Into the Arena [Azayzal + Denna]

The sign read combatants only as Maria read it for what could have been the millionth time, she was still finding it hard to believe she had made it. At the young age of 21 she had been dubbed a crowd favorite in the small outer Arenas, winning a series of bouts with her being a huge under dog. Maria had always been a talented fighter, easily the best in her moderate village. Her father always told her stories of their families heroic lineage, of wars that had been single handedly turned by their ancestors, of how the blood of heroes ran in Maria veins and when she was young this emboldened Maria but the more she fought, the older she grew and the loses (which were far and few between) she sustained the more Maria realized she just enjoyed fighting. With that conviction she set out to make a name for herself in the Arena.

A sport enjoyed across the nation, two combatants (In Maria's case females) would fight until one could fight no longer and when that happened the loser would be used by the winner for as long as the crowd saw fit. The winner was allowed to use the loser for any sexual act they saw fit, until the crowd deemed the humiliation enough for the loser.

Maria had been lost in deep thought forgetting her nerves at fighting before such a large crowd, she was brought to her senses when the announcer had called her name. She marched forward into the Arena, small pockets of the Arena cheering for her but the rest only gave a half-hearted atempt as she was relatively unkown. Maria stood in her leather bikini, a sword in hand. Her delicate hazel eyes watched the other side of the Arena waiting for her opponent to be announced, the sun beating down on her tanned but otherwise pale skin the heat was stiffled by the slight breeze that brushedher short blonde locks.

Gloria lounged on a sweat-stained bench, lightly stretching her long, caramel colored legs. Her hands drifted to her sides, checking that her dagger sheathes were strapped on tight. Her lithe form belaying a deadly fighter. Gloria was well respected in the local Arena, having slowly climbed from the bottom with her deadly patience, solid will, and single dagger. Some considered her a poor fighter for her lack of decent weaponry, but Gloria knew she had the greatest weapon at her disposal, her body.

Gloria had defeated many opponents with her quick footwork, deft knifework, and fearless determination. She never flinched when faced with opponents heavily armed and armored, instead, seeming to enjoy the Thrill as she rushed forward to meet her foe. She often lured her enemies into a false sense of security while she slowly whittled away at them with minor injuries. Then, when the time was right, she would risk everything, whether it be a headlong rush, or letting an enemy bury their blade in her body, to reach her opponents weakness.

Though risky, Gloria won often, and was praised for thrilling the crowd with the anticipation of that final moment. But now, she was up against Maria. Maria was rushing through the ranks, and Gloria hadn't had a chance to see her in action, unsure of her fighting style. This left Gloria worried, unable to guess what weaknesses she could exploit. But she remained determined. She would not let this upshot take her down.

Gloria finished her stretch, before slowly striding into the light of the arena at the sound of the announcer's cry. Dagger drawn, she stared across the field, sizing Maria up, waiting for her to make the first move.

With both combatants announced Maria strode forward, veering off to the left to circle Gloria. She looked the caramel woman up and down, noting the dagger, "Death by 1000 cuts" she thought to herself. A few steps into circling Gloria's right she made a feint towards Gloria's unarmed hand, curious sword drawn high to strike at her cheek. Maria darted in, much faster than she should be able to move, but before the blow was struck she brought down the bladed hilt into Gloria's long, caramel legs. Maria's sword was bladed at either end and as the small hilt blade sunk into Gloria she spun behind the woman, with blinding speed, a swift kick to the back of the leg while she brought her arm up to the dagger wielding woman's neck holding it in the crook of her arm.

Maria held Gloria in a lock, their strength pitted against each other. Maria however was not an experienced grappler and with enough struggle she knew Gloria would come free. She took advantage of what little time that took by ramming her knee into the struggling woman's back, spiked leather knee pads slapping against Gloria's back until Maria threw her aside knowing she could no longer hold Gloria. Although she had taken a few injuries from the grapple Maria thought herself the winner of that little trade.

Maria kept her distance from Gloria as she was tossed aside, sword drawn at level with the woman as she watched to see what move Gloria would make. Their trade had left Maria a little hot and bothered, it also left her a little hungry for the woman's lithe body. She was forced to push this aside for the moment focusing instead on her opponents attacks.

Gloria was surprised at Maria's sudden speed, letting Maria catch her off guard. The feint worked, and Maria's blade slammed into her thigh. Gloria stifled a moan, the rush of desire distracting her enough to slow her retaliation. Gloria managed to slice at Maria's side as she spun behind her, but the strike was shallow. Off-balanced by her lunge, Gloria was left wide open for Maria's grab, and while she was stronger than Maria, her position left her struggling to break free.

Gloria's hand flipped the grip on her dagger, stabbing awkwardly behind her, managing a lucky hit on Maria's arm. Her back bowed as Maria's knee slammed into her, drawing a gasp from her as she was thrown to the ground. Gloria rolled to her feet, dagger at the ready, thinking Maria would be on her immediately. Relieved at Maria's distance, she took a moment to center herself, using her desire for Maria to fuel her drive. It was reckless, and it made it difficult to think of a strategy, but right now she needed determination and adrenaline.

Gloria, heedless of the danger, rushed straight at Maria, dagger poised for a thrust. Her hand strayed to her side, unbuckling her short leather skirt, and throwing it towards Maria's face, obscuring her vision. She feinted low, before hurtling to the side, throwing her dagger at Maria's blade hand, striking the wrist, leaving her grasp weak. She rushed in before Maria could recover, landing a solid kick against the woman's side, before closing in, trying to grapple her.