"Little one, hear me carefully. You must find your teacher…you and the others must save him from the darkness within. I fear if something is not done soon, then a terrible may befall us all. Heed my words little one, I shall guide you when the time is right…this time I will not abandon you."

Priestess awoke from her trance as the bright surrounding her dissipated within the wagon. The rest of her party were surprised by the sudden action and waited with anticipation to hear from her.

"A handout from Earth Mother."

"What did she say?" Half-Demon had never seen something like this before and was curious to know what one of the gods had said to her follower.

"She said we have to find Goblin Slayer and save him from the darkness within."

"Save Orcbolg for the darkness within…what does that mean?"

"I…I'm not sure, but even Earth Mother wishes for us to find him."

"If he has been taken to these Hell Games as the slavers mentioned, then it is certain possibility that he and the others are having to endure torture beyond belief." Half-Dragon Mother had a frown upon her face as she said this.

"Big Brother…" Half-Dragon Daughter frowned, still thinking she was in some way responsible for what had happened.

The young girl soon felt a heavy hand upon her shoulder and looked up to see the smiling face of her papa.

"You have nothing to feel bad about. As I said before, Milord Goblin Slayer, myself and the rest of us would gladly go back to save you both again."

"Not to mention those three are seasoned adventurers, they won't let some slavers beat them." Dwarf Shaman smirked to show confidence, but internally was also worried.

"Knowing Orcbolg, given how he reacted after that attack from the Goblin Champion and Ogre, the more harm you try to inflict against him, the angrier he gets."

"Angrier he gets…" Priestess thought about this and immediately went back to Earth Mother's cautionary message. "Could that be what Earth Mother was talking about? Could his torture be warping his mind or personality? Also what did she mean about not abandoning me this time? She's never abandoned me…has she?"

"We'll be there in a few short days, and hopefully we'll get all the information we need." Half-Dragon Mother offered what little bit of hope she could upon seeing the saddened face of Priestess.

"Just hold Orcbolg, we'll get you and the others back." High Elf-Archer looked up at the sky to see the setting sun.

Over the next few days, things had changed quite a bit at the Hell Games, things that the slavers and Mistress did not approve of. The matches had continued as well as the torture of Heavy Warrior and Goblin Slayer, but the other slaves seemed have gotten their courage back as they were now working together in the Great Maw and refusing to kill one another.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? You're supposed to be able to control the slaves yet I'm seeing more insubordination!" Mistress snapped as eyes dilated while slapping Slave Handler across the face.

"I'm…I'm sorry Mistress! The slaves are more defiant since Goblin Slayer's victory. I've threatened them with the slave collars, choking them out to unconsciousness yet they aren't showing signs of fear like they did before."

"That damn man…no those damn men! Who the hell do they think they are?" Mistress growled angrily as she exited her tent to look across the Great Maw to watch the captive being beaten.

As per her instructions, every day Goblin Slayer was taken out for his daily beatings, but after the recent gruesome death of their comrades, many were reluctant to attack Goblin Slayer. Slayer, as he came to be called by the others, and his two comrades were treated as conquering heroes by the others. Everyday, when Heavy Warrior and Goblin Slayer were returned to their cages, the other slaves would cheer for them. The slaves themselves were also acting more intelligently as they did better against the monsters they were forced to battle. The only one Mistress had not done anything to was her beloved Female Knight, she had done all she could to make the woman's stay as comfortable as possible, and yet…

"She still resists me."

"Mistress?"

"Perhaps it is time to try a new tactic." Mistress pondered as an idea began to formulate within her twisted mind. "I think a bath is in order."

"A bath Mistress?"

"See that the porcelain bathtub is brought in here along with coals underneath…after all this time, I imagine she'd like to take a hot relaxing bath."

"Who would, Mistress?"

"My beloved knight." Mistress chuckled to herself as her gaze moved from Goblin Slayer to the slave cages.

xxxx

It was a few hours later that Slave Handler and two of his subordinates came for Female Knight. Female Knight had a scowl upon her face as she followed behind the slavers being led to the to a large tent, inside Female Knight could see tables with various types of food, other had some documents and a couple weapons. Towards the far left she could see several rugs thrown down near small wooden throne, but near it was something that really drew her attention, a large porcelain tub supported over several blocks of wood and beneath it were heated coals.

