“That was quite the show out there, I never expected quite the spectacle from our first match.” Guy says as his footman shoves a drink into my hand and practically throws me into a velvet chair in the balcony.

  The champion’s balcony wasn’t the same as the Zodiac’s but they were attached to one another. Having us seated here gave the families the opportunity to talk to us, but we weren’t allowed to openly enter their space. The velvet rope kept everyone out who was invited. Literally, there was a magical barrier to their VIP balcony and only those with the invite could move through it.

  “Just wanted to put on a show.” I lie as I sip my drink. While the head of the Libra family was beyond ecstatic about my performance, I personally don’t want to have to resort to such means. Alas, that brute got what he deserved though.

  “Well fine sir, you did just that.” Guy collapsed down in the chair next to mine, throwing his leg over the edge to get comfortable. For royalty, he didn’t exactly compose himself as such. Instead he seems someone who was much more carefree.

  “Can I ask who that is.” I say as I motion with my head towards a man who is staring at me something fierce from their balcony. Guy turns to look, and chuckles when he does.

  “That’s Gem, son of the head of the Gemini family.”

  “Gem Gemini?” I ask, that can’t seriously be his name. Guy lets out of very unseemly laugh.

  “That would be his name, yes.” We both turn our attention towards Gem who is still staring at me. He’s not even pretending to hide that fact, we are literally just staring at one another. Something about him strikes me as familiar. I know I have never laid eyes upon the man, but this feels deeper than that.

  I know I’ve never met him because I would never forget that face. He has rich brown skin with warm golden undertones, and deep brown eyes that look as though you could see the stars in them. He has a buzzed haircut, and a strong square jaw. Trust me, I would never forget anyone that looks like that.

  After staring at one another for what feels like several years, he stands up, and starts making his way towards us.

  “Oh my, it appears your admirer is making his way here. This should be quite the interesting interaction.”

  Several moments later Gem sat down on the other side of me, and now I was sandwiched between two gorgeous men who were absolutely most likely my enemies. Sounds like a gay ole time.

  “You were quite ruthless during your match. The willingness to destroy the entire stadium to take out your enemy is quite extraordinary.” He says softly, but direct.

  “Thanks…. I guess.” This whole situation is extremely awkward. I’m not the one who does all the politics, I leave that to Dardania and Prisha but they currently aren’t here, so instead I’m just terrified.

  “Do you think it’s cruel?” The words just fall out of my mouth. I didn’t mean to say it. Freudian slip. I was trying to keep my mouth shut, but I failed. I just royally fucked this up.

  “Depends on which side of the rope you’re on.” Gem says frankly, Guy just chuckles.

  “Perhaps they should have been born into a better life, then it wouldn’t seem so cruel. From where I’m standing, it’s quite entertaining.” Guy adds.

  “But you’re the one who holds the power, of course you would think so.” Why am I doing this? I should just stop talking and get on with my life.

  “You’re quite brazen, so I’ll indulge you. It’s all about balance. Without us, the world would collapse in on itself. Without them, the same thing occurs. It may seem cruel to those who view it from the outside, but if the balance where to shift one way or the other, the world would turn upside down. Just ask your predecessors about that, they’re experts.” Guy slowly turns his head towards Godrick who was forcefully keeping his eyes on the arena and not turning towards me. I’m fine with that, I don’t want to look at his stupid face.

  “So, these events grant the masses entertainment and a way to better their lot in life. We all blow off some steam during the festival and it makes the year another peaceful one. Rinse and repeat.” Guy flung his leg off the arm of the chair, resting his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands. “Now let us watch as your lover proves whether he is worthy of the Magician.”

  The moment Guy finished speaking, three magic circles appear in the arena with Avis standing in the center of one of them. On the other two were individuals who look just as tough as him, if not moreso.

  “The lover of the Magician.” Gem mumbles softly. I pry my eyes away from the arena for a minute to look at him, but his face is glued to the arena. Why did he say that?

  I can’t worry about weirdo McGee here, I needed to focus on Avis. I couldn’t help him during this fight, but I needed to watch over him to make sure he came out the other end okay.

  The moment the announcer called for the start of the match, Avis was on the move. In a swift, single motion, he grabs his knife out of its sheath and throws it at the competitor directly in front of him.

  The moment it leaves Avis’s hand, he darts towards its target. Before they had time to react, his knife impaled the man in his shoulder. The moment Avis arrives at his opponent’s side, he drop kicks him directly in the shin, followed by an audible crack as both of his legs break from underneath him.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  The crowd erupts as the man hits the ground hard, but Avis doesn’t stop moving. He’s grab his knife out of the guys shoulder and immediately rushes towards his other enemy who is standing frozen in fear having watched Avis take the other guy down in a matter of seconds.

  Avis’s other opponent starts to move to run away, but can’t escape in time. Avis uses his bent knee as a platform, steps on it, flips over the guy. Upon landing he spins around and holds his knife to the guy’s throat.

  “I forfeit!” The guy screams out the moment the knife reaches his throat. Avis quickly pulls it back, spins the knife between his fingers, and sheathes it as the crowd goes wild.

  Honestly, it all happened so fast that I couldn’t even tell you what either of those men looked like. Avis basically moved in one big blur, and it was intense. If he wasn’t on my side I would definitely be very terrified right about now.

  “And with record time we have our next champion! Citizens of Zodiac better work harder before someone from Gaea takes their place!”

  “Gorgeous and skilled, quite the package there.” Guy says with a flirtatious chuckle.

