"Alright you slave trash, eat up…this might be your last meal before you die."
Many of the slaves rushed up the front of the cages, their arms stretched out, greedily reaching for the food. For the three new slaves, they cautiously walked toward the front of their cages and watched as Slave Handler chuckled to himself while tossing the scraps of bread to the slaves. Goblin Slayer and the others were not about to start begging for food like a hungry animal, and as Slave Handler approached their cage, they kept neutral faces and slowly backed away from the front.
"Well now, aren't we high and mighty. They all start with that kind of mentality, but soon enough they all come to understand what their lives are like here…or rather the will to fight is beaten out of them."
Slave Handler tossed the bread into the cage, the three picked up the scraps of food and grimaced at the sight before them. The small loaves were covered in mold, some spots green while others were practically black. They looked around to see the others slaves graciously devouring the moldy food as if it were the most delicious thing imaginable.
"Just how long have they been here to desire to eat food like this." Female Knight scrunched her nose at the smells that surrounded her. "There are certain negatives to being a werewolf…smells are far greater than before, especially the foul ones."
The three adventurers went about tearing off the moldy bits of the bread until they were satisfied that the bread was as good as it was going to get. Even they were not foolish enough to refuse to eat anything as they would need what strength they could muster if they were to survive this hellish environment. A little while later, Slave Handler returned with a small basket filled with some fruits and cheese before placing it within Female Knight's cage.
"What's this? You expect me to be grateful that you have given me this?"
"Not from me, your Mistress. I would be thankful that she has taken a liking to you."
Slave Handler took his leave, while Female Knight cautiously looked down at the basket, not sure if she should actually feel grateful that this insane woman had such an interest in her. She ultimately decided to take the basket, three large red apples and a large chunk of cheese within, and share the food with Heavy Warrior and Goblin Slayer, that way they'd be in better shape the next time they were to be thrown into the Great Maw.
"Thanks." Heavy Warrior had a small smile on his face before biting into the apple.
"Yes. Thank you." Goblin Slayer took a bit of the small bit of cheese he was given.
Little did they know that Mistress of the Game had seen all of this and grew rather angry that the object of her desire would share her food with the other two.
"Damn you both to hell! That food was intended for her, how dare you contaminate it with your filth!" Mistress of the Game clenched her fists tightly.
"Mistress?" The young male attendant walked toward her as he found her distressed.
Mistress turned toward the young boy and struck him with the back of her hand knocking him to the ground.
"How dare you speak without my permission." Once again the crazed look in her eyes was present as she looked down at the slave child.
"M,my apologies mistress!"
"You've done it again! It would seem that I must reeducate you." Mistress walked toward the table within her large tent and took up the whip in her hand.
The child cowered in fear as she returned and raised the whip overhead, his cries echoed throughout the camp as she vented her frustration on this child. After some time, she finally lowered her whip, the young boy bleeding from his wounds lying motionless on the floor, when Slave Handler entered.
"What do you want!" Mistress glared at the man tightening her grip on the handle of the whip.
"My apologies Mistress, I have delivered the basket as you requested, how else shall I serve you?"
Mistress started to calm herself as she calmly walked back to the table and set her whip down. Her crazed eyes turned toward the portly man which immediately made him rather uncomfortable.
"I want those two far away from her! They…their mere presence infuriates me! Do what you wish to them…but I need them fit to fight, that way their deaths in the Great Maw will be all the more enjoyable. Ah yes, the armored one was meant to suffer more than the others if I remember correctly."
"As you wish Mistress."
Slave Handler as he bowed his head and exited the tent leaving Mistress of the Game to slowly calm herself. She looked down at her hands and marveled at the blood that had stained them. A smile soon crossed her face before she slid her blood-soaked fingers across her lips, savoring the taste as if it were a fine wine. Calm once again, she turned her attention back to her slave and had a slight frown when she found him dead on the floor.
