Lexi cursed softly as she pulled the damaged gauntlet free and slowly rotated her wrist. Her wrist was swollen, possibly sprained. She lifted up her hand and an attendant ran up. At Lexi’s request, the young woman tightly wrapped Lexi’s wrist with a fresh bandage. She offered to help Lexi put the gauntlet back on, but Lexi shook her head and let the armor drop to the ground.

The swelling, combined with the bandage would make it hard enough to get a full range of motion, by this point the gauntlet would only hinder that further.

Gritting her teeth, she drew Nightmare and traded the weapon off from one hand to the other. It hurt, but the pain was manageable. She repeated the action for a few more repetitions before finally nodding, as satisfied as she was going to get.

Next, she ran her fingers along the multitude of thin cuts that had shredded her pants. Craig had done more damage than she would have liked. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, letting the pain settle in her mind until it became nothing more than an afterthought.

She heard the crowd roar as another match came to an end. She sucked in a deep breath and returned Nightmare to the sheathe.

In another moment Octavious was calling her to the arena again.

"Ian Hunt of Dumas vs. Alexis Shadowhart of Voy!"

Gripping Nightmare’s pommel tightly Lexi marched into the arena. The sun had fully risen in the sky, and the bright light made her lift a hand to her eyes. As her eyes adjusted fully and she laid eyes on her opponent she was forced to stifle a gasp.

A monstrous man stood before her, clad from head to toe in gilded armor. Not one inch of skin had been left exposed, giving him an intimidating, inhuman look. In his spade-sized hands he cradled a large battle-axe. Etched with gold to match the armor, the blade was nearly as thick as Lexi was wide. Despite this, he held it aloft with a single hand.

xXx

“It’ll be fine, right? Yeah, it’ll be fine.” Romeo muttered to himself as he slumped down further in his seat. “Right? Yeah, right. Right?”

“Romeo, shut up already,” Banksy said.

"No, you don’t understand," Romeo said. "I mean, I already knew this was going to happen. Everyone did. I just… I mean you saw him last match. This is bad.”

“Lexi can take him,” Banksy said, punching one hand into the other. “She can do it!”

“You really don’t get it.” Romeo had gone pale. “I know that guy.”

"What?" Cross said. He didn't look away from the match, his eyes fixed firmly on his Leader.

“I mean I don’t know him personally, but everyone in Dumas knows him.”

“Romeo…”

"Ian is a Royal Guard. Specifically, a Queen’s Guard. He’s one of the best trained soldiers in Dumas.”

"Is he?" Alice leaned forward. "Interesting. I’ve never seen a Queen’s Guard in person. This should be quite entertaining."

Beside her Cross clenched his hand into a fist.

xXx

Lexi frowned as she sized up her opponent. His armour was dented in multiple places, but she didn't see any spots where it had actually been pierced. He could obviously take a tremendous amount of abuse. From the looks of that axe he could dish it out as well. A single blow from that would end the match in an instant. However, no matter how strong he was, he still wouldn’t be able to move as fast as her, not in that much armor, not with a weapon that large.

With that in mind Lexi began to move to the left, circling around Ian and forcing him to spin to keep his body facing her. She was slightly dismayed to see that despite her assessment, he seemed quite nimble on his feet.

It didn't matter to her though. In the end, she would be faster.

She had to be.

Closing into striking distance, she lunged forward and drew a swipe from Ian's axe. The axe moved through the air with impressive speed, but Lexi was still able to track it and ducked beneath the blade before stepping forward and stabbing Nightmare towards Ian. His great arm came down and deflect the blow and he brought the Axe back around. Lexi brought Nightmare to block the attack, and was nearly knocked off her feet as the weapons connected. Her feet cut deep gorges into the ground as the pure power of the strike slid her a few paces to the side.

