Finding a Fight (4)

Walking back inside with Dama, I frowned slightly as we made our way back to the viewing platform.

Eyes followed us as we walked, and I could tell that many of the fighters were both confused and wary.

Leaning against the window, Dama continued to look outside and observe the upcoming fight, ignoring the scrutiny we had been placed under.

Joining her, I continued to frown before whispering "Wasn't... wasn't that against the contract?"

Smirking, Dama looked over at me before shrugging, her amber eyes filled with amusement as she replied "Most definitely. However, consider whether or not that was a severe breach of contract or not; to the Goddesses overseeing our matches, was that a worthy match or not?"

Seeing that I was still frowning, Dama rolled her eyes as she continued on, her voice slightly exasperated.

"Two sets of fighters wishing to take on the Gladiator's Gauntlet at the same time? Both in the early stages of their seven fights? The organizers were doing themselves a favor as well as the Goddesses. Knock out one group and leave one remaining; whoever lost was obviously not worthy enough in the first place.

Of course, that means the organizers understood they were breaching it, but the 'consequence' will likely be something like a reward to us, and little of a detriment to them. Maybe a bonus amount of coin, a new weapon, materials... Something that we need, but the organizers can afford to lose.

The breach itself wasn't severe enough to be considered... impactful, or terrible enough to warrant intervention. It's a rather common tactic, albeit a rather ticky-tacky one. Understand? The Goddesses have their precious time saved from needing to watch unworthy challengers, and the organizers get to hype up the rest of our fights. Especially with our showing..."

Grunting quietly, I nodded as I turned towards the ongoing fight, mulling over her words.

It... was an odd train of thought, to say the least, but understandable to some degree.

Besides that, I could understand the hype that a match like that would produce, and with how we won so one-sidedly... most likely our upcoming matches would be much harsher as the organizers searched for a weakness to exploit.

With that in mind, I wondered if I should continue to hold back a little for the upcoming matches, so that I lower their evaluation of me before blitzing through the last match or two.

It was a valid strategy, and the more I thought about it the more I liked it.

Considering Dama's strength and thought processes, I could 'hide' behind her limelight and reap an easier tract of opponents, but...

Ah whatever... I'll see when the next match gets called.

Which didn't take long; after an Orc killed three wolves and a Geri, my number was called once more, and I nodded to Dama as she waved me off.

Walking down the silent corridor once again, I stepped back out into the sandy arena, silence descending over the crowd as I appeared.

Many were likely still shocked by the swift match that Dama and I provided them, wondering if the rest of our seven match gauntlet would be the same.

Coming out from the other door was a lanky Boarkin with chipped tusks, her swarthy brown skin covered by a scratched pair of leather armor.

Held loosely in her hands was a wooden club, and she narrowed her eyes as she approached the center of the arena.

"One of our tried and true fighters, raised right here in Tusk City! Give it up for Miana Ivoria!"

Loud cheers erupted throughout the stands for the woman, and the orator grinned widely, her plumage ruffling slightly as she raised her arms.

"And her opponent is a brave Northern Deerkin who is undergoing the Gladiator's Gauntlet! You saw her prowess earlier; was it just a fluke, or is she the real deal!? Everyone, give it up for Aethisia!"

The cheers weren't as boisterous as before, but many in the crowd seemed to enjoy the stakes I had put myself through.

"Are you two ready?"

Nodding, we lowered ourselves in preparation for our fight, which started off quickly as the orator shouted "Begin!" a moment later.

Shooting forwards, I decided to take the initiative for this match as I closed the distance between us, though the Boarkin didn't seem surprised as she simply raised the wooden club in her hand and swung towards my skull, her eyes hard.

Ducking underneath it, I slammed my palm up into her arm, earning a grunt as I pushed her arm up and away.

Swinging with her free hand, the Boarkin tried to punch me, while she created some distance between us to give her some breathing room.

Instead I pressed forwards, allowing her fist to sail over my head before I slammed my fist into her stomach.

When she doubled over from the hit, I smacked my other fist into the same spot, the Boarkin coughing out in agony as I hit her once again.

Glaring at me, Miana raised the club and whacked it towards my body, forcing me to jump back a few steps to avoid the blow.

Holding her stomach with her free hand, she snarled angrily as she held the club up in a guarding stance, waiting for me to make another attack.

Pursing my lips, I ignored the excited shouts of the crowd and slowly moved around her, observing the woman for a moment before lunging forwards.

Seeing her raise the club, I backed away instantly, before repeating that feint one more time.

Snarling again, Miana watched me warily as I continued to prance around her, searching for an opening.

Miana tried to keep turning with me, wanting to keep me in her sight, and that was when I noticed that she had troubles keeping up with her left turns.

Holding back a smirk, I feinted to her right before switching to her left, watching as the Boarkin grunted at the sudden pain of twisting in such a way, leaving her open for another punch straight to her oblique.

Grunting, Miana sputtered out once before gasping as I punched her once more, dropping her to the sand.

Reaching forwards, I yanked the club from her hands before punching one final time, getting her to gasp in pain before her eyes rolled into the back of her head.

Hefting the short wooden club, I nodded to myself before glancing out at the crowd, who were once again roaring and booing the outcome of the fight.

"It seems we have a real challenger on our hands folks~! Aethisia has one more fight left today!"

Waving towards the crowd, I smirked as I made my way back to the waiting room, where Dama stood frowning.