Jewel Thief ◇ L. Laufeyson

9 ♢ sky surfer

"Lady Shark! Lady Shark! Lady Shark! Lady Shark!"

The crowd kept chanting my name, over and over.  I was dressed in a new disgusting excuse for armor again, curtesy of the Grandmaster.  I stood in the arena's gateway readying myself to fight once again.  Korg had mentioned this fight would be much easier, because Kiikag was the Grandmaster's second-best champion.  The creature I was fighting today would not be the Grandmaster's champion - I didn't understand why I wasn't allowed the fight this "champion".  Loki had mentioned something about this champion just this morning, though the comment was fleeting and quick.

"This...petty metal dress was not my doing, Y/N, and neither was the last armor dress," Loki had said as I stretched my arms above my head.  Earlier that morning when I had gotten out of the bath, dressed in a silky robe, I overlooked the golden armor that handmaidens had hung on a metal wire mannequin.  I didn't want to wear it again, and I certainly didn't want to fight once more.  The arena was a bloodbath for any competitor: there was no way I would let myself die in the gladiator-style battleground.  I promised myself I wouldn't kill again; perhaps I could knock out whoever was the next fighter, and we can both survive the arena. "These dresses are a joke, Loki," I spoke rigidly as I took the dress off it's hanger, prepping to put it on. "Who's idea was it to have me prance around in this goldilocks-style crap?"

He chuckled lightheartedly. "Who do you think? The Grandmaster himself chose that.  At least it fits you."

I narrowed my eyes. "Truth be told I liked the last outfit better.  At least it covered my legs."

Loki shrugged and stepped to my side. "I like your legs."

I scoffed, but felt a bit of heat rush to my face. "Thanks?"

Loki shook his head and sent me a sideways smile, a glint of pity in his eyes. "I'm sorry you have to do this again."

"Me too."

Now, as the crowd hungrily chanted that ridiculous title, I steadily walked forward, feeling exposed.  It was weird, walking into battle with my legs exposed, my feet barely covered by those absolutely ridiculous ballet-slipper-like shoes.  Instead of feeling like a tough-as-nails powerhouse, I felt like a glitzy fairy.

"There she is!  Our queen bee of the arena, Laaaaaaaaaa-dy Shark!" The Grandmaster's voice boomed over the loudspeakers.

"It's Stark," I growled under my breath, the crowd muting my words with their cheers.  I spied Loki sitting in the Grandmaster's box once again, looking more than uncomfortable.  He kept his eyes on me, his eyebrows furrowed as he was deep in thought.  Only when the other door in the arena slid open did Loki's head shift to see who my next competitor was.

"What the hell..." I muttered, a mixture of dread and confusion filling my stomach.  The creature wasn't humanoid at all, more like a house cat with the dark green scales of a lizard.  On the end of it's tail was a flame, swinging back and forth.  This creature seemed much more strategic than Fikkag was; the cyclops had been brash and barbaric, this cat-lizard thing seemed...inquisitive.

A hush feel over the crowd.  They were actually scared, possibly for my safety.  I would be lying if I said I didn't get the jitters.  I expected another humanoid competitor; someone like Fiikag or Korg.

"Ah! Ah ah ah ah!" The Grandmaster was clicking his tongue and laughing. "Our newest discovery thanks to my wonderful lil scavenger; introducing the Uromastyx!" His tone suddenly became darker, though that familiar tinge of enthusiasm still dripped in his voice. "Who will win? Our queen; Lady Shark, or our new feline friend?"