22. Krogoth

Chapter 22

Krogoth

Prize

I circle around the warrior in the golden armor. I feel the Rush building in me as I relish the chance to test myself against such a skilled opponent. This will be a strange contest, given the sheer size difference. He is the same height as Pebbles, a slight lean figure absurdly small compared to me, as I cast a looming shadow over him. But I know beneath that sleek frame hides a cunning warrior with deadly speed. Regardless, he is the only thing between me and my beautiful Pebbles. I will find a way to tear him apart.

The Golden Warrior pauses at a distance and hurls six Klendathian warvisors chained together, the sound of metal clanking against the blood-speckled ground echoing through the arena. I feel my rage building at the sacrilege, but ruthlessly suppress the emotion. I will not let him bait me into a foolish attack.

"These Klendathians disappointed," he sneers, pointing his red laser spear towards the pile. "I hope you prove to be a better sport." He twirls his spear in an impressive flourish above his head.

"You fight with borrowed power. I will show you true strength," I declare as I activate my upgraded laser shield and claws. Their red glow casts eerie shadows across the arena.

In an instant, the Golden Warrior launches a lightning-fast assault, unleashing a flurry of spear jabs that blur together in a dizzying display of speed and precision. I can barely keep up, getting my laser shield up just in time to intercept his deadly thrusts. The shield crackles with energy as it absorbs the impact, and I feel a surge of relief that Felixus' modifications are holding up under the strain.

The Golden Warrior is relentless, his movements fluid and graceful as he darts and weaves around me, probing and testing my defenses with deadly intent. His spear is a blur of golden-red light as he shifts his grip, adjusting his attack angles and heights in a constant quest to find a weakness in my guard. The clash of metal on energy fills the air as our weapons meet, sending a shower of bright red sparks cascading through the arena.

The Golden Warrior takes a step back, circling around again. He's cautious , not willing to close the distance. He'll be hoping for me to make a mistake and leave an opening. I won't need to make any powerful attacks on his slight frame. Just need to get my laser claws on him once and he's done for.

Stepping forward, I close the distance behind my shield, making two fast slashing attacks. The Golden Warrior moves like a blur, twisting and turning, weaving between both attacks like a graceful arrohawk. I scarcely notice in amongst his spinning dodge he has whipped his spear around, aimed straight for my chest. I turn my body just in time, narrowly avoiding getting impaled through the heart. The spear instead punches through my shoulder armor. My armor's plasma shield offers no resistance against the red Nebian laser spear. The blue light blinks out of existence instantly, leaving my shoulder plate a ruined mess. The crowd erupts into raucous cheering. Thankfully, the spear didn't damage my actual shoulder.

My Rush intensifies, causing wispy purple mist to rise from my eyes as the adrenaline and speed courses through my veins. This Golden Warrior is an unparalleled fighter, dangerous and skilled beyond measure. Unlike the great hulking warriors I've faced in the past, who relied on brute strength, this one favors speed and agility, making him frustratingly elusive, like striking at a spirit. A spirit that could kill me in an instant. As I contemplate the challenge he presents, a fierce excitement builds within me, fueling my desire to sink my tearing claws into his throat in victory.

The Golden Warrior circles me at range, content to wait after his first successful attack. He feels confident. I need to neutralize his speed advantage. If I can push him into a corner of the arena, I can get an attack through. I begin steadily moving towards him; he strikes out again, his spear suddenly springing to life as he lightly steps back, bouncing on his toes. Every time he sidesteps, I match him, corralling him in one direction. I throw out some non-committal laser claw slashes, keeping him on the back foot. I have to use all of my speed and skill to block his attacks and keep him on the defensive. But soon my efforts pay off as I see the white arena wall looming close behind the Golden Warrior.

As I approach the edge of the arena, I feign a claw slash, causing the Golden Warrior to sidestep. I pivot on my back foot and thrust my front foot forward in a swift and powerful kick aimed at his midsection. The satisfying sound of crunching armor echoes through the arena as my kick lands, sending the warrior flying towards the white wall. I have him now!

Blood and adrenaline surge through my bloodstream as I charge towards him, intent on crushing him against the wall, ending this deadly game. But to my shock and dismay, the warrior displays incredible acrobatic skill and somehow reorients himself in mid-air. He pushes off the wall with his legs, vaulting over my head as I rush in.

A searing pain burns through my mind as the red-hot tip of his spear pierces through my armor and back, cauterizing the wound as it slices through me. The impact of the blow sends me crashing to one knee, my vision momentarily blurred by the intensity of the pain. The bloodthirsty crowd erupts into frenzied cheers and applause, reveling in the violence and brutality of the spectacle before them.

As I look up, my eyes fall upon Pebbles standing beside Tensin, her hands covering her face in horror and disbelief. Is this the last time I'll see my sweet Pebbles? I can't bear the thought of leaving her behind in this place, to suffer as the slave of such a disgusting bloated monster. The very idea of anyone mistreating my beloved Pebbles sends me spiraling towards madness. The mere notion of this fate disgusts me, causing the Rush to build in my veins like never before. It is a molten river of boiling lava, ready to destroy anything in its path. My eyes blaze in a purple glow. The pain in my wounded back burns away. The thundering sound of my molten blood swooshes in my ears, searing my heart and igniting my soul. Time appears to move slower; the world comes into perfect focus with a clarity I've never known.

The Golden Warrior twirls his spear in a dizzying motion above his head, ready to deliver the final, fatal blow, a sneer etched on his face. "Just another Klendathian savage," he spits, his contempt for me clear. Gripping the spear in both hands, he thrusts it downward with deadly intent. The weapon descends slowly, almost leisurely, like a delicate snowflake drifting down from the clouds.

In this split second, I spring forward from my kneeling position, my gaze fixated on the glimmering warrior. I reach out and grasp the shaft of his spear, feeling it radiate against my palms. Summoning all my strength, I give a forceful tug, causing the Golden Warrior to lose his balance and crash into my chest with a resounding thud, the air rushing out of his lungs. Without delay, I wrap my arms tightly around his body, crushing him in a vice-like embrace. I can feel his muscles strain against mine as he tries to break free, but I refuse to let go. With every fiber of my being, I squeeze with unyielding force. I finally have him! He has no escape now. I will not let go.

I continue to tighten my grip, eliciting satisfying muffled cries of pain from the Golden Warrior. "Just another arrogant weakling with tech," I sneer, my eyes blazing with purple mist. The muscles in my arms feel like steel cords, mercilessly crushing tighter and tighter. His armor creaks in protest as he struggles to break free, but his arms are hopelessly trapped. He can only feebly kick his feet, which dangle helplessly above the ground.

Suddenly, there's a sickening sound, an audible snap that reverberates through the arena. I know without a doubt that I've broken his spine. With a final, brutal twist, I put him out of his misery. His neck snaps like a twig, and I toss his lifeless body to the ground like a broken toy.

The crowd is stunned into silence, their confused expressions a sight to behold. I stand there, panting heavily, my eyes still glowing with the remnants of purple mist. My heart races with the thrill of victory as I briefly bask in the glory of my triumph over the fallen warrior. Now comes the true battle - for Pebbles.

Suddenly, the panicked voice of Tensin rings out over the stunned silence. "My Rubikrax defeated?" He raises his gold ringed chubby finger in my direction. "Guards, kill that savage!"

I sigh as I run towards the arena gate, intending to rip it from its hinges.

Why is Xandor always right about double crossers?