The arena's drumbeat reached a crescendo, signaling the start of the fight. The Spear of Despair moved first, his towering frame deceptively quick. With a low growl, he lunged forward, his spear slicing through the air in a deadly arc. The crowd gasped at the sheer power behind the strike—the tip left a faint, burning trail as it cut across the arena.
From the private booth, Ryker leaned forward, crimson eyes gleaming with excitement. "He's fast for his size," he noted.
Mathias, arms crossed beside him, nodded. "Size doesn't always mean slow. A trained warrior can compensate. Watch closely, young master—this isn't just brute strength. The Spear of Despair is controlling the flow of the fight."
The young swordsman stood his ground, eyes locked onto his opponent's movements. At the last possible moment, he sidestepped, the spear grazing his worn armor with a sizzling hiss. He immediately countered, darting forward and slashing at the armored giant's exposed side. Sparks erupted as his blade connected, but the dark armor held firm.
"Foolish child," the Spear of Despair sneered, his voice a guttural rumble. He spun his spear in a sweeping motion, forcing the boy to leap back. The sheer force of the attack created a shockwave that sent dust and debris flying.
Undeterred, the boy adjusted his grip on the hilt of his sword, his expression calm and calculating. He darted around his opponent, his smaller size and agility allowing him to evade the spear's deadly reach. He slashed and jabbed at weak points in the armor, aiming for joints and gaps, each strike precise and deliberate.
"The boy's footwork is remarkable," Ryker murmured, eyes flickering with recognition. "He's using his size to his advantage."
Mathias smirked. "You're seeing it, then. He can't overpower his opponent, so he's focusing on speed, striking weak points. A good strategy—but will it be enough?"
The Spear of Despair grew frustrated. "You're nothing but a pest," he growled, slamming the butt of his spear into the ground. A ripple of black energy surged outward, the ground beneath them cracking and shifting. The boy stumbled, nearly losing his footing as the arena floor erupted in chaotic upheaval.
Ryker's eyes narrowed. "A shockwave attack."
Mathias exhaled sharply. "The Spear of Despair is a battlefield veteran. He's disrupting the boy's momentum, forcing him into unstable terrain. This is where experience plays its role."
Yet, even as the earth seemed to betray him, the young swordsman adapted. He used the uneven terrain to his advantage, leaping onto a jagged rock and launching himself into the air. As he descended, he brought his blade down in a fierce arc aimed at the towering man's helm.
The dark warrior raised his spear just in time to block, the clang of metal-on-metal reverberating through the arena. The crowd roared in approval, a mix of awe and excitement filling the air.
The boy landed lightly, his breathing steady despite the intensity of the battle. He was studying his opponent, noting the slight delay in the Spear of Despair's movements after each powerful attack. His armor was heavy, his strikes brutal but slow to reset. The boy realized he could exploit this.
With newfound determination, the swordsman charged forward. The Spear of Despair swung his weapon in a wide arc, but the boy slid low, narrowly avoiding the strike. As he passed beneath his opponent, he slashed at the back of the giant's knee, aiming for a vulnerable joint. This time, the blade bit deep, and the armored behemoth staggered, a guttural roar of pain escaping his lips.
"Smart," Mathias muttered. "Targeting the joints. The armor may be strong, but nothing is impenetrable."
Ryker smirked. "Now he has the advantage."
Seizing the moment, the boy pressed his attack. He danced around the battlefield, his movements a blur as he struck at the same weakened point again and again. Each hit chipped away at the armor and the giant's confidence.
But the Spear of Despair was not defeated yet. With a feral growl, he unleashed a final, desperate attack, thrusting his spear forward with blinding speed. The boy twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike. The spear's momentum left the giant off-balance, and the boy saw his opening.
Summoning every ounce of strength, the young swordsman lunged forward. He planted one foot on the shaft of the spear, using it as a springboard to propel himself upward. With a battle cry that echoed through the arena, he drove his blade into the unprotected joint between the giant's shoulder and neck.
The crowd fell silent as the Spear of Despair froze, his weapon slipping from his grasp. The young swordsman landed gracefully, his chest heaving as he held his ground. The giant took one unsteady step backward before collapsing to his knees, his dark armor clattering against the cracked arena floor.
A roar of applause erupted from the stands, a tidal wave of admiration and disbelief. The announcer's voice boomed, "Victory! Against all odds, the young swordsman triumphs!"
Mathias let out a low whistle. "He did it. That boy… he's something else."
Ryker watched the young warrior stand tall, his blade gleaming under the arena lights. "He never lost his composure, even when things turned against him. That's true strength."
The boy sheathed his sword, his eyes unwavering as he turned to face the crowd. Though his armor was worn and his face streaked with dirt, in that moment, he stood taller than any warrior in the arena—a testament to the power of skill, wit, and an indomitable spirit.
Mathias glanced at Ryker. "Inspired?"
Ryker grinned. "Definitely."