"Ten seconds remain!" yelled the referee, nasally voice somehow managing to be heard above the din of the cheering crowd.
"Nine!" echoed the gathered headians, setting off a mad scramble for what was left.
"Eight!"
Long sinewy form and stocky build both jostling for the same prize.
"Seven!"
Heads butting with a faint crack.
"Six!"
A pained whine.
"Five!"
An ominous growl and the barest flash of purple.
"Four!"
A surprised yelp as a pink and gold body was dragged across the arena, away from its winged adversary.
"Three!"
A darkened shadow's whispered instruction as a geyser of gold erupted unnoticed below a jutting rock.
"Two!"
A widening of eyes as they darted to the coveted pile.
"One!"
A burst of speed, clumsy tangled limbs, and a graceless slide into a face full of rocks.
"Zero!" A unified clamor, deafening in its loudness.
An equal parts disbelieving and elated shout, "Did I win?"
"I can't believe it either, but it would appear you did, land-dweller," Zarod said, mirth in her voice even though his victory meant her loss. Naros got up. His chin stung, but nothing could diminish his good mood. He'd won something! Not on his own, sure, but he'd *never* won anything before! He shot the widest grin at the floor, surreptitiously mouthing a quick 'thank you.' He didn't know *why* she'd decided to help instead of keeping the loot for herself, but gift horses and all that. Maybe he could even delude himself into thinking she'd done it for him.
"Color me impressed, topsiders," the Brute's leader said, eyeing the three vayrons with a hint of newfound respect. "Looks like you aren't *all* witless cowards."
Naros preened before temporarily getting distracted from his winner's high by the reminder that a contest wasn't their reason for coming here, "Excuse me? You did mention having met others like us before. Was it recently, by any chance?"
"Sure was," said Zarod, moving aside as the ref ambled around with some volunteers to gather the golden rocks and clean the *slightly* destroyed ring. "Arrived with The Forgottens a while back," she continued with a sneer of disgust, "Those weaklings stole from us, then did some odd brainwashing majick on some of my best warriors before high-tailing out of here like the yellow-bellied bastards they are." By the end, she was so incensed that smoke began pouring out of her maw, making Naros almost regret broaching the topic.
Renya
"Ten seconds remain!" yelled the referee, nasally voice somehow managing to be heard above the din of the cheering crowd. "Nine!" echoed the gathered headians, setting off a mad scramble for what was left. "Eight!" Long sinewy form and stocky build both jostling for the same prize. "Seven!" Heads butting with a faint crack. "Six!" A pained whine. "Five!" An ominous growl and the barest flash of purple. "Four!" A surprised yelp as a pink and gold body was dragged across the arena, away from its winged adversary. "Three!" A darkened shadow's whispered instruction as a geyser of gold erupted unnoticed below a jutting rock. "Two!" A widening of eyes as they darted to the coveted pile. "One!" A burst of speed, clumsy tangled limbs, and a graceless slide into a face full of rocks. "Zero!" A unified clamor, deafening in its loudness. An equal parts disbelieving and elated shout, "Did I win?" "I can't believe it either, but it would appear you did, land-dweller," Zarod said, mirth in her voice even though his victory meant her loss. Naros got up. His chin stung, but nothing could diminish his good mood. He'd won something! Not on his own, sure, but he'd *never* won anything before! He shot the widest grin at the floor, surreptitiously mouthing a quick 'thank you.' He didn't know *why* she'd decided to help instead of keeping the loot for herself, but gift horses and all that. Maybe he could even delude himself into thinking she'd done it for him. "Color me impressed, topsiders," the Brute's leader said, eyeing the three vayrons with a hint of newfound respect. "Looks like you aren't *all* witless cowards." Naros preened before temporarily getting distracted from his winner's high by the reminder that a contest wasn't their reason for coming here, "Excuse me? You did mention having met others like us before. Was it recently, by any chance?" "Sure was," said Zarod, moving aside as the ref ambled around with some volunteers to gather the golden rocks and clean the *slightly* destroyed ring. "Arrived with The Forgottens a while back," she continued with a sneer of disgust, "Those weaklings stole from us, then did some odd brainwashing majick on some of my best warriors before high-tailing out of here like the yellow-bellied bastards they are." By the end, she was so incensed that smoke began pouring out of her maw, making Naros almost regret broaching the topic.
2024-04-04 19:01:14
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