*Sun scorched the red sand in the arena, causing the air ripple of heat above the ground. A slight gust of wind tried to stir the heat but failed miserably as the gigantic arena kept wind mostly out with it´s high walls letting the sun fry the sand with all its might. The onlookers were covered with cotes to protect them from the sun and cool drinks were served.
Minrathous Proving Grounds was filled with audience flocking to see a Magister face a challenger. Even the members of the Dwarven Ambassadoria had come to the surface to see the spectacle.
Caius walked slowly into the arena from the eastern gate. He wore his old combat robes, from his times in Seheron. Fabric still in shape despite the weariness of the years. His black staff struck the sand making small crushing sounds as he walked towards the center. He stopped there at the center, turning slowly around raising his arms to the crowd with a calm smile on his face. The response was a thundering roar of applause and cheering.
Then the western gate opened, the audience fell silent in anticipation. Monkai walked into the arena. He was wearing his normal sleeveless robes, holding his skull etched staff loosely in his hand. The audience started cheering, especially those who had put money on Monkai.
Caius stood casually in the center of the arena waiting for Monkai to come to him. A small breeze of wind twirled around them raising some dust in the air. Caius gazed at the Vaellanius booth high above crowd, he could see Nazlik and Elowyn sitting there with his daughters. Caius nodded confidently at them, this would be over soon.
Monkai walked before him and stopped. The two men gazed at each other under the scorching sun, there were no clouds in the clear sky.
"I have come to demand Zera´s freedom", Monkai broke the silence.
Caius smiled shortly, "and only thing you will find here is your death". He took a deep breath, "I have to tell you thought. Despite our differences I have respected you. You are one of the few people who have stood up to me, despite of your own shortcomings. And I value that. In the years to come, I will remember you boy. And I will drink to your memory".
"Fu*k you!", Monkai exhaled. "this isn´t about you or me. This is about Zera. For a man of your position you are surprisingly blind. Zera spoke to me of your father, do you not see you are doing the exactly same thing? You are killing her with all this, don´t you care?".
Caius smirked, "such insolence. Everything I have done is to secure the success of my family, and the Imperium. What ever you think I am is irrelevant in that scale. As is your love to my daughter, some things just must be". That´s right my son, show this little upstart your power. Caius blinked and slightly twisted his head.
"Are you ready?", he asked. Monkai nodded. Caius raised his hand.
"My lords and ladies, and all those of lower classes. Witness the might of a Magister, Caius Aquillius Vaellanius, the Savior of Seheron, The Sword of the Imperium, Vanquisher of the Qunari, to strike down a upstart Ragin Monkai a former first enchanter, in a memorable fight of the century".
Caius smiled shortly, the crier knew which party to root.
A massive horn sound blared in the arena. The fight was on.
Caius stood there calmly looking at Monkai, "come now boy, you want to strike at me. Go right ahead". Monkai raised his arms shooting entropic bolt at him, it struck Caius shield making it waver then dissipated.
"I think you can do better than that", Caius said with a cold smile.
Monkai roared throwing a fireball at him. Darkness twirled around Caius and he disappeared, appearing next to the boy. A surge of telekinetic power threw him in the air sending Monkai roll on the hot sand. Caius gestured and suddenly Monkai felt like he was trapped in mud. With a quick gesture a dispelling effect spread around him releasing the grip.
Monkai jumped up to see Caius gesturing and he quickly fade stepped bolting into distance to have space between them. Caius cast haste on himself anticipating Monkai´s move. Now his hands moved even faster pace with the second spell. A volley or massive lightning arcs followed Monkai as he fade stepped around to avoid being hit.
"Time to make a move", he muttered to himself. A spirit bolt shot at Caius, Monkai concentrated calling for Scorn to enforce his spell. A massive bolt struck Caius shield disrupting his spell striking him in the chest. He staggered backwards surprised holding burnt marks on his chest.
Caius gestured and stone fist struck Monkai striking him down, he felt like a couple of ribs broke with the kinetic strength, but his healing ability absorbed the damage. Caius raised his arm and Monkai felt himself being closed in crushing prison. The pressure around him made him scream of pain, his regeneration ability could not overcome the damage caused by the spell. Caius stood there his arm raised increasing the effect. The audience roared of delight, the first scream of the day!
Then to Monkai´s horror he could feel himself being slowly turned into stone! Scorn, help me! Monkai screamed in his mind. I´m coming my love, I will take control! Her voice responded in his mind. "No!" Monkai exhaled, but it was too late.
A massive dispel effect spread around releasing him from Caius grip, Monkai bolted forward with a fade step without stopping charging against Caius. Their shields crashed sending both men staggering in each direction.
Caius stood up with a cold smile, "so, you finally show the world your true self. Abomination".
"I will rip your heart out in front of all these people", Scorn hissed. "Give me your best shot then", Caius raised his hand and curse of mortality fell on Monkai. Scorn felt instantly how their regeneration ability ceased to work, "no!" she whispered. She fade stepped and boomed towards Caius striking her first into Caius shield with enforced veil strike. It sent Caius rolling in the sand. Another roar raised from the crowd.
Caius stumbled in his feet spitting blood. "This makes it easy now", he whispered wiping his mouth. Scorn threw a ring of entropic bolts around him igniting them. A massive blue explosion wrapped Caius inside it. Scorn stopped in his tracks breathing hard, struggling of control of their body with Monkai in his mind.
Caius appeared suddenly from the ground twirling right next to Monkai. A massive arc of lightning struck Monkai in the chest throwing him in the air. Caius gestured and a telekinetic force grabbed him mid air throwing Monkai on the ground with a bone shattering force.
Monkai groaned in the ground trying to stay conscious, his body screaming of pain. A glyph of neutralization fell on him followed by mana clash. He was drained. Caius walked slowly to his side, "this is it boy. The end for you".
He leaned down to grab Monkai by throat, pulling him on his feet. Caius squeezed his throat with his left hand. Monkai slipped a dagger from his sleeve and with a swift move he struck it in Caius neck. Caius twitched with a grimace of pain on his face, but didn´t falter.
He grabbed Monkai´s left arm and twisted it with a curve. A loud snap spoke of broken wrist. Caius raised his right arm to touch his blood flowing from the wound, "do you think this will help?" he whispered blood spilling from his mouth.
Caius gestured chanting. A hungry power twirled between then sucking the life out of Monkai, healing Caius. Their eyes met as the world dimmed in Monkai´s eyes and all the cheering of the crowd disappeared into distance. Caius cold eyes stared at his until it was over. "Goodbye boy", he whispered.
He dropped Monkai´s dried up body to the ground lifting his arms. The crowd cheered and roared of delight thumbing their feet, what a performance! Coldi screamed of horror from the sideline.
Then suddenly a lone figure fell down from the Vaellanius booth. It soared through air her dress flickering in the air. A sickening thumb echoed in the silent arena when the body hit the ground.
Caius turned around horrified, he could see how the hot afternoon wind moved long black hair around the silent and motionless body. "Zera!", escaped from his lips.*
Retour en haut
Erm... yes, do continue, please. 
