Flight from Phala part 2

Crowds were once more gathering to the arena.

The crowd's anticipation was immense, filling the air with excitement and bloodlust. People from all social classes in Phala had gathered to witness the brutal spectacle of the arena, cheering and placing bets on their favorite fighters. The atmosphere was electric, a stark contrast to the grim reality facing the fighters who were about to risk their lives for the crowd's entertainment.

In the dungeons below, the fighters were preparing themselves for battle. Doreen wrapped her hands and checked her rings. She glanced at Oghuz, who was silently sharpening his blade, watching every move she made. For others, this might have felt like their last day, but for Oghuz, it was just another Tuesday.

Edward was walking through the dungeon, escorted by guards. He looked weak like he had been poisoned, with his skin very pale. Doreen saw him, with bars being the only thing separating them.

"We have to get out of here!" Edward exclaimed.

"What, finally had to swim between the queen's legs?" Doreen joked.

Edward shivered at the thought and then said, "Luckily, no. But they hold these... parties, I guess, at the palace. The courtiers fed the queen this liquid, and I was given it too. It... drained me. Made me feel sick and weak. Like I don't care about anything. I already feel weaker than before," Edward explained in fear.

Doreen pondered. "The courtiers seem to like the queen to be a bit out of it, so they can run the city," she said.

"Even I am affected! Right now, I don't have my sword with me, and I fear if I tried to resist, I would not succeed," Edward said.

"Yeah, my situation isn't any better. Oghuz has been watching me, probably ordered by the courtiers," Doreen said as they both noticed Oghuz's gaze.

"Okay, move along. You've had your chance to say goodbye to her one last time," one of the guards said.

"What do you mean, 'one last time'?" Edward and Doreen asked simultaneously.

~~

In the queen's personal box at the arena, she lounged on a cushion-filled seat. The courtiers offered her a green drink, which she accepted with a gesture of regal indulgence.

"Come here!" the queen commanded, clapping her hands to signal Edward to join her. She then offered him some of the green liquid.

Hesitating, Edward received a prompt from the queen, "I guess you are wondering what this is?" she said, laughing.

With a sly smile, the queen explained, "This, my dear, is tea made from the daisy of paroxysm. It grows only in the northernmost parts of the Scethian steppes. It makes everything more vivid, and more pleasurable. Life becomes more enjoyable with this. You care of nothing and simply love life as it is."

However, to Edward, the drink only brought feelings of death, tiredness, and disgust. The queen handed him a glass, but he initially refused.

"You will drink it AND YOU WILL ENJOY IT!" the queen yelled, her divine aura menacing.

Reluctantly, Edward took the glass and chugged it down, immediately feeling weakened, as if poisoned. He collapsed into a cushioned chair, unable to vomit the substance.

"Huh... too weak to enjoy it, I guess," the queen remarked, taking Edward's weak hand. "Do not worry, my cutie. I will surely bring you pleasure tonight."

Edward, feeling worse than ever, watched the arena battles commence. Prisoners were forced to fight seasoned warriors, many of whom desired the end of the courtiers' influence. Most of these were civilians, and many had not been given even weapons to defend with. 

Among the dead was the Sassan woman who had shared a cell with Doreen, her head decapitated on the ground.

Doreen remained in her cell, having not yet been called to the arena. Previously, she had proven unbeatable, slaying every opponent with her spear, whether it be a seasoned warrior, a common rebel, or even a divine beast.

"Get ready, human. Your turn is next," a guard said to her.

He then moved to Oghuz's cell, signaling him to prepare as well.

Doreen ascended to the arena and noticed Edward in the queen's box. The crowd cheered and Doreen was now the new "second-favorite" fighter of the city.

On the opposite side stood Oghuz, armed and ready for battle. The crowd's shouts grew louder, fueling the anticipation and mirroring the tumultuous emotions of both the fighters and the spectators.

The crowd cheered Ogjuz's name, who didn't seem to care. The announcer came out, and to the crown, yelled, "The main event of today is as follows. Doreen, the human olympian, versus Oghuz, hero of the arena of Phala!"

The queen smiled and waved to the announcer who then blew on on a horn, signalling the start of the battle. 

The battle started with Oghuz charging at Doreen, who defended herself with her divine shield. Oghuz was fast, but the shield of Doreen was tough and durable, with Doreen being fast enough to summon it. 

The hero of the arena was fast, moving quickly and attacking hard, but Doreen was able to counter every move and shield herself. 

From her opulent box, Roxetta, the queen, watched with a mix of intrigue and annoyance. She turned to Edward, weakened and struggling. "Is this the spectacle you hoped for, Edward? To witness your comrade fight to the death?" she asked.

Edward, barely holding onto his fading consciousness, managed to reply, "This... is some spectacle."

"You're not worried about your friend?" the queen prodded.

"Me... huh. Of course not. Doreen can handle herself," Edward said, trying to sound confident.

"So, you're not worried about losing your friend, or maybe she's more than just a friend to you..." the queen suggested slyly.

Doreen executed a swift maneuver. She feigned to the left, then rolled to the right, and struck at Oghuz with her spear. But his armor deflected the blow. Oghuz retaliated quickly, his attacks forcing Doreen to retreat. Each of his strikes was like a falling tree bearing down on her.

Doreen used her spear's ability to grow in length to push herself backward to gain more space. As Oghuz was trying to close the distance, Doreen used her spear to lung many attacks from a far. The spear in rapid concessions grew and pulled back, and attacked the seasoned veteran of the arena in rapid motion. 

Oghuz, using his large sword as a shield, deflected her attacks. Once he closed the distance, he swung the flat side of his sword like a mace, but Doreen blocked it with her spear. Their weapons collided with such force that the entire arena trembled.

Eventually, Doreen's spear thrust proved stronger, sending Oghuz stumbling backward.

The crowd erupted in cheers, everyone except the courtiers and particularly the queen.

"Get up, you mongrel!" Roxetta yelled. "Fight for me. Fight for your queen."

Oghuz, gathering his strength, continued the battle, his weapon clashing against Doreen's.

~~

In the dungeons, the Multans began their move. They whispered with the guards, who were more interested in the fight above, shouting, "Quiet down! Otherwise, I can't hear what's happening in the fight!"

Simultaneously, on the outskirts of the city, there was a stir. Being gathered, accompanied by large beasts, all remaining out of sight from the few soldiers stationed on the watchtowers.