Shaggy barely had enough time to suck in an excited breath before the two sides rushed at each other. Shaggy had been sure Dave would’ve been the faster of the two. But the almost fifteen-foot demon general was a fleet of foots as his armored friend. The dark-skinned demon was almost a carbon copy of its lesser brethren except for longer horns and glowing purple runes. The runes stood out on the monster's dark flesh and flashed to life as the demon charged. Its human-esque head was tilted down slightly, horns at the ready.

Dave moved just as quick in his blue armor, if not a little faster. The two rushed to meet each other, and the demon held its arms out, ready to stop any attempts to flee. But Dave didn’t jump away or over, instead the blue armored player slid through the demon’s legs and hopped back up behind it. Dave had enough time to slam a few hooks into the demon’s thigh before he had to jump away. The demon general spun quickly, trying to catch Dave with a wide back-hand. But the blow missed by a hair and Dave jumped aside, circling the demon.

The runes on the demon’s body glowed purple again and Shaggy asked Levy. “What’s with the purple tattoos? Magic stuff?”

“Magically enhancements baked into the demon’s flesh. He has to spend mana to activate them, but they make him faster and tougher.” Levy answered, eyes transfixed by the battle.

Shaggy nodded as he watched the demon send two straight punches at Dave. But his friend weaved around them and tried to get in closer. The demon general backed up, not letting his shorter opponent get inside. Shaggy hissed worriedly as Dave had to dodge a quick succession of punches. Dave was already a great fighter, but he was clearly tired. Shaggy noted that his friends’ movements weren’t sluggish, just more careful. Like a fighter that knows he only has so much left in the tank. Dave didn’t want to commit too much and get dinged for it.

The fight carried on, with the two sides chasing each other around the dirt arena. Few of Dave’s blows had connected and none of the Demons. But the crowd was clearly on the edge of their seats. The tension in the air was almost palpable as Dave would risk quick rushes past the demon. Hitting the thing’s legs and hip with quick combos before dashing away. Every time the Blue Devil dodged a return volley, the crowd would inhale almost as one.

Shaggy was momentarily brought back to his youth. Images of him training in the family dojo and going to tournaments flitted through his brain. But he quickly shunted them aside as he watched Dave deliver a harsh front kick to the demon’s inner thigh. The general grunted loudly and stumbled before it caught itself and tried to swing a wide haymaker at Dave. But the blue armored player was already backing away. The exchange brought Shaggy’s eyes lower to the demon’s legs, and its cloven feet.

“Can the demons not kick? I don’t think I’ve seen one try.”

Levy chuckled. “Hahahaha! I don’t think so. I’ve never seen it either. You’d think with their goat-like legs, they’d have a killer back kick, right?”

Shaggy glanced at the demon’s large thighs and the rough cloven hooves. “Yeah, those things could probably do some damage.”

“This is just a war of attrition at this point, honey. I hate to say it, but unless your friend takes a big risk. He is going to tire out first.”

Shaggy couldn’t disagree as he watched Dave rush in again and try to work the demon’s leg. Unfortunately, the exit dash wasn’t quick enough, and Dave was finally smacked with a ferocious backhand. Dave’s blue form went sailing as the demon tried to push his advantage, chasing after his opponent. Dave twisted out of the fall and caught himself just in time for the giant demon to slam into him with his horns. Shaggy winced, and the crowd went nuts as Dave gripped the demon’s head.

The demon pushed the two through the dirt arena as Dave tried to dig his feet in. Shaggy didn’t think the demon’s horns had penetrated Dave’s armor. But he didn’t like the odds of that lasting. Apparently Dave didn’t either, because the player stopped resisting the charge and jumped. Trying to sail over the demon’s hunched over body. But the demon was too fast again. He grabbed one of Dave’s legs midair and slammed Dave to the arena floor like a rag-doll.

“Oof! Damn.” Shaggy groaned in sympathy as the Demon lifted Dave up by his leg for another slam.

“I think that’s all she wrote on this one. But he did a decent job. He was just too tired.” Levy said, wincing as Dave’s armored body hit the arena floor again.

The crowd was cheering and screaming in delight as the demon general raised its free hand in victory. Dave still hanging from his other hand. Shaggy was sure the buzzer was going to go off, but before it could. The Blue Devil came alive again.

