CHAPTER 17

A/N – Greetings, my dear readers! So…*scratches head* what was about to happen in this chapter?... Ah, yes, I remembered. Time to bring about some more action, because the crowd wants blood! Or something… So, without further ramblings, here it is. Enjoy!

Warning – graphic violence

Maka had not been aware that her master Galiel had a small apartment set up for his own use down in the dungeons of the Arena, for the times when he came to personally assess the situation of his business. His own enormous loge was extravagance enough, but this? Not to mention, said apartment was anything but small. The stone rooms were sumptuous and lavishly decorated, the abundance of soft plush carpets and colorful silk curtains fending off the otherwise ominous vibe of the place.

And now Galiel himself was sat on a low sofa, dressed in soft robes and with his long white hair braided in some bizarre fashion, surrounded by his much younger wives. The blonde had always thought odd that her Master had several wives, three of them to be precise, when everyone else just went for a multitude of concubines. But apparently the old merchant turned lord was the loyal sort, as Stein had explained with a hint of amusement. Of course, to Maka none of this mattered, but right now she would rather think of anything else but the upcoming match.

"Now, this will be your first match as an official champion of my House," Galiel stated, thoughtful. "You will need a proper nickname for that. Just 'Maka Albarn' is no longer suitable. We need something catchy for the crowd to remember… "

The blonde thought that this really was the least of her problems. Had it even occurred to her master that the match he'd arranged was 'slightly' uneven? Her alone against three powerful men! She had known much would be asked of the slayer of Harthgor, but even so… 'In theory, it makes sense, the scythe is a spectacular weapon' she remembered Stein's words. And the crowd wanted to be entertained.

She kept her eyes down, aware that the beautiful, fancily dressed and jewelry laden wives were measuring her disdainfully. But really, if she had been prettier and curvier, maybe they could have feared that Galiel would show her interest beyond her fighting skills, but it was certainly not the case.

"Well… what did the prince's guard call her, 'little emerald'?" one of the wives piped up, maliciously. "Even if it was obviously in mockery… We might go with that one, it sounds cute enough."

Maka froze, an unpleasant shudder shooting down her spine. She had been somehow under the impression that Kid had uttered those words in a whisper, for her ears only. But clearly, it had not been so. Yet it had been no mockery either, of that much she was sure. The young shinigami may have been unclear in his purposes, but he liked her, even if perhaps only a little bit – Maka could tell. In the midst of all these musings, it somehow occurred to the blonde that she was thinking of Kid too much - literally all the time - and that was bound to get her into serious trouble eventually.

"Oh, we can take mockery as long as we're getting paid," the lord laughed, standing from his seat and stepping forward. Thin, long-nailed fingers gripped the blonde's chin, lifting it so that he could get a better look at her face. "Such green eyes, brighter and lighter than Spirit's though…" he mused. "Yes, it is a good idea. Maka 'Emerald' Albarn. Indeed, they will like that."

On this fateful day Maka would have normally worn her hair simply pulled back in a bun to keep it from getting in the way, just like in the other matches, but the lycans actually took the trouble to do it into two tight braids slightly resembling Kilik's complicated hairdo – which was strange because they never bothered with Soul Eater's unruly, naturally spiked hair. They even applied some heavy black make-up around her eyes to complete the sophisticated champion look which apparently was to also go with a new breastplate. The one from her previous match – which had been old trash to begin with – had been damaged beyond repair by Kid's black blooded sword anyway. The new one was exactly like the one Evans wore, with the silver gargoyle which was Galiel's crest.

Despite her displayed determination, Maka was horribly nervous now faced with her first match as a champion, which she strongly feared it might have very well been her last. In complete contrast, Evans looked bored - as if it were another day to be spent lazing around and avoiding practice – fact which rapidly and successfully got on her nerves, almost making her forget about the fear. What the hell was wrong with him, really? Was he really a careless bastard or had his hidden suffering caught up with him to such an extent that he'd just… given up? Now that she thought of it though, Maka would have preferred the first option.

"The Clovan Twins of the House of Hamza will fight Maka 'Emerald' Albarn of the House of Galiel in half an hour!"

After the ominous announcement, the lycans wrapped pieces of red cloth on their hands, leaving only the fingers out. For luck. By the Gods, I'll need all the luck I can get!

