Forum

Day 7 of the Drekkal’Zuun
The sun rises dull and red. There are no echoes in the arena anymore. Only silence, and breath.

Suchomimos finds a patch of berries growing at the edge of a dried stream. He reaches for them, carefully - but the thorns are hidden. They catch his fingers. He flinches, not because it hurts, but because it is unexpected.

Cynamity moves through the arena with practiced steps, head low, body tense. He doesn’t see the landmine until it’s too late. A click, then silence.
Only when Cynamity moves again a loud boom sounds throughout the arena.

Toraix finds Sadbread near the northern ridge. Neither of them speaks. The fight is short - rough, fast, and full of dust. Sadbread falls.
They are ready for the end, but it never comes. Instead Toraix lowers his weapon, then walks away.

Fallen Zhaaluuns

@Cynamity 

Night 7 of the Drekkal’Zuun
The cold sets in early. The wind doesn’t howl anymore - it just waits.

Toraix finally gets a fire going. The flames are small, but steady. He watches them for a long time without blinking.

Suchomimos finds a small crate at the edge of his camp. Inside: a flask of clean water, sealed tight.

Sadbread lies alone in the dust. Their breath is shallow. The wounds from the earlier fight still haven’t stopped bleeding. They don’t cry out. They don’t move. Eventually, they just stop all together.

Day 8 of the Drekkal’Zuun
The arena is silent. No wind. No sky. Only dust - and the end.

Toraix finds Suchomimos near the center of the arena. There are no weapons. No words.
Both charge towards each other. The fight doesn't last long, fists are being thrown, dirt whirl around them - They are in pure fury. Both land blows, both bleed. But Suchomimus doesn't let go of Toraix, hands tighten.
It isn't long before Toraix falls to the ground.
It's over, Suchomimus' breath is heavy, Toraix doesn't breath at all. Suchomimus has won.

Congratulations @Suchomimus !