A Devil with an Angel's Heart

Chapter 17

||Jotaro

They followed Kate through the desert. Just where was she taking them? But Jotaro had come to realise that the woman was one, big mystery and always good for surprises. Wherever it was, she was taking them to, Kate was definitely looking forward to it. The woman was hurrying along, a skip in her step. Then she suddenly stopped, looking out into the nothingness of the rocky desert. She suddenly jumped ahead. Like a lioness that had captured her prey, she landed on something. "Gotcha." Kate held up a crow, barely visible in the dark. "Go ahead and spread the word. Tell them: 'The Demonic Wing has entered the Ring." she told the bird and sent it off. "We're almost there." she explained. After some more walking they arrived at some sort of cliff, in the middle of the desert. In the valley at the bottom, there were lots of tents and a huge arena. The area was bustling with activity and tinged in light from bonfires and torches. It reminded of a medieval festival. Kate looked down at it. She looked happy as she turned to them, wind rustling her hair, "Welcome to my world." "Kate, please tell me you weren't on planning on sneaking away for this, had we camped out in the desert?" pondered the old man. "No. I thought I wouldn't be able to participate this year. But, I had to take my chances." she grinned, "If they didn't want me to participate, they shouldn't have put up such an unequalled prize for first place." "What is this?!" Polnareff was fascinated. "This is a monster hunt. Mages, hunters, warriors, they all come here to participate and compete. Winning this competition brings prestige and honour." Kate explained, "It's a good way to make a name for yourself. This is where I started." she smiled. "Let's go, or all the tents will be occupied."

"Oh my, we have several big fish here this year." the man at the register noted. "Well, with the Eyes of Medusa as first prize...I was expecting this." Kate registered her name among the participants, "Anyway, we'll need a tent for five." "Of course, my lady. Are you the only participant in this group?" the man called Orion inquired. "Yep, the boys will be amongst the spectators." Kate confirmed. "Your tent is here." Orion pulled out a map of the area. The map was alive, the pictures moving, whenever something important happened, a text appeared on the map, like "There's a fight near the food stands." In the middle was the arena, decorated with flags. The accommodations were located on the left, near the rocky walls of the valley, toilets and showers not far from there. Near the arena were food stands and bars, while the festival was going on, on the right side. Orion pointed to a tent, "This will be yours." "What about that one?" Kate pointed to an especially large tent. "That one is reserved for the water mage." Orion explained. Kate chuckled dryly, "Aria Beckett...that bitch. I bet she's alone, isn't she?" Kate inquired. Orion gave a tiny nod. "She doesn't need such a huge tent all for herself....Surely you can give it to someone who actually needs it..." Kate suggested. "I'm afraid, she asked specifically for this tent." Orion explained. "I see. I thought if someone could do something about it, it would be you...Too bad, it seems I overestimated you." Kate turned around, slowly walking away. "Wait!" Orion stopped her. Kate smiled, this was what she was going for, the smile disappearing once she turned around. "Yes?" "You can have the tent. It's not fair to give it to someone who doesn't need it." Orion caved. "Perfect, oh and one more thing, you're also acting as a bank, right?" Kate wondered. "Yes, I'm jumping in this year. The guy who usually does that, fell down the stairs and is currently recovering in a hospital." Orion explained. Kate nodded, "I need a hundred thousand Grimm." Orion's mouth fell open, "A hundred thousand?" "Yes, Grimm and Solars are the only currency accepted here. So, I need to make sure my friends have a budget of their own. Twenty thousand for each of us, sounds ok, right? Should I withdraw more?" Kate muttered. "No! Kate, you don't have to give us so much!" Mr. Joestar protested. "You need to be able to buy stuff like food and drinks while I'm in the arena." Kate explained in a tone that ensured the end of the discussion and handed them the cash. "Now, let's go. The hot springs are calling for me." Kate declared and ushered them off. When they reached the bathing area a woman burst through the entrance, only wrapped in a towel. She stopped next to Kate, "Hi! Glad you made it. Can't wait to see you perform out there!" "Found you!" a man, also wrapped in a towel stood panting in the archway of the entrance, a deep, sexy growl leaving his mouth. "I see you're having fun." Kate grinned. The woman giggled, "Hey, you happen to have some aphrodisiac on you?" Kate tapped her nose, "Course I do. Here you go. I'll make you more, if you need it." Kate winked and the woman ran off again, the man hot on her heels. Kate lifted up a towel, "Oh no! Someone must have lost their towel!" Kate put a hand over her mouth, playing innocent, even though she had been the one to snatch the towel off the man's hips, "Oh well, they'll come looking for it!" she giggled before stepping into the bath house. "Do you always carry an aphrodisiac with you?" Polnareff rushed after her. "Yes, " she answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "I make them myself. In the beginning I also tested them on myself....that wasn't such a good idea, but now I've developed a certain resistance to it..." Kate explained, before disappearing into the women's section.