Page 62 of Naga Warrior's Mate

They climbed a narrow stairwell and emerged into the compound’s ground floor.Through the archways, Dernin saw Niri warriors engaged with Fyret’s guards.

Through the chaos of battle, Dernin spotted Krav and Vrax—fellow arena fighters he’d trained and fought with—huddled behind an overturned table.Their eyes held the same desperate look he had seen in the ring.His warrior blood surged.These men deserved freedom as much as he did.

“Brothers!”Dernin’s voice cut through the noise of combat.“Take up arms!Fight with us!”

Krav’s head snapped up, recognition dawning.“Champion?”

“The Niri warriors have come.This is our chance!”Dernin tossed Krav his spare blade.The weapon sang through the air as Krav caught it.

“I’m going to help the other slaves.”Alaysia squeezed his arm.“Marcella knows all the hiding spots.We can get them out of here safely.”

Every instinct screamed to keep her close, but Dernin knew she was right.He pulled her close and captured her lips in a fierce kiss.

“Be careful, mate.I’ll clear you a path.”

She gave him a determined nod before darting to go help her fellow slaves.Dernin’s tail lashed as he watched her go and then turned back to his fellow fighters.

“Who else stands with us?”

More faces emerged from the shadows—arena fighters he’d battled beside and against.They grabbed fallen weapons from Fyret’s guards, falling into fighting stances that spoke of years of training.

“For freedom!”Dernin roared, leading the charge toward a group of guards blocking the main corridor.His blade found its mark as muscle memory from his warrior training took over.Behind him, he heard the satisfying sounds of his fellow fighters joining the fray.

A guard’s plasma shot sizzled past his ear.Dernin’s tail whipped out, sweeping the man’s legs from under him.The guard hit the ground hard as Vrax finished him with a decisive blow.

“The south passage!”Dernin called out, catching glimpses of Alaysia leading groups of slaves toward safety.“Keep it clear!”

His heart swelled with pride as his makeshift army of fellow fighters battled with renewed purpose.They weren’t just fighting for sport anymore.They were fighting for their lives and their freedom.

Plasma fire sizzled through the air as Dernin led his group through the compound’s main hall.His tail whipped a guard across the chest while his blade found another’s throat.The familiar dance of combat sang in his blood, but his eyes kept darting to where Alaysia had disappeared.

“Push forward!”he commanded, his deep voice carrying over the chaos.The former arena fighters moved as one unit now, their years of combat experience showing in their coordinated attacks.

Commander Thex’s warriors pressed in from the other side, their superior weapons and training overwhelming Fyret’s remaining guards.The acrid smell of plasma discharge mixed with sweat and blood.

“Champion!”Krav called out.“The south passage is clear!”

Dernin’s muscles ached from exertion and pain, but satisfaction coursed through him as he watched more slaves emerge from hiding, guided by Alaysia and Marcella.His mate’s fierce determination made him proud.

A desperate guard charged at him.Dernin caught the man’s wrist, crushing it in his grip before slamming him into a wall.The guard crumpled, his weapon clattering to the ground.

“The compound is secured,” Commander Thex announced, his green scales gleaming with sweat.“Well fought, brothers.”

Dernin’s fellow fighters cheered, their voices echoing off the blood-spattered walls.Victory tasted sweet after six months of captivity.He scanned the room, counting heads.All his fighters had made it.

“Dernin!”Alaysia ran to him, her red hair wild around her face.He caught her in his arms, his protective instincts finally settling as he held her close.

“Are all the slaves safe?”he asked against her hair.

“Safe.We got everyone out of harm’s way.”

Dernin cupped her face in his battle-worn hands, his chest flooding with pride as he looked down at his fierce mate.Her determination, her strength in the face of danger—she embodied everything a warrior should be.

“You protected them all,” he said, his deep voice rough with emotion.“Even after everything you’ve endured, you put their safety before your own.”

“Someone had to.”Alaysia’s blue eyes blazed with that inner fire that had first drawn him to her.

“A true warrior protects those who cannot protect themselves.”His thumb traced her cheekbone.“You may not have been trained in combat, but your heart is that of a warrior.”

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