"Oh dear, it seems that in my rage…I killed him." Mistress tilted her head to the side as she playfully placed her right finger along the side of her head then smiled. "Oh well, waste not, want not. Guard!"
Within a few seconds, another one of her subordinates entered and bowed his head, immediately talking notice of the dead slave on the ground.
"How may I serve you Mistress?"
"This one is broken. Have the butcher properly tend to him so that my lovely beasts are fed…how cruel it would be for them to have to wait until the slaves enter the Maw."
"At once Mistress."
Her subordinate quickly took hold of the boy's leg and proceeded to drag the corpse away much to the delight of Mistress.
"Those two…I must remove them from her lest they contaminate my lovely knight any further."
xxxx
"You two step forward!"
Slave Handler was quick with his snap as he and four other slavers approached Goblin Slayer and Heavy Warrior's cages. The two men calmly stepped forward, a visible scowl upon Heavy Warrior's face while Goblin Slayer's expression was hidden away. Female Knight also approached the entrance to her cage to see what was going to happen.
"Your Mistress…hopes you enjoyed those apples and cheese that you've stolen." Slave Handler raised his hand and clenched his fists as the effect of the slave collar was quick.
Both Goblin Slayer and Heavy Warrior grunted in pain as they were forced to collapse to the floor, still clutching at their collars. The moment they were down, the other slavers rushed in and with clubs ready went about beating the two men much to the horror of Female Knight.
"You bastards! Get away from them!" Female Knight reached out through her cage in a futile attempt to get hold of one of these men.
As a few seconds of this, the slavers dragged out the weakened men before closing up the cages.
"Take them to opposite ends of the camp, you know what to do with them."
Them slavers were quick to follow their orders, biding them men's wrists before dragging them away in either direction.
"Damn you all to hell! Why?" Female Knight growled desperately feeling her bestial instincts take over at the treatment of her mate.
"If you wish to blame someone, blame yourself. She gave those delicious items to you and no one else. You want to save them, or rather help prolong their miserable lives for as long as possible, then distance yourself from them and submit to your Mistress."
"The moment we get a chance, all three of us will exact our vengeance, you vile piece of excrement!"
"I've said all I have to say, best rest up, you'll need your strength for the games tonight."
Slave Handler laughed as he walked away from the cages, leaving the still frustrated Female Knight behind still gripping the bars of her cage.
xxxx
Heavy Warrior grunted as he opened his eyes, having to grimace as they were blinded by the bright light. He struggled to move, but found his arms would not respond, he looked to his left and right and found his arms outstretched and tied to a large piece of wood, though he could not see it, he could feel another piece of wood behind him. What he could see was he had been tied to a T-shaped structure, his legs were free, his feet flat on the ground, only his arms had been bound.
"Wha, what the hell?"
"Hope you enjoy the accommodations."
Heavy Warrior looked forward to Slave Handler and the others chuckling at the sight of the man bound to the wooden structure.
"Your Mistress does not enjoy you being close to her new object of desire. This is to teach you a lesson about defying her."
"You scum will die if you so much as her hurt!"
"Save your strength, you'll need it for tonight's game." Slave Handler used his hand to shield his eyes from the bright sun as he looked upward. "Still early in the morning and already it's so hot. Hope you don't get thirsty."
The salvers took their leave, all laughing as Heavy Warrior gritted his teeth, at first trying to tear free from his bonds, but soon calmed himself. He knew full well that if he tired himself out, he be completely exhausted when the heat of the desert finally reached its zenith, all he could do was wait and hope the others were okay.
Elsewhere, near the Great Maw, Goblin Slayer found himself in the same type of situation, tied to the T-shaped structure, only his feet free. He looked forward to see several of the salvers around with wicked smiles upon their faces, within their hands were slings and a surplus of rocks lay around them.
"Your Mistress wishes for us to punish you for stealing food that was not meant for you. You'll be out here in the sun to cook inside that armor of yours but know that you'll at least serve a purpose."
