A Chance Meeting (MadEmperor)

[Saber]

Rogar smirked savagely as he crackled his knuckles. "Yes. Give me a challenge I might not eat you when this is over." At the signal of the gong the troll roared he charged at Thrax, intending to grab him in a bear-hug.

Watching from her spot Meeta wiped the sweat from her brow with a towel. She couldn't help but think.

Let's see how this goes.

[MadEmperor]

Thrax dropped to all fours and dashed around to the side like a predator trying to corner his prey. He quickly hopped back up to an upright position and rushed in. With a wild cackle he leaped for the back of his larger opponent.

[Saber]

Grunting in shock as Thrax latched onto him the troll tried to shake the bard off. Several in the crowd laughed watching the troll to get his smaller opponent off. At one he tried to grab him with his left hand.

For her part Meeta sat back and watched. To be perfectly honest she was actually curious about Thrax's fighting style.

He is fast and clever. Using Rogar's own size against him. But let's see how long that lasts.

[MadEmperor]

Thrax moved about like an ape in a tree, keeping one step ahead of Rogar's hands. He attempted to get a sleeper hold and just about locked his arms around the troll's neck when Rogar caught hold of his trouser leg.

"Oh, bugger..."

[Saber]

Without hesitation Rogar proceeded to lift Thrax into the air before slamming him down causing a massive thud. All with one hand. Then the troll attempted slam Thrax on the opposite side.

[MadEmperor]

Thrax felt his bones creak from the impact. He thanked The Storm that gnolls were tougher than humans because otherwise he would have broken several bones. Instead, he was merely dazed.

Realizing his life depended on it, he twisted around and used his powerful jaws to bite down on the troll's arm. He jerked his neck, tearing at Rogar's thick hide.

[Saber]

Howling in newfound pain Rogar tried to shake his opponent off of him while everyone watched with some laughing at the troll's misfortune.

As Meeta shrugged her shoulders. She had just earlier had fought dirty so the former gladiator saw merit in Thax's tactic. When fighting someone stronger you don't play around or else suffer for it.

[MadEmperor]

Thrax let go and hit the ground rolling. He pushed himself up unsteadily, dizzy from the rough landing. He spat out a glob of bloody saliva and wiped his mouth with his sleeve before grinning at Rogar. The crazy gnoll was enjoying himself.

"Your move, big guy. Make it count."

[Saber]

The bite marks wrought by Thrax were evident to Rogar. Snarling at the challenge the troll suddenly slammed his right then left feet, shaking the very platform. With that he charged before leaping with both fists raised over his head, preparing hammer them upon his smug opponent.

[MadEmperor]

Thrax's apparent disorientation vanished as he leaped out of the way. He had been standing on the weakest point of that edge of the platform, hoping the troll would leap. While he didn't know if the edge would crumble, it was worth the gamble.

[Saber]

The mighty fists swiftly came down. The edge shattered upon impact and Rogar with grunt of shock fell off the platform.

[MadEmperor]

"And Rogar's out of the ring!" Thrax announced, a little winded, "Winner, Thraxion Swordbreaker!"

He bowed, absorbing the attention, whether it be applause or boos. His grin was as much for the victory as it was for the bet he had placed on himself. This would be enough coin to last a while. 

[Saber]

The troll with his jaw dropped due to being turned completely shocked at what happened. Gritting his teeth he got up and roared and was about to charge back inside when a blue magic spell struck him. Groaning and eyes closing Rogar fell asleep and dropped sideways with a massive thud.

Several orcs rushed over and with difficulty dragged him away. As for Meeta who had watched the whole thing remarked to herself.

"This is definitely a trickster."

[MadEmperor]

The second round of bouts began with a rousing battle between the minotaur Zog Stormhoof and a tag team of dwarves Fergus and Angus Broadaxe. The minotaur won narrowly, securing his spot in the semifinals.

Then came the hotly anticipated rematch between Meeta and Ghorza. Thrax wound up the crowd and called them up into the ring. "Fight!"

Ghorza sneered. "You won't be so lucky this time, human."

[Saber]

"Bring it on fang face!" Meeta fired back in her combat stance. Circling for a few moments she attempted a few jabs to test the orc's reaction.

[MadEmperor]

Ghorza's reactions were better now that she wasn't underestimating the ex-gladiator. She sidestepped a blow, countering with a quick strike at her ribs.

[Saber]

Gasping Meeta staggered back before firing a right uppercut toward the orc's jaw.

[MadEmperor]

Ghorza staggered back from the strike. Grinning, she wiped the blood from her lips. "You're fast, I'll give you that."

"But are you strong?" She smirked aggressively and charged it with a series of powerful strikes, attempting to use overwhelming force.

[Saber]

Evading the first three punches Meeta attempted a counter but suddenly she was knee in the gut. Grunting she was swiftly hit in the right eye. Feeling like a hammer just hit her Meeta flew back meters away on the platform. Wincing she struggled to get up.

[MadEmperor]

Ghorza grinned fiercely. She was once again certain of her physical superiority. Walking over to where Meeta lay, she couldn't help but gloat. "You should have stayed in Essyrn, human. You're much better suited to being someone's servant."