Dave kicked out with his free leg. Catching the unsuspecting general in the eye. The giant demon roared and tossed Dave away on reflex. Dave spun out of the toss and caught himself before rushing back to the irate demon. The crowd was going nuts now and even Shaggy was roaring at the edge of the arena. Dave rushed the across the arena, right up to the demon’s legs and jumped. The general was still reeling from the eye poke as Dave leapt up to the demon’s face. He put both legs on the Demon’s chest and gripped a horn for balance. The crowd gasped almost collectively as Dave used his free hand to punch down into the demon’s face. Shaggy could see Dave’s armored fist disappear as it was embedded into the demon’s other eye. The demon reeled backward and roared in pain as it was blinded.

The purple runes on its body flared to life as the giant tried to shake Dave loose. But the stubborn Blue Devil held on firm as he dragged his fist back and slammed multiple punches into the general’s face. Shaggy felt Levy’s hand grip his arm as they both got to their feet. The fight was on the other side of the arena and facing away from them. But they still had a clear view as the demon general tumbled to its backside.

“He’s got to keep it up or those runes are going to heal the general.” Levy said excitedly.

Shaggy nodded dumbly. Not really hearing as he watched Dave kick off the demon’s face and flip into the air. Shaggy couldn’t help but smile as he watched his friend pose in mid-air before spinning. Levy practically burst out laughing as she watched Dave’s blue form turn into a spinning drill kick.

“What is he doing?”

Dave’s voice echoed across the arena before Shaggy could answer.

“KOAN KICK!”

Dave’s spinning blue kick rushed downward toward the demon’s head. The arena watched in stunned silence as Dave flew through the air and stomped down onto the demon’s forehead. Blue-purple blood flew up into the air as the demon’s head was caved in from the force of the blow. But Dave didn’t stop there. Somehow, the crazy player kept spinning. Drilling down into the general’s face as spurts of blood flew into the air. The entire arena stared in awe as the blood was slowly replaced with the dirt from the arena floor. Dave had stomped his way through the demon’s human-looking face down into the dirt on the other side.

“YEAH!” Shaggy screamed as the buzzer finally sounded and Dave stopped spinning.

This time Dave’s armor seemed to dissolve instead of seep back into Dave’s flesh. Shaggy was sure that his friend was done. Indeed, Dave fell to his knees and raised a hand in triumph as the crowd cheered and jeered in equal measure. Levy was jumping up and down excitedly as she gripped Shaggy shoulder. Dave was waving to the crowd now and shaking his head. Shaggy figured things were over. But the damn buzzer went off again and everyone froze.

“No fucking way. Really?!” Shaggy screamed in the silence.

The arena rumbled again, even as Dave was shaking his head on the arena floor. Shaggy could see his friend could barely stand. He looked down the side of the arena and judged the drop, but Levy hissed in his ear.

“Leave it, Shaggy. He’ll be sent to respawn and everything will be fine.”

Shaggy almost agreed, but then he saw the two demon generals walk out into the arena. Both were grinning evilly as they eyed Dave’s tired form. Dave struggled to get to his feet and tried to summon his armor. But all that happened was blue particles flowed around him before disappearing. Shaggy growled.

“Yeah, but how long are they going to play with their food before they kill him?”

Shaggy didn’t wait for an answer and flung himself over the side and down into the arena. Sure, it was all a game and Dave wasn’t going to really die. But getting beaten up by two sadistic demons was probably not a fun way to go. Shaggy could hear the indignation in the crowd as he slammed into the arena floor. His knees screaming at his stupidity. Shaggy ignored the pain and raced toward Dave. Unbidden, he fell into a loping run and aimed toward the lead demon general.

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Both generals were oblivious to Shaggy’s charge. Even as the arena crowd seemed to shout warnings. The buzzer was going crazy as Shaggy raced toward his target. He ignored the booing and the random object being thrown into the arena. He even had a few fireballs and icicles thrown at him. But he pushed it all and got ready to leap at the first general’s head.

Dave was on his feet with no armor as the two general rushed at him. He was in a fighting stance. But Shaggy was unsure how powerful his friend was without it. Although that was irrelevant as Shaggy got into Pouncing range. He mentally clicked the ability and let his body fling itself off the dirt arena floor and straight at the face of the demon general. His claws grew out, and he thrust them forward as he collided with the giant’s head.

Shaggy felt his claws bend slightly before they pushed their way through the general’s head. But he didn’t stop to celebrate. Instead, he took a second to line up a jump to the next Demon general that was turning to look his way. Wrenching his claws free, he leapt toward the second general and raked his claws across that one face. Shaggy braced himself before he slammed into the dirt and pushed forward into a roll as he heard a loud thump behind him. Quickly gaining his feet and spinning, Shaggy saw that the first general had collapsed while the second was screaming in anger as it cover his face.