Goblin Slayer said nothing as he looked at these men, his only reaction was to clench his fists tightly as he attempted to break his bonds. His lack of response infuriated the slavers around him who began to calmly pick up the rocks along the ground.
"You see, before it grows too hot for us, our use of a sling has grown rather poor. That being said, we figured that you could lend us your aid…as a target!"
The salvers laughed as they took their time hurling rocks at Goblin Slayer, cheering as they heard the sound of the rocks striking against his armor. Though most of the rocks hit his armor, many managed to hit the areas not covered by armor, he grunted as every rock hit against him. Soon enough the slavers grew bored of their act and went off to leave Goblin Slayer to endure the heat of the day.
"Beloved. How…how are you?" Lich Queen placed gently placed her hands and either side of Goblin Slayer's helmet. "Damnit…how frustrating it is to only be able to watch and not to be able to defend you in any way."
Goblin Slayer said nothing as he looked toward Lich Queen, but was not really looking at her but through her towards the various people wondering the camp. As he looked around, studying the people he could hear a dull thumping in his head.
"What is it? Is that pain from these attacks?"
"No Beloved…" Lich Queen looked toward Goblin Slayer with a slight concern in her eyes. "That is your bloodlust…the darkness is stoking your anger and turning it into pure rage."
"Hmm. Then I must calm myself lest I succumb to the darkness within."
"Beloved…be strong. Continue studying these creatures called humans. Learn their patterns and find their weakness, just as if they were goblins."
"I will."
The hours passed by and for both men, the heat was slowly starting to get to them. Drenched in sweat and eager for something to drink, the two men continued to do their best to try to withstand the effects, each thinking of their opportunity to get back at their captors.
Goblin Slayer soon took notice of Slave Handler walking towards him with a bucket in hand, liquid could be heard sloshing around in it. Slave Handler stopped a few feet away from Goblin Slayer, a cruel smile on his face. Goblin Slayer wondered what this man was thinking, would he place the bucket on the ground and attempt to force Goblin Slayer to beg for a drink or purposely spill it in front of him?
"As I recall there, the guy who "sold" you to us had a specific request. He wanted you to suffer before you died, with this heat I'm pretty sure this is torture enough, but even I am not that cruel. I went around the camp to collect something for you to drink, so drink up!"
Slave Handler got hold of the handle of the bucket and the bottom of it and laughed as he splashed the contents across Goblin Slayer. Goblin Slayer grunted in anger as the odor of the liquid gave away its identity, the liquid in question was urine. Goblin Slayer looked ahead, as his eyes began to glow while clenching his fists, the disgusting liquid dripping off his armor and soaking the leather underneath it.
"Well now, I'm hopeful that quenched your thirst my boy! If you are lucky, I might be able to get them to go ahead and get you another round of drinks before your fight in the pit."
Once again Slave Handler laughed as he walked away bucket in hand, while Goblin Slayer continued to fume at the given situation.
"That filthy pile of shit! When the time comes, he will suffer for what he has done to you Beloved!" Lich Queen herself growled in frustration then turned her attention back toward Goblin Slayer. "Beloved…let…let me at least help you with that."
Lich Queen tore off part of her gown and proceeded to wipe off the filthy waste that had splashed against her beloved, she did her best to help him, but had to come to realization that this was all she could do in this form.
"I'm so sorry Beloved…I can't do anything as I am to help you. I can't undo your bindings…nor get your weapons…I'm completely useless as I am." Lich Queen found herself looking down at her hands with wide eyes.
"No."
Lich Queen turned toward him with wide eyes as if unsure of what she had heard him say.
"I'm grateful for the knowledge you've shared as of recent, as well as your offers to aid me, thank you."
Lich Queen continued to stare at him then felt something run down her face. A quick wipe of her hand revealed water, no tears. When was the last time she had cried, in fact she was not sure if as a Lich she could cry, and yet here she was crying tears of joy.
