1 Chapter 1
Dusk slowly approaches causing the streets to take on a new life of their own. The taverns and surrounding alleyways come alive with men and women looking for ways to relax and unwind from their long day. The Midnight Rose, the largest tavern in Alaira, well-known for its loose women and strong alcohol is bustling with activity. The bartender takes his time and pours his drinks with care, as waitresses in skimpy outfits and high heels pass them around. Next door to the main tavern, an adjoined room often visited by the gamblers of Alaria, filled the tavern with the strong aroma of smoke and alcohol. Placed strategically around the room, five tables are occupied as the occupants sit quietly keeping their faces void of emotion as they throw their cards, hoping to be blessed by Lady Luck and win their fortune, and not lose all that they hold dear.
At the far end of the card room sits a staircase leading to the exclusive areas of the Midnight Rose. Entrance into the arena comes with a steep price, but once paid, a whole new world opens up at the foot of those steps. This world is where humans, Werewolves, Vampires, and other mystical creatures all gather to place bets on interspecies fights in a large arena. The room is alive; filled with gamblers frantically trying to reach their bookies to get their bets in on time, as another fight is about to begin.
An eerie silence soon fills the room as all eyes follow the announcer as he begins to make his way into the ring. Grabbing the microphone from the sidelines, he sends a stern look towards the bookies and made a hand motion indicating that it is time for them to close all bets. Acknowledging all betting was shut down; the announcer took a breath and looked around the crowd.
"Ladies and Gentleman welcome to the Midnight Arena! Tonight we match two contenders with less than three defeats apiece. Only one will come away victorious. Let me introduce the challenger! With a record of 35 wins and one loss, this fighter is well known for his quick thinking and even quicker punching. Please welcome Armando!"
As Armando walked up to the stage Raven took a deep breath, blocked out the roar of the crowd, and followed him carefully. His black hair was full of gel and slicked back into a ponytail. The white T-shirt he was wearing was filled with dirt, holes, and blood, telling the tale this man is no stranger to fighting. It also enhanced his muscular build and tattoos, Raven couldn't help but be impressed at this man. Climbing into the ring, Armando began to stretch his arms in preparation for the upcoming fight, as the announcer began to continue.
"The challenger is also well-known in the Midnight Arena with a record of 35 wins and two losses. She is known for her quick feet and black mask, please welcome Raven!"
"This is it."
She said to herself as she began to walk towards the ring blocking out the roar of the crowd. Her expectations of this fight were more heightened than any of her previous fights; she had a lot riding on this outcome. She knew that coming out victorious in this fight will raise her in the fighter ranks: giving her even more credibility and access to tougher opponents. Once she climbed into the ring, she removed her oversized hoodie, threw it over the side of the ring, and looked over at Armando meeting the glare his green eyes were throwing in her direction.
"Keep the fight clean you two: the first one to get their opponent to tap out or knock out their opponent is the winner." The announcer stated as he switched between the two of them, slowly stepping back towards the edge of the ring. He then crawled under the ring ropes and exited leaving the two contenders to stare daggers at each other.
Raven and Armando squared off and continued to stare at each other with pure loathing until the signal to start was heard. Once the bell rang, Armando wasted no time and charged towards Raven throwing a right hook towards her face. Ducking and slightly moving to the left, she countered with a roundhouse kick to his side, the connecting kick was quickly followed by a large snapping sound. Falling to his knees clutching his broken rib, Armando knew he had to act quickly. Following up with a sweep kick he managed to knock Ravens feet out from his unsuspecting opponent throwing her to the ground. Using this advantage to roll onto her, he sent numerous punches that connected with her face and chest. Determined to get out of this position Raven quickly threw up her left arm blocking one of his punches and countering with a firm right hook to his ear. The impact from the counter punch managed to knock him off of her, allowing her the crucial time needed to get back to her feet, she charged him ready to strike as he was using the ropes to stand as he turned and saw her coming. Reaching him, she threw another right hook towards his face, but he quickly ducked it and managed to get a grip on her neck locking her in a tight headlock. Darkness started to overcome her as his arm gripped tighter around her throat. Deciding to try a desperate move, she slid her arm behind him and up to his face. Sliding her thumb directly under his nose, she pushed up with all the strength she could muster, as his head pulled up and back, his grip loosened, giving her a good opportunity to wrap her arms around his neck. The fatigue wearing on them both, Armando tried shifting his body and breaking the hold, but he couldn't. Eventually, he stopped struggling enough to cause Raven to look down at her opponent, determining he was unconscious.
Releasing his body, she backed away from him glancing towards the announcer, nodding in a "yes" motion, as he climbed up onto the ring apron; she beamed and threw her arms in the air as the crowd erupted in excitement for the fight they just witnessed.