Recovering, she ducked under Ian's next swing and was almost instantly met with his fist. Eyes widening, she twisted her body, angling her armored shoulder to take the brunt of the attack. The metal piece on her shoulder crumpled like tin as soon as Ian's fist made contact. Lexi felt her very bones tremble as the power rattled through her body and sent her staggering back. She had no time to recover as Ian brought the axe down. Nightmare flashed up to block and she shrugged off the attack, but only just.

Ian did not relent, bringing the axe down again. Again, she threw up Nightmare, her off hand pressing against the flat of the blade for support. Even so, the jolting attack sent her down to one knee. The moment was more than enough of an opportunity for Ian to swing his foot out and catch Lexi hard in the chest.

Her chest piece was next to useless and Lexi heard something audibly crack as she was lifted into the air and sent sailing. She landed in a tumble, but still managed to come back up on one knee. Her first breath sent a stab of fresh pain through her chest, but she didn't have time to worry about that as Ian charged after her.

As he lifted his axe high into the air, Lexi struck first, shooting up from the ground and thrusting out her sword, meeting his weapon before he could begin to swing it down and gain momentum.

The preemptive attack bought her a moment to slam her fist against his faceplate. It was a strong, solid punch, hard enough to bruise her knuckles as they connected with the harsh metal, but the attack was little more than an annoyance to Ian.

Recovering, his axe flashed around and Lexi was once again on the defense. She managed to deflect a series of blows, but could not find an adequate opening in which to counterattack. If she had more time, she could have searched his armour for weak points, but with the constant barrage of attacks there simply was no time to do anything more than survive.

Lexi glanced behind her and realized she was only steps away from the arena wall. In another moment Ian would have her trapped and she would have no option but to stand and fight.

And that was no option at all.

She tried to dart to the side but Ian stepped to block her, the Axe whirling around wildly for a moment, forcing her to step back yet again.

Her back hit the wall.

Lexi’s eyes widened as Ian let out a deep roar and hefted his weapon in both hands. Letting out a scream of her own, Lexi squared her stance and placed both her hands tightly around Nightmare’s hilt.

She would weather his next attack.

She would.

The axe came swinging towards her, too low to duck, and too close to dodge. A perfectly placed attack that left her only one option.

With no other choice Lexi swung Nightmare around to meet the attack. She had braced herself for the overwhelming power, but as soon as her sword made connection with the axe, she realized something was wrong. Despite the way Ian had swung the axe, there was actually very little force behind it. She was even able knock the weapon away with her own powerful swipe… Leaving her wide open as Ian drew a thin, needle-like dagger hidden in the bottom of the axe.

With all her might she brought Nightmare back around and actually managed to land a glancing blow on Ian's armored wrist, but his thrust was already too far forward and she only succeeded in changing the angle of the attack by a few degrees. The knife that had been intended for her heart easily pierced through her shoulder. She cried out as Ian pushed the dagger even deeper until his hand connected with her shoulder and he pinned her against the arena wall.

xXx

"A hidden weapon? How impudent!" Makina cried. “That has to be cheating. That cannot be allowed!”

"It's not against the rules," Cross murmured. He rubbed at his temple.

"Lexi doesn't stand a chance against that behemoth. This is completely unfair. That much armour and a hidden weapon? This is ridiculous!"

"She does seem to be in trouble," Alice said as Lexi struggled to free herself to no avail. For the moment, Ian seemed content to hold her in place as he began to adjust his grip on his Axe. "How disappointing."

Jiana spoke up before Cross could. "I would not count Lexi out yet."

"Really?" Alice's eyebrow went up. "I believe she looks like she is nearly done."

"Oh, do you? I don't think she does," Jiana smiled. "Actually, I think she looks quite enraged.”

xXx

Red.

Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red. Red.

Lexi saw nothing but red. It was like blood had been poured directly into her eyes, glazing over her vision and draping the world in a hazy mist of crimson.

The blade was still lodged in her shoulder, but the pain had faded to a dull throb.

She lifted up her hand and grasped the offending piece of metal. She tried to pull it free but Ian instantly pushed it back into place.

It stung.

What an annoyance.

