Revenants of the Past- Book Two of Selective Breeding

Chapter Fifty Five

A few hours later Ratok was shuffled into the holding pen for the next arena fight. This he was told was the last fight of that day, which was lucky enough for him, as he didn't think he could handle a third.

He sat in the little cell, just on the edge of the arena floor, that was hidden behind the walls, he could hear the last of the fight before him go on, and the crowds still just as excitable and cheering every so often dust would dislodge from the ceiling and fall on him. Coating his black hair in a white/grey, he brushed it off watching it fall.

The sounds of a slain opponent could be heard, and the winner was announced. They quickly cleared the field and pulled Ratok out of the holding cell, getting him to come out to the middle, where everyone decided rather they wanted to cheer or boo at him. While he wasn't aware of what his opponent was, it seemed like the crowd knew. He figured it had been announced prior to him coming out.

To the side of the arena there was a pile of weapons, that was told he could choose from. He walked over, and examined them all very quickly, than grabbed one that he knew wouldn't take much prior knowledge on using it. A simple one-handed, metal lined club.

With that he took back to his side of the arena and waited. On the far end of the arena a large gate started to slowly open. It was then that Ratoks adrenaline kicked in and he couldn't hear the echoing sounds of the crowd any more. As the gate was rolled completely up with a cling, a creature was lead out on large leashes.

First appeared was its large spear shaped head, with rough rock like scale that covered it. If this creature had eyes it was perfectly camouflage in among the scales. The more it moved out, the more serpentine like it became, until it showed that it had two small arm that pulled it along the ground, though the body and tail that drug behind it still whipped and slithered keeping the serpentine act.

The handlers moved the creature into its position, and they waited.

Ratok closed his fist tightly around the metal club quickly regretting his decision but at the gate was rising the other weapons had been taken from the arena floor, so he was not able to switch it out. He forced himself to take a breath, and focus. Mulling over plans that he could take to ensure his victory. While blood and murder was the primary enjoyment of these games, Ratok was certain that he could win or at least stay alive if he gave a good enough showing and still got that thumbs up at the end.

A sharp striking pain, cracked against the right side of his skull, taking his vision from him. Ratok felt a rush of air around him, before he collide with the side of the arena, as the pain in his shoulder flared feeling like a flameless burn.

He rolled to his back bracing himself, a shadow blocked his view of the sky, he quickly pulled up his uninjured arm, blocking the bite from the creature, though it was able to slide its teeth down his fore arm, scraping away the first layer of skin. Ratok quickly swung up to its jaw, making a quick jab, allowing him to slip away, that first hit had nocked the club free from his hands.

As he reached it, the creature slammed his body down, near Ratok's leg.. Throwing him to the ground, but he was able to snag the club, the serpine grabbed his leg pulling him closer to it. Ratok times to the inertia to help him as he swung around hitting one of the small legs of the creature causing it to buckle and releasing his own leg.

Now back up on his feet, he swung the club quickly aiming for the head. It went forward bludgeoning its body against Ratok sending his weapon flying once again. He adjusted his attack and dodged low avoiding another tail whip as he went for the small arm he had hit once already, striking it hard with his bear(bare) fist in the side of the joint.

He came out from under it on the other side grabbing the club one more time. While it was redirecting its attention to the injured limb Ratok took a high leap, coming down hard with the club against the creatures head. It shunted down as the metal bent from the impact just a bit. Ratok landed on the top of its head, now that he was close enough he saw the creatures grey and sand colour eyes that blended in.

Ratok brought his leg up and stomped down as hard as he could making the creatures eye sink back into its skull. The serptaine thrashed its head back releasing a loud squeal. Sending Ratok flying back off of it, he landed with a thunk onto the ground, but was able to use that momentum to roll back off of it and swing forward with the club in hand up under the creature at its soft belly.