Athal, Dimitri, and Cyprian moved toward Ira in a semicircle. Athal was the most cautious as he had seen some of Ira’s ability firsthand.

“He has the ability to teleport and can become immune to magic, in addition, his physical strength is the biggest threat.” Athal said as he readied his sword.

“Understood.” Cyprian channeled spirit magic into his plain sword, giving it an otherworldly glow, while Dimitri nodded in understanding and twisted his spear.

Although they hadn’t fought with each other, they were all seasoned warriors and were able to adapt. Cyprian would attack first, Athal would provide backup, and Dimitri would wait for an opening. That was the unspoken strategy communicated between them.

“You guys got it all figured out?” Ira asked unhurriedly.

Instead of responding, Cyprian swung his sword and sent a wave of spirit energy toward Ira. The wave crashed into Ira’s chest and tore his jacket to shreds, sending blood splattering into the sand.

The crowd went silent, thinking that Ira had been fatally injured before he had a chance to fight.

“I forgot about the jacket.” Ira facepalmed before he took his jacket off and stored it away, revealing a completely unwounded upper body.

“Regeneration.” Dimitri said as he took up a more cautious stance. Trolls were often seen in the North and were infamous for their regenerative abilities.

“Fire is a good counter to such an ability.” Athal said. “Hold him back for a second.” He added before he closed his eyes.

Of course, the crowd couldn’t hear him, so they were a bit lost on Ira’s lack of wounds but most just thought they were too far away to see them properly.

Cyprian waved his sword a few more times as if testing Ira out, but he would dodge any incoming projectiles pretty easily.

“I have a general idea about how to approach this.” Cyprian said before spirit energy gathered around him to form a translucent cloud-like armor.

The beginning of the fight progressed slowly as the three were cautious, taking as much time as they could to get a feel for Ira.

“Whenever you're ready.” Ira said, his real target was Dimitri, but he planned to kill him near the end.

“It’s done.” Athal said as two tiny flames appeared above him. One flew into his sword and the other flew into Dimitri’s spear. It was a temporary weapon enchantment spell, that was effective against nearly all enemies.

Cyprian was the first to move, he raised his sword overhead as the spirit energy carried him forward. He stopped abruptly in front of Ira and swung downward, Ira leaned backward to dodge, but it was a feint. Cyprian twisted the sword before he swung upwards, leaving a long wound on Ira’s chest. Ira reached out to grab Cyprian, but he glided backward out of Ira’s reach.

Athal lept high above and slashed downward, cutting into Ira’s extended arm. Ira stepped back in response, but Dimitri rushed his flank and thrust the spear outward, piercing his side and causing the sound of burning flesh to fill their ears.

As the three took up their stances once again, Ira looked at his wounds. While his regeneration could easily overcome burns the Elven magic seemed to be stronger than normal magic as it took slightly longer to heal. Still, it wasn’t life-threatening unless they could repeat the same set of moves a few dozen times and there was no way Ira would let that happen.

Ira laughed a few times before he leaped forward and arrived in front of Cyprian, he shoved his palm into Cyprian's chest and sent him flying backward. Due to the spirit armor, he wasn’t wounded severely, but he certainly felt the impact as he tried to slow his momentum, but ended up tumbling in the sand.

Dimitri thrust the spear at Ira’s flank but was stunned after seeing Ira grab it with his bare hands. He lifted the spear along with Dimitri into the air and swung them toward Cyprian. Just as Cyprian was standing up, Dimitri crashed into him.

Athal adjusted his sword stance as he moved toward Ira. He swung horizontally, but Ira ducked and punched him in the stomach, causing him to fall over as the air left his lungs. Athal clenched his chest as he crawled toward his sword.

“I really held back for that one.” Ira said to himself before he kicked Athal away from the sword.

“Ira!” Cyprian yelled as more spirit energy gathered around him.

Ira turned around to see Cyprian rushing at him at an incredibly fast speed, a sand trail followed behind him as he crossed the arena in a few seconds. He aimed for Ira’s heart as the spirit energy around his sword extended into a lance-like projection.

Ira could feel some slight danger at the attack, but he quickly reacted and used his matter alteration to coat his hands in metal.

