“Why keep fighting? You will only lose.” Shao said as the pair temporarily broke off their intense battle.

“Isn’t it my pride as a slave? I fight for my Master!”

“Masters are hateful things… you’re his whore!” Shao bellowed.

“Mm! That’s right!” Lydia nodded happily.

“…” Shao blinked in stunned silence, clearly not understanding what Lydia was saying.

“I’m Master’s sword. I’m Master’s shield. I’m his whore, his woman, his wife. I’m whatever master wants me to be, and with Master, I will always be more!”

Lydia launched forward again, her attack catching Shao off guard. Shao began to fight back, but this exchange seemed different than the previous one. Where Shao was suppressing Lydia in the first exchange, the second exchange seemed to have them both on about the same level. It was like Lydia was suddenly pulling out a greater strength.

“I won’t lose to someone from this world!” Shao screamed.

My ears were suddenly perked. Of this world? That couldn’t mean…

“You’re from Japan?” I said without thinking.

Her eyes spun to me, and a shocked look formed on her face. Lydia, who was focused on fighting, use the opening created and struck her. Blood splattered as she was cut across the chest, flying back to the other side of the arena. I winced as she flew, feeling bad about causing her harm. However, I was more perturbed about the fact that she was someone who came from another world. Not just another world, my world! I wasn’t the only one!

“Slave-“ The Slave Master was furious, but as he went to force her into overdraft, a dark power exploded from her body.

Salicia gasped. “That’s not dark magic… that’s the higher-level demonic magic!”

“You bastard!” She screamed. “How did you learn that name? I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you all!”

“Lydia, back off!” I called out.

Lydia looked back and gave me a smile, and then raced directly at Shao. She shot forward, her entire blade bathed in blacklight. Compared to Salicia’s magic, this was a hundred times more menacing. Lydia’s sword met hers. As the swords hit, Lydia’s shattered into pieces. She only just managed to jump back, narrowly avoiding the strike. Yet, even then, a black wave ripped off the tip of the sword and shot forward, slashing Lydia.

She flew back and hit the other side of the arena, just like she had done to Shao a moment before. Except, her wound turned black, and a dark curse started to resonate out from her wound.

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“Lydia, you’re done!” I declared, “Just stop.”

Lydia spit out some blood, and then worked her way back to her feet, stumbling unsteadily. Shao, wrapped in a dark miasma, shot Lydia a disdainful look.

“You would die for that man?” She growled.

“No… I will only live for him!” She flew forward again, even without a sword.

It looked like suicide, but as she raced towards the other woman, her body began to change. Her breasts grew larger, her butt became shapelier, her legs grew longer. Long fangs sprouted from her mouth. Her ears lengthened, and her long claws formed from her hands. As these changes occurred, the corruption seemed to be cured by itself, and the wounds on her body quickly healed.

“It’s a beast form!” The prince cried out in disbelief. “A tigerkin beast form… an animalkin that can do a beast form is 1:1000. But for the rare tigerkin… this is something I’ve never even heard of!”

Shao’s sword struck down again, but Lydia let out a thunderous roar, shaking the arena and causing fear in the hearts of those that were weak. It was a mental and spiritual attack that could decimate the spirits of anyone weaker. Miki hastily spread her nine-tails and protected the audience before someone got hurt. Shao ground her teeth as her blade struck Lydia’s claws. She caught and stopped the demon sword.

“You…” Shao screamed. “Not possible!”

Lydia’s feral eyes had no sign of even understanding Shao. In her beast form, her mind had been reduced to that of a beast. She may have gained a great deal of strength, but she was now governed by rage and instinct.

To be suppressed by a simple swordsman 60 levels behind her was an embarrassment, and the fury spread across Shao’s face. Suddenly, her own eyes started to change red. The Demonic aura around her grew, and as her hood flew back, two little horns came out the top of her head.

“Sh-she’s a demon!” I called out.

“Demon’s are a myth!” The Prince declared.

“Hahaha….” The Slave Master laughed, “You from Aberis are truly hicks. You don’t even recognize the demon species in your identification. Well, I wasn’t going to reveal it!”

The power between them was intense, and the ground started to shatter just from the pressure between the two of them. Shao was trying to push down her blade, while Lydia was holding it back with her claws.

“Die!” Shao screamed again, demonic aura shooting out and striking Lydia.

This time, she flew back, the sword slamming into the ground as she was tossed away. She landed at the very edge of the arena. There was blood leaking from her mouth, ears, and eyes. Lydia looked absolutely terrifying. Most of all, she looked like she wouldn’t hesitate to continue to attack. She stood back up, even though one of her arms no longer appeared to work.

“Celeste!” I cried out. “End this!”

Just as Shao raced at Lydia again, a massive gale of wind shot between them. It struck Lydia harder, and she was shoved off the edge of the platform. Before she had even hit the ground, she felt into my arms. I was worried she’d fight me as soon as she fell, but I realized the second she landed in my arms that she fell unconscious. Shao screamed, racing to the edge like she planned to leap off of it and cut us down. However, Terra managed to use some of her required energy and rose an earth wall right in front of her, causing her to smash into it. It shattered a moment later.

“Shao, recall!” The Slave Master gave the order.

Shao stopped as quickly as she started. She gave a sniff as she looked at me holding Lydia delicately, and then spun back and walked to her side of the arena. I stroked Lydia’s cheek, tears forming in my eyes as I healed her.

“Lord Tibult… has won this match.” The Prince said bitterly.