The midday heat soaked the wooden boards as a woman stood atop a small platform in the middle of the square. Dust hung in the air, carried by the buzz of the crowd that circled the pit. Her cloak was torn at the edges, voice sharp and practiced as she announced to everyone below.
"Welcome to the Pit! Rules are simple—no killing, no mutilation, and most of all—no cheap shots. You aim for the eyes, the throat, or anything indecent, you're out. Got it?"
The crowd howled in response, stomping their feet against the dirt and stone.
She raised her arm, gold glinting from a small pouch in her hand. "Winner takes one thousand gold! Last one standing gets the prize!"
The noise exploded. Coins clattered as people began betting among themselves, the pit walls rumbling under the chant of names and wagers.
Nadia, Rael, and Sela stood at the edge of the crowd.
Rael crossed his arms. "Alright... easy money"
Nadia cracked her knuckles lazily. "Sounds fun. Who's going first?"
Sela glanced at both of them. "If we all fight and somehow win, we'll have to face each other. Not smart."
"So… one of us then," Nadia said. "Which one?"
Rael looked at Nadia. "You."
Nadia blinked. "Me? Why? I'm the weakest here? Sela could destory the entire arena."
"true but," Rael said, smirking. "You need the experience. You can't get better if you just watch."
Sela nodded. "He's right. And besides, none of these people look that tough."
Nadia looked at the others in the pit—fighters with rough stances, scars, and makeshift armor. "Not that tough? They look like they eat bricks for breakfast…"
Rael patted her shoulder. "You'll be fine. Trust your flames."
She sighed, nerves twisting in her gut. "You both better not regret this."
As they continued talking, the announcer's voice rang again.
"For the first round! Fighter one—Nadia Fier! Fighter two—Herga Truen!"
The crowd cheered.
Nadia took a deep breath. "Alright… here goes nothing."
She stepped forward, and before she could think twice, leapt down into the pit. Her boots hit the compacted dirt with a dull thud. It smelled of sweat, ash, and dry blood. The air was heavy—quiet, except for the murmurs above.
The pit wasn't as wide as she'd expected. Cramped, walled with stone, nowhere to run far. "Great," she muttered, stretching her arms.
Then her opponent dropped in.
Herga was massive—nearly two heads taller, muscles carved like boulders. Her jaw was square, her eyes dull like sanded stone, and her hair was cut short. There was almost nothing feminine about her presence—just brute strength wrapped in calloused skin.
Rael squinted from above. "That's a woman??"
Sela shrugged. "Apparently."
Herga cracked her neck, voice low and rough. "Hope you last more than a minute."
The announcer raised her arm again. "Remember the rules—no lethal blows, no cheap hits, fight clean. Begin!"
Herga immediately slammed her fist into the wall beside her, ripping out a chunk of rock. The earth obeyed her like clay—she molded it into the shape of a massive axe, jagged but solid.
Nadia's eyes widened. Constellation of Gairos… Earth.
"Close-range fighter," she murmured to herself. "Big mistake."
She raised her right hand, flames curling up from her palm. They flickered black at the edges, darker than she remembered. For a split second, she hesitated—then shook it off.
Herga charged.
The ground trembled under each step. The axe came down with a violent swing—Nadia rolled to the side, the blade slamming into the dirt where she'd stood, kicking up a shockwave.
She spun on one heel and thrust her palm forward—sending a burst of flame that exploded against Herga's shoulder.
But Herga just blocked it with her axe, molten sparks flying off the stone.
"She's fast!" Rael shouted from above.
"No," Sela corrected. "she was way to close for comefort."
Herga stomped her foot—an earthen pillar erupted beside Nadia, smashing into her ribs and sending her skidding into the dirt. She gasped, the wind knocked out of her, flames flickering weakly around her hand.
"too close too bad" Herga sneered, lifting her axe.
Nadia rolled away as the weapon came down again, the earth cracking on impact. She raised her arm just in time—flames burst around her, forming a flickering barrier. The axe struck it, sending a hiss of smoke into the air.
Herga grinned. "You think a wall of fire's gonna stop me?"
She raised her weapon high—but Nadia's eyes glowed faintly. The flames around her twisted its glow fading losing colour, it condensed, and formed into a concentrated beam that shot straight into Herga's axe.
The weapon shattered—crumbling to ash and rock dust.
"What—!?" Herga stumbled back, staring at the pieces in disbelief.
From above, Rael leaned forward. "That wasn't her normal flame… was it?"
Sela frowned. "No… it wasent"
Nadia panted, staring at her own hand. Her flame was no longer red—it burned dark, almost like ink bleeding into light. It felt heavy, alive. For a moment, she thought she heard a faint whisper in it. Something deep. Something wrong.
Herga roared, breaking her trance. She slammed her foot down again, sending spikes of stone rushing toward Nadia. The girl reacted instinctively—throwing a wave of fire across the ground. The flames slithered forward like a living serpent, devouring the spikes as they came.
The fire outpaced the earth, crawling toward Herga's feet. She cursed, trying to leap aside, but the heat scorched her boots. She screamed, falling backward, smoke rising from her legs.
Nadia didn't hesitate this time—she raised both hands and fired a stream of fire straight ahead, the black flame twisting in its wake.
Herga raised her arms in panic—too late. The blast hit her chest and sent her crashing into the pit wall.
When the smoke cleared, Herga lay motionless, groaning.
The announcer didn't wait. "Herga Truen—down! Winner—Nadia Fier!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and gasps. Nadia stood still, staring at her hands again. The black fire faded, replaced by faint orange.
"…What was that?" she whispered.
Rael and Sela jumped into the pit, running up to her.
Sela grinned. "good job."
Rael chuckled. "That was amazing."
But Nadia didn't smile. She clenched her fist, watching a faint trace of smoke rise from her palm—still black.
"Something's… wrong with my fire."
Sela raised a brow. "Wrong?"
"It didn't listen. It moved on its own for a second. Like it wanted to burn her."
The crowd continued cheering, unaware of her unease. rael spoke up
"Hey, whatever it is—it won you the match. Be proud."
Nadia nodded slowly, but her eyes stayed on the burned ground where her flame had struck.
The ash wasn't gray.
It was dark. Almost oily—like it had swallowed light itself.
For the first time, Nadia felt a shiver instead of warmth when she looked at her fire.