Kaleb was not looking forward to fighting against Aqwen or her team of fighters. He would bet that her entire team comprised the angrier Lizards of the Brute Clan. He found Aqwen and three other Brute Clan fighters around the back of the arena. There were cordoned off square areas where a few teams practiced. Four of the practice rings were in use.

Aqwen and her grouped spotted Kaleb as soon as he walked around the corner. Kaleb looked over Aqwen’s fighting group. He really couldn’t tell their age from looking at them, but he judged the group to be around Aqwen’s age. Aside from Aqwen’s staff their weapons included a large two-handed sword, a mace, and what looked like modified brass knuckles. Kaleb approached as confidently as he could and ignored the groups obvious disdain for his presence.

Aqwen tapped the shoulder of the mace-wielding lizard and said. “Titus, you knock out the lab lizard and then we can start practice.”

Kaleb just grinned at her dismissive attitude and moved to the ring. “Any rules?” he asked as he stepped up onto the stone platform and over the rope cordon.

“They don't apply to you. Just do us a favor and knock yourself out.” Aqwen said to the laughter of her team.

Kaleb just rolled his eyes and watched Titus heft his large mace into the ring. The weapon looked like a bunch of junk welded to a metal pole. The larger lizard rolled into the ring and hopped up to his feet. He swung his mace menacingly as he approached Kaleb. The air from the swings whooshed by Kaleb causing his lab coat to billow out behind him.

Kaleb sighed at the theatrics as the bigger lizard moved closer. Kaleb guessed there would not be any count down or starting bell. He reached into his lab coat pocket maintaining eye contact as Titus grinned toothily at him. When Titus had reached the middle of the ring Kaleb drew his Sun Gun and fired. A burst of yellow energy erupted from his gun and collided with Titus’ chest. The larger lizard convulsed suddenly and his eyes rolled into his head. There was a solid THUD as Titus’ body and weapon fell to the stone floor of the practice ring.

Kaleb smiled wide and looked innocently down at Aqwen. “Next?”

Aqwen sputtered angrily for a moment before she found her words. “We… I… Y… You can’t use guns in the arena!”

“That would have been a nice little rule to know before I stepped up here, would it not?” Kaleb asked still smiling.

“ARGHHH!!” Aqwen screamed in annoyance as another of her team moved the unconscious Titus out of the ring.

The lizard with the brass knuckles moved into the arena next and waited silently in the far corner. Kaleb just watched him as the lizard crouched down in his corner and looked to Aqwen. Aqwen glared at Kaleb for a few more seconds before she explained the rules.

“Rule #1: No GUNS!” Kaleb snorted and placed his gun back in his pocket. “Rule #2: No Killing! Fighters fight until one is unconscious or gives up. Rule #3 No Hi-tech armor or Powersuits. Finally, rule #4: Natural powers ONLY!” Aqwen finished in a huff and glared at Kaleb until he nodded his understanding.

Kaleb took his sword out of its sheath and set it into his corner. Turning back to his opponent Kaleb squared up his feet and raised his hands. His opponent looked surprised and stood from his crouch asking in a deep voice that seemed to reverberate in the air.

“You sure you don’t want to keep your weapon?” He asked.

“You don’t have a weapon.” Kaleb said. And hopefully my Hand-to-Hand Skill will go up in this fight. Kaleb thought to himself.

Aqwen grunted from the side. “Just let him do what he wants, Dorigar.”

The large lizard, Dorigar, shrugged his shoulders and took a large step toward Kaleb. Dorigar cocked his left arm back in what Kaleb assumed was a well telegraphed feint. Kaleb tensed his legs ready to side-step a sudden punch. But, not only did Dorigar throw a wild left hook. He threw it so hard that, as Kaleb stepped back away from the punch, he presented his wide-open back to Kaleb.

