Xena stood across from six opponents in the arena. Though she was unarmed she wasn't too concerned as the men began to circle her.
XENA
I don't have all day. So do one of you wanna make the first move or should I get this show started?
Two of the men looked at each other for a moment then charged at Xena. She easily dodged both of them. Xena grabbed both by the wrist and twisted their arms. One dropped his sword as the other used his free hand to swing at Xena. She ducked out of the way and drove her fist into his ribs. He staggered back a bit as he held his side. Another of her opponents came up behind Xena swinging. She moved just in time. The blade barely missing her. Xena quickly retaliated with a spinning kick right to his jaw. He staggered back holding his mouth for a moment. Then he took his hand away and saw blood as he spit out a tooth. With all her opponents backed off for the moment Xena glanced down seeing the sword that one of them dropped. She used her foot to kick it up into the air and caught it.
XENA
You don't mind if I borrow this do ya?
The crowd cheered at the impressive display. The men facing Xena however were not so happy with her little display. The man whose sword Xena picked up yelled as he ran at her. Xena sighed at the dumb move as she side stepped him turned and thrust her blade into his back. He groaned as dropped to his knees. Xena put her foot on his back and pulled the sword out as the man fell forward. His blood dripped off Xena's blade as she turned towards her remaining opponents.
MAN
Get her!
The remaining five of Xena's opponents all changed her at once. Xena turned around and ran towards the wall with her opponents following. The crowd began to boo thinking that Xena had turned to try and run. Gabrielle smirked as she watched from her seat, having a pretty good idea of what Xena was doing. She looked up at the designated area where Tobias sat to see his reaction. He was watching the fight closely, but Gabrielle couldn't tell what he was thinking. So she returned to watching Xena's fught. Xena reached the wall and ran right up it about halfway. She then pushed off and flipped backwards in midair. She landed on her feet behind the group and not wasting a second cut down another one of her opponents. The crowd cheered once more for Xena's incredible fighting skill. Gabrielle glanced at Tobias and saw a smile.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) It looks like your plans working. Go get 'em Xena.
Xena now had taken down two of her six opponents with very little effort. But now the remaining four were being more cautious and began working together better. Xena saw them whispering among themselves but couldn't hear what they were saying. They finished speaking and broke off from each other as they again tried to surround her. Xena stayed ready as they spread out and walked closer to her. One behind her yelled as he ran at her. Xena turned to face him but he suddenly stopped as another of the men came up behind her swinging. Xena blocked the attack as a third came jumping from seemingly out of nowhere. He swung his blade. Xena was forced to move. But he still managed to cut her arm. She backed off as she looked at her arm. She scowled at them as a trail of blood began running down her arm. The one who cut Xena laughed as the fourth ran in. Xena didn't move as he ran for her. He swung his weapon down towards her. Xena yelled as she stepped in close dodging his strike as she plunged her blade deep into his stomach. The tip of her sword coming out the other side as Xena felt his weight begin to fall against her. She pushed him back and let him fall off her blade. Then there were three. They looked at each other. One Whispered something Xena couldn't hear to the other two. They nodded at whatever he said and they all moved towards Xena as they surrounded her. Then without warning one swung at her. Xena blocked. Another swung, she used her other hand to catch his arm. The third came up behind her and grabbed her. He wrapped his arms tightly around Xena pinning her arms to her sides. He laughed as he mocked her. He began to squeeze tightly as the other two casually walked up to Xena. One smirked as he looked at Xena.
MAN
Too bad I gotta mees up such a pretty face.
He then punched Xena right in the face. The other grabbed her hair and looked into her eyes. He just laughed as he saw Xena's ice cold stare. Then he slapped her. The two took turns striking Xena as the third held her. The crowd began to boo as the trio continued to beat Xena. Gabrielle saw everything from the stands.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Come on Xena what are you doing? These guys are jokes compared to you. Why are you letting them beat you like this?
With each strike the crowd began to fall silent. Gabrielle looked at Tobias and even didn't appear to be pleased with what was taking place. Xena took blow after blow. She could hear the crowd as they booed.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) Okay I think I've built up enough suspense. Time to get serious.
Xena let out her battle cry as she kicked both the men in front of her. She then threw her head back and busted the man's behind her nose. He immediately let her go.
XENA
Sorry but play times over.
Xena spun around swinging her sword and sliced the chest of the man who was behind her. He stumbled back as he looked at the mark on his armor from the strike. Xena smirked as one of the men she kicked ran up behind her. Xena quickly flipped her sword and drove her blade behind her and implied him.
XENA
That's four.
Xena pulled the sword out as he dropped to the ground dead. She looked at her last two opponents left standing. The crowd was in a frenzy as they watched this lone woman take down multiple foes and continued to fight. Tobias leaned back in his seat and smiled. Feeling very happy with his purchase at the moment.
TOBIAS
(Thinking to himself) My, my Gabriella you're quite the impressive fighter? You certainly know how to put on a show don't you?
