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"Our next match is the bloodthirsty Ker, Nikoletta Bia, against the famous Golden Taurus, Aurumi To'Ro!"
The crowd cheered as we walked into the stadium, and I sighed when I saw my opponent.
Standing across from me was a large Cow Woman, her golden locks falling elegantly down her shoulders.
Aurumi was easily over six and a half feet, a giant of a woman.
Dressed in simple white robes, she looked every part a holy maiden, her calm and serene expression at odds with her burly figure.
Strapped across her back was a giant halberd, a cross of axe, spear, and a long, curved spike.
Staring at me with her pale blue eyes, Aurumi bowed slightly, her hands clasped in front of her as she said "It is an honor to face you, Miss Bia."
Unused to such calm, respectful actions from a warrior, I just nodded, deciding to remain silent.
Giving me a small smile, Aurumi grabbed her halberd, dropping low as she waited for the call of Ibri Achaa. Mirroring her, I took my spear and fixed my gaze on her own.
"Are the contestants ready!?"
We nodded, and the crowd quieted down.
"Very well. Let the match-"
"I AM GANESHA!"
Aurumi took a step forwards, her halberd lancing towards my chest, quick as lightning.
Grunting, I used the shaft of my spear to push the halberd to the side, only to widen my eyes as I felt her twist the weapon in her grasp, pulling back with that spike.
I strained, trying to keep my spear in my grasp as the large Cow Woman yanked hard, her face still serene as she fought.
Letting out a shout, I released my spear, watching as she stumbled back a step.
My spear clattered to the sand, a few feet to the side.
Taking advantage of her momentary unbalance, I dashed forwards, sweeping my leg towards her knee.
My leg slammed into hers with a thud, and I bit my lip as I rolled back.
It felt like I had just kicked a wall...
Scooping up my spear, I watched as Aurumi swept her halberd towards me, using the axe side.
It wouldn't be ideal trying to fight her with just strength; our stats and levels might be the same, but she has the racial advantage.
Cow People, Boaz, and Dwarves are naturally strong, and even if we had completely identical stats, they would beat out a normal human like me any day.
Stepping back, I felt her halberd glide in front of me, the spear tip barely missing my chest.
I heaved in a breath, realizing that I had meant a truly tough opponent.
We were both ranged fighters, which meant that the edge went to the one with the longer reach, which was Aurumi.
However...
Not giving up, I gripped my spear and stepped forwards, the tip hurtling towards her as it sliced through the air.
Bring her shaft up, she blocked the blow, only to grunt in surprise when I sent the butt of the spear towards her side.
I needed to close the distance, but even that was risky.
My spear slammed into her side, the meaty thwack resounding around the arena.
I jumped back again, watching as Aurumi's pale eyes grew cold.
"You are the first to hit me in this tournament..."
Her previously respectful voice was now glacial, and I stayed back as she stood tall, looking down at me.
With a low shout Aurumi flickered forwards, her size belying her speed.
Bringing the halberd down, she intended to knock me out with one blow.
Rolling to the side, I widened my eyes at the large cloud of sand that now gathered in the arena, before grinning.
Retrieving her halberd from the ground, Aurumi looked around for me, before narrowing her eyes as she prepared to charge again.
Preparing myself, I waited for her to rush forwards, faking a stab towards her side as she slammed the halberd again.
As the cloud of sand joined the previous one, I quietly moved inside it, watching her from the side.
She looked around, before sneering slightly.
Taking a breath, she grabbed her halberd in both hands before spinning, cleaving the air around her.
Slipping underneath it, I dashed forwards, stabbing the spear into her ribs, before hastily sliding behind her.
As she grunted at the pain, she stiffened as she felt the wooden spear pressed against the side of her throat.
The stands erupted as people cheered and boo'd, depending on who they bet on.
Panting, I looked at the kneeling Cow Woman, her head reaching my chest.
Aurumi gave me a small smile, her eyes reverting back to their previous warmth.
"Well, I guess you deserve your reputation, Ker. You truly are a spirit of blood..."
I grinned at her, removing the spear as I offered her my hand.
Dragging her up, I held her forearm, shaking it.
We stared into one another eyes, respect and admiration flowing between one another.