Kaleb was so surprised that he didn’t even take advantage of Dorigar’s exposed back. Dorigar caught his balance and lowered his shoulder and charged at Kaleb. This time Kaleb went through with his side-step and punched the larger lizard in his side as he ran by. Wulkun was right, these lizards were untrained. Dorigar was at least, the large lizard moved too slow and swung to wildly.

Dorigar grabbed at his side as he turned to Kaleb. Even after taking a shot to the ribs Dorigar’s facial expression didn’t change. Kaleb couldn’t tell if his punch had hurt the big lizard. Dorigar charged again lifting his elbow and winding up a right cross. This time Kaleb stepped in close to Dorigar and ducked under his wild swing. Lifting his left leg Kaleb kicked into the back of Dorigar’s knee, bringing the 8-foot behemoth to a knee. Kaleb delivered a hard straight punch into Dorigar’s head and jumped back.

The big lizard jerked forward at the impact but he got to his feet with no issues. Dorigar rubbed the back of his head and swung wildly at Kaleb again. Kaleb sighed audibly as he ducked the blow. Dorigar was too slow to hit him and he was too weak to hurt the big lizard. Exhaling, Kaleb dodged another punch and settled in for a long war of attrition. The fight went on and on, Kaleb would dodge then smack Dorigar. Dorigar would grimace in pain then go back to forecasting his attacks.

Aqwen appeared to understand the problem as she called out to her teammate. “Stop making such large movements, Dory. He can see them coming.”

Dorigar grunted loudly as he missed another swing. “Shut it! He is just too fast.”

Kaleb fell into a rhythm. Dodge, attack, dodge attack. Until two windows appeared in front of his vision.

*Hand-To-Hand Combat Skill Level up*

Hand-to-Hand damage increased to +7

*Dodge Skill Level up*

Movement speed while dodging increased 4%

Kaleb quickly collapsed the windows and dodged the punch he knew would be coming. Another of Dorigar’s wild haymakers whizzed past Kaleb’s head. Kaleb whirled around to the side of Dorigar and slammed his metal arm into his side again. Dorigar grunted loudly and collapsed to his knees. Kaleb could hear the large lizard gasping for air as he danced away.

For the first time Kaleb saw his opponent react to his punch. Apparently that small damage boost to his Hand-to-Hand damage got through Dorigar’s defense. Dorigar coughed loudly as his teammates screamed at him from the side of the ring. He got up and charged at Kaleb again. Kaleb tried his normal hand as he dodged and snapped out a quick jab to the side of Dorigar’s head.

Dorigar again reacted to his punch, jerking his head back in pain. It didn’t seem to have the power of Kaleb’s metal arm but it still hurt the lizard. Kaleb pressed his advantage, now that he was forcing Dorigar to flinch in pain. Dorigar didn’t react well, he threw random punches at Kaleb. Kaleb weaved through the bigger lizards punches and continued to work Dorigar’s body. The big lizard didn’t appear to be used to being hurt in a fist-fight. Eventually Dorigar fell to his knees coughing loudly, one arm on his stomach in pain. Kaleb swung a quick hook into Dorigar’s temple with his metal fist and moved away as the big lizard collapsed on his face, unconscious.

Kaleb exhaled loudly and moved over to his corner. He heard Aqwen screaming at her remaining teammate as he stood in his corner and tried to catch his breath. As he listened to the sound of Aqwen’s team moving Dorigar’s body he got another notification.

*Endurance Skill level up*

Stamina increased by 12%

He mentally cheered as his endurance skill reached level 3. He wondered why his Conditioning skill hadn’t leveled. But, he figured it was a higher tier of skill so it would take longer. He heard someone entering the ring and turned to see the sword wielding lizard waiting at the other end of the ring. His large sword held in both hands in front of him.

“Do you need longer to rest?” Kaleb’s opponent asked kindly.

Kaleb took stock of his stamina, 125 out of 150. Luckily the level up had given him a small boost. “Just a little longer if you don’t mind.” Kaleb responded as he sat down in his corner.

