Page 40 of Gladiator Moon

Possibly.

That gets me thinking through a potential scenario. Perhaps an angel had arrived here with no intention to fight in the Games; rather, it was here to defeat the Dark One himself. Perhaps even under the disguise of a fighter. But had gotten himself or herself killed in the process. That seems likely, but how does one kill an angel? Maybe they aren’t as hearty here as they are in my universe.

This Dark One, do people actually see him? Like, does he make appearances? Make himself known?

Rarely. He influences from the shadows.

Is it generally known that he lives under the arena?

Yes and no. Many know, many have heard this, yet do not believe.

Is he feared? Is he generally known as the enemy?

Oh, yes. There are whole religions who paint him as the enemy to be feared.

Do you fear him?

My magic comes from him. In fact, all magic comes from him. He is, in effect, the source of magic.

So if he’s destroyed...

My magic will fail, as will everyone’s, including Baltazar’s.

So, by asking you to help me destroy the very thing that gives you and others like you a livelihood, I am asking you to help destroy your livelihood.

More. The very essence of who I am. Remember, I use magic for good. I use it to save lives, mend bones, heal wounds, and cure diseases. Do you plan on killing him, Samantha?

It’s on the table. We’ll have to see.

Now is an ideal time to slip between their defenses, as they are between guards. And Baltazar himself is likely refueling.

You mean eating?

Close enough. A wizard such as him often has to plug into the source of magic, especially considering how much he uses to oversee the Games.

Plug into?

Yes.

So, he’s connecting into the Dark One now.

Very likely.

How omniscient is this Dark One? Can he see us now?

No, not here. But he will be very aware of us once we step into the Arena, itself being an extension of him.

So, he is the arena?

A strange concept, I know, but yes.

So the very thing that could kill him is actually stored inside him.

An irony that, to this point, has been overlooked.

He can’t feel it, sense it?

Perhaps it needs to be activated. Perhaps it’s lying in wait, dormant, just another prized weapon. Which suggests...