"A bath?" Female Knight looked at it tub curiously wondering why it was here.

"I figured that you would enjoy a nice hot bath."

Female Knight's attention was drawn toward her right when she watched Mistress walk in through the other side of the tent. A small smile present on her face as she casually walked over toward her throne and calmly took a seat. With a wave of her hand, the slavers bowed toward her before exiting the tent, leaving the two women alone.

"Feel free to use the bath, I'm sure that you'd like to wash away all that dirt that collects around here."

"I'd rather remain dirty and carry my stink with pride."

"Oh come now, you are a lady after all, and this has been a trying event for you I'm sure, so please…accept my hospitality."

"Like the hospitality that you extended that poor girl?"

"I truly regret that, I had only wanted that armored man to die, so I vented my frustration when he defied me. Please accept this simple act as a form of apology, I have already ordered your two comrades back to their cages, I shall not have them tortured any further."

Female Knight looked out from the tent and did indeed find that Goblin Slayer was longer tied to the post being tortured as he had been before. She wanted to storm out of the tent, but a look at the tub did look quite inviting and with her heightened senses, she truly did not appreciate the stink coming from her body.

"I accept your offer…thank you." The final part was very difficult for her to say.

Female Knight moved to reach for her boots, but then realized that Mistress was there upon her throne watching with eyes that were akin to a predator stalking its prey.

"Is there…somewhere I can undress?"

"I don't see any problem with you changing here." The smile upon Mistress face would be enough to make anyone shiver.

Female Knight sighed as she turned her back toward Mistress and proceeded to remove her flimsy armor and clothing all the while feeling uncomfortable with Mistress present. Mistress watched the figure before her, marveling at her blonde hair, light colored skin and lovely shape, a smile crossed her face as she licked her lips. Despite Mistress being there, Female Knight calmly stepped into the tub immediately feeling all the stress and tension melt away with the heat of the water. She sat in the tub, for a few moments a smile crossed her face as the hot water washed over her, then she went about using the cloth to wipe her body down, still keeping her back to Mistress.

"Would you care for some food or drink?" Mistress stood as she walked toward the nearby table and began to remove her gloves and glasses.

"No…I'm fine." Female Knight had a slight frown as she though about Mistress watching her so she let her eyes wander and then caught sight a nearby suit of armor.

A dull silver shine present on it, certain areas of the armor were trimmed with red and a black, flowing cape attached to the shoulders. Mistress was in the process of unbuttoning her military uniform when she saw Female Knight looking toward the armor and smiled.

"Yes, that's mine. Before I became the Mistress of the Game…I was a slave like you." Mistress finished removing her vest and clothing before slowly walking toward the tub.

"You were a knight? Wait, did you say you were also a slave he…"

Female Knight found she was unable to finish her question as she heard someone else enter the tub with her and before she could turn around felt someone press themselves up against her.

"Her…her breasts are pressed against my back!" Female Knight had a slight blush on her face as the sudden sensation was rather uncomfortable for her.

"Yes…I was a slave here. Allow me to aid in washing you, I may be Mistress of the Game, but I am but a mere servant to you."

Mistress calmly held out Female Knight's left arm using her own left hand while taking a cloth to wipe it down with her right hand. Female Knight wished to get out of the tub that instant but steeled herself to focus on the armor rather than the woman pressing her body against hers.

"What happened?"

"Twenty years ago…I was a knight like you, protecting the kingdom along with my comrades from demons and others to the best of my ability. It was all for my queen." The smile upon Mistress face turned to a frown as she thought about this while continuing to wash Female Knight.

"Your queen?"

"Yes, this was long before the group of Heroes defeated the Demon Lord. Our party was dispatched to deal with a group of demons but were ambushed. Most of my party were killed and devoured by the demons, the rest of us were sold to the Hell Games as slaves." Mistress sighed as she reached for a nearby brush to gently comb out Knight's hair. "When we were sold…there were six of us. I was kept as a trophy to service my master's every need, while the others were forced into fighting."

"I'm…I'm sorry." Female Knight frowned, keeping her eyes on the armor though she did feel a bit of sympathy for Mistress.

"They fought as long as they could, but after two months…I was the last one left. I kept telling myself, my queen would find us, surely she would not abandon us, but after a year of being defiled by that repulsive man, I realized that I would have to save myself."

"How did you kill him?"

