Chapter 587: Soon

Chapter 587: Soon

And the match is off to a rousing start! the announcer thundered. Let me tell you, gentlefolk, Ive seen a lot of things in the many years Ive been calling these exciting matches! But, nothing like this! We have a golem juggling another golem! Claygon juggling Ultrasteel! Literally juggling, not combat-juggling! Today were seeing a level of showmanship that I must say is unprecedented in my rather long lifetime!

The crowd laughed and chanted Claygons name.

The iron golemUltrasteeltried to swing at Claygon, but the stone golem was juggling his opponent too quickly for it to be able to hit him. Ultrasteels mastera bald, grey bearded wizard named Obadiahstared in horror before coming to his senses and shouting commands at his golem.

This only made Claygon juggle Ultrasteel faster.

Alex couldnt stop a cat-like grin from spreading across his face, and a quick glance at the crowd confirmed he wasnt the only one looking like a cat whod gotten the cream.

Toraka Shalesitting beside her son, Simwas all smiles as she pointed something out to a number of potential clients who were garbed in fine clothing adorned with sparkling gems that loudly proclaimed their wealth. They watched Claygon with rapt attention and calculating interest.

Even when youre out enjoying an event, youre selling, Alex thought. But what better way to make a sale than by seeing a stone golem completely dominate an iron one?

You know, folks, combat-jugglingis a difficult thing, the announcer laughed. For those of you who dont know, thats when a combatant uses a certain combination of blows to knock their opponent into the air and keep them there. But, juggling where a competitor tosses their opponent around and around in the air like a series of balls is unheard of! How will Obadiah respond?

The bald wizard threw an undisguised venom-laden glare at the announcer, before turning back to the fight. His face was washing red and his hands were shaking.

Ultrasteel! Keep flailing your fists! Just hit him when he goes to catch you! Obadiah screamed.

Heshould not have said that out loud Claygon thought.

Before the iron golem could begin any flailing, the four-armed golem caught the larger construct and hurled it straight in the air with full force.

Ultrasteel blurred, tossed like a whirling projectile, striking bars looming above the arena. The cage groaned from impact, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Since what goes up must come down, the iron golem slowed, then began its rapid descent, plummeting toward the cage floor.

No! Obadiah screamed.

Claygon watched the falling golem, and ever so casually, stepped to the side.

A deafening crash reverberated through the arena as the flailing Ultrasteel hit the ground.

Oooo, well thats a knockdown if I ever saw one! the announcer shouted. Claygons on fire! Can Ultrasteel catch up?

Grab him! Obadiah cried. Use your weight and grapple him!

With painstaking effort, the iron golem climbed back to its feet.

Until now, gentlefolk, Ultrasteel has used its titanic strength and impossible toughness to batter and pin its other opponents to the ground! the announcer declared. But how can it manage against the first foe that has it thoroughly licked in the strength department! What tricks does Obadiah have waiting to show us?

The older wizard winced, his shoulders slumping and his face turning even redder.

Alex raised an eyebrow.

Claygon, I dont think Ultrasteels master has a lot in his bag of tricks, he sent the thought through their link. Unless hes a really good actor, it looks like hes at a complete loss as to what to do next. I bet you he only entered the competition to show off his golem: Im not sure hes much of a fighter.

Thank you father Claygon watched the iron golem lumber toward him. I will keep my focus on Ultrasteelthenyou watch the master.

And thats whats called teamwork. Alex grinned.

The iron golem shambled toward Claygon, its arms raised and fingers flexing, ready to grab its smaller opponent.

You aretoo slow. Claygon sidestepped Ultrasteel again, casually thrusting the haft of his war-spear between the iron golems feet. There came the grinding shriek of metal on metal as Ultrasteels feet and the weapons handle became entangled.

Oh, come on! Obadiah screamed.

His golem hit the ground like an overturned farm cart.

More laughter ran through the crowd.

Another knockdown! the announcer shouted. This is turning into an unmistakable example of crushing might and skill! Ultrasteel cant catch a break!

Try again! Obadiah shouted. Get up! Just grab him!

The iron golem surged onto its feet.

This time, the bald wizard had the presence of mind to cast a body enhancement spell on his construct. The golem now moved with greater agility and power, grabbing Claygons shoulders.

Of course, the success of this action was likely due to the smaller golem not bothering to move. At all.

Yes! We have him! Hes ours! Obadiah grinned, yelling in triumph.

The grin abruptly faded.

The bell rang.

Phoenix darted forward.

Before Claygon could turn away or Alex could give a command, the cockatrice met the golems gazeand then its eyes flared bright green. Alex could feel its power billowing, focusing through dilated pupils, burrowing into his golem.

No! he shouted.

Across the arena, Jace grinned.

Ooooo, an unlucky break! the announcer said. Claygon catches the cockatrices gaze! How willOh? Whats this?

Claygon was staring right back at the cockatrice. His stone form was not changing. The metal on his body wasnt petrifying. The light in his fire-gems continued to shine.

One flared.

And a beam of flame lanced from Claygons third eye, striking the cockatrice dead in its forehead. The creature reared back, shrieking in pain.

Youre alright! Alex shouted at Claygon.

Itold youI would be came the reply.

Alex sighed in relief, thinking back, remembering how Claygon had evolved into a stone golem.

Hes been petrified before, Alex thought. Maybe hes resistant or immune to that kinda crap now.

What a wild turn of events! Claygon appears to be unaffected by Jace and Phoenixs main strategy! This is quite unexpected, gentlefolk! the announcer crowed. How will Jace and Phoenix cope?

Jace might have been capable of many things in his life.

Copingat least in this situationdidnt appear to be one of them.

Phoenixuhjust he stammered.

Claygon took the opportunity to blast the cockatrice over and over again with all three fire-beams. Phoenixunlike its namesakedid not rise from the flames, instead, it flapped about in panic as Claygon bathed it in fire.

UhPhoenixuh, his master mumbled.

Jace cast haste magic on his pet, commanding it to circle and strike Claygon from behind. The cockatrice sped around the golem in a blur, leaping, landing on his back, trying to topple him from his feet.

Claygon did not budge.

Jace went pale.

Claygon grabbed the screeching Phoenix.

Jace went paler.

The stone golem bashed the cockatrice into the ground over and over again, like he was trying to dig a pit.

The hard way.

Hahaha the announcer laughed nervously.

The crowd cheered, though some simply stared, slack-jawed.

II give up, Jace muttered quietly.

Whats that you say? Youll have to speak up so we can be sure of what you said, my friend. the announcer said to the muttering man.

We give up! Jace screamed, sounding a touch hysterical.

There you have it! the announcer cried. A quick end to our first semifinal match! Alex Roth and Claygon come out on top!

In the stands, several people were tearing pieces of paper to shreds, their faces like thunderclouds as they stomped for the exits. Alex wondered how much coin theyd lost betting.

He grinned. Looks like Tyris and I are going to be duelling each other soon enough!

Below the arena, a man in a mask waited for his semifinal match with Tyris Goldtooth.

He heard the cheer of the crowd above, knowing thatlikelyRoth and that monster had won again.

One of his hands flexed, the finger joints popping.

Soon.