"Calling El Cuervo to the arena!"
The blaring loudspeaker jolts me awake. My eyes blink against the dim lighting in the room, my mind foggy for a split second before I remember where I am.
La Caverna.
An underground fighting ring where only the toughest mages battle it out for money.
It so happens tonight It's my turn to fight.
I push myself up, stretching the stiffness from my limbs before making my way to the door. As I pass a mirror, I pause, taking in my reflection.
The person staring back is a stranger.
Lean, tall and easily mistaken for a boy. Which is exactly what I intended. My curves are hidden beneath a hooded robe, and my delicate features are obscured by a bird mask. I tug at my gloves, ensuring they sit just right. Everything must be perfect.
"Raven, hurry up!" Pepe yells from the other side of the door.
I inhale deeply before stepping outside. A towering man with a thick beard stands before me, arms crossed, his gaze sharp and serious as he studies me.
"I thought I told you to be ready for this match." He scolds then shakes his head. "Nevermind. Go." He pauses, taking a deep breath. "Go and win." He slaps a hand on my shoulder and points at an iron gate at the end of the hall.
I shrug his hand off and take a step forward.
"I know what I need to do, Pepe." I say continuing down the hall.
My boots clack against the floor as I make my way out. I try not to dwell on Pepe. I'm used to his cold attitude. When I was younger it used to eat me inside when I felt I couldn't measure up to his standards. He was my mother's younger brother, the only family I had left after she passed away. He never liked me. I knew that from the beginning. Yet as a child with no other family I had craved his approval. Approval he never gave me.
I fist my hand and shake my head. No. Let's not think about the past. The present was all that mattered.
As I step through the gate, the sound of cheers meet my ears. My eyes adjust to the lighting in the cavern. A huge rocky arena with thousands of people standing around comes into view. La Caverna is filled with buzzing excitement. People wave posters with my name in the air. Women and men both whistle and wave their arms. The crowd chants 'El Cuervo' as they see me enter.
I feel a twinge of guilt at the familiar sight. The truth is, they wouldn't cheer for me if they knew I was a girl. Magic wasn't something women were allowed to use. If they discovered a girl had not only participated but also made a name for herself, it wouldn't end well for me or Pepe. The risk of being exposed was always a risk factor during these fights.
Even so, it was worth the money. Most of it went to Pepe, but it didn't bother me. As long as he gave me part of the cut I would continue to fight until I could earn enough money to move to the city.
Then I would finally be free. Free to live my life on my own terms. No more fights. No more hiding under a mask. It would be a dream come true.
I return my attention back to the crowd and raise a hand. They practically lose it when I wave at them. A smile tugs my lips.
"And to our left we have a newcomer. Who dares go against El Cuervo? He must be a pretty confident fella! Here he comes, The Cobra!" The announcer yells into the microphone.
The crowd boos as a tall man strides into the arena confidently. He is wearing a black leather outfit with a large cape that falls at his sides. His face is concealed under a black mask and a black hood.
His clothes look expensive, suggesting he's from a wealthy family. As I observe him I notice he carries arrows on his back. I bite my lip, so he is a long distance fighter? This fight may prove harder than I thought. However, that wouldn't stop me from winning.
We both walk to the center as the announcer finishes introducing us. I can see his intense cool blue eyes, the only part of his face the mask doesn't cover. Something about the man before me is unusual.
"Good luck, El Cuervo." The man says in a low taunting whisper.
I stretch a hand out to him and he takes it. I squeeze his hand with all my strength. I expect him to buckle from the pressure but he doesn't.
"I don't need it." I say with indifference and let go of his hand.
"And now...the fight you have all been waiting for! El Cuervo vs The Cobra. The fight will start in 20 seconds. Take your places!" The loud speaker blares.
I unsheath my daggers from my hips and take a fighting stance.
"3, 2, 1..."
Cobra disappears out of sight. I quickly realized what his element is. Shadow magic. Without hesitation, I close my eyes and concentrate on my hearing. Silence. A brisk movement. There! I swing my daggers and move my body in a half circle to block the incoming arrow. Another! I do a backflip and dodge the second arrow.
My turn.
It's time to turn the heat up in here.
Using my magic, I gather energy around my feet and let out a burst of flames that encircles a five foot radius. The spell brings Cobra out of hiding and momentarily stuns him. I take that opportunity to rush forward both my daggers on either hand and swing at him. He uses the side of his bow to block my incoming attack. Then grabs my arm in a death grip.
I attempt to kick him with my feet, but he blocks it. With my other hand, I jab his side with my dagger and manage to nick him. He tightens his hold on me as I struggle to break free.
"So you don't want to let go? Fine. Then burn!"
I summon a wave of fire that encompasses the area. Cobra lets go before the flames can get him and uses his shadow magic to evaporate into thin air. He reappears again at a distance, readjusts his bow, then aims and fires, this time it's three arrows in one shot.
I block two arrows but get hit by the last one. I touch my shoulder where the arrow hit me.
A small scratch but still...
This guy isn't half bad. I need to stay on my feet.
I run forward, blocking arrow after arrow. I try to get close to him, but he's too quick and evades me each time.
After running toward him to no avail, I finally give up chasing him. Instead, I grip my dagger tightly and bring it forward in one swift motion. The dagger shoots out of my hand toward him. The distraction is enough for me to dash toward him while he deals with my weapon.
He dodges the dagger but isn't ready for the punch I grace him with.
He takes the blow to the face but quickly recovers, grabs my throat, and slams me to the ground.
Before I have a chance to react. I feel a stream of cold enveloping my neck, arms, and body. I can't move.
Ice magic.
I'm caught off guard.
Only nobility has two or more magic elements.
What was nobility doing here?
Cobra grabs the dagger in my hand and places it over my neck.
"I guess you did need that luck after all, huh?" he says, his tone dark.
Damn it.