Asaki's ears perk up as the door to their cell opens. She remains very protective of her friends. She stares at the staff that is shoved into her hands. Then, as Jharm, Peterson and Zera are pulled aside, she tries to go after them, still certain that the Oghrun cannot be trusted. However, the guards do not allow her to get close. Once the blacksmith's modifications have been made, they are tossed into the arena. The roar of the crowd startles her a bit and she steps into the light.
Her alertness directs her to the opposite side of the arena as the gates open and slave warriors prepare for the kill.
Asaki approaches her companions, standing with Thisias and Jharm on her left and Peterson and Zera on her right.
"This is insane. Ok, guys. It would be a really bad idea to charge in with both arms swinging," she looks at the bracers on Peterson and Zera's wrists and frowns. "So to speak. Look, these guys are just like us. I'm sure they didn't ask for any of this...but I know that we can't sink to the Oghruns' level. Let's beat these guys," she looks at each of the warriors, determined, "but not kill them! Let's just knock them out cold, okay. And maybe we can play this game long enough for them to blow 'The Great Horn.' Then maybe we can find a way to get off this sadistic sod-ball. But we gotta stick together!"
She leans towards Thisias.
"Please, make certain Zera doesn't kill anyone unless, and I mean unless it's absolutely necessary."
She turns to her right and pulls Peterson a little closer to where Zera is not in earshot.
"I'm counting on you to be the bigger man. Cooperate with Zera, but don't let her go nuts either."
She holds the staff with her foot and cracks it to one side, breaking off the blade. She flips it over and does the same with the other end. The teenager stares at the oncoming slaves and takes a last glance at her comrades.
"We've only got one shot. Let's do it."
The teenager leaps at the first approaching warrior and clubs him forcefully on the side of the head, but not enough to kill him. Asaki spins the staff in her hands several times as the slave warrior shakes away the dizziness and stares straight foward. As his eyes begin to focus, the last thing he sees is Asaki lunging foward with the staff towards his head. The teenager delivers a dreadful blow to the man's jaw. She turns to face her companions as the slave man falls to the floor, unconscious.
"C'mon, guys. It's not impossible! Now let's get this over with before the Oghrun catch on to what we're doing!"