Melch sat forward slightly with his hands resting on his knees while his sharp gaze locked on the chaos below. To his left, Devon watched with a calm expression but he analyzed by taking in every detail of the battlefield. On Melch’s other side, Leif lounged back tossing a piece of bread he had bought with him into his mouth, his carefree grin a stark contrast to the carnage.

The seascale beast roared, its deep guttural cry echoing through the arena as it turned its baleful gaze toward the wizards and archers. The crowd’s cheers grew louder, their bloodlust mirroring the intensity of the battle below. Before the other fighters could react, the beast surged forward with terrifying speed, its claws tearing through one unfortunate archer. The man’s scream was swallowed by the roar of the crowd as the beast swung its massive tail sending another wizard hurtling across the arena, lifeless.

"Well, this is escalating quickly." Leif said gesturing with his bread. "That wizard’s spell didn’t even slow it down."

"You’re enjoying this?" Melch muttered not taking his eyes off the beast.

Leif shrugged. "What can I say? If they wanted a spectacle, they should’ve scheduled a fight between the beast and gladiator."

"Focus on the arena, Leif" Devon interjected with his tone sharp. "The beast’s left leg, it’s now been injured. Did you see that? The limp’s getting worse. If the fighters are smart, they’ll exploit it."

Down in the arena, one of the veterans seemed to have the same idea. "Attack its legs now" he shouted, his voice carrying over the chaos. The fighters now desperate and bloodied, followed the command. A behemoth warrior a massive figure clad in dented armor charged forward, swinging his war hammer that was hanging in his instead of using his sword with all his might. The hammer struck the beast’s injured leg with a sickening crack forcing it to stagger.

"There we go." Devon muttered nodding. "Limit its mobility, and they might stand a chance against the beast."

"Might being the right word" Leif quipped. "Because it still looks like that thing could take a few heads off without breaking a sweat."

The seascale beast roared again, this time in pain as its damaged leg buckled beneath it. It lashed out with its claws swiping wildly at the fighters encircling it. Two adventurers were caught in the attack, their bodies flung aside like ragdolls. But the remaining fighters pressed on, their weapons striking at the beast’s vulnerable limb.

"This thing’s like a cornered animal now " Melch spoke to himself while observing it. "It’s desperate."

"And desperate means dangerous" Devon added while shifting towards Melch with his face grim.

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Just as the tide seemed to be turning, a guttural shout pierced the air. "Get out of my way" Taz Fang bellowed his massive frame barreling into the fray. The crowd’s roar surged as the infamous fighter entered the battlefield, his twin axes gleaming under the arena lights. With a feral grin, he leapt toward the beast, his axes carving deep gashes into its back.

"Oh great him" Leif said rolling his eyes. "The guy who makes everything worse just showed up."

Devon frowned. "He’s unpredictable. That could spell disaster for the fighters trying to coordinate against both the beast and him."

"Or it could make this a hell of a lot more interesting." Leif countered smirking. "I’m leaning toward the latter."

Taz Fang’s savage attacks forced the beast to retreat momentarily but his erratic movements threw the other fighters into disarray. As he struck again, one of the veterans shouted in frustration "Stick to the plan" But the Behemouths paid no heed, their focus solely on the thrill of the fight.

With a powerful swing, Taz Fang’s axes bit into the beast’s shoulder, eliciting a deafening roar. The beast thrashed violently, its tail whipping through the air and sending another adventurer sprawling. Taking advantage of the chaos, the beast broke free of the encirclement, limping toward the edge of the arena.

"He is a gone for sure" Devon exclaimed from his usually calm voice rising as the beast turned its bloodied gaze toward the remaining wizard. The fighter tried to cast another spell, but the beast was too fast. In a single brutal motion, it ended the wizard’s life.

Melch grimaced. "They’re running out of people down there."

"Yeah, and now it’s just a murder contest between the beast and Taz Fang" Leif said popping another piece of bread into his mouth. "Place your bets."

Taz Fang unfazed by the diminishing numbers, turned his attention to the other fighters. With a savage efficiency, he cut down two veterans who tried to intercept him. The crowd’s cheers turned frenzied as the arena became a blood soaked battleground.

"This guy’s as much of a threat as the beast or even worse" Melch muttered his focus on the beast and Taz Fang.

"No argument there" Devon replied. "But look. The beast’s movement is slowing. That leg injury is finally catching up to it."

The remaining fighters regrouped, their faces pale but determined. Only one veteran, two behemoths and a lone adventurer stood against the odds. Meanwhile, the cloaked figure in the corner of the arena shifted slightly from his sleeping but made no move to join the fight.

The seascale beast and Taz Fang now stood at opposite ends of the battlefield, their eyes locked in mutual recognition of a worthy foe. Without any roar or shouting they charged at each other, their clash shaking the ground. Claws and axes collided in a brutal dance, each strike sending shockwaves through the arena.

"This is madness" Devon said his voice barely audible over the roar of the crowd. "They’re going to tear each other apart. This might give the fighter’s a chance."

"From what’s left of the fighters?" Melch said with doubt.

"Or" Leif chimed in grinning, "they’ll give us the most entertaining fight we have never seen before in the territory."

Below, the fighters seized their chance. With the beast and Taz Fang locked in combat, they launched a desperate final assault. The arena floor became a blur of blood, steel and fury as the crowd’s cheers reached a deafening crescendo. From their seats, Melch, Leif and Devon watched their expressions a mix of awe, dread and anticipation.

“Taz Fang doesn’t care about winning with honor” Melch observed. “He’s just here to put on a show.”

“Well then he’s certainly doing a damn good job of it” Devon replied.

The fight continued each moment more brutal than the last. The arena floor was now slick with blood and the remaining fighters were visibly exhausted. The beast though injured seemed almost energized by the carnage, its eyes gleaming with a savage light.

The cloaked man remained in his corner, still unmoving.

“Think he’ll wake up now?” Leif asked nodding toward the cloaked figure.

“I doubt it” Melch replied. “He’s waiting for something. But what?”

The beast charged one final time, its claws aimed at the veteran. The older fighter braced himself, raising his shield in a desperate attempt to block the attack. But just as the beast reached him, Taz Fang moved.

With a roar of his own, the gladiator delivered a devastating blow to the beast’s side, his sword cutting deep into its flesh. The creature howled in agony, collapsing to the ground.

The crowd erupted into cheers, their chants for Taz Fang reaching a fever pitch.

“It’s over.” Devon said, leaning back with a satisfied smile.

But Melch wasn’t so sure. His eyes flicked to the cloaked figure, who was now slowly rising to his feet.