Blair, trying to break away from the heavy information, suggested with excitement, "Hey, how about we place some bets on the upcoming fight? Might make things more interesting, don't you think?”

  The idea piqued the interest of the group, and they leaned forward interested. Nika's competitive streak showed as she leaned back with a grin.

  "Bets, huh? Could be fun. What are we betting on?”

  Blair, with a bit of mischief in her eyes, suggested, "How about we bet on which fighter will win the next match?"

  Nika leaned forward, her competitive spirit showing. "Sounds good to me. What's the wager? I'm down for anything.”

  Blair thought for a moment, then suggested, "How about this: if we lose, the loser's gotta do one thing that everybody here agrees on. No questions asked.”

  Nika nodded, raising the stakes. "That could get interesting. But what if we win?”

  Blair smirked mischievously, "Oh, winning's gonna have its perks. The victor gets bragging rights and a favor, no questions asked. Deal?”

  Nika leaned forward, intrigued. "A favor, huh? Count me in. That sounds interesting.”

  Blair smirked mischievously, "Oh, winning's gonna have its perks. The victor gets bragging rights and a favor, no questions asked. Deal?”

  Nika leaned forward, intrigued. "A favor, huh? Count me in. That sounds interesting. Now we have to wait to see who the contestants are gonna be before we make our bets. The announcement should be any second now.”

  Blair considered Nika's prediction, then gave her own opinion. "Hmm... We'll find out soon then, but in the meantime I'm putting my money on Sharline.”

  Nika raised an eyebrow, questioning Blair's decision. "Really? You're betting on Sharline?”

  Blair nodded without hesitation. "Of course. She's strong. Just look at those legs. Sure they ain't thick like yours or muscular tree trunks like Miranda’s, but you should see her kick sometime!”

  Nika smiled, not taking offense as she glanced at Sharline's legs. "I'm sure she's got some powerful kicks.”

  Blair smirked mischievously, then leaned in with a whisper. "Wanna know a secret?”

  Nika's interest peaked, leaning in closer. "Oh? What secret?”

  Blair leaned forward, her voice hushed. "Promise ya won't tell anyone?”

  Nika rolled her eyes playfully, intrigued. "Pfft, who am I gonna tell? Spill the secret already.”

  Blair glanced around, then leaned even closer, her voice barely audible. "Sharline's been practicing something…particularly unique, if ya will.”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Nika leaned in even more, now completely intrigued. "Go on…”

  Blair's mischievous smile grew wider as she continued to whisper. "She's been working on this one technique...and when I say it's deadly, I mean it. Trust me, I've seen it in action.”

  Nika's eyes widened, now fully caught up in the secret. "Oh really now? What kind of technique are we talking here?”

  Blair leaned in even closer, almost whispering directly into Nika's ear. "A technique that can take anyone down with just a single kick. It's absolutely insane! I watched her take down a huge freakin' monster with this move!”

  Nika's jaw dropped, completely astonished. "Oh snap, what's this move called?”

  Blare smirked, pulling back from Nika. "Well, she calls it—"

  Celeste, finally noticing the quiet banter between the two, stepped between them, crossing her arms before saying, "And what are you two young ladies yapping about? Speak up, we're like family, no secrets here.”

  Nika and Blair jumped slightly, caught off guard by Celeste's sudden presence.

  Nika chuckled nervously, embarrassed at being caught in the secret sharing. "Uhhh, you heard all of that, huh?”

  Celeste raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the fact that they were caught. "Every word. So, spill the beans. What were you two chatting about?”

  Blair, still a bit embarrassed, admitted quietly, "Oh, uh, just a little secret between friends, that's all..."

  Celeste smirked, seeing right through their attempt to keep it a secret. "A secret, hmm? Well, I'm very invested in this secret now. Out with it.”

  Nika and Blair exchanged a glance, realizing they couldn't hide it any longer.

  Nika shrugged, giving in. "Okay, uh… Blair was telling me about Sharline and her new move.”

  Celeste's smile widened, satisfied with finally extracting the secret.

  Sharline turned her attention to the three, her brow raised. "Hey, someone said my name?”

  Sharline leaned on the bar counter, smiling amused. "Oh, did you now? And what were you saying about my move?”

  Blair chimed in, “I was just telling Nika how powerful it was, and how you took down that huge Depraved with it…”

  Sharline's smirk widened, amused by their compliment. "Well, I'm glad you think my move is powerful. It certainly did the job against that Depraved. But hey, since I'm participating in this tournament, I'm sure I'll use it as a last resort, so Nika’ll get the chance to see it.”

  Nika nodded in agreement, eager to see it in action. "Can't wait to see that. It sounds like it's going to be quite the spectacle.”

  Blair chimed in, also intrigued. "Definitely. I've been on the receiving end of it a few times during training, and let me tell you, it's nothing to mess around with.”

  Sharline smirked, clearly enjoying the attention. "Ah, so you've felt the power of that kick firsthand, have you? Good, you should be scared.”

  Blair chuckled, still feeling the effects of the kick in her ribs. "Oh, I'm definitely scared. You're no joke, Sharline.”

  Sharline smirked, pleased with Blair's fear. "Damn right, I'm not to be messed with.”

  Outside of the suite's open window, Marco could be heard in the arena making the awaited announcement.

  The girls glanced towards the window upon hearing Marco's voice echoing in.

  Nika turned her attention toward the window, curious about the announcement. "Oh, sounds like the fighters are being announced.”

  Sharline, recognizing the announcement, stood up straight, intrigued. "Sounds like it.”

  Blair leaned closer to the window to hear better. "Let's find out who's fighting.”

  As Marco announced the combatants, the girls listened carefully, eagerly awaiting to hear who was going against who.

  The arena fell silent for a moment until Marco announced the first fighters.

  Marco's voice boomed through the coliseum: "Okay all, are you ready for the first fight...? Let's hear some noise!”

  The girls looked at each other in excitement, anticipation buzzing through them.

  Blair couldn't help but get animated, clapping her hands together. “This is it! The first fight is about to begin!”

  Marco's voice echoed through the coliseum once more: "And the first match...will be..."

  The girls leaned forward even more, eagerly awaiting the announcement.