Chapter 16

The next participants were Kaji against Admetus. But Taryu got up and told Lycurgus he had to do something so Lycurgus was left alone.

"Okay, perfect if there is anyone, I have to pay attention to, it's Kaji," Lycurgus said to himself out loud.

Kaji tilted his head to the side and unveiled a pair of large canines that he flashed at Admetus before saying, "Let's make this a good fight, okay?"

Admetus gripped his spear, posing himself in an unorthodox stance, crouching down as if he was a cat getting ready to pounce. "Let's." He spoke with a cool calm voice.

Kaji ignited a flame in his right hand, spinning to his right he released an intense blast of flame. Admetus stepped forward, ducking down and seamlessly dodging the blast. His cool and icy demeanor was unfazed by the elemental attack. He countered by simply kicking up a cloud of dirt with the butt of his spear.

Kaji's crimson-colored eyes darted around looking for signs of Admetus when the point of the spear thrusted out from the cloud of dirt. Kaji barely had enough time to dodge leaning to the side, countering with a blast of fire with his left, met again with another thrust now aimed at his gut. Kaji stepped back smacking away the spear, rubbing his eyes as his vision impaired. He growled as he spun around unleashing a billowing column of fire.

As the flames cleared Admetus was right on top of Kaji with a flurry of thrust, faster than the eye could see. Kaji barely parried and dodged the blows some striking his cheek, legs, and arms. He backflipped out of the exchange range once the volley of attacks slowed down. He landed gracefully like a cat, 'Well can't let that happen again' he thought. Just as he thought he had a moment he heard.

"Oh no, you don't," come from Admetus as he charged forward to catch Kaji. Kaji had fully regained his footing, bringing up a column of fire with his right hand. Admetus quickly smacked the flames and his hand down with his spear, launching a kick right into Kaji's chin. Connecting hard Kaji went spinning away, bringing up another cloud of dust as he hit the ground.

Admetus disappeared into the cloud as Kaji retreated out of it saying, "No YOU don't," as he sent in an inferno blast to cover his retreat. Kaji had caught Admetus off guard as he came out the other end on fire. Admetus rolled through the dirt putting out the flames, as he did, Kaji charged jumping high into the air to bring a fiery axe kick down on Admetus.

Admetus rolled, swiping his spear at Kaji's feet just as he landed, Kaji jumped onto his hands dodging the attack. Admetus swiped again, causing Kaji to dodge again, this time Kaji sent a blast of fire at Admetus. Admetus blocked with his spear, regaining his footing in the process.

Admetus' snow-white hair was now brown from all the dirt along with his white and golden-trimmed robes. The ponytail he had his hair pulled back in had come undone and his hair was now in his face. He took a piece of singed cloth and ripped it off using it to tie back his hair. Kaji in turn dusted off his Zaketa, an article of clothing similar to a jacket that his mother had made him. He then to a strap he had tied around his wrist and untied it saying, "Guess I should make my attacks more accurate too huh." As he tied up his own silky long black hair, revealing his orange tiger-like eyes.

Admetus simply stared at him with a cool demeanor. His hazel eyes were fierce and unyielding. He circled Kaji slowly, planning his next attack, Kaji in return stood unwavering. Simply waiting for Admetus to strike. Admetus circled completely around Kaji till he was in front of him, and when he was, he lunged.

Admetus struck the ground, Kaji lunged forward bringing a quick heel on the connecting point of the spear – snapping it cleanly. Admetus lost no cool and simply retreated as Kaji brought a barrage of flames his way. Admetus twirled his staff, deflecting all the blasts of fire. Kaji steadily closed in the flames intensifying, pushing Admetus off the backfoot into a full defensive retreat.

When Admetus' heel touched the wall he snapped, going on the offensive, braving the fires, and scorching inferno to strike Kaji. The first strike smashed into Kaji's ribs cracking a few. The next strike hit his neck buckling his knees from the force. Admetus went in for an overhead strike, but Kaji caught the overhead blow, striking at Admetus' core while ripping the staff from his grip.

Admetus slammed against the wall, knocking his breath loose, but quickly recovering to block a direct hit burning his arms further. They then exchanged a flurry of blows with Kaji's flames and fists connecting more. Admetus stood standing countering, attacking, and standing on his last inch of ground unyielding all the same. After a decisive block, Admetus countered striking Kaji in his chest causing him to stumble back.

There Admetus stood, burned, bloodied, and damaged, yet he stood. His breath labored his right eye shut, his hair in his face once more but still he stood unbroken, defiant, and unyielding. He let out a fierce roar as he took a step forward. Unconscious he was as he passed out standing against the wall of the arena.

Kaji stood there panting, dumbfounded by the strength of Admetus, scared to take another step forward. His eyes wide, he learned the lesson of the strength of a caged beast. It wasn't until Admetus' body hit the ground did Kaji even move a muscle. Once he did, he released all the tension that he had built up and a smile once more came to his face.

He walked over to Admetus and picked up him, a man he could respect, even a man he could fear, and carried him out of the arena.

Lycurgus sat there as wide-eyed as the rest of the stadium, breathless and in awe at the strength of both young men. Lycurgus wondered for a moment if he would have been able to defeat Admetus and his unbreakable will. He thought about what his father said about Kanias and conquering the islands. People like Admetus, Panias, Nikanor, Chara, and Hana were in his way. He thought of only Kaji as a threat but now he looked at the thought as nothing more than foolishness. All of these men were great in their own way. Now the question rang in his head 'How do I get such men to bend the knee to me?'