"You really can say the silliest things in the most inappropriate situations Beloved." Lich Queen has a smile on her face before vanishing from sight. "Remember to continue to watch them, endure this, so that when the time is right you and the others can strike."
The rest of the day had come and gone, and with the fall of night started up the Hell Games once again. Goblin Slayer's spot overlooked the pit and it was here that h was able to watch the events unfold while also watching the various slavers and the Mistress. The first fight had five goblins armed with crude axes and swords face off against a large lumbering biped creature. This creature appeared to be a mix of a Hobgoblin and a beetle, upon its face were two massive mandibles that moved like scissors in front of its mouth which was filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth. Upon its face Goblin Slayer could see two sets of red eyes, the two upon the center were large, roughly the size of a fist and above them were two smaller eyes. This creature was covered in some form of black amor plating, but it appeared to be natural rather than man made.
"Strange…it looks like an insect, but unlike any I've seen before…" Goblin Slayer did his best to study the monster and apply what he knew of goblins to this thing that was about to engage the goblins down below.
"That beast is an Umber Hulk, Beloved. A massive beast that is normally lurking underground waiting to strike unsuspecting prey."
"Hmm."
The goblins screeched as they rushed forward in a futile attempt to bring the massive creature down, but the creature was far too bulky to be brought down by these five goblins. With a swipe of its arm, it knocked away two of the goblins which flew forward and collided with the side of the walls. A third goblin was scooped up the Umber Hulk Massive mandibles and screamed as they easily cut through its body. The last two goblins dropped the weapons and flew to the opposite side of the pit and clawed furiously at the sides in a hopeless attempt to escape the Umber Hulk let loose a screeching cry before charging forward to finish off the goblins. The crowd roared with delight as the monster made short work of the goblins and proceeded to devour the remains in a gruesome display.
"It killed the goblins rather quickly. I wonder if I could lure these into goblin nests?"
"How would you lure it into a nest and avoid it's wrath Beloved? These monsters cannot be controlled, look there…"
Goblin Slayer carefully examined the pit and watched as multiple slavers entered through the gate of the pit and used torches to drive the beast back while other lassoed the beast with several ropes before dragging it away.
"Because it is almost always underground it is rather weak against fire and bright lights."
"I see."
With the ring cleared, the next fight had several different slaves, including the rhea that had been in the cell next to Goblin Slayer, enter the pit unarmed. Goblin Slayer could make ten figures; there were humans, half-elves, and rheas, both male and female, but the one thing they all had in common was the look of utter fear across their faces. Mistress stood from her throne and approached the edge of the pit, the small grin upon her face growing wider and wider as she looked down at the people below.
"You will engage in a test to see who can survive the longest…while unarmed."
Mistress snapped the finger on her left hand and one of her subordinated rushed over with a large hourglass in hand. She took the hour glass and raised it high for everyone to see.
"When the sand has stopped falling, ropes will be lowered down to pull out any survivors."
The slaves in the pit looked around nervously as the spectators began taking bets on how long each would last and who might make it to the end of the time limit, but no one was going to bet on any of them surviving through the whole ordeal. Just then the slaves heard a strange guttural growl coming from behind them, many turned to see several slavers dragging a massive beast closer to the entrance of the pit, while doing their best to stay as far away from it as possible.
The many of the slaves screamed and backed up toward the stone wall as the monster entered into the Great Maw. The creature walked on all fours, covered in thick reptilian scales, but the biggest distinguishing feature was its giant mouth whish resembled that of a turtle and the large curved scale along the middle of its back. The beast opened it mouth to roar, the jaws opened wide like one would see a snake do, wide enough that it could easily swallow a person, and in its mouth to several rows of teeth. The slavers released their ropes and exited the pit before shutting the gate.
"That one there Beloved is a Bulette, although they have been called Land Sharks as well because of that giant scale along their back."
