Lady Selena could hardly believe her eyes. A woman of such beauty and elegance, standing in the blood soaked fighting ground? It seemed impossible. What could drive someone like her to risk everything here? Selena thought, her heart pounding. She stepped down from her carriage, unable to contain her curiosity, and climbed to the higher seats at the back. From there, she could see the entire arena, every clash, every movement, every expression.
The champion, a towering brute with scars lining his face, grinned wickedly at Alex. His deep voice rolled across the arena like thunder.
"How would you like to die, my lady?"
The crowd roared with laughter and cheers, hungry for violence. One man's voice cut through the noise:
"Show her how it's done!"
The champion's smile twisted into a snarl. "Since you don't have the courage to answer," he bellowed, "I'll silence you myself!"
With a savage cry, he raised his massive battle-axe and swung it down with all his strength, the steel blade whistling through the air. The crowd braced for blood.
But Alex didn't flinch. Calmly, she lifted her hand and caught the axe mid-swing, stopping it cold as though it were nothing more than a stick.
The arena fell silent. Gasps echoed from every corner. Selena herself rose to her feet, eyes wide with shock.
The champion strained, muscles bulging, trying to force the axe through her grip but Alex's hand did not move. With a sudden, crushing squeeze, the weapon cracked, then shattered into jagged pieces that fell to the sand.
The sound of breaking metal rang louder than the cheers had moments ago. The crowd stood in stunned disbelief.
For the first time, fear crossed the champion's face. He staggered back, eyes darting to the broken fragments of his weapon, then back to the woman who had destroyed it so easily.
Before he could gather his wits, Alex was already upon him. She moved with impossible speed, closing the distance in an instant. Her fist drove into his chest with the force of a hammer, and the champion's roar turned into a choking gasp as the impact sent him reeling.
The arena erupted some in awe, some in terror, and some unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed. Selena gripped the edge of her seat, her heart racing. She knew, without a doubt, that she was witnessing something extraordinary.
The champion's roar ended with a sickening thud as Alex's fist crashed between his chest and stomach. Blood burst from his mouth and nose, splattering across the sand as his body crumpled. The crowd gasped as one. Silence fell over the arena, broken only by the groan of the giant as he rolled onto his back, eyes rolling shut.
Lady Selena pressed a gloved hand to her lips. She had seen battles before, but never one like this. How could such a graceful woman carry strength so terrifying?
Floyd, the master of the fighting ground, staggered forward, his face pale. "What… what is your name, young lady?" he asked, his voice cracking.
"Alex," she said simply.
Floyd raised his arm to declare her victory but a voice from the far side cut him short.
"Stop!"
The crowd parted as Elliot stepped into the arena. Unlike the brute who had fallen, Elliot carried himself with calm confidence. He was lean, armored in polished steel, with a blade strapped across his back and scars that told their own story. He was a warrior of Crystalden, a man spoken of in taverns and firesides. Some called him the pride of the village; others called him its executioner.
He fixed Alex with a sharp gaze. "I challenge you," he said, his voice carrying over the hushed arena. "If I defeat you, your gold is mine. But if you defeat me, Floyd and I will multiply your winnings by one hundred. Do you accept, or do you walk away?"
Alex met his eyes, unflinching. "I didn't come here to run away."
A smile tugged at the corners of Elliot's mouth. The crowd erupted with excitement. Wagers were shouted, coins exchanged hands, and the stands trembled with anticipation.
Floyd raised his hand. "Begin!"
Alex stood utterly still. She didn't so much as raise her fists. Her gaze was steady, calm, almost serene.
Elliot frowned. Why does she look at me that way? Why is she not afraid?
He moved first. His fist shot forward, lightning fast, aimed at her jaw. She shifted her head ever so slightly, letting the strike brush harmlessly past. His second strike met the same fate. Then the third. Then the fourth.
Elliot's attacks came in a storm, faster and harder, but Alex slipped through them like smoke. The sound of his fists cutting the air filled the arena, but she moved as though the world itself slowed around her.
Gasps rose from the crowd. Lady Selena leaned forward, her hands tightening around the rail. Never had she seen such effortless mastery.
