Kon, 1,000 years ago...

Kitaya stretched her arms up and stood of her toes, nearly touching the roof of the prep room. It had been ten days since her last challenge, and in that time she'd been training with the Shujaa. With their help, she understood more about Mellidius' fighting style.

She was better equipped now than she had been in any of her previous challenges. If this didn't end with victory, then there was no hope of ever beating Mellidius.

In four days' time, the Ravinians would be in Kon, and there would be a protest of ten thousand citizens. Ade had told her that was a very conservative estimate based on what he'd gleaned from his research.

She'd been working with Rehema and the other shop owner in the marketplace to organize everything. There hadn't been a protest in Kon since the eighth ruler tried to raise taxes on imported goods.

A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts, and Ade stepped in with her spear in hand. "It's getting crowded out there." He tossed the weapon to her. "I fixed the areas of the braiding that got damaged in the last fight."

Kitaya twirled it around herself a few times, being mindful of the table and pitchers of water. The grip didn't slip in her grasp and the weave felt firm but not abrasive. "Thanks Ade. How's the armour coming along? Do you need me to fit it again?"

"I should have it ready by tomorrow. IfAderro doesn't have me running around. He's planning something for theRavinian's visit too." He leaned against the wall by the door and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Did he say exactly what he has planned? Is it another protest?" She'd been adamant about having a united front. Conflicting protests would just make things messy. "I don't want any violence, Ade. I assure you the Queen will waste no time throwing us to the Lyberra if things take a turn for the worse."

"I'm sure it's not like that. It's probably something formal he's working on with the other council members. He's had me conferring with them outside of their usual meetings."

Kitaya grimaced, unable to shake the unease that hunched her shoulders. She'd set out strict guidelines for their protest. There would be no violence, no rioting, no destruction. She neededEriani to take her seriously.

The door clicked and in walked Kemah carrying her white robe, which meant it was time to get out there. To fightMellidius tooth and nail for the right to wield on of Kon's greatest treasures.

"Thanks." Kitaya shrugged it on and pulled the hood over her head, not missing the look of surprise Kemah shot her. She hadn't spoken a word to him since the aftermath of her first fight withMellidius, not even during their daily meals.

He nodded and ducked out of the room.

"I should head out there too," Ade said. "I asked Rehema to save me a seat but that mob out there might kill her for it. Best of luck." He gave her a wave as he disappeared out the door.

Kitaya took a moment to collect her thoughts. To focus. To breathe. To shut out everything that didn't concern defeating Mellidius and claiming the Behemoth. Today was her moment.

As she stepped outside an invigorating tingle ran up the soles of her feet as though the arena itself granted her strength. The savanna sun beat down hot and harsh, making the air above the fighting circle waver.

There was no song and dance, no pomp and pageantry, no opening statements. Everyone knew why they were there, and what they about to witness. The Behemoth lay at the Queen's feet, Kemah stood by her side. Not an empty seat or even a place to stand was left in the arena. Faces from far and wide clogged the stands, their eagerness making the air vibrate.

Kitaya met Mellidius and Isolde at the center of the ring. The latter gave her the same, unamused stare he always did, while the latter smiled and nodded.

"Challengers are you ready?" Isolde asked.

Kitaya slipped off her robe and tossed it out of the circle.

"Spectators, are you ready?!" The crowd shook the arena with a thunderous cheer. "Begin!"

Kitaya wasted no time taking the first move. She dug in with the balls of her feet and shot forward with speed that turned the world around her into a blur of colours.

Their spears clashed, vibration shooting up her arms and her weapon bowing under the pressure. Mellidius stumbled back, and Kitaya used the momentum to pursue him. She thrust for his right side and he deflected it, a move she both expected and wanted.

She whipped her spear around fast enough to make the air whistle. The blunt end connected with the side of his head, and he bounced across the arena, disappearing over the edge of the circle. The gasp of the crowd reached her ears subconsciously.

