Leaving Home Again

The arena is fully packed and the crowd is hyped up. The fights in the arena are always a great attraction for those who have money to spend. Most fights are even sponsored by arms-dealer to either flaunt their influence and money or find a fighter to recruit to their faction. The more fighters a faction has their chances of dominating rise.

On a particular stage, the crowd is jittery from anticipation. The overseer/ announcer seems to take his time fixing his tie. Completely enraging the crowd making them scream at him. Even as the overseer notices the crowds glares at him, he still takes him time to announce the most anticipated fight that evening. Finally, the overseer instinctively knows the right moment to speak as the crowd's anticipation reaches the peak,

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Ooops~" the overseer teasingly kneels down to fix his untied shoelaces. The crowd roared curses at the overseer to show their displeasure. Not only did the crowd let out vivid profanities at the overseer they even scream at him to "quit" his antics.

"Geez people chill, the fight will start soon enough~" the overseer paused with a chuckle and continued "Okay, okay. I'll try to be serious this time~, Ladies and Gentlemen the most, and I mean the 'most' anticipated fight of the evening!..."

Lyra now a thirteen-year-old young lady, her short brown wavy hair and her now enchantingly gorgeous chocolate hazel eyes shine with determination as she steps into the stage. As she enters, she hears the overseer jovial's voice say,

"Lyra vs. Luke! Lyra our most adorable and charming top-ranking fighter versus the Adonis of the arena, *cough* according to the ladies anyway~ Who will win the fight between beauties!"

Lyra couldn't help but roll her eyes hearing the ridiculous statement of the announcer. She didn't forget to put her guard up as soon as she stepped onto the stage. Luke calmly enters the stage too. Same as Lyra, his guard is already up. They silently bow to each other to show their respect since both of them are part of the arena's top-five ranking fighters.

"Let the fight begin!"

Both Lyra and Luke immediately moved back and eyed each other's movements. Luke seeing Lyra's stance, thinks that she won't be attacking anytime soon. He took the initiative to attack first hoping to gain the momentum of the fight. He then rushes towards Lyra. Knowing Lyra's tendency to quickly counter any attack as soon as it's close enough for her to reach, Luke uses a tactic in which he rushes towards Lyra only to gauge Lyra's range and as soon as he glimpses any reaction on Lyra he tends to quickly retreat.

Sure enough, Lyra tried to counter with a roundhouse kick only to miss her target. Luke without missing the chance, swiftly goes behind Lyra. He then makes his forearm pressed across Lyra's throat, one hand across the opposite bicep and the other hand pressing the Lyra's head forward trying to choke Lyra.

Actually, Lyra was only baiting Luke with her roundhouse kick. So when Luke got a hold of her from behind she immediately delivered a powerful headbutt on Luke's adam's apple. Luke even with a powerful agonizing strike on his adam's apple was still successful in locking his arms across Lyra's neck to choke her. Seeing her initial attack didn't faze Luke to loosen his grip, Lyra then delivers unceasing elbow strikes on the side of Luke's ribcage. Luke bombarded with powerful elbow strikes couldn't help groan from the pain. He tries to tighten his hold but Lyra's elbow strikes are just too menacing to ignore.

Lyra noticing Luke's slight slip of grip, she then suddenly slides her feet back and trips Luke to fall backward. As Luke falls backward pulling Lyra down with him, Lyra slightly turns to her side to deliver a powerful elbow strike to Luke's solar plexus. As soon as they hit the ground there was a resounding *crack* followed by a scream from Luke. The force from the fall and Lyra's weight cause the elbow strike to crack Luke's sternum. Luke's pain is extremely excruciating he can barely talk or move. Lyra wanting to end the fight soon took the chance to render Luke unconscious by hitting the back of his neck.

The moment Luke fell unconscious overseer announces "Lyra wins!"

The crowd went wild and starts to chant Lyra's name. "Lyra! Lyra! Lyra! Lyra!" the crowd roars enthusiastically.

Lyra only calmly walks out of the stage and plans to head home as soon as possible. She only went to the arena today to fight a sponsor fight and earn some extra money. Knowing she would need some funds for the coming days. Thinking about what will happen tomorrow makes Lyra a bit melancholic.

