With a quickening force–the man leaped across the sanded arena and stretched out his arms to tackle Dax. Unable to look away I caught myself in anticipated anxiety before I realized the heat within my chest rising. I quickly backed away and stumbled to the back of the room, settling this waving energy; Alaine did the same.

ALAINE: Hey..Linden, do..you think he’ll be alright?

Asking the same question I am unable to answer myself–her worried expression pressed me to answer with a false sense of hope.

LINDEN: Mm..given his quick wits..I think he’ll be...fine..?

I looked away unconfidently as those words fell off the threshold of my lips.

CROWD: WOOO!

CROWD: WOOHOO!

I braced myself to stand and stumbled towards the opening one last time before I watched Dax holding a chokehold onto the athletic man. The man's expression is of a wild animal within a trap; struggling to get himself free before the rope finally stops the neurological nerves within his skull. He pummels and pelts Dax with impacted punches; the licking of iron and sounding of a stumbling wall finally let slip Daxs’ grip. Catching this chance–the man doesn’t waste a hopeful freedom; standing tall he bends his head up towards the sky and silently bellows as his non-existent screams stretch across his face. Gritting the barrel of his teeth–the veins within his jaws pop as he grips his hands between Daxs’ hold.

The expression on Daxs’ face widens as the man succeeds at struggling to get himself free. With almost a spark in his eye, Dax quickly seized the opportunity and pushed his leg upon the man's knee. The force was enough to flip him up, using the momentum of his leg to flip above the man's head–he swiftly ducks his arms around his neck once again.

MAN: A-Auragh..!

Now with tears in his eyes–the man’s consciousness fades as secretion of liquids pours down from the back of his nose and mouth.

It wasn’t until some shimmering object flew from the crowd towards him. Miraculously catching the item, the object of sorts was a particular knife which laid bare in the palms of his hands.

Wasting no more effort the man lunges the left side of Daxs’ face–leaving a cut across his forearm and eyebrow. With blood drawn–there was no coming back from a fight to the death; flipping backwards then dashing away, Dax now has his hands up in a guarding position–his expression grew dire as the man now posed a great threat.

I watch as the man lunges at him with approaching force–slashing into the air as if it was nothing but butter; the man slashed down quickly–only for Dax to dodge it. He hurriedly swipes towards the right to only be stopped half-way through by Daxs’ fastening block–it was then a glint in his eye showed the vigorous desire to survive.

Quickly he grabbed the man's arm which held the bloodied dagger–swinging the barrel of his fist with full force, a defiant.

Crack!

Sounded the arena. It was only a couple of seconds but the moment the man realized that his reality was all but shattered–he screamed, seemingly screaming the loudest he could in his entire life.

With a hand silencing his pain–Dax puts the blade up to his throat.

The mans’ face feared for mercy as tears ran down the sides of his cheeks. 

Looking away quickly I fell onto the ground and shook, not of shock nor terror but of something else. I calmed my body and tried calming my mind–hearing a mixture of awe and frustration lended its strength towards the booming voice. I couldn’t help but sit still so as to not shake violently.

[VOICE]: Ladies and gentlemen–what a turn of events, yeah? I’m sorry this wasn’t the result you’ve all expected–but aren’t unexpected results better than expected ones?

In a dire choice to lighten up the mood–the sickening crowd cheers as if to agree.

Alaine who watched the whole fiesta–stood for a moment, almost expressionless. I looked at her with an uncertain eye.

LINDEN: Dax..i-is he-

ALAINE: Dax! H-He’s..fine.

ALAINE: He only has a couple of cuts and bruises.

ALAINE: But..he-he

Alaine was upset. Being unable to fully express her worries–she’d only get like that if she were either too angry or hated a certain action.

Though it was short lived–as the door made an all too familiar sound.

Click

Swift yet soundless, three women could be seen standing in front of us. All dark haired but hues of different colors, one brown–the other purple and the last blue.

With a grin of a look only the devious could love, the leader spoke.

WOMAN A: Hey-Hey! We’re here to pick up the newest girl on the block

WOMAN A: Sorry boys aren’t allowed

She smudged–as if entertained at the thought.

WOMAN A: Although…

She walked closer, flying past Alaine and her defenses all the while arriving at mines.

WOMAN A: I’m curious if the monster has on a leash.

Finishing her words as if she’s having her sicken version of fun.

Chills erupted from my skin–showing my full expression and eagerness to get away.

