by Zara Zenia
"Well, what do you expect a gladiator's changing room to smell like?"
He gave me a sideways glance.
"Anyway, you guys wanna see who you're up against?"
He flicked through the pages.
"Arlodd, you first. Your first fight is against the Green Shano. After that, you've got the Rampant Russka."
Arlodd clutched at his stomach and laughed.
"Too easy," he smiled. "I'll kill them both with this tiny little pinky finger here," he said as he wiggled it in Davoth's face.
"Gar'zul? You wanna see?"
I poked my head over his shoulder.
"Ok, so your first fight is with Chainsaw Chagi."
Arlodd gave me a worried look then glanced away.
Chagi was one of the most famous and fierce fighters. He had been in the arena since before I was born and had never lost... The nearest he came to losing was the day he'd had his arm cut off at the elbow but it never held him back. He got a saw surgically attached to his arm and from that day on, he decapitated anyone who came within three feet of him. Coming up against the Chainsaw Chagi was a death sentence.
"Chagi," Arlodd spluttered. "He killed a good friend of mine last year, Roan."
"I knew Roan too. We shared a room when I first moved into the arena. One of the best friends I ever had."
Arlodd narrowed his eyes and reached forward, wrapping his broken fingers around my arm.
"Make sure he never walks out of here alive. He's a bastard, an evil mongrel who'd sell his soul to win."
Davoth looked at me and nibbled on his thumbnail while tapping his foot up and down. He looked even more scared than I was.
"I'll kill him," I tried to reassure them. "I promise. I'll put that saw up his ass if I have to."
Davoth laughed and smacked my back.
"You never were one to turn down a challenge."
"Hey, who's that?" Arlodd interrupted us as he pointed to the timetable.
"Mysterious Marco," said Davoth. "A newbie. Never met him."
"Sounds like a pretty stupid name," I said. "Is he a stage magician?"
"Does he have a special party trick?" Arlodd asked.
"Who knows? I think he only signed up recently, though. It'll be his first fight ever."
"Poor guy," I shook my head. "I don't think he knows what he's in for."
"Mysterious Marco," Arlodd laughed and slapped his hands together. "I hope for his sake he proves us wrong."
There was a knock on the door followed by a head poking through the gap. One of Davoth's assistants opened his mouth to speak but only a squeak escaped his mouth.
"Guys...erm... someo- for- Gar..."
Davoth stood up while the kid looked at Arlodd and me as though we could kill him from where we sat.
"Spit it out Utan!" Davoth shouted and the kid flinched.
"There's someone here to see Gar'zul!"
"Really? I wasn't expecting anyone.”
I walked outside and to my surprise, Carina was waiting for me.
"What are you doing here?" I said a little harshly. "Sorry, I mean, I wasn't expecting you. It's a nice surprise."
She reached up on tiptoes and kissed me on the cheek.
"You forgot your lunch," she said as she handed over a bag. "Deep fried Glotters."
"Thanks, you really didn't have to come all the way out here."
"I wanted to see you," she smiled and looked away coyly. "And I wanted to see where the magic happens. You've never shown me around the arena."
"Oh, you wouldn't like it," I said as I took her hand in mine. "It's a horrible violent place."
"But I want to see it."
"Really?"
"Of course!"
I led her down the long cloister and out into the training area.
"This is where we learn how to fight. It's where we spar and practice with the weapons."
There was a strong smell of sweat in the air as a dozen or so gladiators were lined up with their boots crunching on the sand as they moved.
"Oh my God. They all look so..."
"Scary?" I offered.
"Terrifying."
"That's a good thing. Nice people don't survive in here."
I walked her up onto the terrace so we could see the fighters from above. Her eyes lingered on two Glarphs with swords. They matched each other's movements and executed each move with the ease of breathing.
"I never realized you had female gladiators!" she gasped.
"Oh yeah, we have a few. Ever think you'd see yourself in the arena?"
She started to giggle and covered her mouth with her hand.
"No way. I could never do it. I'd probably die of fright before anyone touched me."
It was sweet seeing her act shy. Sitting on the terrace, we shared lunch in silence as we watched my fellow gladiators rehearse.
"I've just realized something," I said. "This is the longest we've spent together without you talking back to me. Something tells me that you're starting to like me."
"Maybe," she blushed and looked down at her feet.
"Yeah! In fact, since last night you've been so well behaved it's as though you want to obey me now."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she feigned ignorance.
"I like this new side to you," I said. "It's nice to not have a sore ear from all your complaining."
She laughed but kept her eyes cast down to the ground.
"But don't let all that feistiness disappear. I want a wife, an equal, not some docile fucktoy."
She smiled and held my hand.
“I’ll remember that,” she said. “Just don’t get annoyed at me when I tell you to take your shoes off at the door.”
“It’s a deal.”
"So I was thinking..." I began to say.
But she wasn't listening, she was looking out across the row of fighters with her eyes getting wider and wider until she jumped up and screamed:
"Marco!"
A tiny human at the back, who I hadn't noticed, looked up at the terrace.
"Carina!"
