The sound of breathing filled the arena. Ragged, uneven, human.
Kai's chest rose and fell like a man drowning on land. Durg's own breath sounded like a forge bellows, labored and steaming in the midday sun.
Only minutes had passed. But it felt like a lifetime.
Each second stretched with anticipation, tension, and pain. So much pain. Blood pooled between the cracks of the concrete tiles, blackening under the heat of the sun. Spectators held their breath as if exhaling might tip the balance.
Then, they moved.
A flurry of violence erupted again, two titans battling at the edge of human limits.
Durg struck first.
A wide, crushing blow aimed at Kai's good arm, trying to disable him further.
Kai dodged just enough for the strike to miss and shatter the ground beside him, leaving a crater of debris. Dust filled the air. He tried to reposition, but...
WHAM.
A closed fist to his gut. All air fled from his lungs.