Mistress turned the hourglass over and returned to her throne to comfortably watch the event unfold below. The slaves did their best to try to stay away from the beast, a human male, thinking only of his own self-preservation, got hold of one of the half-elves and threw her towards the creature while he ran towards the stone wall. The crowd cheered as the monster charged forward and gobbled up the screaming woman in a horrific display of gore. The same events occurred repeatedly until only four of the salves were left by the time the sands in the hourglass had stopped falling. Mistress nodded her head and four of her subordinates calmly toward the edge of the pit and lowered ropes down. Once again, the human rushed toward the nearest rope, pushing down another one of the slaves who was ahead of him and got hold of the rope and started to climb. Rhea had been lucky enough to survive as well and rushed to get to another of the free ropes; the third person, a human female, did the same, all three turned to see the fourth survivor being devoured. The Bulette charged toward the edge of the pit looking upward and roaring as its prey started to escape.
"Thank the gods…we survived!" Rhea let out a sigh of relief as they continued to climb.
Soon though the three of them had to stop as along the top of the pit were the large spikes blocking their exit. The crowed cheered and watched as Mistress once again walked toward the edge of the pit to look down at the three survivors.
"Get us out of here!" The human male nervously looked back down to see the creature looking up at the three figures.
"I never said I'd get you out of there, I'd only provide ropes for you to climb. Getting out is your own dilemma." Mistress then looked toward the slavers holding the ropes and smiled. "Cut the ropes."
The three survivors looked upward with wide eyes as they felt the ropes begin to give as their captors starting cutting the ropes. Human Male knew they would have to climb out some and moved to get hold of the wooden stakes with each hand, Rhea followed suit and got hold of the stakes grunting as he struggled to hold himself up. Human Female was not so fortunate, she did not have the strength to hold herself up and fell back into the pit below screaming all the way down. Thankfully, she hit the ground head first, cracking her skull and instantly killing her, as the Bullete rushed forward to devour her body.
"Now, let us see what you can do." Mistress continued to grin as she watched the last two survivors attempt to climb back to the top, through the wooden stakes.
The two survivors did their best to use the stakes as grips for their hands and support for their feet. For Rhea, since he had the smaller body, he could fit through the gaps much easier, but for the Human Male, he struggled to find spots where he could maneuver, often times having the place the tips of his feet along the edge of the spikes with many of the scraping by his chest.
"Just…just have to be careful…you survived this long to mess it…"
His right foot slipped, with gravity pulling him downward directly onto to several of the spikes. Blood ran from his mouth as he looked down at his current state, his final thoughts wondering how this could happen when he endured some much, his body went limp as it dangled from the spikes. Rhea continued his climb, hands and feet full of splinters but soon enough he reached the top of the pit much to the surprise of the crowd.
"I…I did it." Rhea had a weak smile as he struggled to catch his breath.
"Congratulations."
Rhea looked up in time to see Mistress give him a swift kick knocking him backwards and landing on several of the spikes upon the top of the pit. The crowd roared with delight, while Rhea could only look up at the sky, the taste of blood in his mouth and overwhelming pain in his body. Goblin Slayer watched all of this and once again clenched his fists as he pulled against his bindings.
"H…how could this…happen…I…made it to the top." Rhea started to cry but soon a small smile crossed his face. "At…at least I am now…free…"
Rhea stopped his final movements as the slavers once again rushed in to get hold of the wild beast and drag it out of the pit before the start of the next match. Mistress turned her attention toward the man in armor, and through his body language, could figure that he was glaring at her from behind his helmet.
"You and the other two will be next, please do your best to die tonight so that she and I no longer have to look at your repulsive features."
xxxx
"Are you okay?"
Female Knight rushed to the side of Heavy Warrior to check on her lover the moment she saw him returned to her. Heavy Warrior found his breathing rather labored as she stood by his partner, he still had a great thirst but was relived to find her unharmed.
"I'll live, they had me tied out to a post in the sun for the whole day. Probably expecting me to beg for something to drink, as if I would give them the satisfaction." Heavy Warrior gave his partner a small smile, though knew if they were to come by with a ladle of water he happily drink it down.