"How?" Mistress paused in the middle of brushing the Knight's hair and soon smiled. "That night, when I was forced to service him…he did not expect me to use my teeth."

Female Knight paused for a moment as she thought about what Mistress was saying then gasped when the sudden realization hit her.

"My did he scream." Mistress had a wicked smile on her face as she remembered the fat man screaming as he held himself while bleeding out. "Like so many before him, he underestimated me and lost something precious to him. I on the other hand had gain my freedom and power. That night, I became master of this salve encampment, that night…I became Mistress of the Game!"

"What about your duty to your queen?"

"After I gained my freedom, I did travel back to discover that my Queen did not even bother to look for us. She figured that we had all been wiped out, not a single search party had been dispatched to find us."

"What did you do then?" Female Knight grew more nervous and uncomfortable as the conversation continued.

"I hired a group of mercenaries to capture her and bring her to me. I had her thrown into the Great Maw with a group of ten goblins…the sight was quite enjoyable as she cried and screamed the entire night." Mistress smiled as she thought about the scene in her mind and finished cleaning the Knight's hair and moved to clean the Knight's back. "Now my dear, my turn for questions? That large man, not Goblin Slayer but the other, he is your man is he not?"

"Y…yes." Female Knight was worried what might happen as she finished answering the question.

"And he does know about your werewolf curse?"

"Yes, he does…he had been helping me try to find a cure or the werewolf who had bitten me."

"An admirable man and does he trust the beast within you?"

"What do you mean?"

"A person who can control their werewolf curse would be an invaluable asset, very good for battle, but does he truly feel comfortable around you in your wolf form?" Mistress had a small smile as she asked her questions and watched Female Knight's body tense.

"I…I don't know, I would lock myself in a cage to keep from harming him or the others." Female Knight was unaware that she was playing into the Mistress' hands.

"He didn't enter the cage with you? Do you think he is afraid of you in that form? I though you told me he had trust you?"

"I…no, he does trust me…he…he did help me all this time…although he has been very cautious when I was in my wolf form."

"I don't know my dear, were it me…I would have gladly allowed myself to be in the cage with you."

Mistress suddenly wrapped her arms around Female Knight's body, cupping the young woman's breasts in her hands.

"Wha….what are you doing? Release me." Female Knight tried to sound intimidating, but her voice came out weak as she was still surprised by this sudden action.

"If you submit yourself to me, I would gladly be your servant. I would cater to your every wish…my queen." Mistress closed her eyes as a smile crossed her face while taking in Female Knight's scent before gently kissing her shoulder.

Female Knight found the strength to remove Mistress's hands from her breasts and gave the crazed woman a quick shove as she quickly got out of the tub, water splashing around. Mistress drenched in water looked toward Female Knight who quickly placed on her clothing to cover her exposed body then held her armor in her arms.

"That bath has gotten rather uncomfortable, so I'll prefer to go back with the slaves! At least I can feel clean there!"

"You…you're rejecting me?"

"I am. Though I pity you for that torture you had to endure, I will not be the plaything of some deranged madwoman." Female Knight then exited the tent and looked for Slave Handler. "You there, fat man! Take me back to my cage!"

Slave Handler angrily escorted Female Knight back to her cage, completely unaware of what had transpired in tent. Mistress stood there in the tub, a look of shock on her face as her eyes dilated once again…almost appeared to be violently vibrating. She gritted her teeth as she hugged her arms, digging her nails into her arms so deep the blood began to run.

"How dare you refuse me! My beautiful knight has rejected me for that man! You will suffer for this my dear!"

Mistress soon began to calm herself as she exited the tub and redressed in her uniform while she contemplated what her next actions would be. Once she was dressed, she summoned for Slave Handler, a few moments later the overweight man entered the tent.

"Yes my Mistress, I have already locked that woman away, how else may I serve you?"

"That woman, she had been bitten by a werewolf…I may be able to use that to my advantage."

"Mistress?"

"My new toy, I grow bored with her, so I shall hand her off to you and the others. Do what you wish with her, but you are not allowed to violate her…perhaps after she has learned her lesson, she may come to her senses. How long until the next "blood moon"?"

"It should be roughly a week Mistress, though I am not anywhere near as knowledge able as Enchanter."

