The Arena Read Online Free

in a point just below her belly button. In one of her human arms, she carried a massive black staff. Up and down the length of the staff intricate red arcane symbols were inscribed, and they seemed to move the length of the staff in time with her chanting.
    Sarah looked at me and let out another low growl. This time I could tell it was due to impatience; she was ready to charge and take the fight to them. “I’m ready, Sarah. Wait until you see my first attack before you charge in.”
    She looked back at me and signaled that she understood with a slight nod. With her affirmation, I started to prepare my cast. I summoned the magic into myself, wrapping it around my core, using it to lighten myself and increase my natural speed. Then I shook five marbles from my pouch into my open palm and used my magic to create a blue fire around them. Without another thought, I sent them at the first five witches watching the forest. As they flew across the open space, they grew in size and heat. By the time they struck the first of the witches, they were three times their original size. As they hit the witches, another part of the spell activated, shattering the flaming glass balls, sending superheated shrapnel in all directions.
    Sarah howled and started to charge. Even using my enhanced speed and senses, I could only hope to follow the silver streak across the field. She reached the next set of witches, hurled herself into them with reckless abandon, tearing the throat from the first witch, as she pulled her sword from her back. The next two went down from a massive swing of the giant blade. The strike cut the first witch nearly in half. I finally started to catch up as I saw a witch casting a spell at Sarah’s unprotected back. I barely had time to counter it before the spell struck her. The blow still momentarily knocked the massive beast off of her feet and to the ground. Never one to be found defenseless, Sarah used the momentum of the blast to push herself toward the next group of witches. I made sure the witch who had attacked her didn’t get another chance by launching a blast of white hot fire in her direction.
    All of the witches except the spider queen soon lay dead at our feet. I slammed the hilt of my staff into the ground so it would remain upright in case I needed it. Then I pulled my two silver-infused enchanted blades from my shoulders. The hilts seemed to vibrate in my hands for a moment, the power they contained fighting to bring an end to the evil they sensed. A light blue flame ignited and ran down the edge of the blades.
    I was ready to attack, and I knew Sarah was always ready for a fight, so I recklessly charged at the spider queen. As I ran toward her, a huge blast of dark energy rocketed skyward from the center of the pentagram. I was thrown backward off my feet, landing by my staff. The dark energy seemed to grow in strength as it rushed from the ground, enveloping the queen and the entire center of the pentagram. Sarah recovered her footing and rushed back toward me.
    Another blast struck us so hard, it spun Sarah around, singeing her fur in places. My staff was the only thing that let me keep my footing. Calling on my gift, I pulled Sarah to me and, with the last of my strength, summoned a shield around us. The blast had knocked Sarah unconscious, and I pulled her lifeless form closer to me.
    Demons started to pour from the portal created by the hybrid witch. They formed a circle all around us, kept at bay only by the strength of my shield. The bravest or most enraged slammed themselves against my shield again and again. Sarah slowly started shifting back to her human form, unable to maintain the change while unconscious. I pulled her into my lap and ran a hand through her long black hair. I placed a hand on her head, brushing loose strands of hair from her face. Looking at her, one would have thought that she was only sleeping. I wouldn’t let the Demons have her. I couldn’t hold my shield up for much