Making a face just as I–Alaine’s jaw dropped as she too wondered who the hell this woman was.

ALAINE: H-Hey! What’re you-!

Click

The flicking of a gun lock stood both of us still.

WOMAN B: Please stop messing around, I don't want to do extra work–

WOMAN B: Nicole.

Seemingly breathing a sigh of boredom, Nicole spoke.

NICOLE: Yeah, yeah–man you’re no fun at all!

Pouting all the way out the door–the other two women followed along–as well as Alaine. Looking back with a worried expression–I could do nothing as the door slowly slammed shut.

With an estimated eighteen minutes passing by–I sat quietly, still counting the number of times we could have tried our hands at escaping.

POW!

Pushing the door open–it snapped back and unleashed Dax from its ironed grip.

VOICE: Getchur’ass in there! And make sure you don’t do anything that’ll getchu’ killed,

VOICE: Hehehe.a man exclaimed.

As quickly as it opened–it shut once more, leaving Dax disheveled on the floor all the while I only sat and watched.

LINDEN: You alright?

Reaching out my hand in trying to support my comrade, he acceptingly reached back.

DAX: Yeah..besides the cuts and beatings I’m fine.

Raising a question in my head–I questioned.

LINDEN: Beatings?

Dax nodded back with notation.

DAX: Well…they'd take you into a room with people

DAX: And then-give you two choices

I hesitated

LINDEN: Like..what..?

He paused for a moment, then said.

DAX: ‘Choose’ fingers or knees

DAX: If you don’t choose, they’ll choose for you.

We both sat in silence as the conversation was mainly information and yet I had an unsettling feeling that there was something else happening then just breaking a bone or two.

LINDEN: Dax..

He didn’t look up but I knew he was listening.

LINDEN: Do..you think they’ll do the same to…

Suddenly the roaring of the crowd overlaid their screams above my question. Quickly we both looked out of the small opening and saw that the fiery redhead was there.

Making a face of concern, Dax said

DAX: Is–Is that the guy..?

I nodded in confirmation.

Dax just looked with an unknowing expression.

DAX: I mean you beat him before right? What’s the difference now?

I sighed with a slight breath.

LINDEN: We’ve barely managed to beat him–even with our gear..

LINDEN: But I was the one who held Alaine back.

Daxs’ face lit up a bit–as if to realize something.

DAX: So..what's the problem?

I looked up towards the sands–not knowing what was to come.

DAX: You’re worried Alaine would have a slight chance to fail?

Squinching parts of my face, I nodded minutely as to limit my expression of anxiety.

DAX: Well, doubt is always a good thing, if anything it’ll keep you alive.

Without looking up–I didn’t speak my mind.

DAX: We’ll just have to hope anyway..

I just nodded.

LINDEN: Y-Yeah..you’re right..

With a couple of minutes passing–Alaine soon came out of the opposite end at which she seemed scratched and pitted with dust. Her nose bled minutely but quickly ran dry as she wiped away the pain to continue her path forward towards the arena. The redhead–looked with an unfamiliar face before putting on a more sinister smile.

DOMINIC: Well, well, well; if it ain’t the little missy who gave me these ‘hideous’ scars.

DOMINIC: I’ll tell you what–it was an underestimation that I was holding back and since you got your ass handed to ya by yours’ truly! I believe this won’t turn out well for you.

Alaine only stared in silence for a couple of minutes before lifting an arm to pluck out a hidden hair tie.

ALAINE: Is that so?

With her hair tied up and flipping the length of her new ponytail within the air; she ruffled the front of her hair.

ALAINE: Well I think I’ve figured you out, and..man you’re boring.

With an expression of arrogance, Alaine piered at the man

[VOICE]: Ready! Get set!

With the both readying themselves in their fighting stances, the audience seeker exclaimed. 

[VOICE]: KILL!

As Dominic rushed head first–the cranking of his powered arm flanked Alaines’ left side. Its prediction was potent. Glinting a subtle shine–Alaine swiftly ducks and successfully lands a lower jab onto the man's ribs. Unphased, the man swifty turns and reaches his hand for a grab but only to grip the fleeting air. With another duck and a roll–Alaine’s swift build passes the man's hulking mass.

Standing back on her feet she gives the man a wave with her fingers facing up–taunting Dominic with her assured safety. Gritting his teeth in an uncertain smile–he launches himself with a coiling pressured arm of muscle and strength.