"Then double check with him, but I have a special fight in mind when the next "blood moon" is out. When the beast's bloodlust is at its highest and she does not have her precious ring to stop her transformation. It will be a night to truly remember."

xxxx

"Goblin Slayer."

Goblin Slayer was silent in the cage as he sat along the back with his head hanging downward.

"It felt good to kill those men didn't it? The blood staining your armor, their screams as they begged for mercy, the feeling as your club crushed their bones, all of it was like music to your ears. You hear them chant you name…Slayer! You're a hero to these men and women! Give in to the darkness and be the hero you were always meant to be!"

"Beloved don't listen! Focus on your eventual escape…those waiting for your return."

"Goblin Slayer!"

The voice snapped Goblin Slayer out of his slumber as he looked over toward his right and saw Heavy Warrior looking in his direction.

"Yes?"

"You okay?"

"Nothing that will impair my fighting."

"I'm not talking physically, what happened back there in the pit?"

"Goblin Slayer he's right? That display…I've never seen you act in such a manner." Female Knight now back in the cage was curious as to what had happened that night.

"Something…I need to deal with…I'll manage."

"Goblin Slayer…I've heard things these slavers had spoken about. A strange black mark on your arm and neck." Heavy Warrior had a frown on his face as he looked toward his friend, not with anger but concern. "You have your own curse to deal with, don't you?"

Goblin Slayer was silent for a moment as he tried to focus on what Heavy Warrior was saying, a painful thumping audible in his head making him grunt and sigh.

"I…I was trying to find a way that would not...affect my party members."

"Goblin Slayer, you should have…"

Before Heavy Warrior could finish, he saw Slave Handler and several others slowly approaching the cages, but they were heading directly for Female Knight's cell. Heavy Warrior and Goblin Slayer stood and approached the front of their cages to see what these slavers wanted. Female Knight, still remembering the uncomfortable feeling she had when being touched by Mistress, was defiant as she prepared for what the slavers might do.

"What the hell do you want?"

"You." Slave Handler raised his right hand and clenched his fist as the ring affected her collar.

Female Knight was forced to collapse to her knees as the other slavers rushed and quickly drug her out as Heavy Warrior and Goblin Slayer slammed themselves into the bars of their cages to get out and help their comrade.

"You bastards get the hell away from her!"

"Don't you worry boy, your lover will be in good hands, we're just going to have a bit of fun."

The slavers dragged Female Knight away, with the effects of the ring gone, she yelled and struggled to break away from the men, her comrades could do nothing but watch. Within another one of the large tents, Female Knight was stripped of her clothing and armor, bound by a set of manacles attached to a large wooden beam above her head. She gritted her teeth as she attempted to kick the men around her but soon enough, one of the slavers grabbed her from behind to keep her still. She looked around to see at least a dozen men staring at her form, some of them sneering while, others licking their lips and other chuckling as to what was going to happen next.

"Mistress was rather displeased that you would not return her affection, so she's given you to us to play with."

"You best hope I never get loose, because I will kill every last one of you!"

"Someone gag her, don't want her trying to bite her tongue to free herself of what's coming. Be thankful that Mistress has ordered us not to violate you, she still wants you to be pure enough for her at a later time."

A dirty rag was quickly placed in her mouth and tied behind her head to keep her from screaming or trying to bite these men. She closed her eyes as a tear ran down her face, hoping that the others would come to save her just as the men surrounded her and let their hands explore her. Heavy Warrior continued to slam his shoulder into the cage, but the door would not budge, it was some time later when Slave Handler finally returned with a smirk on his face.

"Where the hell did you take her?"

Slave Handler chuckled as he took out a torn cloth shirt and tossed it into Heavy Warrior's cage. Heavy Warrior's eyes were wide, he gasped as he recognized it as the clothing Female Knight had been wearing only a few moments ago.

"Damn you…what the hell have you done?"

"We won't kill her, but she is going to be quite busy for the next few days. Rest assured you'll get to see her then…though you may not wish to see her in that state."

"Damn you!" Heavy Warrior reached through the cage with his arm, struggling to get ahold of Slave Handler. "I swear that I will kill everyone if you so much as hurt her!"

"Save your strength boy, you'll need it for the game."

xxxx

While all of this was happening at the slave encampment, Goblin Slayer's party had arrived at Crossroads. As before they had to be looked over by the Warforged before they were allowed entry into the town.

