Annabell tried to control her breathing as Eros had shown her, she didn't even understand why she was here in the first place. This seemed more to her, this seemed like she wasn't trying to gain honor, to her it felt like she was losted and alone all over again, the memories hit her like a brink.

Annabell was standing in a cage, a cold dirty cage, she had been foolish enough to run away from Eros two times, even after he swore he only wanted to help her. She was trapped in a cage and the walls were made of metal. Something about this fight had triggered the painful memory.

"Annabell?" A voice said breaking out of memory.

Annabell smiled, "Eros," she said with a whisper.

"I hope you know what you're doing, don't want you to get hurt again." Eros said quietly.

"I won't," she replied with a fake smile.

"M'lady, remember your training, don't let your opponent know of any weak spots, don't let them see how to break you down, once they find a weak spot you're most likely dead and remember The best defense is a good offense."

Annabell smiled, she knew that was true, and knew she needed to remember that.

"Also," Eros said once more bringing me out of my thoughts. "I had a spare hour, so I made you an outfit to wear while you fight."

"Oh really!" Annabell said happily.

"Yes, I hope you like it." Eros said handing her a black bag, Annabell smiled and took the bag and quickly left to get dressed. Inside was a one piece outfit, it was solid black, except for the bones, there were bones for shoulder pads, and three on the boots. There were also gloves, and a black cloak, Annabell smiled. She loved it, she quickly got dressed and headed to the arena, she quickly spotted Eros sitting in the crowd, he smiled and gave her a thumbs up.

The spotlights were turned on, revealing the host while she gave a dimpled smile. "Welcome to the Redemption Round everyone." Cheers were heard from the audience. "The competitors will have another chance to fight once more, the fallen will come forth for redemption and determine their worth to compete, for keeps!" She announced before the roar of the audience became louder. "To my right we have a competitor that got struck down by an angel and she's back to defend her honor. Give it up, for the evolution incarnate Annabell." Some of the spectators gave a round of applause, though Eros was the one who whistled, rooting for her as the spotlight shined on her. "And to my left, we have a competitor that showed her tenacity in the Arena, don't let her humble appearance fool you. Put your hands together for the Deity of Trust, Felin!" The audience gave her a round of applause as the spotlight shined upon her while she made her way to the stage. "Now, let the match begin!"

Felin shuffled her way to the stage. Her eyes were glued to the ground. She tried to block out the noise of the arena. Blurry memories of her human and lioness lives flooded her mind. The sight of the arena that was smaller than the current. The crowd roared and cheered as the opposing human entered the stage. Felin, no, her lioness form, Mia, cautiously walked towards the center. Her eyes scoured the seats. Then, they happened upon the throne. The tyrant ruler, Faustus, sat with an evil grin. And next to him was Felin’s human form, Ama. Her memory switched to Ama’s view, seeing Mia. Felin felt both their emotions… Happiness. Sadness. Worry. Fear. Her fists clenched as they covered her ears. ‘I can do this,’ she said to herself. ‘I need to win this for my previous mistake.’ Her breath hastened as she repeated those words.

Watching her, Ryan couldn’t help but to worry. “Maybe this is a bad idea after all. She seems to be having a hard time.”

“Let her be. The memories of our pre-deity lives will always be a part of us,” Breloq started explaining. “Though not all deities have traumas, the ones that do, they need to overcome them.” An image of a cold, damp space with no light, doors, and windows popped into his mind. “That is when we can pass our limits.”

“I know. I understand, but…” Ryan uttered. “But what if  she can’t handle it?”

Breloq shrugged. “The worst thing she’ll do is kill everyone in this place.” He chuckled at his own words.

“That’s not funny.”

“The image of the little feline going rampant is quite ridiculous.” Breloq stated unironically. He then exhaled and tilted his head. “All jokes aside, just have faith in who and what she is. Strength lies in partnership. Strength lies in trust. As long as she knows her partner trusts her, she does not need her partner to be by her side.”

Back on stage, Felin’s mind raced. Her past flashed, continuously. Mia fought. She got sliced, stabbed, pierced. So many weapons, so many humans… So many fights just for human entertainment. Ama watched with a poker face as her insides churned with suppressed emotions. Felin’s stomach grumbled in pain. She huddled on the spot, squatting, putting her face into her knees.

