A Last Sight.

“Evere's! To your positions!”

Kyus gritted his teeth at the announcer's voice and jerking a spear off of the rack on the wall, he took a deep breath and paced through the portal to the arena.

The massive, three level, three-quarter granite hippodrome opened out onto the Gnadenfeld, the endless desert that bordered Arsaterisk City. The instant he stepped into the arena, the four hundred thousand Arsateriski's seated above him leaped to their feet, screaming their blood-lust.

Slowly he raised his spear. No backing down now.

The screaming re-doubled.

From the opposite side of the arena appeared Kyus' opponent: Ervius, six foot seven, four hundred and sixty five pounds of solid, sword-wielding muscle, he had held the position of Champion of the Everemium for seven years.

“Upon the Governors mark, may the Everemi' begin!” the thick-chested announcer roared from where he stood on a thick stone pedestal in the middle of the arena.

Kyus sighed, and lowering his spear, fell into stance. He didn't belong in this arena. But the Everemi was where the criminals, the prisoners of war, and the traitors of Arsaterisk were sent to die, spectacularly, before very the people of the land they had spited.

A richly clad nobleman stood from his gilt throne in the middle of the arena, just behind the announcer. Governor Vyarak of Arsaterisk city. His glance flitted between the two warriors, leaving Kyus a particularly hateful glance, and then he raised his arms.

Go Kyus, Kyus hissed to himself, let these people never forget Kyvia!

His spear flashed in the light of the falling sun, shining brilliantly into the hippodrome form the east, and with a searing Sovirai war screech, he charged his opponent.

Ervius grinned sneeringly, and slowly drew his four foot long, fifty pound battle-sword. Raising the weapon over his head he charged, his massive feet pounding against the dusty ground, raising clouds of the stuff behind him.

Kyus poured every ounce of his strength into his body. He strained ever muscle in his body until he felt they would tear. He ran faster than he'd thought he ever could, sending the wind whistling through his long black hair.

For Kyvia, he whispered to himself.

CRASH! The spectators watched in breathless awe as the two men collided. A cloud of sparks flew, steel flickered, and dust rose.

Kyus felt no pain. He only had one objective: Take down the Arsaterisk. SMASH! His spear whacked the giant's legs right out from under him, causing him to grunt in surprise.

Without a pause, Ervius rolled to the side and leaped to his feet, his eyes glowing with pure hate,” you will die for that, Sovir!” he hissed, spitting the last word out with such vehemence it seemed to shatter.

“You're already dead!”

“You idiot,” the giant said, circling his opponent, sending his sword crashing in testily every now and then,” your people are dead! We were amazed when we found you and that one bi-”

Kyus screamed in rage and attacked. He was everywhere! He had no limits! He was Sovirai! Not even death could stop him from having his revenge!

But fast and powerful as he was, Ervius was able to match him, knocking his blows to the side, and keeping Kyus busy at the same time. He sneered,” die Sovir, you have no hope!”

Kyus flipped backwards, dodging the Arsateriski's sword once again,” I always have hope,” he whispered. Slowly he raised his right hand.

Without warning, Ervius crashed to the ground, pinned down by an invisible force. The crowds, again screaming, slowly went silent.

“Your damned mind-powers will not stop me,” hissed Ervius, struggling helplessly. Fear shone in his eyes.

Slowly Kyus stepped away from his downed opponent, and lowered his spear, waiting for him to stand. Ervius stared up at Kyus in amazement. Slowly he rolled over and stood, but uncertainty glinted in his features now.

Again Kyus attacked, with fury un-quenched, desperately trying to rid the world of the person who had ended his greatest hope. His greatest responsibility. His greatest love.

But slowly realization dawned on him. Ervius was too good. He hadn't been able to defeat him before, and nothing had changed. The two of them were as closely matched as two warriors could be, but in the end Erviuses endurance always won out.

His breathing became heavier, his heart pounded in his chest . . . his spear became heavy in his arms. Thwack, the next instant he found himself lying on his back, his spear gone from his grasp, looking up the shining blade of Ervius' sword, into the massive Everemi's thoughtful eyes.

He took a deep breath, tears stinging his eyes,” get it over with.”

The other man hesitated and then, to Kyus' surprise, he lowered his sword and reaching down, pulled him to his feet.” No.” He said firmly.

Kyus blinked in surprise, but Ervius looked away, turning to the panel of lords and officers watching the Everemium from above.

The Governor slowly rose.” Ervius!” he called down,” kill the prisoner! Why do you wait?”

Ervius shook his head,” I leave the task to another. I will not kill him.”

The Governor's eyes came together in a V under his long curly hair,” Ervius! You have almost completed your duties. Kill this last man and you will be a free man, a citizen of Arsaterisk. You will have fame! You will have rank! Kill him!”

Ervius glanced back at Kyus, his stony features softening,” my apologies sire!” he said,” but the fight has already been won. The Sovir has won. He could have killed me, but he did not!”

The Governor looked flustered,” he cheated. He used his powers!”

The Everemi shrugged,” I used vastly superior strength. He did not cheat, sire. I have lost.”

“Only one of you may leave this arena alive,” the Governor said ominously,” if you refuse to fight then both shall die! It is the law.”

Ervius smiled thinly at Kyus. Kyus shook his head,” don't do this!”

The other man turned to the panel once again,” so be it!” he nodded to Kyus,” I'd rather die with an honourable man than serve them. Sovir.” The word was filled with respect now.

Kyus was amazed. Above him the governor raised his hands and a dozen archers appeared, bows readied.” This was your choice, Ervius!” he said finally.

Kyus suddenly froze, and looked into Ervius' light blue eyes,” you're a Sphanx!”

Ervius slowly raised his sword over his head and nodded.

Kyus smiled. He picked up his sword and saluted back to the massive Sphanx. He was distantly aware of the governor nodding to the archers.

He had come so far! He had done so much! Kyvia had died because of him. He was the last of his people. . . . He looked up at Ervius. Why not die like this? As the last of his people, standing honourably beside a fellow warrior of code.

The bows twanged.

The world went black.

Arsatersk was levelled.