"Aiyah, Lyra going home already? Not even gonna say hi to this poor forgotten ol' Herold?" Herold dabs his eyes pretending to wipe his nonexistent tears.

"Good evening, Sir."

"*Sir* she says... You make me feel so sad Lyra dear. Still calling me *Sir* even after all these years. I feel like you still treat me as a stranger."

"Sorry, but Nina strictly instructs me to always address you as *Sir* and going against her is um not really worth the trouble."

"Bah, that Nina always getting jealous," Herold grins and adds "Well, Lyra I think you should at least say hi and talk to me a bit since your leaving tomorrow. And who knows how long it would take for us to meet again. Knowing your about-to-be-master, I'm pretty sure you'll be busy doing this and that to even visit the arena."

Lyra hearing 'master' unconsciously stiffen up. She then looks at Herold and says "Thank you for your guidance all these years. I can never thank you enough for the things you've done for me here in the arena. All those times I was injured and your willingness to let the medics look after me is something I am always grateful for. For without it I wouldn't be this healthy."

"Aww, Lyra dearie you're making this old champ teary eye." even though Herold said those words teasingly the gentleness in his eyes can't hide the older brotherly affection he has towards Lyra. "I'll really miss my little Lyra~"

Lyra suddenly gives Herold a quick hug and says "Thank you." Herold caught off guard only looks blankly at Lyra then lets out a chuckle.

"Take care dearie." Herold pats Lyra's head. Lyra nods and proceeds to exit the arena.

Lyra leaves the arena and heads back home. For a moment when she reaches the front gate, she just stands there. Lyra looks at Madam Cherry's house in full view. She takes in the view and tries to imprint it in her memories. As she looks at it, nostalgia hits her. This was once a house she was reluctant to enter and now its a home she's reluctant to leave. The years she spent here made her stronger and this second home helps her to stand on her own two feet. She also learns the feeling of warmth of being part of a big family, the feeling of being safe and sound.

A few moments pass by when Lyra finally moves to go inside. She looks at her empty hands as she walks then closes them firmly. Then as she opens the front door the more alluring beautiful twins, Clare and Theresa greet her.

"Suprise! Welcome Home Lyra!" the twins cheerily greet Lyra.

"I'm back." Lyra smiles at them.

"So how was your match?"

"It was okay."

"Hmm," Clare mutters.

"Oh," Theresa says.

"Well, we could always spar if it wasn't enough of a work out for you!" They both exclaimed.

"No thanks, I still need my energy to prepare my things for tomorrow," Lyra replied.

"Oh, well." The twins' answers with a bit of sadness in their voice.

The twins become close with Lyra in these past years. They now treated her like their own younger sister. They aren't evil as they tried to be. It is just their mischievous actions are the only way they know how to attract attention. Noticing the twins' hidden agenda when causing trouble as years pass by, Lyra seek them out even though they bully her every time. But knowing their real intention, Lyra just fights them to beat some sense into them. She too knows the loneliness the twins feel so she felt a certain bond with the twins. Finally, through sheer perseverance and the help of Lyra's homemade tasty treats, she was able to gain the friendship of the twins.

As the three of them chatted happily, Nina reluctantly calls out to Lyra telling her Madam wants to talk to her. Lyra nods her bid the twins good night. The twins seeing Lyra's back as it slowly disappears they let out a sad sigh and head for their own bedroom.

When Lyra reaches Madam's office she immediately knocks. She then hears Madam's voice says "Enter."

Looking up from her desk, Madam Cherry stares at Lyra. "I'm sure you have an idea why I call you here."

"It's about tomorrow. Me meeting my master officially."

"Yes, I just want to remind you to pack whatever you think you will need."

"Yes, Madam."

"Go then, have a restful sleep. Tomorrow will be tough for you."

"Good night, Madam."

"Good night, Lyra."

Lyra heads to her bedroom thinking about tomorrow. Hoping that she wouldn't have to stay away from this second home of hers too long. She enters her room and goes to shower and brush her teeth. She then lays on her bed thinking about tomorrow's meeting with her master. She hopes her master would at least even a tiny bit like her. As she was staring at her ceiling a sudden thought arises, she has to leave her second home.

"It seems I have to leave my home again," Lyra whispers as she fell asleep.