33. I Can't Get No Satisfaction

From what she had seen from outside Mariella had expected this to be much smaller, maybe a crowd standing next to the cage but this was huge, concealed by the magic and she had not even tried to identify what kind of creature could make this strong magic. The space was vast, dominated by an amphitheater. Down below, in the center of the amphitheater, were the fighting cages. Unlike the chicken wire cages Mariella was accustomed to, these had dense silver bars. The crowd-filled rows of benches added an electric energy to the scene.

Over murmurs of the crowd, she could hear different wagers being made, bookies walking among people, taking bets, and trying to entice people to put in more money. She was surprised as Damon put three thousand to Mimi, and she said nothing.

No one knew Mimi here yet, so she had high odds and Magnum put too few hundreds, knowing a good payday would be coming. Dresden refused even though Mariella knew that the old wizard had a money shortage almost chronically. 

Damon confidently led the way, with Mariella standing between Adam and Charles. The wolves, Dresden and Magnum, brought up the rear. They found places near the cage but in shadows so Mimi would not notice them. 

As they approached the cage and sat down, the battle had begun. The lighting revealed Mimi fiercely battling her opponent. What was most disturbing was the sight shocked Damon, while Mariella observed in awe. The reason for their shock was Damien, ever the provocateur, circled the cage, taunting and agitating Mimi. Meanwhile, Sark distributed syringes and guns to the onlookers, their metallic scent filling the air. 

Mariella watched as Mimi, consumed by rage, tore her opponent's heart from his chest, flinging it aside. Damien got her riled up even more, making her sloppier. The cage door opened, and two men swiftly came to retrieve the lifeless body. Mimi casually wiped her hand on her shirt hem, her eyes nearly black with fury. Mariella could feel the intensity radiating from her. Damien continued his relentless torment as Mimi patiently awaited her next challenger. 

Across from where they sat, a door swung open on the other side of the cage. A colossal figure emerged, capturing everyone's attention.

This one was over six feet tall, its powerful muscles bulging on all sides. On this guy's hip hung a big fucking sword and, on the other side, a sharp dagger. Mariella could smell the poison in the dagger. It was strong and might affect Mimi.

This was a black Fae. A fighter type. Mariella wrapped herself around Charles as if to seek safety. Adam was stiff and alert, but Damon just sat there and didn't let any emotion show or be felt.

The opponent walked over to the cage, his heavy footsteps echoing against the cold concrete floor. He glanced at Damien, his face twisted in a discontented expression. Damien, undeterred, moved to sit beside Sark, their hushed conversation barely audible over the din of the crowd.

Magnum posed a question, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Is that Damien now?"

Charles simply nodded in affirmation. 

Mariella chimed in, as the knowledge appeared in her mind, her voice filled with confidence, "Dresden will give upon you the ability to recognize Damien, regardless of the vessel he inhabits. Once you have that power, you can start to take out Damien. And I know you possess the skill to eliminate him without his immediate awareness."

Understanding dawned upon Mariella as she realized the purpose behind awakening Magnum and Dresden - it was all for this very moment. They were needed or else Damien would have captured Mimi. She saw it when she looked at the future. 

The opponent entered the cage, his presence commanding attention. Mimi, seemingly nonchalant, sauntered towards him with lazy grace. She scrutinized him from head to toe and then, with contempt, spat beside her. The fae muttered something under his breath, his words too low for Mariella to discern. But whatever was said, it was swift.

In an instant, he wielded his sword, swinging it in a grandiose arc toward Mimi, who suddenly appeared to be in two places at once. One moment, she stood defiantly in front of her assailant, and the next, she materialized behind him, delivering a powerful kick to his kneecap. 

The fae retaliated, his fist narrowly missing Mimi by a hair's breadth. In response, Mimi drove her fist with brutal force into her opponent's crotch. He grunted, but pressed on. With a swift motion, his sword pierced through Mimi's shoulder, emerging from the side of her back.

Yet Mimi contorted her body, breaking free from the blade's grasp. She swiftly created distance between them, leaping into the air, her foot connecting with a bone-shattering impact against her opponent's face. Mariella watched as blood sprayed from his mouth, his head forced to the side by the sheer force of the blow. 

Undeterred, the fae shook off the pain and lunged at Mimi once again, this time armed with a dagger. Mimi evaded each strike with fluid grace, countering with her own precise blows. Her movements were a blur, and her opponent growing increasingly anxious.

