In the Arena Part 2

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Ancient Rome style Battle-to-the-Death competition.
In an alternate reality, Rome never quite fell.
The games continue!
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Knifed and Speared
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The game was simple. Knife fight each other to kill or keep the other from getting to the spear. After several attempts, Aaron was getting worn down. Stefan had managed to stab him in the side and he was getting weak.

Aaron was sure that his time had come. Stefan was fast and uninjured, he was stronger at first but the blood loss was getting serious, affecting his strength and now is vision.

Another stab, this time in the lower back sent Aaron stumbling away in pain. Looking back, Aaron saw Stefan sizing him up for the kill. The spear lay on the floor nearby but he knew that Stefan could easily beat him to it. "You'r dead if you don't try something - anything." the words of his trainer echoed in his ears.

Standing quickly, Aaron threw his knife at Stefan with all his strength. Stefan started to dodge the throw, but not quite soon enough. The knife struck him in his left shoulder, not a deadly hit but a painful strike to the collarbone. Aaron moved swiftly, grabbing the spear he rushed in to finish this while he still could.

The thrust was true. Stefan gasped loudly as the spearpoint disappeared into his heart. The handsome young warrior would not fight another battle. His pierced heart pumped it's last before his body hit the floor and the screaming crowd began chanting
"AAR-RON, AAR-RON, AAR-RON"

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Token of Love
______________________________________________ "Here, wear this for me today in the arena. For luck." Jerad said.
"What is it?" Nickola asked.
"It's my ring. It's good luck."
"I don't want to lose it, you keep it." Nickola protested.
"No, you can't lose it, I put it on a strip of rawhide, it won't break, you'd have to cut it."
"Ok, I'll wear it, for you." Nickola smiled. It will be my lucky charm today. I can't lose."
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Nickola had the advantage. He was stronger and more experienced than his opponent. The younger man was good but...
"Gaaaaakkk!" The rawhide tightened and cut off Nickola's breath. The young warrior laughed wildly as he tightened the chord. Straining against the strand he realized that he had to cut the rawhide to free himself. Reaching up with his sword he tried but missed the first time, as he tried again he felt his opponent's sword rip into his back as his opponent pulled him back onto the blade with the deadly trinket. The crowd erupted with wild enthusiasm at the sight of the blade splitting his chest.