Chains clang as handlers for the beherit let go of the restraints, and I turn to Bellator.
“Get up, get up,” I beg. Willing him with everything I have to stand and prepare. His arm jabs down, fisting the dirt before rubbing it between his two palms.
“Yes, brother. Yes.” Steve murmurs.
With immense strength, he moves one leg so he's kneeling, followed by a grunt loud enough for me to hear, and he stands. His eyes close, the strain he's under evident as he rolls his neck. The shock collar sitting heavy on his shoulders. Pulling the two gladius swords from behind his back, he steps forward, ready.
His foot is dragging.
His arm is twitching.
Suddenly, he drops a sword, letting out an almighty roar as he claws at the collar. The Emperor,now clutching his stomach as he bellows a laugh. Waving something in his hand at us. He lifts his arm in the air, the beherit catching the movement, waiting to begin the battle. Bellator staggers ahead, fighting the pain that wants to see him fall, while Steve and I have no choice but to watch. The Emperor's arm drops, the crowd is silent as they absorb yet another of his punishments. I can’t just stand here, waiting to watch my bonded be killed.
We stick to the plan.
Kill the Emperor.
But first, we need to free Bellator.
Taking a deep breath, I scream with all the air I have in my lungs. I scream to get Bellator's attention. I scream to tell him where we are. I scream to distract the beherit, to mess with the Emperor’s plan. I scream my frustrations. I scream to save my bonded.
Chapter 27
Bellator
The beherit is close enough to block the blinding light of the illuminating sky orb, the ring of death pulsating in its chest, ready to tear me apart if I get close enough. My swords clash against his obsidian stone skin, the jagged ends leaving more cuts into my already torn flesh.
“Bellator!” Rosie screams somewhere to the side of me. I must be close to her now. The beherit towers over me; this one must still be young, as it stands only three times my size. My broken leg feels like jelly, my arms losing their strength. Blood covers my hands, making the grip on my swords slick. Bright blue clashes with a fire orange, our blood merging like oil and water.Enemies to the end.
I should fall.
I should let the beherit have this victory.
I have wounded it, yes. It’s fast movements now slower as it tires alongside me. We have been fighting for minutes or hours. I do not know. The colosseum remains quiet with only the clash of metal and stone ringing out. My neck is burning, the collar so hot I feel it singe each layer of skin away. The weight of my eyes feels heavy, the need of my body wanting to surrender to the pain. But not yet. Something stubborn keeps me standing in place, waiting for my opportunity to strike. The beherit swings, its body bending as it swipes at the ground I'm standing on. Leaping on his arm, I take three steps, almost losing my footing as my leg gives way under me, plunging my sword into one of its bright orange eyes. I waste no time as it stumbles forward, clawing at its face, the ground shaking as it crashes down.
The first rule in war is never show your back to your enemy, but right now, I don't care. This is the one chance I might be given to get to my brother and Rosie. My legs scream as I push forward, each breath feels like hot embers, the gash to my side has reopened and is pulsing blood. Scrambling up the arena wall, I throw myself into their viewing box, finding instant relief as Rosie’s small human hands cup my face.
“You stupid, stupid orc,” she sobs, showering my face in a thousand kisses. The softness of her lips healing me with each touch. My needs are purely selfish now, the hunger raw and desperate to live with Rosieby my side.
“Bellator.” Steve’s voice is clipped, but he can wait.
“One minute,” I mumble, my shoulders sagging from exhaustion.
“Open your eyes, Bellator. You can't give in to it yet.” Cracking my eyes open, her lips are pursed, brow furrowed as she concentrates. Light fingers explore my neck, her jaw clenching as she breathes, “Got it.” A click and a swing, and just like that, the collar clangs as it falls to the floor.
“Bellator,” Steve barks, but my attention remains on Rosie.
My arm trembles as I hold her face, mesmerised by her beauty.
“Bellator!”
A shadow moves over us, the shaded viewing box further veiled into darkness. Rosie’s eyes widen, staring above me. Steve moves beside me, grunting and pushing me forward as I tackle Rosie to the floor, protecting her head and body as I wrap mine around hers. Bracing her in the corner, pressed against the cool stone walls, I turn back and look in horror as the beherit stands in front of the viewing box, its head and shoulders perfectly placed above the balustrade.
My brother. My kind and gentle brother gave up our way of life to live a calm existence in another Realm. And now he stands poised in front of our enemy. My bloodied sword in one hand, his dagger in the other. Rosie squirms where I hold her, the painedwords, “Steve, no,no!”Repeating over and over, but I will not let her go.
My other sword remains in the beherits eye, his head turned slightly so it can better see us with the one remaining. Its breathing is slow and deep, nostrils flaring as it takes us all in. Thick, suffocating rage surrounds it, the air coiling as steam spurts from its crown of horns. Sparks flickering to flames. Its head dips slightly, jaw extending wider than natural. The sound that comes next isn't just noise, it's a force. The air shifts as it pierces through it, dust raining from the ceiling above us as it becomes dislodged. I feel it in my bones. Rosie trembles in my arms as she buries her head in my chest. Once again, I turn my back to my enemy, completely covering Rosie's body with my own, wrapping myself around her so she is cocooned in safety.
Suddenly, the roaring stops. Replaced by a sputtering.
