Phoebe stared dubiously at the bag in front of her. Serena had bought it in
about ten minutes ago. Apparently it was from Nilim, she didn't know what
to think and was to scared to open it. Nalia knocked on the doorframe and
poked her head round. She was slightly flushed and her hair was awry.
Phoebe gave her a mischievous smile.
"I seen you've been 'making up' with Tate. Every things ok, huh?"
Nalia flushed even more and smiled shyly.
"Yes and yes. But that's not important. Serena told me about the package, it's confusing when he first sends them. Have you opened it yet?"
"No, I'm not sure what's in it and I don't know if I want to know."
"Let me do it then, it's not as bad as you think."
She untied the bag and tipped the contents onto the bed. Stifling a laugh she held up skimpy leather skirt and bodice. Phoebe stared wordlessly at it.
"Or maybe it is as bad as you think."
"Nalia! Does he expect me to wear that? Oh!"
Her hand went to her mouth and her eyes widened.
"What does expect me to do while I'm wearing that?"
"Well, I don't know whether it's better or worse than what you were imagining. This will be the outfit you'll wear, when you go into the arena. And these will be your weapons."
She picked up a leather harness and unsheathed two long blades. She held them expertly and began to move elegantly. Her slices and stabs were augmented with twists and turns, as she moved her body lithely, like a panther. Phoebe got to her feet and shook her head frantically.
"No, no no no no! I won't do it, I won't go in there!"
"Phoebe we've been through this. It's the Arena or death."
"The Arena is death! Goddamn it! And I want no part in adding to it."
"Death in the Arena isn't permanent. You know that, you've seen what happens. Please Phoebe, I'm begging you. Fight and live. It isn't fun and it can be painful, but it sure as hell beats death."
Phoebe gave her a pitying look.
"Do you really believe that?"
* * *
"Paige! Get back here!"
"Geez Piper, I was only looking to see if there was anyone coming. No need to have an embolism"
Paige stood in the exit to the room and stared defiantly back at Piper.
"You know I have that whole sensing evil thing going on, it's not like something can just sneak up behind me!"
"Paige! Look out behind you!"
"Oh haha Piper, very amusing. I suppose I'll turn round and see a demon standing behind me.
She turned round and saw a demon standing behind her. He slashed downwards with a dagger and she orbed out with a screech. Piper rolled her eyes and blew him up. Paige orbed in next to her, with a sheepish look on her face.
"You were saying?"
Said Piper, in a sickly sweet voice. Paige held up her hands in surrender.
"Ok ok, I should be more careful. But you have to admit that was kinda funny.in a not funny, life threatening way. Ok, I'll just shush now."
"Oh Paige, you don't know how hilarious it is to see your sister almost get carved into bite size pieces."
"On the plus side, I would make a low calorie hors d'oeuvre."
She patted her slim stomach and Piper couldn't help but laugh.
"Shall we try and orb to Phoebe or take the scenic route?"
"Scenic, we might find more people to save."
"And most probably people who want to kill us."
"Well that just goes without saying."
Said Paige as she grabbed Piper's arm and began to walk towards the exit.
* * *
"Serena, I need to talk to you. Its about Phoebe."
Serena took a torch and then led Nalia into a small storage room. "Nilim sent her 'costume' today. That means he wants her to fight soon."
"We all knew she would have to eventually."
"But she is dead set against it. It's going to take all our powers of persuasion to get her to put the 'costume' on, let alone go into the Arena and fight."
Serena grabbed her arm and turned her to main room. They could see Phoebe stepping uncertainly out of her room. She was wearing the clothes Nilim had sent.
"Or maybe it won't."
Nalia said, as she ran to Phoebe. Phoebe greeted her with a slightly embarrassed smile.
"So, you've changed your mind? You're going to fight?"
"No, well not unless there is no way out of it."
"Why did you put the clothes on? I thought you hated them?"
"Well, I thought I might as well get used them. The ones I arrived in are torn and messed up. You know what the worst thing is?"
"No, what's the worst thing?"
"I have a skirt just like this at home."
They both burst out laughing and went to talk to Serena.
* * *
"Paige, if we're going to get out of this place alive, we need to blend in. We just had to risk our lives needlessly, vanquishing five demons, and all because we stand out."
She gestured at Paige's bright pink shirt and sequined belt. Paige sighed and shrugged her shoulders.
"What can I say? I like bright things."
"Yeah, I kinda gathered that. Ok the next two demons we come across will lose their clothes."
"And their lives."
"Paige!"
"Well they will!"
Piper grinned and started to walk down the passageway. Paige started to speak, when she heard footsteps.
"Piper, there's someone coming. You freeze him and I'll orb the robe off."
Piper nodded and stood ready. Paige peeked round the corner and saw two warlocks walking towards them.
"Correction, there are two people coming. Well I say people."
Piper pulled Paige behind her and stepped out into the passage.
"Hey, hi."
One of them drew a dagger and the other threw a ball of purple light. Piper froze them both.
