<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/54HhFiQ.jpg)<br/>(https://i.imgur.com/j5UUcQX.png)</div><br/>Lord Blackcrest gave a small nod at Katra's performative bow, though his eyes seemed to drift from her to the sword in her hand, "Hrmm, I seem to recall you showing off a special ability when we first met, the power to conjure up weapons with your mind" he said, recalling their first meeting, an event that had gone quite poorly as far as establishing a friendly working relationship, "I imagine Carmilla was aware of this power as well. It would explain why she specifically listed no magic or powers amongst her demands, that crafty bitch. Let's just hope you're skilled enough with a real blade to make up for it" he added.<br/><br/>When Elenetha spoke up Lord Blackcrest just stared at her, hard and stern, trying to decipher if she was trying to mock him or not. Fortunately Juro jumped in with a cool assertation, and the grumbled lord continued without humoring the elf with a response, "Anyways, the duel will start soon enough. The staff will show you (nods to Katra) to the staging area, while we shall take to the stands to oversee the fight" he proclaimed, with Cass'andra dutifully nodding along, "I'll uh, go with her" she said, taking Katra's hand.<br/><br/>With the plans made and the last "good luck"s given, the two groups split up. Below Katra and Cass'andra were escorted through the backstage area of the arena, spotting other fighters casually going about and talking amongst themselves as they went. Above Lord Blackcrest would show the rest of the gang to his private seating area, a balcony section that sat directly over the gate Katra would be stepping out of, both clearly displaying his position and granting them the best seats in the stadium. On the opposite side sat Carmilla in her own balcony section, though a canopy had been erected around it to help accommodate the vampire's aversion to the sun. She also still wore the same metal mask from before, giving them no further incite at what may lie underneath. The Countess flanked by a handful of her servants, several of which the group recognized, however Sera was no where in sight.<br/><br/>Juro would also happen to spot another familiar face, higher up in one of the VIP areas. It was none other than<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Princess Eucera</div><div class="spoiler_body">(https://i.imgur.com/WmyUUvO.jpg)</div></div>casually drawing on her pipe as she watched the current match play out. Not only was she accompanied by the two guards Juro had met last night, but another<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">sect girl</div><div class="spoiler_body">(https://i.imgur.com/Tf5eDxg.jpg)</div></div>as well. This girl was also of the bee/hornet variety, and at the risk of seeming racist, Juro could guess that the two were probably related. The two honeys passed the pipe back and forth between each other, pointing and chuckling as they no doubt carried on a wordless conversation in their heads.<br/><br/>By the time everyone settled in, the semi-main event was underway, with Katra and Cass'andra watching from the entry gate, while the others looked on from the stands. The red champion<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Brunhilda Foe-Cleaver</div><div class="spoiler_body">(https://i.imgur.com/iQho2TF.jpg?1)</div></div>, whom Peaches and Katra had briefly met at the casino last night, was defending her championship spot against an up and coming contender<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spout Lore 7-9</div><div class="spoiler_body">Within the Grand Arena there are two distinct divisions, each with their own separate champions: the Blue Rules and Red Rules. The Blue Rules are non-lethal duels, fought until one side submits or is rendered unable to fight. However the Red Rules are full on fights to the death, often ending in bloody spectacle. The Blue Rules is the more popular division amongst fighters, for reasons that should be obvious, however the danger and high stakes of the Red Rules make them the favorite of the audience. Those who dare to fight under the Red Rules claim more prestige and make significantly more coin.</div></div><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spout Lore 10+</div><div class="spoiler_body">Within the Arena there are two special rules that can be invoked immediately before or during a match: Turning Blue and Running Red. "Turning Blue" can be invoked during a Red Rules match, effectively calling off the death match and turning it into a non-lethal Blue Rules match. Once it has been called, and officially declared by the official, the match is no longer fought to the death, and the other competitor will be disqualified should they attempt to deal a fatal blow on their opponent. Conversely "Running Red" is when both competitors agree to upgrade their Blue Rules match into a Red Rules match, turning it into a fight to the death. <br/><br/>Given the culture of the arena, Turning Blue is seen as a cowardly act, a humiliating back down of someone afraid to face death fearlessly. As such invoking the rule earns one no small amount of ridicule from the crowd, and once a competitor has "turned blue" they are forbidden from ever competing in a Red Rules match again. On the other hand Running Red is the epitome of hype, two warriors casting aside the protections of the Blue Rules in order to have a clash with everything on the line.