Split of the Worlds (18+)

N'Arahn finished his turn and gestured to the audience to be quiet. Silence reigned for a moment, for only his own servants were present, not one of whom would have dared to make a sound now.

The demonlord raised his voice and knew he could be heard throughout the arena: "As is proper for us, we all do well to stay in shape at all times, even during breaks in the battle. That's why we have this arena, which has seen its fair share of sweat and blood. But today is a little different. Today, I as your master would like to provide a little diversion." He paused for a moment, checking that the silence was still being observed. Nothing stirred. "Today your blood will not be spilled, for we have a guest of honor!" This time, N'Arahn allowed the cheers and the accompanying roar to break out with a wry grin.

He raised his hand again and the noise ended immediately.

"Welcome to the arena, angel."

With a mocking bow, he pointed to the grating behind which Veidja was watching him. With a crunch, the barrier moved upwards, clearing the way for the angel to step onto the sandy floor. There was only a tiny hesitation before she approached him, standing tall. Her amber eyes fixed on him across the great distance. N'Arahn had to grudgingly give her credit. She hadn't been able to appreciate the scale of the arena from the side entrance, but she seemed unfazed. Despite the immense height of the tiers, filled with its servants, despite the vast oval of the arena, completely enclosed by black rock. The dome that stretched over the arena threw back reflections of light in an artful interplay, so that no separate lighting of the arena floor was necessary.

Veidja paid no attention to any of this. Her bare feet confidently found a way across the sand until N'Arahn stopped her a few steps away, simply denying her the opportunity to move any further towards him. Her face twisted briefly into an angry expression, and then she was back to a calm but focused demeanor.

Knowing that she was safely pinned down - after all, he couldn't have any unexpected interruptions now - the demonlord turned back to his audience.

"This angel will add a little spice to our competitions in the future. She is a battleangel, tested in many fights, versed in the art of demon slaying." Murmurs and hisses rose up, raining down on N'Arahn and his angel. He grinned again and continued: "Don't worry, she can't kill you all with her bare hands." Scattered giggles and hysterical shrieks echoed down to him.

Had the angel just muttered "You think so?" Arrogant beast.

"She'll be competing here in future so that you can learn something about the way angels fight. So I have to disappoint you right away: No matter how nice it feels, she will not be killed for the time being." No protests, he hadn't expected any. "Your captains will assign you each to battles. However, the first, and only fight for today, will be done by me personally. After all, I want her to settle in here properly."

He turned back to Veidja, who was watching him attentively. Her gaze made him uncomfortable in an unusual way, as if she could see something he was trying to hide. Although he had no idea what that might be.

"Do your worst, angel. No armor, no weapons. Let's see how long you can hold out."

Scornful, weird laughter rang down from above. Displeased, N'Arahn looked up, reached through the ranks of his servants in his mind and found a half-mad mind. Immediately he felt the other crawlers move away from the still loudly laughing lesser demon.

"Ah, we have a patron. One of my servants is eager to even your odds."

A thought impulse was all it took for Darr to ruthlessly make his way towards the crawler, who didn't see the calamity coming. The captain grabbed the demon and threw him off the rank and into the arena in a single sweeping motion. Screeching, the auburn body sailed through the air until it landed on the sandy floor with a crunching sound and twisted limbs.