Battle of dogs pt 2.

Rising from the debris cloud with an agony-filled growl, Alexander could see the war hound struggling to its feet. 

It didn't rise as quickly as the previous three times, but it was far from defeated. 

Alexander scowled as he readied his spear once more, only to realize the tip of it was gone. In its place was only a snap wooden handle.

Useless.

Deeping his scowl, Alexander tossed the broken aside. And quickly unsheathed his secondary. 

Tightly gripping the handle of his knife, Alexander focused his attention on the war hound. 

The hound was visibly favoring its right leg. Blood seeped from its wound, trickling down its left leg and pooling into a puddle beneath it.

Looks like I drew first blood, but I can't count the hound out just yet.

The war hound let out a low guttural growl as it stared Alexander down. Its eyes filled with a mixture of pain and rage. 

The crowd of demons surrounding the pit let out cries of excitement, as their bloodlust was amplified by the sight of the bleeding hound. 

Alexander lowered his stance as he waited for the hound to make its next move. 

Would it leap at Alexander again, hoping to bite into his flesh and rip him to shreds?

Or play it cautiously?

Alexander could feel his heart pumping as his adrenaline raced. 

Come on, make a move you stupid dog.

The hound pawed at the ground as it lined its side to the right of the pit wall, before slowly moving towards Alexander. 

As the beast approached, Alexander immediately began to back away slowly, preferring to keep an optimal distance. 

He shouldn't be too close in case the hound charged him again, but he shouldn't stay too far back in case an opportunity presents itself.

The two opponents began circling the edge of the pit, with the hound calculating each step it took, learning not to pounce.

I guess it's smarter than it looks. 

As Alexander continued backing away from the hound, it became increasingly clear that he would have to make the next move. 

Gritting his teeth, Alexander quickly glanced at the knife in his hand. 

It wasn't much, compared to the reach of the spear, but he'd have to make due, trading reach for speed. 

Turning his attention back to his opponent, Alexander scanned the hound for any weakness. 

He didn't have many prospects, the beast was slower, but it was far from defeated and more determined than ever, driven by a pained and hungry frenzy. 

But, Alexander did notice something while continuing his slow circling with the hound. Its back leg, trembled whenever it bore heavy weight. 

Not only that, but the hound seemed to drag it along, compromising its balance.

Hmm, it's risky, but if I can get behind that leg, maybe I can do some damage.

A subtle grin found itself crossing Alexander's lips, one he didn't notice. He took a slow steady breath as he began to charge his feet with potential world energy. 

White lights glowed underneath his soles as he visualized charging the hound. 

Alexander felt the hound's bloodlust radiating from their proximity, yet it failed to unnerve him. Instead, he did the opposite.

He lunged towards the hound, expelling his world energy as he rapidly dashed forward.

The ground beneath him cracked before being engulfed by a cloud of dirt. As Alexander quickly closed the distance, the hound was startled and moved to quickly open its maw. 

As its jaw came down with a quickness, Alexander charged his hand with world energy. 

He then slapped it on the dirt as he dropped down, before using it to further launch himself forward.

Traveling like a speeding bullet beneath the hound. Alexander used his ability to slow his perception of time, before aiming for the hound's back leg. 

As the world seemed to slow to crawl, Alexander thrusted his knife a few inches adjacent to where his spear struck. His blade, now aimed true, sliced at tendons and muscles with a repulsive resistance. 

The sound of a sharp howl followed, before dark rich blood began gushing from the open wound and time snapped back to normal. 

Rolling in the dirt before quickly springing to his feet, Alexander assumed a defensive position with his knife at the ready, coated in blood.

But the hound wasn't as fortunate as Alexander, as the beast began writhing in agony as its blood poured out and its body thrashed. 

The crowd above the pit erupted into a cacophony of elated cheers and whistles. 

Their bloodlust was unsatisfied and craving more, more violence, more bloodshed, more entertainment!

<Finish the beast!> They cried in their native tongue, <Kill it!>

The hound, with its back leg completely compromised, hurriedly pushed itself off the ground with its remaining three legs.

Heavy pants escaped its maw as its eyes darted wildly. 

Alexander quickly began gaining distance on the now desperate hound, unsure of its next move. 

The hound locked its frantic gaze on him and began racing towards him, uncaring of its fate as its hindleg was dragged along.

Sharpening his gaze, Alexander began charging his feet with world energy once more, preparing for another decisive strike.

The hound launched itself forward in a reckless manner, carried forward only by desperation and fading momentum.

Its jaws snapped open as Alexander came into range, preparing to crush him brutally. 

But Alexander, with his perception of time slowed, sidestepped the attempt. Then, as the hound continued past him, Alexander quickly pivoted and struck at the hound's underbelly again. 

But Alexander didn't just stop there, he used the hound's momentum against it, dragging his knife against its belly as it fell past himself. He dug his feet deep into the dirt, grounding himself not to be dragged with the beast.

The war hound let out an ear-piercing howl as it smacked headfirst into the pit wall. Its body convulsed as its eyes hurriedly darted about.

Alexander leaped back from the thrashing hound as the crowd's cheers grew louder. <Finish the Hound!> they chanted, <Spill its blood in his name!>

Alexander briefly stood still, his chest rising and dropping with heavy breath as he looked upon the hound. 

His golden eyes narrowed as he watched the beast trembling in a pool of blood. Its growls and howls are nothing but weak whines. 

Yet even in its weakened state, the hound attempted to rise again, its three legs trembling and buckling as the hound tried to force itself up. 

Even in the end, it was driven by the instinct to survive, to win.

The crowd's chants and cries grew louder and louder, as Alexander silently stood before the hound, covered in blood that was not his own.

He tightened the grip on his knife, his muscles tense and his heart pounding like a war drum. He and the hound exchanged glances, with the hound staring at Alexander not in anger or fear, but defiance. 

Almost as if to say, "You haven't won, you'll never break me."

Alexander chuckled softly to himself as he approached the hound, each step slow and methodical. 

Had it been any other kid, you'd have won that…

Alexander lowered his gaze as he stood before the hound, searching for where to land the killing blow. 

But I'm not just some normal kid, am I?

Alexander narrowed his eyes as he examined the hound's underbelly. 

Its side was slowly rising and falling, as blood oozed from the large cut Alexander inflicted onto the beast. 

I'll stab your heart, make it quick. 

Alexander turned to begin his approach towards the beast's stomach.

But as he lifted his foot to begin walking, the hound lurched forward, its maw wide open.

Alexander turned to look, his eyes growing wide as the hound's bloody maw snapped shut on his arm.