---

In the Governor's Box, the air was thick with tension. Governor Atlas stood, his massive hammer resting on his shoulder, watching the Arena floor intently. To his left, Doctor Orlova and Bella Brown, their eyes fixed on the battle unfolding below. To his right, Nova, the mysterious Oryctolagus, observed the scene with an unreadable expression. Captain Nigel Carter beside her, looking around anxiously, as if a patient waiting for a test result.

Orlova shifted uncomfortably, noting Nigel's impatience, her hazel eyes then flicked towards Bella. "Curses for your thoughts?" she asked, her voice cheery and inquisitive.

Bella, taken aback, turned to face Orlova, her green eyes widening in surprise.

"Pardon me, Doctor?" she replied, her voice steady despite the sudden rush of emotion that coursed through her.

Orlova's gaze drifted down to Bella's form-fitting bronze latex uniform, then back up to her face. "Your posture. Your expression. It's as if you wanted another checkup in the medbay, if you catch my meaning."

"Oh, that," Bella blushed as she paused, "My sparring session with Tatyana was, interesting. She kept making references to my, former, Imperial training. I can't help but wonder if there is something I'm missing." Bella's voice trailed off, her gaze drifting back to the Arena floor where Tatyana downed an opponent with one blow as she fought her way toward the Suphalak twins.

Orlova's eyebrows raised slightly, her interest piqued. "Well, it's likely due to the former First Officer also being of Imperial training." Orlova's voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes flicking towards Nigel, who seemed lost in thought, his gaze still fixed on the Arena floor.

Bella nodded at the revelation. "As I surmised. Tatyana harbors ill-will towards me because of her. That is why I had hoped that the former First Officer would be able to shed some light on the situation when she arrived." She glanced at Nigel, who still seemed lost in thought, before turning back to Orlova. "But she hasn't shown up yet, has she?"

Orlova shook her head. "No, she hasn't. And she won't. Not her, because she's..." Orlova's voice trailed off, her expression growing somber.

"She's... what, who?" Bella asked, her voice barely audible, yet filled with a mix of confusion and apprehension.

Orlova hesitated, "She's Tatyana's mother, Bella. And she's not coming because... Well, I suppose you could ask Nigel... No, best you let Tatyana tell you about that." Orlova's gaze drifted back to the Arena floor, where Tatyana was now squared off against Kael, the male Suphalak twin. The crowd roared, their voices echoing off the stone walls as the two combatants circled each other, staffs humming with energy.

Bella's eyes widened in shock, her mind racing with a thousand questions. She had heard rumors about Tatyana's mother, whispers of a former First Officer who had left the Titans Pillar under mysterious circumstances. But she had never connected those rumors to the woman who had given birth to Tatyana.

"She's... Tatyana's... Nigel's... but her family name on record wasn't Carter." Bella's voice was barely a whisper, her mind racing with the implications of this revelation.

Orlova nodded slowly, her gaze still fixed on the Arena floor. "No, it wasn't. And that's a story for another time. For now, just know that Tatyana's mother was a formidable woman, and her absence has left a void in Tatyana's life. A void that you, Bella, seem to have unwittingly stepped into."

Bella's eyes widened as she realized the gravity of the situation.

She had always known that Tatyana held a grudge against her, but she had never understood the root cause. Now, it seemed, she was finally getting some answers. But they only led to more questions. Questions that only Tatyana would answer honestly.

---

Down on the arena floor, the battle royale had died down as the number of combatants thinned out. The skirmishes had whittled down to three separate areas of the arena.

Bjorn, to his credit, was taking on multiple foes at a time. His massive frame and amazing strength forced the remainder of the gladiators on him, allowing the others to fight the Suphalak twins. It was clear that, barring someone flaunting the rules, he would win his fair share of arena matches.

Tatyana, now drenched in sweat and panting had found an agile foe in Kael, the male Suphalak twin. She had managed to land a few solid hits, but Kael's agility and speed were unmatched. He seemed to anticipate her every move, always managing to dodge or deflect her attacks at the last second. Almost as if he was fighting her to a draw, not wanting to end the fight too quickly. She knew she needed to up her game if she wanted to take him down.

"Come on, pussycat," she taunted, her voice echoing through the Arena. "Is that all you've got?"

Kael's lips curled into a smile, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement.

"You're feisty, I'll give you that," he said, his voice a low purr. "But you're going to have to do better than that if you want to stop me and my sister."

