Guardian

Adam swung forth his sword.

Himrusus' shield at an angle managed to successfully deflect it.

Clattering as the shield blocked his sword, Himrusus his shield pulling back, turned and swung his sword.

Their long arms allowing for additional range.

Their swords clashed, the impact reverberated through Adam's legs.

Sweat dripping down Himrusus' cheek, they leaned to the side, using their shield as a weight to propel towards Adam.

Adam stepped to the side avoiding Himrusus' elbow.

But his shield grazed his helmet.

A screech sounded, as Adam cleaved vertically, rising faster than Himrusus was able to lift their shield.

However, not fast enough to avoid their sword, as the swords clanged as they pressed against each other.

Adam stepped deeper into the sand to increase his force.

Though, Himrusus towered over him, Adam started to push him back.

Straining his arms and legs, Himrusus pulled his shield forward, to stabilize him, as he started lean back.

Shaking as their abdomen became vertical again, Adam kicked him in the solar plexus.

Coughing, Himrusus started to fall back.

Lifting their shield around Adam, positioning it behind one of his shoulders, the shield fell onto his back.

Pulling himself back up, Himrusus smirked, as Adam stumbled forward.

Slamming the hilt of the sword against the shield behind him, as Himrusus was starting to stand straight, he fell back again.

'How's that?' Adam thought, as he let out a small chuckle.

His guard open as he stumbled back, Adam drove his elbow up, reaching Himrusus' chin.

Their head shaken, they reoriented themselves as they struck their sword out.

Having nearly fallen flat into the sand, their back leg jabbed into the sand.

Staggering, Himrusus struck out with their sword, bringing forth their shield pressing it towards Adams stomach.

Adam jumped back, able to avoid the shield.

However, Himrusus' sword cleaved against his own.

Their swords similar lengths and weights, with Himrusus' fatigue setting in, they gnashed their teeth.

Breathing in, Adam stepped into Himrusus' sword that pressed him.

Exchanging several strikes, Himrusus' exhaustion intensified.

Driving his sword forward, his veins pulsing, Adam's sword crashed against Himrusus'.

Turning around, Himrusus drove his shield at Adam, who lifted his leg and kicked the approaching shield.

Stumbling back, Himrusus panted, glancing at Adam before throwing his shield on the ground.

Placing his freed hand to the hilt, he grinned, chiding: "Now its just sword vs sword, Adam."

Chuckling, Adam slammed his sword towards Himrusus' ribs.

Caught against Himrusus' extending sword thrust, Adam was pressed back.

Sucking in a breath, Adam held his sword tightly, shuttling his sword at Himrusus' face which scratched their blood-dribbling chin.

Wiping their chin with one hand, Himrusus spat on his bloody hand, before putting it back onto his sword's hilt.

Slowly, Adam observed Himrusus faltering, as his sword slammed against Himrusus' knee.

Cursing, Himrusus directing all their force into the sword was able to pierce Adam's gauntlet.

Which punctured through to the other side.

Wincing as he glanced at the wound, Adam observed Himrusus as they licked their lips.

His eyes glancing at the audience, the warmth of the fighting pit at his nape, Adam lunged.

Himrusus' reach allowed them to intercept his strike early.

But, Adam dug his heels down, and Himrusus was flung back.

Driving his knee up, he slammed against their wounded leg.

Himrusus let out a growl, at the stinging pain.

Bringing up his sword, in a horizontal motion, Adam slashed at their waist, piercing the armor, and blood started dropping down.

Turning pale, Himrusus legs shaken, used one hand to cover his stomach, one hand holding the hilt of the sword.

Adam struck down Himrusus lifting sword, leaning forward he threw himself into Himrusus.

Smashing against the ground, sprawled out, Himrusus cursed.

The impact causing the bleeding of his waist to worsen.

His long fingers dove into the sand as he tried to get back up.

Scowling, he scrambled with greater intensity to be vertical again.

Yelling as he scattered sand, in his fervent movements, "You're not good enough. No!"

However, Adam sprinted around him and picked up Himrusus shield.

It was fairly heavy, aggravating Adam's forearm wound.

Bringing up the shield, wincing, he brought it down on Himrusus, whose head tilted back slightly.

Himrusus' eyes widened at the shadow over him, he collapsed as the back of his head was struck.

Crashing forward, his face was buried into the sand.

His arm slightly lifted, before dropping.

A sharp note in his ear echoing, he threw the heavy shield to the side.

'Must be a notification. Must have met some milestone.' Adam thought, before looking around.

Resounding in the arena was the cheers of the audience.

'That's one benefit to being popular in the arena.' Adam mused.

Soon, the announcer started speaking: "Adams win streak is doubtless im sure, but with this win, it becomes even more undeniable."

Before he left, he picked up Himrusus and carried him, his wound not a great sight.

Even if he could deal with bandits, staining his hands in the arena was not something that Adam sought to do.

At the healer, he dropped off Himrusus and got his wound looked at.

After an hour, and a steep cost, Adam's forearm was like new.

This once, Adam paid for Himrusus recovery.

He was the one who dealt the wound.

But, in a way, having paid 3 gold to heal them, was a wound of its own.

Adam decided to not schedule other matches for the day.

He needed a day to clear his thoughts.

Back at the inn, in his room, he looked at the notification that appeared as the match ended.

[Ding! For using another person's weapon to finish them off in the arena, you earned x1: Treasure Selector Ticket.]

A grin growing, Adam mused: 'Now that 3 gold that I paid was not so much.'

Using it, Adam saw the set of three boxes that were side by side, attached with a lever.

Joyful at the sight, he took a breath, and pulled the lever.

Treasure time!