My Beast

11.

The crowd hushed as Kieran stepped into the makeshift arena, the flickering faerie lights casting ethereal shadows on the ground. Elizabeth felt the tension in the air thicken, a palpable charge that made her skin prickle. Kieran's eyes were locked onto his opponent-a towering fae warrior clad in obsidian armor, his expression fierce and unyielding.

"Remember, Kieran," Elizabeth whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "You're not just fighting for the gem; you're fighting for your freedom."

Kieran nodded, his jaw set in determination. The warrior opposite him raised his sword, the blade glinting ominously in the twilight. "Are you ready, beast?" he called, his voice booming through the clearing.

Kieran's response was a low growl, a sound that reverberated from deep within him. The air seemed to crackle with energy as he shifted into a fighting stance, his muscles coiling like springs.

"Begin!" Lysandra declared, her voice slicing through the tension.

The warrior lunged first, a blur of motion aimed right at Kieran's heart. In an instant, Kieran sidestepped, his reflexes honed and sharp. He countered with a swift jab, his fist colliding with the warrior's side, but the fae's armor absorbed the blow. The warrior grunted, spinning to deliver a retaliatory strike, but Kieran was already moving, fluid and graceful.

Elizabeth watched, her heart pounding, as Kieran danced around his opponent, each movement precise and controlled. But the warrior wasn't easily dissuaded. He advanced again, swinging his sword with deadly intent, and Elizabeth felt her breath catch as the blade sliced through the air, dangerously close to Kieran.

"Focus!" she shouted, her voice breaking through the din of the crowd.

Kieran's eyes flicked to her for a split second, a flash of acknowledgment before he redirected his attention to the fight. He lunged forward, using his momentum to throw the warrior off balance. With a powerful kick, Kieran sent the fae tumbling to the ground, the crowd erupting in gasps.

Lysandra's eyes narrowed, her expression shifting from amusement to concern. "Get up, Rian!" she commanded, her voice sharp.

The warrior rolled to his feet, fury igniting in his gaze. "You'll pay for that, beast!" he snarled, charging forward with renewed ferocity.

Kieran braced himself, his body tense as he prepared for the next assault. The two clashed once more, blades and fists colliding in a whirlwind of power and precision. Elizabeth could see the determination etched on Kieran's face, the beast within him roaring to life with every strike.

"Come on, Kieran!" she urged, her voice rising above the chaos. "You can do it!"

He caught her gaze again, a flicker of something deep within him sparking to life. With a primal roar, Kieran unleashed a flurry of attacks, his movements becoming a blur of strength and speed. The warrior staggered, struggling to keep up, and Elizabeth felt hope surge within her.

But just as victory seemed within reach, Rian recovered, lunging with a wild strike. Kieran dodged narrowly, but the blade grazed his arm, drawing a thin line of crimson. Elizabeth gasped, her heart dropping as she witnessed the blood trickle down his skin.

"Fight through it!" she cried, desperate. "You're stronger than this!"

Kieran's gaze sharpened, the pain igniting a fire within him. He roared a sound that resonated through the clearing, and with a final surge of energy, he launched himself at Rian. Their bodies collided, and in that moment, Kieran tapped into the beast inside, summoning every ounce of power he possessed.

With a swift, decisive motion, he disarmed Rian, knocking the sword from his grasp and sending it clattering to the ground. The fae warrior stumbled backward, shock flashing across his face as Kieran pinned him to the ground.

"Yield!" Kieran commanded his voice a low, dangerous growl.

Rian's eyes widened, and a flicker of fear crossed his features. "I yield!" he gasped, raising his hands in surrender.

The crowd erupted into a mixture of cheers and gasps, the tension shattering like glass. Elizabeth felt a wave of relief wash over her as Kieran released Rian, standing tall and proud, the darkness within him momentarily subdued.

Lysandra's expression was inscrutable, but Elizabeth could see the hint of frustration behind her composed facade. "You've proven yourself, Kieran," she said slowly, a hint of reluctance in her tone. "The gem is yours."

Kieran stepped forward, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. "And you will ensure that my past with you is buried, Lysandra. I won't tolerate any more games."

With a flick of her wrist, Lysandra summoned the gem from the shadows, its light pulsing softly in the dimness. "Take it, but remember, this isn't over. You've made powerful enemies tonight."

Kieran took the gem, the weight of it heavy in his palm. "I'm not afraid of your threats."

As Kieran turned to Elizabeth, the pride in his eyes was unmistakable. "We did it," he said, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

She rushed to his side, her heart swelling with admiration. "You were incredible! I knew you could do it!"

He chuckled, the tension easing from his shoulders as he glanced at the gem. "I couldn't have done it without you. You kept me grounded."

The crowd began to disperse, the energy of the duel lingering in the air. As they made their way out of the clearing, Elizabeth felt the weight of the night settle upon them, but there was a new sense of hope sparking between them-a promise of what lay ahead.

Together, they had faced the darkness, and together, they would continue to fight for Kieran's freedom. With the gem in hand, they were one step closer to breaking the curse that bound him, and Elizabeth knew that no matter what challenges awaited them, they would face them side by side.

"One down, three more to go" she smiled sweetly. She grabbed Kieran letting him lean against her. "You need rest, your highness."

"Don't baby me about rest. I'm more worried about what Luna will say when she sees this scratch"

Elizabeth chuckled, "She'll have both our heads"