"Hurry up will you, we need to find Orcbolg and the others." High Elf Archer growled in frustration as she waited for the constructs to finish examining them.

"Patience Long-Ears, we'll ask around for the information we need."

"I hope so, I worry about what they must be doing to Goblin Slayer and the others." Priestess clutched at her sounding staff as the image of an injured Goblin Slayer flooded her mind.

The Warforged nodded their heads and allowed the party entry into the town, where they were quick to try to find Harpy Mother. After several minutes, they were quick to spot Harpy Mother and her daughter near a large tavern. The party moved to speak with her and after quick pleasantries, Harpy Mother and her daughter were shocked to hear about what had happened to the armored man and the other two adventurers.

"The Hell Games…so those slavers took them and sold them there?" Harpy Mother had a slight frown on her face as she said this. "It's even more disturbing that they were silenced by those men in the masks."

"We're hopeful you or anyone here can lead us in the right direction of these Hell Games." Lizard Priest was hopeful that this would give them a good starting point should Goblin Slayer and the others not be there as well.

"I unfortunately have no idea about the location, but I do remember a woman coming here. In passing, she mentioned coming from the desert where she had seen humans engage in slave trading."

"A woman? Is she still here?" Half-Demon Thief was excited that they might have more information that would help them.

"Yes, I believe she was a dragon. You should be able to find her near the fountain in the marketplace."

Harpy Mother led the party through the busy marketplace and sure enough the found a young woman sitting near the fountain. The dragon appeared to be human female, she had long blonde hair with flaming orange tips, her eyes were orange-red in color with dilated pupils and atop her head were yellowish horns, covering her ample form was a light brown robe. The young woman soon noticed the party approaching and frowned being immediately untrusting of them, especially with a human among them.

"Do you need something?" Her tone carried a hint of annoyance as she narrowed her eyes.

"Please excuse our interruption noble dragon, we seek to hopefully find our missing comrade. Are we to understand that you recent came from the desert?"

"Yes. I came here in hope of finding my fri…a fellow dragon. You'd recognize her easily, a dragon who once posed a deity for humans to worship…just to get free food, she is much more of a pig than a dragon." The young dragon in human form smirked before turning her attention to the two half-dragons. "I assume this wretched form to easily move about this place, why do you assume that form? Why not become dragons?"

"As half-dragons, we are not able to fully tap into our dragon magic, though in time we might be able to transform." Half-Dragon Mother had a light smile as she bowed her head toward the dragon.

"What faction do you belong to?"

"I would have at first sided with the Chaos Faction, but recent events have shifted my thinking to the Neutral Faction."

"Neutral Faction? Why change, I assume it was humans that took your wing? They should all be wiped out."

"Yes. It was humans who hurt me and my daughter, but it was a human who aided my mate in rescuing my daughter and taking revenge for me."

"A human helped you?" The female dragon had a frown as she was confused by what she heard.

"It was my big brother who protected me and my mother, but now he's missing."

"You're big brother? You consider this human family?" The dragon shook her head as what she was hearing completely contradicted what her father had told her about humans, it was then she really paid attention to the clothing of Half-Dragon Mother. "Why are you dressed in such a manner?"

"I work as a serving maid at the guild hall. The same place where my mate and his party members associate."

"Maid…there's that word again. Just like that bandit girl I met at the ruins…I wonder whatever became of her. Still, it sounds as though these are the dragons that man saved…so what he was saying was true." The female dragon, though she had no love for humans, could at least tell them where to find this person who had helped her fellow dragons. "This human you seek, is he a man in armor? Rather odd looking?"

"Yes, that would be Milord Goblin Slayer."

"In the desert, southwest of this town, roughly seven or eight days travel, depending on how fast you can move, you'll come across a set of three rocks that lead to a small canyon, in this canyon is a slaver encampment. Know that there are dozens of men there, if you seek to get him back it will not be an easy feat."

"Thank you so much." Priestess bowed her head toward the dragon.

"Don't thank me yet. I don't care for you humans, but this one helped other dragons, so I'll offer this bit of assistance. You best hurry if you are to reach him."

The party gave their thanks and quickly rushed back to their wagon to determined to make it there as soon as possible. Though Lizard Priest wished for his family wait in the town, Half-Dragon Mother and Daughter insisted on coming along to help where they could.