Glen walked up to her. He bent down and asked, “Are you able to continue?”

There was silence before she answered, “I can. I just need a bit.”

“Ten seconds only. We cannot delay this anymore.” He straightened his back. “After that, it is a forfeit by default.”

Felin nodded.

Hexice grinned at the sight. He saw the future. “Ten seconds, eh?” The 7 feet tall deity stood. He waved his wide brim hat as he called out to Felin. “Yoohoo! Little kitty! If you don’t fight, Ryan is going to be in trouble!” That was a partial lie. “Isn’t trust a part of you? Do you not trust him? Or do you suspect that he doesn’t to you?”

Felin’s eyes widened. The words sparked a memory. “Don’t worry Mia! I’ll be fine,” Young Ama whispered. “Go and hide! Now!” The imperial guards found her in the alley and pulled her away. Mia watched in terror. The memory focused on Ama’s lips as she mouthed, “Trust me.” Then, the scene changed to the corridors outside the tyrant ruler’s throne room. Grown Ama beckoned Mia to follow her. “Hurry! They’ll catch you!” She told Mia. Mia stared at Ama who was wearing a red Indian attire. “Quickly!” Ama said again as she grabbed Mia’s registered arena collar. The scene once again changed. Ama laid in front of Mia. A tear dropped from her eye. “Mia… I promise I will always protect you…” Light faded from her eyes. Her soft smile remained as the image faded. Tears formed in Felin’s eyes. She wiped them with her dirty sleeves. With a sniffle, she jumped onto her feet. “I can do this.”

From the watching room, Ryan’s face lit up. “Looks like she is ready now.” Then, a wave of tingling sensation entered his body through his fingertips. He stared at his hands.

“Looks like she is waking up to her potential power.” Breloq laughed. “Hexice is a strange one. He rarely, if at all, gets involved with anyone, but me. I wonder what he sees.”

Felin closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As she heard Glen counting down, her body and clothes slowly changed. Her unkempt hair straightened and braided itself. Her oversized shirt shrunk to her body. The dark patches of dirt turned red as they expanded like paper absorbing ink. The sleeves turned into a shawl. The shirt turned into a dress. Gold trailed the trims, and flower embroidery covered half the dress. Once Glen finished the count, the dress instantaneously wrapped around her legs, forming pants, something more suitable for fighting. She, however, was still bare footed. Opening her eyes, her limbs slid apart, her fingers curled, ready for battle.

Annabell turned her attention to Felin, fear overwhelmed her, but she was ready to fight.

Hexice eyed the competitors. “Which scaredy cat will win?” He uttered to himself. His hands circled themselves around his eyes like binoculars. With both eyes opened, he stated, “Winning comes in many forms.”

Felin launched the first strike with her clawed hands. She dropped onto all fours as Annabell evaded the attack. Felin kicked. Annabell parried with her sword. To her surprise, Felin’s barefoot took no damage from her sword. Felin rolled forward from the force. She regained her stance. She unleashed a flurry of punches, kicks and scratches. Annabell fended off most. The others pushed her back, tore through her cape, and left pain on her arm. She had to think of something quick. The endless assault gave her no room to strike. At the same time, Felin was thinking almost the same. Annabell’s agility nullified most of her attacks. “Keep attacking,” Felin thought. “Her guard will drop.”

“Keep defending,” Annabell thought. “Her attacks will stop.”

They were at a stalemate.

The crowd watched with awe. They cheered and roared. Neither of the girls had time to notice the polluting noise.

Felin did a vertical kick, twisting her body in the process. Annabell saw an opening as she averted the hit. She jabbed her sword at Felin’s exposed back. Felin lifted her head, anticipating the strike. Her mouth snapped open and bit down on the blade, gripping it with her beastly fangs. As Felin recovered from her rotation, she jerked the sword out of Annabell’s grasp and flung it out of boundary.