Shaggy grinned savagely before running to give his friend a hand. Dave looked both happy and annoyed as Shaggy quickly offered a shoulder.

“Dude, I like totally had it.”

“Pfft. Sure you did. Time to go, though.”

Dave nodded as they turned toward the nearest arena wall. “Yeah. Do you think this means I failed the tournament?”

Shaggy raised an eyebrow. “Dude, were you even entered? Besides, what kind of tournament has one guy fight repeatedly? I think these damn mages were fucking with you.”

Dave nodded as they continued to limp away. The crowd and buzzer had almost tripled in sound. The rumbling beneath his feet brought Shaggy back around to see both demons back on their feet and glaring over at him. Apparently, the first one had healed from Shaggy’s claws, penetrating into his brain. Shaggy sighed as Dave chuckled at the sight. The runes on both demons glowed purple, and they stomped their way forward when everything went quiet.

Shaggy had let go of Dave as they squared off with the two demons. But now he had to grab Dave again as he staggered on his feet as a wave of energy shook the entire arena. Shaggy almost mistook it for Korrigan at first. But the woman who appeared was shorter and slightly bulkier looking, even in the dark blue robes she wore. She appeared, floating over the arena and glaring at everyone in silence.

Shaggy was about to ask, when Dave said happily. “Hey! It’s the nice arena Lady. Hey Lady! Hi!”

Shaggy wanted to slap himself as the woman’s ice-blue eyes seemed to glare down at them for a few seconds. Eventually, she spun in the air and spoke in a deep, but calm, voice.

“It seems that some chicanery has gone down in MY arena.”

The crowd seemed to shrink in on itself as the woman spun to take in the entire arena. When her back was to them, Shaggy hauled Dave over to the nearest wall. He began looking for a way out as the woman continued.

“This was supposed to be an honorably tournament to decide the Mistresses lead force when we attack our enemies. But instead I find that some of who have used it to settle confrontations with outsiders.”

Shaggy saw the demons bristle at the woman’s words. Or maybe it was the fact that she was now glaring down at them. Both exhaled flame from their nostrils before the one Shaggy had stabbed in the head shouted back.

“Good Mistress of the Arena. We discovered this outsider trespassing in our tournament. So we thought it wise to teach him a lesson.”

The demon waved a hand in Shaggy and Dave’s direction. Shaggy ignored the gesture, but Dave cried back indignantly.

“Hey, I was invited, Demon Dude. Lady invited me.”

Dave waved a hand vaguely up in the air. The woman in the blue robe seemed to sigh before she floated lower.

“Everyone is to leave! The arena is closed until I get this sorted out! BEGONE!” She explained before a freezing wind flowed through the entire arena.

“Love!” Shaggy glanced up to see Levy just above him, looking down from the stands.

Shaggy waved dumbly. “Hey. Give us a lift?”

“What?! No! Catch me!”

Levy shouted before tossing herself over the side. Shaggy swore under his breath and hurried to get under his falling wife. Thankfully, Levy seemed to cast some spell mid-fall that slowed her descent drastically. Shaggy managed to easily cradle her body and smiled down at her as he princess-carried her back to Dave.

“Put me down, you stupid dog. You just had to poke the beehive again, didn’t you?”

“You saw those demons. They were going to rip Dave apart slowly. Respawn is fine, but dying sucks, especially if you have to watch yourself get pulled a part.”

Levy simply smacked him as she rolled out of his arms and rushed over to Dave. The player was smiling happily as he leaned against the arena wall. He looked exhausted and was sweating profusely. Shaggy tried to think when he had ever seen Dave look so tired. The arena had exhausted him.

“How do you know Lady?” Levy asked Dave excitedly.

Dave blew out a breath as he laughed. “Phew Uhh, I met her a bit after you disappeared with the scary purple woman? After y’all disappeared, they rounded us up and sent us to the city. I wandered around a bit before I met Lady outside the arena. She seemed like a nice person, so I explained I was bored and looking for some fun. She suggested the tournament and gave me this coin thingy.”

Dave pulled a purple coin from his jean pocket. The thing was as large as his palm and seemed to glisten in the arena light. Shaggy heard Levy gasp as Dave flipped it into the air and caught it. An exasperated sigh came from behind them and Shaggy and Levy spun to see the blue-robed woman pinching the bridge of her nose.

“You were supposed to hand that in at the sign-in desk.”

Dave looked confused. “There was a sign-in desk?”

The woman stomped her foot and growled. “YES! That’s a token to confirm that you have my authority to enter the tournament! How did you even get in here?!”

