She watched as those that were called before her entered the arena call the examiners that they wished to have.

“Cedar.” A grizzly man called out, and a boy no older than she jumped into the arena from where he sat as a spectator. She watched from below her drawn hood as the boy quickly out smarted the brute.

“Fail!” The boy, Cedar laughed at the man’s pathetic excuse.

“Next Ave Astral!” The next name reached her ear. She jumped from her seat and jumped down into the arena like Cedar had done, too excited to show ‘manners’.

“Here!” She squealed with excitement.

“Who’ll be your evaluator?”

“The king of this here Colosseum!” She lifted her head revealing her brilliant blue iris and a killer grin.

Everyone went silent; those that had placed bet leaned in now eager to see who will be the winner.

Cedar burst out laughing, unable to contain his joy at being able to witness the ‘king’ kill his prey, the man known for his merciless nature.

“Miss… Are you sure?” The man holding the list of Entry Examinees questioned, fearing for her life.

“Yes! I need to become the highest ranked Adventure I possibly can as soon as possible!” She nodded with reassurance of her examiner choice.

“Very well…” The man was about to turn to go call the ‘king’ when a man walked in past him having seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

“A brave or foolish girl? Which do you think you are?” The man asked as he yawned not really interested in her answer.

“That rhetorical! Cause the truth will be revealed soon enough!” She smiled, gaining the man’s interest. A kind of smug glee overcame him as he rolled his shoulders, the cracks as the tension in his muscles were released echoed loudly.

“Just because you’re the first to challenge me in three years I’ll give you three minutes to do what you want to try and beat me! I won’t move an inch, I won’t try to dodge, block or counter you!”

“Sure?” She tilted her head to the side.

“Your time starts now!” He bellowed. Ave just signed as she plucked an arrow from her quiver hidden below her cloak and pricked her finger.

The onlookers, confused to why Ave wasn’t taking advantage of her three minutes of grace.

Ave took a dagger from her robes and on the blade surface she drew a symbol.

“Hear my summons, white nymphs of the air! I ask you bless this soul with strength, speed and agility.” She whispered before drawing yet another symbol on the other side of the blade.

“Hear my call green nymphs of the earth! I command your protection against my foes!” She her whispers had been unheard by the crowd as well as her opponent; but she could see it in his eyes, in the way he scanned her, how his muscles reacted to every movement she made.

“You’re boring me girl!” He barked, his deep voice vibrating through her bones.

She tied a small buried her dagger into the ground of the arena, surprising everyone. She pulled from her cloak’s pocket gloves and pulled them over her fingers tying them the wrist with two small clasps.

“Three minutes are up!” She grinned and stepped forward, the man though was faster appearing behind her he drew his sword striking upward. It happened too fast for anyone to follow, but when the dust that flew into the air cleared, there Ave still stood standing without a scratch on her, a moss covered rock wall stood between her and the ‘king’ the sword caught inside the wall. The spectators watched as the king tugged on the sword noting that it won’t be freed, not that easily. He abandoned his sword and walked over to a nearby weapon’s rack choosing a spear.

“Impressive girl. Didn’t figure you for a witch.”

“Mage actually, well sort off? A witch would be someone like my mother who feeds off of others!” She hissed.

“Witch, Mage, Wizard, Warlock, Enchantress… There’s no difference really! All just fancy terms you people use!”

“True…” She said following him as he circled her looking for the best time to strike.

She drew the arrow she had pricked her figure with again from her quiver and walked over to weapons rack that housed some bows. Her back completely turned towards her opponent.

“Stupid girl!” The king howled and dashed; such speed, it’s just couldn’t be natural! But just as the tip of the spear was about to pierce her, vines wrapped around the spear crawling towards the man arms, he let go of the weapon and stepped back as quickly.

“You’re not casting these spells…” He snared.

“No, no I’m not! How very observant of you!” She inspected a bow and ended up choosing another. Pricking her finger again she drew blood over the bow’s string.

“Now let me show you the power that those so called Mages fear!”

“Come swiftly Sapphire Spirits of the skies, let my aim be true! She called out with such vigor as she knocked the arrow and pulled ever so gently on the bowstring. It wasn’t even fully drawn, but the king knew, he sensed it before she even finished her ‘chant’ he dashed to the furthest corner, reaching it just a she let go of her weakly drawn bow, the arrow though shot, leaving a trail of dust in its wake as it flew straight for the king’s head…

His grin widened as felt the arrow miss, and dig deep into the area’s wall.

“Was that all? Was all that bluff just for you to miss? You’re a pathetic shot!” He mocked as he readied to strike her down with his bare fists.

“No! I missed on purpose! I like this kind of hunt! You see I need you to fully acknowledge me and rank me at the very top!”

“Impossible! The highest rank you can attain here is twelve! I’m ranked thirteenth; beating me means you’re worthy only of such a title as mine, no more!”

“Well then give your title to me!” She ordered.

“Not going to happen! I’ve not even begun warming up!