sizing up their opponent. The anticipatory music builds suspense, drowning out the nervous chatter.
Seeing Asher working his way back through the crowd toward me, I hurry to finish my glamour. My nose is just a little larger, my eyes a smidge farther apart, and my jaw is now less defined. Not much of a difference but hopefully enough.
"Ah, there you are," Asher murmurs as he takes the empty seat beside me. He scrutinizes my face for a moment before offering a small shrug and turning his attention to the fight. "Quite the show, isn't it?" he whispers, leaning closer.
His breath tickles my ear, making me shiver involuntarily.
"Indeed," I reply, trying to sound innocent and awed. "I've never seen anything quite like it."
"Ah, you're still so young," he says, chuckling softly. "This is the kind of stuff I deal with all the time, usually in a less structured way. Stick with me, and I will keep you safe."
I cover my snort with a cough at how ridiculous this entire thing is. In the end, I wouldn't be surprised if I end up saving him.
Grundle and Gorthak continue to size each other up. It is only a matter of time before one of them makes the first move, and then the real carnage will begin.
"Let's make a wager," Asher suggests suddenly, his eyes alight with mischievous glee. "Who do you think will emerge victorious?"
"Um..." I hesitate. Gorthak is at a disadvantage since his expertise doesn't involve opponents who are quite so mobile. "I... I don't know. They both seem so... fierce. "
"Ah, playing it safe." He says with a nod. "Wise choice, my dear. Wise choice indeed."
I force a smile onto my lips and nod demurely. My dear? Who does he think he is?
"Thank you," I reply in a sweet tone that belies my true feelings.
The sound of the chime echoes through the underground arena, silencing the excited chatter and anticipatory music. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the brutal spectacle that is about to unfold.
Let the fun begin.
"Place your bets!" a goblin bookie cries, scampering between spectators with his parchment in hand.
"I've changed my mind," I declare, turning to the prince. "I want to bet on Grundle."
Prince Asher's eyebrows shoot up in surprise, but he smiles approvingly. "Very well then. What shall we wager?"
"A foot rub," I blurt out before I can even think about it. “Since I'm always doing things for you, it would be nice if you did something for me for a change.”
Asher lets out a laugh and then leans forward to shake my hand in agreement. "You have yourself a deal."
The crowd roars with anticipation as Grundle and Gorthak square off in the center of the arena. They move carefully at first, each gauging their opponent's strength and abilities.
Grundle is the first to make a move, launching himself at Gorthak with a flurry of strikes.
"Come on, Grundle!" I whisper, clenching my fists at my side. Though I don't care much for the dwarf's pursuit of riches, he is the lesser of the two evils facing off before me.
"Such violence." Prince Asher sighs, shaking his head. "A shame there isn't a more civilized way to settle disputes in this place. This would never happen in our circle."
"Perhaps you should start a debate club, " I quip, allowing myself a small smile.
He chuckles, but his eyes remain focused on the battle. Gorthak lunges at Grundle, swinging his barbed whip with deadly precision.
"Watch out!" I shout involuntarily, unable to suppress my concern for the dwarf pit fighter.
Grundle manages to dodge the attack, rolling to safety just in time.
I take a deep breath and try to regain my composure, schooling my features into a mask of indifference, but inside, my heart races as Gorthak unleashes a gruesome new torture move, wrapping his whip around Grundle's legs and yanking him off balance.
"By the gods," I breathe, unable to tear my eyes away from the scene. "Some things never change."
As the battle rages on, a chant erupts from the crowd, their voices blending into a familiar rhyme I haven't heard in years. It’s the same cheer that was once reserved for me, back when this dark place held sway over my life. The rousing, rhythmic music swells around us, filling the air with a strange mixture of hope and bloodlust. I can't help but feel a pang of nostalgia despite my best efforts to remain detached.
I turn to find Prince Asher scrutinizing my expression with narrowed eyes. The music shifts, adding an undercurrent of suspicion to the atmosphere.
"How are you holding up?" he asks quietly, his gaze never leaving my face.
"Fine," I lie, forcing a smile. "Just enjoying the show."
"We're next. Our opponent will be Xixor Shade," he informs me. "I trust you'll be prepared? Remember just let me handle most of this."
"Of course," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.
I can't let the prince see how much the prospect of facing my old tutor shakes me or, worse, how worried I am about fighting him without revealing my true identity.
We both turn our attention back to the arena. Surviving this place—and each other—just might be the most difficult challenge we'll ever face.
The music slashes through the air like a knife as Grundle, with surprising agility for a dwarf, counters Gorthak's attack using his spiked cestuses. The crowd gasps and cheers at the impressive maneuver.
"All right, so here are the rules," Asher says, leaning in closer to me, his voice barely audible over the cacophony of the arena. "Each team must fight three rounds against different opponents." He ticks off each rule on his fingers as he speaks.
"Got it," I reply tersely, trying to focus on the battle before us.
Gorthak swings his weapon toward Grundle, but the dwarf manages to dodge it by mere inches. The crowd erupts in cheers at the close call. Swelling music accompanies their excitement.
My mind briefly flashes back to when I was just eleven years old, standing in the center of this very arena. My small, bruised fists clenched the top-ranking trophy tightly, and the roars of the crowd washed over me like an intoxicating tidal wave. How proud I had been and how much I had yet to learn about the true nature of this place.
"Pay attention, Lilly," Asher admonishes gently, snapping me out of my reverie. "We need to study their moves, find their weaknesses."
"Right," I mutter, forcing myself to watch the brutal spectacle unfolding before us.
Grundle and Gorthak trade blow after blow, their faces twisted in both pain and determination.
The final blow lands with a sickening crunch. Grundle has emerged victorious, standing over Gorthak's crumpled form as the crowd erupts into deafening cheers. Triumphant music swells, matching the intensity of the scene. I can't help but feel a twinge of relief for the dwarf pit fighter despite the gruesome nature of his victory.
"Next up!" booms the announcer's voice, cutting through the cacophony. "Peter Scarworth and Lilly versus Xixor Shade!"
My blood runs cold at the mention of the name, my heart pounding in my chest like a trapped bird. Tense, dramatic music begins to play, heightening the sense of dread that washes over me.
As we make our way down to the arena floor, I try to focus on the task at hand, but the memories of Xixor Shade's cruel tutelage haunt me, each one more painful than the last.
"Remember," Asher whispers in my ear as we step into the arena, "we're in this together. We've got each other's backs."
"Right," I murmur, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves.
The thought of having someone by my side, someone who genuinely cares about me, is both comforting and disconcerting. It is unfamiliar territory for me, but perhaps it is just what I need to face my demons head-on.
Xixor Shade strides to the arena, a sneer curling his lips, I feel a surge of anger mixed with dread rise up within me. There is no turning back now. It is time to confront my past and fight for my future, and maybe, just maybe, I can do so without revealing who I really am.