The voice came from the tent, and Leia didn't need to look to know who it belonged to. But when her gaze accidentally met Casimir's, her shoulders tensed at the mocking smirk curving his lips. He was looking down on her, she could feel it and that only fueled her desire to fight harder.
They all underestimated her, and she couldn't even blame them. After all, who would take a fragile-looking woman like her seriously? Forcing her gaze away, she turned back to the fuming she-wolves before her and made her decision, stepping toward the third one on the right.
"I choose you," she declared, her voice echoing as a thunderous roar erupted from the crowd. Leia knew the cheer wasn't for her but for the she-wolf she had chosen.
Arrogantly, the warrior smiled and glanced at her companions, her eyes gleaming as though she had just won a prize. Right now, anyone who managed to kill her would be rewarded handsomely. Judging from the hungry stares around, everyone in the arena wanted her dead, including her dear husband. It would be a glorious victory, so the arrogance was understandable.
"Your Highness, are you sure you don't want to pick someone else?" The female warrior mocked, stepping closer with a taunting smirk.
"Why? Are you afraid of losing to me?" Leia shot back, and laughter erupted, cruel, ridiculing, and sharp.
"You should be the one afraid," the warrior hissed in a low, dangerous tone that made Leia momentarily regret provoking her.
"Our Luna has chosen her opponent. Does anyone wish to bet on her?" The host called, not even glancing at the crowd as though he expected silence.
But before he could speak again, a voice cut through the air. "I would."
Every head turned, including Leia's. Squinting, she tried to make out who it was, but the figure sat high in the stands, her face blurred by distance. It was a woman, that much was clear. But why would anyone bet on her? Was it a prank?
"What's wrong with her?" Murmurs rippled through the audience.
"Is she crazy?"
"Let the fight begin then," the host announced with a disappointed sigh, his gaze lingering on Leia longer than it should before turning away.
Now facing each other, Leia and the female warrior waited for the command. Leia glanced at her hands and scoffed at the absurdity of it all. She had been given no weapon, while her opponent wielded three. Cowards, none of them even dared fight her on equal grounds. And they dared to call her weak.
"Fight!" A drumbeat thundered, followed by a commanding voice. The cheers swelled, cheers not for her, but for her death.
"I won't go easy on you, Your Highness. Don't hold grudges when you die," the warrior sneered before lunging at her.
Leia didn't move. She watched every motion, every twitch of the warrior's muscles, then, at the final second, she dodged, stepping behind her in one swift motion.
The cheers from the crowd dulled into stunned silence, and Leia could feel their shock from that single move she had just pulled. What they didn't know was that she was good at defense. It might not win a war, but it could turn the tide of one. A strong defense could grant victory, but never alone. Sooner or later, she would have to fight back.
"That was a smart move. Who taught you? A child?" The female warrior sneered, trying to cover her humiliation as she spun around and rearmed herself with her weapon.
Leia's eyes darted to the weapon. If she wanted even a sliver of a chance, she would have to disarm her. As long as the warrior had no weapon and didn't shift, Leia might stand a chance.
"Let's finish this!" The warrior roared, charging toward her. Every gaze in the arena locked on them, breathless.
Just as the warrior reached her, Leia dropped to the ground, bracing herself with one hand as she slid beneath her opponent's legs, rising swiftly and kicking the weapon out of her hands.
The crowd groaned in disappointment, a sound that filled Leia with satisfaction. Perfect. Let their morale crumble.
"How dare you?!" The enraged warrior bellowed, tossing aside all her remaining weapons before lunging again. Leia barely had time to react before she was knocked flat on the ground.
Before she could regain her balance, the warrior straddled her, fists raining down mercilessly. Leia lifted her hands to block, but the warrior slammed them against the ground, pinning her with brutal force.
"You think defense will save you?!" She spat, her blows growing harsher. "I won't let a weakling like you ruin the reputation I have built!"
Leia's arms trembled under the force. If she didn't act now, she would die here. Then, an idea flashed. She suddenly lowered her hands and spat straight into the warrior's face.
"You wretch!" The warrior shrieked, flinching back. Leia seized the opening, yanking the dagger from the warrior's belt and plunging it deep into her shoulder. The scream that tore from her throat echoed across the arena.
Leia shoved her off and scrambled to run, but the warrior recovered fast, grabbing Leia's leg and yanking her down hard. Pain seared through her as the dagger sliced into her thigh, forcing a raw cry from her lips.
"Greet my father in hell," the warrior snarled, raising the blade for the final strike.
But Leia was faster. She snatched a handful of sand and flung it into the warrior's eyes. As the woman screamed and staggered, Leia surged forward, climbing onto her shoulders. Wrenching the dagger from her grip, Leia drove it straight into her throat.
Silence. The crowd froze. The warrior gurgled as blood poured down her neck, eyes wide with disbelief. Leia stood over her, chest heaving, drenched in blood, but her gaze was steady. Deadly.
When the warrior finally went limp, Leia collapsed beside her, watching as her body hit the ground with a thud. The world seemed to still; even the air refused to move.
Slowly, Leia lifted her gaze to Casimir. No shock. No disappointment. Just cold indifference.
"She cheated!" Someone from the crowd yelled.