The arena trembled with the weight of anticipation as the announcer's voice echoed through the colosseum.
"Hunter Jhaeros and Vorrik the Unbroken—enter the ring!"
The crowd erupted into cheers and murmurs, excitement rippling through the stands. This was a clash of opposites—speed against brute strength, finesse against raw endurance.
Jhaeros strode into the ring, his movements smooth and predatory. His Ilvaarian heritage was evident in his sleek, feline grace, from his fluid posture to the way his golden-green eyes flicked over his opponent with quiet calculation. He wore fitted leather armor, reinforced with enchanted plating at key points—light enough to allow maximum mobility but sturdy enough to absorb a glancing blow.
Beside him, Velka, his dire-wolf companion, prowled forward. Her black fur shimmered under the arena lights, muscles rippling beneath her thick coat. Her amber eyes locked onto Vorrik, and a deep, low growl rumbled in her throat.
The audience tensed. It was rare to see war beasts in the tournament, but students who had them were permitted to use them—if they could command them properly.
On the other side of the ring, Vorrik entered.
He was a mountain of a man, towering over Jhaeros, his sheer bulk making the Ilvaarian look like a shadow in comparison. His plate-and-chain armor bore the scars of past battles, the dents and scratches telling a story of fights he had never lost. In his grip, a massive warhammer, its head adorned with jagged spikes, rested with intimidating weight.
He glanced at Velka, then smirked. "Bringing your mutt to the fight?"
Jhaeros' ears flicked, but his expression remained unreadable. "I don't fight alone."
Velka bared her teeth, a silent but clear challenge.
Vorrik rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck. "Good. I like a challenge."
The announcer raised a hand.
"BEGIN!"
The Clash Begins
Vorrik charged.
BOOM!
The sheer force of his first step cracked the arena floor. He swung his warhammer in a brutal downward arc, aiming to crush Jhaeros in a single blow.
Jhaeros vanished.
A blur of motion, a flicker of shadow—he dodged just as the hammer slammed into the ground, sending stone shards flying.
Before Vorrik could recover, Velka lunged.
The dire wolf snapped at his exposed leg, her powerful jaws clamping down on the thick leather of his greaves.
Vorrik snarled and kicked out, trying to shake her off.
Jhaeros used the opening.
His twin daggers flashed as he slashed at Vorrik's unguarded side.
CLANG!
The blades barely cut through the chainmail.
"Too thick," Jhaeros realized.
Vorrik grinned. "That all you got?"
He twisted—
And swung his hammer in a brutal backhand aimed at Jhaeros' ribs.
Jhaeros ducked, narrowly avoiding a bone-shattering impact.
But Vorrik had already adjusted.
"You're quick, but let's see you dodge this!"
He slammed his foot into the ground—
A shockwave exploded outward.
The sheer force rippled through the arena, cracking stone and sending Velka skidding backward with a surprised yelp. Jhaeros, mid-movement, felt the shock travel through his legs, slowing him just enough for Vorrik to close the gap.
WHAM!
A massive gauntleted fist crashed into Jhaeros' side, sending him flying.
He hit the ground hard, rolling twice before regaining his footing.
The crowd roared.
Vorrik laughed. "Not so fast now, are you?"
Jhaeros exhaled, tasting copper. His ribs ached, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he wiped his lip and smirked.
"That was a mistake."
Vorrik had landed a hit. But in doing so, he had given Jhaeros exactly what he needed.
He had felt the armor's weak points.
He had seen the slight delay between Vorrik's attacks.
He had learned how to end this fight.
Jhaeros took a breath—
And vanished again.
Vorrik's eyes widened as Jhaeros moved like a shadow, too fast to follow, slipping behind him before he could react.
A dagger slashed across the back of Vorrik's knee.
Not deep—
But precise.
A weak point.
Vorrik snarled, twisting to swing his hammer—
But Velka struck again.
She darted low, biting onto his other leg just as Jhaeros slashed at his elbow joint.
"Tch—!"
Vorrik staggered.
Jhaeros didn't let up.
Another dagger to the ribs.
Another strike to the exposed wrist.
Velka tore at the armor's straps, weakening the plates.
The audience held their breath.
Vorrik was still standing.
But he was slowing.
"One more."
Jhaeros pivoted, gathering momentum.
Velka lunged at Vorrik's chest, forcing him to raise his left arm in defense—
Which left his right side completely open.
Jhaeros struck.
A dagger plunged into the exposed joint between Vorrik's backplate and shoulder guard.
A critical hit.
Vorrik's breath hitched.
His fingers loosened around the warhammer's grip.
Jhaeros used his full weight to drive the dagger deeper.
And finally—
Vorrik fell to his knees.
The arena was silent.
Then—
"Vorrik is unable to continue! Winner—Jhaeros!"
The colosseum erupted.
Jhaeros exhaled, flicking the blood from his dagger. He turned to leave—
But paused.
Vorrik, still kneeling, was laughing.
"Shit," the brute muttered. "That was… impressive."
Jhaeros raised an eyebrow.
Vorrik grinned, shaking his head. "Guess I owe my patron an apology."
Jhaeros smirked. "Maybe tell them not to bet against him next time."
Vorrik chuckled, finally slumping forward in exhaustion.
Velka padded over to Jhaeros, pressing her nose against his hand. He scratched behind her ear before turning toward the exit, tail flicking behind him.
He had won.
Match 4: Winner – Jhaeros!