Christoph bounced over the sand as he flew, coming to a halt long before he should have. Did the beast-man’s magic work even at this range? Rolling back to his feet, he raised his sword as Eric bore down on him, thrusting out to force his opponent to the side. Swallowing the blood that had welled up in his throat, he felt his internal organs slither back into place as they began to heal. The lizard-man might not have the strength to break his crystal bones, but his insides were still as fragile as any other human’s.

Moving forwards, Christoph pressed onto an offensive, sword carving an intricate pattern through the air as he advanced. Throwing away his axe might have given the beast-man enough speed to strike past Christoph’s defenses, but it also meant that he had no chance of blocking any of his attacks, either. Rushing forwards, Christoph managed to land several hits on Eric’s arms and legs before the pressure in the air shifted, his movements slowing as he stepped forwards. Retreating across the sand, he stopped to assess his opponent.

“That’s quite good,” Eric said with a grunt, blood flowing out over his scales as he swung his arms out to stretch them. “Shallow wounds, but still wounds. Say, you haven’t managed to figure out my real trick yet, have you?”

“I have, actually,” Christoph replied. “Well, there’s nothing I can do about it though, is there?”

“Exactly!” Eric beat his fists together, his tail hitting the sand in time with his punches. “Why don’t we go back to fighting, then?”

…

Diana shook her head with a sigh, raising a hand to her forehead as Christoph resumed his duel. “Is he an idiot?” she asked. “Who decided these match-ups, anyway?”

“That would be me,” Roethus replied. “Is something the matter?”

“It’s boring,” Benvolio said, feet swinging out to kick at the short wall of his spectator’s box. “What’s going on, anyway?”

“The lizard-man is an earth mage,” Diana said, staring pointedly towards the guild master. “He’s using the airborne dust and sand to slow Christoph’s movements.”

“Eh?” Benvolio frowned up at her. “Why not just use the air?”

“The air is more noticeable,” Diana replied. “Besides, if he were an air mage then Christoph could leech the mana out of the wind and escape his trap. Mana flows easily through the air.”

“Perhaps I should have asked your assistance organizing the tournament, then.” Roethus asked. “Who will win this match, then?”

“Christoph, probably,” Diana said ignoring Roethus’ first comment. More than likely, he’d been ordered to personally oversee every detail of the event by Benvolio himself. That was a position she couldn’t relish.

“He’s getting beaten pretty badly, though,” Benvolio said, his frown turning doubtful as the two men clashed. “Are you sure he’ll win?”

“I’m sure,” Diana said. “He isn’t someone you can wear down so easily. The lizard-man will tire first. Even before that, though, Christoph’s hunger will mean… look, it’s starting already.”

…

Christoph panted as Eric lashed out at him, attacks coming from all angles and directions. He had the advantage of holding a weapon, but the beast-man’s entire body was a threat to him in return. Clawed fists smashed at his body, knees and feet kicking up towards him when he let down his guard. Even the lizard-man’s tail was used to sweep him aside, his large jaws snapping out at him at times as well.

Moving to counter-attack, Christoph felt the dust shift around him, the sand swirling as it blocked his movements. Move than simply slowing his opponent, the lizard-man could adjust the pressure to push at his foe, throwing them off-balance or forcing them to move in a way that would ruin their current attacks. Leaping forwards, Christoph snarled as Eric made a small gesture, the sand spinning him around before he could land. The lizard-man was ready by the time he hit the ground, the sand rising up to seal his legs as Eric attacked him from behind. Twisting around, Christoph slashed out at the taller man from over his own head, his crystal sword swinging out as he finished absorbing the mana from the sand that had surrounded his feet.

Stepping back onto the surface of the sand, Christoph smiled over at the massive beast-man. Even with all his magic, Eric had no hope of defeating him unless he could somehow destroy his body in one move. The lizard-man’s punches might cause severe damage to his internal organs, but they would all repair themselves eventually. As it stood, an unarmed warrior simply had no means of incapacitating him to the point where he could claim victory. Hunger welled in Christoph’s stomach as his mana was depleted, and he felt Eric’s magic falter around him. The more mana he used, the more he drew in from his environment, and his sword swung faster with each wound the lizard-man caused.

“You should give up,” Christoph said. “I’d hate to be here all day.”

“I could say the same to you,” Eric replied. “Why don’t you leave the arena to members of the guild?”

“Oh? I thought this gold medallion meant I was an adventurer too,” Christoph said with a smile. “Or is this something else?”

Snapping his jaws, Eric lifted a hand towards him. A shockwave slammed out as the sand leaped into the air, and Christoph had just enough time to turn away before a localized tornado of sand descended upon him. Closing his eyes, he covered his face as the coarse grains devoured him, tearing off his flesh and burying themselves into his skin.

Charging headfirst into the deadly whirlwind, Eric pummeled Christoph into the sand, blow after blow raining down on his back and shoulders. Hunching over, he ignored the lizard-man’s attacks the best he could, seeking only to protect his face from the warrior’s magic attacks. He could heal the pulverized organs, but what would happen when the sand entered his body? Would his eyes be able to repair themselves around the tiny shards of rock? Gritting his teeth, he resolved himself to endure Eric’s onslaught until the sandstorm had abated.

…

“Ah, he’s really getting beaten now!” Benvolio tugged at Diana’s sleeve insistently, pointing down at the scene below.

