Kaine’s smile vanished as Audas threw him back with enough force that even the former human was deep-down, shocked at his newfound power. Unprepared, the Nyúlfur staggered backwards, arms flailing as he backpedalled into a cluster of other Nyúlfur, all of them barking in alarm as they found themselves struggling to hold their grey-furred peer upright.

  Audas didn’t have any time to process any of this before Kaine lunged back at him, teeth bared. Something thumped into Audas’ chest and he stumbled backwards, managing to keep his balance. “What the hell is your problem!?” Kaine roared.

  The former human stomped forward; the surprise swiftly being drowned out by the resurgent rage. “Don’t you know when to shut up!?”

  “I cooled it off, didn’t I?” Kaine shouted, “I was being friendly, asshole!”

  “Friendly!?” Audas jabbed a finger back at him, “You’re just another bloody mutt!”

  That was a mistake.

  Kaine roared and sprung at him. Audas backpedalled and snapped his head back as the fist flew past. Claws dug into his shoulders as he was yanked back in. Audas threw a punch, striking something only for another fist to slam into his gut. He gasped as air escaped his lungs and his abdomen throbbed. He managed to throw another punch before someone’s hands dug into his skin and began to pull him back.

  He clawed away at Kaine, heart pounding as he tried to break free. But another hand slipped in and they were dragged apart, Kaine kicked and twisted in front of him. Shouts filled the air around them, a few barking for them to calm down, many more wondering what the hell was happening.

  He snarled as he tried to rip himself away. No, he had enough! This Kaine just breathed of the same Nyúlfur who would attack the innocent, slaughter them as if they were little more than a joke. He flashed his teeth. He shouldn’t even be here! He didn’t want someone patting or rubbing him on the shoulder. No. Audas wanted him gone.

  “What’s going on!?” Dray shouted, stepping between the pair with a look of alarm.

  “Think you’re so high and mighty big boy!?” Kaine spat, squirming in the grip of his captors as Audas shook in the hold of his own.

  That’s it! That’s more like it!

  “Kaine calm down!” Dray urged, motioning with his hands to calm it.

  “Shut up Dray!” Kaine’s eyes locked onto Audas, burning as he shook. “Come on, lets fight! You and me right now!”

  “That’s enough!” Dray barked, ramming his sword down into the earth. “Neither of you are fighting-“

  “Bring it on then!”

  Ears flicked as heads swivelled round towards Audas. He tried to rip free again, only to find his gaze drifting between the ever-growing cluster of Nyúlfur that closed in around him. …I just said that didn’t I?

  …

  Aw shit.

  Dray glanced between the two. “Look. Just get out of here, cool off somewhere. Away from each other.”

  You know what… fuck it.

  That was the second mistake.

  “No.” Audas called out, ceasing his struggles as he focused his sight onto the frozen Dray. “I’m up for it.”

  “What are we waiting for then?” Kaine replied, no longer squirming in the grip of the two Nyúlfur and sporting a wicked grin that stretched across his face.

  Dray’s brown eyes flicked between them both. Audas watched as his mouth twitched and moved, imagining his mind racing as if he was searching for another hidden path forward.

  He swept a hand through his hair and let out a heavy sigh. “…fine.”

  For a moment as the two Nyúlfur let him go, a part of Audas felt… sorry for him. He had no intention to stand down, but there was something about Dray that seemed resigned. As if he was stuck between a rock and a hard place, unable to get out.

  Within moments, one of the larger rings was emptied. Word spread like wildfire and soon, a massive crowd had formed round the edge of the arena. Released from his captors, Kaine hopped over the low fence and strolled towards its centre. A few cheered. Others merely watched on, chattering amongst themselves as Audas stepped silently over. At the centre of the ring, he could make out several thick white lines. Kaine was already stood behind one, waving at some of the cheering onlookers. With a huff, Audas parked himself behind the line opposite his opponent’s.

  Dray stepped in between the two, his sword now sheathed and hung for at his hip, whilst his shield remained secured to his arm. “Weapons?”

  A lump formed in Audas’ throat. What the hell could he use? Again, all he had ever used was a knife! He chewed his lip. Well, he might as well go for something simple. Or at least all rounded.