Kitaya was a single-minded being, bent on claiming the Behemoth as her own. Any reactions of the spectators were none of her business. She rushed forward and leapt up, poised her spear to pinMellidius to the ground.

His eyes widened as he saw her looming over him, a rat caught in the sights of an eagle. He rolled away just as Kitaya came down and scrambled to his feet, leaping back into the ring.

She jumped in after him, refusing to give him the barest moment to breathe, and unloaded a barrage of attacks that sent him skidding to the far side of.

Overzealous. Kitaya gave herself an internal kick. She'd given Mellidius the space he needed to regroup. There was no time to change her strategy, especially when it was so effective. Speed, strength and unpredictability was the divine trifecta that would lead her to victory. With sweat dripping into her eyes, and muscles and lungs burning from exertion, she pressed forward.

Mellidius had caught on to her strategy and had his spear poised to go on the offensive. But she had no intention of slowing down. This needed to end. Today. Now.

Kitaya dug her foot in and charged forward just as Mellidius thrust his spear. He was probably expecting her to block his attack, but she had other plans and continued ahead with wanton abandon. By the time his eyes widened with realization, it was too late. His spear went through her shoulder, robbing her of her momentum, the squelch of her flesh being impaled loud in her ears. But it didn't stop her fist from connecting with his face.

Mellidius soared across the circle before slamming headlong in to the wall that separated them from the spectators. For a moment, the arena went still, like they were suspended in time.

Stay up. Stay up. Stay up.Kitaya chanted in her head. Her feet and legs were like crumbling pillars, and they wouldn't hold her up for much longer. There was no feeling in her left arm and she couldn't move her hand. Warm sticky blood trickled down her body. Yet still she stood. And she would stand until the Behemoth was hers.

Isolde walked into the circle, taking long, purposeful strides to where Mellidius lay, motionless. She picked up his limp arm, and then let it go, watching it flop to the ground. "We have a winner!" She pointed a hand towards Kitaya.

The crowd roared, their cheers shaking the arena. Medics flooded the circle carrying bags heavy with the tools of their craft.

The people doubled and tripled through Kitaya's blurred vision, and whatever willpower had kept her on her feet faded away. Her body connected with the scorching ground, Mellidius' spear still jutting from her shoulder. Someone barked orders, shadows criss-crossed over her body, and feet appeared in front of her face, darkened by the void eclipsing her vision.

Kitaya awoke, some time later, as she always did, in the infirmary. But this time it stunk of ungodly weeds the medics had mashed together into a poultice. The scent made her eyes water, and her lungs stung with every inhalation.

She opened her eyes, expecting to see Ade, but was met with the face of the Queen instead. If Eriani was in any way relieved, it didn't show. The Queen gazed down on her with regal indifference.

Kitaya scoffed, the corners of her lips tipping down. "To what do I owe the honour of her Majesty's presence? You didn't come to visit me after any of my other challenges." Unlike her words, her tone was anything but cordial. She may as well had told her altori to take a leap from the highest point of the castle.

"I am here to officially name you the bearer of the Behemoth." She reached and arm down and pulled the Behemoth's case from the floor.

Kitaya made no move to take it and her frown deepened. "I heard tell that when Mellidiuswas named the bearer of the Behemoth, he had a ceremony in front of the Council and Nation, and a grand feast to boot."

"If you want pomp and pageantry, it will have to wait until after the Ravinian's—"

"You're putting those degenerates before me?" She laughed, but there was no humour in it. "I always knew you hated me,Eriani."

"Don't start," Kemah said. He stood by the door, hands in pockets, leaning against the wall. "It's been a long day. Our minds and bodies need rest. Let's sort this out tomorrow."

Eriani rose and left the Behemoth in her seat. "Very well. Kitaya, congratulations." With that, the Queen took her leave with Kemah following close behind.

Kitaya fisted the edge of the blanket with her good hand. There was nothing she could ever do to earn Eriani's respect. That much was clear. I don't care, she told herself. Then unfisted the blanket to swipe at the hot, bitter tears rolling down her cheeks.