</div></div>. The challenger in question was a<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">mountain of a man</div><div class="spoiler_body">(https://i.imgur.com/fxQUFZ0.jpg)</div></div>, or at least he would be against almost anyone else. However faced up against the mighty amazon he found himself on even footing, the two able to look eye to eye. The battle was fierce, the two towering warriors throwing everything they had at each other. Their weapons clashed so hard that the sound echoed through the entire arena, and when they managed to slip a blow past the others' guard the gang would be able to feel the impact. At some point, in a shocking turn of events, the challenger revealed himself to be a shifter, growing into a hulking wolf man with a mighty howl.<br/><br/>However Brunhilda wasn't the champion for nothing. Not only was she not daunted by the new challenge, she seemed to revel in it. Not only that but his transformation proved to be a mistake, for in the act of abandoning his weapon in favor of his claws the challenger left himself with no means of blocking her mighty axe. While his hide may have been tough enough to make this a non-concern in most battles, against the might of the Foe-Cleaver his tough skin was no defense at all. And true to her name she cleaved deep into him with a well place strike, catching him between the neck and shoulder, cutting into him diagonally. The blade stopped halfway through, the wolf-man forced down to his knees, and with guttural battle cry Brunhilda stomped on the neck of her axe, driving it the rest of the way through his torso, cleaving him half.<br/><br/>There was a moment of silence, before the crowd erupted into rapturous applause. Chants of the "Foe-Cleave-er! Foe-Cleave-er!" nearly shook the arena as Brunhilda basked in their adoration,<strong>"That's it folks! Another brutal victory for the Red Champion! Bruuunhildaaaaaa Foe-Cleaveeeeer!"</strong>the announcer bellowed, his voice magically projected to carry across the arena.<br/><br/>Katra and Cass watched on as Brunhilda made her way to the back, casually sauntering past them, her axe and her body both still covered in the wolf-man's blood, "Good luck with your exhibition" she cooed, giving Katra a wink and a spank that managed to reverberate all the way through her armor and send her ass rippling as if she had smacked her bare skin.<br/><br/>"Errmmm ok...well...I mean it's not like we have to actually follow that up entertainment wise..." Cass reassured with an awkward chuckle. Speaking of...<br/><br/><strong>"Next up folks we have a very special match for you. A battle not fought for gold and glory, but for family! Today we shall be settling a long running feud between two powerful nobles. A grudge match decades in the making! Lord Harlan Blackcrest, former Blue Champion of the arena, shall face Lady Carmilla Feratti, Countess of Rouche, in a duel by proxy! They have each hand selected a champion to represent them in a blow for blow battle under the Blue Rules! All to decide the fate of Lord Blackrest's own daughter: Sera Blackcrest!"</strong>the announcer declared, the crowd hanging on every line as he laid out the story of the match,<strong>"If Blackcrest's champion is victorious, then the Lord's daughter shall go free. However if the Countess's representative comes out on top, then Sera's life shall be in her hands, and who knows what fate shall befall her?"</strong>he said, making it extra dramatic sounding,<strong>"This match, and it's stipulations, have been sanctioned by the Grand Arena, and shall be overseen by Queen Hildur herself! (cheers erupt as the Queen gives a wave to the crowd) So the stakes are real folks! A young woman's fate hangs in the balance"</strong>He added.<br/><br/><strong>"And so, without further adieu, allow us to introduce the first champion. Representing Lord Harlan Blackcrest, fighting for the life and freedom of Sera Blackcrest. She is an unseen challenger, an unknown knight, unproven in both the Grand Arena and the Adventurer's Guild. But who knows folks, some of the greatest champions of all time were ones plucked from obscurity! She. Is. KAAAAAATRAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" </strong><br/><br/>And with that said Katra was ushered down the tunnel and out of the gate, sent out to face the cheers and jeers of the crowd, all of them eying her, scrutinizing her, making bets on her chances of victory. It was the most attention the girl had ever received in her life, thousands upon thousands of people were all looking at her at once, eyes filled with expectation. Due to all the preamble she had been set up as the hero of this story, the one who would face the vile vampire's minion and save the life of the beautiful young maiden. And it was up to her to dash all those expectations with a well staged loss...no pressure....<br/>