Diamondlot

Fiery Encounter

The crowd had been roaring for Elle Chandra to finish her opponents until Reina had stepped in. Everyone in the audience and Elle Chandra were confused. Even announcer Rayan didn’t know what to say in such a situation. Elle Chandra asked the little rogue to step aside but Reina would not budge despite being afraid. “You are some strange rogue. Oh well if that is your wish, so be it!” and she began to raise her weapons up again but before she could swing them down, the horn sounded and a hand was raised up on the upper quarters of the arena.

The horn was a signal for fighters to halt the brawl but what was unusual was that the person in the upper floor came down to the battlefield as well. As the person came down into the arena, everyone in the audience remained silent and even Elle Chandra put her weapons away and bowed down in respect. This person who was walking towards the three girls wasn’t very tall but she looked tough, wearing a fur coat and she looked to be in her teenage years. “Ladies and gentleman, could this day get anymore crazy! Our one and only Arena Master Zara has graced us with her presence! What will happen next? Your guess is as good as mine!” Announced Rayan.

When Jiyah and Nadya both heard that name, their hearts sank. They tried to tell Reina to run away but she couldn’t. Jiyah and Nadya have heard rumours of Zara the Zealous, who had participated in many underground leagues at a very young age. She was known to have never lost a single match and her name struck fear in the hearts of many. As they were trying to communicate this to Reina, Zara was already standing in front of them.

Zara: How peculiar, most of the rogues I know would run away. What’s your name and where do you come from?

Reina: I… My name is Reina and I am from the kingdom of the west.

Zara: Kingdom of the west? Well you are a long way from home aren’t you? So tell me, why won’t you just leave the two behind you?

Reina: Because they are both my guides so I can’t let anything happen to them!

Zara: Guides? You are a strange one aren’t you. Tell you what, since I find you more amusing than jester Remy, I will offer you a deal. You are free to go as long as the two behind you stay.

(Reina doesn’t move or say anything)

Zara: So this is your final decision?

Reina: I’m not leaving them!

Zara: So be it, then…

As Zara was about to finish her sentence, she was interrupted as a rain of fire began to crash down on the arena. People in the audience began to panic and scatter towards the exits. Zara quickly told Rayan to sound the alarm and get all forces ready on defense. She also got Elle Chandra to take the three girls and hide them behind one of the massive gates.

Once Zara’s forces had gathered, an army of dread knights came swarming in from the entrance. They were all dressed in various armor or cloaks and held weapons of all sorts. If you stared into their face, one would only find emptiness and they emitted an aura that was very non-human.

The dread knights had Zara and her forces surrounded but they were at a standoff. The dread knights were waiting for their commands and from above, a teenager in a mage robe began to descend down to the arena. When Zara saw the fire mage descend by himself, she went up to speak with him.

Spectating from the gate, Nadya, Jiyah, and Reina could see the events transpiring but they had a lot of questions for Elle Chandra. “That is no ordinary boy, he is a fire mage about the same age as Zara. Some know him as Combustion Cole and he is one of the allies of the great dragon who is rumored to make a return to take over Diamondlot.”

Nadya, Jiyah and Reina had heard about the dragon before but this is their first experience seeing one of his allies. They had more questions but Elle Chandra told them to be quiet as she wanted to hear what Zara and Cole were discussing about.

Zara: What are you and your forces doing here? We haven’t done anything to deserve this!

Cole: Oh I’m terribly sorry for the intrusion. I just need your help with something. The rest of them just really wanted to come and I couldn’t say no!

Zara: What is it?

Cole: So I heard rumours that you have in your possessions a rogue from the west kingdom. Where are you keeping this person?

Zara: I have no idea what you are talking about.

(Dread Knights get restless and want to fight, but Cole holds them back)

Cole: Now, now, it's not good to lie. Not that I’m saying you are but you know what happens if you do. (Threatening to unleash the army)

Zara: I’m truly sorry but I can’t give you something that I don’t have.

