To the onlooker's, Nero was in much worse a condition than Victor, however it was an undeniable observation that the great champion had lost.
The elf stood there grinning ear to ear, one arm mangled, the other still tightly gripping the hilt of the knife that now held up the cyborg's large body.
His legs, already weary and worn, buckled under the added weight. And both combatants ended up layed out on the floor unmoving.
Not a single soul uttered a single word.
None knew what to say, cyborg or elf.
"Well uhh, that was certainly unexpected." The commentator's now uneasy voice cut through the silence. "It looks as though both fighters are dead." After a thoughtful pause and a whisper into his ear by an advisor, he proceeded stating: "In this scenario both sides will be permitted one medic to checkup on their warrior. If either one is deemed alive then they will be taken away to their respective medical facilities."
"Of course I know exactly how this has played out." He said unconvincingly. "But perhaps you in the audience are slightly confused, due to the rapid twist in the final moments of the battle." He swallowed hard and gestured to a large screen. "So umm yeah we will be showing an instant replay. The impressive footage, of course, provided by our top tier recording drones."
With that the large screen cut to a still image of Victor (throat intact at this point) standing with his back to a badly beaten Nero. The image began to move slowly, the cyborg was taunting the elves in the audience, calling out their species as entirely incompetent. As the slowed replay carried on, the once thought to be incapacitated Nero lifted his head and stared at the man as if in deep thought or analysis, he then rose to his feet and - knife in hand - silently approached his opponent. This was unbeknownst to everyone, because they were all focused on the huge presence exuding from Victor.
From there it really was a simple matter. No matter how strong you are, an unpredicted attack from behind is game over. Victor didn't lose to Nero, he lost to his own arrogance.
Still the elf shouldn't have had the energy to lift a finger much less launch a sneak attack, one unanimous thought resonated throughout the colesium stands:
'There's something different about this one.'
"Okay this just in Victor indeed has no pulse and is officially deceased. Therefore the elves will be advancing onto humanity's 26th combatant in this war." The announcer's voice carried an obvious amount of disappointment.
At the silence upon the Ilfvan's condition, murmers arose from his respective species. The Xenos held some hope. Could this possibly mark a new dominant force in the war for Medeis? Would this be turning point?
Unamused with the message he had just received the short commentator's voice once again rang out over the arena, "The elf is alive." And with the same enthusiasm as a child receiving socks as a present he continued. "This means that Nero is the winner of this match. He will be returning tomorrow for his next battle, for now he will be treated for his injuries by his kind. Talk about an upset, I truly look forward to that alien's death."
After a moment he perked up and looked towards the drones in front of him, addressing the people who remotely viewed he said, "Okay you heard it folks, back here again this time tomorrow, make sure to tune in." With that he exited the arena alongside most of the human spectators.
Soon after their departure, the Ilfvan erupted into cheers. It had been many sun's since they last had cause to celebrate. Though he had no noble background, though they knew nothing about him, they roared their kins' victory. As the short human had said, this was an upset, but one very much in their favour.
Nero (who was now somewhat of a hero) was rapidly carted away by medics to be healed with Ilfvan magic.
- - - - -
Later that night with a certain commentator...
Franz was pacing his room, deep in thought.
'Goddammit Victor, why did you have to go and die on me? I'm so bad at remembering names, your's was so simple. I'd just read it out in glorious lights, the elves' ones I'd just mumble off of a piece of paper. Jeez why did I have to be chosen for the announcements of a war?'
The short human flopped down on his bed and let out a long tired sigh.
'If I'm being honest I just kind of liked that guy. Sure names are complicated but I don't usually get this worked up over a warrior's death. No one really expected that Ner- ner-? Gahh what was his name? Meh I'll just go with Nerd it's easier to remember anyways. Nerd was an anomaly but still I guess that's what turning your back on your enemy does to you.' He gave another exasperated sigh.
'Shame about the loss of that hot hunk of muscle though, if he had won perhaps I would have asked him out, alas to think about what may have come to be is a waste of time.'
He spent a short time mourning his crush then decided to go to his desk and review the next day's match. 'Okay let's see here.'
He looked over the statistics nonchalantly.
[Nero]
[Rank C fighter]
[Species: Ilfvan]
[Solar attribute: Locked]
[Weapons: Twin combat knives]
[Kills: 1]
- - - - -
[Lilith Grey]
[Rank C fighter]
[Species: Human]
[Cybernetic augmentations: Biotech enhanced Eyes. Biotech enhanced Hearing.]
[Weapons: Steel Spear]
[Kills: 0]
The man continued in his thoughts: 'Well nothing too special, I doubt there will be much to remark on, though they are evenly matched it appears. Oh looks like they updated Nerd's statistics, hmm yeah rank C seems fitting considering he couldn't land one fair hit on his last opponent. Never heard of the girl before though, maybe she will turn out half decent and get the conquest of this world back on track. I guess we will have to see what tomorrow brings.'