  “Longsword.” He replied, picking something that he reckoned would be simple enough to use, and specific enough not to raise suspicion.

  One Nyúlfur came forward and passed over a simple sword. As Audas took the longsword, he let his eye run cross the surface. It was far more simply made than even Dray’s own sword. The blade was a light grey with a straight cross guard and a leatherbound two handed grip. As he wrapped one hand along the oddly soft handle, his head pulsed as it began to settle onto him that he was about to get into a swordfight with someone who almost certainly had the skill advantage. Refusing to let the worry show on his face, he ran his free hand along the blade’s edge. But it didn’t cut into his fingertips. No, it was smoothed off. Blunt.

  Holding back a sigh, Audas closed his eyes. Hiding what relief he could sense. I suppose the Nyúlfur don’t want to be accidently killing each other in training.

  When he opened them again, he could see Kaine smirking at Dryston with a raised brow. An easy ‘are-you-serious?’ vibe.

  All Dray could reply with was another sigh and a dip of his head.

  With that, Kaine turned and began to walk back towards the edge of the ring. Audas felt a flicker of a smirk forming. The idiot will probably just be getting another sword, surely.

  It vanished as the weapon flew into Kaine’s waiting hand... A staff-like weapon that stretched something like seven feet in length – nearly as long as it’s wielder was tall. Brown leather and metal mixed and matched neatly across its surface. However, each tip was dominated by a grey blade that glinted in the sunlight, each one being around a third of the length of the longsword. Laughing, and to the cheering of more onlookers, he twirled the staff around him as he returned to his starting position.

  Audas could only stare blankly at the weapon.

  …not fair…

  Dray glanced between them one last time, and slowly backed up out of their way. His smirk getting wider, Kaine stepped forward, staff resting in both hands.

  The fight was on.

  Narrowing his eyes, Audas snapped the sword blade up and advanced towards him. As the two closed on each other, Kaine began to twirl the staff again.

  Audas lunged forward, slashing down to the shoulder…

  The staff flicked up, and with a crack, the blade was flung aside. He kept flying forward, into Kaine’s reach.

  Something swept through his legs and Audas’ eyes widened as he floated in the air… and slammed face first back into the dirt.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  As the sword clattered out of his grasp, laughter erupted around him, intermingling with winces and everything else in between as his muzzle throbbed. “Oh dear!” Kaine teased, “The hero here bites the dust!”

  The groan died and transformed into a deep growl as Audas clawed the sword back and leapt back up at Kaine.

  The blade slammed back into the bladed staff shaft. But he didn’t stop, shoving Kaine back, he sliced the weapon round at his core, but Kaine sprung back and left the tip to whiz through empty air. “Ha! That’s better!”

  “If it shuts you up.” Audas scoffed, as he slashed the sword again. Another flick of the staff, and blade met blade. Ringing cut through the air as Audas reeled back, I’m not getting floored again!

  He let rip another strike, and another. Swinging and stabbing at him only for each blow to be whacked aside. Through every flash of metal, Kaine’s stupid grin grew bigger. “Missed! Missed!” he shouted, rising above the egging on of the audience. Audas gritted his teeth, Kaine’s name ringing down his ears just as much as Audas’ own. Him.

  He threw another strike down low, the staff blade sweeping it away.

  The other fell towards him.

  His eyes flicked towards it. Shit!

  Audas yanked the sword back, wildly whacking the blade away and up into the air. He backpedalled, trying to get his weapon back round.

  Kaine leapt at him with a stab. He shot back, flicking the sword against the staff. His wrist protested and the sword nearly flew out of his grasp.

  Audas backed up again, only for another stab to follow him. Metal sang again as his arms began to sting, another attack driving him back. He tried to swing the sword at Kaine’s chest, only to be thrown back as Kaine swept the blade away. Still driving him back.

  Can’t… get past… I-

  The staff bashed across his face, his head pounding as he staggered back. Vision flashing.

  Then the blade struck his gut, hard. He buckled over, gasping as the air rushed out his chest. He tried to shift the longsword back up with one hand, clutching his-

  The staff cracked against his back; it screamed as a painful wave surged through it. The sword fell free, his legs gave out, and once more his face was half buried in the dust.

