Chuckling, Kalia moved over and gave Sari a quick look before plopping onto my lap, leaning against my chest as she continued to look down at the arena floor.
Stroking Kalia's hair, I too turned to look at the fight between the Elf and Aethisia, finally 'unbothered' by the Catkin beside me as she removed her hand from my thigh.
My youngest daughter lounged on my lap, while Camara glanced over and smiled softly as she stared at us both, albeit with a tinge of envy in her reddish brown eyes.
Aethisia blocked a flurry of blows from the Elf, and I nodded to myself as my middle daughter used her swords longer reach to remain far from the Elf, forcing her to come closer.
Add to that her longer limbs and slightly bulkier build, as well as her surprising speed, Aethisia was attempting to manage the fight as best she could, forcing and goading the Elf into certain spots where she would then spring her 'trap' and begin to attack.
Sari sat beside me without much care at Kalia occupying my lap, her eyes focused on the fight below as she nodded to herself or let out a low sigh, analyzing the moves made by both the fighters.
Yiksa and Camara were similar enough, watching Aethisia fight quietly, though with different emotions.
Yiksa seemed to be amused by the action, her eyes excited as she watched the two fight and begin to learn the others patterns, while Camara was clenching her dress as she watched, worry in her eyes.
The match against the Elf lasted for a minute longer, and it came down to the fact that the Elf was running low on her stamina - compared to Aethisia, anyways - and she made a mistake, opening her guard and allowing Aethisia to snake her blade forwards and up, resting it idly against her throat.
Stiffening, the Elf froze before raising her hands, letting her daggers drop as she surrendered.
The crowd went wild with the end of the match, cheers deafening out the boos as people found the match extremely entertaining.
Nodding to each other, the Elf said something to Aethisia before scooping up her daggers, shrugging her shoulders when Aethisia replied to her.
Departing, the Elf slipped into the tunnel, and Aethisia turned towards us and waved, a broad smile on her lips.
Camara let out a sigh of relief as she waved back, and Kalia grinned as she clapped.
Rhefia walked out again, and she glanced up and us before smiling at Sari, like she knew that the Catkin had been told 'no' by Kalia.
Sari rolled her eyes at that, and Rhefia's smile widened as she saluted the Catkin.
Chuckling at their antics, I watched as a hulking Bullkin stepped out, her body covered in thick metal plating while her horns were tipped in silver.
A thick ring hung between her nostrils, and she snorted as she stared down at Rhefia, towering over my wife by a good foot.
Slung across her back was an axe that suited her giant frame, the double headed weapon gleaming menacingly in the sun.
"Mina Thebe, the 'Immovable Tower' is Rhefia's next opponent! A former Gauntlet Challenger herself, Mina will test the mettle of this arrogant Deerkin and either prove her worth or kick her out of the Arena! Place your bets everyone, since this will be a match to remember!"
Frowning, I glanced over at Sari, who was also frowning slightly as she scanned the Bullkin.
"So? What's your evaluation, Sari?"
My voice was laden with worry, and Sari sighed as she shrugged.
"Depends honestly. Rhefia's strong and skilled, but so is this woman. Add on the plate and sheer bulk of her body, and Mina is one tough bitch. Not someone I'd willingly fight, but also not impossible. Just... difficult. If Rhefia can manage to stay away and avoid any hits, she'll be fine... I think. Depends on if Mina's hiding something."
My frown deepened, and I turned back as the match started.
Grabbing her axe from her back, Mina grinned at Rhefia as she hefted the six foot weapon with ease, pointing it at her.
"Want to surrender, Deerkin?"
Twirling her spear a few times, Rhefia stared at Mina with a raised brow before saying "Nah, think I'll be fine. What about you? Want to surrender?"
Letting out a sharp peal of laughter, Mina glared at Rhefia as she clasped the handle of her axe, shaking her long mane of hair.
"Same here then, Deerkin. Don't break to easily now..."
Stomping forwards, she moved slowly and deliberately, and Rhefia remained where she stood, watching.
Evaluating her opponent, Rhefia nodded slightly as Mina raised her axe, a frown on her face as Rhefia continued to remain still.