Mariella held on tightly to Charles, feeling his tension radiate through his grip. With each punch and kick, Mariella found herself holding her breath, her senses acutely attuned to the battle unfolding before her. She possessed the ability to cast spells or unleash energy upon an opponent, but not Mimi. Mimi's fury burned brightly, a wicked smile dancing upon her lips as she taunted her adversary, her fingers beckoning him forward. 

The fae charged, dagger poised for attack, plunging it directly into Mimi's stomach. Mariella watched in horror as the tip of the blade emerged from Mimi's back, the weapon having pierced through her entirely. Yet Mimi showed no concern, retaliating by thrusting her hand into the fae's chest on the right side, wrenching his heart from his body in one swift motion.

Fae's eyes remained fixed on the gruesome sight before him as he slowly began to lean back, loosening his grip on the dagger he had mercilessly plunged through Mimi's fragile body. The metallic scent of blood filled the air, mingling with the acrid odor of fear.

Mimi's gaze lingered on the glinting dagger, her fingers curling around its hilt before she yanked it free, wincing at the sting of pain. With a swift motion, she swiped the blade across her torn hem, inspecting its fit in her trembling hand.

Moving with purpose, Mimi crossed the cage, her steps echoing against the cold metal floor. She dropped the dagger into a growing pile of weapons, their sharp edges glinting in the dim light. Mariella couldn't help but wish that Mimi had kept the weapon, a desperate means of defense in this cruel, unforgiving world.

Magnum's voice, barely a whisper, broke the silence. "The lady's certainly reckless and alarmingly sloppy,"

Damon grunted in response, his gaze fixed on Mimi's relentless determination. "Rage can cloud one's judgment. She's not easy to subdue, that one. And yet, even from here, I can sense that she's not well."

A creaking sound filled the room as the door swung open once more, revealing a man whose scars told tales of battles fought and survived. Mariella observed him with curiosity, wondering how he fit into this twisted spectacle.

Charles leaned in, his voice a hushed murmur. "Division demon. Poisonous, narcotic, and utterly repugnant."

Mariella's eyes darted between the unfolding scene and Damon, marveling at his unwavering composure. She knew that deep down; he longed to unleash his fury upon those who tormented Mimi. But he remained stoic, a testament to his remarkable self-control.

The splitting demon entered the cage, its words lost in the moment's chaos. Without hesitation, Mimi charged forward, her foot connecting with the demon's face in a powerful kick. The demon shattered into countless furry balls, scattering in all directions.

Mimi, fueled by a primal instinct, began systematically obliterating each tiny creature. They clung to her, sinking their teeth into her flesh, leaving painful wounds that refused to heal as swiftly as they should.

Mariella winced, feeling a surge of empathy for Mimi's pain. Piece by piece, Mimi tore through the vile creatures, trampling them beneath her feet. She hurled those who dared to climb up her body, flinging them with such force that they sailed through the air, their impact resonating with power. The cage soon became a macabre display of slimy puddles, remnants of the defeated foes, slowly evaporating into nothingness.

Amongst the chaos, one thing became obvious - the vile creatures were vulnerable to silver. But Mimi paid no further attention to this advantage as she continued her relentless onslaught, her strength and determination unmatched.

After every ball of fur had been killed, the heavy wooden door creaked open once more, releasing a gust of wind as the next elemental emerged. This time, it took the form of a swirling tornado, its violent winds whipping through the room. Mimi gazed at it calmly, her eyes filled with determination. She reached into her pocket, her fingers brushing against a small object, and with a swift motion, she hurled it into the tornado. It was some powder. The elemental transformed back into its human form, visibly irritated by Mimi's clever tactic.

As the elemental lunged towards her, Mimi stood her ground, undeterred by the danger. A sharp pain shot through her as the elemental dagger sliced a deep gash from her side to her hip. But Mimi's rage burned fiercely, driving her forward. She continued to shred, relentlessly attacking the elemental. With each strike, she plunged her hand into its stomach, extracting something different each time. The sight of Mimi's relentless assault left Mariella in awe, while Charles muttered curses under his breath.

Mimi's calculated playfulness with her prey unsettled the elemental, and Mariella noticed Damien's growing unease. It became clear that the elemental had been sent by him, and now Mimi was revealing her true strength. She played with her victim before killing it, causing now even Dresden to curse out loud.

