"Folks, welcome to this grand competition between two gods among men!" An orator exclaimed, standing on a small platform that projected from one of the audience stands. In comparison to the rest of the packed stadium, the orator's figure was barely visible, only her voice penetrating the hubbub of the crowds. "Today's ranking match is between two men, whose history and power are highly contested among the Guild's ranks and a match between them has been orchestrated to find this out once and for all!
"I welcome to the stadium, Platinum Rank 4, The Brawn, Avos Ashbeck and Platinum Rank 5, The Vileblood, Ender Gemein to the stadium!" The orator shouted, her voice reaching almost to a scream as the two proclaimed men walked into the stadium from opposite ends. "The betting pool is now closed and it is requested that from this point onwards you stay in your seat the whole time. If you violate this rule you will not be insured against any damages done to your person. The battle shall commence shortly!"
"So, Ender, what sort of shit have you been up to this time." Avos asked, quiet enough for the crowd to not hear.
"Nothing you need to know, Avo," Ender grinned, "Let's just let the true rankings decide themselves. After all, isn't my rightful position above yours?"
"Should've never asked you in the first place. Let's try not to have a repeat of last year's match, Ender, and actually fight for once."
"Shouldn't I be saying that to you old man."
"Old-?!"
"And now, it is finally time for it to start." The orator said, her voice, although quiet, echoing around the stadium, which was full of the short breaths of excitement anticipation. "One match to decide it all. Let it begin in-"
"3"
As soon as the orator began to count down, Avos' hand grew slightly in size, a humming glow being emitted around it.
"2"
In the same instant as seeing Avos begin to prepare, Ender took a small dagger and cut a long slash along the length of his arm, drawing vast amounts of blood.
"1"
Manipulating it, the blood streamed out of Ender's arm, flowing like a rapid river, until it formed into a large blade that solidified in that same arm's grasp, all tethered to the original wound. Avos also pulled back, readying a punch, with his fist growing even larger in size while it began to glow red hot.
"Go!"
A massive explosion resounded from the stadium floor as dust erupted from the centre, obscuring the audience's view just enough to prevent immediate sight. As the dust cleared, it revealed the two locked into a stalemate, Avos' glowing fist rumbling and vibrating from the shock of being blocked by Ender's blade.
"How predictable, old fart."
"Fuck off."
Avos kicked his leg into the ground, sending him flying into the air spinning, spreading his arms our to manage his speed more effectively. While Ender recovered from the small explosion that Avos' leg had caused, Avos muttered a few words.
"Blood Art: Crimson Brace."
In an instant, Ender's blood dispelled from the shape of a weapon and reformed into several spikes that screwed themselves down far into the ground, nailing Ender to his position without any chance of him moving. Reeling from the pain of being subject to FAE, Ender was barely able to react before Avos kicked off of the air itself and sent himself spiralling into him, brightly-glowing fist first.
Trying to mitigate damages before it was too late, Ender stretched his arm straight out so that it would be the first to be crushed by Avos' attack. By the time Avos had processed what his enemy was planning to do, it was too late to alter course. Avos' fist completely obliterated Ender's arm, sending blood and gore spraying everywhere. In that same moment, the blood reconstructed itself into a spiked shield located at the elbow, the rest of the arm still missing. Even though it was quick job, it blocked the attack enough so that Ender wasn't mortally wounded and was only sent back a few metres.
Checking for wounds on his fist, Avos immediately retracted his arm, finding that their were no areas of damage deep enough to draw blood, and therefore allow Ender an easy victory.
"Whose an old fart now, brat." Avos spat, a bit of blood mixed into his saliva.
"What can you say when you can't even attack righ-" Ender's retort was cut short as Avos landed a clean hit on his face, the punch's shockwave shattering the solidified blood around him like ice. Flying backwards, Ender reshaped the crimson mist that remained after the art dissipated into an array of spears that Ender shortly commanded to attempt to impale Avos.
Spinning and twisting around every projectile, Avos danced forward catching up to Ender, both of them nearing the edge of the arena.
"That was for Daniel." Avos whispered, loud enough for only Ender to hear. Ender's face of concentration broke into one of surprise upon hearing that name, an attack that he was preparing crumbling apart. "And this... is for Igo. Enhancer Art:"
"Shit-" Trying to recuperate but ultimately failing to, Ender stumbled for a defence, a slight smirk still on his face as if it didn't have enough time to adjust for Avos' art. However, Avos knew it was too late.
"Demi Pow-" Avos' chant was cut short as a sudden pain shot through his entire body. Looking down, Avos only saw a mess of blood. With Avos' hands feeling around his stomach, he found a spike skewering his chest. Avos tried to make a counter-attack before Ender gained control of his blood and therefore his body, but it was just as he thought initially; he knew it was too late.
Darkness flooded his vision and all went silent.