The iron doors of the arena closed behind me with a heavy, metallic groan.

  Signalling the end of the madness.

  I walked back into the dim waiting room, the cool stone air feeling like a bucket of water over my heated skin. My heart was still pounding against my ribs from the rush of the fight and the roar of the crowd. I stood there for a second, looking down at the yellow sundress. It was ruined. The marigold fabric was stained with grey dust and dark blood, and the shoulder was torn open where the Monk’s magic had hit me. It felt heavy and sad, like a memory that had been broken.

  I needed to feel like myself again. I focused my mind, and the electric tingle started at the base of my neck. I turned off the hygienic mode. I watched as the pale skin of my arms and legs was swallowed up by the rising tide of the obsidian liquid. The latex suit seeped back out of my pores, vacuum-sealing against my curves with that familiar, tight pressure. It was a chill that made me shiver, but it also felt like putting on a suit of armor. I was back in the black, back in the material that made me feel like a weapon. I folded the torn dress carefully, holding it as I waited for the organizers.

  Across the room, I heard a loud, angry shout. The Beastkin Ox was there, towering over a small, nervous-looking guard. His massive chest was heaving, and his dark eyes were full of a hot, frustrated fire. He was slamming his hoof against the stone floor, making the whole room vibrate.

  "What do you mean I can't participate anymore?" the Ox bellowed, his voice shaking the torches in their brackets. "I need that thousand gold! My tribe is counting on that coin!"

  The guard looked like he wanted to vanish into the wall. He held up his hands, shaking his head. "I’m sorry, big guy. Since the Ultimate Paladin left the grounds, the organisers have called an end to the trials. The Monk was the final gatekeeper. If he’s gone, the competition is over. We have our winner."

  The Ox let out a roar of pure, unfiltered rage. He turned his head and locked his gaze on me. His nostrils flared, and he pointed a thick, fur-covered finger straight at my chest.

  "You," he growled, his voice a low rumble. "You took the light. You took the prize. I’ll show you who’s truly stronger. I’ll show you who needs that coin more."

  He didn't wait for a reply. He turned and stomped out of the room, his heavy steps echoing like drumbeats. I watched him go, feeling a small pang of guilt. He wasn't just fighting for glory; he was fighting for survival, just like we were. I wondered if our paths would cross again when the sun went down.

  A group of event organizers, men in fancy silken robes with golden chains around their necks, approached me. They were smiling, but it was a cold, professional kind of smile. They led me down a long, polished hallway toward a VIP room. They kept talking, their voices a blur of compliments that felt more like a sales pitch. They were impressed by my "lethality" and my "ingenuity," but mostly they kept mentioning my "attraction." To them, I wasn't just a gladiator; I was a brand.

  As we walked, the rest of my group appeared around a corner. They had been waiting for me. The moment Eren saw me, she launched herself through the air. She hit me with a jumping hug, her small arms wrapping around my neck and her tail lashing with pure joy. I caught her easily, her weight familiar and comforting.

  "You did it, Tay-Tay!" she squealed into my ear. "You were incredible! You looked like a queen out there!"

  Joshua stepped up next. He didn't say much, but he reached out and gave my head a gentle, firm pat. His hand was warm, and his eyes were full of a beaming pride that made me feel like I could fly. He looked to check my body of injuries, then back at my face, and smiled.

  Barnaby offered a firm, merchant’s handshake, his eyes twinkling with the thought of the gold. Alan was the last one. He stood a bit apart, giving me a simple, respectful nod. His eyes were clear, and the clinical focus was back, though I could still see a trace of the wonder he felt for the Saint. Their different greetings were so much like them, warm, steady, professional, and quiet.

  We were led into the VIP champions room. It was a space of pure luxury. There was an XL couch made of deep red velvet that was large enough for all five of us to sit on together. We piled onto it, the softness of the cushions a miracle after the hard sand of the arena. A large silver platter was brought in, and on it sat a heavy sack containing the 1,000 gold coins. Beside it was a thick sheet of contract parchment.

  The clock on the wall struck 12:30 PM. The main organizer, a man with a thin mustache and a high-pitched voice, stood in front of us.

  "Congratulations to our new champion, Taylor," he said, clapping his hands. "As the winner, you are required to attend the Imperial Gala tonight. It is part of the tradition. Obviously, a suit, ahem, I mean, a gown, is required for the event. You will have a formal meeting with the Crown Prince, who will present you with the championship medal."

  He paused, looking at his notes, then looked at me. "And as is custom for the champion, you are required to spend the night having drinks with him after the gala is over."

  Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

  He stopped suddenly. His eyes traveled over the lines of my body, the heavy curves of my chest, and the long, powerful legs encased in black latex. He realized the implications of his words. The custom was designed for male champions to bond with the Prince. Having a lone woman share liquor with him in the private chambers of the palace was... different.

  "I mean," the organizer stammered, his face turning a light shade of pink. "It’s just... tradition. Mostly. I’m sure the Prince will be a gentleman."

  I felt the suit tighten as I shifted my weight. Sharing liquor at night alone with a Prince wasn't a normal procedure for me. Joshua looked concerned, his jaw tightening as he stared at the organizer. His protective instinct was flaring up again, and I could tell he wanted to say something, but Barnaby placed a hand on his arm to keep him quiet.