"Finally, we're coming Orcbolg!"

xxxx

"Tonight is the night of the red moon…this night the "blood moon" will indeed live up to its name as the pit is stained in blood." Mistress mused as she walked into the tent to examine the state of Female Knight.

"We've done as you've instructed Mistress. Starved her for the last few days, proceeded with the beatings, her rage will be insatiable tonight." Slave Handler chuckled as he rubbed his hands together.

"It does wound me to see her in such a state, but she is the one who chose to reject my love. Have the men set her up in the Great Maw…then prepare that man for the fight."

"At once Mistress."

Elsewhere, his knuckles are bloody and raw, his shoulders bruised, all of this from days of repeatedly trying to break the door to his cage. Heavy Warrior grunted as he slumped to the ground, exhausted after his repeated attempts to break out and find his lover. For nearly a week there had been no word as to Female Knight's condition, and all Heavy Warrior could do was blame himself for not being there to save his lover.

"Damn them…I'll kill them…if they so much as…hurt her…"

"I'm hopeful you left yourself some strength."

Heavy Warrior growled as he looked toward the front of the cage to see the smirk of Slave Handler looking back at him.

"You…piece of shit…I'm going to…"

"Enough of your threats, it's time to get you ready to see your woman."

"What?" Heavy Warrior slowly stood and approached the front of the cage.

"You're going into the pit tonight, you and your woman." Slave Handler unlocked the cage door and opened it with a wide smile. "Now come on out, you disobey me and she is going to die."

Heavy Warrior growled but soon nodded his head with a sigh then looked toward his left to check on Goblin Slayer. The armored man stood in the darkness of the cage, his eye ablaze in the within his helmet as he looked straight ahead then turned his attention toward Heavy Warrior and nodded his head.

"Go."

"I'm going to bring her back."

Heavy Warrior followed behind Slave Handler into a nearby tent where a banquet of meat, bread, cheese, and beer were present. Heavy Warrior took one look at this and could feel his stomach growl at the food presented to him. For almost a month he and the others had not been able to eat the way they wished, but now it seemed almost too good to be true.

"I'm not about to beg for food. Where is she?"

"You'll need your strength for tonight, so I need you to eat and drink, then…" Slave Handler gave a snap of his fingers and several of his subordinates rushed in carrying Heavy Warrior's armor and sword. "Mistress wants you fighting at your best, so you'll be dressed in your original armor."

"You'll come to regret letting get back in my full gear and my strength back."

"I'm sure I will…now eat."

Slave Handler smiled as he watched as Heavy Warrior gratefully ate the food before him, while he looked outside to see the setting sun and knew the moon would be rising that night. What none of them knew was the group of adventurers waiting near the rocks looking down at the encampment below. High above them, Half-Dragon Daughter, using the sun at her back to block her seeing eyes flew over the encampment carefully studying everything, but mostly looking for her big brother.

"What do you think?" Priestess carefully peered over the edge, but from their vantage point it was hard to make out all the individuals as she searched for her teacher.

"These men and women are professionals, in the sense they've been living like this for some time, once we get down there be prepared for them to fight like hell or to possibly start executing the slaves to save themselves." Half-Demon Thief, having been a thief for several years, had a good understanding of the people down below.

"They're talking about a fight tonight…and I hear…many are afraid of Slayer, the armored man…how he slaughtered the men in the pit." High Elf Archer's ears twitched as she picked up on many of the conversations below. "It sounds like Orcbolg has been busy."

"You think they mean Goblin Slayer?"

"I can't think of anyone else other than Beardcutter putting the fear into those who would be foolish enough to fight against him."

Soon Half-Dragon Daughter descended to join her family and tell them what she had seen.

"There are many tents with various people coming in and out, but near one of the largest tents in a big pit with many spikes all around it. In the center of the pit I saw a blonde woman tied to a wooden pole, nearby the pit was a woman with red hair look over it."

"Excellent little one! Now, I want you to remain here with Wolf while the rest of us go down there."

"What? Papa…Mama…I want to go and help to!"

"I know you do, but these men are like the ones who attacked us before, you remember? When you get stronger, then you'll be able to do more, but for now you've done enough." Half-Dragon Mother smiled as she placed a firm hand on her daughter's shoulder before embracing her.

