<Ah. > sent the Cobalt Beetle. <It is a place worthy to die in. Have you prepared your grave, as well?>
I rubbed my feet on the sand, forgetting that insects don't sweat. <I thought you were eating me if I couldn't entertain you.>
<Indeed. Still, I have no use of your exoskeleton after that.>
I shrugged. <Leave it for the ants and other scavengers.>
He hopped down from the ledge, landing outside the circle of planted spears. <Is this to be the limit of our arena?>
<I considered that.> I admitted. <But you are both stronger and heavier. You could win merely by shoving me out of bounds.>
<I could, yes. But that would be boring.>
He snapped his mandibles, flexed the forearms with the crablike claws at the end. <Do you have any final words?>
<I think…> But he chose that moment to rush me.
I activated everything; I didn't expect to last past the first minute.