In the past two plus years, Alex had learned a lot about combat. Over ti, hed co to see and take note of how different fighters embraced their own ways of battle, using what best suited them, yet sharing the sa goal; winning.
A fighter like Grimloch relied on the might of their physique and natural talent to devastate, crush, and stop an opponent in their tracks. Incredible strength. Insurmountable speed. Titanic mass. Overwhelming magical power. Towering natural talent all ca together.
With such abilities, a combatant could easily bury an adversary with crushing blows, or a hurricane of swift strikes and spells that left them in a broken heap sprawled in the dirt in their wake.
Another way was through hard practise and honing skills through thousands of hours of training. Combat formsperfected by cultures over milleniaoften triumphed over those less practised and less proficient, as a master musician would perfect a song through long days of practise.
A third way was through analysis and by noting patterns in their opponents fighting style, using the agility of a keen mind to spot details.
By canvassing the terrain for anything that could be used to ones advantage.
Searching an opponents form for weaknesses.
A keen mind was Alex Roths ultimate tool in battle; as soone who was prevented by the Mark from even throwing a punch at soone or sothing bent on taking his life, his brain was the greatest tool he had to protect himself and those fighting beside him. Though his ti was most often spent with dangerous companions, a war-golem and a staff that wielded fantastic magics, his mind was still his greatest weapon and shield.
Nowin this contest against a man with far greater years of combat experience than himhed been using that mind with the precision of a scalpel
probing for any weaknesses in Pri and Harsha Ram.
And as the fight continued, he believed hed uncovered one.
In the arena, Pri wrapped around Claygon like a black death shroud, wresting the golem from the sky and down toward the ground.
Father! Claygon cried in Alexs mind. Pris moving around like water! I cantfight my way outIll try my war-spear!
Pri transfigured as sothing stabbed it, parting the construct around the tip of Claygons blade like tall grass separating as the war-spear poked through the struggling mass of black force.
Then the force constructs shifting form closed on the war-spears haft.
It hasmy spear! Father! the golem shouted.
Dont give up, Claygon, Alex thought. Keep struggling; Im noticing sothing about Ram. I think he has to control Pri directly, like he would a cart or a wagon. I dont think it can function on its ownand I believe theres a strong connection between the two of them. Pris like a cloud, so start blasting it with your fire-beams, full power; theyre causing so kind of discomfort to Ram.
I willfather Claygon thought.
And Pri grapples Claygon, wrapping around him like an evil blanket of force! the announcer shouted. The mighty golem is struggling, but Pri literally has him surrounded! This is unprecedented folks! Only at events like these can you expect to see such life-or-death struggles, such death-defying feats, and such fantabulous feints without risking your life to watchwaitwhats this?
Ram glowered at Claygon, his brow furrowing as Pri suddenly expanded.
Crackling explosions raged within the force construct. Claygon blasted his opponent again and again, bathing Pri with fla. Across the arena, Rams face hardened, a line of sweat dripped down his temple.
Pri constricted, binding the struggling golem, enduring explosion after explosion.
The audience gasped and cheered.
In the VIP box, Shale watched with the sa grim expression as one attending a loved ones funeral. Around her, the potential clients were watching the battle with unnerving interest.
Alex bit the inside of his cheek, watching Rams expression and body language.
The well disciplined Professor was standing tall and straight-backedbut wore tension in his body and a stiffening of his shoulders like an unwelco cloak.
Yes Alex thought. Were going to corner you, Professor Ram.
Yet, within the arena, Pri was the one gaining the lead.
Despite Claygons fire and mighty strength, the force construct was slowly pulling its prey to the ground. Both constructs touched the arena floor, the golem firmly constricted by Pris cloud-like form.
A wave of shock pulsed through the link. Are we onthe floorfather?
Yes. Its going to pin you, Claygon, Alex thought, watching his forr professor. And I dont think theres any way were going to stop that.
He quickly checked the tir. Dont panic but, were going to lose this round.
No Claygon said.
Trust , were not going to lose the match. All you need to do is struggle as hard as you can for the rest of the round; make sure you put everything youve got into making Pri work for this victory. Dont prioritise pins and knockdowns, just throw as many attacks into it as you can.
Understoodfather Claygon thought.
And pin! the announcer cried as the count finished. The score is 9-7 in favour of Harsha Ram and Pri!
Roaring cheers spread through the audience as fans clapped and chanted in unison. Pri! Pri! Pri! Pri!
Pri disengaged from Claygon, but the golem imdiately whirled, bathing the force construct in fla. He shot after Pri, war-spear thrusting and fires blazing.
He swung the blade in broad strokes, slashing Pri even as he reford. The force construct moulded, returning to its combat form and drilling Claygon with an earth-shattering blow, driving him across the arena, rattling the cage bars.
You needto hit harder the golem said.
Claygon flew back into the lee, leading with war-spear and fire-beams, slashing the larger construct with his blade, pounding his massive fist into Pris core. The force creature spun through the air, slamming into the bars.
A great tremor ripped through the cage.
And as Claygon was about to move in for the kill
the bell rang.
And the first round goes to Priiii! What a devastating contest, folks! And a great showing from both combatants! Truly, Pri has been a monstrously powerful foe, but what a truly destructive display wed be witnessing if it wasnt for the arenas protective magics!
Yeah, it would be, wouldnt it Alex muttered, observing Ram.
His forr force magic professor watched the crowd distantly, lowering his head politely as they cheered his na. His body appeared still, calm and serenebut Alex could see past that.
