Aldric held the practice sword loosely at his side, his gaze fixed on the woman before him. She was poised, her stance relaxed but ready—like a wolf testing a new rival. The training grounds around them had gone quieter, more eyes turning their way as word spread. The masked warrior versus the woman who had just dismantled a giant.
He considered ignoring her challenge. His goal was clear—kill Varik, uncover the truth of his death, and carve his name back into history. But strength demanded tempering, and something about this woman told him she wasn't just another pit fighter looking to prove herself.
Aldric shifted his weight, gripping the sword properly. "If you insist," he said.
Her smile widened. "Good."
Without warning, she moved.
Fast.
She closed the distance in a blink, her dagger flashing toward his ribs. Aldric twisted, parrying with the wooden blade, the force of her strike lighter than expected but sharp with precision. She flowed around him, striking again—a feint this time—before spinning low, aiming a sweeping kick at his legs.
He leapt back, avoiding it by inches.
The onlookers murmured, intrigued.
Aldric didn't hesitate. He pressed forward, slashing down with controlled power. She deflected the blow with her forearm, the reinforced leather of her bracer absorbing the impact as she sidestepped. Her agility was remarkable, each movement calculated for maximum efficiency.
She wasn't just fast. She was trained.
"Not bad," she remarked, dancing out of reach. "You're not just brute force."
Aldric didn't reply. He lunged.
She dodged left, but he anticipated it. Pivoting mid-strike, he swept his practice sword low, aiming for her ribs. She barely avoided the hit, twisting in midair to land lightly on her feet.
Now she was grinning.
"I like you," she said. "But let's see how long you can keep up."
She came at him again, faster this time, her blade a flicker of steel.
Aldric blocked, countered, but she didn't relent. Strike after strike, her attacks were relentless yet precise. She didn't waste movement. Every shift of her foot, every flick of her wrist, had purpose.
For the first time since entering the pit, Aldric found himself tested.
And he welcomed it.
He shifted his stance, adjusting to her rhythm. Instead of just defending, he pushed forward, forcing her onto the back foot. Their weapons clashed, the dull ring of practice blades filling the air.
The crowd leaned in, engrossed.
She smirked through heavy breaths. "You're good, but you're still holding back."
Aldric met her eyes, his grip tightening. Maybe he was. Maybe he was too focused on conserving strength for Varik. But this was an opportunity, and hesitation had no place in the pit.
He exhaled, letting his instincts take over.
His speed increased. His strikes grew sharper, more unpredictable. He shifted between power and agility, mixing heavy attacks with sudden, deceptive movements.
The shift caught her off guard.
She tried to evade, but he pressed too hard, forcing her to block—a mistake. He twisted, striking her weapon arm with just enough force to knock her dagger loose. It clattered to the dirt.
Aldric stepped in, driving the wooden blade toward her throat—
But stopped just short.
A tense silence filled the space between them. Her chest rose and fell, sweat glistening on her skin. For the first time, her expression shifted—not fear, but something else.
Satisfaction.
She exhaled, then grinned. "Finally."
Aldric lowered his weapon, frowning slightly.
She rolled her shoulders, stepping back. "You're strong. Not just in the way most pit fighters are. You think when you fight. You adapt." She tilted her head, studying him. "That's rare here."
Aldric remained silent, waiting.
She picked up her fallen dagger, twirling it once before sheathing it. "I'm Kira. And I think you and I have similar goals."
The name clicked.
He had overheard fighters talking about her earlier—about her intent to challenge Varik.
Aldric notice Kira features, her long, flowing red hair cascading down her back, contrasting beautifully with her silk-white skin. Her striking blue eyes were sharp and intense, exuding determination and strength. She had a strong, athletic build that showcased her agility and power, and her practical leather armor fit snugly, allowing for freedom of movement. With an aura of fierce confidence, Kira embodied both beauty and a warrior's spirit, ready to face any challenge head-on.
She smirked at his recognition. "Yeah, I know who you are too, masked man. Aldric, right?"
He didn't confirm or deny it.
Her eyes gleamed. "You want to kill Varik. So do I."
Aldric's grip on his weapon tightened slightly. Was she a rival, or something else?
"I don't need help," he said simply.
She laughed. "Neither do I." Her expression turned serious. "But Varik isn't just some brute you can cut down. He's the champion because the pit allows him to be. You'll need more than skill to get your chance at him."
Aldric already knew that. The fighters had made it clear—challenging Varik wasn't just about winning fights. It was about earning the pit's attention.
Kira sheathed her dagger, stepping closer. "We don't have to work together. But we don't have to be enemies either."
Aldric studied her. He didn't trust easily, not anymore. But she was right about one thing—Varik wasn't just a fighter. He was an institution. A monster propped up by the system of the pit itself.
If she had insight into breaking that system, she might be useful.
For now.
"Fine," he said. "What do you have in mind?"
Kira's smirk returned. "Simple. We make them fear us."
The way she said it sent a ripple of something dark through the air. Not bravado. A challenge to the pit itself.
She glanced at the watching fighters, then back to him. "You and I—back-to-back in the arena. No alliances, no teams. Just two warriors carving a path through anyone in our way. If we're going to take Varik down, we need to be seen as a real threat. Not just another pair of fools looking to die."
Aldric considered her words. It wasn't a bad idea. If they dominated the pit together, they would force the arena masters to acknowledge them. To grant them the chance they sought.
It would also mean proving himself over and over.
That suited him just fine.
He met her gaze and gave a single nod.
Kira grinned. "Good. Then let's show the pit what real monsters look like."
As the murmurs around them turned to whispers of intrigue and anticipation, Aldric felt something stir within him.
The Abysswalker's Veil pulsed.
The system was watching.
The training grounds slowly returned to their usual rhythm, but something had shifted. Fighters still sparred, weapons still clashed, and murmured conversations carried through the air—but beneath it all, Aldric could feel the weight of new attention on him and Kira.
They had just sent a message.
Not just with their fight, but with what it meant. They weren't just contenders in the pit. They were something else entirely—rivals, allies, and possibly something far more dangerous to the system that kept the Hollow Maw in place.
Kira stretched her arms with an easy confidence, the hint of a smirk playing at her lips. "I'd say that went well."
Aldric simply nodded. Words felt unnecessary.
But Kira wasn't the type to let silence sit for too long. "You fight like a man with nothing to lose," she observed. There was no judgment in her tone, only curiosity.
Aldric didn't answer right away. He wasn't sure if he even had an answer. What had he lost? His life, his name, his past. Everything that made him who he once was. And yet, the abyss had dragged him back, demanding something more.
She tilted her head slightly. "Whatever it is you're after, it must be worth a hell of a lot to you."
His grip tightened on the practice sword before he set it down. "It is."
Kira studied him, her sharp eyes catching something in his tone. But she didn't push. Instead, she rolled her shoulders and turned toward the edge of the training grounds. "We should get some rest. If we're going to make them fear us, we'll need to put on a show soon."
Aldric watched her for a moment before following.
They walked side by side through the dim corridors of the Hollow Maw, neither speaking. The silence wasn't uncomfortable—just the quiet of two warriors lost in their own thoughts.
As they reached the fork where the fighters' quarters split into separate paths, Kira hesitated. Then, with a glance back at him, she said, "Try not to get yourself killed before this gets interesting, masked man."
Aldric met her gaze. "Same to you."
She huffed a small laugh, then disappeared down the corridor.
Aldric remained for a moment, watching the darkness swallow her silhouette. There was something about her—something sharp and unyielding. But also something familiar.
He turned away, his mind already shifting back to his purpose. Varik still stood between him and the truth. And soon, the pit would bleed for it.