Hunting for a way home - Shalnark x Reader

Chapter 33 - Thing is, This place is looking alot more like hell.

Why did all this have to happen today? Nothing was going as planned and you hoped the events of early today didn't set the tone for how the day would end. You only had a few moments to make sure you were fully prepared and get yourself out to the ring when they called your name.

You'd glanced at the votes from the blinds and there were not many in your favor as far as people that thought you had a chance at winning. Granted it's not like they'd seen you fight before, so you couldn't really blame them.

It might just have been a huge mistake to have your debut fight be against Hisoka. But it's not like you could just do a no show at this point... how embarrassing would that be amiright?

Thinking about your lack of luck you remembered vaguely hearing something about the number 13 being unlucky and specifically the day Friday the 13th supposedly being unlucky. But you had never been superstitious and it seemed like a waste of time to start now.

The announcer next broadcasted words made you feel like you were going to be sick.

"As you can see folks, the stands are packed! Even though this new fighter has no wins on the 200th floor and this is her debut. People are eager to see just what she has that got the magician's attention! Will she have what it takes to come between him and his winning streak or will this fight enable him to finally challenge a floor master!"

'Oh fuck.. Oh fuck.. what did I get myself into.' Turning towards the trashcan hastily you gripped the rim, hunching over to throw up.

You thought you were prepared, that this might not be a big deal even but you were extremely wrong. There was a decent possibility you'd fail in this fight but to do so in front of so many people?

'I can't do this.. I can't do this.. I can't-'

NO.

No.

Closing your eyes tight to stop the panic from rising further, you took deep breaths as evenly as possible. Hands gripping tight around the edge of the trashcan to steady yourself you leaned back.

You had to give this fight your all. Even if you couldn't win against him you could hurt him and that would be more than enough.

Even if the world and most of the people in those stands didn't bet on you or even believe in you. The people that mattered did and panicking alone in this room was a poor way to repay them.

Whatever was to come you knew you were strong and had only worked to make yourself stronger ever since the first day you got here.

You had been trained by ruthless thieves, assassins, and fighters. Even if you had never bested them, you had learned to hold your own.

You had been through worse than this and somehow always came out on the other side. Today would be no different.

Quickly walking over to wash your mouth out you stood by the door that led out towards the arena waiting for the announcer to call out your entrance.

The anxiety and panic of all throughout today began to fade. You would not be afraid. Not today, and certainly not because of a clown.

A cruel smile started forming on your face just as you heard the announcer calling your name.

_______

Phinks was happily sprawled out on a couch in an apartment he was renting out with Feitan.

He had only just sat down his beer on the coffee table when the woman perched in his lap began pawing at his chest.

Life couldn't get better.