The young dragoness tried to stay awake, staring at the shadow of Umbra for as long as she could. Fia eventually gave into her weariness and passed out. Her dreams were a nightmarish fugue. When she woke with a start, there was a muffled drone of a thousand voices.

"Huh? What's going on? No…. Five more minutes…." Her speech slurred off her serpentine tongue.

The constant noise reminded her of the hustle and bustle when she had been dragged into the human city. The cheers sounded more energized than the common noise on the streets.

Not wanting the sound to stir her any further, Fia rolled over and groaned. She clapped her frontmost claws over her eardrums and let herself snore freely to drown out the ruckus.

The warmth of Umbra's dragon heart flooded her mind. Wake up, he spat. Don't wanna listen to you snore. The smooth side of his claws smacked the nape of her neck.

"Ugh. Good morning," she murmured. What's happening? she asked telepathically.

It's time, he replied simply.

Time for what? Fia got up and followed him towards the iron doors. He stood with his hackles raised; the large spines along a dragon's back could stand on end when danger neared. She followed suit, mimicking the readied stance of his legs and lifting her spines as well.

Time for you to die, Umbra said. A dour note of sarcasm returned to his internal mood, projected through his thoughts as he added, Best of luck.

"Huh?" she gasped. Before she could question him, their human overlords marched towards their cell in the dungeon.

Torchlight bounced off the tunneled walls. The metallic clink of keys was followed by the grating of the door as it swung open. The men grabbed up the chains which remained hooked around the necks of Fia and Umbra.

Save your strength. It's not the humans who you must fight. The black dragon ended their telepathic link and walked out first. His calm strides were unfazed by the weight of his chain.

Did you just give me a bit of advice? Her question was projected to the void. Nonetheless, a small hope lightened within Fia's chest. If she could simply follow Umbra's lead, she might survive this.

In contrast to his confidence, her frightened state showed in every step. Fia wanted to struggle against the chains as usual, but she could not waste her energy—nor the one bit of kindness that Umbra had shown her. She tried to mimic him as much as possible while marching up the stony stairs where the humans led them.

Fia and Umbra were ushered into a curved room. Weapons lined the back wall—more wicked than the implements which had been used to capture her. A long bench was placed along the frontmost wall. In the center, large double doors were used to seal off an expanse beyond. That space was only visible thanks to the grated windows above the benches.

The armed guards latched their chains to some metal rings over there. Umbra climbed onto the bench and curled his tail around his claws. Figuring that she could sit by him, Fia hopped up too.

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Other men in chains and dirty, leather armor had their meaty hands draped over their knees. More animals were brought into the room with terrifying appearances, none the likes of which Fia had ever seen before. Some bore shackles, chains, and muzzles while others were kept entirely restrained in cages.

Their human overseers escorted one of the men to the heavy doors. Blazing sunlight entered the room as the doors opened. The light was unhindered in contrast to the feeble rays which were divided by the bars. The man stepped out, and the voice of an announcer bellowed at the roaring crowd.

Fia hardly paid attention to this, as she was still amazed by the zoological wonders in the room with them. However, she soon became more aware of her surroundings. Umbra is watching something out there…. I probably should too!

Wrenching her neck the other way, she peered beyond the bars. The open space was an arena. A monumental coliseum housed an eager audience on all sides. The beautiful, blue sky was obfuscated by a metal cage which topped the arena.

In the middle of the trodden dirt, a man battled with another. Their weapons clashed. A spurt of blood shot out, and the crowd cheered all the louder.

The sudden sight of red made Fia's eyes go wide and her pupils constrict. A terrified gasp rushed down her throat, and her hind foot slipped off the edge of the bench. Fia tumbled onto the floor with her chain clattering after her. Although she loved blood as much as the next carnivore, the implications terrified her. They're gonna make us fight. They're gonna make us fight to the death!

Briefly, she shook herself off. When she looked up, she saw Umbra glaring down at her. Sheer annoyance filled his face. Without their mental connection, she could not offer a proper apology. Luckily, one simple, remorseful word in her own language got the message across well enough. "Sorry."

Umbra ignored her and returned his full attention to the arena.

By the time that she clambered back up, one man stood victorious over the fallen corpse. Both his arms were raised high to brandish his weapon. The announcer concluded the fight, and the warrior returned to the other gate.

Next, the arena was prepared for the next fight. The corpse was carried out. An aesthetic blood stain was left behind.

Their overseers paced about the room with a surveying gaze.

They're looking for the next victim! A quick draw of breath was caught in Fia's throat. Her stomach immediately twisted up inside. This is why Umbra said I'm gonna die today…. I really am gonna die!

She tried to make herself as small as possible. Every muscle trembled while she watched the guards take a step closer to her. If anything, her cowardly behavior only made her stand out more.

The guard smirked beneath his decorative helm. Some harsh words left his tongue while he stared straight at her. He reached for the chain, and Fia squeezed her eyes shut tightly. The tug at her neck was never felt.

Instead, Umbra's chain had been selected. He was led towards the arena with not a hint of fear or hesitation in his step. The heavy doors shut after him with a note of finality.

All Fia could do was watch helplessly behind the bars. She could not take her eyes off the fight this time, not even for a moment.

The announcer said similar words as before, allowing Fia to construe their approximate meaning.

"Enter, Umbra Caligo the dragon!"

As he pranced outward, Umbra lifted his claws high with every step—the most animated Fia had yet to see him. He rose up on his hind legs and beat his wings. Every tear was shown off as Umbra spread them wide. Talons splayed in the air, his jaws opened to the sky. His fangs glinted in the sunlight like the gleam in his emerald eyes. A screech ripped from deep within his chest.

The crowd answered him in an excited uproar. The shouts conjoined to become one booming holler.

The doors to the other side of the arena opened up.

"Enter, Regificus the leo medusa!"

A sizable mammal bounded out—twice Umbra's size. Its face was crowned by slithering serpents on all sides of its face. When the lion roared, all the snake heads reacted in sync and hissed.