Mattiew stared at the crystal disc, a foot in diameter, propped up by a small stand. A record of a fight between Utica and a hydromancer played on its flat face.

The man fought like a wild animal. He was built like one too. He was at least two heads taller than the average-sized hydromancer and appeared to weigh five times as much. He wore almost no armor save an old-style Gozari helmet and he bore only a spear.

He leapt around the ring so fast the recording rig could barely keep up. Utica never let up his attacks, merely knocking the hydromancer’s casting aside.

A loud thunk alerted Mattiew to Kalai’s presence as she sat across from him in the sitting room.

“Studying your opponent?” Kalai asked, “Wise. Most wouldn’t bother trying to find one of these.”

“I’d thought you’d be the type to be opposed to such careful study.” Mattiew raised an eyebrow.

“I’m headstrong, not stupid.” Kalai chuckled, “So what have you learned?”

“That my opponent is more monster than man. And he’s not even Nightborn.” Mattiew muttered, as the record replayed itself from the beginning.

“Well, this man’s a sorcerer, right?” Kalai asked.

“They all are. Save for myself.” Mattiew said. “Though he’s not using sorcery. The recording flickers whenever ambient mana is drawn on in any notable amount. There’s nothing from him. Maybe he’s just...keeping his cards close.”

“You give his head too much credit.” Kalai said, “I’ve watched him fight before. The Apex Predator is here to indulge in the thrill of a fight. To prove to himself and others that he doesn’t need sorcery to be dominant. Though he claims to be here on behalf of an old minor goddess of nature.”

“If he’s holding himself back, doesn’t that make him even more dangerous?” Mattiew asked.

“Ordinarily, yes. But Utica shrouds his true power out of pride, not cunning. Wound his feeble pride and he will weaken himself for you.” Kalai said, “Question his strength, and he will do nearly anything to affirm himself.”

Mattiew sat back and sighed. “I wouldn’t even need to think about all this if the trial actually gave a damn about Passion.”

“Blaming the Trial for not functioning won’t make you study faster.” Kalai scoffed. “You can’t wage war without proper knowledge of your enemy. One cannot conquer the world without first knowing its vastness.”

Mattiew furrowed his brow.

“You said you intend to create a nation, right?”

“Well it was just a-” Mattiew started.

“You said your passion was to create a nation for commoners, where they would be free from the oppression of sorcerers.”

Mattiew hesitated a moment, wanting to argue, but he just nodded, seeing the folly in doing so with the Queen of Conquerors.

“How small,” She scoffed again.

“What?” Mattiew stood.

“I said ‘small’. Your true goal is small minded, Nikoliades. And stupid. And you presume to call yourself a prince? Disappointing!”

Mattiew’s face contorted with rage. He swung his fist at Kalai, but he was thrown back in his seat like a rag doll with a blur of motion from her. He stared at her, stunned.

“If you truly wish for the prosperity of your people, perhaps you should consider becoming powerful in your own right, rather than seeking what is effectively a political wish-granting device in the Ouroboros.”

Mattiew gritted his teeth. What did she know about his circumstances? It wasn’t his fault he had to participate in this tournament. Whether he lied or told the truth wasn’t up to him. The options he had to cause change weren’t his decision. She hadn’t been a queen for hundreds, if not thousands of years.

But the last thing he needed right now was another enemy. Especially one who knew of his and Adriana’s intentions to overthrow Andar.

“I’ll keep that in mind...” Mattiew huffed.

“Lord Nikoliades?” a maid from the doorway called for him, “It’s time.”

Mattiew gulped.

***

Adriana’s hand kneaded Mattiew’s shoulders from behind as he sat in one of the rooms that was dedicated to whoever was up to fight next. Fights had been going on all afternoon and his was drawing ever closer with the setting sun.

“You’ll be alright. You’ll be alright.” Adriana whispered, sounding more like she was trying to convince herself of that rather than comforting him.

Mattiew softly touched her hand, “Hey. It really will be fine. Remember, I’m not completely helpless. They call me the Witch Hunter for a reason.”

Adriana stopped massaging him, “I know. It’s just… well, I don’t think I should need to explain my worry to you.”

“You don’t. And I love that you care. But you trust me, don’t you? Trust me to win this.” Mattiew said.

Mattiew couldn’t trust himself to win as far as he could throw himself, but he wasn’t about to leave Adriana convinced he was going to die.