As the two clashed, the air seemed to explode and sent a gust of wind into the spectator seats along with a rush of adrenaline and excitement.

Cyprian zipped around Ira attacking him with the spirit lance, while Ira would deflect each strike with his hands and redirect Cyprian's trajectory away from him. Everyone was focused on the exchange between the two and that’s why Athal remained unnoticed when he recovered his breath and his sword. Forest Elves had an innate blessing which made their steps silent when on natural ground and since the arena was filled with sand, it counted as natural.

Every time Cyprian got close, Ira would use his hands to deflect his trajectory, sending him away gliding in a different direction. That was until Ira fell off balance and heard the audience gasp. He looked down to see a sword piercing through his abdomen. In the time he was focused on Cyprian, Athal had quietly rushed up and stabbed the sword into him.

Cyprian was surprised at the dishonorable move but couldn't stop his attack. He skewered Ira’s shoulder with the spirit lance before he rushed forward and embedded him into a wall. Dimitri didn’t miss his chance and followed close behind, stabbing the spear into Ira’s chest.

The audience went dead silent as they were under the assumption that killing wasn’t allowed. The underhanded actions by the Elf and the Tel'vian were witnessed clearly.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Ira hung on the wall with a miserable appearance, his body remained unmoving.

…

In the booth designated to the leaders of each nation, the Grenitian King and the Dark Elf Queen broke out into a shout.

“You ordered your man to kill him!” King Windsor shouted toward High Chancellor Orlov.

“If I recall correctly, he is the one who asked to fight all three. So that means he can only blame himself.” Orlov said.

“You think the Valkyries will accept that?” King Windsor sneered.

Orlov’s expression changed, but he saw no signs of Avery appearing in the arena so he could only assume she didn’t care, “It doesn’t look like they care for anyone who dies so easily.”

King Windsor remained silent as he thought of the repercussions that he would have to face.

“You sent your best? He’s a coward.” Sylun said to an Elf as her eyes grew teary.

The clan leader just smiled, “You and your kind hide underground throughout the year and only come out to attack during the night, who’s the real coward?”

“You knew what he meant to us and you planned for that didn’t you?” Sylun asked.

“Don’t accuse me without any evidence. Athal is just repaying an old debt with Ira. He trespassed too far into the Forest and humiliated him.” The Clan leader said, showing complete disregard to Sylun’s emotions or faith.

“Your majesty...look!” A Lycanthrope shouted near Sylun.

All eyes turned toward the arena only to see something that was caused everyone to be shocked beyond belief.

“How...is that…” King Windsor mumbled.

“He’s not...human...he’s not human…” Someone began repeating.

“The Keeper is…” Sylun showed a zealous look.

…

The spectators who went quiet from surprise now were quiet from fear. They attempted to understand what was happening, but no one could find any words to explain.

Ira’s hand was stretch outward as if he were reaching for something. With his wounds, any normal person would have died three times over let alone be able to still move. Some thought it was Ira on his last breath, but Ira’s hand suddenly reached for the spear in his chest and pulled it out before dropping it. Then he grabbed the sword piercing through his abdomen and removed it, dropping it next to the spear.

“...That was really good.” Ira said as blood dripped from his mouth. He grabbed the spirit lance and crushed it, causing the sound of glass breaking to reverberate throughout the Colosseum. "Now..."

Ira fell from the arena wall but landed on his feet, “...Just do that a few more times and you’ll probably kill me.”

Ira’s regeneration was amazing, but if he were to be fatally wounded too many times eventually it would weaken and he would be susceptible to death.

“Monster.” Athal spat.

Cyprian hardened his gaze and strengthened the spirit armor around himself.

“Well, you’re not really wrong.” Ira shrugged as he picked up and sword and spear. “It’ll be a bit harder this time guys, so do your best...Catch.” He lightly tossed the weapons toward Athal and Dimitri.

As the two reflexively went to catch, panic filled Cyprian’s eyes but before he could say anything, Ira had appeared behind Athal and gripped his legs. Without hesitation, Ira filled his arms with strength and shattered the Elf’s legs.

“Aaaaaah.” Athal fell to the ground and clutched his legs in pain.

