Chapter 36

The suffocating tension hang thick between the two warriors who stood on opposite sides of the large arena. They stared at each other in a way similar to a predator staring down on its prey.

The dragged out anticipation for the signalling horn to blast and the fight to begin was eating both of them up on the inside.

Only one of them was going to walk out of the arena alive and both warriors had a confidence that declared themselves as the champion. The weapons in their hands boosted that confidence.

The one warrior, lean and agile, held a large broadsword. It was an extremely heavy weapon, but the warrior wielding it held it as if the mighty sword weighed less than a feather. His opponent, standing only a hundred meters away, had an entirely different weapon. A giant battle axe that he rested comfortably on his shoulder. He too wasn't bothered by the weapon's weight.

The silent hum of excitement echoed between the tall walls of the dome as spectators whispered amongst themselves, placing bets on who would be the victorious warrior.

Emeric tried to ignore the buzz of excitement around him as he tightened his grip on the broadsword that sat comfortably in his palm. He focused his whole mind on the fight that lay before him. He knew that the warrior he was facing was far from a child's play opponent. He was an exceptional warrior and was adored by thousands of spectators in the Dome fights. He went by the name, Skullsplitter...Considering his weapon, the chanting of his name drove unwanted doubt into Emeric.

He had earned his freedom years ago, but in his time as a Domer he had grown to love the adrenaline rush that the metallic stench of blood brought so much, that he had come back to fight on his own free will.

Emeric on the other hand was fighting against his will. He had to fight if he wanted to survive. Each victorious battle he fought brought more tedious fights and more deaths to his name. He hated the Dome and being called a Domer, but if he wanted to give Kedo a better life, he would have to survive long enough...and that meant he had to have a 100 or more kills on his name.

Emeric had 99. He only had to fight one last fight, take one last life to be victorious and walk free again. One last kill and he could get Kedo out of the treacherous Dome.

The hairs on the back of Emeric's neck stood on end as the signalling horn blasted a low mournful note for a few seconds and then slowly faded away into a soft echo. The crowd fell into an eerie silence.

Skullsplitter charged as he let a battle cry escape from his lungs. Emeric slowly moved forward. He let he tip of his sword drag in the sand as he approached his opponent in a deadly calmness.

The aura he was giving off sent shivers through the crowds.

When the two warriors were a mere 4 meters from each other, time seemed to stand still...

Emeric jumped into action and ran two steps before launching himself into the air.

He brought his broadsword over his head and down on his opponent in one thunderous clang...

Skullsplitter blocked Emeric's blow with a fast strike of his axe. He didn't give Emeric another chance to attack. With swift, expert strikes, he struck out at the young Rogue. Emeric deflected the blows with a show of true swordsmanship. He deflected the horrid blows with perfectly angled strikes of his own sword, but despite his efforts, Skullsplitter was driving Emeric back. He was being forced to retreat.

After what felt like ages of brawling, Emeric could feel his arms tiering from blocking all the horrendous attacks. He grit his teeth and as Skullsplitter attacked with an overhead strike, Emeric twisted out of reach and lunged past the Domer. Emeric took hold of his momentary advantage. He struck with a harsh side cut from behind the expert warrior.

The sword cut a deep gash in Skullsplitter's side, but if anything, it only angered the Domer. Emeric grunted as Skullsplitter spun around and slashed at his face. The axe's blade cut a thin red line across the bridge of Emeric's nose and cheek. He had dodged just in time. A second later, and Skullsplitter would have lived up to his name.

Emeric stumbled away, wide eyed with shock. He realized how close he had come to losing his life as blood started dripping from the shallow wound. He brought his sword up to block a follow-up blow, but he wasn't prepared for the strength behind it as the axe viciously slammed into his sword.

The Domer drove his axe through Emeric's defences and the blunt edge of the weapon slammed into Emeric's brow.

For a few seconds, Emeric was left lying unconscious.

The chanting of the crowds came to his dulled senses, "Blood...Blood...Blood..."

He desperately blinked his eyes open, but his vision was obscured by a red haze. After hastily getting to his feet, Emeric focused his senses on finding Skullsplitter. He heard the shuffling of feet to his right...Emeric just barely ducked a blow that would have cleaved him in half.

Still mostly blind, Emeric put a good distance between himself and his opponent. Safe for a few seconds, he wiped at his eyes only to discover that blood had gotten into them after the harsh blow to his head. He had to make do with one good eye as Skullsplitter attacked in a blinding frenzy.

Emeric blocked and deflected blow after tedious blow, but his opponent was unrelenting. He had to tip the scale...

Mustering all his strength, Emeric swung a thorough strike as Skullsplitter attacked with an arching blow. Their weapons came to a bone jarring stop as they slammed together. Emeric's broadsword bit deep into the thick wooden handle of the axe. For a second, the two enemies stood facing each other with wrathful hate. Emeric's blue eyes contrasted the red blood that marred his face...it made him look even more threatening.

With a savage jerk, Emeric wrenched at his weapon that clung to his opponent's axe. There was a loud snap as one of the weapon's gave way under the harsh force. The spectators' expressions reflected Skullsplitter's as he gazed down at the amputated stump of the remains of his axe. The gleaming blade lay discarded in the dust...useless.

Emeric attacked with more fury than ever. He couldn't lose...It simply wasn't an option. Although he was sore and bleeding, he fought ferociously. Skullsplitter did his best to block the blows, but the small stump he called a weapon did little to ward off Emeric's mighty broadsword.

Blinking through the red haze, Emeric struck right, left, and overhead. And finally, after dozens of tries...his attack broke through Skullsplitter's unrelenting defences. With a single, well aimed thrust, Emeric drove his sword through the unfortunate Domer's ribs, and vital, cardiac organs. His eyes grew wide with shock as he stared into the pale blue eyes of the Rogue. In his eyes, the young man was a true beast, but they were more alike than he could have guessed.

With a pained moan, the mighty Skullsplitter fell to the ground...dead...

Emeric left his sword in the corpse...he wouldn't need it again. He had done it...

100 kills...he had earned his freedom. He could walk out of the Dome, and no one could stop him.

He could give Kedo the life he deserved, out of a cold prison cell.

Covered in blood and bone weary, Emeric turned to the gate as the guard came to escort him out.

Out of the Dome. Out of the harsh life of a Domer...

'It will all be over soon.' He thought with a relieved sigh.

If only he knew how wrong he was...