Page 31 of Escape from Amazdom

My heart races as Tebos leads me to the grand gladiator ring surrounded by towering walls, thousands of Zebos guards and the looming presence of Fej.

I can't believe he tricked Champ into fighting with him. I'm sure Fej will have other monsters lurking in the depths of his ring or weapons hidden to destroy my only love.

Is that what Champ is to me?

Do I love him?

Seeing Champ tied up and suffering in the tower broke my heart, but his look of confidence and bravery kept my faith in his abilities. Part of me feels that I still need to help him, though. I have to find a way to break free and assist him in this crazy battle.

We get closer to the balcony, and the crowd's deafening roar reverberates in my ears, a mix of anticipation and bloodlust filling the air.

Tebos sneers at me, his voice dripping with taunts.

"What do you think of your precious monster now? Do you believe he has what it takes to beat our mighty ruler?"

"He's not my ruler," I mutter, keeping my eyes fixed ahead.

"He will be soon," says Tebos, elbowing me in the back. "I can't wait to see the look on your face when Champ fails."

"Whatever. Ain't gonna happen, Sunshine."

Tebos knees me in the butt, guiding me up a staircase to a balcony overlooking the arena. God, I can't wait to have my way with this bully, obviously not in a sexual way.

"Nearly there," says Tebos, grabbing my elbow as he shakes me in the door. "By the way, I have a surprise for you."

My heart skips a beat as I look over and see Liz, bound and weakened. Her eyes lock onto mine with a spark of shared tenacity.

"Liz, you're alive."

"Barely." She glances down at her bruised and battered body, and rage pours through me. Tears build up behind my eyes, but I swallow hard. I have to stay strong and not show any weakness. At least she's here with me.

Tebos shoves me until I'm leaning against the wall, about three meters from Liz. She looks into my eyes and winks. I shake my head and shrug slightly, asking her telepathically why she's happy, but we get interrupted.

"Watch, your new lover is coming out," says Tebos.

I look down as Fej enters the ring, and a wave of distress pumps around me. I can't stand the sight of the sick fuck.

"Fellow Zebos guards," he says in a booming voice. The crowd falls silent. "Now we have a fight to the death. The mighty Champ and I will go head to head, once and for all, to show you that I'm more powerful than any of the monsters in my captivity."

I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms. Fej hopes to prove his dominance, show he's the true ruler of Planet Amazdom, and use this fight to display his power, but he's going to fail. Not only that, but this failure won't have a positive lesson, at least not for Fej, because he'll be dead.

"Let him in."

Champ appears on the other side of the ring, and a mix of pride, fear, and devotion power through me. He looks meaner than I've ever seen him. His body is fired up, bursting with energy, and he has a look of confidence in his eyes that could inspire a country full of desperate souls.

Perhaps that is why he's here.

Perhaps he was abducted to show everyone on Planet Amazdom his true power and lead them to victory against the evil Fej.

"Let the fight begin," cries Fej, taunting his muscular body.

My heart pounds in rhythm with the thunderous roars of the Zebos audience. A lump forms in my throat as the brutal spectacle unfolds below, a battle between two formidable forces – Champ versus Fej - a.k.a. good versus evil.

Fej's sinister grin stretches across his face as he lunges forward, launching an aggressive attack on Champ. His blows are fierce and calculated, striking Champ with precision. My heart clenches as Champ staggers back from the force of the onslaught, his muscles straining against the relentless assault.

Champ's resolve doesn't waver, though. He spins gracefully, rising from his crouched position with a determined fire in his eyes.

With a swift motion, Champ charges forward, his massive form hurtling toward Fej.