While the men engaged in their conversation, the arena floor lit up with a bright light. "Ladies and gentlemen!" The speaker of the Arena yelled. "Tonight, we have a special event ready for your enjoyment. The vampire Queen, Salome Partolemaeus, is a little low on cash." The crowd laughed. "So, she absolutely beeegged us to let her do a match. Unfortunately though, we could not find an adequate opponent. We searched - where, where, where. Where could we find one capable of besting the great Vampress of the North? Well . . ." He shrugged. "The answer remains unseen. That is why we will allow any one volunteer from the crowd to come face her. If you win, the pot is all yours, as well as the Queen's head. For tonight, we have a very special clause for the greedy vampire: this will be a battle... TO THE DEATH!" The crowd roared with excitement. Those sorts of matches weren't completely common here. Not for lack of want, but merely that the challengers who'd built a reputation for years would not wish to relinquish it in an instant to a bad day or an unlucky draw.
This day was different.
"Anyone can volunteer! I'm even looking at you, Adriel Helios, Captain of the Royal Guard," the spotlight shined on him. He laughed and said, "No. I don't need the money, and I'm not looking for a mounted vampire head." The crowd laughed. They were fairly confident he'd demolish her.
"But I'd love it if a certain group of students would be willing to face her. In fact, I demand it by my authority as Captain. Constantine - and the fellow Aldrich - will face the Vampress and one of the other Gods of the Arena in a battle to the death." The crowd went absolutely wild. Adriel smirked. The vampress couldn't tell whether to be excited or terrified, although she was relieved that Adriel would not be her opponent.
A man no one had seen before entered the arena. A man of pale blond hair and golden eyes, with a tall stature and a powerful look to him. "My name is Keanu Heralys, and I will act as their second opponent."
