After the groomers had cleansed and outfitted each slave, an expectant murmur began sounding throughout the Arena. The beginning festivities were over and it was time for the main event.<br/><br/>Just as suddenly as the new slaves had found themselves thrown into their individual cells, so the cells began glowing ever so slightly. "And now..." Balthazar's voice rang clear, the hushed silence that fell over the crowd seemed to be buzzing with eager anticipation. "The new slaves that I promised earlier!"<br/><br/>The vibrations felt in the cells wasn't merely from the sudden outbreak of frenzied shouts, nor was it the chorused stomping of feet against the stadium floors as the audience demanded fresh blood. No, the cells themselves were actually vibrating, shaking as it dislodged itself from the ground and began floating up towards the ear-splitting screams. Slowly, the cells reached ground level of the Arena floor, fanning out to be situated evenly around the perimeter of the stadium. The glow of the cells diminished, only to spread out along the blood-caked dirt as a runed circle. Each cell was now situated within these spheres, each fifteen feet in diameter.<br/><br/>There was no escape from this newly spelled jail, none save for death.<br/><br/>"Fresh blood for our Princes! Today, these new slaves shall face their first challenge within the Arena! Are they fit to be trained for our Princes? Or are they merely meat for the slaughter?" The lock to each cell clicked open with a flourish of the Arena Master's clawed hands. Another motion and weapons emerged from the ground near the door of each cell.<br/><br/>"What say you? Shall we see how they fare? How will our newest candidates stand up against Hell's monstrosities?" The wild escalation of cheers left none in doubt that blood was to be shed. Balthazar yawned inwardly while keeping his prizewinning smile plastered across his lip-less mouth. If it weren't for the presence of the Princes, he wouldn't have bothered with all the theatrics. "Well then, let the beasts be unveiled..." At these spoken words, directly across from each cell, a circle of the runes blazed brightly. From within the beam of light stepped out...<br/><br/><div align="center">*    *    *</div><br/><strong>Liliana Vess:</strong><br/><br/>A jointed leg, unmistakably insectoid, came first. One, two, three...eight rigid legs skittered out of the light. It only took a glance to recognize the form of a giant spider, and yet, the head of the spider had been replaced by the upper body of a woman. Arachne (http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs36/f/2008/276/0/6/Spider_Witch_by_GENZOMAN.jpg) stared evenly at the had-been assassin with her pupil-less eyes. Orbs of blood red, all six of them, sized up her opponent before blinking at various intervals. A slow smile slid across pale lips, exposing her blackened teeth, followed by a chittering laugh. The mandibles at the front of her body clicked together eagerly. "It has been long since I have tasted the blood of a demoness..."<br/><br/><strong>Zehair Angelith:</strong><br/><br/>Heavy footsteps stirred the sand as a scaled creature emerged from the light. Tough scales covered its muscled body giving it a very distinct reptilian appearance. With a tail that flicked to and fro, the nimble appendage seemed similar to that of a giant lizard. But that was where the resemblance ended. A heavyset yet powerful body, like that of an ape, Grendel (http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs7/i/2005/219/a/0/Grendel_by_GENZOMAN.jpg) snorted as he sniffed the air around him. The scent of blood excited him and his prey stood a mere leap away. Sniffing in the direction of Zehair, a low grumble emanated from his chest before he growled, "...Anngell..." His nostrils flared and he grunted approvingly, the sound like so many rocks grinding together.<br/><br/><strong>Adam Jefferson:</strong><br/><br/>As the light dissipated, it revealed a voluptuous woman in its wake. Nude and blindfolded, she seemed small and defenseless. Her arms were held close to her body in an attempt to cover herself, to cover her nudity before the leering crowd. She was certainly a beauty. Flawless skin, soft globes of flesh, well-rounded hips along with a small waist -- it was no wonder the woman seemed so decadent to those in the audience. A light hissing sound could be heard beneath the overwhelming hoots around the stadium. The woman's hair flowed gracefully around her. No, her hair was<em>alive</em>. A nest of snakes writhed around her face, some were stretching up and out, baring their fangs to any they considered a threat. The Gorgon (http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l4y5l7zwu51qbz35lo4_500.jpg) suddenly collapsed on her knees, her arms folded tightly around her chest. Her blindfolded eyes looked around her, terrified. "Please..." The whispered plea was accompanied by a single tear as she huddled in upon herself, not seeming bothered by the snapping and threatening hisses of her snakes.<br/><br/><strong>Sarathiel:</strong><br/><br/>A large peacock blinked over at the fallen angel, neck bobbing for a moment as if trying to observe her from a different angle. Its neck stretched as it craned its head, trying to see everything all at once and failing. Strutting back and forth, it stopped to face its opponent and fanned open its magnificent tail. Brilliant blues, greens, and yellows framed the peacock proudly as it preened itself. While preening nonchalantly, it spoke in a melodic, twittering voice. "I do not wish to fight." The eyes of its tail blinked, each eye whirling as it fixed red pupils upon Sarathiel. "You hold no interest to me, for you are no challenge." Ruffling its feathers, it began pacing once again, yet its eyes stayed fixed on the angel, others continuing to whirl dizzily around as it kept an eye on its surroundings. "Unfortunately, it seems I have no choice in the matter." The peacock seemed to be losing its substance, become more and more like vapor. Instead, the shape of a man formed and Argus (http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/076/f/1/Argus_by_sandara.jpg) resumed his pacing. Eyes covered the entirety of his body, all of them open though each fixated on a different location. "Shall we end this then? I desire to return to my readings."<br/><br/><strong>Ashakiel:</strong><br/><br/>The upper body of a woman stretched luxuriously out of the beam of light. She seemed impossibly tall, not to mention a tad too relaxed for the Arena. As the light faded, it soon became apparent why the woman was so tall. Where shapely legs should have followed, instead the scaled tail of a serpent slithered behind her. The Echidna (http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/236/2/4/Kiyohime_by_GENZOMAN.jpg) wound its tail around herself. Black forked tongue slipping briefly out between her lips as she eyed the humiliated noble. The end of her tail dragged a sword forward, its tip digging a line through the stained sands. "Why, if it isssn't the Dark Virgin?" She laughed, revealing long fangs. "Tell me, how was the Prinssse?"<br/><br/><strong>Athena:</strong><br/><br/>It was hard to tell what monstrosity the warrior faced. A frenzy of tentacle-like legs, gnashing teeth from growling canine heads, all mounted by a chained woman. At first, it seemed as if the woman were riding the monstrosity. However, another closer look revealed that she seemed to be melded into the obscene thing. Scylla (http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs18/f/2007/166/8/2/Scylla_by_GENZOMAN.jpg) stared coldly down at the favored human, the overly large canine heads circling her waist snapped their rows of razor sharp teeth, drool spraying as they strained towards the woman. Its legs writhed and roiled beneath their mass, inching forward, quivering in anticipation. Cocking her head to the side, the woman yawned, her chains clinking as she lazily made an attempt to cover her mouth. "After all this time, they bring a mere human to feed my dogs?"<br/><br/><div align="center">*    *    *</div><br/>The audience quickly began vying for their favorites within the ring. Most cheered for the opponents that Balthazar had summoned, though a few decided to place their support with the new slaves.<br/><br/>Even over the rabble of the stadium, the Arena Master's voice boomed effortlessly. "Now, let the games...<em>begin</em>!"