The Forgotten Light

51. Fairlight

She had no idea what awaited her the next day. She had expected to continue working with the elements, creating something impossible, something like an army of new soldiers for Thandor, so that the Invicta King would have a significant advantage over the enemy, whoever that enemy was.

But never in her life did she expect to set foot in the arena again.

Who would be there with her this time?

Poor Aryanele, who thanked her in the morning, in floods of tears, for the plate of meal and glass of water she received after so many days?

Or perhaps Amaris or Kendra?

They were the only three she knew, and they were the three closest to her, as Invicta were well aware.

Standing in the middle of the arena, she lowered her head, closing her eyes. She was already so tired of this life...

Tired of the life that had been putting obstacles in her way from the very beginning.

Tired of the life that separated her from those she loved.

Tired of the life which fate depended on Invicta.

Being strong was slowly becoming exhausting.

She heard approaching footsteps and raised her gaze to a black-haired guard named Damon. The expression on his face was stern and grim as ever, his long hair was tied up in a bun at the back of his head, his black eyes were gazing at her vigilantly. He wasn't wearing the same armor as usual, so Fairlight frowned, wondering why the change. He now wore black pants and a T-shirt that clung tightly to his sculpted chest and solid, calf-length leather boots.

Invicta stopped three steps away from her, facing the auditorium, as if waiting for orders. She followed him with her eyes and spotted Thandor there, settled down comfortably in his box.

What was going on? Where were all the others?

"You look startled, Ivy," the King spoke up from above. "Could it be that the memories of this place were so terrible?"

Yes, after all, she had had to make a decision on which the lives of all the participants in the arena depended. She had also been dead sure that by revealing herself, she had passed a death sentence on herself.

"No," she said, gathering all the confidence she had in her voice.

"Perfect. In that case, grab your sword and show us what you can do."

Fairlight felt everything in her freeze as she finally understood why she was there. She glanced cautiously at Damon, who was eyeing his blade, studying its sharpness carefully.

She was supposed to fight the Invicta, one of the King's best guards. Yes, Darksen had already given her some lessons and besides she herself had defeated a Being in Arizona before, but was she capable of facing a trained fighter?

Was the Prince behind this? Where was he, anyway?

"Don't look for him, because you won't find him here," said Thandor, apparently noticing her looking around the audience. "The Prince doesn't know we're here."

Out of the corner of her eye she saw a flash and turned just in time to catch the sword flying towards her.

"Let's see if you're really as good as they say," said Damon cuttingly, walking toward her.

She had no idea how she was supposed to fight with one good hand, but she saw no other choice. She had to fight off her opponent's strikes right away.

"What's this supposed to be? A fitness test?" She asked, jumping back and taking a position ready to attack.