"I…I understand Mama." Half-Dragon Daughter sighed as she looked down toward the ground. "I need to get stronger. I want to be more useful to Mama, Papa and my family."

"Let us get down toward there and be ready to move once these slavers are at this game." Lizard Priest clenched his Dragontooth Blade tightly. "Hold strong my friend, we will get you all out of there!"

xxxx

Heavy Warrior grunted as he gripped his sword, it felt heavier than normal, but then again he had not been using his normal gear for nearly a month, but he indeed felt much better than he had in many days. Now in his gear, carrying his sword, and with a full stomach, he felt as if he could take on the world, and he would if it meant saving the woman he loved. Heavy Warrior followed the slavers as they approached the gate that would lead him to the Great Maw. As the gate slowly raised, he could feel the color drain from his face as he beheld the sight before him. There tied to a wooden post, much like the goblin when Goblin Slayer was forced to fight was the naked and bruised body of Female Knight. He rushed towards her, dropping his sword along the ground as carefully placed his hands upon her face.

"Gods no…please, tell me you're alright?"

Female Knight grunted as she struggled to open her eyes, the moment she laid eyes upon her lover, tears began to run.

"Do not worry, I made sure that my subordinates did not ravage her, they're not goblins after all." Mistress of the Game chuckled as she looked down from the top of the pit.

"Damn you, you foul slut! I will cut out your heart!" Heavy Warrior growled as he pulled at her bonds to get her off the post.

"Where are my manners? Use this." Mistress threw in a small dagger which had a brilliant shine to it.

Going on the instinct of a man saving his lover, he rushed to pick up the blade, then rushed back to cut the ropes that bound Female Knight. Female Knight fell forward but was caught by Heavy Warrior who carefully sat down with her to allow her to regain her strength.

"I should mention…that blade is silver."

"Silver?" Heavy Warrior looked at the dagger in his hand then quickly looked towards Female Knight left hand but found the silver ring was missing. "No."

"I'll be keeping it as a keepsake." Mistress smiled as she held the ring in her hand which it was attached to a chain around her neck.

Heavy Warrior suddenly felt a cold chill run down his spine as he turned to look upward and saw the large blood moon directly above them. He then felt Female Knight begin to violently shake in his arms, he looked down to see her growling as she looked up at the moon with wide eyes as she teeth changed into fangs and her fingernails began to become like claws. Female Knight looked toward Heavy Warrior and struck him with the back of her hand knocking him on his back, dropping the silver dagger. He grunted as he slowly stood and reached for his sword to support him as he stood back up while his lover roared as she once again changed into her wolf form. He then heard the wooden gate suddenly come crashing down, sealing him in the pit with the werewolf. Female Knight threw her head back with a final howl, and now the werewolf stood there, towering a foot over Heavy Warrior snarling at the human.

"My…she's beautiful. I should have had her transform much sooner." Mistress smiled as she placed her hands on either side of her face marveling at the snow-white fur of the werewolf with the flowing blonde mane.

"Come on now…please don't do this." Heavy Warrior slowly back away with sword in hand.

The werewolf growled as it lunged forward to at Heavy Warrior, he used his sword to block the strike, but stumbled backwards from the blow. The werewolf growled as she crouched low to the ground on all fours before lunging for Heavy Warrior. Outside the pit Slave Handler and the others laughed as they heard the growls and roars of the werewolf as she attacked her lover.

"What better thing to feed a starving werewolf than a fat pig! Stupid man, that meal wasn't to give him strength but to fatten him up for the kill." Slave Handler continued to laugh as he slowly walked away from the gate. "I'm going to tell the famous "Slayer" just what going on with his foolish friends. Doesn't matter who kills who, tonight there will be blood!"

Goblin Slayer's breathing was slow as he took in deep breaths and exhaled slowly. The pain in his head becoming excruciating that he was forced to lean forward and grab the bars to his cage and lean forward, letting his head rest against the bars.

"Beloved? Beloved can you hear me?"

"There will be no interference from you this time. Tonight…this boy's rage will run wild as he slays all in his path!"

Author's Note: I got one more chapter to wrap up the Hell Games Arc, things are looking dark and are about to get darker. Beast Master was a sympathetic villain who we could rationalize with, Lich Queen has come around and become some many care about, Mistress…has no redeeming qualities. Mistress, Slave Handler, Slave Enchanter, they are all going to get what's coming to them.