The ground shook. The trees were cleared.

The GIANT had many things going through its head as it ran.

It felt the flesh and bones of the poor group of soldiers he feasted on, stuck in his teeth.

The horse was his favorite.

Faster. Faster.

His mission had just begun. The Giant couldn't be late for his appointment.

It was just the start of the next phase of war.

All swords were drawn.

The 24, 12 on each side, stared at each other, waiting for the first to go.

The Mediator nodded in approval. Finally.

Joab bit the inside of his mouth. Filled with emotion.

This horrible game of death he came up with. Knowing death was going to occur before him. Horrific, painful death.

Then the kings they served playing them like the pawns they really knew they were.

I'll just die here. But my brothers.

He was going to say something. One last thing. So they knew.

Suddenly, screams and intimidating yells and threats were thrown back and forth, but nobody did anything.

A few ran halfway out, then back to their line. Abishai shrugged, bored and tired of the waiting.

"Beniah!"

Beniah, across the way, looked towards him.

There were only two in the whole group who were not as emotionally stirred in the moment.

Two who knew a little of each other.

Beniah acknowledged Abishai.

"Fight me!" Abishai yelled, swinging his spear.

Beniah nodded and did not hesitate. He ran full speed through the water, splashing through the glowing pool, towards his potential death, without an ounce of fear.

Abishai ran out with his spear, spinning it all around his body like a floating piece of armor, splashing with every step.

He yelled as he swung his spear with lethal intent.

Beniah ducked, then swung his sword. Abishai jumped into the air, water with him, and then kicked Beniah in the jaw, throwing him back into the pool.

With that, more of the warriors ran out from each side, and the fight commenced. These warriors stabbed and killed each other quickly, and then gained up on the others who are alive.

Asahel ran out while pulling his two daggers out, and threw himself into the middle of the fight.

Joab nodded at Abner. Abner nodded back.

The two slowly walked out into the bubbling, glowing pool, as the fight went on all around them. The two men under two different kings raised their swords to one another.

Suddenly, one of Joab's men attacked Abner, breaking the concentration and ceremony between the two rivals.

Abner quickly grabbed the poor soldier, sliced his throat with his sword, and tossed him aside into the pool like it was nothing, keeping his stare at Joab.

The hate between the two could not be greater. Jealousy, rage, determination, hate, admiration and loathing dripped from them like the water off their beards and boots.

The concentration was broken again as one of Abner's men threw a knife at Joab, hoping for a cheap and easy yet praise worthy kill.

Joab sliced the knife flying towards him away like it was a rock or a ball, then in the same motion, pulled a knife from his own belt and threw it underhand at his secret attacker.

The knife struck the poor soldier looking for glory right in the head, and he fell into the glowing pool, which was now dark.

Joab and Abner did not break their staring contest as their men fell dead around them.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.