  Another roar rose around him, jabbing at his ear drums. “Spirits!” Kaine exclaimed, “Have you actually used a sword in your life?!”

  Audas groaned as everything throbbed. His fingers brushed by the hilt of the sword as he pushed himself up. Kaine had his back turned, pumping the staff up as a cluster of Nyúlfur at the edge of the ring cheered back, waving their fists in support. Others along the fence watched on, staring right through him on the ground. Audas could hear their thoughts, or at least imagine them as plain as a summer day. “Who the hell is this Nyúlfur? Why is he doing so bad…”

  For god’s sake, Kaine wasn’t wrong!

  As Kaine responded to the onlooking crowd, Audas’ eyes somehow settled onto Dray. He still stood in the ring, lips taut and gaze fluttering between the crowd and him.

  A part of him, a tiny, miniscule part of him expected frustration to show across the Nyúlfur’s face, at how this all devolved into a scrabble.

  But no. It wasn’t. It was worry. Worried about what? Him? The fight? Kaine?

  It didn’t matter, that worry alone was enough to drive Audas back up to his feet and with a low grunt, he lifted the sword. I need to find a way past that staff and now…

  Kaine turned back, smiling wickedly as he twirled the staff. “Bravo! Up for another round!”

  But Audas ignored Kaine. Heck, he blocked out his voice. Instead, he watched as the weapon spun in his hands, two blades glinting in the light. Each blade passing in front or behind it’s wielder, letting it flow from one angle to the next.

  What’s even the point? What does he think he is, some dar-

  Audas stiffened as his sword hovered in front of him. The blades… he eyed them again, how Kaine brought each end round one at a time. How in the fight, he always had one point coming at him…

  Of course! After an attack he uses the other blade to follow up an attack or parry! If I can just get an intercept right, break his momentum…

  He focused his eyes back onto Kaine, levelling the staff down, blade aimed straight at him. Either Audas had worked out his opponent’s weakness, or he was about to do something incredibly stupid once more.

  Let’s see if I can’t unstick him...

  Snarling, Audas charged.

  Kaine sprung at him, staff flashing.

  Audas sidestepped, air brushing his side as he thrusted with the sword, aiming for Kaine’s torso.

  The staff spun round, a blade on course for his own. The other swung low.

  Now!

  He ducked and snapped the sword away from his target, catching the flash of the bladestaff as it sailed over him. Gasps rang out around him as Audas sprung aside and swiped the lower blade with his sword.

  Kaine yelped as the staff buckled under the blow, not ready for that strike. Audas swivelled back round, seeing his foe’s arms twisted as he gripped the staff. He kicked off the ground and slammed back into him. Kaine staggered away and Audas pursued him, bringing the sword down on top of him.

  Metal clanged as the longsword struck the staff, and Kaine’s arms buckled under that blow. Audas grabbed the sword blade, teeth clenched as the dull but still pronounced blade dug into his hand.

  As the staff sank, he stepped forward, and snapped the sword round like a bludgeon.

  The pummel struck Kaine’s chin.

  A sharp crack rung out, sending Kaine’s head spinning as he stumbled away with his grip weakening along the staff shaft.

  Audas took his chance, lunging forward once more and with another swing from below, the staff flew out of Kaine’s hands with a snap. Unable to keep his balance, he came crashing down to the ground.

  A chorus of cheers exploded around him with the force of thunder. Audas struggled to restrain a grin, a new found warmth flared in his chest as he levelled the sword point down to Kaine’s head, who had now shoved himself back up and stabbed daggers with his grey eyes. Any ice from the glare melted against Audas’ disguised delight. “What did you say mutt?” he purred.

  Kaine’s lips peeled back, white teeth glinting as a deep, animalistic growl rumbled forward.

  Audas sensed his smile begin to crack through, How does it feel? To be down there on the ground-

  Welcome to the master race… brother…

  His smile vanished, all the warmth in him was sucked out of him and the tip of the sword started to shake. Travis’ laughter echoed through his head. Wait… no-

  Something swept his feet clean out from below.

  He yelped as the world spun before he hit the ground. The sword slipped from his grasp and as he tried to grab it, nails dug through his shirt, tossing him onto his back and away from the weapon.

  Shocked yells boomed around him.

  Something dropped down on top of him, then the fist smashed across his face.

