Chapter 6 Coliseum day

Today is Coliseum Day, and everyone is excited but I can't seem to shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen. I brush it off as paranoia once I see the excitement on Ali's face while she gets dressed in the outfit we picked just yesterday.

"Miri, get dressed! I don't want to be late and end up sitting at the back!"

"I know, I know. I'm getting ready now. Don't rush me," I reply, already feeling a little irritated by how excited she is for all this.

I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel unusually irritable today. And my Myrridan feels... unsettled, like my powers want to burst out from within. But I do a good job keeping it under control, even hiding it from Ali.

I take slow, deliberate steps behind her as we walk toward the coliseum. I try my best to control my breathing because, for some reason, I think my powers might be increasing. Still, I manage to hold it all together.

When we arrive, we're led to the section where humans are expected to sit and luckily, we find two seats right up front, which Alira won't stop raving about. But suddenly, all the chatter dies down.

A trumpet sounds.

A loud shout follows: "All Empire Royal!"

First to enter is the royal demon family, the king, queen, and their crown prince. Next is the dragonian royal family, which includes the king, queen, and their two princes. Lastly, the royal shadow family enters the king, his seven princes, and the royal hostage the last dragonian prince.

The King of Shadows rises and begins his speech, marking the start of the event.

"Good day, people and royalties of the Empire. As you all know, this Coliseum Day is held in honor of the victories of our ancestors in the Myrridan Coup."

I lean over and whisper to Ali, "What is the Myrridan Coup?"

"That's what the ancient war against humans is called by the other empires," she whispers back, adding, "You really should pay better attention in history class."

I groan quietly and turn my focus back to the king.

"This year's coliseum, hosted by the Shadow Empire, has decided to involve the human realm for the first time ever so that they, too, may enjoy the festivities of this glorious day. As per tradition, each empire has been seated in its designated section, with their rulers presiding at the head.

Each empire will send warriors to represent them in battle, and there shall be a little surprise for everyone at the end of it all.

By the power vested in me by the Ancestors of Night, I hereby declare the beginning of this sacred coliseum!"

The crowd erupts in loud cheers every empire except ours.

But all I can think about is that phrase: "a little surprise." Something about it makes me deeply uneasy.

"Damn, girl! What empire do you think that warrior is from?" Alira's happy voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

I follow her gaze and see a burly man in golden armor, flexing his muscles and sticking his snake-like tongue out at the cheering crowd.

"Are you actually serious, Ali? Well, after seeing that tongue and his overly muscular appearance both traits common to the dragonian empire I'd say he's from the demon empire."

My sarcasm earns me a playful shoulder smack.

We continue watching, match after match. Warriors from every empire enter the arena to battle, and since we're sitting right up front, Ali and I can see their moves and stances clearly enough to make silent commentary to ourselves.

Alira is the first to notice it.

"The Shadow Empire's warriors are only middle-class tagged. They're not even their best yet they've won more than half their matches, even against some of the strongest from the demon and dragonian empires. If these aren't even their elites, I can't imagine what would've happened if we humans had to participate. That would be a bloodbath."

I nod, agreeing wholeheartedly.

"Especially with the rules of this year's match each round must last at least five minutes, with both warriors fighting at their best. The only exception is if one dies before the time is up. After the five-minute mark, the match continues until one party forfeits."

I repeat the rules, feeling that same heaviness settle in my chest.

"Riri, I have a bad feeling about all this," Alira says slowly. "This year's rules seem to stress endurance and time. Like they need the matches to last long. I can't explain it, something is off."

She just voiced what I've been feeling all day.

"Ali," I say quietly, "if anything happens, you are to run. Even if it means leaving me behind. Do you understand?"

"Girl, let's just pray nothing goes wrong. Because I'd sooner die than leave you behind."

I believe her.

A loud voice suddenly bellows through the stadium:

"The winner out of all the empires in this year's coliseum is the undefeated champion of the Shadow Empire, who we all call-?!"

The crowd erupts:

"Gigan Shadow! Gigan Shadow! Gigan Shadow!"

I look up to see the warrior in question, a faint, cloaked figure we hadn't paid much attention to before. He stands well over seven feet tall, by my rough estimate, and the sinking feeling in my chest worsens.

The announcer speaks again.

"And now, for the king's surprise-!"

As soon as those words leave his lips, the unthinkable happens.

Several chairs, the ones designated for human spectators suddenly drop. Holes open beneath them, and one by one, men and women alike fall through, only to reappear inside the arena.

Right next to that monster.

Including Alira.

They took my Ali.

"The humans will now fight the champion in a mock war, a demonstration that the battles of our ancestors can never be repeated. It is a reassurance that peace shall remain among all empires for eternity!"

The entire coliseum erupts in cheers.

Except the humans whose screams are drowned out, ignored, silenced.

And me?

I see red.

They stole my parents five years ago. Now they want to take my sister, the only family I have left.

I feel my power rising, trying to tear through me, but I breathe deeply. If I lose control now, everyone including Ali will die.

No.

I won't let that happen.

With resolve firmly in my chest, I leap into the arena.