There was a lack of focus deep in his eyesso subtle that most might not notice it lurking therebut it could not escape the notice of the Fool of Thaland.
Fatherwe lost Claygon groaned, floating down in front of Alex. This fightis frustratinglike fighting mist that can punch you
Its okay, Alex responded ntally, watching the tir. Were going to get him soon. How strong is Pri?
Very strongas strong as a golem
As strong as one of the new golems that we make at Shales? Alex asked.
Iits hard to answer father Claygon said, a troubled note in his voice.
More suspicions grew in Alexs mind. What makes you say that?
Sotis it feels weakersotis it feels as strong as I was last yearsotis it feels almost as strong as or even strongerthen it feels weaker again
So its strength is fluctuating, Alex considered. That makes sense
Whatare you thinkingfather?
Ive got a hypothesis. Rams created this truly badass spell, and dont get wrong, but theres no spell that I know of that could possibly create infinite energy. When force armour shatters, you need to reform it. When you fire force bolts, you need to power those force bolts with manaso I have to ask myself, how is Pri putting out so much power without any power source?
You areright fatherall firesneed fuel Claygon looked at the fire-gems in his palms.
Exactly. Alex thought. Pris firing force bolts, changing shape and increasing and decreasing its strengthso spells are self-sustaining, but were not talking about a static wall of force. And if you crack a wall of force, the wizard who cast it has to cast the spell again to repair it.
Then whats Pris fuel? Claygon thought.
Alex glanced at the force professor who was examining Pri carefully. Ram is, I think. I think the spells continuously drawing from his mana pool. Whenever Pris strength spikes? Its probably because Rams poured more mana into it.
ThenRam is powering itand controlling itthats why Pri favours its right side.
Alex glanced at the professors arms. Because Ram would fight with his force prosthetic, that makes sense!
So then whats the plan? Claygon asked.
We snuff out the pool. Rams got to have an imnse pool of mana, and hes the kind of wizard who would definitelylearn mana regeneration techniques, but that still doesnt an his pool is infinite. Its probably taking a lot to keep powering the spell, and every adjustnt he makes is only going to draw even more power from him.
Yesso we can drain himby hitting Pri over and over. Claygon thought.
Yeah, thats what Im thinking, Alex thought. Itd probably be easier outside of this arenathen we could do so realdamagebut lets wear him down. And I think we should pull out one of my trump cardsandhuh.
What is it, father? Claygon asked.
Alex peered at Pri. He cant cast any spells on Pri. Since the new rules ca into effect this year, every wizard in the tournant has been casting spells to power up their proxies. But he hasnt done that, not at allmakes wonder if he can.
Thenthat is more advantageto us Claygon thought.
Which is a good thing. Alex looked up at Torakas prospective clients. Those buyers are looking at Pri with a lot of hunger in their eyes.
Do not worry father Claygon said. We will slaughter your competition
Claygon, we cant, thats murder
...slaughter them in business. In business.
Alex wasnt completely sure if Claygon actually ant in business.
Round twos beginning, folks! Our first round went to Pri, but will round two go as swimmingly for Harsha Ram and Pri? the announcer shouted.
Claygon Alex thought. I have a plan
Ram watched Claygon intently. In the arena, Pri skittered into position, scraping its legs against the arena floor. Its fists clenched and unclenched.
May the best construct win, Ram said. Can you stand in the way of progress?
Its not progress until all the bugs are worked out, but you already knew that.
True, your data will be valuable to my advancent, Ram said.
Funny, I was about to say the sa thing to you.
A battle between warriors! Between wizards! Between scientists! Who will win? What exciting new ventures will be born from this match?
Claygon and Pri tensed.
Begin! the announcer shouted.
Alex flicked his staff, pouring flight and haste magic into Claygon.
Pri charged, its tail sweeping out to knock him to the arena floor, but the golem parried with his war-spear. Pri ca in hard, using a flurry of asured attacks that ca from all sides.
Rams training and experience shone through his force construct, and its speed heightened with every strike. Soon Claygon was being pounded beneath a hurricane of blows, each slipping through his guard.
Alex thanked the Traveller that Pri wasnt a familiar; theyd have no chance if Ram was able to cast his own devastating spells through the construct.
And for that, Alex was grateful.
Fire your central gem, Claygon Alex thought. But dont break away from the fight. Keep Pri in lee. At the sa ti, blast the cage in front of Ram.
Yes father Claygon thought, gems flaring.
Beams of fla lanced out, striking Pri in its axe-shaped skull, while another beam flew across the cage, hitting the bars in front of Ram. The Professor didnt flinch.
But Pri did.
Alex grinned.
Claygon drove his war-spear into the creature, raking it with fire from his central gem. Pri responded with bolts of force from its ballista, but it was clearly firing blind.
The golem slamd the larger construct to the floor.
Knockdoooown! the announcer bellowed.
10-9 in Claygons favour from all three judges.
One point down, Alex thought. But points dont matter.
Ram stepped out from behind the flas.
His face twitched.
Suddenly Pri was diving forward.
The axe-blade struck Claygon on the shoulder, driving the golem to the ground.
A knock-down from Pri! the announcer scread.
9-9 from the judges.
Alex didnt flinch.
Claygon raised both arms, firing his fire-beams right into Pris chest.
Andas predictedthe construct dissolved into a cloud of force, sweeping over Claygon, trying to constrict him again.
Alex smiled.
Got you, he said, raising his staff. It was ti for the first of his new trump cards.
He poured power into the staff.
The aeld blooms flared.
And Claygon vanished.
What? Ram cried.
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