One of the tournament organizers opened the door of their waiting room.

“Lord Nikoliades,” he said, “You’re due in the prep room.”

“Thank you,” Mattiew’s words fell on deaf ears as the organizer hurried away. Mattiew stood and turned to Adriana, picking up his spear, “It’s time.”

“By the Betrayer Gods,” Adriana hissed. She was holding herself back from. “I thought I wouldn’t have to go through this if I married the commoner. I’d probably marry you regardless, but...just my luck, I suppose.”

“I’m not going on an expedition,” Mattiew cupped her face, “But just for the sake of it, I love you.”

Adriana smiled through her turmoil. It was pained, but genuine. “I love you more.”

Mattiew scoffed and kissed her before breaking away from her, “We’ll see about that once I kick the Apex Predator’s ass!”

He left the room before any more words could be said.

With each step Mattiew took towards the prep room, his armor seemed to weigh heavier on him. But his resolve was firm. In a weird way, he was embracing the dread.

He approached the door that marked his side of the prep room. Mattiew’s hand hesitated against the door handle. He’d be alone in there with the Hunter for ten minutes, separated by nothing but some iron bars.

Open the damn door, Nikoliades.

Mattiew pushed the door open and immediately caught the blood thirsty gaze of Utica the Hunter.

The massive man’s glare sent a shiver of fear down his spine. But Mattiew maintained eye contact through the iron lattice with the Apex Predator as he closed the door and took a seat in the chair provided for him.

“There are two kinds of prey in this world, bandit.” Utica’s voice made the earth itself shake, “Those who flinch upon a strike. And those who throw their heads in the way of the blade. One’s a coward. You’re a fool.”

“Oh?” Mattiew could barely keep his voice from quivering, “And which one are you?”

“I am not prey.” Utica said, “I am sent by the Wild Matron to show impetuous man his place before his mother.”

“And...you do this by hunting the greatest of us?” Mattiew asked.

“To remind you that man is still but a part of the cycle that is predator and prey.”

Mattiew wanted to chuckle. He would’ve, if not still half paralyzed by Utica’s sheer size. He was much taller than the Crystal Record made him out to be.

“But...you’re a man.”

“I am a man who has not forgotten my roots.” Utica gestured to the room around them, “Look at this place. Veyshtar.” He spat the city’s name. “An affront to the beauty of the Wildlands. Man’s feeble attempt to compete with what is far beyond them. Before long, that competitiveness, that lack of respect, will bring about the downfall of all life. Man included.”

Mattiew leaned back in his chair. This man was more than a bloodthirsty beast on two legs.

“Did I surprise you?” Utica asked, “People believe me to be here for nothing more than the thrill of the hunt. But I serve a greater purpose.”

“You know...it’s not that long ago when the Wildlands were killing us off in greater numbers than we humans could even hope to imagine.” Mattiew said, “We made civilization because nature disrespected us.”

Utica scoffed, “You are no different, little thief. You do not see the gratitude we should feel for the gift of our sentience, allowing us to worship at the Wild Matron’s feet.”

Mattiew raised an eyebrow. “You have a fancy for that sort of thing?”

Utica recoiled, taken aback. That felt better.

“Hmph. I see attempting to explain myself will only lead to more childish ridicule. Enough of me. Who are you, thief?”

Mattiew bit his tongue, thinking up a response. “I’m not obligated to explain myself to you. But I’ll tell you this. It sounds to me like all you’re doing is complaining. About how terrible everything is and that everything you don’t like is society's fault.”

“My criticisms of society are sound.”

“And yet here you sit, getting ready to go be the performing animal for society’s amusement. You don’t do shit by participating in this tournament. You just get easy kills and act scary while you talk about all this predator and prey bullshit to give it some sense of coherence.” Mattiew scoffed.

A horn in the distance went off, drawing Utica’s gaze behind him. He chuckled, “Well then let us see who is predator. And who is prey. Have fun, little thief.”

Utica’s massive, half-naked form stood from his chair, picking up his spear and meandering down the hallway to his right that led to his door to the flame-lit arena.

Mattiew’s apprehension crawled his way back into him.

He got to his feet, grabbing his own spear and trekked down the tunnel on his side of the room. Now was the time to see if he actually had a chance. He was met with a cage door at the end of the tunnel, torchlight streaming in through the bars.

