The arena

Zaria’s POV

Malacar’s hands were touching me softly, as his lips followed my neck, going lower to my chest. He ripped the shirt, cupping my breast, and didn’t stop there, as a pool of heat arose in my stomach. My breath came quickly and shallow, nerves and expectation mixing inside me. My cheeks were flushed with embarrassment, but I couldn't help the electric excitement rising inside me. Malacar ran his tongue…

Zaria, someone shouted, bringing me back from the dream.

Go away, I said, turning.

Someone has wet dreams, she chuckled. I opened my eyes, terrified I might’ve said something.

Nova, what makes you think I asked her? Annoyed.

“Don’t stop”, you kept mumbling in your dream. I felt my face hot. Okay, who is he? Noctis?

What? No, stop, I didn’t dream…I said, walking to the bathroom, brushing my teeth, then changing into the uniform. Nova walked closer and shortened the skirt.

No, I don’t like that, so I fixed it back.

Fine, you need to get laid soon. Tell me, she said, grabbing my arm as we walked the hallways. Who was the man in your wet dream?

I looked at her and didn’t realize Master Malacar was standing behind us. I stopped. His eyes looked at me, confused.

Ladies, go to class, the bell will ring any minute. Then turned and left.

Nova, you’ll get me in trouble. Stop. I mean it.

Okay, don’t be mad at me, I’m just trying to help you. Inside the class, I walked with my head down, looking for an empty seat. In the back, Noctis stood up and pulled a chair for me.

Thank you, I spoke quietly as Mr. James walked inside. Okay, let's start, let’s see if you guys study or not. Pop quiz. Three questions, five minutes. He passed the papers, and he turned.

Question one: The purpose of an alliance, the rules…Go, he said as he flipped the timer.

I looked at the paper and thought about the painting at the front of the classroom. The mural portrayed the queen of forgotten souls, a legendary ruler in Underworld history whose story was well known at the academy. She was famous for forming powerful alliances with other clans, yet in the end, her closest allies betrayed her, and she was overthrown. It was a reminder to all of us that alliances were not permanent and that trust could be deadly.

Times up. Astrid, what did you write? He took the paper from her. Alliances are permanent.

Does anyone agree, disagree…

I disagree; my mouth betrayed me again.

Go on, Zaria, why?

Because the queen of demons had faction as allies, yet they betrayed her. So, they are temporary and not trusted.

Interesting statement. Do you know what happened?

No, sir, just the story behind the mural. The class laughed.

I didn’t find that funny, Mr. James said. She’s actually correct. Alliances could be broken, and not to be trusted. Great leaders learn from history, so they won’t have to repeat it.

Noctis face turned to me. I ignored him, even though I felt his gaze burning into me.

I will seal my mouth, I told myself, no way I’m answering another question. I bit my lip as the class went on.

The bell rang, and Nova took my hand. We have arena fights today, well, not us, the graduating class. Are you still angry with me?

Of course not, I said as Astrid passed me, pushing me hard out of the way.

Bitch on the broom, Nova shouted. Ignore her.

We walked to a large outdoor arena, and the whole academy attended the event. I saw the weapons in the middle of the arena as a large wolf walked inside.

Release them, someone shouted, as the metal doors opened and beasts with red eyes charged towards the wolf.

Are they dogs? I asked Nova.

Underworld dogs, they’re beasts, but now enslaved beasts…

The fight was savage as the wolf threw one of the beasts right in front of our seats. Its red eye stared at me, locking me in place, and for a split second, I swore I was able to feel its agony and terror as if it were my own. An intense ache grew inside my chest while pain sped through my body, raw and unexpected, and then the light in its eyes faded.

The crowd cheered, but all I could hear was my own thumping heart. I stood up before I realized I was moving, my legs quivering, and bolted up the stairs. My vision grew clouded as I hurried into the corridor, desperate for escape, desperate to outrun the swirl of emotions fighting inside me—fear, sorrow, and a guilt that left me cold. I found a room and closed the door, pressing my back against it as hot tears spilled down my cheeks. I felt like crying and didn’t know why.

Human…, looking for a bathroom? Astrid asked when I finally walked outside. Come, I will show you, she said as she opened a door and shoved me. I fell into the arena. Astrid smiled as she chanted, pushing me further to the middle.

The arena gasped. A human? " Get out…someone shouted. My heart was beating fast, and I knew this would be my death.

Cages opened, and I saw them: above me, a bone crow flapped its massive, skeletal wings, its empty eye sockets radiating with blue fire; behind me towered a shadow, shifting and twisting, its smoky form stretching tall and quivering like living darkness; in front of me was a beast, hunched and snarling, with clumped fur and long, yellowed fangs dripping with saliva; and far to the left, a strigoi stared with blood-red eyes, its skin pallid and lean thin over sharp bones, fangs revealed in a chillingly cold grin.

Get to the weapons, I heard Noctis shouting, someone do something…. I grabbed two curved knives.

Zaria, Malacar’s voice shouted desperately, as they started to advance towards me. I dropped the weapons at my feet.

My hand lifted on its own; I don’t remember telling it to. What is happening? I stared in disbelief, panic, and confusion battling inside me. All eyes in the arena seemed to be on me, but I barely noticed them. The crow landed on my hand as if we had done this a hundred times before.

The beast stopped at my feet and bowed, which made no sense, and the shadow’s hand landed on my shoulder, not threatening but oddly protective. The strigoi, of all things, took a knee to me. None of this should be possible. My thoughts flew: Why are they looking at me this way? What did I do to make them listen?

The arena was silent; it seemed like time had frozen. I saw Malacar coming towards me as everything around me commenced to fade. He held me close to his body.

Do not say a word, he voiced softly, pretend you’re scared. You, he turned to the beasts, be ready to defend her. Malacar released me from his arms, and I fainted.

I woke up to the conversation between the dean and Malacar. I didn’t open my eyes.

How is this possible? Why would underworld creatures bow to a human? he shouted

Sir, she dropped her weapons. Malacar's calm voice responded. She wasn’t a threat; they responded with violence to those who were trying to kill them.

Maybe, Dean said, his voice shivered. I need to investigate now, then I heard footsteps leaving the room.

You can open your eyes, Zaria, he said, his face inches from mine. His eyes were soft as he stared into mine, his fingers touching my face.

Now tell me who pushed you in? I shook my head.

Master Malacar, why do the beasts listen to me? My hands were trembling so badly as I saw Shadow in a corner staring at me.

He is protecting you, don’t overthink it, he said, but his hand shook slightly while he ran it over his beautiful face. I caught a trace of something raw in his eyes, worry, or was it anger? He didn’t look at me, jaw firm. Now, I will say names, and you’ll nod. Astrid? His voice turned sharper. Suddenly, Malacar cursed under his breath. His fist hit the wall so hard it made marks, pieces of stone shattering to the floor. For a moment, the tension rolling off him caused my breath to catch. Was he angry at Astrid, or was it for me?

Listen to me carefully, Zaria, pretend you don’t understand what has happened, act normal. I reached out to his bleeding hand; the jolt startled me. His eyes were so intense on me that I felt my face turning red.

What did you feel, Zaria?