They had their spear, they had their 'armor' (which was really just a few deer pelts stretched over their chest to provide a bit of cushion from any blunt blows), and they had their feathers woven perfectly into their quills. They were ready.
"AND FIRST INTO THE RING IS... THE MIGHTY MAXIMUS!!"
Oh that was them!!
Maximus drew themselves up and grabbed their spear, clutching it one hand tightly as they smoothed back their quills. It was now or never.
They took off at a jog to the doorway, bright light streaming in and nearly blinding them as they ran out onto the sandy grounds, their throat clogging with nervousness as they saw all the gembounds gathered to watch them fight.
After a deep breath and a shake of their head they raised their spear up instead, eyes shining with determination. They remembered what Giggle said, her words of wisdom she spoke without even needing to speak to the bones. But they weren't here to make Vargas proud, not anymore. If they were making anyone proud, it was themselves and Khavur.
No... they were here to fight. And they were here to win!
With a battle cry shouted into the air of the arena they turned, slamming the butt of their spear down and facing the doors where their opponent would emerge. With a determined grin they set their stance, ready for whatever came out of those doors.
'AND NOW WE HAVE THE TERROR OF NIGHTS, MMMMELINOE!'
He burst into the ring with a ferocious roar, chest puffed and claws out. After giving the audience a moment to take in his AWESOME entrance, he began trotting the perimeter of the ring. Fiery eyes were trained on his opponents as he scrutinized him.
...Hey! That wasnt fair! How come he had armor AND a weapon? He already had quills and sheer size! Melinoe let out a huff. No matter! He could still do this! Itd just make him look EVEN more impressive, and make his opponent look like an absolute FOOL!
He waited for his opponent to make a move, or reveal a weakness. A low growl escaped throat as he continued circling, making a show of looking threatening and intimidating as possible.
@Maximus
Maximus looked upon the lion and swallowed. A worthy foe, that was for sure. But they had training and this gembound in front of them simply had instinct, since they doubted there was anyone out there as experienced as their teachers had been. He turned with the beast, studying it intently before it or them attacked.
Immediately Max had a plan. Blind the beast and create an advantage for themselves (aside from the obvious). They fixed their grip on their spear and swung a foot out to kick up dust and sand. Of course it didn't reach the lion's eyes, only making a cloud between them, but it was a start.
They would only get better from here.
@Melinoe
DEFENSE: Quills, arm plates, thick fur armor
INJURIES: N/A
Spotlights ignited the arena, sweeping to and fro, the bass thump of invisible drums vibrating the air. Nemean leaned forward from atop her golem's head, pumping tiny fists into the air.
"GO GO GO!"
His opponent swung a foot out. Melinoe tensed, preparing himself to be charged or lunged out at. He waited, and then...
..dust
That was his opponents first attack. Dust.
It didnt even reach him, stopping short of doing anything but make the lion snort. All those spikes and fancy add-ons, and that's all he did? Maybe this WOULD be easy.
Or maybe he was jinxing it, again.
Regardless, he shot forward with a burst of speed, aiming for Maximus's leg. But he came up short, only making it easier for his opponent to attack him.
That's what he gets for thinking this would be easy.
@Maximus
Round: 1/5
Attempt: Chomp a leg!
Defense: Thick mane
Injuries: N/A
The lion lunged and Maximus jumped too, forward and with their feet lifted. There was absolutely NO magic allowed, but they were built to be a weapon without it anyway, so a weapon they would become. A kick to the face with the equivalent of rocks tied to your feet would certainly hurt, that was for sure.
Their legs were built for running, being those of a bipedal being and an addax. Their exercise and training in Pegasus meant that on top of their natural strength, the corded muscle that layered their body gave them even more strength to their movements.
As their leg shot out to slam right into Melinoe's face, they just hoped it didn't break anything. At least they had the means to heal it afterward if the lion let them.
@Melinoe
DEFENSE: Quills, arm plates, thick fur armor
INJURIES: N/A
So he ducked and twisted, trying to dart back out of harm's way. He skidded out of the way of Maximus's kick, and darted back further just for good measure. With the safety of distance, he'd narrow his eyes at his target. Looks like he'd have to go for a new weak point.
@Maximus
Round: 2/5
Attempt: Dont get your face broke
Defense: Thick mane
Injuries: N/A
What was the point of a death match, after all, if the fighters didn't try to kill each other...?
Elayne's deep, booming voice rose above the crowd, demanding, "You won't win fighting like children!" Her tendrils twisted, writhing like a swarm of angry snakes about her mane and flank. "Aim for the throat! We want blood!" Of course, the fighters had more important things to do than listen to the baying of the hungry crowd, but her words reverberated, and her presence demanded attention.
A deep, throaty snarl of a roar came from behind that threat. "And we WILL get blood, one way or another!"
The desert rose wouldn't miss this fight for the world. It was some sense of... study, he had with Maximus- he still wanted to understand just what made the young being tick, understand why they did everything- and why they seemed to trust him with their problems. Of course he'd watch the other fights- but this?
Oh, how he wanted to have some fun. Baring his tusks in a grin, Vander swooped down from his higher perch, fluttering close to the edge of the wall.
A fight of just dodging is a boring fight indeed. Actually, how about becoming a bit of a nuisance, hm? Precariously standing on his hind legs for a brief second, Desert Rose channeled in his magic to summon forth a banana, only to let it loose into the field.
A single banana.
And it didn't even hit anyone.
Well, maybe that'd be the start to some others joining in, because the act suddenly felt very stupid to the desert dragon.
Maximus looked out into the stands for a moment with a look of distaste on their face. They knew how to fight, they didn't need to be backseat... gladiator-ed from the stands, thank you very much.
But if she wanted blood, they'd give her blood.
Maximus snarled and roared at Melinoe, their first ever bellow that sent blood flying from their mouth from opened scabs. Their tongue was a mottled, ugly mess, but it hadn't stopped them before and it certainly wouldn't now. With that they lunged, their prowess with a spear unmatched as they spun it about themselves and used the momentum to propel it forward towards the lion.
@Melinoe
DEFENSE: Quills, arm plates, thick fur armor