The Manticore led Arsha’s team into an arena. Thousands of Manticores roared as if they were ready to see bloodshed. “…One of the trials of strength?” asked Arsha.
“Correct,” replied the Manticore. He then took up a position in the center of the arena. “I am Boltuk Bloodwing!” he shouted to the crowd. “I come to you today to announce that outsiders claim they can pass the trials!” A lot of jeering met this statement. “We cannot let this claim go unchallenged! I have granted them only one concession! One person must pass each trial! If and when they do, another person must take their place! But, we all know that no outsider, not even Oyed, has gone past the first trial!” Everyone in the stands roared their agreement. “Let us see if they can even get past my brother, Teknar!” A cage door opened up from beneath the stands and a rather beefy looking Manticore with a darker mane than Boltuk’s strode out, filled with confident swagger. “Whomsoever beats my brother, either by killing him or by ring-out, shall have completed the trial of physical strength! Outsiders, pick your combatant!” Arsha and her team then huddled.
“Guys, I gotta be real here,” muttered Malnar, “the only one who stands a remote chance against him is Gorfanth.”
“Me?!” hissed Gorfanth.
“I have to agree with him,” remarked Lardeth. “Minotaurs are lovers, not fighters!”
“Do we really have much choice?” asked Foresna.
“I can’t believe you and Malnar!” snarled Falnii.
“Can you honestly name anyone stronger?” asked Arsha.
“Captain, are you sure that’s wise?” asked Bashoon.
“I don’t know if it’s wise or not,” muttered Arsha, “but what I do know is that we ARE pressed for time.”
“…If and when I die, I’m haunting your nine-tailed ass!” grumbled Gorfanth. The team then broke up the huddle and Gorfanth stepped into the ring. The crowd roared in laughter.
“Looks like we’re gonna be having beef tonight!” laughed Boltuk. “Ready yourselves!” The two combatants sized each other up and got into their respective ready stances. “BEGIN!” Teknar rushed along the side, catching Gorfanth by surprise and forcing him to roll out of the way. The Manticore Champion then flew into the air and dove straight down, paws first and claws out! Gorfanth ran to the edge of the ring, but Teknar was able to change direction quickly! The sudden shift in the wind generated by the flapping of his wings kicked up the sand of the ring, flinging it into Gorfanth’s face. Gorfanth stumbled backwards…and his foot missed the floor of the ring! He was about to fall backwards out of it. Teknar then rushed at Gorfanth, then put his paw to the back of his opponent’s head…and shoved him back into the ring. The crowd roared in confusion. Arsha and her team were equally perplexed. Gorfanth then picked himself up and gave Teknar his attention.
“Why?” he asked. “You had me!”
“You stumbled,” answered Teknar.
“…I don’t follow.”
“To defeat you in such a manner would be lacking in honor. I would not have EARNED the victory.”
“…I see, you see this as a duel of honor.”
“Exactly, and to take advantage of that would mean I would have been a coward. There’s only ONE true way to finish such a duel, head-on…and BRUTALLY!” Gorfanth then leapt out of the way of the Manticore as he dove down with a bloodthirsty expression on his face. He then grabbed Teknar’s wing and twisted it in a way that there was an audible snap. Teknar went silent for just one second before he was on the ground, roaring in pain caused by a broken wing. With that distraction, Gorfanth grabbed the tail, his hands under the bulb of the stinger, and spun around before flinging Teknar into the walls outside the ring. Teknar fell to the ground, groaning in pain, while the crowd sat there, stunned at what had just occurred. Gorfanth then stepped out of the ring and walked up to Teknar. Teknar then managed to look up at the Minotaur in fear and pain. “…There is a knife carved from an elephant’s tusk,” grunted Teknar. “Use it on me. At least make it quick.”
“…What?” asked Gorfanth.
“You defeated the strongest Manticore. Not only did you pass the trial, but, by law, you must take my place as Champion. And the only way to do that…is to end my life.”
“…Does that law really apply to outsiders like me?” Gorfanth then turned to the audience. “Are outsiders required to take a Manticore’s place?!”
“No,” replied Boltuk. “In his agony, my brother has forgotten that non-Manticores are forbidden from taking a Manticore’s job, regardless of circumstance.”
“And didn’t you say I had to win by either killing him OR ring-out?”
“I did. And all evidence says you picked the latter option.”
“JUST END IT ALREADY!” howled Teknar. “THERE’S NO HONOR FOR ME NOW! I LOST TO AN OUTSIDER! I FAILED MY PEOPLE!”
“AND I DON’T WANT AN INNOCENT MAN’S DEATH ON MY CONSCIENCE!” Gorfanth roared back. The arena was silent for a minute. Gorfanth sighed before continuing. “You were doing your duty according to the laws of your people. I don’t kill people that dedicated to their kingdom. I don’t want to kill you! I never did! …But, I couldn’t allow you to kill me either. Tell me, how would either of us gain? If you killed me, you would serve Oyed, and it sounds like you lot don’t like him. If I killed you, your King would hear about this and be less receptive to us. I’m tired of killing unnecessarily and fighting strangers when I should be making friends. …We’re going to the next trial and, if you insist, we can continue this fracas to its final, stupid end, or you can side with us.” Teknar appeared to consider Gorfanth’s words as Manticore doctors came to set his wing so that it could mend itself.
“…If you and your fellows pass their trials with the same amount of honor, then I will consider fighting with you against Oyed,” the Manticore Champion finally answered. “Otherwise, I am duty-bound to follow King Velkor’s commands.”
“Having passed the first trial and being the first outsider to do so in a long time,” remarked Boltuk, “follow me to the second trial. Be warned, it will test a different kind of strength. Let us pray you can endure it.” Boltuk then led Arsha’s team through a door leading to the second trial.