“Coming from the East side of the arena!” an announcer’s voice echoed through all of the Gridiron, “Coming to show us that the Wild Matron hasn’t given up the war on humanity just yet, the Brother of the Nightdwellers, let’s give a bestially roaring welcome to the Wild Prince! Utica! The Hunter!”

The mass of voices from the spectator seats cheered as Utica’s gargantuan silhouette appeared in the sandpit.

Utica roared like a lion as though basking in the crowd’s attention, but his eyes were solely stuck to Mattiew’s cage door.

“Coming from the West!” Mattiew was starting to get tired of the cadence of the announcer’s voice, “The rogue turned noble! The Heir of the Black Tongue! Black Admiral of the Central Sea! Coming here to show us that even a common man’s got a shot at the crown, let’s give a welcome to the Vagabond Prince! Mattiew! The Witch Hunter!”

That’s what they were advertising him as? It could be worse, he supposed, but he was most certainly not noble.

A man Mattiew hadn’t noticed before unlocked the cage door from the outside and opened it.

Mattiew walked out onto the sandpit, under the dark sky. His attention was unfortunately drawn to a splotch of dried blood near him.

He took a deep breath of cool and crisp night air. He cracked his neck and walked up to face Utica.

Two heads. He was two heads shorter than the Apex Predator.

“Well, it seems our two contestants hate the crowd too much to accept their welcomes, or they hate each other so much, they looped right back around to being crazy about one another!”

Mattiew scrunched his nose. That got a laugh?

He lowered into a fighting stance, resting his spear on the edge of his shield.

“The rules of today’s match are as follows: No one may attempt to harm the audience, nor may they land an intentionally lethal blow unless it’s in self defense. Any violation of these rules will result in immediate disqualification and charges of treason pressed by one’s king if the monarch chooses. Otherwise, this is a free fight. Ready? Begin!”

Much to Mattiew’s surprise, Utica didn’t immediately lunge for him. That meant the start of the battle was in his hands.

He stuck his spear in the sand and drew a throwing axe from a set of five on his hip.

He threw the axe as he rushed at Utica. The Hunter put his arm in front of his face, certain the weapon would just bounce off his skin.

Mattiew slid through the sand under Utica and drew a dagger from his boot. He attempted to slash the tendons on Utica’s heels, but the knife got stuck in his heel and Utica backed away. At least the weapon broke skin.

Utice turned with a limp, looking down at his leg in surprise.

“And Nikoliades draws first blood! Only the second to do so against the Apex Predator! Impressive!”

“I was right in my first assumption.” Utica growled, pulling the dagger out of his heel, “You’re a sneaky coward.”

The sensation of cutting into Utica’s heel was akin to...well, it was tougher than a deer. Maybe hog’s hide.

Whatever the case, he had some sense for the Apex Predator’s endurance. Though whether that was a result of his sorcery remained to be seen. Mattiew hadn’t noticed any changes in the ambient mana.

“Come then, coward! I will not be baited into another trap.”

“Alright. “ Mattiew drew another throwing axe. He ran at Utica as the Hunter preemptively threw his arms up in defense. Mattiew buried the axe in Utica’s thigh.

Mattiew went for his short sword to follow up with another blow, but was cut off when the shaft of Utica’s spear slammed into his ribs.

Pain exploded in Mattiew’s body as he was thrown like a rag across the sand.

Mattiew used the momentum to stagger to his feet. He touched his ribs. Nothing broken. But holy shit did it hurt. Mattiew knew the dangers of internal bleeding after losing his navigator, Lagona, to it.

Utica ripped the axe out of his leg and tossed it aside.

Mattiew drew his sickle sword, sorely missing his spear, which now laid in arm’s reach of Utica.

He waited for the hunter to attack but instead the monster of a man flipped his spear in his hand and launched it at Mattiew.

The spear was too fast. Mattiew threw his shield up, but not quick enough to block it. The spear sparked off the rim and slashed through his sword arm.

Mattiew staggered, clutching his arm as crimson sprayed out, following the weapon. But when he saw Utica pick up his spear in the sand, Mattiew quickly forgot about the wound.

He sheathed his blade and went to grab Utica’s weapon, which was impaled in the ground behind him. He would need the reach a spear gave him if he hoped to live.