Cleaving the axe down, everyone in the stands took a deep breath, wondering if they were about to watch Rhefia be split in two.
My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt the urge to uncork that vial and jump into the arena, only to widen my eyes as Rhefia slipped under the axehead and rolled under the woman's legs, her spear slamming into the back of her knee.
Grunting, Mina pulled her axe free from the sand and turned before Rhefia could attack again, her axe slicing through the air horizontally next.
Dropping to the ground under it, Rhefia rolled backwards and hoisted her spear, lancing it forwards and slamming the speartip into Mina's elbow.
Narrowing her eyes, Mina winced slightly as the spear slipped into the small opening of her plate armor, scoring a shallow cut on her flesh underneath.
Pulling the spear back, Rhefia stepped away from the Bullkin and waited, watching as Mina inspected her wound.
"Not bad. Rather precise with that spear, Deerkin. Quick, too. Lacking a little in power though..."
Nodding to herself, Mina hefted the axe once more and rushed Rhefia, no longer moving slowly.
Sand burst from under her feet as she moved, her bulky frame causing the area around her to shake as she pounded forwards, wanting to catch Rhefia off guard.
Going with a diagonal slash this time, Mina tried to cleave Rhefia in two, only to grunt once more as Rhefia slid between her legs, avoiding the blow.
Slamming the back of her spear into the woman's knee, she forced her to the ground before wedging the spear between her plates, trying to wrench some of the armor away.
Growling, Mina stood up, only to growl again as a thick, heavy plate of metal fell to the ground, revealing part of her leather clad back.
Turning, she slapped Rhefia's spear away and tried to kick her, only to hit empty air as Rhefia pulled away once more.
Staring at the tip of her spear, Rhefia sighed as she saw the metal tip had bent.
Looking back towards Mina, she shrugged as she readied her stance once more, preparing to charge forwards.
Stomping forwards, Mina stabbed the axe forwards, using the two heads as spearpoints as she tried to skewer Rhefia, who instead jumped away from the attack.
With one hand, Rhefia lanced her spear back towards Mina, and the Bullkin roared in anger as Rhefia's battered spear tip sliced into the back of her palm.
Blood seeped from the wound and onto the sand below, and a loud cheer erupted from the crowd.
Wrenching the blade free, Rhefia backed away and watched as Mina clenched her injured hand, causing more blood to weep from the cut.
"Been awhile since I was injured..."
Her voice was low and guttural, and she turned her horned head towards Rhefia, a snarl tugging at her lips.
Grabbing her axe again, she prepared to charge forwards, only to grunt as Rhefia beat her to it.
Lunging forwards, Rhefia stabbed the woman in the side, finding a small opening in the plate and lancing the spear into her flesh, before releasing the spear as Mina tried to swat her away.
Rolling, Rhefia grabbed ahold of the plate she had wrenched free earlier and jumped onto Mina's back, before raising the plate high.
Slamming it down, a dull thud echoed around the arena, and Mina let out a low groan, her eyes growing unfocused.
Raising it again, Rhefia hit the Bullkin once more, bending the thick metal plate in the process.
Falling to her knees, Mina tried to shake Rhefia free from her back, but at that point her head was low enough to be hit from the ground.
Slipping off her opponent, Rhefia raised the metal plate once more and slammed it down, knocking Mina out.
Tossing the plate aside, Rhefia wiped the sweat from her brow as she turned to stare at me, a cocky smile on her face as she met my gaze.
Blushing hard, I bit my lip as she mouthed 'I get a reward, correct?' to me, and I nodded, which made her grin.
Turning to look at Sari, Rhefia's grin widened, making the Catkin hiss slightly as she glared at her.
---
For those that don't like Sari right away, I really don't expect you to 'love' her completely.
She's a dominant woman who wants to be in charge of things, and now she wants to be in charge of the Family, so of course she's a little insufferable, but...
Rhefia is still there, and so she wants to 'challenge' Rhefia for the number one spot, which is why she's provoking her, so that she meets that challenge instead of skirting away from it.
Anyways, Sari will be here to stay, as will her kit~!
(also, longer chap today since I missed yesterday lol)
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