image [https://img.wattpad.com/story_parts/1500305638/images/180dcc16d5700a6e154886356846.jpg]

"I think I'm going to like you," Sylus hums through the comm, his tone rich and unbothered. "Go on, kitten. Don't disappoint me."

"Well, that makes one of us," you snap back, lips curving in a smirk. "And I don't plan to."

The metallic screech rips through your conversation, yanking your focus back to the bot. Your fingers tighten on your new pearly pistol as you dart behind a heap of scrap metal. Heavy, thudding steps pivot in your direction. You peek out, catching the sinister red glow of the mech's tracking orb. It spins, locking onto your cover. Your eyes widen as high-pitched beeps sound in quick succession.

"That's definitely not good," you yell, hurling yourself back behind the pile of scrap. A crack of energy reverberates through the atmosphere as the cannon launches a pulse of molten light, slicing through the air. Smoke rises from the charred line of burnt residue, and you cough as the tang of scorched iron wafts through the air. Your barricade is singed, radiating heat from the aftermath of the shot. You flick your tongue out and swipe away the salty droplets that have gathered above your lip. You swallow hard, fingers shaking as you push off once again and face the menace of a weapon.

"Eat this!" You scream, shooting a flurry of fiery white beams at the robot's joints. It staggers back, sparks spitting out from the vulnerable wiring connecting its limbs. Although your pistol may seem tiny compared to that monster's massive cannon, your shots have the potential to be much more precise, with only a quarter of the charging time. You make a mental note to thank your captain for the clutch survival training later.

Sylus's voice crackles back into your ear. "Clever girl. Looks like you found its weak spot."

"It was either this or politely asking it to stop," you snap, cocking your pistol and taking aim once again.

"Snippy, are we?" His tone is smug, like he's enjoying the chaos too much for someone supposedly helping.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I needed to say please and thank you when being thrown into a gladiator match with a death bot," you quip, rolling your eyes.

Sylus's laughter crackles over the line, smooth and irritatingly casual. "Sounds like the kitten's showing her claws."

A clicking sound drags your attention back to the fight. The mech's orb blinks with irritation, sending out its laser tracker in your direction.

"Oh, no you don't," you shout, barraging the bot with another attack. It drops to one knee, lowering its cannon arm to balance itself. Narrowing your eyes, you focus on the opening you created on its downed appendage.

"Time for a little innovation," you mutter, tugging off your high heel. Lurching toward the mech, you wield your stiletto like an off-brand Excalibur, shouting at the top of your lungs. The robot's orb flits in frantic circles as you close in, panicking at your sudden movements. With careful aim, you cram the heel into the robot's ball joint, wedging it perfectly into the gap. The sudden obstruction forces the joint to seize, momentarily immobilizing the bot as it struggles to stand up.

"Take that!" you shout, pitching your remaining heel at its face like a baseball [https://img.wattpad.com/9e8e80e09fc0f99ccb6182bad90699290143242b/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f626f36454c626e6b366a42624a413d3d2d313530303330353633382e313830646363306265643363386334643836333730343830343538362e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

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"Take that!" you shout, pitching your remaining heel at its face like a baseball. It bounces off with a clink, and for a moment, you swear the machine looks offended. The robot whirrs in protest, but you're overcome with a satisfying sense of triumph. Cheers erupt from the audience above.

Sylus's voice cuts in. "Well, that was unexpected. A bit barbaric, but oddly effective. I'll give you points for creativity, Miss M."

You grin. "I can autograph your forehead after this if you want."

"Cute, but the only thing you'll be signing is our little contract, sweetie."

The grin fades. "Right, the one you forced me into," you grunt, pushing past the flicker of irritation in your chest. "Sylus, how exactly does my involvement in this match benefit you? I mean, if you can't defeat a mere robot by yourself, just say that—I could have helped you out of the kindness of my own heart."

Sylus sighs, but you can hear his sly smile behind his words. "You don't even realize you started playing my game the moment you set foot in my Manor. Tell me, what is the purpose of the sweet scent emitted by a carnivorous plant?"

You wrinkle your nose, unsure of the relevance of his question. "To attract unsuspecting bugs?"

"Smart girl, and did you consider that there may be flies I need to weed out in the audience? I told you to act as good bait, didn't I?"

You knit your brows together. "But what—"

"Too many questions. Focus on stealing the show for me."

"Sylus, I—"

"Now." He interrupts.

You scoff. I can't believe him! How does he expect me to just comply when he speaks in these cryptic messages? I don't get it—I don't get him. Shaking your head, you refocus on the robot's immobilized state and pad your way behind it.

"Good game," you remark, aiming your pistol at the back of its head. With a sharp breath you squeeze the trigger. The gun kicks in your hand, releasing white-hot energy that strikes the exposed wiring running from its neck to its head. Sparks fly as the mech collapses in a heap, its red orb blinking out of view. Finally.

A wave of cheers and frantic applause surrounds you. Your chest heaves, adrenaline still coursing through your veins. The mech lay unmoving in a heap of sparking metal, sending a sigh of relief through your body. You let out a shaky laugh, somewhere between exhilaration and exhaustion.

The announcer's voice booms through the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen, what an upset! Against all odds, we have our champion. To those who had the courage to stake their tokens on the newcomer, congratulations—your gamble paid off big time! Please head to the payout station to collect your winnings and revel in your victory."

You scoff with irritation as you wipe sweat from your brow with the back of your hand. "Sure, no prize for the girl who did all the work, huh? Congratulations indeed," you mutter under your breath, the taste of salt still on your lips. The scrap metal beneath your toes creaks as you shift your weight, and the heat from the battle still radiates in waves around you. Every inch of your body aches, and you can't help but scour the audience for the silver-haired man. What did he mean by using me as bait? This match... there must be someone else watching. The thought of another threat lurking in this hellhole chases a shiver down your spine.

Sylus's words chime in through the earpiece. "Well, well, you've certainly proved to be a head-turner."

You smirk, shifting your weight. "What, with you, or the crowd?"

His laughter slips past your ears like smooth silk. "What do you think, Miss M? Though, if you're aiming for my approval, you'll have to try harder than that."

You scowl, your cheeks warming. You place one hand on your hip and twirl your pistol with the other. "Ugh, well, now that I've played along with your little game, I demand you get me out of this cage, psycho—I have a lot of unanswered questions, and you owe me some answers."

Sylus pauses before responding. "I see you've gotten comfortable mewling orders at me, kitten. It seems you've forgotten who's really in charge here." He growls.

You open your mouth to yell something nasty at him, but before you can respond, the arena doors glide open.

Sylus sighs. "I'm waiting for you, Miss M. And please, try to behave."