"Paige, come get their robes."
The warlocks were covered in white light and their clothes disappeared and appeared in Paige's hands. Piper opened her mouth and slapped Paige's hand.
"Just the robes would have done Paige!"
She gestured to the warlocks, now wearing only underwear. Paige looked appraisingly at them.
"Who'd of thought that warlocks wear Calvin Klein boxers? Piper! Stop looking, you're a married woman!"
Piper broke her stare and smirked.
"Don't remind me. Ok, I'll blow up the tall one and you take care of the other one."
With a flick of her hands they both unfroze. Paige called for the purple ball and held it in a cloud of orbs. She laughed at the warlock's confusion, and tilted her head to Piper.
"I stole your clothes, and Piper froze ya. Now say vanquish!"
She threw the ball and the warlock burnt away to nothing, as Piper blew up the other one.
"You know, I'd swear you enjoyed that Paige."
"Well its not everyday you get to get vanquish evil and get a new outfit, all at the same time."
"Hehe, now lets just put on the robes and find Phoebe."
* * *
Back in the slave quarters, Serena, Nalia and Phoebe were preparing food for the others. They were about to take a break when suddenly 3 loud knocks punctured the room. Everyone stopped what they were doing, and a tense silence filled the room. The door swung open and three demons stood there, they parted to reveal Ralis. He walked meekly into the room and waited for Serena's usual reprimands. She walked up to him, flanked by Phoebe and Nalia.
"What is it now Ralis?"
"I've been sent for..for."
He gestured at Phoebe. She backed away and two of the demons moved towards her, holding chains. Nalia moved protectively in front of her. One of the demons laughed and swung a chain at her. She caught it and pulled, causing the demon to lose its grip on the chain and stumble forwards. With a sharp tug, the chain flew into her hand. She swung it loosely from hand to hand, watching the nervous look on Ralis and the other demon's face. Suddenly she threw one end of the chain. It snaked out and hit one of the demons in the head; with a flick of her wrist it hit another. They both fell senseless to the floor. Ralis aimed his staff at her.
"Nalia stop it! I don't want to do it but I will if I have to."
She spat and hurled the chain at him. He waved his hand and ring of fire surrounded him. The chain hit it and melted instantly. The staff shot a pulse at her and she was knocked backwards.
"Stop it! I'll go, just stop hurting them."
Phoebe cried, as she walked to Ralis, hands outstretched. He dissipated the fire and the remaining demon put chains on her. The two demons on the ground suddenly flashed in a black light and disappeared. Phoebe was dragged out of the room as Serena watched, powerless. The door slammed shut and she bent down next Nalia, shaking her head.
"When will she learn?"
"I seen you've been 'making up' with Tate. Every things ok, huh?"
Nalia flushed even more and smiled shyly.
"Yes and yes. But that's not important. Serena told me about the package, it's confusing when he first sends them. Have you opened it yet?"
"No, I'm not sure what's in it and I don't know if I want to know."
"Let me do it then, it's not as bad as you think."
She untied the bag and tipped the contents onto the bed. Stifling a laugh she held up skimpy leather skirt and bodice. Phoebe stared wordlessly at it.
"Or maybe it is as bad as you think."
"Nalia! Does he expect me to wear that? Oh!"
Her hand went to her mouth and her eyes widened.
"What does expect me to do while I'm wearing that?"
"Well, I don't know whether it's better or worse than what you were imagining. This will be the outfit you'll wear, when you go into the arena. And these will be your weapons."
She picked up a leather harness and unsheathed two long blades. She held them expertly and began to move elegantly. Her slices and stabs were augmented with twists and turns, as she moved her body lithely, like a panther. Phoebe got to her feet and shook her head frantically.
"No, no no no no! I won't do it, I won't go in there!"
"Phoebe we've been through this. It's the Arena or death."
"The Arena is death! Goddamn it! And I want no part in adding to it."
"Death in the Arena isn't permanent. You know that, you've seen what happens. Please Phoebe, I'm begging you. Fight and live. It isn't fun and it can be painful, but it sure as hell beats death."
Phoebe gave her a pitying look.
"Do you really believe that?"
* * *
"Paige! Get back here!"
"Geez Piper, I was only looking to see if there was anyone coming. No need to have an embolism"
Paige stood in the exit to the room and stared defiantly back at Piper.
"You know I have that whole sensing evil thing going on, it's not like something can just sneak up behind me!"
"Paige! Look out behind you!"
"Oh haha Piper, very amusing. I suppose I'll turn round and see a demon standing behind me.
She turned round and saw a demon standing behind her. He slashed downwards with a dagger and she orbed out with a screech. Piper rolled her eyes and blew him up. Paige orbed in next to her, with a sheepish look on her face.
"You were saying?"
Said Piper, in a sickly sweet voice. Paige held up her hands in surrender.
"Ok ok, I should be more careful. But you have to admit that was kinda funny.in a not funny, life threatening way. Ok, I'll just shush now."
