Gladiator Whumpees; whumpees raised and trained to fight against each other as a performance. They were trained for entertainment value rather than efficiency in battle, but the fight is real nonetheless.
All of them sleep, train, eat in the same compound. They’re friends, until they enter the arena. Until they are screamed at, until they have to perform or risk being killed by each other or the handlers.
They have mastered the art of performance, of fighting with flourish and avoiding deadly injuries. When one of them falls, the others are not victorious, they are in mourning.
When two particular close fighters face off in the arena, their eyes meet from behind their weapons and both are crying silently. The audience is too far to see it, this short moment is just for them.
“I’m sorry,” the killer whispers.
“Me too,” his victim responds.
(Genuary 2026, Day 28: Match)