"I see you decided to help," Lunar stepped out into the lamp light by the silent trade dock. "The fights are held in the old ship yard building" beckoning them forward.

"I've been scouting it for the last few days, its heavily guarded past the spectator's area, but I have an idea how we can get in."

Crouching behind some crates and peering around a corner, gesturing for the two to approach carefully and stay close.

Delilah blinked in surprise at the sight of huge armoured men and women lined up by one of the buildings. Not all of them were human, trade mark greenish skin of orcs, others with fur and ears like Lunar.

"They are registered competitors who want to fight the beasts."

"You want us to enrol as competitors?" Mavrik caught onto her idea.

"It is our best bet to get in the back" The tabaxi confirmed.

"And what happens when we get in?"

"From what I could tell, competitors are held in a room to the left of the beast cells in the back of the warehouse. There is an elven man called 'Cole' who calls the shots and organises the fights, he's who we will want to get answers from."

Mavrik nodded, clearly not liking the plan but it seemed to be their best chance.

"Delilah, you should go back to the manor."

"What?"

Lunar started forward, leaving the two to their negotiation.

"I can fight!" she protested.

Mavrik folded his arms "you're not signing up for the fights." His voice softened as he placed a hand on her shoulder "They remove the hoods and helmets of their competitors, look" he reasoned as he gestured to the line up up people registering with weapons and faces on display for inspection.

She bit her lip, feeling this wasn't the only reason, even so, he was right. He nodded, standing and stepping away from her as he joined Lunar in the small line.

Delilah watched the two, Lunar looked tiny against the gladiators around her with only a slender rapier on her hip.

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Eventually the two moved inside and out of sight, she stood spotting a crowd of people who were gathering through the other side of the building. There was no way she was going to return to the manor. Letting the flow of the gathering crowd carry her into the large enclosed space, people cheered and called, pressing against the large metal cage that had been built in the centre of the building. Stretching all the way to the back where the competitors would enter from.

The beast was already loosed into the cage, snarling and lunging at the jeering faces. The creature had the a humanoid face, with the head and body of a lion, and the leathery wings of a bat, pacing on all fours.

A metallic clang rung out as the crowd fell silent, drawing their attention to a man who perched on a platform on top of the cage.

"Good evening folks! You know the drill, fight to the death. No cheating. No telling. Now, let's hear it for our first brave soul 'The Boulder' who thinks he can take my manticore!"

That man had to be Cole, stood in a waistcoat that was a loud colour of purple.

The heavy creak of the door at the back of the building groaning open caused the crowd erupted into boos and taunts. Making their glee and hunger for blood clear.

A man bigger than Mavrik strode out proudly, cockily flexing his muscles for the crowd, unfazed by their blood lust. He had a broad sword slung over his shoulder like it was weightless.

"'Ere kitty, kitty" The mountain of a man taunted, the Manticore hissed and lunged at him. Despite the man's confidence and obvious brute strength, the beast was faster. Lashing with its claws which he blocked with the huge weapon, the beast shrieked as it sliced through one of its claws.

Emboldened the man pushed forward, Delilah inhaled sharply as she realised that was what the creature had wanted him to do.

Broad sword locked against it's claws, the man hooted and hollered as he tried to slice the blade upwards.

The monster's eyes flashed, Delilah tried to scream over the deafening crowd that swallowed her words.

Barbed tail raised, the man's eyes widened in horrified realisation, as it wrapped behind him, plunging into his back. The Beast flicked its tail, ripping the barbs from his skin, and spraying blood across the eager front row.

The man staggered to his feet, trying to flee as he gurgled to call off the fight. Hungry hands of the crowd pushing at him, trying to trip him up, pulling at his shirt while ignoring his pleas.

The manticore watched him, letting the distance stretch a few steps, before swiping its long tail and tripping the man up. Toying with its prey, it waited for him to find his feet again. Realising no one would come to his aid, he rounded on the beast. Raising his fists "come an' get me." he snarled. Delilah covered her eyes, the monster pounced, hearing the screams that devolved into gurgles as the audience watched on with bated breath for a moment, then breaking into cheers and screams.

"Let's hope our next fighter puts up more of a fight, huh folks!" He shouted, Delilah opened her eyes. The elf was still stood on the platform attached to the top of the cage, snapping his fingers the manticore vanished causing her to gasp.

He rubbed his hands together as the audience screamed for other beasts they wanted to see fight. He nodded his head, holding out his hand dramatically for the crowd to quieten before clicking his fingers, a huge skeletal snake creature materialised.

"Our next competitor goes by the name of Brin."

Her heart stopped at the familiar sight of Mavrik, striding into the arena, shield and Morningstar drawn.