As they stepped past the gate, Maka saw the petite, purple-haired witch girl known as Blair 'the Cat' looking at them from one of the other gates. Evans quickly gave her his trademark sharp-toothed grin and she responded with a light smile of her own, but the blonde saw her grip tighten on the iron bars of the gate.

Finally they were out on the sand, walking toward the middle of the Arena and Maka saw their opponents advancing from the other direction. The Clovan twins were nothing short of a nightmarish sight – three identically looking savages, each carrying two enormous battle axes. Their wild red hair stood up like menacing flames and their black-eyed faces were scarred and ugly, but the crowd cheered for them with unexpected enthusiasm. Maka fought back a scowl - it was clear that they were the favorites.

Her eyes then darted towards the king's balcony, in search of the only thing able to provide some comfort. Prince Black Star caught her gaze and offered her a broad smile to which she nodded shyly, but her attention was not on him in the least. Her eyes trailed to the black shrouded figure to his left, hopeful, almost pleading. Pale fingers slowly tilted the white skull mask upwards, as if to adjust it, but the shinigami's face was completely blank behind it as he eventually looked back at her. Maka cringed, bitten by cruel disappointment at his indifference and fighting to stuff down the wave of bitterness. And then Kid suddenly winked at her, one corner of his mouth turning upwards into an almost imperceptible smirk.

The blonde's heart fluttered instantly and the widest grin spread on her face as she quickly looked away, nearly blushing.

"Awww, would you look at that!" Evans suddenly observed, much to her instant annoyance. Seriously, he had nothing better to do?

"Well, I told you the prince likes me!" she snapped back, furious, only to be met with more amusement on his behalf.

"Yeah, yeah, the prince my ass-"

"Today is a black day for you, Soul 'Eater'," one of the twins suddenly growled loudly, distracting the scythe boy. "We'll chop you and your little whore into very, very tiny pieces and eat you!" And, as it usually was their habit when fighters insulted one another, the audience burst into laughter.

The weapon whipped around brusquely, shooting them a poisonous glare, but to Maka's surprise he refrained from throwing back any witty remark. "Fucking dwarves," he muttered through gritted teeth, although Hamza's fighters were anything but, "Kill them."

Maka hoped that this was actually a good sign and that Evans would now be motivated enough to cooperate with her, as she eyed their blades, sharpened to perfection. Suddenly, their threat seemed very real and palpable and panic coursed through her whole body, like a thousand icy needles as the Master of Ceremonies lowered his flag signaling for the fight to begin and her partner switched to weapon form. She gripped the scythe's handle desperately as the three men took position.

Let them come at us, they're strong but they really don't have any technique, Soul said through their bond, they feel high and mighty because there's three of them, but otherwise they're really shit fighters, they're even worse than you.

Oh well, wasn't he encouraging, Maka replied inwardly but agreed to his plan. Maybe if they charged recklessly, the twins would make some sort of mistake she could use against them.

Swing largely to keep them at bay, sooner or later they'll be idiotic enough to try and throw their weapons at you. And if you're lucky not to get hit, they'll be disarmed afterwards.

Okay, okay, just… easier said than done, that… the blonde thought nearly paralyzed with fear, as the twins charged in her direction shouting and swinging their weapons.

You know, now would be a really bad time to crap out, tiny tits… Evans observed dryly, but Maka could feel his tension. But then she closed her eyes and there was nothing there but Kid's gentle hand cupping her cheek and his lips pressed on hers, promising the ultimate forbidden happiness. And there was no more trembling in her muscles, every fiber turning into flexible steel as she rotated her neck like in a trance.

Green orbs snapped open just in time to see that Hamza's fighters nearly had her surrounded. The audience screamed for blood, but the blonde swung her weapon in the last moment, the scythe's sharp tip almost grazing the face of one of the twins. The others quickly distanced, away from the blade's trajectory. Maka continued to attack them, turning swiftly and not giving any of them the opportunity to draw close enough for a blow. But they too were fast, averting her own blows as the wicked axes kept blocking her blade. The way things were going…

Come on, you fucking bastards, throw you weapons and give me an easy meal! Soul grumbled, impatient.

