Every day, they would draw lots to pick who faced off against who.
Winners earned their stay; losers were sentenced to sleep with the beasts.
Those who had been defeated⦠Ariana had never seen them again; she knew what it meant to be defeated.
Her luck had held in earlier bouts, battling novices, fellow captives like her, and debt-ridden gamblers.
They were all weak and inexperienced.
Stepping into the ring always felt like a heavy burden on Arianaâs chest.
Her first adversary, a terrified young girl, had pleaded with Ariana for mercy.
The girlâs pleas had pierced Arianaâs heart deeply.
Despite her empathy, Ariana had known she couldnât afford to show mercy Bennett wouldnât let her off because of her compassion.
Ariana never saw that girl again afterward.
Next had come the gamblers, addicts, and other captives.
Ariana had never shown any mercy.
She grasped how this place transformed individuals into what Bennett desired -beast slaves or skilled fighters.
âs
Ariana harbored a deep-seated hatred for this place.
Soon, it was time for the next match.
Ariana checked her number and realized it was her turn.
She lifted her gaze and suddenly tensed up.
Luck wasnât on her side today, as she faced a seasoned beast slave.
The beast slave was a formidable character, towering at almost six-foot-three, with a fierce aura and battle-worn scars, a testament to his victories in combat.
Ariana had witnessed his brutality firsthand; his adversaries always left the ring battered and defeated.
Anxiety knotted Arianaâs stomach as she wondered if she would die here today.
Swallowing hard, she masked her fear and entered the ring.
She fought fiercely, deflecting the beast slaveâs savage attacks and seeking every opportunity to retaliate.
Initially, she held her own against his onslaught.
But as time passed, the gap in their endurance and power became evident, and Ariana struggled to match his ferocity.
Caught off guard, a vicious blow to her head sent her crashing.
Lying and feeling dizzy, Ariana looked at the ceiling.
She contemplated the possibility that this might be her final moment.