Elliot's frustration mounted. His teeth clenched as he threw a flurry of punches, thousands of strikes in rapid succession, each one meant to break bone but none touched her. The closer he came, the clearer it became: she wasn't merely dodging him. She was toying with him.
A growl tore from Elliot's throat. Dropping suddenly to the ground, he spun, his legs blurring in a vicious whirlwind aimed at her ribs. The crowd shouted in awe at the daring maneuver.
But Alex did not step back. She simply reached down, caught one of his legs mid spin, and held it in her grip.
Elliot's eyes went wide. Pain seared through his body as her fingers tightened like iron bands. His scream filled the arena.
With a single motion, she swung him by his trapped leg and smashed him into the earth. The ground shook. Dust exploded around them.
The arena went dead silent.
For a long moment, Elliot lay sprawled, broken. Then, somehow, he pushed himself upright, his breaths ragged, his body trembling. His injured leg barely carried him, yet he forced himself to face her once more. His thoughts raced. This is no ordinary woman. This is no human strength… this is something else.
His eyes clouded with despair. Guards rushed in, catching him as his legs buckled beneath him.
"The winner is Alex!" Floyd shouted at last, his voice breaking through the stunned quiet.
The arena erupted with cheers, chants of her name echoing from wall to wall. Bags of gold were carried out and stacked before her one million five hundred thousand pieces, multiplied as promised.
Alex accepted the reward without expression. Her gaze swept the crowd once, then she turned and walked away, her cloak trailing behind her across the dust.
From the higher stands, Lady Selena did not move. Her eyes stayed locked on Alex's retreating form. She leaned toward her driver, her voice low but commanding.
"Follow her," she ordered.
"Yes, my lady," Bernard replied, snapping the reins as the chariot wheels groaned into motion.
Selena's thoughts raced as the chariot rolled forward. Who are you, Alex? And why have you come to Crystalden?
Before they even reached the place where Alex stood, she had already sensed their presence. Her sharp instincts and heightened awareness made her pause and glance toward the approaching chariots. Her gaze was steady, piercing, and unshaken.
"Stop," Lady Selena commanded softly, and Bernard quickly reined in the chariots.
Alex remained motionless, her eyes fixed on them with a hard, unyielding expression. Lady Selena stepped down from the chariot, the guards immediately tense and ready, their hands twitching toward their weapons.
"My lady," Bernard said in a low voice, his tone lined with worry. "Surely you're not thinking of approaching her alone?"
A faint smile touched Lady Selena's lips. "Do not worry, Bernard. She will not harm me."
The guards exchanged uncertain glances, their unease clear. Still, they held their ground, prepared to strike at the slightest hint of danger.
Lady Selena walked forward until she stood before Alex. Then, to everyone's astonishment, she lowered herself to her knees.
"Please," she said, her voice carrying both strength and humility, "I need your help."
Gasps rippled through the guards. Bernard's eyes widened, stunned at the sight of their mistress bowing to a stranger.
Alex's expression did not soften. Her voice was steady, almost cold. "What is it you want from me?"
Rising slowly, Lady Selena inclined her head. "I need your protection."
Alex narrowed her eyes. "Protection? You command armies, Lady Selena. You are royalty. Why would you need me?"
"I know armies," Selena answered quietly, "and I know magic. But beyond these walls, there are forces far greater than either. Powerful beings walk the world, and when they come here, our soldiers will not be enough. Our magic will not be enough. This kingdom will fall."
At her words, Alex's thoughts darkened. She remembered the flames that had consumed her village, the helplessness, the screams that still echoed in her mind. Her jaw tightened, and her fists curled at her sides.
The guards took a cautious step forward, ready to pull their lady away, but Selena raised her voice sharply. "Stay back! No one comes closer."
There was silence, heavy and tense, until Alex finally spoke. "When do we begin?"
Relief flooded Selena's face, and a genuine smile broke through her composure. "Come with me," she said warmly. "Let us speak further inside the chariot."
And so, the two of them entered the chariot together, while the stunned guards watched in disbelief as their lady and the stranger began to weave the beginnings of an alliance.