Loopshard

Adam landed on his feet in a field of tall red spiky grass. It was immediately clear to him what Alivida’s cryptic words had meant, because ahead of him, past where the grass ended, was an area that seemed touched by Nwetrou’s power, since it was a discoloured swamp with two large black ponds.

It was no doubt the same arena that Adam had been sent to when Hiroshi Sakurai challenged him, but it was clear that who a Player worshipped had a role in how the arena ended up looking. Even the stands around the arena mirrored the influences of their patrons, with Adam’s side being made of crimson glass and seating figures that looked like they’d been freshly skinned, with their flayed remains hanging about their waists, while their exposed red flesh dripped blood onto where they sat.

On Adnan’s half, the seating area was a mix of driftwood, rotten carcasses, barnacles, and bleached bones. Upon them weren’t figures that were united in appearance, but rather creatures of the ocean. Octopuses like the Envoy in the cave on the island, whale-shark-like things, large fish, sea slugs, half monstrosities like mermen, multi-headed serpents, and a handful of creatures that were like blobs of dark shadows with nothing but round glowing eyes staring at him.

Adam didn’t waste a moment and shot himself forward with a big push of his Princely Raiment and the Mana permeating his enormous body, basically throwing himself right at his opponent like a projectile.

Adnan was quick to react, activating his spring boots and launching himself up at Adam, his spear outstretched in his right hand and his parry shield ready and waiting in his left.

Before they collided, Adam used his magical control to move himself away from Adnan’s spear, ending up above him and immediately punching down into his spine.

The Nwetrou worshipper flew down towards Adam’s side of the arena, hitting the spike grass, which bristled and pierced him like it was alive.

But Adam knew that he hadn’t killed his opponent, because his body twitched on the red spikes that’d caught him.

This bastard must have the Hobgoblin Pendant, he thought as his large frame landed on the edge of the arena on Adnan’s side, his armoured feet crushing the stands and scattering the audience seated there. With his own spring boots and the powerful muscles in his body, Adam flew back towards his side, even as Adnan pulled himself from the spikes and downed a healing potion that quickly repaired his broken body.