The tension was high up in the air, both contestants were eyeing each other looking for weaknesses.
Leonidas looked at Codrus, the crickets were chirping in the background on this hot summer day.
Some sweat formed on his forehead, the total silence of both armies was unsettling.
After going round in circles for about 2 minutes, Leonidas made the first move.
He ran up to Codrus ready to strike with his spear.
The towering Leonidas was like a iron fortress moving towards Codrus.
His height made it possible for him to stab straight and still reach for Codrus head.
But Codrus was a old well experienced warrior.
The moment he saw Leonidas make his move he ducked underneath his spear.
He moved quickly towards Leonidas, once he got close his dried and witherd hand reached for his sword.
Leonidas saw this and moved his point of balance, blocking the sword strike with his shin armour.
Blocking the slash his already raised leg kicked out hitting Codrus on the ribcage.
Because of Leonidas great strength Codrus flew out stumbling over the ground until he hit the Athenian battle lines.
Knocking over almost three of them before the soldiers could take the impact.
Codrus stood up he looked at Leonidas who stood 60 meters away waiting for him to join the duel again.
Codrus gave a heavy sigh " I guess my efforts are wasted."
He thought that this would be a hard fight but it turned out to be impossible.
If it was purely a contest of skill he could still put up a fight.
But his old body had witherd and the power once filling him had already seeped out of this husk.
But still he had to fight till he could no longer move and was sent back to Elysium.
So he started to run taking his shield and sword.
He reached Leonidas on no time, Leonidas stabbed his spear out again aiming for his head.
Leonidas thought he would evade his attack again, but he did not.
Instead he blocked it with the shield deflecting Leonidas his attack.
Leonidas moved quickly deflecting Codrus stab with his shield.
A ringing sound was heard when the sword hit.
Codrus empty eye sockets lid up with a dim light.
Just like Leonidas he used to be a demigod, and some of his powers although lacking remained in his body.
Quickly Leonidas his shield started catching fire and slowly metling.
Leonidas quickly tossed his shield away flicking the molten iron from his hand.
While it looked dangerous and extremely hot, his hand was unscathed.
Costas frowned his strongest technique turned out useless.
When he felt the strength of his opponent he knew he had to use his Trump card.
But even that didn't do the trick.
So he moved to eliminate Leonidas with his sword.
The kick Leonidas gave him broke a couple of ribs but because he was already long dead he didn't feel the pain.
But it did hinder him in moving his hand making his attacks weaker and weaker.
Leonidas was now without shield and had taken to fighting solely with his spear blocking with the wood while simultaneously stabbing and hitting with the side.
After a couple of minutes Codrus made a mistake.
And Leonidas used this opening.
Stabbing him trough the chest.
Right trough his dead and rotten heart.
Codrus slumped on the ground defeated.
The moment Leonidas won the Spartan army started shouting his name in unison.
"Leonidas Leonidas Leonidas!!"
Leonidas turned around to encourage his men, not seeing Codrus slowly getting up with the spear still stuck inside his ribcage.
He staggered silently towards Leonidas.
Holding his swords he stabbed Leonidas in the back.
"I am sorry but I can't let Athens fall."
Leonidas slowly turned his head.
There was no fear or suprise in his eyes.
"No I am sorry"
He proceeded to fully turn around, the sword still stuck in his cuirass.
Looking down on Codrus Leonidas stretched his hands out slowly surrounding Codrus head.
And started squizing there was silence both armies were speechless.
This made it so that everybody could hear the ominous sound of bones breaking.
Codrus didn't make a sound in the process he already accepted his fate.
He knew that his last attack was useless.
But he still has to show Athens fighting spirit before he left for Elysium again.
And so with a sickening crunch Codrus left the mortal world again.
Leonidas proceeded to calmly pull out the sword in his back.
Only a small one inch deep wound was created.
After his full power thrust.
Leonidas stayed silent for a minute before he gave a order.
"Take over Athens!!"