What Is He?

Siroos's eyes wandered towards the people. Only a few cheered for Cassandra and he noticed it all. Even her father, who had an affectionate smile going on when her elder sister was introduced, now sat with a stoic face. 

The presenter moved ahead, presenting the other teams and laying out the rules of the tournament. 

There weren't many except one requiring to spare a life if someone yielded.

Killing the opponent was allowed if one didn't surrender. 

The winning team would move to the next round and the last remaining two teams would face each other in the final. 

"Let's take a bow for our special guests and officiate the tournament. May the best team win," the Presenter finished his speech, and everyone bowed in respect of the guests of honour.  

Siroos made eye contact with an Alpha that sat right next to Cassandra's father. He seemed young, in his early twenties and knowingly nodded at Siroos. The elegance and class so apparent from the way he sat with his index finger perched on his temple. A flicker of a smile played on his supple lips. His eyes wavered between Siroos and Cassandra, making her wonder if he was the Alpha of Dusartine. 

Tholarian LeBlanc stood up and flicked his index finger towards his mouth, hence enhancing his voice. 

"Let the Arena of Death begin. May the best team win. The reward for winning the event includes. Picking any jewel from my collection. Name it and I will grant it to you. Apart from 2000 gold coins. Good luck."

King Tholarian had an extensive jewels collection. Every kind of precious stone and jewel was part of it. Some enchanted, others holding unique mysterious powers. People died to get their hands on one of his jewels and this was quite an opportunity.

The crowd roared at his words, excitement running through them like thunder. Tholarian took his seat and the presenter announced again. 

"The first match will take place between the team of Princess Cassandra and Siroos Vs the team of Gaudria and Hashi." 

The war drums banged and the arena was set on fire by the mages with fire ability. The roaring fires forged the shape of dragons and soared over their heads. Mesmerising the onlookers, followed by mages with water affinity who formed water serpents and chased the fiery dragons in a dance of fire and water. 

The spectacular site blew everyone's minds and reverend guests couldn't help but be entertained as they sipped wine from their golden tankards. 

The other contestants left the ground, leaving the four. Once the conundrum of dragons and celebration died down, everyone settled for the real fun.

Siroos took his position in front of Cassandra, his back facing her. Seeing the opponents, Cassandra was slightly shaking. Her hand held the hilt of her sword. 

"Remember to trust me; I will not let any harm come to you," Siroos whispered to her over his shoulder and she nodded, keeping her eyes fixed on the duo of orc and mage.

They menacingly watched Cassandra and Siroos, probably thinking they were easy targets. 

Gaudria was an orc Hashi had met during his travels to faraway lands. He brought him along for the arena after his first warrior was killed in the last one. 

"Hashi has nature affinity just like Lotus. Beware of his poisonous vines. I will handle myself, my sword is imbued with magic," Cassandra told Siroos. Hashi had trained with Lotus so Cassandra knew all about his powers. 

"I appreciate the heads up, and I believe in you," Siroos answered tenderly, narrowing his eyes at the duo; his eyes flickered with specks of brown as the gong to start the match went off. 

Cassandra instantly retrieved her sharp sword. It was light but was infused with magic. 

Standing at least 8 feet, Gaudria let out a spine-chilling snarl, his thick skin was black with mouldy patches of brown. His mammoth hands were fisted and the black skin of his lips was peeled back to reveal his sharp yellow teeth. 

He charged on towards Siroos, who stood calm and collected. Suddenly his body began to change as Gaudria drew near. His smooth hands grew thorns and so did his arms and back. 

The crowd and guests watched in befuddlement as Siroos had half-transformed into something like a hedgehog. Gaudria jumped in the air and tried to punch and plummet Siroos to the ground. 

But, Siroos was quicker and more agile. Dodging his punch he bent down and landed his own spiky one in the orc's stomach. The spikes punctured his thick skin while the force sent him flying towards his partner. 

Hashi was trying to back him with thorny vines sprouting from his hands, they wriggled on the ground, reaching towards Cassandra and Siroos like rapidly moving snakes. 

Cassandra swiftly manoeuvred her sword, it rippled with magic as she cut them down one after the other. The purple gem glistened and imbued the sword with more of its magic as it glowed and lilac misty light coated the silver blade. 

Tholarian narrowed his eyes in confusion. There was no rule against the use of charmed weapons but hardly anyone ever used it. And that stone, he was sure belonged to his late wife. But this fight was turning out to be so interesting and he had no desire to stop it. He will deal with his daughter later. 

Gaudria collided with Hashi and both of them tumbled and fell on the hard ground. Leaving the people stunned at the strength Siroos had portrayed. No ordinary shifter could pull this off. 

Gaudria let out a hurtful grunt as he gathered himself and stood up to see his yellow blood leaking out from holes Siroos had left in his skin.

"You are dead, shifter," he growled and blindly rushed to him. 

Hashi forgot Cassandra for a second and focused his attention on Siroos as well. His gold-dusted eyes were the same colour as his hair now as they rolled in his sockets judging the enemy rushing towards him.

The crowd watched the battle from the edge of their seats, too stunned at what was unfolding. 

The vines sprouted feet away from where he and Cassandra stood and tried to wrap themselves around his ankles but he jumped and shifted again into a hawk, this time. A mighty hawk which had razor-shaped claws.

It instantly attacked Gaudria's face and plucked both his eyes out in one swift move. 

Gaudria hollered in immense pain, the crowd roared while Cassandra was left shaken at the move her partner had pulled. 

Did he just turn into a hawk from the half-hedgehog human hybrid? What in the names of the gods was he?  

The yellow putrid smelling blood oozed from Gaudria's eyes as he sank to the ground holding his face. 

Without wasting a single second, Siroos's claws dug into the skin of his face and twisted his head. Crunching sounds could be heard as the head was ripped clean off and thrown towards Hashi by the mighty hawk. Its brown feathery wings, which spanned at least 3 meters, flapped mightily in the air. His beady angered eyes remained fixed on Hashi. He had dared harm Cassandra with poisonous vines. 

Hashi screamed in horror seeing the beheaded body of his comrade and the Hawk's dangerous eyes focused on him now. 

"Noo, I yield, I yield," he shouted, shaking on his legs. He had understood they were no match for Siroos and whatever he was. 

Cassandra had cut off all the vines that were trying to wrap themselves around her feet and poison her and the rest retreated as soon as Hashi yielded. 

While Siroos shifted back to his human form Thalorian couldn't help but dumbfoundedly ask the Alpha sitting on his right. 

"What in the world have you sent?"

"An abomination," he answered with a knowing chuckle, his eyes shone with pride.