"Wait," I grabbed her arm and pulled her back down beside me. "You know him?"
"We grew up together, worked in the same mine."
Marco leaped up the stairs taking two at a time and arrived breathlessly.
"Carina!"
He flung his arms around her and I had the strongest urge to tear his head from his body. He saw the fire in my eyes and pulled away.
"I can't believe you're here," she said. "What a coincidence!"
"I knew I'd see you again!"
His eyes were dancing all over her body, his face flushed red with the excitement.
"You've changed so much!" he said. "You're more beautiful than ever. Have you put on weight?"
"A little," she answered with a satisfied smile.
"And you know Gar'zul!" he exclaimed. "How does a lovely girl like you end up in the company of a monster like him?"
"We're getting married," she said.
Marco's jaw dropped open. He looked up at me, saw the way my hands were clenched into fists and the tightness in my jaw as I gritted my teeth.
"I-I better get back to training," he stuttered. "Or I'll be in trouble. I have so much to learn."
He scurried away, looking over his shoulder as he reached the stairs to get one last look at Carina.
"Mysterious Marco... Looks like a fucking creep."
"What? Why would you say that?"
"I saw the way he looked at you!"
"Oh please..."
An awkward silence hung between us for a few seconds as we stared at each other. I shifted from foot to foot and looked down at the training court.
"You do know he's going to die this Saturday, don't you?"
"What?" she wailed with her hands clapping her cheeks.
"He's a pathetic runt and he's matched against one of the best. He'll die. I'm certain of it."
"Well do something!" she begged.
"Like what?"
I turned my back on her.
"Do something!"
She tugged at the back of my shirt.
"You can save him, can't you? You could get him some sort of lowly, humble job as a slave in the arena or something. Please, save his life!"
"Why would I do that?"
"Because I'm your fiancée..."
I sighed.
"Even if I wanted to, I don't have that kinda power around here. I can't just pluck random gladiators out the arena and give them any random job."
She began to cry, blubbering like a child as globs of tears ran down her cheeks.
"Please!"
She pounded her fists against my chest.
"Get him taken off the timetable!"
"No," I said quite emphatically. "Don't ask me again."
I watch as Mysterious Marco returned to the court. There was nothing mysterious about him. His intentions were as obvious as the sun. Asshole, I thought. I saw the way he looked at her like he was hungry like he wanted to devour her. If she thinks I'd save his life then she's crazy. I'd kill him myself before I let him near her again.
Still, she didn't seem to feel the same. She regarded him as though he was a pesky brother, a little scamp who she thought fondly of. But I couldn't seem to shake the feeling that something may have gone on between them back on Earth.
I watched him closely as he trained. His movements were all wrong, his technique sloppy and poorly thought out. At one point he stumbled backward and fell on his ass and I laughed out loud. He looked up to the terrace with a sorrowful gaze, humiliated that I saw him in a moment of weakness.
"Don't laugh at him," Carina said.
"Why? He is pathetic."
"It's not fair. He's not like you. He's a sweet person, really he is."
"Sweetness doesn't save your life," I said. "You better say your goodbyes. The next time you see him he'll be getting hauled out of here in a body bag."
She fumed and pushed me, although her weak human hands made little impact on my towering body.
"You're being a real jerk, Gar'zul!"
She began to weep again, her eyes red raw as the tears pooled in her eyes.
"He's a friend! Just a friend! Why are you so keen on seeing him dead?"
"He wants you," I explained, "He'd take you away from me if he could."
"What? And you think I would just go and follow him like a meek lamb? You think I have no free will and simply do as any man says?"
"No," I said as I furrowed my brows.
I liked seeing this side to her once again. She was cute and angry, standing up for herself.
"Save his life," she demanded. "I'll do anything you say."
"You are supposed to do as I say anyway."
Enraged, she walked away.
"Enjoy your training session," she said. "See you when you're home."
She stomped down the stairs.
I'd make her pay later for her little outburst. The brat... she was so hot when she was angry. Part of me wanted to take her right there and then on the terrace so Marco could see. I imagined his face crumpling with heartache as he watched me possess her body as I penetrated her. I laughed to myself while still watching him stumbling back and forth with a sword in his hand that was almost as long as his body. Thinking of Carina had given me a stubborn erection and I pressed it into the railing in a futile attempt at hiding it.
Below, I caught sight of Davoth and he waved.
"Hey! Are you coming back down?"
"Sure!" I waved back. "Just give me a minute."
Chapter 10
Carina
I shouldn't have been at the arena without Gar'zul's knowledge but I had to speak to Marco. I found him in the training court and watched him from the shadows for a few minutes until I beckoned him over.
"Psssst, Marco."
He looked up but couldn't see me. I stepped out the darkness of the cloister and waved him over. He scuttled over as obedient as ever.
"Carina!"
He squeezed me tight and kissed me on the cheek. I pushed him off me.
"Don't kiss me!"
He looked hurt but said nothing.
"I need to speak to you," I said. "You're going to die if you fight this weekend."
"No, I won't," he laughed.