"THE WINNER IS RAVEN!" The announcer proclaimed to all of the spectators in attendance, as loud as he could through the excited cheering of the crowd. The winners were heard mainly, while a patron or two screamed in defeat, knowing their hard-earned funds were long gone.
Swiftly exiting the ring, Raven looked around the room, her eyes finally settling on her hoodie. Scooping it up, she began making her way towards the exit. Heading through the spectator area of the arena, she received many pats on the back and congratulations from those who watched the fight. As she neared the door, she passed a man who was sitting alone drinking his bourbon and smoking a cigarette. Observing her as she walked out of the room, he couldn't help but let his eyes roam her body and smirked as he realized she saw him and rolled her eyes in disgust. Downing the half glass remaining of his bourbon, he took a drag off of his cigarette and started checking the listing for the next fight. Scanning the list, his concentration was quickly broken by the sound of a message coming across his phone.
"It is time."
This message could mean anything to anyone who receives it; however, it meant one thing in particular to this man. He took the last drag off of his cigarette slamming it down onto the ashtray extinguishing the flame and heads for the steps to the first floor tavern. Exiting the tavern he found himself surrounded by the bustling streets of Alaria, it was a foggy night, which filled the air with an extremely ominous aura that gave everyone an unsettling feeling. Walking down the street, the lights of Alaria castle could be seen in the distance even through the dense fog. The castle was located at the head of the town and was home to the Alarian rulers' King Richard and Queen Katherine. The king and queen were well-loved by their subjects, because of their honest and empathetic ideals, peace has continued for years in Alaria. It was due to their persistence, a peace treaty was formed with the Vampires and Werewolf kingdoms. This treaty allowed the shifter kingdoms to take part in local festivities, allowing intermingling between the three races.
Keeping to the shadows, the man followed the road towards the castle mainly staying in alleyways and dark corners. Taking shelter in a dark alleyway, he took the time to turn his phone on silent and spray himself down with a special smell canceling serum as a precautionary measure. Noticing the phone light up, he glanced down as another text flashed across the screen.
"Use the right-side entrance."
Smiling in affirmation, he quietly followed the castle walls past the main entrance and made his way to the right side of the wall. Noticing a few conveniently stacked boxes nearby, he smiled and used them to scale the wall gaining entrance to the castle grounds. Sneaking along the bushes and shadows, he made his way to the servant's entrance picking the lock, gaining entrance into the castle kitchen.
He was alone, with it being 2:30 am. many of the servants were asleep; those who were still awake were in their chambers easily allowing him to exit the kitchen and to the main castle hallways. Following the hallway, he crept past numerous doors undetected continuing towards his target of the steps to the upper levels. Hearing the quiet sounds of footsteps getting closer, he quickly took refuge in one of the rooms on the left side of the hallway. Getting a quick glimpse of a passing guard, he quietly shut the door, exhaling a nervous breath.
"Who are you?!" The words came from the other side of the room as a man with a broom stared at him quizzically.
"The last thing you will ever see!" Sprinting towards the curious servant with non-human speed, he quickly snapped the servant's neck before he could scream for help. Quietly placing the body on the ground, he began to creep back towards the door. Placing his ear against the door and listening intently for any noise, he assumed the guard has moved on to a different hallway. Opening the door and returning to the hallway, he looked around one more time. Seeing nothing, he began to refocus on his goal of the steps to the upper levels. Finally reaching his intended destination, he ascended the steps in silence to the royal wing on the third floor.
Walking towards the end of the royal wing, he was suddenly alerted to a passing guard, quickly hiding in the shadows he held his breath as the unaware guard continued on his patrol. Finding his intended destination, he looked at the cherry door giddily; one last obstacle prevented him from his destination. That obstacle was one guard who stood there alert and observing his surroundings looking for anything that shouldn't be there. Deciding distance is his best bet, he crawled into a dark corner which allowed him a good view of the guard who was protecting the door. Grabbing a small dagger he kept in a holster on his ankle, he aimed and threw it towards the guard, hitting him right in the heart. As the guard fell to the ground lifeless, the man began to move in closer grabbing the corpse, and quietly opening the door. Dragging the guards' body into the room, he scanned the room until he noticed his target that was lying on the bed. Remaining low to the ground he stalked his prey and slinked towards his destination. Approaching the bed he looked down at the person sleeping peacefully in it; smiling excitedly for what he's about to do. Suddenly, Queen Katherine opened her eyes in surprise and fear as hands were harshly thrown over her mouth.
"Allow me to apologize to you Your Majesty, but this is going to hurt you much more than it will hurt me." He smirked at her as his teeth began to expand into canines and claws were growing from his hands.