“Whoa! I was looking for the entrance to the arena and found these demon dudes. I told them I was looking for a fight and they lead me into the arena. First, I had to go against some mages, but then they ramped things up to the demons and then those bigger demon dudes. It was awesome!”

Shaggy felt a headache forming behind his eyes as they all listened to Dave’s explanation. Then the thought of his credits came to mind, and he gripped his friend’s shoulder.

“What about the betting? How did you get on the bracket for bets if you never signed up?”

The Mistress of the Arena snorted. “They probably wrote him in and then gave him shit odds. Don’t worry, I’ll see you get paid. But I’m going to need that coin back from your daft friend.”

Dave looked sorrowful as he flipped the coin again. “Aww, are you sure? It’s the first gift you gave me, Lady. I’d like to keep it. Make it a symbol of our friendship, right?”

Shaggy had to rub his eyes as he watched a NPC actually blush. The blue-robed mistress of the Arena seemed to curl into herself before she bounced back. She glared at Levy and Shaggy before she nodded roughly and turned.

“Fine! You can keep it, Master Koan. I will find you after I get things settled here, and we can discuss what you can provide for such a favor. Do not run off!”

Levy nodded. “I shall keep him close, Mistress Lady. Don’t worry!”

“I’m not worrying! Who’s worrying!? I just don’t want that idiot to cause more trouble. Hmph!”

Shaggy watched the short woman stomp away toward the demons. Once she was far enough away, he turned back to Dave.

“What the hell was that about?”

Dave tilted his head, confused. “Huh?”

Levy chuckled again before she griped Dave’s shoulder. “Hahaha. I’ll explain later. Let’s get Dave somewhere he can sit down. We don’t want him to pass out before Mistress Lady can go all Tsundere on him.”

Shaggy put Dave’s arm over his shoulder and started walking. Now that the arena was quiet and emptying, he could see an exit opening from the arena floor. He lead them that way as he asked Levy.

“Is her name Lady?”

Levy Nodded. “Yep, Lady Bragan. One of Korrigan’s First Daughters.”

“She’s the Mad Witch’s daughter!?”

“No! Of course not. Just one of the first witches Korrigan taught. There are three of them. We call them her daughters’ cause of how powerful they are and as a sign of respect. All three of them oversee various aspects of Korrigan’s dimension. But I don’t think they get out to the ‘real world’ much.”

Shaggy snorted. “That explains her attachment to Dave.”

The tall man in Shaggy’s arms started before defending himself. “Hey! I’m a great guy to get attached to! Think about all the great dudes back in Under-Town that love me. I’m the most outstanding dude you’ll ever meet.”

“Hehehehe. Whatever you say, Dave.”

Shaggy shook his head and kept his mouth shut as they exited the arena floor and started searching for a staircase. Thankfully, there were several magical elevators. They piled in with a bunch of sweaty spectators and other fighters. Some of which threw Shaggy dark or angry looks. Shaggy flipped them off with a claw and stuck to himself. When the elevator dinged, Levy’s hands were glowing purple and both of Shaggy’s hands were claws.

“Just making friends everywhere you go. Aren’t ya, love?”

“Would you love me if I was more boring?” Shaggy asked playfully.

Levy sighed theatrically. “I fear I will never get the opportunity to find out. Whatever shall I do?”

“Love me anyway, duh.” Shaggy pushed Dave which in turned shoved Levy playfully.

His wife responded by shoving the exhausted player back. Making Shaggy trip slightly. But before he could respond again. Their means of attack pulled away from them both.

“I’m not a cat toy! Y’all are adorable. But stop shoving me.” Dave complained as he started for the arena seats.

Shaggy stuck his tongue out at Levy before following his friend. It was probably better that they didn’t go too far. Lady had said she wanted to meet Dave again and Shaggy didn’t want any irate fans to take it out on Dave. But he needn’t have worried. The stands were slowly emptying and the few patrons that stopped to give them the stink eye didn’t hang around.

The three of them found some seats in the arena and sat down. They were discussing random bits of game knowledge when the entire world went deathly silent. This wasn't the same silence as the crowd going dumb. This was a deep and almost profound silence that permeated everything. Soon, a purple magical image of Korrigan’s head appeared before Shaggy’s eyes. Levy on his left jumped excitedly before dropping back to her seat.

“Oh! Here we go! It’s the announcement.”

“Announcement?” Dave asked.

Before either Shaggy or Levy could respond. Korrigan’s magical image spoke.

“My people!” She started. “We are at war!”