𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒 | 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯

➥ andy; gladiator

"Our next two competitors have been victorious many times!" The crowd cheers and I can hear them through the compact, sand coloured stone. "Both are extremely skilled, but only one can be our winner!" Sweat drips from my brow, both from the heat pounding down on me in waves and from the idea that death potentially stands behind this door.

"Introducing a personal favourite...one of our very own soldiers...Y/N L/N!" The wooden door I've considered my safety net for the last few moments, squeaks and groans revealing the blinding light of the sun. The Roman men, women and children scream loudly into the space I should be stood.

I take the step into the beam of light, sand and grime underneath the sole of my sandal. I reveal myself to the people, sunlight beating down on my skin, bouncing off the round metal shield and my gladius. The noise erupts, flowers of a crimson red dropping around me like blood, like a net cast on fish.

I smile, waving at no one in particular but the people I know nothing about seem to know everything about me. The cheering is drawn short as I take my position and my opponent is announced. The leather skirt feels sticky and tight on my skin, sweat and fear coating me like a blanket of discomfort, the only solid thing, the ground beneath my feet.

The voice calls across the arena again, "Announcing another one of my favourites..." The people wait in anticipation, I feel the dread and fear seeping beneath my clothes and skin, into my heart. It beats unsteady against my chest. "Andromache the Scythian, an explorer for the Emperor!"

The crowd erupts louder this time, making their bets, choosing their victors. She steps from the darkness confidently, dust and dirt flying around her.

Her cropped brown hair is straight and angular, figure muscular but graceful. Somehow I don't envy her, but respect the woman who I know will kill me. Her eyes meet mine, a beautiful mix of diamond and sapphire under the shade of her helmet. Her lips pull up into a smile, welcoming and empathetic. I smile back, a sign of respect and acknowledgement. We ready ourselves, waiting for the familiar signal of the start, of permission to kill each other.

It sounds and she sprints at me, I duck low and send her over my shoulder, immediately spinning back to face her and concealing my front. She rolls back onto her feet with precision and practice, something i'm not accustomed to seeing in an opponent. A challenge in my final battle.

She throws aside her shield, a plume of dust appearing as it flies out of her proximity. I drop mine too, kicking it away and watching as her eyes narrow, but her lips curve up slightly. I grip my blade and lunge, keeping low to the ground as if aiming for her shins before pushing of one leg and sliding the blade long her chest. Her fist however, collides with the side of my face with a bone snapping force.

I fall to the ground, knife casted from my hand, I decide rolling onto my back final chance of survival. Her body bears down on mine, skin scorching hot against me. Her muscular thighs brace my torso, forearms pressing harshly against my own a I strain to keep the sharp edge of her weapon away from me. "You're making this more difficult for yourself." She groans, adding more of her bodyweight to the cause of killing me.

"I don't think you have experienced a fight where someone actually wanted to be alive by the end of it." I strain, the grains of sand and dirt freckled through my hair. I remember my youth, and my mothers fingers separating the strands before tying it into a complex plait. "I intend to be your first." I find her body loosens and take the opportunity to push her from me, taking her position.

"And you haven't met someone who wants to die but cannot." I wrap my hands around hers on the hilt, blade pointing down on her neck. I sit on her chest hoping to deprive her of air.

"Do you intend to be my first?" I manage, jaw tensed.

"Something like that."

The knife drops, cutting her neck slightly which throws me off balance. Before I know it I have been rolled over her body, back towards her. A pain like no other tears through my spine, spreading and writhing. The air is knocked from my lungs, mouth filling with blood. The metal is pulled from my back as she kneels in front of me. "Close your eyes, it hurts less." I do as I'm told and find truth in it, the light of the sun and the sound of cheering slowly dissipates, fading into black and silence.

Then there's the images. The same face, but her eyes are wide with fear as she looks back at what must be my body. Another woman stands hidden beneath the darkness of the gate, her eyes supportive and joyous of her friends victory. Then the light pours in and air fills my lungs.

My body is tossed over her shoulder, hands planted firmly on my waist. "I'm gonna get you out of here, but I need you to play dead." Again I do as I'm told, still disorientated and lost. Wasn't I just dead? Then it clicks.

And you haven't met someone who wants to die but cannot.