  The organizer continued blabbering about sponsors and public appearances and how I had to show up at certain times to represent certain guilds. It was a lot of "bla bla bla" that I didn't care about. I watched as Barnaby reached out and took the bag of gold. He felt the weight of it, a look of pure, concentrated bliss on his face. This was 1,000 gold closer to our 8,000 goal. It was a massive win.

  The organizers finally left the room, their silk robes swishing on the floor. A group of waiters brought in a tray of cold, sparkling drinks and left them on a low table before disappearing. The silence that followed was heavy.

  "I saw something in the stands," I said, my voice dropping into a low, serious tone. I looked at each of them. "Earl Thaddeus Braeburn. He was there. And then... he wasn't. Someone stuck a knife in his back. I watched him fall."

  The group went silent. Eren’s tail stopped moving. Joshua’s eyes went wide, and Alan leaned forward, his dark eyes sharpening.

  "The Earl?" Barnaby whispered, his voice full of shock. "In the middle of the arena? With all those people around?"

  "Yeah," I nodded. "It was quick. Professional. No one else seemed to notice because of the cheering. They took advantage of the holiday. The Sentinels are disabled today, remember? It was the perfect time for a murder."

  We all looked at each other, not sure what to do with that information. He was a piece of the puzzle that had just been removed.

  "So... what do we do?" Joshua asked, his voice full of a quiet, heavy worry.

  "No one knows," I replied. "I guess we just continue on. We have the gold. We have the gala."

  I looked down at the torn yellow sundress in my lap. "I still have this. I should get it fixed.. Also, I need a gown made by tonight. I can't meet a Prince in a torn dress or a bodysuit."

  Eren perked up, her eyes brightening. "Mina! She told us her shop, The Claw, sells gowns. She said she’s a tailor. It’s perfect! We can go there right now."

  It was a convenient plan. We gathered our things and left the arena through the back exits. Even though the fight had just ended, the city was already buzzing. Newspaper parchment shops were already distributing small, magically-printed flyers with the news of a new champion who had scored a full 30 out of 30.

  I borrowed Alan’s heavy travelling cloak to cover myself as we walked. I didn't want the attention yet. Joshua stopped at a corner and purchased one of the newspapers. He looked at the front page and paused. There was a crude, hand-drawn drawing of me in the arena. It captured the height and the platinum hair, and though it was a bit rough, it was enticing. I saw Joshua stare at it for a second too long before he folded it and tucked it away. He seemed to like the idea of me being on the front page.

  We walked through the Tier 2 district until we reached The Claw. The exterior was nice, with a dark wood frontage and large glass windows. It wasn't a huge shop, but it felt cozy and expensive. As we got closer, I noticed the displays in the side window. They sold gowns and silks, yes, but there were also... other things. Intricate leather pieces, strange glass objects, and adult toys.

  Oh, I thought, my eyebrows rising. No wonder Mina said things that were interesting.

  We pushed through the door, and an immediate burst of energy hit us. The shop smelled like expensive perfume and fresh linen. Mina was there, and as soon as she saw Eren, she went for the exact same jumping hug.

  "Awwwwww!" Mina squealed, her voice a hyper-active melody. "I’m soo soo soo soo soo soo sooooo happy that you came! I saw the news! You’re the champion! Everyone is talking about the new champion!"

  I laughed, the sound smoky and soft. "We’re glad to be here, Mina. I’ve got a yellow sundress that needs repairing, and... well, I have a gala to attend tonight. I need a gown."

  Mina’s eyes went wild with excitement. She turned and shouted toward the stairs at the back of the shop. "MADAM SILK! SHE’S HERE! THE CHAMPION IS HERE!"

  The shop fell into a flurry of activity. Madam Silk’s voice called back from upstairs, a deep, commanding tone that made me stand up a little straighter. We were invited to sit in a plush waiting area. Barnaby sat in a large chair and took out his pipe, looking like he was ready to relax for the first time in days. Alan pulled out his notebook and began to scribble, his eyes darting around the shop.”

  Joshua and Eren went to explore a section of the shop that was partitioned off by heavy velvet curtains. I watched as they parted the fabric. A soft, pink and red neon glow filtered out from the "R18" section. Joshua’s face turned a deep, bruised shade of red, and he looked away instantly, his body becoming stiff with a sudden, extreme shyness. Eren, who was pushing Joshua in, however, looked fascinated, her cat ears swiveling as she looked at the displays.

  Then, the stairs creaked.

  Madam Silk came down the steps. She was a tall woman, nearly as tall as I was, and she was dressed in a gown that made my breath catch. It was a classic "Jessica Rabbit" style dress, deep, shimmering red, floor-length, and hugging every single curve of her body with a scandalous precision. Her hair was pulled back into a sophisticated knot, and she had a sharp, knowing look in her eyes.

  She walked over and sat down on a velvet chair opposite me. She didn't look at the others; she looked straight at me. She reached into a small silver case, pulled out a long, thin cigarette, and lit it. A cloud of sweet-smelling smoke filled the air between us.

  "So," Madam Silk said, her voice a smooth, low purr. She raised one perfectly arched eyebrow. "Are you ready for your gown prep, Champion?"

  I looked at her, then at the pink neon glow coming from the curtained area, and then back at my torn yellow dress. I felt a surge of intrigue and a little bit of nerves.

  "I'm ready," I said.