The two figures in the arena had attracted quite the amount of spectators. Maru was a well known figure, quite the strong figure in the surrounding of the "Dragons Mouth", an area semi-shaped like a dragon, where three powerful clans resided. Maru, who belonged to the House of the Silver Dragon was one of the people who grew up there. People were already taking bets on how many limbs he would chop off of this newcomer. It wasn't that he was a bad person, but that he had to hold his clan's status high, so that they won't be overtaken.
Rho was not doing things which would harm him of course. He had already decided on how to deal with this young man, and also on how he would recruit him! Rho had big plans, a view of the future in his memory, and countless ways of getting to his goal. Dealing with an inexperienced person like Maru wasn't really difficult for him.
Rho spoke out: "Since there are a lot of people watching, let's add a wager shall we?" Hearing this, Maru's eyebrow rose up, before coming down menacing again. "You really don't know when to quit, do you? What exactly is it that you want to give to me?" Rho chuckled. "Oh, let's go all in. The loser has to listen to the winner's request!" he said with a big smile on his face. Maru's jaw was open so wide it looked like it would drop on the floor. "Are you insane? Do you really want to die this bad?" Maru asked in disbelief. What was this guy thinking, offering his life to a superior party like this? No matter how you look at it, he was surely stronger than this weirdo who doesn't looks like he even has a weapon?
Rho sneered at him "Are you this scared of me? It seems like you're just talk after all!" A vein on Maru's temple bulged and he roared "Fine by me! If you want to throw your life away that easily, then come at me!"
Maru took out a sword. It was blood red, with a skull at the bottom of the hilt, and red veins all over the blade itself. The blade itself was like it was forged in blood, the blood of countless people and creatures, and that the blade would cut everyone down. "It seems they have some decent items in this country after all." Rho had quite the amount of treasures on him, so he wasn't really fazed by this particular bloodthirsty sword.
"Now then, shall we begin?" Maru said with an evil smile. "Fine by me." Rho replied coldly.
They looked at each other, unwary to make the first move. Maru was standing tall, imposing, with wide legs and a sword pointed towards Rho. Rho on the other hand, stood very relaxed, leaning on one leg, looking calm and collected. A flash went through Maru's eyes. "I'll make you pay for this attitude!" he thought inwardly, and then started charging at Rho. The latter looked at the young man charging at him and sighed inside. "He has so much to learn, this will be a lot of work to get him up to standard..." His plan in the end wasn't to just defeat Maru because he was annoying, Of course not, someone who was like him was usually not worth a lot of effort. But it had to be said, Gilgamesh saw great potential in this person. All that was needed was good guidance.
While Rho was thinking that, Maru was closing in fast. With one last large stride, he appeared in front of Rho and slashed downwards. The people watching all thought this was going to be the end of the fight. But in a very mysterious and unclear way, the sword just flew over him! Then Gilgamesh threw a light punch towards Maru, and seemingly tapped him lightly on the chest. Maru looked dumbfounded and wanted to strike again, but then he realised that Rho was actually doing a sweeping kick towards him! He hurriedly placed the sword in front of his chest to defend himself, but as if predicted Rho suddenly swiped his legs from under him with a lightning fast leg like a whip and then kicked him with a backwards kick. With a dull sound, Maru was sent flying.