The lizard nodded and spun his sword till it faced tip down and rested his hands on his hilt. Ringside, Aqwen checked her two teammates before shouting up at them both.

“Take all the time you need you two. These idiots might learn something if they wake up in time to watch.”

Her change in attitude surprised Kaleb, but he assumed that since he had knocked out Dorigar she was seeing him in a better light. Her next words as she sneered at him disproved that way of thinking.

“Pacrath is the most experienced amongst us. The veteran of the team.” She smiled wickedly at Kaleb.

Pacrath grunted loudly getting Aqwen’s attention. “That’s enough, Aqwen. Wulkun has already warned you once. And I have only seen three battles in the arena, I am hardly as battle-tested as our small friend here.” he nodded at Kaleb good-naturedly.

Kaleb gave a nod back as Aqwen gave a disgusted groan from ringside. Kaleb stared at Pacrath, he really couldn’t tell age but if this lizard was older than why was Aqwen in charge? Kaleb stared between Pacrath and Aqwen for a few minutes, wondering. Pacrath seemed to guess his question.

“The Clan needs more fighters. Aqwen is in charge because I was quartermaster for the Clan. Aqwen lost a member to injury, so Wulkun asked to step up. I have fought here and there, it is what the Brute Clan does. But, I am no warrior.” Pacrath explained.

“Undefeated in the arena!” Aqwen shouted happily.

Pacrath shook his head as he corrected her. “Undefeated in the preliminaries, hatchling. Then knocked senseless by a real fighter in his first real fight.”

Aqwen looked miffed as Kaleb stood up. His stamina was back up to a good level, he glanced over at Pacrath as he grabbed his own sword. He hesitated as he noticed Pacrath’s sword had a blunt edge. The second rule of the arena passed through his head: No killing. Pacrath noticed his attention and asked.

“Problem?”

Kaleb nodded as he moved away from his sword. “My sword has an edge so I don’t want to use it. Not a good idea to injure the lizard of the Brute Clan to show me a little courtesy.”

Pacrath laughed. “You’d be doing me a favor. I may be Brute Clan, but all this fighting isn’t my thing.” He turned to Aqwen and asked. “Could you please run back to camp and get a blunt sword for our sparring partner?”

Aqwen looked ready to argue before she thought better of it and stormed off. Pacrath gave a Kaleb a long suffering look and shrugged his shoulders. Kaleb just shrugged back as he said.

“I could have fought barehanded again.”

“I know, but I think the point Wulkun was trying to make to Aqwen would be better made, if she saw you besting her team in their respective disciplines.” Pacrath said.

Kaleb looked doubtful. “I think I could defeat the whole Brute Clan camp and she would still doubt my ability.”

“Probably. But she thinks the Elder Clans are weak. Therefore, you, who come from the Elder Clans, should not be able to stand against the stronger Brute Clans.” Pacrath explained.

“That's a simplistic way of thinking.”

Pacrath laughed again. “Aqwen is many things, complicated is not one of them.”

Aqwen walked up as Pacrath continued to chuckle to himself. She threw something at Kaleb that gleamed in the lights around the arena. Kaleb caught the cylindrical weapon awkwardly in his arms.

Aqwen snapped angrily at him. “That toy was the only thing I could find that would fit your tiny hands.”

“Thanks, Queeny.” Kaleb grumbled as he looked over what was essentially a metal baton.

Kaleb saw Pacrath about to complain but he shook his head at his opponent. He gave the baton a few test swings before he held it two handed in front of him. He tried to recreate the movements he had seen Jar-lock go through with his old sword, Lumpy. The baton was well-balanced and had the prefect weight for his size. He shot Aqwen a smile and nodded his thanks.

Aqwen snorted as Kaleb squared off against Pacrath. Pacrath brought his large sword up in front of him again and brought it to his chest in a salute. Kaleb mimicked the action and tensed his leg muscles again. He waited for the larger lizard to move first but Pacrath just waited and brought his sword up into a high guard. Kaleb kept his sword in front of him and stepped forward slowly.