Steel clashed as Xena blocked an incoming strike. She shoved her attacker back and kicked the other one away as well. She rotated her sword in a small circle in a little move to show off for the crowd. Knowing that the more the crowd got into it the more Tobias would like it. Which was exactly what Xena wanted. Earning Tobias's trust was key to her plan for toppling his empire. So for the time being Xena would have to make sure that she kept her "master" happy. And money seemed to be his highest priority. So putting on a good show in the arena would bring more customers back for more. So for Xena doing all the little things she was doing to boost the crowds investment in her match would help her and Gabrielle's goal in the end. Because when the time came to finally take on this monster. Xena wanted to make sure that Tobias would never see her coming. The crowd erupted as Xena dropped one of her last two opponents. Leaving it a one on one fight. Xena pulled her sword out of the fallen body at her feet. She looked at her final opponent. He growled as he stood a few feet away from her. Xena raised her sword and pointed it at him and the crowd exploded in chears. The man across from Xena however was growing tired of her showboating. He walked up her holding his blade ready. Xena stood ready for whatever he was going to try. She watched as he suddenly took off running to the side, trying to flank her. Xena stood and watched him as he then quickly changed direction. He jumped into the air and came down swinging. Xena jumped back as she avoided the hit. He then kicked her in the stomach and elbowed her in the back when she doubled over from the kick. Xena dropped the ground. Her opponent stood over her and raised his blade to drive it down to finish Xena as she layed face down in the dirt. She looked back and kicked his knee. He hobbled back as Xena got back up. He sneered as he swung at Xena who blocked. He tried to sweep her feet out from under her. But Xena jumped and kicked him right in his jaw and he fell. Xena went to finish him when he suddenly threw a fistful of dirt in Xena's face. The cheap tactic distracted Xena momentarily as she backed off to try and wipe the dust from her eyes. He laughed as he lunged at Xena and tackled her to the ground. Then he pinned her down and began to punch her again and again. Xena's face soon became a bloody mess. It took everything Gabrielle had to not jump over the barrier and stop the assault. She clenched her fist as she watched from the crowd just waiting for Xena to do something, anything. But she didn't seem to do anything. The crowd began to get quite again as they watched the uncomfortable scene. The man laughed as he raised his fist to strike again. He drove in down just as Xena moved her head so he missed and hit the hard ground. Xena used that opportunity to shove him off of her. She grabbed her sword as she stood back up. Her opponent got up as well and took his sword and swung it. Xena blocked but he continued to push. Out of the two he had the pure strength advantage. Xena was forced to step back as they stayed locked. He smirked.
MAN
You can't over power me.
He continued to push. Xena dropped to one knee as she fought to hold him back. The crowd remained quiet as they watched the battle unfold before them.
XENA
Your right. So it's a good thing I don't have to.
Xena quickly moved forward, letting his blade slide right off hers and before he could do anything Xena swung her sword upwards and sliced him open. He dropped his weapon as he clenched the wound across his throat. He backed away as Xena sat up and watched her opponent gasp for air as blood seeped between his fingers. He dropped to his knees as he made a sickening gargle from him choking on his own blood. He stayed kneeling for a moment before finally collapsing as he fell to the side gasping slightly as the rest of his life drained from his body. The crowd exploded with chears as Xena stood victorious in her first area battle. She huffed as she stood among the dead bodies covered in dirt and blood. Both hers and her opponents. The announcer declared "Gabriella" the winner. Xena looked up at the crowd. First to Tobias who seemed quite satisfied with the battles outcome. Then she found Gabrielle in the crowd again who looked releaved to see that Xena was relatively okay after a difficult fight. Xena played her part and raised her sword in victory as the crowd cheered. She then made her way back out of the arena. A little later Xena was back in ordinary clothes as she sat on the bed in her room. Tobias walked in and smiled at her.
TOBIAS
You did very well today. I'm not a man whose easily impressed, but today I was. You put on quite the performance out there.
XENA
Thank you Master Tobias.
He smiled.
TOBIAS
It would seem that even though you've only had one fight, you already have a good number of fans. Very impressive. One of which insisted on meeting you. I believe she was one of the people I out bid to get you. I suppose she must've taking a liking to you. So come on I'm hosting a dinner and your presence is now required. I'll have someone bring you something proper to wear and then escort you to dinner. You will only speak when I tell you and any funny business will be severely punished. Understood?
XENA
Yes Master Tobias.
TOBIAS
Good girl. I'll see you shortly.
Tobias left and Xena sneered.
XENA
Great now I have to kiss up to some other slaver asshole. Maybe I did too well today.
One of the other slaves brought Xena a nice dress to wear to dinner and after she got dressed lead her to the dinning hall. As she walked Xena did her best to mentally prepare herself for what she was certain was going to be an insufferable evening. Finally they reached the dining hall and there at the head of a table sat Tobias. And across from him sat his guest who smirked when Xena entered the room.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) You have got to be kidding me.
Tobias called Xena over.
TOBIAS
Ah Gabriella come, sit. As you can see this here is one of the people you impressed today. She's a wealthy slaver who runs quite the empire from what I hear.
Xena walked over and sat in the chair in-between the two.
TOBIAS
(Slightly irritated tone) Well, introduce yourself. Or did no one ever teach you proper respect.
Xena growled under her breath.
XENA
Apologies Master Tobias.
Xena looked at the other person at the table. And was shocked to see that Tobias's guest was someone that Xena knew all too well. Xena sighed to herself.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) This was not part of the plan.
Xena rolled her eyes at the smiling face looking at her.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) Damn it why are you here Gabrielle?
TO BE CONTINUED...