After the second response, Cole let out a fire blast that struck near Zara’s feet but she didn’t flinch. Cole calls back the dread knights and as they all begin to disappear, he has some parting ways for Zara, “If I ever find out you are lying, I will be back, and I won’t be in such a good mood.” Just like that, Cole and his army vanishes. Zara and her forces were able to breathe a huge sigh of relief. Nadya, Jiyah, and Reina came out of the gate and ran to speak with Zara.

Almost everyone else returned to their station and their tasks. The three girls wanted to know more about what was going on and why Combustion Cole was threatening them. Zara began to share with them:

Zara: The world of Diamondlot has been thrown into turmoil ever since rumour has spread about the great dragon, Dragkonis, returning. Most people from the kingdoms from the East, West, North, and South didn’t think much of the news but slowly, Dragkonis’s forces have reappeared and are growing in numbers. I heard they first attacked the Eastern Kingdom, abducting their prince. That threw Diamondlot into a state of panic and some have even given in to join the dark forces.

Reina: What about the Combustion Cole guy?

Zara: Well, he is supposed to be one of the good guys but I don’t know what happened to him or how he ended up leading the dark forces. But he has allowed Grasix to be unharmed for now.

Nadya: Sounds like you and everyone here have been through quite a bit.

Jiyah: I do have one question. Why didn’t you rat out Reina? She was clearly the one they were looking for.

Zara: Really? I don’t recall him saying specifically that he was looking for her, she hardly acts like a rogue at all.

Reina: Thank you so much for that!

Zara: But I am curious, what would the dark forces want with a ‘rogue’ like you?

Reina: Umm, you see, it's a bit of a long story. I...

Zara: No matter. You and your friends are free to leave this arena.

Jiyah: Wait what?! Just like that? No tricks or anything?

Nadya: Weren’t you planning on, you know, taking our lives?

Rayan: Haha! You are hilarious! Our arena master Zara is actually one of the most kind hearted people you will ever…

Zara: What did you say about me? (gives a death stare)

Rayan: I will just go back to work now.

Zara: If you would have chosen to leave without your two comrades you would have been unfit to live. But anyone who stands up for their comrades through life or death has earned my respect. You and your friends are free to leave.

Reina: Thank you! Is there anything we could do to repay your kindness?

Zara: Yes, by leaving this place. If the dark forces are after you then you are putting everyone of my people here at risk.

Nadya: Yes madam, we will leave right away no questions asked!

Reina: Actually, I do have a request, could you tell us the best way to reach the Northern Highlands?

Zara: You want to head towards the Para-Docks. There are many ships there and sailors who might be able to take you there.

Jiyah: Oh one more thing! Could we have our weapons back as well?

Zara: Speak with Bharath, he will have them all prepared for you.

Nadya: Alright that’s a wrap everyone! Thank you Arena Master for all your kindness!

Nadya begins pushing Reina and Jiyah away from Zara fearing she might change her mind. As Reina joyfully waved goodbye to Zara, the three made their way to see Blacksmith Bharath. He was glad to see that they were all well and still alive. He grabbed their weapons that were stashed away for safekeeping and handed it back to them with slight upgrades.

Bharath: I hope you don’t mind but I took the opportunity to make a few changes to your weapons. For Nadya I have sharpened your blade and I also gave you one of our finest swords.

Nadya: Thank you! Your kindness is much appreciated.

Bharath: For Jiyah, I add some pointy tips to the knuckles of your gauntlets just for good measures.

Jiyah: Alright, now that’s what I call an upgrade!

Bharath: And for Reina, your old dagger wasn’t very good, so I just made you a new one!

Reina: Wow! It even has a ‘R’ on the handle! Thank you Blacksmith Bharath!

After collecting their weapons, Bharath showed them a map to guide them from where they currently were to where they needed to go. He pointed to the middle of Diamondlot (where they currently were), and moved slightly up to show them where the Para-Docks was located. It was not a far journey from the Grasix arena. The three thanked the blacksmith for his generosity one last time, before Reina handed him a couple gold coins to show her gratitude. From there, the three girls made their way, surviving the grueling challenges of the Grasix Arena.