The hostile tension between Arren and The First Sword was lessened significantly by the arrival of the Record Keeper. Both knew better than to allow their hostility to disturb the Record Keeper and as such they turned away from each other.
“Return, it is time to begin.”
None dared to loiter, following the command without any delay. A minute later the entire arena was at last ready for the commencing of the exercise. Within their designated area The First Sword and Arren were situated opposite of each other. Like a silent clash their gazes did not falter when met by the other’s own.
To their sides were the remaining three slaves, each unsure of what their role would be when this exercise finally began. Were they meant to stand still and merely watch the two tigers settle their grievances? Or should they dare to strike a dragon? It was as they contemplated that a distant bell rang three times. For a moment after the entire arena fell into a deep silence, however the sharp voices of the Record Keepers stirred their minds awake.
“Commence!”
With that the arena ignited into a cacophony of violence. All but for a single area. There none dared to move. At first Arren was certain that The First Sword would dash towards him without hesitation yet to his surprise the crouching tiger remained rooted where he was.
A vicious smile was etched upon his lips as he turned towards the stilted figures cladded in heavy armor from head to toe. He raised one of his war hammers, aiming it their way.
“You three, do not think you’ll escape my notice just because I plan to triumph over Walker 248.”
His dark eyes gained a hint of amusement as he glanced at Arren’s solemn expression.
“Here is the rule. Attack Walker 248 together, if you crush him then I will hold back my slaughter when your time comes.”
Bastard!
Arren’s cold glare shot towards The First Sword, yet The First Sword remained unbothered. Meanwhile the other three slaves, Walker 247, Dagger 102, and Dagger 134, had a moment of stupefaction. Was their ears deceiving them? Did the king of this stage just order them into action with the promise of a lesser beating?
What type of arrangement even was that? A beating, no matter the level of severity, was still a beating!
Their hearts sighed in utter indignation, however they understood that nothing they did here could change a thing. Like obedient soldiers they readied their spears and stepped forth, their tense gazes turning cold behind the visors of their helmets.
Seeing this threat approach, Arren cursed in his heart.
His eyes turned murderous as he took a powerful stamp forward.
“First Sword, how cowardly of you! If you are that afraid then just let me know, I’ll be sure to lessen my onslaught when it arrives upon your doorstep!”
Arren said mockingly, he then turned all his focus into the three opponents before him. In the opposite end, The First Sword snorted upon hearing Arren’s words, yet his amusement did not falter.
Arren proceeded to take one step after another, however the expected attacks did not come. He smirked.
“What? Don’t back off, come!”
It appeared that wolves did not have the right to threaten a tiger. His opponents were struggling to hide their fear, taking a mirroring step back after each of Arren’s advancing ones. Becoming irritated, Arren turned his gaze towards a slender figure in rust colored armor. He then pointed with his blade.
“Walker 247, you first!”
Despite his words which kept encouraging them to approach, Arren was done waiting. As a practitioner of the Fire Sword-Style, there was a mantra which was often said:
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‘Strike first and true, dominate and destroy, that is the essence of combat, the core of power, the glory of triumph!’
Swoosh!
Orange sand shot forth into the air as Arren’s lean body dashed forward. Walker 247 felt the back of his head go numb and he hastily readied his shield whilst shooting forth his long spear. Like an attacking python cutting through the hot air, it aimed directly at Arren’s head.
Arren’s cold eyes shone with a hint of viciousness as the tip of the spear approached his head. However Arren did not halt his momentum, only when the spear was inches away from his face did he suddenly turn his head.
He heard it whistle past his left ear before he reached out and took hold of the spear. His grip was monstrous when placed in protest against Walker 247’s own.
SNAP!
With lightning speed he brought his sword down upon the spear’s fragile wooden body. It held no hopes of resisting his strike and snapped into two like a twig would. Arren then took a step forward, strengthening his stance before he took hold of his sword with both hands and swung down. He wished to see just how much that shield would deter him!
Bang!
Walker 247 felt his body tremble violently as the shield he raised desperately was cut almost perfectly half way through, even tearing his flesh and becoming trapped within bone. Utter fear overcame him upon that moment and the image of a ferocious youth with demonic red eyes smiling sinisterly whilst covered in thick crimson blood emerged.