Just as Mariella's heart raced with anticipation, the door swung open once more. A breathtakingly handsome man entered, adorned in a mix of metal and leather armor, his long blond hair flowing effortlessly. His aura exuded cruelty and arrogance, instantly marking him as a black elf.

Confidently striding into the cage, the man cast a disdainful gaze upon Mimi, dismissing her as no threat. They exchanged words, their voices shrouded by a spell that concealed their conversation. With lightning speed, the man launched his attack, but Mimi had already expected his moves.

She leaped high into the air, clinging to the ceiling, gaining an advantageous position. From there, Mimi delivered a powerful kick, connecting both feet with the elf's head. The impact sent the elf crashing to his knees, while Mimi gracefully descended, delivering another decisive blow to his back.

The elf staggered to his feet, realizing that Mimi's assault had weakened his armor. He discarded the damaged pieces and launched another assault. Mimi skillfully evaded his strikes, countering with precise and forceful blows. She targeted his legs, delivering swift strikes, or unleashed a powerful kick to his chest.

With each attack, Mimi systematically dismantled the elf's armor, aiming for unprotected areas. Mariella struggled to witness the brutal exchange, the countless slashes on Mimi's shirt revealing the extent of her wounds, many of which showed no signs of healing.

Mimi was viciously playing with her victim, the sound of blows and cuts filling the air. Mariella observed intently as Mimi's anger seemed to intensify.

Charles spoke, his voice filled with determination. "This is the last one. Look, now the fuckers can't get away."

Mariella noticed that the number of assailants had decreased, now confined within a makeshift enclosure. Until now, their presence had been optional, as the cunts could choose to stay or leave. But not anymore.

Mariella watched as Damien prepared himself, pulling out a syringe from his pocket and inspecting it, his gaze assessing Mimi. He then exchanged a glance with the Sark, who handed him another syringe.

Damon's voice carried a dangerous tone. "Once this is done, Magnum, you go after Damien and Sark, and so do you, Dresden. Mimi must eliminate the fuckers, and then I will confront Mimi alone. The rest of you, retreat to the house. Understood? Because she's highly agitated, and I need to focus solely on her. Mimi could easily harm you to distract me if her temper remains unchecked."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Mariella voiced her concern. "Are you sure? Would it be better to let Mimi go and allow her to calm down?"

Damon paused, his gaze meeting his wife's, before responding, "Mimi requires treatment; she's battling a severe infection, and currently, Adam and Charles are likely overseeing the fight club. Miss needs to be attended to, and if I don't intervene now, I fear she may end up who knows where."

As Mimi finished dispatching her latest victim, Magnum and Dresden rose from their positions and moved. Mimi stepped away from the enclosed area towards the remaining fuckers, swiftly and efficiently eliminating them. However, there were approximately 35 of them, relentlessly attacking Mimi with a barrage of shots. Some of them shot at her and some of them injected something into her, shooting darts at her. Mariella grimaced as she witnessed the impact of each blow, realizing how many had landed with full force.

Mimi swiftly retrieved a bag from a corner of the cage, meticulously gathering the remaining drugs, injections, and guns. The bustling crowd gradually dissipated as Mariella observed Mimi removing her denim jacket and swapping it for a spare shirt from another bag. Stripping off her torn and bloodied shirt, Mariella noticed the lingering wound from a previous dagger attack that had not fully healed. There were old wounds as well, covered by worn-out bandages.

The tension in the air was palpable, heightened by the effects of whatever Magnum had given Damon before departing. Charles's whispered warning made Mariella's spine tingle, revealing the true extent of Mimi's threat. She glimpsed at the future, seeing that it was uncertain that Damon could get Mimi into care.

She clung to hope, praying for Damon's success, aware of those visions she had just seen where Mimi had rendered him unconscious and escaped. All Mariella could do was follow Damon's orders, silently supporting him, even though doubts gnawed at her.

Mimi briefly wiped away most of the bloodstains from her torn shirt before stowing it in the bag, donning her alternate shirt, and slipping on her coat. The scent of infection permeated the air, and the weight of the night's fierce battles and bloodshed finally lifted as the spell over the cage dissipated.

Rising to their feet, Charles led Mariella, Adam, Number Two, and the wolves towards the Berlin house to await Damon's arrival, hoping that Mimi would bring them safely.