Standing in the dim hallway, the chanting above rumbled through the ceiling, “Scarlet Rain! Scarlet Rain! Scarlet Rain!” A small grimace sat upon my face, I should have just told them my name was Susan.

The iron gate before me squealed as the mechanism pulled it up, steeling myself, I strode through the archway out into the sunlight. Blazing heat hit me and I already began sweating as the chanting became deafening, better give them what they want. I slammed the hilt of my sword against my bronze shield as I raised them above my head, the answering roar from the crowd of the arena reverberated through the ground.

Turning slowly with my sword and shield still above my head, I gazed up at the thousands of Hacktor citizens who came to watch my fight today. Call me boastful but my name almost always filled the arena to capacity. Finally, I stopped my turn while facing the cubiculum where the Lord of Hacktor and the Arena Ringmaster sat. There was someone beside them that I didn’t recognise but it wasn’t unusual for special guests to come watch my fights. I lowered my arms as the Ringmaster stood, raising his palm to the crowd, reducing their chanting to complete silence, “Welcome thieves, murderers and undesirables!” An answering bellow came from the crowd before he continued, “The Scarlet Rain has come to sate your thirst for blood and bring the pain!” I cringed at that, he really couldn’t help making that rhyme for every fight. Nonetheless, I raised my sword in a salute to the cheering spectators.

Fighting lit up my soul, the dust being kicked up on the field, the sweat and the blood, adrenalin searing through your veins. I’ve never regretted a day spent in the arena. Gazing upon the ramps and blocks scattered across the field, I felt my excitement building up. Matches were about so much more than brute strength and iron, you’re far more likely to win with good tactics and agility. 

“Our dear Scarlet hasn’t had the most challenging matches lately, has she? Lucky for you my friends, we have arranged a special treat today!” All I could do was furrow my brow, waiting for whatever nasty arrangement the ringmaster has in store. I whipped around as a gate on the other side of the arena screeched open. Two young boys barely able to hold their swords up were shoved out onto the field, one of their shields clattering to the ground as he stumbled. Spiteful bastard.

“We thought she could use some help, being so out of practice,” the ringmaster’s smile was nothing short of wicked, “as she faces our famed Eckan lions!” Shit. The bastard was punishing me for turning down the fight a few days ago. He wanted me to cut down those two untrained fighters for sport and I had refused, killing trained gladiators was one thing but novices...it would have been straight up slaughter.

Eckan lions are no joke. The size of horses and a horrible temper, they were rare in the arena purely because capturing them was near impossible. They live up in the crags of Eckan, Hacktor’s surrounding region. Very few ever lived to tell the tale of seeing one. The bastard knew I could take one on but wanted to see me struggle to keep the young fighters from their claws.

The two young boys shook, their swords clanking against their shields as the crowd screamed their approval. Pity sank into my chest as I weighed the chances of their survival, it wasn’t good. Plenty of young fools come to the arena seeking glory but few make it through their first fight and they really drew the short straw on this one. Unfortunately, it was about to get worse for the three of us.

Raising his hand, the Ringmaster gave the order for a third gate on the far end of the field to be opened. Out prowled not one, not two, but three of the fearsome lions. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Was he trying to kill me? Had he had enough of my antics and decided enough was enough? I took a few seconds to glare up at the cubiculum but he only answered me with a horrible grin. Returning my focus to the field, I bounced slightly on my toes, if I was gonna die today I certainly wasn’t gonna give that bastard the satisfaction of killing those two young fighters as well.

“If you wanna live, I highly suggest getting behind me!” I barked at the boys. Their eyes were wide as they simply stood there, frozen with fear. Well, this is already going swimmingly. A growl came from the other side of the arena, the three lions stalking forward, their eyes trained on the boys as one of them wet himself. Gods damn me. Shaking my head, I launched forwards, kicking up the dirt beneath my feet. All three of their heads swung to me as I yelled a battle cry at them.

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Running up one of the ramps in the field, I launched myself into the air, straight onto the nearest beast. Hunters aren’t exactly used to being hunted so I took the predator by surprise, slamming my sword into the back of its neck before it even had a chance to react. A snarling whimper came from the beast as I ripped my weapon back out and it slumped to the ground. The attention of the other two was now solely on me as they began to circle. Hefting my shield close to me, I turned, trying to keep them both in sight and not expose my back.

One down, two to go. If only it were that easy. The lion to my left pounced, claws outstretched and aiming for my head. With barely a second to spare I dropped to the ground, raising my shield up, the lion had overextended, using every ounce of my strength I slammed myself upwards, the beast’s momentum carrying it over me and I flung it onto its back. Landing with a thud, it quickly scrambled back up. I guess not all cats land on their feet.