Kaleb approached a step at a time as Pacrath waited calmly. When Kaleb got within five feet Pacrath sprang forward. The large lizard slashed downward at Kaleb. Kaleb dodged sideways and aimed a swipe at Pacrath’s hands. But, before his baton connected he felt Pacrath’s foot slam into his stomach. The chop had been a feint to get Kaleb into place for a kick.

Kaleb coughed loudly as he tried to get air back into his lungs. Pacrath didn’t give him time to collect himself as he swung his sword in a horizontal slash aimed. Kaleb, still coughing, fell forward and rolled to the side. Kaleb inhaled deeply through his nose and leapt to his feet. As he turned to look at Pacrath, he felt the larger lizard’s sword brush by his head missing it by inches. Kaleb swung his baton wildly in the direction of the stab and moved away again.

Kaleb felt the baton smack into something solid and he spun to find his enemy. Pacrath moved quick for someone so big. Kaleb finally got the big guy in front of him again as Pacrath rolled his shoulder and rubbed his arm.

“Thought I had you with that one.”

Kaleb exhaled. “Whew, you almost did.”

Pacrath smiled as he charged forward again swinging his sword in a wide uppercut. Kaleb dodged around again and feinted a swing at Pacrath’s arm. The kick came again just as Kaleb had suspected. Kaleb twisted away and curved his sword up into Pacrath’s face. But Pacrath’s head wasn’t there anymore, he had ducked and spun bringing his sword into baseball style swing that slammed into Kaleb’s chest.

The force of the blow threw Kaleb across the ring. He felt his back hit the rope around the ring. Kaleb’s vision spun as he flipped over the rope and out of the ring entirely. As Kaleb tried to catch his breath and stop his eyes from spinning, he heard Aqwen yelling triumphantly.

“Ring-out. Winner: Pacrath!”

Pacrath was staring down at Kaleb from inside the stone ring. Kaleb for his part was trying to collect his senses. Fighting Pacrath reminded him of fighting Rat-man. He was far outclassed in strength and without his gadgets he probably wouldn’t win. Kaleb coughed loudly and leaned against the stone ring.

“You are fast, but you are thinking of your next move too much.” Pacrath said from above him. “A skilled opponent can reasonably guess what you’ll do.”

Kaleb coughed and stared up at the smiling lizard. “I don’t suppose you know how to fix that?”

Pacrath laughed. “Practice, my friend, practice. Practice until the next move comes without thought.”

Kaleb nodded as he stood. He saw Aqwen approaching from the corner of his eye. Groaning internally he turned to face the grinning female. Aqwen was smiling widely and seemed on the verge of outright laughter.

“So much for the great Ifrit-slayer, huh?” She started.

Pacrath spoke up before she could continue her teasing. “Silence, hatchling. Save your taunts for until after you beat him. If you can.”

“What?!” Kaleb and Aqwen asked together.

“Did you think the training ended when one of us beat him?” Pacrath asked. Turning to Kaleb he said. “Please put our young captain through her paces, would you?”

Kaleb merely grinned as he picked up the baton and rolled back into the ring. He heard Aqwen grumble in disapproval as she lifted herself up into the ring. Pacrath jumped down and stood to the side as Titus was just waking up from Kaleb’s Sun Gun. Pacrath had barely left the ring when Aqwen attacked with her metal staff.

The metal bar whizzed by Kaleb’s head as he tried to retaliate with his baton. Aqwen batted the baton away and continued her assault, jabbing the end of her staff at Kaleb’s neck and face. Kaleb backed away until he felt the rope at his back. Pressed into a corner Kaleb dodged Aqwen’s attacks as best he could. He took the odd jab to the chest before he had enough.