It had been a long time since then, yet how could he ever forget the way which this youth commanded violence. It was as if he was born to shed blood, as if violence itself was a sword which shook in glee each time he grasped it. He was a demon!
Meanwhile Arren was left satisfied by the depth which his sword reached, at the same time he had not forgotten the two remaining wolves which were rapidly circling him. Perhaps anyone else would find three opponents a daunting task, yet currently he felt exuberant.
His heart danced with new found vigor within his chest and he could not help but curl his lips slightly. He attempted to suppress it with little success, he simply loved the art of violence too much. Each time he fought his mind turned calm, like a tranquil lake, and despite the rushing of his blood, he could not feel more relaxed.
He was ecstatic! A product of a familiar feeling creeping up into his heart. It was that of domination, of utter suppression of those which mocked him. Back within the second stage, he stood at the top and crushed those which dared to stand before him. He had never felt more safe than those days. Was that what being the strongest allowed? Peace of mind? The lack of constant fear?
Just how long had Arren been dreading his situation for? Now finally he would have some time to vent. Even if ultimately this was just but a glimpse into that secure feeling of the past, he would bask within it without reservations.
Arren could feel just how deeply his sword was etched into Walker 247’s flesh. Hearing that bastard’s pained groans was the sweetest melody. Arren released the grip on his sword, he then allowed all strength to leave his legs and his body rapidly fell down. A second after, the head of another spear whistled past where he stood.
The other two wolves had finally made their move. Arren quickly rolled away, dodging another spear attack which struck vertically at his head. He had rolled over to where Walker 247 still stood in agony. He then unleashed a powerful sidekick which made Walker 247 stumble to the sandy ground pathetically.
Arren then gave a fierce yet excited gaze at the two Dagger Rankers watching him warily. They felt a cold sweat travel down their backs yet they could not retreat. They dashed forward in sync and unleashed countless attacks onto Arren.
Arren however, moved swiftly and decisively between each one. Like a dance which was choreographed beforehand he remained untouched by the tips of the different spears. At the same time he did not halt his attacks either, he exploded into bursts of strikes with his bare hands alone.
Some struck the shields, cracking their wooden bodies little by little, while others reached their armors directly. Each strike of his felt like a miniature war hammer, leaving fist sized dents behind, along with the pain of its impact.
A demon!
Dread was slowly clouding their hearts. This tiger may have failed to grow its claws upon this stage, however, its fangs remained untarnished.
By now Arren’s body felt relaxed, he could not explain it but a warm, comfortable sensation was coursing through him, side by side with his flowing blood. This sensation was always present when he fought, even back since the days where he reigned supreme.
He loved the peace which it brought to his body and mind.
However as much as he enjoyed basking within that feeling, he knew what was yet to be done. From the corner of his eyes he could still see The First Sword watching on with a sinister smile. As a result, Arren’s own gaze turned sharper.
Let's end this…
The moment he decided such, the three way battle entered a more vicious stage. Arren’s already impressive speed doubled and he quickly shattered yet another spear, however this one with his hands alone.
Taking its tip, he then proceeded to thrust it into one of his attacker’s neck. This immediately made the Record Keeper retrieve them for treatment. His second opponent was not spared either, he disarmed them of their weapon, then rammed it through their wooden shield, armor, and some of their flesh.
He did so by thrusting forward with his arm strength alone, adding a powerful kick after, then pressing upon it with his weight once his opponent lost their footing and fell onto the sand. He stared at them with cold indifference as his hands grasped their own spear, slowly etching it deeper into their chest despite their desperate resistance. This continued until the Record Keeper deemed the Dagger Ranker’s pitiful attempts to stop the spear’s advance inadequate and recalled him as well.
Arren then stood before a still pained Walker 247, which he had purposely left for last, and the distant First Sword. The two locked eyes yet again, however Arren did not attack. He smiled apologetically at The First Sword.
“First Sword, wait just a little more, you see, me and Walker 247 had an unbreakable agreement. If I don’t cave in his teeth then he might never want to be my friend again.”
Arren said. His tone was as sincere as he could make it.
Walker 247 heard his words and he immediately fell into despair as he resentfully lamented why he had been foolish enough to evoke the wrath of a demon?!