by Lyalya on March 23rd, 2012, 7:49 pm
Lyalya looked at the benshira woman waiting for her in the pit. At first, she was a little disappointed. Her gauntlet would reach further than the woman's short sword, Lyalya was roughly 3 inches taller, and the woman looked half starved. But, on further inspection, she picked up on the scars lacing her body. This benshira was not a stranger to these pits, she killed before. The dark haired woman, her hair braided down her back, seemed to be sizing Lyalya up as well. When their eyes matched, the benshira's icy blue eyes seemed to scream at her. They were determined, bloodthirsty, and just as stubborn as Lyalya was. This would likely be an even match.
The blonde beauty looked up to Cade who was waiting for her answer. With a smirk, she nodded and took her first step towards the pit. For some, the walk was like screaming doom, for other an impending slaughter. But for Lyalya, it an opportunity to truly live and prove to herself, and Cade, that she was capable.
Blade resting on the dirt floor, stained with blood, Lyalya stared the benshira slave down. She was use to intimidating anyone from thugs to Zith. But this woman had nothing to lose but her life, and it showed. When the battle began they raised their swords.
Not missing a beat, the Benshira charged, her sword swinging down from its perch on her shoulder. Lyalya swung her own blade up and they collided in a clash of metal. The slave woman kept coming at her, swing after swing Lyalya dodged, catching the blade with her own. People were beginning to cheer for their champion as neither girl won any ground. But Lyalya pushed them all out, leaving only her and the benshira woman.
With a grunt the woman raised her sword back high above her head, intent on smashing Lyalya's skill. But she was quicker and rushed forward becoming too close for the attack. But Lyalya only had the change to scrap into the woman's side before she brought the hilt of the sword down on the blond warriors forehead. They both fell back. As Lyalya raised herself, she could feel blood dripping down the side of her face, but her eyes stayed on the woman, now touching her side.
It was a chance, the first one she had been given. Lyalya let out a battle cry and swung her sword. The woman deflected the blow but as Lyalya's body turned and twisted, as elegant as any dance if you could ignore the blood, the woman began to back up. A few times they tumbled, dirt catching onto their clothing and exposed skin, rubbing their dripping blood in. Small cuts and gashes scattered over their bodies but neither had been able to nail that deadly blow. Both women were sweating and breathing hard, putting in quite the show for the noisy crowd.
Lyalya had her back against the wall as the benshira went to slice her again. With a kick square to the chest, the woman was sent back. But she returned, short sword raised high. Her voice screamed with every bit of instinct she had, the woman wanted to live. But Lyalya brought her sword to her side and as the woman began to swing, she thrust the blade into the opening the woman had created, and spun to the side. The sword hit the ground with a thud, the woman falling to her knees, a cry escaping her lips.
For a moment the crowd fell silent, waiting. The kneeling woman looked into Lyalya's eyes as blood dampened her torso. She was as good as dead, the blow taking her life slowly. With every bit of strength the woman had left, the benshira grabbed her sword and sprung towards Lyalya, hoping to take her with her. The crowd gasped, thinking there may be no victor. The time ticked by slowly, everything in slow motion. But Lyalya had expected this and blade swung, moving nearly motionlessly through the time-stilled air. She screamed, her muscles straining and she put all her energy into it. The blade swiped into the benshira's neck, killing her on impact.
Lyalya, turned, not needing to watch the womans head and body fall. Her face was dark and intense as she stared at the crowd in front of her, looking very much like the warrior she was. She raised her fist into the air and they roared.