This feeling never felt good.

It felt like I was tapping into a force I didn’t have enough mastery over.

It was dangerous.

It made me feel powerful

And when I feel powerful…

I become reckless.

Everything had gone silent. Shouts and screams were muted.

I could hear my heart beating softly in my chest.

She danced around in a strange display of proficiency with that curved blade of hers.

Was she trying to hit me?

To the spectators, it must have seemed like I disappeared.

That would be partially right.

More specifically, I shifted myself to a different plane of existence.

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One in which I could calmly watch the world around me burn.

There was no need for urgency in this state.

But, then again, this was a Gladiator's match that needed action.

So, let’s give it to them

Phasing back into the plane behind her I landed a blunt blow with the hilt of my dagger.

Lurching forward, she went to catch her footing.

Before that could be done, I launched my shoulder into her back.

She fell to the ground with a visceral thump and crack.

Something was broken, I thought.

As she turned blurry-eyed and half-conscious to just what in the hell hit her,

Positioned just above her were my twin daggers, both ready to finish the kill.

Dropping her blade she surrendered.

A hush filled the Colosseum.

One that didn’t quite understand just what is that had transpired, but just a few moments later….

A ROAR FILLED THE ARENA.

AND THE WINNER!

LOCKE, THE ROUGUE FROM….

CENTRAL CITY

Ronald and Robert crashed through the gates and hoisted me into the air.

I could feel the warmness and serenity that comes with accomplishing something, that emptiness inside began to wane, but it was not enough to fill the gap.

TONIGHT WE FEAST BOY…

Robert bellowed as the crowd continued to chant my name.

Great job, whispered the nervous Ronald, as his rune, now a necklace hummed as if congratulating me as well.

My eyes followed the blade dancer who I had just defeated.

She had no corner to greet her.

She simply moved on and out into the Colosseum barracks.

A part of me wanted to shout to her.

To catch her attention.

The fool in me wanted to invite her to the victor’s feast.

I kept my tongue still.

Content with simply watching her go.