  His skull exploded in agony as his vision went black for just a second. Audas roared as Kaine flashed back into view, the sun behind him blocked by his fist.

  The other punch came flying.

  Whipping his arm round, he brushed the fist aside, barely buzzing past his head and striking the dirt. He caught the muttering of a curse as he scratched at the Nyúlfur’s shirt, yanking him close and whacked his elbow across Kaine’s jaw.

  The Nyúlfur fell out of his view and Audas scrambled to shove himself back u-

  “Alright that’s enough!”

  Vices clamped round his arms and yanked him back up to his feet. In front of him, Kaine was tossing and turning in the grip of three different Nyúlfur. “Get off me!” he roared, arm breaking free and clawing at the air between them before someone tugged it back.

  Great. Back to square one…

  Dray stepped forward; arms spread out. “Should have never have let this happen…” he muttered, “Just... get them out of here…”

  “Stop being such a killjoy!” Kaine barked.

  Audas watched on, not even bothering to struggle in the grip of his captors. He was barely registering Kaine’s rage. He was only hearing Travis’s last words to him…

  What… what did I do?

  “What the ‘ell is going on here!?”

  Around them, the voices fell to a whimper. Kaine froze with widening eyes as two new Nyúlfur emerged from the crowd and entered the ring. One covered in brown fur and hair, the other coloured dark grey. The surrounding Nyúlfur drifted out of their path. Audas blinked, from here, he could make out the fur thinning up around the muzzle and ears… older Nyúlfur, like Everest.

  Dray visibly relaxed as he looked towards them, “Fight went sideways.”

  “You call that sideways?” asked the brown furred Nyúlfur in a light American accent, stopping just short of them. He rested his hands on his hips as his amber eyes scanning Audas and Kaine. “’ore like they’re tryin’ to kill each other.”

  Dray visibly shrunk in the corner of Audas’ eye “I… I was just tr-“

  “Eh, I know what you were doing.” Cut in the elder, “Someone pissed the other off and got punched for it right?”

  “Err… yeah, you’ve got it.” He meekly replied.

  The amber-eyed Nyúlfur narrowed his eyes, “Right ‘en. Take him back up the hill.” He flicked his head at Kaine. “As for the new lad…”

  “I’ll take him off your hands Ray.” Replied the grey furred one, his green eyes focusing onto Audas. “I need to check him over anyway.”

  What? Why would he… The doctor of course…

  Ray shrugged, “Eh, be my guest Zack.”

  The Nyúlfur released their grip on Kaine, save for one final Nyúlfur who kept her hand wrapped round his arm. With a growl, he ripped it out of her grip. “I know the way…”

  He glared at Audas one last time.

  Audas stared back at him, barely registering the hold on him fade away, unable to bring himself to stare his opponent down.

  Scrawl written across his face, Kaine stormed uphill, the trio that held him following close behind.

  “Alright you lot!” Ray barked, “Show’s over! Clear out!”

  The crowd began to disintegrate around them, scattering like a shoal of fish. Audas tore his gaze from the increasingly distant Kaine, looking towards his shivering hands. What… did I…

  “Audas.” Dray uttered, “What the hell was that all about?”

  He could barely hold back a faint hiss, teeth grinding against each other as his hands clenched tight. “Just… forget it…”

  “I don’t-“

  Audas’ head snapped up, “Just!-“, he stopped himself short, the spike of rage retracting as quickly as it came. No, in that moment, he was standing in the exact same position as that asshole. Not Kaine.

  Travis.

  That monster.

  He took a sharp breath in and out, letting the stiffness flow out of his muscles. “Just leave it.”

  He finally managed to focus his attention back on Dray. He seemed to have stepped away, his own eyes widening a touch as one hand rose forward. A moment passed, and the Nyúlfur let a low, long sigh slip out of his mouth.

  Silently, and without looking back, Dray walked away.

  Audas couldn’t bring himself to watch him go. A chill worked its way through his aching chest and gut, all the while an unpleasant darkness settled through his mind. Was he… becoming like Travis? A merciless killer who enjoyed suffering? Was he just in pain? Or stressed?

  He closed his eyes, barely registering the doctor’s words reaching into his ears.

  What the hell am I doing?