They had to be quick and evasive, otherwise, they'd lose. Remaining spry and alert, manage avoiding the attack upon them. Flip over their opponent landing behind. A confidence smirk on, goes to deliver a back kick. Finding to their surprise, their opponent dodged. Having seen right through their plan, surprised them. Which left them open for a frontal blow right in the center. Knocking the wind out of them, sending them skidding back across the ground.
Gasping for air and from the pain, they huddle to cradle the pained area. Doing their best not to give in, push themselves up, only to fall back down.
"Is that all you have? You asked me to train you." Their opponent, actually correction, trainer, scratch that, no. Well, kind of trainer. They where actually one of the fighters for The Pit. A skilled warrior. A strong-willed one. Who clearly was the no non-sense type. Stood over their cowering 'student', in annoyance. Glares down at them.
Wishing to do something, though knowing The Pit's master stood high, watching the training. With protective and observing eyes. Glaring a warning upon them, should they try anything funny. It was rather irritable with their overbearing tendencies. That clearly everyone in this city knew and saw. Despite their rather rough and intimidating stature as Pit Master, it was clear what melted their heart. It made sense really, after all, this was their child after all. What protective parent wouldn't stand watch over the progress and training?
Turning their eyes back to one still hunched over, they nervously wait for them to get up. Feeling The Pit's master's eyes burning on the back of their neck. Warning them, they'd had better not have done anything too damaging. This was quite irksome, they needed to get up already now. They wanted this kind of training. They asked for it willingly.
They had just been been purchased and bought to the City, by The Pit Master to fight in the arena. From the ruler of Rats, in the dark mountain. They accepted their fate and provided the entertainment for the residence of the desert city. Becoming one of the best. They couldn't remember around which win it was, they had developed a fan. Had caught the interest of them. Having spot them a few times, looking at them. A look they didn't understand, until, one day after a fight. They came to their holding cell, to speak with them. And to their surprise, found them actually rather annoying. With that wide-eyed, thrilled look on. Filled with interest and joy. Like they had finally found what they'd been looking for. To make it worse, they would not stop running their mouth.
Gleefully expressing and bringing up ever they'd been in. Talking about them like any huge fan would do. But, they where clearly the biggest. Trying to ignore them, wouldn't work and would get them in trouble. So they had to suffer their rambling. Until, they eventually got to the real point. Of course it was after they snapped at them to be quiet.
It surprised them, the way they talked. Realizing this, saw that it was a horrible decision. Fearing the worst, when they actually enjoyed it. Happy someone talked to them. Or yelled at them, forsaking their title. Gratefully really. They told them why, they'd come to speak with them. Offering, what actually seem like some sort of joke.
To train them. Teach them. Wanting them to be their mentor. If possible and more. It didn't make sense, why they'd want them. When they had many others to choose from, who where not caged like themselves. A hot question quivered upon their lips, wanting to press the matter, but chose against it. And for crazy reason accepted.
Yeah, that's how it started. How it all begin. They came to them, to teach them. To not hold back Give them everything. It was clear, they where use to others going rather easy on them. But, they would not. How long has it been since the training begin? They weren't sure really. Because, there seem to be little progress with the training and developing skills. Which, really...really could be finer.
It was just sad, really. After all the bruises and injures. You'd think, they'd learn something by now. But, it was clear they hadn't. Still hunched over from that attack. They needed to work on their defense, it wouldn't make sense for them to learn how to use a weapon. If they couldn't even handle this. At least, they had slightly improved speed and evasion. Though countering could be better. That's all they seem to be good at. Dodging and ducking. Well, to some degree.
When they tried to strike, it just always seem to backfire. They'd have an opening, they'd use it, but just could not land the attack. It was slow. Easy to read. Fumbling. There was no way they would be able to surive, if they ever left this place. This city, that is. Kid had a tighter leash around them. From what they had shared with them.
Not allowed around or on the outside of the perimeter of the city. Forbidden really. The reason why? They didn't know either. But, it was clear, by the way they spoke, they longed...yearned to venture out.
Was that their reasoning for learning how to fight? It seem like a valid one. The way their eyes shone when spoke about it. They just poured out everything to them, every time they came to their cell. To just talk. Their reasoning to be strong, just made no sense. It was idiotic really.
But, if they really wanted to do this. Then they needed to get up. They needed to get up now!
Clenching their hands into a fist."I've had just about enough of this!"They shout at them, shout their hand out viciously grabbing them."Get up!" Yank them, when to their surprise, find themselves flipped over and thrown. Across the grounds of the The Pit.
They where playing opossum the whole time, it even surprised the Pit Master himself. He didn't see that coming.
Quickly they get back up and charge them with interest. The fight now could actually begin. Jump up, pull back the string of their wrist-mounted crossbow, fire one of their ammo. Their evasion allowed them to move just in time. Retreating. Giving the chase.
"Running again?"They snarl, teasing. Keep up the attack. Keeping them at a distance. Giving them the advantage. Looking at their foot work, aim for there. Hitting the left leg. Nearly causing them to trip.
But, they manage to fix themselves and take to flipping. Pushing off the ground, tucking and twisting their body. Landing down, near them and come up with a straight kick. Nearly hitting them, they managed to move back. Giving distance. Take aim and fire. Pushing them back, as they run again.
Things where heating up, getting intense. Watching their child, fleeing, the Pit Master raises their hand and was about to stop it. When they decided against it, for some reason. To reconsider, when their child was shot down.
"Enough!"They bark.
The injury wasn't that bad. It wasn't good either. Still, they could walk. Just places where sore. Laying down, allowing one of their assistance tend to them. Fix them up, on their father's wishes. While deeply sadden and angry for him stopping the match. So they got hurt, what was the big deal? It was annoying.
They would have gotten back up and kept going. It also showed them, they needed to better hone their skills. But, how could they? If he would not allow it.
Staring up at the ceiling, hoping they weren't in trouble because of it. Feeling with regret, worried about them...They would have to visit them. After all this. To make sure.
Closing their eyes...their mind sees something...strange...very strange. It was a face...no...a jewel? A sword? No...a face. Of someone, their eyes stare back at them, mysteriously and alluring. Powerful and soft. To wisk away. They fade away, another face comes. This one they could not make out. Only their eyes. Blue or was it teal eyes? They weren't sure, except feeling a strange connection if not attraction to them. A haunting one? They weren't sure. All the knew was it felt rather kind and warm. Hopeful. Brave.
Made them feel rather fuzzy. Until, dark beaming, cruel, evil eyes looking down at them.
It awoke them from pure fright. Jolting out their bed, nearly about to scream. Pale as a ghost, find themselves in their room. Holding their head...then remember. Throwing their covers off, swing their legs over and race out of bed and out their room.
Feet pounding hard, across the ground. Hoping they weren't too late, push themselves hard and faster. Ignoring the pain from their injures. Hear the roaring crowd, cheering and chanting.
Seeing the The Pit in view, hurry with all their might. Blitz right pass the guards and up the stairs into the stadium. Emerge and screams. "Pumyra!"