It was time.
As the red sun bled into the horizon, the crowd fell silent, both sides only just able to contain their excitement and fear. Then one booming voice rang out all across the arena.
"Welcome, welcome one and all!! And greetings to those watching at home. Are you ready for the next match?"
Screams of adoration and excitement rang out from a certain side of the stands in reply to the short skinny cyborg who had been commentating over the previous battles.
"Well today we see the return of the Elf-Slayer! Introducing the 25th human warrior. He who has thusfar claimed ninety of the enemy's skulls and put an end to the fifteen long winstreak from the second of the Ilfvan chosen. Please give it up for Victorrrr!!!"
As the Biotech lifeforms' cheers resounded throughout the arena, a huge mountain of flesh muscle and cybernetics emerged from the left tunnel. The bulky cyborg raised his titanium arms soaking up all of the energy and excitement he could from his adoring fans and positioned himself in the "ready" area like he had done ninety times before.
His pectoral and abdominal muscles bulged as he flaunted his impressive physique to the drones who swarmed every inch of the arena livestreaming the entire tournament proceedings to the quadrillions of humans spread across the galaxy. After getting bored of the attention he roared at the short commentator.
"GET ON WITH IT! What evil Xenos do I have the pleasure of crushing today? If its anothepr of their young then it will be a breeze. Might as well get to the final three, they may actually stand a chance of giving me a real workout."
The humans jeered at the already disheartened Ilfvan seated in the opposite stands, whilst laughing at Victor's boastfulness.
What reason would they have to believe another random elf could lay a finger on their champion?
"Yes yes one second. "
The short human with the cybernetic voice adapter sighed slightly irritated by the huge man's outburst. Continuing:
"And representing the Elves, their 97th warrior. Nero."
The blunt unenthusiasm was clear to both species. Simply put no one expected much. After ninety horrific bloodbaths the planets inhabitants only wished for it to be over quickly and painlessly as no-one who hasn't been chosen has defeated a single human.
Walking out from the right tunnel with grace, the tall pale male elf carried himself with a hint of sorrow and a look of acceptance. His half black half white shoulder length hair gently flowed in the wind accompanied by his knee length dark green cloak.
"Truly a beautiful final sunset."
The absolute calm in his voice filled the Ilfvan gathered there with deep sadness. This would be yet another reminder of their impending extinction. Due to the universal translator chained to his neck, even the jeering cyborg humans in the audience paused for a short moment, before once again shouting insults and vulgarities at the warrior in front of them.
"Well whatever let's just get this started then. Review the information given about your opponent on the holo-screen before you. After a few minutes we'll continue."
The bored tone of the commentator (who had recited the same announcement hundreds of times) was the final thing anyone heard as both species read the overview of their own warrior and their opposition's.
[Victor]
[Rank B fighter]
[Species: Human cyborg]
[Cybernetic augmentations: Titanium arms, General Martial arts skill brain implant]
[Weapons: Fists, Stun blaster within arms]
[Kills: 90 Ilfvan]
- - - - -
[Nero]
[Rank ? fighter]
[Species: Ilfvan]
[Solar attribute: Locked]
[Weapons: Twin combat knives]
[Kills: 0]
During the minutes of silence Nero thought to himself:
'I wonder if I would have ever unlocked my Solar attribute. Shame the humans really don't know how to react to magic at all, it may have been useful.'
'But it's okay I'm at peace. It's okay to die now, I'll just be going sooner than my fellow Ilfvan. These humans, cyborgs whatever they wish to call themselves, they cannot be bested.'
He looked over to the solemn faces of his species who were gathered to watch his match play out and then and there decided:
'I'll be damned if I don't try my hardest though. I suppose I must fight for them. This pathetic look on their faces is irritating. Do they doubt me? Of course they do but still.'
'Not that they've done anything to help me...
They'll owe me if I win this. Big time.
Fuck it, this is my world goddammit, mine. And its my life. So...'
Cutting off his train of thought the human commentator bellowed:
"Alright that's time. In this match like all the others beforehand the combatant who kills his opponent is then allowed to move on to the next fighter. Though it's not like we don't already know exactly how this will be playing out."
Then as the arena began to morph he more excitedly added.
"This evening our battleground will take the form of a coliseum style arena!!! That's right folks simple as it gets just a big flat circle. How retro."
"Okay okay enough of this chit chat lets get this started. To your ready positions."
Victor hunched over fists raised to his chin. Muscles tensed. Senses sharpened. Eyes locked on the alien he was about to destroy.
Nero drew his knives, the silver blades glinted with a crimson hue in the final moments of the dying day's sun. He gathered all his strength and filled his lungs with the crisp air. Then putting his weight and his left foot forward he slightly crouched prepared for the fight of his life.
He didn't realise it in the moment but his eyes narrowed and a crazed grin swept across his face distorting the serene Elf like appearance, in the moment he looked to the humans like a hungry demon sending shivers up every spine bone or steel.
"NOW LET THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE 97th AND 25th COMMENCE!!!"
At that sound the elf lunged forward to meet the large cyborg in front of him with only one thought in his head.
'I will win this!'