They pushed their way through the crowd outside the arena, locating the entrance. Everyone gathered outside couldn't afford the tickets to enter the building, so they were stuck listening to the impact of metal, unable to see the actual battles. Only picking up on portions of the announcer's words.
Bursting through the hordes of angels, they entered the main reception, where a series of guards lined the room, enforcing the arena's policies.
The guards eyed them warily, their eyes fixed on the six wings on his back, but apart from their curious gaze, they made no attempts to stop them.
"Hello. Welcome to Ironstar's Radiant Arena. Would you like to participate in the ongoing tournament or would you like a ticket?"
"We would like to see Seraphina Vulcan. We heard that she was here at the moment."
"Oh, I'm sorry, but Miss Vulcan has a policy in place for anyone who would want to have an audience with her. You must win one of the tournaments."
"Seriously?" asked Ratella, completely baffled at the stupid policy. The receptionist nodded her head swiftly. The glasses perched on her nose bounced up and down as she confirmed his question.
"Fine. I'll participate then."
"Okay, but if you both want to see Miss Vulcan, you must both win. Miss, would you like to participate as well? We have separate brackets for men and women."
"Whatever, if I must, then I'll just have to make it quick."
"Great! May I have your names for the bracket? You will be called out shortly as the tournament is just starting. You got here just in time!"
"Ratella Evergarden."
"Olivia Lifebloom."
"Very well, please take a seat in the adjacent room where those two guards are standing. Just pass those doors, and you'll meet the other challengers."
"What about my pet? I can't bring him to the arena with me."
"If you are sure of your victories, I can have a guard bring him to Seraphina Vulcan; no harm will come to the cub in her care. Although if you lose, you won't get him back, unfortunately, it's a bet on your winnings."
"We'll win. Please request Seraphin Vulcan to shield Memaru with her wing just in case something happens."
"Of course, I understand. It's only natural for a father to be protective of his child."
"If any harm comes to Memaru, I'll personally reap your soul," spat Olivia. The woman's earlier threat, disguised as a bet, didn't go past her head.
The receptionist recoiled at her sharp gaze; the threat to her life didn't feel hollow, intensifying the anxiety boiling over in the woman's mind.
Ratella handed over Memaru to the receptionist, the woman's life now hinging on the safety of the little cub.
She gave Memaru to a guard, giving him explicit orders to protect the cub with his life as he delivered it to Seraphina. A small letter was handed over to the guard, stressing the importance of its care.
The two entered the waiting room for challengers; many stern, hardened angels were seated there, talking loudly about their upcoming fights. They seated themselves away from the main group of burly angels, their scars being a testament to their obnoxious personalities.
A couple of people were seated around the duo, all quiet and patiently awaiting their turns. From Ratella's assessment, there weren't any angels in the room worth worrying about. The quieter ones were more powerful than the louder ones, but they weren't anything special, nothing to rival him.
A burlier man, followed by a couple of his lackeys, approached the two, his gaze fixed on Olivia. Her wingless appearance most likely triggered their deep-rooted prejudice.
"What's this? A filthy wingless trying to join the tournament?"
"Who does this woman think she is?"
"Beauty isn't going to win you a tournament, you know? Everyone hates wingless, you'll be booed off the arena before you even draw your sword."
Olivia caught her gaze straight, not acknowledging their presence, completely ignoring their taunts. One of the men clenched his fist, already furious at her ignorance.
"None of you are women, so you have no right to interject in her affairs. Begone," declared Ratella, trying to cast away the annoyance taking flesh, but to no luck, only wounding their pride.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll kill this brat, and when you get humiliated, I'll be there to comfort you," exclaimed one of the men, a hideous and sinister smile growing across his face. His intentions with Olivia were anything but pure.
"We will settle this little dispute on the arena grounds. Begone, don't make me ask again."
"We'll see arrogant bastard."
The three men walked off, spitting on the floor as they left, their taunts having no effect.