The crowd cheered on as the Top Hat man addressed them. Risika and Dirk were faced opposite of each other. The Top Hat man smiled wickedly.

        "We have a real good show for you tonight," he addressed them. Raising his left hand to introduce Risika. "This little moonbeam..."

        And raising his right hand to introduce Dirk.

         "Versus this knockout!" he introduced. The crowd cheered and the Top Hat man proceeded to the rules. "Now then, the rules are simple: You must make your opponent bleed three times. Feel free to kill each other. Dirty tricks are also fair. We'll also give tricks and traps if we feel like it."

         And the crowd grew so quiet, only heartbeats could be heard. With a wicked smile, the Top Hat man gave them what they were here for.

        "Go!!!" he ordered. Instantly, Dirk charged at Risika! Risika dodged his strike and kicked him behind his legs, knocking him to his knees. Risika stood calmly behind him as the crowd cheered on with excitement.

         "I don't want to hurt you," she said to him. However, the Top Hat man didn't want a bloodless game. He took a knife out.

          "This should spice things up," he said to himself. He then tossed the knife over to where Dirk was. Risika saw this action: thankfully, it was a mortal blade. Mortal weapons had no effect on angels or demons.

         But Dirk didn't know that she was either, and grabbed the weapon. He charged at her, knife drawn and roaring a primal cry. Risika quickly ducked the horizontal slash of the blade. Dirk's aura was easier to read: he was afraid, giving into survival instincts.

        Fear has gotten to him, she noticed.

        But, then she noticed something else. Dirk was shaking with the knife.

        "Please," he whispered desperately. "I don't...I don't want to hurt you. But I can't stay here another day! I'll go mad! Please, just let me scrape you so I can be free from here?"

        He didn't want to kill, his heart just wanted to be free.

       Somedays, the right decisions are the hardest ones. But, she had a mission and this wasn't where it ended.

        Giving a sad, albeit compassionate look, Risika concentrated her aura.

        "I'm sorry, but I can't be held captive by them either," she apologized, getting ready.