The arena buzzed with anticipation as the next match was about to begin. The crowd had been eagerly awaiting this battle—Jhaeros, the Ilvaar hunter, against Kalem, the so-called 'Steel-Master.'
Unlike the previous duels, this one had an unpredictable edge. Both fighters had displayed unusual combat styles throughout the tournament, and neither had fought with raw brute force alone. Jhaeros relied on his agility, precision, and bond with Velka, while Kalem adapted his weapons and tactics on the fly.
The announcer's voice rang out across the arena:
"Jhaeros, the Hunter, versus Kalem, the Steel-Master! Combatants, prepare!"
Kalem adjusted his gloves, then gave a quick glance toward Onyx, who was stationed near the waiting area. His weapons crate was nearby, full of blades, gadgets, and enchanted gear, but for now, he was starting with something simple.
A pair of curved swords.
Jhaeros stood on the other side, rolling his shoulders. His stance was loose yet ready, his Ilvaar instincts sharp. Velka, his dire wolf, stood beside him, her silver eyes gleaming.
Kalem raised an eyebrow. "Bringing Velka?"
Jhaeros smirked. "Of course. The rules allow it."
"Fair." Kalem stretched his arms, flexing his grip on his swords. "I was thinking of bringing Onyx in, but that'd be overkill."
The referee gave the final call, stepping back as the combat began.
A sharp whistle. The match had begun.
Jhaeros vanished.
Kalem's eyes widened slightly. Not actual invisibility, but speed—pure, unfiltered, inhuman speed.
Jhaeros was already closing the distance, his dagger flickering in the light.
Kalem barely had time to bring up his swords as Jhaeros struck first. The clash of metal rang through the arena as Kalem parried, forced into a defensive stance.
Velka darted to the side, circling like a predator.
Kalem had fought against swordsmen, mages, and beastmasters, but Jhaeros was something else entirely. His movements were impossibly fluid, like he could see three steps ahead.
Kalem barely deflected the next strike when Velka pounced.
He twisted at the last moment, bringing his sword around to block, but Velka was faster—a feint!
Her attack forced him to move—straight into Jhaeros's waiting dagger.
A razor-thin slice cut across Kalem's armor. Not deep, but enough to remind him: Jhaeros was hunting him.
Kalem grinned. "Alright. No more holding back."
With a sharp motion, he threw one of his swords at Jhaeros.
The Ilvaar dodged—exactly as Kalem expected.
Kalem's left hand flicked—a chain attached to the thrown sword snapped taut, pulling the blade back toward Jhaeros at an angle he hadn't expected.
Jhaeros barely managed to twist mid-air, avoiding a direct hit, but Velka reacted instantly. She lunged at Kalem again, her fangs bared.
Kalem activated a rune on his bracer—a repulsion enchantment.
A blast of force sent Velka skidding back. Not enough to injure her, but enough to create space.
Jhaeros, however, had already closed in.
Kalem barely ducked as a dagger hissed past his cheek.
This was different from all his previous fights.
Jhaeros wasn't an opponent who could be overpowered. He wasn't someone who could be baited into making reckless moves. He was a hunter. A predator.
And Kalem had to fight like prey who refused to die.
The next exchange was a blur—Kalem switching weapons on the fly, Jhaeros weaving through the chaos, Velka striking with pack-like coordination.
Kalem pulled out a longer blade, one reinforced with sharpness and hardness enchantments. Jhaeros responded by shifting his stance, his daggers glowing faintly with Ilvaar runes.
The real battle had just begun.