“Ian.” The name slipped over Lexi’s lips and she lifted her head to stare at the monster before her, her head tilting ever so slightly to the side as she wrapped her fingers tighter around the dagger.

The red began to fade, forming into a tight ball of white-hot lead that burned through her entire being before settling as a blistering, boiling knot in her stomach. She moved her eyes to the thin dagger that was still impaled through her shoulder. Her grip on Nightmare tightened until her knuckles turned white and popped. That would mark the second time she had been caught off guard in the tournament.

There would not be a third time.

"Prepare yourself," Lexi said softly.

Ian paused for a moment, his head tilting in what Lexi guessed was amusement. His head was still tilted as Lexi ripped the blade a few inches out of her flesh. At the same time Nightmare came up, hissing through the air and traveling dangerously close to her body, the blade shaving a few tassels from her scarf.

The thick blade connected with the exposed section of the dagger and severed through it as though it were nothing more than a twig.

Shocked, Ian took a single step back, his head turning to look at the broken weapon in his hand. Lexi pounced on the opportunity. Her sword came swinging back down. The blade clanged against his helmeted head, ringing like a gong throughout the arena. The metal dented in, but failed to penetrate. Still, the blow had hurt and Ian stumbled backwards, one hand coming up to grab at his head.

There was blood in the water.

Lexi smiled wildly behind her scarf.

Stalking forward she swung Nightmare at him again, this time catching him across the side of the head with the flat of her blade. Ian blocked the next attack with the shaft of his axe and retreated back a step to regain his composure.

Lexi did not give chase as she adjusted her stance, dropping down low and crossed Nightmare defensively across her body.

“Stance Two: Fury.”

The two met in a furious clash of metal. Ian’s colossal Axe hissed through the air at incredible speeds, but no matter how hard he swung he was met by Nightmare, and Lexi showed no signs of backing down. Her feet planted firmly against the ground, she weathered every one of his attacks and returned her own, adding a handful of dents to his armor, but still failing to find a true killing blow.

As another exchange came to an end and Lexi slid back, dropping down to one knee and pulling Nightmare close to her side.

“Stance Five: Wrath”

Exploding from the ground, Lexi eradicated the distance between them and crashed shoulder first into Ian’s chest. The attack sent him stumbling back a handful of steps before he was able to regain his footing. He swung his weapon down, but Lexi was already behind him, slamming her fist in his armored flank.

Her knuckles burst open and rivers of blood cascaded down to the already bloodied ground, but when she pulled her hand free, she left behind a fist sized dent.

Ian swept his arm around and Lexi hopped back smartly before swinging her sword up to block his next strike. The attack was strong and Lexi allowed herself to be pushed back instead of trying to absorb it. Ian took the space and pressed the attack.

Lexi eyes narrowed as Ian lifted the axe high, as though he were splitting wood. Her muscles tensed and she lowered her body slightly, Nightmare gripped tightly in her fingers.

Ian brought his axe down.

Lexi stepped forward and caught the blade at an angle. The screech of metal filled the arena as Ian's axe traveled the length of Nightmare's blade and continued down. The axe blade slammed against the ground, pulverizing the floor and sending up a cloud of dust. Lexi took the chance to step onto the weapon, using it as a springboard to launch herself onto Ian's head. He reached up to grab her, but she spun around, nimbly avoiding his grasp and coming to rest on his back. Her dexterous fingers found purchase among the overlapping plates in his armour. The sharp metal bit into her fingers and Ian shook himself violently to dislodge her, but she held tight, baring her teeth against the pain.

His axe swung up and she brought Nightmare around to block. The weapons clashed loudly and sent painful vibrations through Lexi's arm. Ian stumbled to the side from the awkward movement. Lexi took the reprieve to adjust her grip, fingers already slick with blood, before she slammed Nightmare's thick pommel against the side of Ian's head. Metal rang against metal and Ian stumbled in pain. Lexi did not relent, swinging her arm down again and again, methodically attacking the same spot with the unforgiving weight of Nightmare's pommel.