For all Utica’s lack of planning, he wasn’t stupid. He could adapt just as well as Mattiew could.

Mattiew bent down in a rock solid stance as the Hunter charged. He held the spear with both hands, as to not put too much strain on his wound. Mattiew’s weapon would go straight through the Hunter’s throat, propelled by his own momentum.

Then Utica vanished. Or rather, he fell. The hunter slid across the sand and kicked his leg out, attempting to sweep Mattiew’s feet out from under him.

Mattiew jumped over the sweep, but had to change his plan of attack. He landed off to Utica’s left and tried to spear his underarm as he stood.

Utica let the attack scrape against his rough skin and managed to tangle their weapons together in a lock that favored the Hunter. Utica twisted, forcing Mattiew to let go of his weapon. But Mattiew wasn’t going to let go of that spear’s range so easily.

He drew the short sword hidden in the cloth wraps under his shield and slashed as hard as he could at Utica’s arms. The weapon chipped, but blood sprayed from the Hunter’s wrists.

Mattiew tossed the sword away and kicked his spear back into his hands.

The Hunter backed out of range, his eyes glancing down at his weapon. But in the end he resolved to leave it be.

Only mere seconds after being cut, Utica’s wrists stopped bleeding. But Mattiew saw no use of mana. Even without sorcery or a Bog Brew, he could at least sense mana manipulation.

“Perhaps you are worthy of viewing my sorcery.” Utica growled.

“Shoulda just showed it off from the start.” Mattiew grinned. “Woulda saved us some time.”

Utica snorted in response before pressing his fingers to the sand.

Mattiew’s breath caught in his throat. He felt the winds of mana reshaping around him before he saw it. He raised his shield.

“Are you aware of the simplest building blocks that make up the ground beneath your feet, pirate?” Utica asked. “Sand, stone, and earth are all made up of the same substances that comprise living bodies. We are born from the earth and we all return to it. This is the truth of the Wild Matron.”

Mattiew narrowed his eyes, scanning for any signs of mana output.

“I alone have the power to manipulate and rearrange this substance into a form that advances the Matron’s plans.” Utica muttered. “Behold, pirate, my sorcery. Soul of the Wild!”

Mattiew leapt away from the spot he was standing the moment he felt the slightest bit of movement under his boots.

A crocodile jaw snapped shut as the creature erupted from the sand. Mattiew’s leg would’ve been torn off if he’d stayed put.

Mattiew didn’t hesitate to spear the crocodile in the head. But before his weapon could make contact, the creature dissolved into sand.

His eyes shifted to Utica, still prone with his hand on the ground. He rushed at the Hunter, a clear shot at his throat lined up as Mattiew leapt into the air.

A force equal to a ton of bricks slammed into him before he could touch him.

Mattiew slid and tumbled through the sand until friction stopped him. Winded, he had to take a moment before he could get himself to his feet.

A bear appeared next to the Apex Predator.

Utica slowly stood, as if mocking Mattiew with the lack of care in his movements. “I have everything nature has ever made or will make at my fingertips. You are but a man.”

The bear dissolved only for a massive tree to take its place. Utica stabbed the tree’s bark with his spear, causing a spittle of white sap to splatter onto the blade of his weapon.

“There is a tree that grows in Rajgarh whose sap is so toxic, it melts human skin on contact.” Utica said as the tree dissolved. The sap remained on his weapon. “I’m hoping it grants a death as quick as it is painful.”

Mattiew gritted his teeth as Utica rushed at him.

There was no way to counter the massive man’s momentum, but he’d still have a chance as long that sap was out of the picture. He needed to buy time.

Mattiew snapped the tip of Utica’s spear clean off with a spinning kick. He drew a knife from his belt and wedged it in Utica’s underarm before climbing onto his back and putting his neck in a hold.

Utica’s roar of pain was choked off as Mattiew used every ounce of might in his body to cut off his airflow.

But his arm was wrenched off as a thick, muscled tendril coiled around his wrist and neck.

Mattiew fell as a snake constricted around his body. He caught the snake’s head as it attempted to bite him. He pulled and squeezed, trying to break its neck, but the creature vanished before he could get any real leverage.

He staggered to his feet, catching his breath.

Utica pulled the knife out of his arm and threw it to the ground. “You remind me much of the cockroach. Humble in form, relentlessly arrogant in spirit.”