Releasing her arm, I was about to walk away when she stopped me, looking down at me as she asked "Would you care to spar again sometime in the future, Miss Bia?"
I nodded at her, replying "It'd be a pleasure, Miss To'Ro."
Nodding to me, she turned and exited the field, her large frame filled with confidence as she waved to the crowd.
I chuckled, before turning towards my own exit.
I still had one more fight...
~~~
As I made my way back to the waiting area, I was greeted with the all to familiar figure of Sigrid, who was nervously shuffling around in front of the door to the room.
Seeing me, she rushed over, her eyes alight with worry as she looked me up and down, hastily asking "Are you hurt anywhere?!"
Placing a hand on her shoulder, I chuckled as she calmed down slightly, only to blush at the contact.
"Sigrid, I'm fine, really."
The short blonde girl looked me over, before sighing in relief.
She pursed those plump lips of hers, making me bite my cheek to resist the urge to latch onto them like I had before.
Looking up at me with those dewy emerald eyes, she hesitantly asked "A-Are you sure?"
It took a lot of willpower to not take her right here, those eyes reminding me of how exquisite she looked when she screamed under me.
I placed my other hand on her shoulder, taking a shuddering breath before I pushed her gently away.
She looked slightly hurt at the gesture, making my heart ache again.
"Sigrid... please. We can be friends; in fact, I would love that. However... you can't... you can't do this to me... Not now..."
Hearing my ragged breathing, Sigrid looked at me, biting her lip as she asked "Are... are you sure that we can't... give it a try? Maybe it'll work out-!"
I shook my head, pulling her to the side where no one would hear us.
Looking down at the pretty woman in my arms, I feel the familiar clenching from below, making me slightly irritated.
Taking another breath to calm down, I said "Sigrid... unless you're fine with me openly going to bed with other women, this..."
Pointing between us, I felt my heart clench again as her face twisted slightly in pain.
"... wouldn't work. I... I'm sorry, I really am... I just can't see myself staying true to you; to anyone. There are so many different people I find myself attracted to, that I want to have a physical relationship with..."
Sigrid looked down at the floor, letting out a dreary sigh before taking a long, deep breath.
"You're right... you're right, I wouldn't be capable- no, I would utterly despise knowing that you were somewhere else, with someone else. I just... wouldn't be able to do it. It... would make me angry..."
Sighing again, she smiled at me, before saying "Friends then. We'll just... be friends. Maybe in the future you'll come around, maybe you won't."
Seeing the despondent smile on her face, I sighed, leaning against the wall as my energy slowly drained.
"That's fine."
Sigrid flashed me a large grin, handing me a potion.
"Well, friend, I had a few potions that I made when I heard you'd be participating. Here, a stamina potion."
Nodding at her, I took the potion and uncorked it, preparing myself as I downed it in one gulp.
Shaking my body to alleviate the odd taste, I let out a 'Blegh' before handing her the vial back.
Taking it, Sigrid said "Well, I think I should leave you to it..."
Turning, she started walking away, my eyes glued to her departing figure.
Before she could get far, I shouted "Wait! I have a question..."
Turning with a grin, she looked up at me, her hands behind her back as she leaned forwards.
Tilting her head, she waited, before stiffening at my question.
"That Aurumi To'Ro... what Familia does she belong to?"
I shivered as Sigrid's eyes went dull, still smiling as she looked at me.
Raising my hands, I shook my head as I said "Not because I want to sleep with her! Not that! She invited me to spar! Really!"
Narrowing her hard emerald eyes, Sigrid glared at me before sighing, going back to normal as she said "Aurumi is apart of the Sekhmet Familia, specifically the Vice Captain. Oh, the Captain, Argentia Fel'Lis, the 'Silver Cat', is one of the favorites for the Level 4 Tournament."
I nodded, thanking Sigrid.
She grinned at me, though a dangerous glint was still in her eyes as she left.
I had trouble keeping my eyes off her as she left, noticing quickly the extra sway in her hips and the way she glanced over her shoulder with a knowing grin as she walked.
That small display of possessiveness...
Was quite attractive.
Shaking my head, I entered the waiting room, intending to get a little rest before the last round.
I had passed the Semi Finals, and considering the sizable bet I had placed on myself, I grinned as I prepared to win my last match.