Bringing his right hook into a left jab, Alaine forwards every dodge as if she was foretold the future. Grasping her balance, Alaine alters her stance into a roundhouse kick–hitting the man spot on with a.

POW!

DOMINIC: U-Ugh!

With a rising annoyance the man unleashes a flurry of fastening burrages at Alaine.

Finding each space between heavy but devastating punches, Alaine Counteracts each fist with a swiftening integral blow.

With a fist inches away from Alaines’ face; she quickly grapples the arm of Dominic and kicks him squarely in the jaw. 

As Alaine Curveballs away to gain some space–she waits for his next move. Unexpectedly Dominic chuckled to himself as he spoke.

DOMINIC: Hehehe..hey–how’abouta deal?

Spurting the blood from his nose he kept on speaking.

DOMINIC: You tell me how to turn on these gloves and  I’ll only give ya cigarette burns.

With a silent stare, Alaine kept silent.

DOMINIC: Fine…but don’t beg for mercy when I scorch your ass!”.

Rushing at her once again Dominic nics Alaine’s right arm–scraping it with the friction of his formidable brute, yet she does not falter. Countering with another rib jab her perseverance this time made the man stand still until he raised his right arm high into the air.

Breaking into almost a dance–Alaine pats the sands with a hand and lifts her body upward; kicking the sand and dust from her inertia onto the man's face directly.

Pow!

With the fight now seemingly over–Alaine flips the man onto his back.

ALAINE: Was that it?

Finding the same old sinister smirk, Dominic just laughs.

DOMINIC: Hah! That’s easy for you to say..genius.

Focusing a glint in his eyes, a billowing of smoke rises from the core of his knuckles–he then quickly grabs Alaine's foot standing atop of him.With a single swing–Alaine stumbles and flies across the sands. Out from the dust the man pounces; with his fist up high he swings down heavily.

POOM!

Barely scraping her face–her sight was forced by dust and grain. Throwing another punch towards Dominics’ face.

His unphased glare only grew more impatient–with another swing of his hefty arm a sounding,

WOOSH!

With her slim build–Alaine easily flips and dodges the man's unreasonable contact. With sweat dripping from her face, I now realize the strengths’ between two talented fighters.

LINDEN: I-Is Alaine..gonna be alright..?

Turning to Dax I looked with anxiety.

DAX: Honestly..I’m not sure…

DAX: I’d be less worried if he didn’t turn on those gloves though…

Looking away for a moment to gather my thoughts I soon looked back at him–and strangely said.

LINDEN: Well…How’d those things work anyway..?

Dax paused for a moment–looking at me then back at the arena.

DAX: Mm..well I don’t think Alaine would mind me telling her secret.

DAX: Since we’ve pretty much grown up together..

DAX: The way it works is that with each punch or friction created from each contact. The amount of energy is stored within the gloves heating system–sort of like trapping hot air.

DAX: Eventually it’ll all release randomly when it's at full capacity..but..

He took a minor pause.

DAX: The real trigger is the blood within your adrenaline gland. If a certain threshold within your blood flow passes a certain limit–the gloves will activate no matter how much heat is stored up inside.

He then went on to say.

DAX: So it all really depends on how much heat is stored and this would give you an advantage within a fight–though it’ll last around six minutes at most.

I tried thinking to myself before looking back at the fight; but being unable to concentrate on a logical thought I could only watch as my comrades' life was at risk. 

As the crowd kept cheering from each blazing blow the redhead threw. The missing shot of pressure and coiled muscle sent the air twirling as if it were made of butter.

DOMINIC: What’s wrong!?

DOMINIC: Don't have the stamina to dodge much more?

Alaine’s face grew more irritated.

Going in for a coiling straight, the man unleashed his fist with sparkling furry.

Finding her counterattack interrupted by a flaming

FLOAM!

A cindering burn singed across the right side of her shirt–sizzling and blazed to the touch.

Despite the vulnerable spot opening up, Alaine didn’t stop her movement.

Using her momentum of a last minute dodge–her hand reaches for a metallic piece hidden within her shirt.

Pulling out what seems to be a chain–she strikes heavily.

CRACK!

Dominics’ head reeled back with a reverberation.

DOMINIC: ARGH!

Finding the mind to reform itself into its primeval instincts, he wildly looked with rage and screamed with verbal anger.

DOMINIC: AAAAARRRRRRGGGHHH!

Slamming his force into nothing once more, Alaine’s chained fist reached Dominics’ face once more.

CRACK!