The clash of steel rang through the arena as Kalem held his ground, his longsword carving wide arcs to control the space around him. Jhaeros and Velka couldn't close the gap easily. Each step forward was met with a sweeping counter, forcing them to reposition.
Jhaeros narrowed his eyes. He had speed, agility, and Velka's coordination, but Kalem's battlefield awareness was undeniable. He wasn't fighting Jhaeros and Velka separately—he was treating them as a single opponent.
That meant brute force wouldn't work.
Jhaeros signaled Velka with a subtle movement. They had to change tactics.
Velka circled wide, her silver eyes gleaming. A distraction. Jhaeros rushed in from the opposite direction, daggers flashing.
Kalem smirked. Predictable.
Instead of dodging, he stepped forward, into Jhaeros's attack range.
Jhaeros's eyes widened.
Kalem wasn't evading—he was baiting.
Jhaeros's dagger barely grazed Kalem's shoulder plate before—CLANK.
Kalem's left gauntlet snapped shut, catching Jhaeros's wrist mid-strike.
A surge of mana crackled through the gauntlet's runes, locking Jhaeros in place for a split second.
Long enough.
Kalem flicked his right hand.
The runes on his gauntlet shimmered.
A chain uncoiled from his sleeve, snapping through the air as a dual-scythe weapon flew into his grip. Two curved blades, attached by a length of chain, glinted under the light.
Jhaeros's ears twitched, his expression shifting to genuine surprise.
"You use chain weapons?"
Kalem spun the weapon in a slow, deliberate motion. The chain twisted, the scythes moving like a serpent.
"Yeah. Why?" Kalem tilted his head. "You thought I just threw swords for fun?"
Jhaeros barely had a second to react before Kalem struck.
The first scythe lashed out, forcing Jhaeros to pivot away.
But the second scythe followed immediately, curving around like a whip.
Jhaeros dodged by the narrowest margin, but the chain wasn't done moving.
Kalem pulled back, sending the weapon into another rotation—a perfect dance of momentum.
Jhaeros dodged left.
Velka lunged right.
Kalem anticipated it. With a flick of his wrist, the chain wrapped around Velka's leg.
Before she could break free, Kalem twisted—using the momentum to pull himself toward Jhaeros.
Jhaeros barely had time to block as Kalem's scythe smashed into his dagger.
For the first time in the match—Jhaeros stumbled.
Kalem followed up instantly. He yanked the chain, forcing Jhaeros off balance.
Jhaeros recovered fast—too fast.
But not fast enough.
The second scythe hooked behind his leg.
Jhaeros moved to dodge, but Kalem let go of the chain, shifting tactics mid-motion.
With both hands free, he dashed forward and—
—slammed his palm against Jhaeros's chest.
A sudden pulse of energy burst out.
Jhaeros was thrown backward, crashing into the dirt.
Velka immediately rushed toward him, snarling protectively, but—
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner: Kalem!"
The arena exploded in cheers.
Kalem exhaled, rolling his shoulders. He glanced at Jhaeros, who was still seated in the dirt, staring at the chain weapon lying nearby.
Jhaeros huffed, shaking his head. "You could've led with that."
Kalem smirked, retrieving his weapon. "Where's the fun in that?"
Jhaeros chuckled. "You're insane."
Kalem offered him a hand. "You fought well."
Jhaeros took it. "Next time, I'll be ready."
Velka wagged her tail.
Kalem scratched behind her ears. "Yeah, you too."