The Blade that sees no Edge

Arthur's grip tightened around his blade. The dull, worn steel bore no edge sharp enough to cut, yet in his hands, it might as well have been a weapon of legend. His opponent's sword clashed against it in a desperate arc, too desperate, too predictable. Arthur didn't parry. He didn't evade. He met the strike head-on, raw strength behind his swing.

Steel met steel.

Then, steel broke.

The sound ripped through the air like a thunderclap. A violent, screeching wail of rending metal filled the arena as the mage's sword gave way, snapping under the sheer force of Arthur's blow. The lower half of the blade rocketed away, spinning wildly before it struck the ground in a burst of sand and sparks, skidding to a stop just beyond them.