  “Fascinating.” Gem adds as Avis slowly makes his way towards the champion’s balcony.

  “Why are you two over here?” I ask, the tension is killing me. Clearly it’s not killing them or they would have left already, but with either of them on my sides I’m ready to scream and rip my hair out.

  “What? We aren’t allowed to visit with our champions.”

  “It depends on what your intentions are with him.” Avis says to Guy as he makes his way into the balcony and makes a beeline for me.

  “Jealous are we?” Guy replies as he leans against my seat.

  “Honestly, he’s grown he can do as he sees fit, but with someone of your station I can’t rule out foul play when you approach us.” Avis says all suave like. This man continues to surprise me at every turn.

  “You’ve got you a good one there Magician, hold on to him.” Guy seductively runs his hand along my face and slightly onto my chest before standing and doing the exact same to Avis, “I will take my leave and allow you to enjoy the show of our next batch of competitors.”

  With that Guy swiftly exits the balcony, leaving just us and Gem who has opted to not leave.

  “You staying her?” I ask as he stares out at the arena.

  “For the time being, yes. There is something I’m curious about and then I’ll take my leave.”

  “Dee.” Avis says softly as he takes his next to me where Guy had been sitting. I turn back towards the arena to see Dardania standing among three other contestants, all very large men.

  “What are the chances?” Avis asks as he turns to Gem, “What are you all playing at?”

  “We are curious about you, that is all.” Gem says, never breaking his gaze from the arena.

  The three men with Dardania aren’t nearly as large as the Brute, but each of them probably stand about six feet tall, and are all very muscular. Two of them don’t have any weapons and the third one is holding a comically large hammer with magical symbols on it.

  “And begin!” The announcer screams and the crowd begins to stomp and cheer at the top of their lungs. Two of the giant men immediately start fighting, while Dardania and the one with the giant hammer don’t move.

  The guy lifts the hammer up, throws it over his shoulder, and slowly begins walking towards Dardania, who continues to stare at him without moving.

  As he moves closer, he raises his hammer, and swings it with full force overhead at Dardania, she simply side steps it. The hammer smashes into the ground, cracking it.

  Dardania looks towards the balcony and whispers, “Boom.”

  An explosion slams against the Zodiac’s balcony, hitting an invisible barrier. The audience immediately gasps as the shockwave rips through the arena.

  Behind the explosion, the barrier cracks, but only for a second. It immediately heals back up and the explosion vanishes as though it was never there. Luckily for the Zodiac, the crack was only visible to those of us sitting behind it, whereas the audience wouldn’t have been able to see it.

  “Oh I love her!” Guy screams out as he claps his hands excitedly.

  “Hmm.” Gem says before turning his attention towards me and then back to the arena. “Fascinating.”

  “Dee what are you doing?” Avis says as he pulls his arms into himself with worry.

  Dardania smiles briefly before turning her attention towards the hammer wielding guy in front of her.

  He raises it again, and swings at her again, this time from the side. She swiftly dives over it, rolls, and immediately is back on her feet.

  “Backdraft.” Dardania says as she swings directly at the man’s sternum backed with the force of a giant gust. His chest cracks under the pressure of her punch and stumbles backwards.

  “And the little lady sends the hammer guy stumbling backwards. Also, was that a crack we just heard? Who are these fighters!?” The announcer screams out as the crowd erupts with cheers and chants.

  Avis on the other hand is cover his face, trying to not watch the fight in front of us. Me, on the other hand, I can’t look away.

  “She can handle herself.” I reassured him.

  “I know,” he whines, “but I just can’t watch. Usually I’m down there with her.”

  I just pat Avis gently on the top of his head as I continue to watch the fight unfold.

  “Shatter.” Dardania whispers as he swings the hammer one more time, but she doesn’t move. Instead, the hammer shatters to a thousand pieces before it reaches her. Instead the man is standing there holding simply a stick directly in front of her face.

  “Gust.” Dardania holds out her hand and blows. A gust of wind blows through the arena, he slams into the wall and is knocked unconscious.

  “Who are these people?” Guy yells out as Dardania is left as the last fighter standing.

  “Can I hear it for our newest champion, also from Gaea! You are letting us down citizens of Zodiac!” The announcer screams out. This time it actually felt like a scream.

  “Fascinating. Endlessly fascinating.” Gem says as he stands up. “I will take my leave now and let the three of you of enjoy your respite.”

  Gem walks towards the edge of the balcony when he stops, and turns back to face me.

  “You seem to building a group that would make the original Arcana proud. Take pride in that.” He says, and immediately exits without another word. Avis and I both just look at one another, confused.

  “Did he just say something nice?” Avis asks. I just shrug, because I’m genuinely not sure.

  “Well, that was…. something.” Dardania says as she steps into the balcony. Avis immediately grabs her and pulls her into a hug.

  “Dee! What are you doing? Are you trying to get us all killed?”

  “Nope, just an experiment.” Dardania says as she hugs her brother. “I figured they wouldn’t put themselves in danger, and I was correct. They are essentially untouchable.”

  Dardania pulls away from her brother and takes a seat on the other side of me. “How did you match go?” Dardania asks me. I just stare at the arena, opting to not give specifics.

  “It was fine, nothing fancy.” Let’s not tell her I just threw out some wild magic and let it go crazy. I don’t think it’s a good look.

  “Did we all just put a target on our backs?” Avis asks, directing our attention to the Zodiac balcony.

  The majority of the families have their attention turned towards us, no one saying a word. They just stare us down, sizing us up. We may have made ourselves an enemy of the Zodiac.