Chapter 132: Victory in Defeat
The declaration of surrender hung in the air, uttered like an unexpected gust of wind in the calm of a storm. It left the battlefield in a state of suspended disbelief, the silence speaking volumes as both adversaries and onlookers grappled with Matty’s decision. King Saul himself was lost. His own representative had given up.
The King of the Israelites assumed Matty would have fought to the death. Frankly, William understood avoiding a death match but still. The battle felt disappointing.
"Good work, Matty!" Jules’ voice sliced through the tension like butter. "You can come back now."
Matty’s scowl softened and he returned to her with the smallest of smiles.
Goliath was unable to evoke a protest or a fighting stance. Clearly, for Matty, the battle was over. "Fine. Fine!" Goliath stabbed his spear into the river. "The woman spared one of my men; therefore, I shall allow this. However!" Goliath pointed his sword at King Saul. "The next time you dare challenge me, do not expect such leisure! I am worth two men!"
A rumble of murmurs began to emerge from the Philistine side of the battlefield. Slowly but steadily, the whispers swelled into a unified chant. A sign of admiration and respect for Goliath’s undeniable might and unwavering spirit.
"Goliath! Goliath! Goliath!" The chanting rose higher and higher until it transformed into music. "The one who stands against the giants! The one who fought the Son of Hercules! The one who conquered the king of the Kurds! Goliath! Goliath! Goliath!"
The men on the other side became riled up. Their cheers descended into messy stomps. Their stomps turned to confidence and pride. No long term damage had been dealt to their champion. To an ordinary onlooker, the battle looked to be a waste of time. A demonstration of Goliath’s might. Matty returned with purpose though, ignoring William, Kazi, Marta, Ksenia, and Nikolai in favour of his ally.
"Goliath uses his spear for offence and sword for defence. Specifically, he does a slow shift before a powerful thrust," Matty told Jules. "So plan for that."