Fresh Meat
"Nice to meet you, White Watch."
Fern Mask said.
Gladly, they have not made a single comment about my hero picked name being so similar to Black Watch.
Even he seems… nice.
All three of them are extremely welcoming.
"We needed a female in our group," Black joked. Making us all crackle up.
So far, everything seemed okay.
"Before you, Cool was the woman of the group."
Odd Star added, which made my eyebrows raise behind the gray mask.
I recalled hearing that name before, but I wasn't really sure.
"Cool. Is he also part of this group?"
I asked hesitantly.
"Oh yeah. M. Cool. He is often gone."
Fern said.
M. Cool. Such an odd name.
Suddenly, Black leaned in, whispering in my right ear. The sudden proximity made my heart race. My ear turned red when his hot breath brushed against the top of ear.
"He is quite rich. But we are not allowed to talk about it. Arena's rule."
He leaned back, and I released a deep breath.
That… made my skin prickle with an unknown feeling.
I felt flustered.
I pulled my hair from behind my ear to cover my heated ear top.
"So, what gave you the courage to become part of the arena?"
Fern Mask asked.
"You do realize that being part of the arena is tough. Extremely tough."
Odd Star added.
My eyebrows twitched behind my mask when Fern jabbed Star in his stomach with his elbow.
Yeah, he definitely wasn't supposed to say that
"Nothing really. I had my reasons. And I don't think I can really share them. Privacy reasons and all."
"Right. Of course. The arena loves to hold only our group to that standard."
Black Watch said.
What did he mean by that?
Before I could clarify, a woman spoke up. Her booming voice rang from my right ear to left.
I turned my head to see a trio walking towards us.
The first woman walked like the arena was hers by birthright. Pale skin, sharp elven ears, and hair so black it chewed up the light — braided down one side with metal rings flashing like tiny moons. A silver crown-piece rested on her head.
Pistachio-green eyes sliced straight through my mask. Her fitted black dress hit every note: high collar, deep neckline, armor-stitched bodice, ending mid-thigh before turning into sleek leggings and a split waist panel that swayed behind her with each stride. Gold trim traced every edge of her outfit.
And the smirk? Deadly. The kind you feel in your bones.
Beside her stood a man wrapped neck-to-toe in pitch black, the suit gripping onto every clean line of muscle. His waist was snatched. His mask left only his eyes visible, burning an unreal crimson. Messy black hair framed the mask.
He wasn't bulky; like someone built for precision. The tiny twitch at his mouth said he was amused… or plotting pain.
Honestly? Probably both.
And their leader stood in front — taller than both, pale enough for the arena lights to tint her green. Ink-black hair spilled past the horned headpiece crowning her, making her look half-royalty, half-nightmare.
Her gray-lilac eyes skimmed over me, bored, dangerous. A dark rune-etched collar hugged her throat, leading into armor that shifted between charcoal, obsidian, and violet, a gemstone pulsing at the center like a heartbeat.
Sharp pauldrons framed her shoulders, the rest melting into matte-black fabric that clung exactly where it wanted. She radiated ancient nobility.
Thump. Thump.
I swallowed hard.
"Hey, new girl. Welcome."
The girl with green eyes said. I felt intimidated by their presence alone, but now that they are speaking… in that gruelling mock voice, I could already feel something bad was about to happen.
"Can this little human not talk?"
The man in the all black suit asked, leaning down slightly.
Just then, Black Watch stepped in front of me.
"Skarvek, please back down."
Black Watch said to the man in all black.
"Oh, so that is how it is. Seems like the puny humans are finally getting some guts."
The woman with ink-black wavy hair said.
What is their deal?
From the corner of my eye, I saw Fern Mask step up and grab Black Watch's forearm and pull him back.
Seems like they don't want to get involved. Was I going to be on my own?
My stomach twisted. Great. Day one and I was already a sacrifice.
Just the thought made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
"So come along, little human."
Little human?
I am five foot four, not little.
What is wrong with this woman?
She grabbed my wrist harshly and yanked me forward, almost touching her chest. She towered over me by almost an entire foot.
"We are just going to have some fun."
She whispered. Her voice hit like iron — cold, heavy, unbending.
"Killer, let go of her!"
Black Watch insisted in a loud voice.
"Quiet down, Earth Boy!"
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