Fighting.
Dorian took another glance around the crowd and caught Hagen's eye. Hagen raised his cup, and Dorian raised a sword.
The entire stadium erupted. The ground vibrated beneath the jeers and the excited stamping of their feet on the floors.
Entertainment, he remembered Katla saying.
He wondered what kind ofentertainmenthe would be in store for that day.
As Hagen stood and began announcing the fight, Dorian closed his eyes and relished the sun’s warmth as it beat his skin. He blocked out the noise of the people and the sound of Hagen’s voice in an attempt to calm his nerves.
Sword twirling in his hand. Neck cracking. Cheers echoing.
He could do this.
Hagen hadn't finished talking, but Dorian made his way out into the middle of the Ring anyway.
The gate opened where his opponent should have come from. Dorian set his feet. He was ready. Ready for whatever the Blackhands had for him.
The crowd quieted. The iron gate groaned and creaked as it lifted. Dorian squinted at the darkened tunnel as a small creature emerged from the shadows.
A goat.
Dorian straightened. The noise of people muttering filled his ears, and he realized they were just as confused as he.
A wisping shadow caught the corner of his eye. But as he turned, it vanished.
Silence fell over the stadium. Dorian's eyes narrowed as he looked around him, chin still dipped down. His stomach emptied of feeling, and his heart stilled. The silence thickened, and his palms began to sweat.
An elongated purr reverberated through the air.
One so deep and bone-chilling that every hair on Dorian's body stood.
Dorian froze.
He fixated on a singular spot on the ground, focusing on movement in his peripherals. His every muscle paralyzed in anticipation.
A growl sounded behind him.
Low, deliberate, menacing.
Dorian’s fist clenched around his blade. He could feel the beast behind him. Feel its breath on his neck. Its growl soaking his skin.
Dorian whirled.
But his blade only caught smoke.
"BEHIND!" Corbin shouted.
Dorian turned. Fanged teeth bared at his face.
The beast lunged, mouth open, growl echoing. Dorian stumbled and fell to his back. All he saw was fire. He swiped at the beast, but it evaporated in smoke.
Dorian jumped to his feet and set up again, heart pounding in his ears. He listened for movement and that purr again. He was only granted sight of it in vapors.
Gasps sounded from the crowd.
The creature had appeared again, this time staying in one spot.
