And to Darkness You Shall Return.

Tabitha - Chapter 14: The Tournament of Elements

It had been easy enough for Tabitha to pass the qualifying round, seeing as they had put her up against a lightning mage. Everyone knows that direct lightning magic is useless against earth magic.

She sat in the arena stands, waiting for the final qualifying rounds to finish.

Just when the next matches were being posted, another mage entered the stadium. It was Leo.

He swept into the arena, the gates closing behind him. 

The announcer called "And now, our final qualifying round! Leo, shadow mage! Versus Argus, mage of foresight!" The crowd murmured and shifted uncomfortably at the mention of Leo being a shadow mage, but they cheered nonetheless.

Leo's coat was also rather interesting. Tabitha heard that they were a new creation, a mix between robes and coats of leather, creating a sinister, superior, and deadly look.

"Now then! Because neither of you have your own weapon, I am giving you the option of choosing one!"

He pointed at Argus. Argus had to think about it for a moment, then he held out his hand and called "Khopesh!"

Tabitha had never heard of such a weapon, but when it appeared in Argus's hand, Tabitha realized Leo might be out of his league.

It was a strange type of sword. Leather grip, single-edged. But towards the top, the weapon's blade curved, forming some kind of crescent hook shape.

The crowd started to cheer, and Tabitha once again thought of how she had never understood why crowds seemed to cheer at everything that happened.

Then the announcer pointed at Leo "And what will you be using today?" he asked.

"Just my sword" Leo answered, holding out his hand. Sure enough, his long sword appeared in his hand. In the daylight, it seemed to emit less smoke than it did before. But the crowd went silent, staring at the weapon. 

Argus's eyes flashed with momentary fear. Tabitha didn't go without noticing that, but it didn't matter. She knew how Argus fought, and even without his weapon, he was dangerous. Leo had to be smart about this, or it would be over quickly.

The announcer cleared his throat. "Um, o-okay, right then! The round will start! Prepare for battle!"

Argus and Leo both raised their weapons, neither of them breaking eye contact for even half a second.

"Don't die, Leo." Tabitha said to herself.

"Begin!"

~~~

Argus was first to strike. He rushed at Leo with surprising speed, bringing the hook down on Leo hard.

Leo was barely able to block the strike. He then gave his attack in return. But the millisecond his sword ascended, Argus held his sword to block. Their swords connected, and Leo used the resistance to bounce off and swing at Argus's side, but his sword already seemed to be waiting for him to do just that.

Leo experimentally stabbed at Argus, who sidestepped before Leo's sword even moved.

Leo didn't know what to do, Argus knew what Leo would do before he did! Leo slashed and stabbed wildly at Argus in desperation, who dodged and blocked every strike with ease .

Then, as Leo came down with a blow to the head, Argus slashed upwards. The hook of the blade caught Leo's sword and wrenched it out of his hand. The blade arcing upwards threw Leo's sword far behind Argus.

The crowd roared with approval. Argus began swinging his sword in fancy circles and figure eights, throwing an occasional strike to frighten Leo.

Then Leo caught a glimpse of his sword. It was stuck in the dirt on the arena floor, maybe five meters behind Argus.

That was the only way he could win, Tabitha realized, his magic was nowhere near powerful enough to do damage without it, and overwhelming strength would be the only way to counter his foresight. 

Leo sidestepped and tried to run around Argus.

Argus stuck his sword out to the side, and before Leo knew it, he had run headlong into the flat of the blade. Leo fell to the floor in a daze, and Argus roared with laughter.