A dent grew in the helmet, pressing in against Ian’s skull. He tried for another swing towards Lexi, but she kicked out her foot and caught him on the bicep. His arm was forced back down and Lexi struck his head again, her strength growing with every attack.

With a grunt Ian's strength failed him and he dropped down to one knee. The movement threw Lexi off balance and she lurched forward, sliding towards Ian's side. Her dark eyes grew wide as his armored fist wrapped round her thin ankle and pulled, hard. She managed to hold onto Ian for only a moment before his great strength wrenched her free, the metal plates opening deep gashes along her palm.

Bellowing, Ian swung Lexi around as though she weighed next to nothing.

Lexi's body smashed against the unforgiving arena floor with so much force she bounced. The air was violently expelled from her lungs. With a pathetic gasp she tried vainly to breathe, her fingers digging against the ground but failing to find anything to grab onto. Ian's grip on her leg tightened. With a wild thrash she kicked out her free foot and managed to catch him in the face. The kick was hard enough to knock Ian onto his back, but not before he tossed her to the side with all of his considerable might.

Whimpering in pain and surprise, Lexi flew across the arena before slamming against the harsh, stone wall and dropping to the ground.

In that moment, more than anything, Lexi wanted to stay down. She wanted to just close her eyes and let the blackness take her. It would be so easy. She could only see pinpricks of light as it was.

But she did not.

She gripped tight that cooling ember inside her stomach and forced it to burn bright again.

Blood wept from a gash somewhere along her hairline and into her left eye. She closed it as she slowly pushed herself back onto her knees and forced in a breath. A hacking cough wracked her chest and she spat out a mouthful of blood. It dripped from her scarf and down her chest. Without a second thought she pulled the scarf from her face and slowly rose back to her feet. With the back of her hand, she wiped the blood dripping down her chin and stared Ian down.

The giant had managed to return to his feet as well, but he was wounded. Lexi could see it in the way he stood. His shoulders slumped and his head hung heavy, tilted down towards the ground. A small river of blood leaked from the bottom of his helmet and splattered messily at his feet.

"This is the end," Lexi whispered as she stumbled towards him, her gait growing steadier with each step until she broke out into an all-out sprint.

Ian's axe came around and Lexi dove to avoid it, rolling onto her feet just in front of Ian. He threw a punch that Lexi sidestepped. Nightmare clashed against the side of Ian's head, adding another dent to his helmet and a fresh spurt of blood. Without looking she ducked under Ian's next swing and came up beside him. Gripping Nightmare in both hands she thrust the blade into his side, aiming at the dent she had left before, marked by her bloody fist print.

The tip of Nightmare punctured through, but the armor was well made and refused to give any more. Growling, Lexi dodged back to avoid Ian’s hasty attempt to counter before she surged back in, her target unchanged.

Screaming with bloodlust, Lexi slammed the blade into the small crack, forcing Nightmare through the opening. Muscles strained, she pushed with all her might, the blade screeching as it broke through inch by painful inch, until it was firmly lodged to the hilt.

Ian roared with pain and swung his elbow back. Too close and with no weapon to defend herself, Lexi was forced to accept the punishment. The strike caught her across the face and she was sent tumbling back, rolling end over end until she finally came to a stop some distance away on her stomach.

Ian made no move to come after her.

Gingerly, Lexi lifted herself back to her feet. Nightmare was still lodged firmly in Ian’s side and she doubted she had the strength to pull it free.

Still, her fingers tightened to fists and she lowered herself into a defensive position.

"Alexis Shadowhart." Ian's voice echoed out from beneath his helmet. Deep and booming, it reminded Lexi of thunder. "It has been an honor to battle you."

Ian let out a sound that almost sounded like a laugh before his knees buckled and he fell backwards. The boom of his great body hitting the ground was louder to Lexi than the cheers that suddenly filled the stadium.

"Ian Hunt, it was an honor.

Lexi dropped down to her knees and bowed her head. After a few moments, an attendant came and slowly helped her to her feet and escorted her out of the arena.