2014 Copyright © A. M. Forest

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"What is wrong, Apolla?" Labren finally asked after glancing at her distracting expression for the last time as he lectured them about their upcoming match later that day. He was just going over the 'possible hazard this could be' and that 'this is a horrible idea' when he finally had enough. "You've been like this since you entered the arena."

She glanced between both Labren and Argon, who crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow in silent question.

Apolla rolled her eyes. "No, I'm not having one of my moods." She sighed. "I'm just worried about Jäger. He's been gone quite a long time."

Argon scoffed before saying, "Three days is hardly a long time." He chuckled to himself. "Being a little over dramatic now, aren't we?"

Labren put his arm in between the two, pushing Argon back slightly as he spoke. "Now, now, it's normal to worry about your student. Especially, in Apolla's case, one she raised since he was a child." He gave Argon a hard look before turning to Apolla. "I heard they sent him outside the border on a special assignment."

Apolla's facial expression became hard. "Is that so? I was never informed of the fact. The Elders keep that sort of information to themselves."

"Maybe that's because they find you untrustworthy," Argon offered tauntingly.

She turned her glare on him. "That must mean the same for you, since you, too, are as clueless as I am." She crossed her arms, taking a step closer to him. "That might also explain why neither of us were ever chosen to be sent on a mission."

"Yeah, why is that?" He directed his question to their mentor.

Labren shrugged. "It's probably because they don't trust that Apolla would come back with the information. In fact she would probably destroy the building and kill everyone in it before she realized she needed the information." He gave her a dry look before turning to Argon. "And your strength is of no comparison to Apolla, however your destructive force is much similar to hers, leading to the possible compromising of the mission."

They gave him that.

"But why send Jäger, the one who so happened to be trained by the most dangerous one here?" Argon asked, dodging the punch from Apolla in the process.

"Jäger doesn't take after Apolla as much as you might think. He might be trained by the blood-thirsty woman next to you, but he's calm-minded and reliable. With both a level head and honed skills, he was labeled a noble candidate for the off-the-border expeditions." Labren explained, completely ignoring the death glare coming from the said 'blood-thirsty' woman.

Argon shrugged. "I guess you are right about that." His hand found its way to his chin in thought. "Darrion is a strange one compared to the other youth."

"Don't call Jäger by his first name," Apolla growled out in annoyance as she swatted his arm, "you know he's not very fond of it."

"If I remember correctly, we all established he isn't here to be angry about it. Besides, why does it bother you?"

"Whatever you practice in private becomes a habit in public." Labren cut in, his tone showing his wisdom.

Argon glared at him. "Excuse me, mentor, let us not forget why we were called here in the first place."

"Oh, don't be mistaken, I haven't forgotten." Labren crossed his arms. "You two must call off the match."

Apolla examined his face for a long time. In these moments, she was able to see the age behind his youthful face. The way his eyebrows creased slightly, the tiredness and stress in his golden eyes. He was giving her a look she was sure a disapproving father would give his child.

She came close and kissed his cheek before patting it as she walked away. "No can do, Labren. He called for a match, a match he will get."

She saw the smile fighting its way on Argon's face as she headed towards the exit.

"You heard the lady. The match is to begin when the sun falls." She heard Argon say to their mentor.

A smile appeared on Apolla's face. This was going to be an easy battle, indeed.

~~~

The sun's final rays casted shadows around the arena as Apolla took her position on the opposite side of Argon. She took in his only choice of clothing, long red trousers that straddled his hips before flaring out. Gold metal bands wrapped around his biceps and forearms. The setting sun made the red of his hair look almost purple.

The men around the inner wall of the arena had on a similar outfit; black trousers with the silver metal bands around their biceps and forearms. Her attention drifted to the men standing at the entrance as they took a deep breath before releasing a funnel of orange fire at the torches closest to them; the other men doing the same. Soon the entire arena was alight, revealing Apolla's attire.

She wore a sleeveless white top that covered her neck and her famous white skirt with the vertical lines coming up the hemlines. A large diamond shape was cut out of the middle of her chest, two smaller ones above that, revealing some cleavage to her opponent. The top came down in a V shaped just above her navel, two slits on the sides.

Her left bicep was decorated with a gold metal band that curved without touching, and plain gold metal bands on her left forearm and on her right bicep.

"Aren't you dressed to impress." Argon began, his tone suggestive.
She returned his smile with a seductive one of her own. "I hoped you'd appreciate it."

Labren stepped in the large space between them, silencing their words. He was dressed in gray pants that fitted well, his broad chest and arms bare.

He looked behind him at the setting sun as the rays left the arena completely before looking between the two again, his glance serious. "You know the rule--"

"'If you are not prepared to kill, you will die.'" They interrupted in unison.

He glared at them. "That one, too; however, it was not the rule I was referring to." Labren gave them a pointed look, causing both of them to sigh.

"'Refrain from destructive behavior that would result in property damage,'" They grumbled, causing the growing audience to rumble in laughter.

Their mentor nodded with a smile as he raised both arms. He then whispered, "Remember, this is training as well as a battle. Refrain from shifting until absolutely necessary," he paused, "I would rather you not do this at all, but I want you both to take the most out of this battle."

The both nodded in understanding. Labren cleared his throat before speaking in a much louder voice. "When the gong is rung, the match will begin. Good luck to the both of you."

His form faded into nothing and then reappeared at the top of the podium above them. When Apolla looked up she saw the entire arena full of the trainees and teachers of the facility. For some reason, their matches always brought out a lot of attention.

The first ring of the gong echoed throughout the arena before a second one followed. When she looked back at Argon, he was already charging her way. By the third ring he was in arm length as he threw a punch at her.