Never once had Utica allowed Mattiew to actually get a solid blow on his summons. Nor did he ever summon more than one thing at a time. Otherwise, the Apex Predator would’ve just sicced a pack of lions on him.

Mattiew needed to see what happened if he killed something Utica summoned.

The sand next to Utica morphed into a stag next to him. But the animal stumbled, as a replica of Utica’s spear grew out of it. The Hunter tore the weapon from the animal’s innards before returning it to dust with an echoing screech.

“What in the Eight Empires…” Mattiew muttered.

“The elements that make up wood and metal can easily be found within a living thing.” Utica said. “Do you insist on continuing to fight?”

Mattiew drew his bow and knocked an arrow. “Not outta weapons, am I?”

“Fine.”

Mattiew distanced himself from the trembling ground beneath him as Utica began to summon another beast. He didn’t bother even looking, firing his arrow straight at the Hunter.

The arrow didn’t hit head on, but tore through Utica’s eye. He roared in pain, clutching his face as blood spilled from the wound.

Now was his chance.

He turned to Utica’s summon to find a lion about to descend on him, the moonlight shining off its golden fur. Mattiew rolled out of the way, but when he came up, his quiver had spilled across the arena. The creature bared its pearly white fangs before pouncing again. Mattiew dropped his bow and grabbed one of his throwing axes.

He closed the distance before its claws could sink into him and planted the axe in the lion’s throat.

The creature fell over, blood pouring from the wound.

“NO!” Utica’s roar was all Mattiew heard before the tip of a spear ripped through Mattiew’s face, throwing him to the ground.

Pain erupted in a white hot streak across his cheek as the agony of naked air ravaged the flesh of his face.

Mattiew could only make incoherent noises as he cradled the wound. He took his hand away and found it coated in his own blood.

Vertigo swam in his vision as he tried to stagger to his feet.

But even so...even so...he was still alive. No beast had attacked him. Utica was still dealing with the wound to his eye. Whatever he’d done, it worked.

He could’ve sworn he heard Adriana’s voice shouting his name to continue on as he looked wearily up at the sky.

“My blessing…” Utica mumbled. “My blessing...Mother...Mother, I can’t feel you...Have you forsaken me? How have I trespassed you? Great Mother…”

“Hey, can we get the medics out here?” the announcer's voice echoed, “Well, it looks like the Hunter-”

“NO!” Mattiew’s voice clawed at his throat, but he forced the word out, “No, I’m not done yet!”

“That’s admirable, but-”

“Shut up!” Mattiew struggled to speak through his injured face. His words could barely be understood. His teeth clenched through the pain as he fought to speak. He couldn’t let this end in a draw and waste his efforts. “I...I can’t lose. I need to...I need to win.” He turned to the Hunter. “Quit moping, Apex Predator! Finish this fight!”

“You’ve killed her presence!” Utica roared. “You’ve killed my blessing! If...If I kill you...If I kill you...she’ll take me back...I’ll earn my spot at her side...I will...I just have to end you...DIE, WORM!”

Mattiew glanced to the side. His sickle sword laid in the sand.

Utica summoned something yet again.

If he could still use it, what had Mattiew done?

That question answered itself as the sand lurched, the figure it formed sumbling. The creature assumed the form of no beast Mattiew had ever seen. It was some unholy, screeching chimera of elk, lion, bird, and snake.

At the very least, the process was slower.

“Kill him!” Utica roared.

The creature tried to fly on its malformed wings, but just collapsed in a heap of flesh.

Mattiew carved the poor creature’s head off before it got its bearings again. It was an act of mercy.

Utica was unarmed, his spear on the other side of the arena. But the Hunter rushed in anyway, ready to take Mattiew’s head off.

Utica grabbed at both Mattiew’s sword and his head. Mattiew let Utica take his sickle sword away and let the Hunter’s palm break his nose as it gripped the whole of his face. All Mattiew cared about was that he drew the knife from his hip and stabbed at the Apex Predator’s chest.

Though he couldn’t see, his knife pierced something.

Mattiew refused to let go of the knife and Utica refused to let go of his face.

Then Mattiew twisted the blade. Utica’s grip weakened on his skull. The Hunter staggered backwards, choking.

Blood was free to spill from Mattiew’s nose. And from Utica’s mouth. The knife had punctured his throat.

The Hunter collapsed in the sand. And Mattiew soon followed.