Dimitri caught his spear and moved toward Cyprian, after all, he knew that he was the next likely target since only Cyprian had the means to defend against and outmaneuver Ira.

“You're using tricks petty tricks to fight?” Dimitri asked with disdain.

“Didn’t he literally stab me in the back?” Ira kicked Athal to the side, sending him crashing into the sand with a scream.

Dimitri grit his teeth as he tightened his grip on his spear.

“I know it’s my fault...It’s a bad habit of mine to never pay attention in a fight until I’m wounded, but don’t worry I’m correcting it.” Ira said as he thought back to the time he was cursed which could’ve easily been avoided.

Cyprian charged out once again, he was aware that he was the only one who could contend with Ira to some extent. Instead of wasting time, Ira threw a punch while altering the gravity around it his fist.

A sense of danger filled Cyprian's mind and he immediately sent all of the energy he could channel in front of him. The two opposing forces clashed violently and a shockwave was transferred across the Colosseum. Clouds of sand flew into the air and obscured the vision of everyone watching.

Cyprian flew out of the dust cloud like a broken doll with large blood stains on his robes. He fell to the ground and after a few moments, he slightly moved which signaled he was alive. The only who remained unaccounted for was Dimitri. As the dust cleared it allowed everyone to see Ira’s arm stabbing through Dimitri’s chest.

“Sorry, I couldn’t really see anything with all the sand in my eyes and I ended up just swinging wildly.” Ira said with a wry smile.

“...ah…” Dimitri looked down at his chest then at Ira’s expression. He was smiling as if he made a simple mistake, but his eyes showed complete apathy.

Ira waved his arm and flung Dimitri’s body away before turning to look at Lowell who stood on the podium with his mouth agape.

“That concludes...The match.” Lowell said in an astonished voice.

As he finished speaking the spectators roared in exhilaration.

Those who were previously insulting Ira began chanting his name. “Ira! Ira! Ira! Ira! Ira! Ira! Ira!”

That was how the Colosseum operated the most hated and most loved participants could swap roles in a heartbeat. While emotions surged through the crowd, the healing mages had rushed into the arena to assist the wounded trio. Well, only two were wounded, Dimitri had died.

…

High Chancellor Orlov nearly erupted in a rage. If Dimitri died honorably, he would have no complaints, but Ira tossed him away like trash. For Orlov, it would’ve been preferable if Athal and Cyprian died along with Dimitri at least that way the Tel’vian Empire’s dignity wouldn’t diminish.

“Keeper, forgive me for doubting you.” Sylun said to herself as she made a prayer-like motion.

All of the Dark Elf guards did the same, which sent red flags to every other country. They weren't aware of what the Red Moon specifically did for the Dark Elves, but if it caused them to worship Ira it had to have some benefit.

“It’s blasphemous to treat a mortal like the Gods.” A Parvian man said. While he was unsatisfied with the loss, he felt good knowing Cyprian didn’t die or suffer too much.

The Forest Elves, on the other hand, looked completely vexed, Ira had humiliated Athal by shattering his legs. Those who wanted to support him as the next Clan leader knew that he would fall even further back in the competition.

“He is truly an odd one.” King Windsor said as he narrowed his eyes. His director of intelligence had mentioned Ira a few times previously, but he had never paid it much mind since the Valkyries were the main concern.

…

The booth holding the Fourth Prince and the others was silent. Those who had insulted the Prince and Ira had nothing to say. Especially the Tel’vian officials, they had watched one of their rising stars die.

Leonard surveyed the looks on each side and then began to laugh with a refreshed expression. The Dark Elves, Lycanthropes, and Beast People also began to laugh and as the laughing continued, the expressions of those inside the room slowly warped into hateful ones. A few people even stepped out to keep their anger and frustration from boiling over.

“Praise the Keeper.” A Dark Elf said.

“Praise the Keeper.”

“Praise the Keeper.”

“Praise the Keeper.”

Those on the side of the Dark Elf Empire intoned.

Leonard look surprised at the fact that the Dark Elves were openly worshipping Ira without hesitation. Not only him, but every else in the room felt the same. The same wariness felt by the leaders of each nation was felt by their subordinates as they watched the Dark Elves praise Ira with a religious zeal.

...