This is the second volume of the Sierra Waycross saga. It can be read as a standalone story but if you want to see how Sierra became a gladiator then check out 'Academy' in my list of stories. This tale contains strong erotic content and sexual domination so enter at your own risk.
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Sierra Waycross stood in the wings waiting for her first contest as a professional gladiator. She nervously adjusted the thin band that held the bottom part of her wrestling costume together. The only relief to her sense of anxiety was that her opponent was her best friend and roommate from the Saebra academy where they had spent the last two years training. Tessa Lockhart stood at her side with the same sense of excitement and anticipation that Sierra felt.
Sierra and Tessa came from two completely diverse backgrounds but had developed a deep friendship regardless. Sierra had lived a privileged life as a daughter of nobility in the far off kingdom of Rahnd. She had a talent for weaponry and martial combat, which she kept secret from her family. She left the drudgery of court life without telling anyone in order to follow her dreams of becoming a warrior. She now kept her noble background secret. At the academy, she was often underestimated in combat because she appeared too feminine to be considered a threat.
Sierra's beauty had a classic quality. Her hair cascaded to her shoulders in waves and natural dark streaks permeated her blonde locks giving a striking multicolored effect. Her skin was a golden tint from her time training outdoors and her bright emerald eyes completed a sensational portrait of a woman that any man would desire. The fact that she didn't look the part of a gladiator often worked in her favor. Her opponents at the academy never expected her to be so skilled and she finished at the top of her class along with Tessa.
Tessa was a raven-haired beauty with dark mysterious eyes. She was just as alluring as Sierra, but that sense of mystery shrouded a hint of ruthlessness that could rise to the surface if needed. She came from a land where she grew up as a thief in order to have enough food to eat. That survival instinct turned into a profession until she was eventually caught and arrested. She had the option of prison or the gladiator school. She chose the latter.
Sierra continued to fidget with her scant costume. "I can't believe they make us wear these," she complained. "We might as well be wrestling in our underwear. I don't see how this is supposed to stay on in a fight."
"I think that's the idea," Tessa replied wryly. "I find the knee-high boots that go with it even more amusing. And these vibrant colors really make us stand out."
Both girls were wearing identical costumes except Sierra's was a vivid lime-green and Tessa's was bright yellow. Each had a black collar signifying the rank they had when they left the academy. They hoped to achieve metallic collars eventually which signified a much higher rank.
"I just have to get used to the fact that there will be men in the audience looking over every inch of us," Sierra added. "I'm not used to being so exposed. At least at the academy it was just women watching."
"Get used to it. I heard that the costumes in some of the midnight shows are even worse than this. At least these are somewhat sturdy, but not by much," Tessa replied.
Sierra and Tessa waited patiently for their match. Two other female contestants stood just ahead of them and would be competing first. The women stood as far from each other in the wing as possible and gave each other cold glances. There was obviously no kinship between those two.
The herald announced the two competitors and they both entered the arena to thunderous cheers and applause. Even though this was one of the smaller arenas in the city of Beltran it was still packed to capacity with people paying no small amount of coin to attend.
Beltran was famous throughout the lands for its gladiatorial games. Decades ago, it was primarily slaves and convicts who competed, but now fame and fortune could be found for aspiring athletes. Successful gladiators became stars and heroes to the adoring public. The loud cheering that came from this small arena was just a hint of what the future would hold for those who advanced.
The two competitors faced each other in the center of the arena. The woman in the red wrestling costume was named Janlyn. She had closely cropped blonde hair and an athletic body. Her opponent, Caiteran, was wearing blue. She had sandy colored hair, which she kept tied back as not to hinder her match. Their outfits were just as skimpy as what Sierra and Tessa were wearing. Both contestants were strikingly beautiful, which was a sign of favor from the goddess Saebra. It was believed that beauty helped a gladiatrix channel Saebra's energy into fighting skill.
Slave girls entered the arena with buckets and poured a clear oil on the padded floor of the arena. The two contestants were staring each other down. When the slave girls exited, the herald rang the bell to signal the start of the match. The moment the bell sounded Janlyn delivered a swift kick to Caiteran's chin with her red boot. Caiteran staggered and Janlyn pounced on her not willing to give up her advantage. The audience erupted in a frenzy of cheers.
The women grappled and tumbled on the mat. Their bodies were now glistening in oil under the torch lit arena. Caiteran started to regain some momentum but never fully recovered from the cheap shot she had received from Janlyn at the opening. There was a nasty gash under her chin where her boot had made contact. Before Caiteran could steer the match in her favor, Janlyn grabbed the back of Caiteran's head and managed to undo the tie that held her hair back. Caiteran now had another disadvantage as her hair fell freely. Janlyn had a hand hold of it and started dragging and swinging her around the arena.
Caiteran managed to grab her opponents arm and threw her over her shoulder. She appeared to be back in the match but Janlyn grabbed Caiteran's tight, blue top and started to pull. Caiteran scratched and clawed back, but Janlyn finally ripped the flimsy top off. Caiteran made a futile attempt to cover herself and was embarrassed by the roar of the men in the crowd. That moment of modesty turned out to be a mistake as Janlyn took advantage and was able to maneuver her into a painful hold.
Sierra and Tessa watched the match in astonishment. "There's obviously no honor in this contest," Sierra said.
"Or rules for that matter," Tessa added.
Janlyn was pulling Caiteran's arms out to the side with her knee planted firmly in her back. The men in the audience enjoyed this hold as Caiteran's breast were now helplessly thrust forward.
"Give up, wench," Janlyn growled.
"You won't get the pleasure, bitch!" Caiteran shouted defiantly. Then Janlyn started pulling her arms harder as Caiteran screamed. There was a popping sound as her right arm dislocated from her shoulder.
"OKAY-OKAY I GIVE UP!" Janlyn released her and Caiteran collapsed to the mat sobbing in pain. An arena judge came forward and raised Janlyn's arm as the crowd cheered for her in adoration. Caiteran was carried off the mat.
Sierra was beginning to wonder what she had gotten herself into as she waited for the herald to announce their fight. At least she was competing against her best friend where there wouldn't be any of the dirty fighting that they had just witnessed.
When Sierra and Tessa entered the arena their adrenaline started pumping at the sound of the cheers. The evening sky had a purple quality as the sun had just set. Numerous torches lit the exquisite architecture of the stadium and the oil that covered the arena floor had a sweet and pleasant smell to it. The mostly-male audience eyed the new combatants hungrily. Sierra felt awkward and self-conscious knowing that all these men would probably be fantasizing about them after hours.
When the bell sounded, all friendship was momentarily put aside. The girls circled each other with the only intent being the defeat of the other. There were no cheap shots but they fought fiercely trying to take advantage of any weakness they had learned about each other during their training.