"What of Goblin Slayer, was he not with you?"
"No he…"
Both soon saw Goblin Slayer being escorted by two slavers before being pushed to the ground as they walked away. Both adventurers rushed to aid their down colleague who grunted as he slowly pushed himself up.
"Goblin Slayer, are you alright?" Female Knight herself grunted as she aided her comrade back to his feet.
"Nothing serious."
"What did they do to you?" Heavy Warrior could see all the small scuff marks and dents along his armor and grimaced at the smell coming off him.
"I was tied to a post near the pit for the day, many of the salvers decided to use me for target practice with their slings."
"Those bastards!" Heavy Warrior growled as he clenched his fists.
"And the smell?" Female Knight too found herself scrunching her nose at the stench.
"Urine…the lead slaver doused me with it. He said it was something to drink while being tied up."
Heavy Warrior and Female Knight eyes were wide as they heard the tortures Goblin Slayer had gone through and grew angrier as they heard the chanting of the crowd above the pit. It was then that Female Knight remembered seeing the slavers come and pull out ten random slaves but had been taken away before seeing anyone return from their round in the pit.
"Goblin Slayer, you say they had you overlook the Great Maw? Did you see any of the other fights? Were there…"
"I saw the first two fights. Goblin were killed by a large insect-like beast. Then the others came in, there were no survivors. A large beast ate most of them, those who endured were killed by that woman."
"Damn that bitch!"
"Before we get overly angry at her, we must survive and endure ourselves." Heavy Warrior was quick to place a hand on his lover's shoulder.
The gates to the Great Maw raised and the trio of adventurers moved in to the chanting of the crowd. The three of them looked toward Mistress with disdain in their eyes, which only brought a smile to her face. They soon heard what sounded like hissing coming from behind them, they turned to see five reptilian figures with snake-like faces being pushed into the Great Maw. These figures looked toward the three adventurers, many bearing their large fangs at the while others hissed as their thin, forked tongue quickly protruded before returning within.
"They appear to be like snakes, are they also lizardmen?" Goblin Slayer could only make this speculation based on the interactions with his own party member and his new sister.
"No, Yuan-Ti." Heavy Warrior clenched his fist as he readied for a fight.
For the three adventurers there was concern that they would have to fight unarmed, the only positive they could take was their opponents were also unarmed.
"You will fight for your lives, do put on a good show. Let my crowd see what true adventurers are capable of when stripped of their weapons!"
On either side of the Yuan-Ti heads extended laps of their scaly skin to reveal their massive hoods. Female Knight was slightly startled by this sudden action, but quickly recomposed herself. Goblin Slayer remembered his father explaining how some snakes would do this when they felt threatened as a form of defense to make themselves appear larger.
The trio did their best to keep a rather tight formation while the Yuan-Ti slowly moved the encircle them. Soon enough they attacked hissing and swiping with their claws as the adventurers quickly backed away before attempting to counter punch their opponents. This continued for some time, but Heavy Warrior and Goblin Slayer found themselves growing more exhausted with the constant movements, and their attacks began to grow slower as the Yuan-Ti would rush in and slash at them, knocking them to the ground.
"Hang on, I'll…"
Before Female Knight could rush to help, one of the Yuan-Ti stood before her hissing as it bared its fangs.
"Foolish human, you will not interfere!"
"If you are a slave as we are, then help us!"
"None of us have the luxury of defying that woman, all we can do is survive for as long as possible. I will not lose any more of my brothers!"
Around the downed adventurers, the other Yuan-Ti split up two and two to finish off the weakened adventures. The two adventurers began to rise but then noticed the Yuan-Ti's eyes almost appear to glow as they stared at them with unblinking eyes.
"Surrender. You are tired. Rest and through defeat, you shall be free." The voiced seemed to be coming from all the Yuan-Ti yet the adventurers never saw them once speak.
They continued to hear this chant over and over, it seemed to echo within their mind like a soothing voice and little by little they truly considered the option.
