The announcer's voice rang like thunder across the arena, shaking the air with excitement.
"Begin!"
Martis reacted the instant the word left the announcer's lips. His muscles tensed like coiled springs, and he launched himself forward with surprising speed for someone wielding such a massive weapon.
His greatsword, heavy enough to cleave through steel, whistled as it cut the air. With a roar, he swung it in a broad, brutal arc aimed straight for Edwin's skull — a blow that could end the match in a single strike if it landed.
Edwin's instincts kicked in. He dropped into a low crouch, the wind of the blade ruffling his hair as it passed inches above his head.
A heartbeat later, the sword crashed into the stone floor with bone-rattling force. The impact sent cracks spiderwebbing across the arena tiles.
Shards of rock exploded upward like shrapnel, spraying the air with dust and debris.
