Helltown

First training day

A few chuckles broke the silence.

A pair of thin hands appeared from a cell paralleled to hers. "I did," the same voice snickered. The girl it belonged to pressed her face, showing off her sharp fangs and little black horns. Red long hair seemed to cover her boobs and stomach. Or maybe it was a piece of fabric. It was difficult to distinguish because of the lack of light. "What are you going to do about it?" 

Cassandra observed her, stern but cautious. "Nothing. I was just curious to learn who my cellmates were."

"So were we, honey," another, slightly deeper female voice spoke. It was from a few cells away. "It's not often that the boss brings in some noob off the streets."

"Yeah, where did she find you? On the dump?" a third voice sneered.

"Ladies, ladies. Give the girl some space..." a fourth, softer voice replied. A small young woman with loosely tied hair appeared from her solemn, tiny compartment. "Hi. I'm sorry we did not greet you right away. It's just..."

"We did not want to miss Tamara's warm welcome," the first girl said, cackling. "The way you flew into the cell was bombastic."

All the girls laughed except the fourth one. "I am Lavinia, by the way. What's your name?"

"My name is Cassandra," the new girl replied, making the first girl scoff loudly.

"What's funny?" Cassandra addressed her, annoyed.

Still giggling, the red girl replied. "If that is your real name, I'm going to eat this pole for breakfast."

Already disliking her, Cassandra swiftly replied. "In that case, bone appetite."

"Girls, girls, please. No need for hostilities. We are all friends here," Lavinia spoke sweetly.

"Yeah, save it for the pit, Jane," the burly girl spoke.

"Oh, I'm looking forward to it," the first girl said, grinning with glee.

Cassandra kept in cool. "So, when does the training starts?"

"Whenever the boss comes for us," Jane replied.

The new girl nodded. "Alright. In that case, we should all get some sleep. Tomorrow is a big day..." A roar of laughter made her blink. The girls cackled loudly, some even holding their shaking stomachs.

"Did she actually say sleep?" one yelled mockingly.

"Yes, she did. You really don't know anything about this place, do you?" Jane gasped, still laughing.

Awkward and embarrassed, Cassandra moved towards the darkness.

After an unspecified amount of time, a key was heard. Tamara entered the hallway with a large man. He was buff and strong as his name implied, with short hair and excellent posturing.

"Come on girls. Breakfast time," she said cheerfully, opening the cells one by one. Approaching Cassandra's cell, she smiled addressing her. "Ready for your first day?"

The new girl nodded, cautiously keeping her distance. The man next to her, supposedly her husband and business partner, took a quick glance. Escorting them to the dinning hall, he kissed Tamara on the lips and moved on disinterested in anything else.

The girls walked towards the long dinning hall, where Cassandra could see her companions more clearly.

Jane did have long red hair. Her eyes were cunning with a piercing stare, much like the one she had while she was alive.

There was also the tall girl, calling herself Sara, with broad shoulders. She not only had a tail and horns, but little black wings as well.

The third girl, which others called Ninja, seemed strong, but lacked any demonic body parts. Her hair was cut short, and she wore dog tags around her neck.

They all seemed like they would be the Queen Bee of high school. Such badass attitude would rarely be seen in such quantity back on Earth.

Lavinia was a short girl with a small face. Her hair was tied in long braids that made a loose wreath-like bun. Her round childlike eyes smiled as she signalled the new girl to sit next to her.

Looking around, Cassandra asked, "Are we the only gladiator girls here?"

"No. The main act trains in a different time," Lavinia said.

"I see," Cassandra said.

Tamara walked in bringing gray plates. She had a bleached leather apron with Kiss the Cook written in suspicious red paint. Humming, she placed a dish of grounded maggots covered with a bit of red sauce. "Eat up," she sang, obviously proud of her cooking skills. The girls hid their disgust with a polite nod.

"And remember. Any animosities you may have. Save it for the arena," she said with a serious face that made the girl's shiver.

As she took her utensil, Jane's hand reached for her plate. Cassandra swiftly grabbed it, staring viciously at the girl.

"Relax," Jane chuckled mischievously. "I was just checking your reflexes."

As they were busy eyeing each other, one of the girls took the opportunity and struck the plate off the table. It fell on the rock floor and fell into pieces. Tamara stomped in furious. She pulled them up by their hair and slammed their faces into the table, first Jane's then Cassandra's. 

"What did I say?" she said through her teeth and stormed back into the kitchen.

"She's really strong," Cassandra thought touching her throbbing nose.

"Not funny girls," Jane muffled, pressing her hands over the bleeding face.

In the large open arena, Biff cracked his neck, ready to start. He looked like a military type, with no alterations except his protruding muscles. There were many weapons, stacked on polished wooden shelves, with human targets made from the same material. Sara was stretching like a pro, with Cassandra observing.

"What?" the tall girl turned to her annoyed.

"Were you an athlete while alive?"

"Yes. Weightlifter," she said proud.

"Sold her soul for a gold medal," Lavinia winked, making Sara growl.

"Nice boots," Ninja said.

"Thanks," Cassandra looked down.

"I might take them. After I kick your ass," she continued in a dry tone.

"I doubt it," the new girl spoke.

Ninja kept observing her. "Might take your legs too."

Biff clapped. "Alright, girls. No more shenanigans. New girl! Do you have a weapon?"

Cassandra calmly jangled her mace.

"Can you use it?"

She stepped towards a wooden target and smashed it in one piece. Biff nodded impressed as did the other girls.

"How many pig demons did you have to fight to get your hands on that?" Sara asked.

"Just one," she boasted.

"Lucky you," another added, lightening the mood a little.

The training did not last long, seemingly only held so that they could assess her fighting skills. Nevertheless, Cassandra enjoyed spending some time outside. Even the lack of sunlight stopped bothering her as much. Afterwards, Biff took them back to their dark cells. Cassandra was the last one to be locked up.

As he turned the key slowly, Biff told her, "You did well today. I can see great talent in you."

"Thank you," Cassandra said calmly. 

Taking a long time to pull out the key, Biff scanned her from her high-heel boots to the top of her head. 

Cassandra could feel his stare, making her skin crawl. "Anything wrong?" she asked calmly.

Biff did not reply. Pulling the key out, he grinned from ear to ear. Pressing his body between the bars, the bulge in his pants was clearly visible.

"You know, despite what Tamara says, I'm the real boss around here."

"Aha," she said, crossing her arms.

"Yeah," he said, suggestively swaying his hips. "And if you are nice to me, life can be really good for you." His nether region protruded even more into her closed cell.