Septimus's brows furrow in confusion at the Lioness's statement.

"You won't injure me?" he asks. She obviously rolls her eyes and slowly stalks toward him, never breaking eye contact. She twirls her daggers around as she gets closer, appearing to become antsy. Septimus attempts to move back, but finds it difficult to move his legs. "Move," he whispers to himself. "Move." The Lioness's face breaks into a grin.

"You won't be able to," she tells him. The Lioness dashes at Septimus, arms slightly spread out.

"Septimus!" he hears someone shout from the crowd, and he glances toward the voice. Arcadia. "Move!" His opponent leaps into the air, spinning, about to slash him to bits. Septimus closes his eyes, concentrating.

"Move, move, move," he continuously mutters. The Lioness cackles, landing right in front of Septimus. The crowd gasps, but he can't tell why.

"How?" the Lioness questions, brows furrowing together. "It affected everyone else, but not you." A ripple passes through the spectators.

"How can he still stand?" they whisper. "Those wounds..."

"Did you just," Septimus asks, quietly, afraid to ask, "use magic?" She purses her lips together and narrows her eyes at him.

"You did too," she scoffs. "I don't want to fight anymore."

"Then lets just put on a show," he states, grinning. The Lioness slowly returns the smile. Septimus slashes downward with his axe, a good foot away from his foe. She rolls to the left, and Septimus stumbles from the force he put into the swing. The crowd regains its fervor, causing an almost tangible buzz. The Lioness runs at him.

"Time to finish this!" she shouts. "Hit the ground and pretend to be unconscious," she orders Septimus. She slashes down with her daggers, extremely close to his chest, and Septimus falls to the ground.

"We have a winner!" the announcer exclaims. The crowd begins to chant for the Lioness. Vitus comes into the arena and picks Septimus up, carrying him away.

"What was that about?" Vitus asks him, knowing that he isn't unconscious.

"I used magic," Septimus states, opening his eyes to look at his mentor. "The Lioness can use magic as well."

"You aren't supposed to use magic in front of people, Septimus," Vitus hisses down at his trainee. "It's dangerous and it could get you killed!"

"Yeah, but I just wanted to see if I could use ma--" Vitus quickly covers Septimus's mouth as another gladiator walks past.

"Be careful." Vitus drops Septimus on the stone floor. Septimus sits up and looks around. They're in the training room. "People can't know. They don't like us, not since..." Vitus trails off. Septimus stands up. "In any case, you should head home."

"Not since what?" Septimus wonders. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me at least some of this 'secret' history that I keep hearing about." The door opens and in walks the Lioness.

"Septimus, I need to talk to you," she says immediately. She glances over at Vitus. "Alone. Follow me." Septimus looks over at Vitus, who nods. He follows the Lioness out of the room and though the corridors of the arena into a room littered with armor and weapons. "Sorry for the mess. Watch your step."

"I'm assuming you want to talk about the fight," Septimus mutters. The Lioness nods. "But, can you tell me why people don't like us? People like us I mean."

"A long time ago, there was a king," the Lioness starts. "This king hated magic and was from a different land, but he heard of those in Baana and thought it necessary to destroy magic-users. He came to Baana with his army and overthrew the emperor. He created a law, that's still in place, that magic is not allowed, and anyone who uses it will be executed. He called us demons, and the non-magic folk believed him. The fear of magic runs so deep within our society now that it is impossible to get rid of. There are no monsters in the night, that's just a tall tale to make people hate us even more. Parents tell their children not to go out at night because there are monsters, monsters that use magic, cast illusions, make them believe they are safe when they aren't. Of course, if we wanted to, we could turn ourselves into giant beasts."

"We can change that though, right?" Septimus asks. The Lioness sighs.

"That's why I wanted to talk to you. You are so naive and it's actually pretty funny," she states. "You can't trust people, not Vitus, not your family, no one. Not with what I'm about to ask of you or anything that I ever say to you again."

"Okay."

"Swear that you won't."

"I swear on my life," Septimus states. The Lioness nods.

"I want to overthrow the government." Septimus's eyes widen in shock. He looks at the Lioness like she's insane. "I know, it's crazy, but I need all the help from those with magic. Or anyone willing to help."

"I don't even know your real name," Septimus whispers. The Lioness grins. "Will you tell me?"

"Well, I don't know your last name," she sasses.

"Casca. Now tell me your name."

"My name is Maximiliana Felix. I don't really like the name that the arena gave me, Lioness," she snorts in amusement. "How am I like a lioness? I don't even hurt people. And lions hunt in packs. Are you going to help me take this land back?" Septimus thinks about her offer for a moment.

"Yes, I will help you, and I know someone that can help, though she doesn't have magic."

"Can we trust her?"