Tatyana smirked, her tail swishing behind her. "Oh, I fully intend to," she replied with a gasp. She noted that both Damian and Lucas were fighting the sister, impressed how well they worked together. She couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, wishing she was in the middle of that fight instead of the slow dance with Kael.

Kael's smirk widened, sensing her distraction. "You're worried about your friends, aren't you? That's a weakness, and we intend to exploit it."

Tatyana's eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on her staff. Kael's choice of words at times were puzzling, almost as if he was trying to convey a message. She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand.

"Your sister seems to be having a good time with my friends," Tatyana taunted, nodding towards the other side of the Arena where Lyra was engaged in a fierce battle with Damian and Lucas. "Maybe you should go help her."

Kael's smile didn't falter, but his eyes flashed with a hint of concern. "Lyra can handle herself. Besides, I have orders to keep you occupied," Kael replied, his voice still casual, but his eyes never leaving Tatyana's. He took a step forward, his staff humming with energy. "And I must admit, I'm enjoying our little dance."

Tatyana mirrored his movement, her own staff crackling with power. There was something off about him, something that didn't quite fit the picture of a ruthless Arena gladiator. He was toying with her, not trying to incapacitate her or end the fight. Tatyana couldn't understand why, but she knew she had to find out.

"Orders from who exactly, Kael?" she pressed, her voice firm, yet laced with an underlying curiosity.

Kael's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. "That's not important," he replied, his voice no longer casual. "What matters is that my sister and I have a job to do, and we intend to see it through. Though, it doesn't hurt to enjoy one's work while doing so."

Kael's body twisted with surprising agility, wrapping his lower body around her leg while his upper body and head parted her hefty bosom to face her. His golden eyes met hers, his lips mere inches from her. "We could make this more interesting, you know?" he whispered, his breath warm on her face.

Tatyana's heart raced, not from fear, but from surprise and something else she couldn't quite place. She felt a heat rise within her, a sensation she hadn't felt in a long time. She pushed it aside, focusing on the present and performed a suplex, slamming his back against the ground behind her. "Stop playing with me, Kael. I don't enjoy it," she growled, her voice low and dangerous, as she recovered into a split, her tail straight up, one hand braced against the ground, the other recovering her staff.

Kael chuckled, flipping himself back up, his agility allowing him to regain his footing quickly. "All's fair in love and war, my sweet," he replied, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "You're right, though. I am playing with you, but I do enjoy it."

Tatyana's grip tightened on her staff. She was overthinking this, best just to bludgeon this pussycat until he stops moving. Tatyana took a deep breath, her muscles tensing as she prepared to lunge at Kael.

But before she could make her move, a sudden commotion erupted from the area where Damian and Lucas were fighting Lyra. The word "Blade!" was yelled by Lucas, as Damian came up holding his bleeding side, only to then fall to his knees, vomiting.

"Poison?" Tatyana asked in a whisper, only to notice out of the corner of her eye that Kael was readying a projectile weapon, his aim focused on High Governor Atlas seated in the box above. Time seemed to slow as Kael's finger flexed, ready to release the deadly projectile.

Without a moment's hesitation, Tatyana launched herself at Kael, her staff extended like a spear. She slammed into him, knocking him off balance and sending the projectile down into Kael's own leg. The crowd gasped, then roared in approval as one. Tatyana and Kael grappled, their bodies locked, each vying for control.

"Assassin!" Tatyana spat, her eyes locked onto Kael's. "You will fail, coward." She grunted, struggling to keep Kael's arm pinned down, preventing him from launching another projectile. Her muscles burned, but she refused to yield.

Lyra, seeing her brother down, let out a deafening roar and broke free from Damian and Lucas. With a crackle of energy around her legs, Lyra leapt the incredible distance towards Atlas' box, her eyes wild with rage and desperation.

In the box, Commander Kronos came with a troubling communique. "Governor, the neighboring province of Vestra has just reported an attack. Governor Maria is... dead." his voice quivered as he delivered the news.

Atlas' face darkened, his grip tightening on his hammer. "You have the timing of the cursed Ancients, Kronos." he spoke, unfazed as he stared down the sudden threat before him, his tone surprisingly calm.

All the while, spittle came out of Lyra's crazed mouth as she landed gracefully on the balcony, brandishing twin blades, no doubt coated with poison.