"If…if we surrender. We'll finally be free." Heavy Warrior found his eyes lids growing heavy as he prepared to give his life over to his opponents.
"No, fight it!" Female Knight growled as she landed a couple blows against her own opponent, but was unable able to get past him.
Goblin Slayer too started to feel the effects of the Yuan-Ti hypnotic persuasion as he collapsed to one knee. The Yuan-Ti slowly moved in, with their massive fangs they would soon bite him and poison him, securing their victory.
"Beloved you must resist!"
Goblin Slayer struggled to stay awake as the voice of the Lich Queen screamed within, he gave his head a quick shake as he did his best to block out the Yuan-Ti.
"If you allow these beasts to defeat you here and now, then the goblins will roam unchecked!" Lich Queen once again appeared before Goblin Slayer giving his shoulder a furious shake before growling in frustration herself. "Forgive me Beloved."
Lich Queen raised her arm and struck Goblin Slayer across the face with a powerful slap, though no one saw this, the action brought out a hiss of pain from his face and his shoulder.
"Now get up and fight! This is not how the man I fell in love with should act!"
Goblin Slayer looked up in time to see the Yuan-Ti rush toward him where tackled the nearest one to the ground. The surprised Yuan-Ti looked up to see Goblin Slayer grab either side of it hood to hold it head in place before smashing his forehead into the creature's face. The Yuan-Ti fell backwards knocked out while Goblin Slayer quickly stood to engage the other Yuan-Ti. With their trance broken, Heavy Warrior awoke from his stupor and followed Goblin Slayer's lead and engaged the others. He managed to put one of the Yuan-Ti in a head lock and apply pressure as she slowly choked out the creature. Goblin Slayer and Heavy Warrior quickly finished off with a series of quick blows while Female Knight did the same and knocked the Yuan-Ti she had been fighting to the ground.
"This can't be."
The lead Yuan-Ti looked up to see the three adventurers now towering over him, his hood collapsed as it was pointless to keep it open as he readied himself to be killed.
"Go on then…finish me as you did my brothers."
"They are not dead."
The armored man's dispassionate reply caught the Yuan-Ti by surprise as he looked past the human to find his brothers groaning as they struggled to get back up.
"Why? This is supposed to be a fight to the death."
"We're being forced to fight against our will, and you are a prisoner as we are. We do not kill for the sheer pleasure of it." Heavy Warrior had scowl upon his face as he looked up toward Mistress of the Game.
"It was a bit of a foolish gamble on your part, we would not have shown you the same leniency." The Yuan-Ti smiled as he looked back toward the trio of adventurers. "We surrender."
"Kill them!"
Everyone looked upward to see and hear the crowd angrily call for the adventurers to slay the Yuan-Ti. Mistress herself stood and looked down at the adventurers with disdain, primarily focusing her gaze upon Heavy Warrior and Goblin Slayer.
"You will slaughter them!"
"We are not here to fight for your amusement." Female Knight was calm in her reply as she scowled at Mistress.
"Get your entertainment somewhere else!" Heavy Warrior placed a firm hand on Female Knight shoulder as he smiled at her.
Mistress eyes once again dilated as she watched this man place a hand on her beautiful knight. She found her hands shaking with sheer rage and her breathing quickened as dark thought ran through her head.
"How dare you lay your filthy hands upon her!" Mistress raged finally boiled order as she creamed her next order. "Get these fools out of my sight!"
The crowd's displeasure was evident through the jeers at the sight below and instantly all eight slaves within the pit collapsed to the ground in agony as their collars were surrounded by green glow. Slave Handler clenched his fist to punish the salves for their insolence as his men rushed into the pit the drag them back to their cages.
"You miserable maggots! How dare you defy me!" Mistress growled as she bit her lip in frustration, biting hard enough to cause blood to run down her chin. "That armored man…he recovered and inspired the others to fight back! He will pay dearly for this!"