Fear overwhelmed Annabell when her sword was thrown, and she wasn't afraid to let it show. Without her sword, she felt powerless. Annabell dropped and rolled away with lightning speed to get away from Felin’s strikes. With the way Felin was fighting right now, she was going to win. Felin jumped on Annabell pinning her down. Dust flew as Annabell fell on the ground. Annabell didn’t waste a moment. She kicked Felin hard, catapulting her across the Arena. Felin landed on her feet and charged Annabell again, knocking her down. Felin crawled on top of her. Her fist rose. Her eyes stopped upon Annabell’s. The look on Annabelle's face reminded Felin of the feelings she had during Ama's and Mia's time. Fear. Felin's fist locked in the air, jerking in place as she faltered. Annabell rolled over out of Felin's way and did a backflip to get up. She glanced at her out-of-reach sword, but knew she couldn't retrieve it. Instead, she charged at Felin, running right towards her. Felin took a fighting pose. Annabell jumped at the last second and landed on Felin's shoulders dramatically. In quick succession, she wrapped her legs around Felin's neck, and dipped her whole body back as she grabbed Felin’s hair. Now hanging upside down, she pulled Felin’s hair, as she unwrapped her legs around Felin's neck, landing on her feet. Annabell started to lose energy. 

“Surprising,” Breloq gasped with amusement. “The little kitty knows how to let loose.”

“That’s not something we should be happy about,” Ryan commented.

“Then, you don’t want to see her win?”

Ryan took a second. The remark stupefied him. “Yes, but… It doesn’t feel right. That just doesn’t seem to be like Felin we know,” Ryan said, concerned.

“The Felin you know.”

Ryan stood dumbstruck at Breloq’s reply.

Felin could feel Annabell growing weaker and more desperate to win the fight. Annabell could tell she was losing the fight, and she knew she had one last option. She knew that she needed to try to get Felin worked up. Felin pounced at her again. Annabell dashed to the side. “She's going to dodge all my attacks,” Felin thought, “she's going in defense.” Annabell took a fighting stand and stood waiting for Felin to attack her again.

“She's going to get tired of attacking me,” Annabell thought, “then when she is weak, I can move and make my attack.”

Felin looked at Annabell knowing her trick, knowing what Annabell was planning. Felin was instinctively smarter than Annabell. She rushed at her. Annabell sidestepped Felin, but Felin followed without any hindrance. She grabbed Annabell with her claws, and began to slash Annabell hard. Annabell let out a growl of pain and tried to kick Felin but this time, Felin was smarter as to dodge the kick. Annabell was cut in several different places.

“She's going to win!” Annabell thought fearfully. Felin was still clawing Annabell. Annabell flinched in pain. She knew she was going to lose. She thrashed about, kicking hard at Felin. Finally, she landed a successful hit, right in the chest. She knocked the wind out of Felin, and Felin lost hold of her. As Felin took time to recover her breath, Annabell retreated. Meters away, they stared at each other. Annabell was covered in wounds and blood. Aside from her torn clothes, Felin didn’t seem to have a scratch on her body. Felin’s rage stayed in her. It was yet to be quenched. Fear continued to consume Annabell. She contemplated whether or not she should forfeit. But her pride stopped her. No, not pride, she simply wanted to show herself that she was no pushover. That she could be independant. That she didn't need to hide in fear anymore. And from all that…, she would have proof she, finally, had a life.

Eros who had been watching, felt the fear and pain as Annabell was losing. He knew it would be his fault if she lost, because he's the one who told her about this competition in the first place. He wanted to reach out telepathically, to tell her she was doing a good job, to tell her not to over work herself. But this time, he chose silence. This was a fight for her and her alone.

It was a battle of stamina, and everyone could see Annabell had the short stick.

Hexice leaned forward placing his elbow on his thigh. Settling his chin on the palm of his hand, he whispered, “Our win.”

Felin took a deep breath before she dived at Annabell with a jab. Annabell stood, welcoming the hit. She, however, wasn’t giving up. She convinced herself that she showed enough. Her resilience not to forfeit despite not being able to land a hit was more than enough proof. She was content with the result. A tear dropped from her eye as she smiled at Felin. Felin’s eyes shot open at the sight. She saw Annabell. She felt her emotions. They were similar to hers.

What was she fighting for? Felin’s mind was clouded the whole time with her selfish reason. But now, seeing Annabell, she could see that they wanted the same thing. Strength. Proof. Confidence. Felin slowed down, stopping right in front of Annabell. She placed her fist on Annabell’s forehead. Annabell winced.