“Pfft.” Diana raised an eyebrow at Eric’s actions. “What a fool.”

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“Hey,” Benvolio said. What did you call me?”

“Not you, my lord,” Diana said, petting at the small man’s head. “The lizard-man.”

“He’s growing frustrated,” Roethus said. “This is why the beast clans don’t produce any mages of renown.”

Oh, he’s getting tired,” Benvolio said, turning back to the duel. “Is he out of mana already?”

Diana gave the small lord a nod. “That man isn’t suited to be a mage in the first place,” she said. “He was pushing his limits just to shift the sand. That whirlwind, on the other hand…”

Slowing his attacks, Eric fell to a knee in unintentional imitation of Christoph’s own pose. Chest heaving, the lizard-man clutched at his head at the human slowly rose to his feet, a crystal sword appearing from his right arm to rest against the warrior’s neck.

“Okay.” Benvolio turned to the side, grinning at the box’s silent fourth occupant. “It’s your slave husband’s turn next, Leila,” he said, rising from his seat. “Fight over! Next match!”

…

Gideon shifted in his armor, feeling the heavy panels settle around his chest as he rolled his shoulders. Was if afternoon already? The sun seemed higher already than it had any right to be, and the heat rose up from the sand to meet the rays beating down through the city wards. The sand below his feet was coarse but loose, and dust hung over the arena, a film of powdery flecks covering the black greaves that protected his legs. Opposite him, a beast-woman was drawing her sword.

“How dare you carry that hammer,” the warrior said with a snarl.

“It belongs to me,” Gideon replied. “Who else would carry it?”

“Anyone else!” The woman’s ears twitched as she roared her response, and Gideon narrowed his eyes at her. A feline? Was she one of Leila’s citizens, then? No, none of her people had left to join the adventurer’s city, had they? Stellar had been popular with all the clans in any case, so there was no way to narrow it down…

“This hammer belonged to my mother,” Gideon said, gripping the long-handled weapon in both hands. “Not my birth mother, but my mother nonetheless. And now this greatsword belongs to me. Stellar of the Light, I call your name!”

The crowd roared as the giant blade of light materialized from the head of the hammer, Gideon’s opponent swinging her short sword in response. Lowering his weapon, the former knight cast a glance towards where Leila sat looking down on him from Benvolio’s private seats. He was thankful for her presence, but this was not something he was doing for her sake.

“Alright!” Benvolio waved his arms to catch the announcer’s attention, the rodent-like man quieting down in response. “Match start!”

Gideon swung his sword out to prevent the beast-woman from closing the distance, taking a defensive stance as the feline warrior’s charge was halted. For better or worse, strategy was not the strong point of the beast races. The clans preferred overwhelming strength to careful plans. Even Leila was the same, just as straightforward as her god but perhaps not as fickle.

Catching the warrior’s follow-up strike on the handle of his sword, Gideon struck out with the hilt, sliding his hands together to lend strength to his counter as the beast-woman stumbled back. Ducking under the shimmering blade, the furred swordsman charged into close quarters once more, sword swinging to cleave the human in two. Gideon bent his knees, lowering his torso to catch the blow on his breastplate. The piece of heavy armor absorbed the impact easily, and he swung his sword down in retaliation, forcing the warrior back once more. Was this the limit of the adventurers? He might have struggled had he fought this woman during his time at the church, but as he was now this much was almost beneath him.

Gideon pushed back at his opponent, the beast-woman’s heels digging into the dirt as she staggered away. Moving into a series of overhead chops, thrusts and unconventional thrusting slices, the former knight kept his foe off-balance while he shifted her around. Growling between dodges, the feline warrior disengaged from the exchange, leaping back and swinging her sword out in frustration.

“You did all that merely to turn me towards the sun?” the beast-woman asked, reaching her left hand up to shield her eyes. “It’s already noon. You’re wasting your energy.”

“I have the advantage now,” Gideon replied. “You do not.”

…

“Are you still troubled by our orders?” Sierra asked.

“Of course I am,” Cliff replied, leaning back against the brick wall. “This is in violation of Saint Lucius’ will, not to mention the laws of Manitas City itself.”

“While I agree that it would be wise not to anger the guild on their sovereign ground, I do not hold the same belief in that man as you.” Sierra leaned forwards to look through the arena bars, catching a glimpse of Lucius from where he sat below Benvolio’s private seats. “Is he really so trustworthy?”

“I believe so,” Cliff said. “I know that other knights may hold offense to the way he and the others spoke of our lord god, but the gods of the other races are fickle beings. What is there to say ours is not the same? As knights, we can only serve.”

“Your logic escapes me,” Sierra replied. “It is as if you’re choosing to bet on Lucius and his Progress simply because the alternative is detestable. That is not faith.”

“You’re right,” Cliff said. “It is not faith that drives me, it’s loyalty. Loyalty to the church, to the Saint, to our god.”

“To our father?” Sierra asked.

“Not to that man,” Cliff replied, turning towards her. “Never to that man.”

“What of his plans?” Sierra asked, stepping away from the bars and sitting down at the bench.

“His plans are sound,” Cliff said. “He will no doubt be Pope before much longer. It is his heart that I question.”

“Do you fear we will become as he is?” Drawing up her legs, Sierra turned sideways on the bench and stretched herself out over the wood. “Harsh and cold.”

“I’m afraid we already are,” Cliff replied. “Tomorrow will be just one more step on our journey.”