"Oh Paige, you don't know how hilarious it is to see your sister almost get carved into bite size pieces."
"On the plus side, I would make a low calorie hors d'oeuvre."
She patted her slim stomach and Piper couldn't help but laugh.
"Shall we try and orb to Phoebe or take the scenic route?"
"Scenic, we might find more people to save."
"And most probably people who want to kill us."
"Well that just goes without saying."
Said Paige as she grabbed Piper's arm and began to walk towards the exit.
* * *
"Serena, I need to talk to you. Its about Phoebe."
Serena took a torch and then led Nalia into a small storage room. "Nilim sent her 'costume' today. That means he wants her to fight soon."
"We all knew she would have to eventually."
"But she is dead set against it. It's going to take all our powers of persuasion to get her to put the 'costume' on, let alone go into the Arena and fight."
Serena grabbed her arm and turned her to main room. They could see Phoebe stepping uncertainly out of her room. She was wearing the clothes Nilim had sent.
"Or maybe it won't."
Nalia said, as she ran to Phoebe. Phoebe greeted her with a slightly embarrassed smile.
"So, you've changed your mind? You're going to fight?"
"No, well not unless there is no way out of it."
"Why did you put the clothes on? I thought you hated them?"
"Well, I thought I might as well get used them. The ones I arrived in are torn and messed up. You know what the worst thing is?"
"No, what's the worst thing?"
"I have a skirt just like this at home."
They both burst out laughing and went to talk to Serena.
* * *
"Paige, if we're going to get out of this place alive, we need to blend in. We just had to risk our lives needlessly, vanquishing five demons, and all because we stand out."
She gestured at Paige's bright pink shirt and sequined belt. Paige sighed and shrugged her shoulders.
"What can I say? I like bright things."
"Yeah, I kinda gathered that. Ok the next two demons we come across will lose their clothes."
"And their lives."
"Paige!"
"Well they will!"
Piper grinned and started to walk down the passageway. Paige started to speak, when she heard footsteps.
"Piper, there's someone coming. You freeze him and I'll orb the robe off."
Piper nodded and stood ready. Paige peeked round the corner and saw two warlocks walking towards them.
"Correction, there are two people coming. Well I say people."
Piper pulled Paige behind her and stepped out into the passage.
"Hey, hi."
One of them drew a dagger and the other threw a ball of purple light. Piper froze them both.
"Paige, come get their robes."
The warlocks were covered in white light and their clothes disappeared and appeared in Paige's hands. Piper opened her mouth and slapped Paige's hand.
"Just the robes would have done Paige!"
She gestured to the warlocks, now wearing only underwear. Paige looked appraisingly at them.
"Who'd of thought that warlocks wear Calvin Klein boxers? Piper! Stop looking, you're a married woman!"
Piper broke her stare and smirked.
"Don't remind me. Ok, I'll blow up the tall one and you take care of the other one."
With a flick of her hands they both unfroze. Paige called for the purple ball and held it in a cloud of orbs. She laughed at the warlock's confusion, and tilted her head to Piper.
"I stole your clothes, and Piper froze ya. Now say vanquish!"
She threw the ball and the warlock burnt away to nothing, as Piper blew up the other one.
"You know, I'd swear you enjoyed that Paige."
"Well its not everyday you get to get vanquish evil and get a new outfit, all at the same time."
"Hehe, now lets just put on the robes and find Phoebe."
* * *
Back in the slave quarters, Serena, Nalia and Phoebe were preparing food for the others. They were about to take a break when suddenly 3 loud knocks punctured the room. Everyone stopped what they were doing, and a tense silence filled the room. The door swung open and three demons stood there, they parted to reveal Ralis. He walked meekly into the room and waited for Serena's usual reprimands. She walked up to him, flanked by Phoebe and Nalia.
"What is it now Ralis?"
"I've been sent for..for."
He gestured at Phoebe. She backed away and two of the demons moved towards her, holding chains. Nalia moved protectively in front of her. One of the demons laughed and swung a chain at her. She caught it and pulled, causing the demon to lose its grip on the chain and stumble forwards. With a sharp tug, the chain flew into her hand. She swung it loosely from hand to hand, watching the nervous look on Ralis and the other demon's face. Suddenly she threw one end of the chain. It snaked out and hit one of the demons in the head; with a flick of her wrist it hit another. They both fell senseless to the floor. Ralis aimed his staff at her.
"Nalia stop it! I don't want to do it but I will if I have to."
She spat and hurled the chain at him. He waved his hand and ring of fire surrounded him. The chain hit it and melted instantly. The staff shot a pulse at her and she was knocked backwards.
"Stop it! I'll go, just stop hurting them."
Phoebe cried, as she walked to Ralis, hands outstretched. He dissipated the fire and the remaining demon put chains on her. The two demons on the ground suddenly flashed in a black light and disappeared. Phoebe was dragged out of the room as Serena watched, powerless. The door slammed shut and she bent down next Nalia, shaking her head.
"When will she learn?"