Kaleb jumped and sent both legs into Aqwen’s chest and stomach. The move caught her off guard as she stumbled back. Kaleb picked himself as quick as he could and pressed the attack. He swung his baton at the female lizard’s face. But, Aqwen blocked with her staff and tried to bat him aside. Kaleb ducked under her swing and slammed his baton into her knee. Aqwen yelped in pain and fell forward. As she came down Kaleb swung his metal arm up and into her jaw, connecting solidly.

The back of Aqwen’s head slammed down hard on the stone ring floor as Kaleb stood over her. She was shaking off the blow and getting to her feet when Kaleb heard a familiar raspy voice scream.

“I have come, Basilinoid!”

Kaleb sighed loudly as he turned toward the voice. Sure enough, Rokka was out of jail and he had two other clan mates with him. As Aqwen stood, Kaleb saw Rokka draw a large energy rifle and aim it at Kaleb.

Without thinking Kaleb dove into Aqwen sending both of them over the side of the ring. As he fell to the dirt floor, Kaleb heard bolts of energy firing behind him. Rokka continued to fire as Arena fighters scattered and Kaleb and Aqwen hit the floor. Bolts of energy hurtled through the air above Kaleb’s head as he crawled to the side the square ring.

Aqwen scrambled up into a crawl and checked on her team. She shot Kaleb a glance as Kaleb stared around the corner of the ring. Kaleb watched as Rokka seemed to lose control of himself firing indiscriminately. Kaleb heard Aqwen order Pacrath and Titus to watch Dorigar. The rifle fire cut off as Rokka seemed to calm down.

Kaleb noticed that Rokka’s clan mate’s were just watching. They hadn’t moved from behind Rokka. When the shouting and screaming had died down Kaleb shouted out to Rokka.

“What? Did you miss me already Rokka? It was only last night I handed you your own tail.”

“Shut up!” Rokka screamed and fired a shot toward Kaleb’s voice.

The bolt flew over the ring where Kaleb hid as Kaleb ducked behind cover. Rokka stalked forward as his clan mates followed. Aqwen moved beside Kaleb and tried to look over his shoulder. Kaleb shoved her back and put a finger to his lips. Aqwen ignored him and asked loudly.

“That’s the Ciliaton you defeated?”

“AAAAHHHHHHHH!” Rokka screamed firing his laser rifle into their stone ring. Fortunately, his anger hurt his aim in the slightest. Rokka finished firing and yelled loudly.

“You bastard, because I lost to you, my clan has ostracized me! My clan demands I reclaim my honor before I may return.”

Kaleb shrugged even though Rokka couldn’t see him. “I told you to keep it to yourself. You could have just gone to prison.”

Rokka screamed in anger again. “FUCK YOU! Face me you bastard!”

“You? Or you and your two friends over there?” Kaleb asked peering around the corner again at the three Ciliatons.

Before Rokka could answer another of his clan mates stepped forward and answered for him. “We are Arbiters of the Clan Groak. We stand here today to oversee Rokka’s attempt at reclaiming his honor. We shall not interfere nor allow others to interfere. We swear this upon our tails.”

Kaleb heard Aqwen gasp and turned to see that Titus and Pacrath looked shocked. Judging by the looks on their faces, the Arbiters had made a heavy oath. Turning back Kaleb shouted out another question.

“So I kick Rokka’s ass again and the Clan Groak just leaves me alone?”

The Ciliaton answered. “This contest of strength shall be to the death. Either Rokka kills you and returns to the clan or… humph, you kill him and his name will be struck from our records forever.”

Kaleb could tell from the way the Ciliaton said the second part. That he found it highly unlikely that Kaleb would win. He glanced back at Aqwen and the others; they seemed rather dubious about his chances. Kaleb went over his equipment and took stock of his current stamina and HP. His sword was still up in the ring but he figured with his gadgets and armor he had a better chance than he did last night.

“Okay, Rokka, we’ll do it your way. Let’s do this!”