Lanik sat in the pits, sweat dripping from his brow. He was running low on money, seeing how the city guard seemed to be onto him. The pockets of noble and commoner alike are equally guarded.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

He had decided to have an arena battle, but not to the death. He was too cowardly to fight to the death, not being sure of his abilities. The Announcer began speaking.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of Taras! we have two new contestants with us today, some fresh blood! One quite adept with a dagger, one a newer mage. Welcome Lanik Aeril and Madic Tiberius!"

The announcer silenced and the gatesopened, light spilling into the pit. he walked out into the circular arena, ready for what was to come. The crowd cheered and watched the second gate creak open, to reveal an air genasi mage! Without missing a beat, he leapt towards the calm mage, dagger gleaming, thirsting for blood. the crowd was just as savage, calling for bloodshed.
Lanik decided to please them. he rained a series of attacks on the mage, relentless, savage.

Madic was ready. His staff flashed, both ends taking blows, deflecting the craving blade.

Madic studied the Genasi well. His style was crude, but he was quite adept. The hungry look in his eyes told him as much as words ever could. He was simply desperate. For money, for fame, whatever it may be, the boy was ready to win. The prize money interested Madic as well, but he did not need it as badly.

Madic's staff hit the fire genasi's wrist, straight and true, knocking the dagger out of hand. it skidded away, sparks flying. The staff came from the right, easily avoided by the agile young man, but came a second time from the bottom, striking Lanik's calf.

The dagger's flight drew lanik's attention away from the tall man, and suffered. His attention snapped back just in time to see the staff coming at his left. Lanik dodged and sneered, unaware of the other end swiftly approaching his calf.

The mage's Calamity surprised Lanik, how the man could resist the blood call of the crowd, how he seemed in control. It was painfully obvious how little the man knew about his weapon of choice, most of the blocks being the sheer luck of having a bouble-sided weapon.

The blow connected, sending a dull pain throught his leg. Lanik flinched, and feinted a fall to the left, rolling with his hand out. He scooped the dagger and flung it at the mage.

Through pure luck, the dagger struck home, digging itself in Madic's belly. waves of pain rolled over him, making him nausious. He fell to his knees, dropped the staff, and clenched his hand around the handle, sliding it out with a sick sucking noise. the bloody blade excited the crowd, but Lanik looked somewhat scared of what he had done.

Madic gave a quick chuckle, winced, and made a quick hand motion and a short phrase, passing it off as a grunt and a flailing motion. The only feat that gave him his hope in the arena kicked in. The cast healing spell washed over him, sowing flesh back together, covoring him in warmth.

Completely healed, he started to sway purpously, making it look like he was going to faint. The bloodstained robe made it look as if he were still wounded. Lanik began walking over to help the swaying mage, and was surprised to the fullest.

A quick hand grabbed the staff and he planted it into the young fire genasi's chest, knocking him over and cracking a rib. all in one motion, Madic had gone from loser to winner, his staff swinging down towards lanik's skull. the staff stopped inches away from his brow, making the youth break out in another wave of sweat.

Lanik Grunted and felt the full force of the staff butt hit him in the ribs. a sickening crack later, and lanik was down on the ground, sure that this brown blur of a stick coming down towards his head.

The announcer was ecstatic. The entire crowd was cheering in madic's favor. As the announcer shouted his surprise and the keeper walked to madic, thrusting a bag of coins into his hands.

Then he blacked out.