As the dead fell quickly around them, Abishai and Beniah's fight was just getting started.

Beniah swung his sword angrily at Abishai, backing him in a corner after blow after blow. Both tripping in the bloody water, over bodies, limbs and weapons.

Abishai then slammed his spear into the ground as a weight, then spun his body around his own spear and kicked Beniah again, who fell back again into the pool.

Joab and Abner, both like alpha male beasts making their claim, finally stopped staring. They lunged.

Though older, their intensity and brutality and anger was unmatched.

Each swing and stab, blocked and dodged, was a death strike. They soon swing their swords back and forth in perfect symmetry, blocking each swing and strike the either goes.

Back and forth, clashing swords, one after another.

Perfectly matched in skill and age and wisdom, and in anger and determination.

The Mediator smiled in approval, getting the fight he was waiting for.

Asahel brutally knocked a combatant in the pool and stabbed them repeatedly under the water with his daggers, then jumped back up, ready to fight.

The young soldier who was to watch and tell the tale was full of sweat. He had enough. He pulled his sword and ran into the fight, hoping to impress Joab and his brothers.

He was immediately beheaded as he ran into the pool, but his attacker was then stabbed by Asahel through the back.

Joab and Abner were going back and forth in their duel. Joab saw Abner lean briefly, gasping for breath, and took his chance. Joab swung his sword.

It sliced across Abner's chest.

Abner fell back, blood flowing from his brutal but not yet lethal slice.

He looked up at Abner, seeing the water around him now red from his blood, and nodded for him to get it over with.

Joab smiled and walked forward to fulfill the request.

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"STOP!"

All who had survived look up.

Joab, Abner, Beniah, Asahel and Abishai were all who were left from the horrible fight.

5 out of the 25 alive, counting the soldier who was not to fight being murdered.

They all looked at The Mediator, whose voice had boomed over the violence.

"You are stopping the Swordfall?" Abishai said, gasping for air.

The Mediator slowly nodded, as he walked forward with his scrolls.

"The second in commands are still alive. The scrolls must be read."

Joab spit. "Who decided this?"

The Mediator then smiled a horrible and sadistic like grin, showing the joy of someone who was in charge of such cruelty.

"Your kings."