“This is good enough, right?” Felin exhaled with a soft smile.

Annabell stood in silence. She didn’t know how to respond. And before she could, Felin turned back into her poverty looking state. Her body fell to the side. 

A bell signaled the end of the battle. Hexice jumped up from his seat, hollering his cheer. Other spectators followed. They applauded the sight, not knowing that Hexice was excited for another reason. 

Annabell’s mouth quivered. Tears rolled off her face. She was unable to pinpoint the emotion she was feeling. Her eyes shifted to Felin’s unconscious body. Slowly, she bent down and gave Felin a hug.

“It is,” Annabell breathed, “Thank you.” She said tearfully.

The crowd roared louder.

A while later, Felin woke in the infirmary. Ryan was sitting next to the bed, waiting for her. Breloq stood still like a scarecrow, even his stare was an ambiguous blank.

“Ryan,” Felin muttered.

“Felin!” Ryan spoke with relief. He patted her head. “How are you feeling?”

“However a person who lost would feel,” Breloq stated.

“Stop it already,” Ryan snapped. “She tried her best.”

“No, he’s right,” Felin squeaked. “I lost… but it’s fine. I’m happy.” Breloq scoffed at her words. “I understand now.”

“Understand what?” Ryan asked softly.

An image popped into Felin’s mind, Ama smiling as she reached out her hand to Mia. “Why people fight, I know now…” Another image came, Mia covering Ama from the imperial guards. Felin lightly shook her head. “No..., I realize that I always knew… I just didn't want to remember.” A tear escaped her eye. It rolled down her cheek. Ryan extended his hand to wipe it. The sight reminded Felin of Ama doing the same to Mia. She pushed her cheek onto his hand. “So warm…”

Ryan replied with a grin. Breloq shrugged his shoulders.

Ryan rubbed Felin’s hair as they and Breloq walked the halls. Felin hummed the names ‘Mia’ and ‘Ama’. Ryan paid little attention to her happy mumbles. Breloq, on the other hand, was not happy, to say the least. He knew her words and their reference. They even struck a memory.

A man was stuck inside a dark cave. Light snuck through an opening, but everything was still dark… and cold. With whatever light available, the man picked up the rings of keys. His fingers fiddled with them. The metals clattered against another, ringing throughout the enclosed cave.

Ryan called Breloq. Breloq gathered his senses. The echoing sounds of the keys became prominent as they tuned in with the keys on his ring. Breloq looked at Ryan.

        
“Hexice seemed really happy for Felin’s fight,” Ryan started. “Do you have any idea why?”

        
Breloq lowered his shoulders as he unzipped his mouth. Ryan imagined him sighing. “She created the future he desired, I suppose.” He crossed his arms. “His perverse intent is no mystery, yet baffling nonetheless.”

        
From down the hall, Hexice spotted the three. He dashed to them, leaving a dust trail. His skirt fluttered behind. He had to hold down his hat for its wide brim violently flapped. Halfway, he jumped and twirled. “Oh, Breloq!” He sang. A few meters away, he leapt into the air. Breloq stood aside to evade the assault. But, it was needless. Hexice landed in front of Ryan. His spade eye became curious as it laid upon Ryan. Hexice made a round, bending in close for better look as he did. “My, my, my…” He breathed. 

‘A new factor has been added. New futures have been made. So fun. But a hassle. Exciting, yet aggravating… Ah! The conflict of emotions. When will it ever stop? I swear it is this place. It is no good. I, no, we must finish our business and get out… and soon.’ He faked a smile. Ryan, my dear human boy, when it is your time to battle, remember to have fun.”

        
Ryan nodded. “Of course I will.”

        
Hexice clapped his hands together. “Great! Just remember: Have fun.” He stressed each word.

        
Ryan gave a slow nod, feeling an odd undertone to the advice.

        
“Leave him alone already,” Felin barked. She grabbed Ryan’s hand and guided it along her head. “You are no fun.”

        
Hexice eyed Felin. “I am finished anyway. I’m off to somewhere until Ryan’s battle. Somewhere that does not have a stray alley cat.” He waved his fingers at Felin. With a word of farewell, he pranced by them. His spade eye met Breloq’s gaze. The diamond eye opened a slit. Breloq lifted his head with uneasiness.