Robin Hood gazed upon the figures that had emerged from Asclepius' move. He had no idea what to think about it other than calling out the fact that he was facing a literal demi-god, how was he supposed to win?
Alas, it didn't matter now as Robin strung up a plan to achieve victory. Two of the figures dashed forward and Robin took no time to dismiss his crossbow and pull out his daggers, the one in the front went down easier, as Robin delivered a slash from its jugular and ripped the blade down to its diaphragm, causing the emerald human to reel in pain and then collapse, choking on its "blood" without any witness.
The second one however put up much more of a fight, as it was able to grab ahold of Robins right hand holding a dagger, and block his left. The being was much stronger than Robin, was that its natural strength? Or was it amplified by whatever Asclepius had done? Did it matter?
Either answer wasn't helpful to Robin at the moment, as he was pushed and fell onto the ground, the being then going more on the offensive. It slowly pushed it's hands forward, intending to choke the thief, as Robin kept barely managing to keep it away. He had to do something, but it could be risky.
Robin put all his strength into his waist, and thrust his hips up and to the left, knocking the being off balance and giving Robin some wiggle room. He missed no opportunity as he then rolled to the side and threw a dagger straight into the beings forehead, causing it to jolt, and collapse.
At that point, Asclepius was starting to get frustrated, he knew his opponent was powerful, but to think he could survive after such a surprise. He looked towards his hand that wasn't grasping the staff that brought his patients life.
'Will I truly have to use it so early?' Asclepius thought. He'd truthfully had rather not use it in the whole tournament if he could, much less in the first round.
The doctor closed his eyes and steeled himself, this was for the greater good. For a healthy, and safe world.
"Get him." He commanded, and the four other patients charged forward.
'No, I can't use it, not yet at least. I'll use my own power.'
Asclepius then channeled his magecraft and authority into his staff. He had to prepare to create more reinforcements.
What no one, except for Asclepius himself knew, was that his miracle was not without cost. The doctor had to focus a great amount of mana into his staff, and then emit it in a precise burst of movement and motion. For all intents and purposes, if he was unable to succeed in creating another wave of patients to enter combat, he had lost already.
So the fact that his opponent was dealing with them relatively easily sent a wave of cold fear rushing down Asclepius' neck.
He looked at Robin Hood, who was currently on the defensive from the four new patients attacking. He moved gracefully, like a dancer, while simultaneously delivering kicks and slashes as he went. He kicked one patient in the jaw, then stabbed them in the gut, before ripping the dagger out and piercing it into the chest of another. Both went down quickly, much to Asclepius' dismay.
No, he cannot lose, he will not lose. To hell with keeping it secret until a later round, this opponent was too much of a threat. He respected the thief, but it was time for him to die, again.
"Very well, grant me your power, Kukulkan!" Asclepius yelled, as a emerald glow wrapped around him and then engulfed his being.
The two patients that had been fighting Robin then disappeared in a burst, turning into emerald particles that glittered in the sky.
Robin twisted his head to turn to his opponent, or at least where he had used to be, whether what stood there was still him was unknown.
In the stands, a god draped in a elaborate headdress stared at the fighting, while he was concerned that Asclepius would use it so soon, Robin Hood was quite the opponent for a human who never even obtained magecraft.
"What's he doing?" a god asked from beside him.
"He's using our blessing Chaac" Kukulkan replied, the rain god beside him looking wide eyed.
"Blessing?"
"Yes, most of the competing gods have given their champions one, no doubt Apollo is included in that count. We have granted them a portion of our authority over reality," Kukulkan replied.
"So what'd you give him?"
"Just watch."
On the other side of the arena, Apollo grimaced, he would never have thought that Asclepius would use a blessing, much less against him, it seemed out of character. However he was witnessing it with his own eyes, and therefore couldn't refute it.
"Your surprised at his willingness?" the goddess beside him asked.
"Shut up."
Watching from a darkened room was a black haired god, he was tall, and yet the large spear he wielded dwarfed him.
So, that was the capabilities of the opponents of the first round? His champion could deal with either should it happen. But he saw great potential in each of them, it was a shame that they had to die.
"You know, I never quite liked Zeus for his willingness to kill any who would be a threat to his reign." The god spoke aloud.
Behind him, another god spoke, "Oh, you were aware of my presence?"
The first god chuckled, "That's kind of my thing, Tyr."
Tyr looked nervous, "Oh I didn't mean to dismiss your capabilities All-Father."
Odin laughed heartier now, "Oh drop it. You know I don't give a shit." The father of the Norse pantheon then drew his attention back to the fight going on in the arena.
"Alas, while it benefits me either way, both would be great candidates for my army. Should they survive that is."
Odin gazed upon the cocoon that held the demi-god, then his eyes widened.
"Ah, so that's the outcome is it? Very well. Tyr?"
"Yes All-Father?" Tyr responded instantaneously.
"Would you be a dear and prepare Siggy for the next bout? It seems we've entered the final act."
Tyr was shocked, Odin had used his ability of foresight to see the outcome, to his knowledge foreseeing prophecy had been been banned for gods. However he had to do what the god commanded of him.
"Very well." Tyr said before leaving Odin to his thoughts.
"Show me the true power of humanity." Odin softly spoke to himself.
Back in the arena, Robin was confused. It had been close to two minutes now, and there was nothing to come from the mound that Asclepius had been enveloped into. Was he dead? Surely not.
Robin inched closer, cautiously, approaching the mound one step at a time.
BRSSHHHHHH
A burst of light came from the mound, and had chomped into Robin Hoods waist, picking him up and thrusting him backwards. He barely gazed upon the figure as he felt the needles stab throughout his body. But from what he could tell, was that, a snake?
The jaws of the snake released and let Robin Hood out of its grasp, leaving him heaving on the ground, but he looked anyways.
The mound subsided, and yet the burst of light remained, and shifted itself into a new form. There, Robin Hood could see it, Asclepius, strung up in a body made of the same emerald light that had been so prevalent. And yet he looked unconscious, however, the massive serpent he now faced was not.
Robin cursed himself, just his luck.