Without a breath to recover the second one was already upon me, its golden fur rippling under the harsh sun. As its long fangs lunged for me I threw up my shield but was unable to brace against the impact. My breath was knocked out as I landed on my back. Its teeth once again aiming for my neck, it was all I could do to shove my shield into its giant maw. Hot, disgusting breath blasted in my face as I held tightly onto my sword, sweat making the grip difficult. I skewered my sword through its palate, up through its head. The beast writhed and fought against it for a few minutes as I held on tightly, pushing it further, before finally slumping over me.

Using what little strength was left in my legs to roll its giant carcass off, I held onto my sword, yanking it out slowly. Behind me came a scream. Shit. I’d forgotten about the boys. Giving up on the battle for my weapon I wriggled out from under the lion’s body to see the remaining one had gone for easier prey. The braver of the two (aka the one who didn’t wet himself) now stood face to face with the hunter, the other boy on the ground behind him, sobbing. Before I had a moment to react the beast launched at the boy and met its mark, blood sprayed and the crunch of bones met my ears.

My heart sank as the spectator’s roared their approval at the bloodshed, barely audible over the sound of my own hammering pulse. Barely aware of the screech that came from my own mouth I sprang forward with no sword, no shield, only the rage that blinded my senses.

Body slamming into the golden fur, it barely reacted to the impact. At least until I started scrambling onto its back, my fingers gripping into its fur I dragged myself upwards, lurching onto its back. Shaking like a wet dog it flung me off and I hit the arena wall, sliding to the ground. Gods that hurt. Dropping the body to the ground with a wet squelch, the creature’s attention turned to me, blood still dripping from its mouth into the dirt below. 

I really didn’t think this through, did I? Pain wracked through my body as I tried to stand, but it was a futile effort. I stared death in the face as it once again lunged for me. Jumping to the side I managed to avoid its jaws but not the claws. It was all I could do not to scream as the pain seared through my abdomen.

Stumbling backwards, the creature stalking towards me, knowing it had won, savouring the capture of quite the troublesome prey, all I could think of was how I failed. I always knew I’d die in the arena, not a question of if just a matter of when. But I had failed...the body of the remaining boy sure to join the one busy leaking blood onto the field. Hey, at least the lion would be fed?

A glimmer of metal caught my eye, the bloody fool. The cowardly boy had finally stood and held his sword, running towards the lion. It wasn’t graceful but he plunged the sword into the beast’s side while its attention was still on me. Snarling the predator whipped towards the boy, seizing my chance I once again rushed forwards, sliding underbelly and rolling onto my feet on the other side. Every one of my muscles and bones screamed in protest but my iron will won out. Yanking the sword out of its side, I slashed the tender skin of its belly and hot blood spilled out.

Whether luck or miracle, I was fast enough to slice further in and yank the sword upwards, spilling its guts out. I couldn’t stop myself from flinching at the whine that came from the beast as it stumbled sideways and onto the ground. Gathering what mercy I had left in me I stalked forward and sliced open its neck, sparing it from a slow death. My blood was pounding so loud in my ears I couldn’t hear the crowd roaring, only feel the vibration in the ground beneath my feet as I turned to the boy, once again on the ground, staring up at me.

Frankly, I couldn’t blame him for the fear still in his eyes, no doubt I was a sight to behold. Covered in gore and blood, dirt and injuries. I suddenly remembered the blow to my stomach, looking down it was bad but I’d survive. Pressing my hand over the wound to staunch the bleeding I reached my other down to the boy who only continued to stare at me with fear. I couldn’t help it as I growled out, “Does it look like I bite?” Poor choice of words really, the boy only whimpered in response. My patience was at an end so I simply reached down and hauled him to his feet.

Barely enough strength left to stay on my own feet, I dragged the boy with me to the base of the cubiculum. I expected to at least have the satisfaction of seeing the Ringmaster upset at our survival but my blood boiled at the smirk on the bastard’s face as he turned to the unknown guest who nodded back at him. How I wished I was still allowed to use a bow, I’d have shot an arrow at him...again, the exact reason for why I was no longer allowed to use them. The Ringmaster’s voice boomed out over the arena, “Looks like our champion has been victorious once more!” The thunder of the cheering drowned him out for a second before he continued, “Truly the Scarlet Rain is blessed by the gods, and hopefully the gods shall bless her with a bath as she looks as though she danced in that blood rain!” That man really enjoys the sound of his voice too much.

I didn’t wait to hear the rest of his grating speech as I made my way towards the opening gates, still dragging the frightened boy behind me.