But the twins weren't half as stupid as the scythe boy had assumed. When they did eventually begin to throw their axes, it was only to let them fly over Maka's head in a rapid exchange between them, which turned out to be an effective scheme to break her focus. This was bad. The blonde's movements were soon reduced to dodging the swiftly travelling blades and avoiding a quick beheading, and she would not risk trying to block them with the handle either, for fear of significantly damaging Evans.

Whatever you do, don't let them push you to the wall! They'll corner you there and squeeze in until you lose the swing range!

But there was little else Maka found she could do. If she had her back to the wall, they'd have trouble going on with their deadly axe dance.

And now we're fucked.

She was getting tired and they were already laughing, sure of their victory, as the crowd cheered and screamed their name. No. Not like this. Not while he's watching. Not as long as… he shows me even the tiniest bit of favor.

Without warning, Maka turned around and lunged forward towards the wall of the Arena, using the momentum to climb a few steps then rebound off it, throwing herself in the air madly and twisting as she flew, shouting, oblivious of the axes pointed at her. The scythe swung in a broad motion, the red-and-black blade cutting mercilessly through wood, metal and flesh. The blonde landed with a heavy thud on the white sand to see one of the Clovan twins lying on the ground in a bloody heap and the sickly scent of blood filled her nostrils. But it didn't matter, the madness of battle coursed through her veins one with the audience now screaming her name.

Her fingers gripped the scythe's handle viciously as she measured the remaining two opponents with narrowed eyes. One of them appeared wounded and staggering slightly. They were drawing backwards now, clearly no longer underestimating her as they pondered on their next move, their expression more menacing than ever, but Maka had left all fear behind. She was like a hound which had caught the scent of blood, knowing of nothing else but the need to go for the kill.

She heard Soul Eater laugh through the bond. They're beginning to crack! Maka, strike now!

The blonde did not wait for their move this time. She lunged forward at top speed, swinging the weapon as she ran. An axe flew by, the sharp blade grazing the side of her face slightly as it went as Maka had tilted her head just enough to avoid an otherwise fatal blow. She felt the sting and a few warm and wet droplets sliding down her cheek, but it only spurred her forward. A forceful swipe of the broad, red-and-black blade completely disarmed the second twin – the already wounded one – and the blonde then shoved her boot into his stomach, sending him tumbling down onto the sand.

But suddenly the blonde found herself blinded when the third twin, who had taken advantage of her focus on the other one, threw a handful of white, sparkling sand straight into her eyes. She let out a yelp, free hand flying to her face as she stumbled backwards.

"Die, you fucking whore!" the remaining standing Clovan growled, advancing on her.

Squinting through watery eyes, Maka struggled to regain her focus, but the man had gotten too close for range already. She briefly saw that both weapons were now hanging at his hips before his bare hands closed around her throat. The blonde struggled for air, slamming her free fist repeatedly into his jaw, but to no avail. Red dots started dancing before her eyes.

Pfttt, beginner's mistake, she suddenly heard the scythe boy cackle, as the weapon suddenly slipped from her weary hand. I told you they were dumb. A splash of warm crimson hit her face in full as the iron grip around her neck was brusquely gone. As she staggered on shaky legs, drawing deep, ragged breaths, Maka saw the red-and-black blade, now coated with a much brighter shade and Evans' shark smile hovering over the fresh, gruesome-looking corpse.

"Soul…" she whispered weakly, in awe.

"I'm not done," he announced, turning on his heels with his right arm still morphed and heading towards the fallen, injured Clovan who struggled to get himself off the ground, in the same time reaching for an axe. "See, emeralds are pretty and I'm sure everyone enjoyed your cute little flying stunt, but I am the 'Soul Eater' and I've got a reputation to uphold."

The young shinigami exhaled, releasing a breath he hadn't even realised he was holding. He was standing as usual by his prince's side, but now his whole body was stiff, the muscles strained by the tension. Now that it was finally over and the Emerald brat was still alive, still standing, he sat down gingerly, briefly closing his eyes behind his mask as he sighed in relief.

"Oh, what do you know," Black Star suddenly said, leaning back in his seat and sipping from his cup with a thoughtful expression.

"What, Milord?"

Turquoise eyes turned to stare straight in his face, bearing an amused gleam. "Looks like your little blonde is a cheater," he tsked dramatically, shaking his head. "Do you think I should punish her?"

To be continued