She was ready to take on anyone who dared to stand in her way. Her eyes, wild and feral, darted between Atlas, Nova, and the guards, calculating her next move.

That fleeting moment of calculation was her undoing. Atlas had left everyone’s field of vision, moving with the grace of a breeze rather than his bulk might suggest. When he reappeared, he was behind Lyra, his massive hammer already swinging. The impact of the hammer against Lyra's right arm and chest sent her flying, her twin blades clattering out of her hands as she landed heavily back down on the arena floor.

Kael's strength started to wane as the poison in the projectile coursed through his veins. Tatyana, noticing his weakening grip, managed to pry his arm away from the weapon, sending it skittering across the sand. She then used her momentum to roll away from him, coming up in a crouch, staff at the ready.

"Tatyana!" Atlas bellowed, then threw down his hammer, the sound of it striking the floor echoing throughout the arena. "Finish this!" his voice boomed, his eyes meeting hers.

She nodded, picking up the large hammer with surprising ease as she made her way to the prone Lyra. The bloodthirsty crowd roaring in approval. The hammer in her hands seemed to hum with an ancient power, ready to crush anything in its path.

Sensing her impending doom, Lyra choked out through tears and blood, "Wait, wait! It was the Tribold Pirates..." but Tatyana did not relent. She swung the hammer, which bypassed the energy shield, crushing Lyra's left arm and sending her sprawling to the ground. Lyra's screams echoed through the arena, but Tatyana was not finished. She advanced, her grip tightening on the hammer, her eyes locked onto Lyra's, who was now cowering in pain and fear.

"They made us an offer: Install our father as the new Governor of Vesta. In return we take out Atlas, and deliver them the artifact..." Lyra cried out, her voice cracking, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. "Please, Tatyana, I beg of you, don't kill me."

Tatyana paused, the hammer poised to strike, her eyes narrowing as she studied Lyra's pleading expression. She felt a pang of sympathy but was quickly reminded of Damian's pain by the sound of his groans.

Tatyana swung the mighty hammer, which thundered when it hit the ground... off to the side of Lyra's crumpled form.

Her eyes scanned the arena floor. Kael, still on the ground, was coughing up blood, his body wracked with convulsions as the poison from his own projectile coursed through his veins. Lyra, on the other hand, was barely conscious, her arms shattered, and her body battered from Tatyana's relentless assault.

The crowd roared in approval, with Tatyana simply lifting the hammer over her head in triumph.

Atlas nodded with a smile at the beaming face of Tatyana, then turned to Commander Kronos, "Send out a new order: Find all Tribold Pirates in the system and bring them to me. Dead or alive, I care not. But make sure they are alive long enough to confess their sins and reveal the mastermind behind this treachery."

Kronos nodded, his face grave, before rushing off to carry out the order.

Back in the arena, Kael slowly pulled out a pouch with several syringes, injecting himself with an antidote. A massive shadow fell over his trembling form, and he looked to see Bjorn, carrying the stricken Damian in his arms.

The bear-man's face was etched with fury as he leaned over Kale, "You better have brought enough for everyone, punk." Bjorn's voice rumbled like distant thunder, his gaze shifting between Kael and the syringes in his hand. Kael's shaking hand froze mid-air, his eyes widening as he looked up at the towering figure looming over him.

"Y-yes, of course," Kael stammered, his voice barely audible over the roar of the crowd. He quickly grabbed another syringe and held it out towards Bjorn, who snatched it from his grasp with a growl.

"Damian's a good kid," Bjorn said, his voice softer as he knelt down beside his injured friend.

"He doesn't deserve what you've done to him." he mused as he took the syringe from Kael and plunged it into Damian's neck, the antidote coursing through his body.

Kael watched, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and regret. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice hoarse from pain and fright. "We were told... we were promised... so much."

Bjorn's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on Kael's collar. "Well, I can only promise you this. Whatever payment of flesh Atlas doesn't take from you, I will. So, we best not ever cross paths again." Bjorn's voice was as cold as ice. Kael's eyes widened in fear, and he nodded vigorously, his earlier bravado replaced by sheer terror.

Thus, the Suphalak twins lay on the arena floor, Lyra whimpering in pain, Kael trembling in fear. As they both held each other's gaze, they both sighed in the relief that they were still alive.

The crowd, sensing the end of the battle, started to disperse, their cheers and jeers fading into the distance.