"You will."
He saw the worry in my eyes and looked away.
"You shouldn't be here," I said. "You should leave, get outta here."
"Or I can learn how to fight. Hey, maybe I'll be the next champion! Wouldn't that be something?"
"Oh, Marco..."
I placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You're not going to be the next champion. Have you see those barbarians out there. Most of them could kill a human with one hand."
"Whatever," he shrugged, faking confidence. "Surely it's better to die trying than live forever in those mines on Earth. Hey... I might even get a chance to impress you."
I pursed my lips.
"No, Marco. I'm due to be married soon."
For a second I thought I saw his bottom lip quivering. Then he pulled himself together and stood up straight.
"You could have married me. I would have treated you like a goddess, given you everything you wanted, but you choose a man that looks more like a gargoyle. Is it because he can kill a man? Is it that that turns you on? The murderous rage?"
His voice broke as he talked. Looking down, I saw the hand wrapped around his sword was trembling.
"Marco... You are a friend, a brilliant friend, but I will never see you that way."
"Nice guys like me never get a chance," he lamented. "Why are you even here to see me? You're just tormenting me!"
"I came to tell you to leave, run away, get outta here!"
"I'm going to fight. You can't stop me."
"You'll die!"
"Well, why don't you get that fiancé of yours to train me properly so I stand a better chance? Surely he'd do that for you, right?"
I thought about it. On the surface, it sounded like a brilliant idea but the more I ran it over in my mind, the more I thought Gar'zul would kill him if he got the chance. Not to mention Marco was so stupid he might try to fight Gar'zul to the death to win me over. Stupid Marco, he was too nice for his own good. Gar'zul wanted him dead, there was no denying that. I wouldn't let the two near each other.
"He's too busy," I lied.
There was movement up on the terrace and I shrunk back into the cloister.
"I need to go. Someone might see me. Promise you won't tell a soul I came."
"Promise," he said.
And I scampered into the shadows.
Dinner was on the table and Gar'zul was devouring it. In all my life I had never known anyone to eat so much. Gar'zul ate as much as a whole family back on Earth did in a week in one sitting. The table was piled high with every variety of roasted animal and vegetable, and he munched it all merrily, his hands a blur as he eagerly cut his meat.
"This is great, Carina. You're a really awesome cook."
"Thanks. I never really got the chance to do it on Earth. Never had anyone to cook for. It's a pleasure."
He smiled with his cheeks chubby and stuffed with food.
"What did I do to deserve such a feast tonight, though?" he wondered aloud. "You've made an extra special effort."
"Oh... It's nothing," I said as I sat down across from him.
He eyed me suspiciously. We hadn't known each other long but he had easily picked up on my behavior. He knew when I was lying.
"You know, I've noticed something about you. When you tell tall tales, you get a weird twitch at the side of your mouth."
He pointed his fork at my face as he smirked.
"A twitch?" I feigned innocence. "I don't twitch. Or rather, I don't lie."
"Everyone lies," he said.
He resumed eating and I watched him for a moment, scared to ask him the question that had been running through my mind all day. It's now or never, I thought. Just spit it out.
"Is ther
e nothing you can do for Marco?" I blurted out.
His expression changed and he slammed down his knife and fork, leaning back in his chair as he crossed his arms.
"So this is what it's about then. I thought you were being nice to me but it was all just so I'd do a favor for your little Earthling boy toy!"
"It's not like that!"
"Somehow I don't believe you."
"I don't care if you believe me, Gar'zul. But there's nothing going on between us. He's a friend and nothing else. I can't bear the thought of seeing him die in the arena."
"I don't see why I should help," he said. "That Marco is a creep. I've seen the way he looks at you. He only wants one thing."
"And you don't?"
"I bought you! If you don't remember, I own your body. I can do what I want with it, but this pathetic little human, this Mysterious Marco, he has no right to be near you. As far as I'm concerned, I look forward to watching his head being torn off his shoulders."
He picked up his fork again and stabbed it into his steak, devouring the slab of meat as the blood and juices ran down his chin,
"You're a lunatic!"
He sneered.
"You love it," he grunted. "That's why I make your pussy so wet."
"Hello, I'm here to see, Cilphu Kohri."
The receptionist, a thin, purple-skinned woman with red feathers for hair, sat in front of the screen with a scowl on her face as though I was ruining her day with my presence.
"Take a seat," she pointed over to the waiting room.
"Thanks."
As I waited for the local minister to see me, I looked at the receptionist and thought about how strange her appearance was, yet how normal it seemed to me. Before I left Earth I hadn't seen an alien, but now they were a normal part of my life.
"Carina?"
A stout, blue-skinned gentleman in a brown suit poked his head out his office door.
"That's me!"
I jumped up and he rushed over to shake my hand, his eyes slyly lingering on my breasts for a second. He ushered me into his office and I sat across from his desk. I couldn't help but notice how normal the room looked. Except for a few devices, it could have been a modern office back on Earth. I wondered if every office in the universe looked the same and whether they all had coffee machines in the corner and family photographs on their desks.