Joedan looked over at the board for his name and saw that he was paired up against one of the winners from the first bout yesterday, Adrian. He was a solid recruit, often quiet and reserved, but reliable.
The first match commenced as one of the cronies from Lionus's team, Richie was paired against another recruit named Sampson. Both recruits grabbed swords from the weapons rack and entered the octagon.
The instructor raised his arms, both recruits looking his way, and then lowered them. With a start Richie lunged for Sampson. Sampson side-stepped his attack and twirled around bringing his sword down hard against Richie's left shoulder. Richie stumbled a bit and tried to resume his guard, but Sampson had him on his back foot and pressed his assault.
Sampson raised his sword high and brought it down with a diagonal slash against Richie's right thigh. Richie's leg buckled and Sampson raised his foot to Richie's chest and kicked him from the octagon onto his back.
The first battle was over.
Sampson returned his sword to the rack and came back to his seat where the other recruits were.
Jeff rose to his feet next. He was facing off against Justin, the recruit who had thrown the spear on the offensive team from yesterday's first team match.
Justin grabbed a spear from the weapons rack. Jeff followed suit. A test of the spear is what this would be. Jeff wasn't as good with a spear as the bow, but he was proficient.
The two entered the octagon waiting for the instructor's signal. Jeff lowered his knees with the point of the spear lowered out in front of him, widening his stance he started to circle his opponent.
Justin began twirling his spear left and right around himself as he made to sweep the spear around in a wide circle to try and catch inside Jeff's guard. Jeff swatted his spear down and stabbed forward catching Justin in his abdomen.
Justin bent forward, gasping, but took a couple steps back to stay out of range of Jeff.
Jeff swiped down again with the spear going for Justin's shoulder. Justin leaned back, narrowly dodging the swipe, and then spun bringing his spear around with a wicked jab forward that caught Jeff right in the sternum.
Jeff was knocked off his feet, but still in the octagon.
Justin closed the gap with his spear lowered, point towards Jeff, "Yield!" he shouted.
Jeff nodded.
Justin lowered his weapon and offered his hand, helping Jeff to his feet. The two walked off the octagon and back to the recruit area.
Lionus was up next.
Lionus was facing off against the captain from the defender's team from the first bout yesterday, Bryce.
Bryce was a calm, cool, and collected type. He was great under pressure and one of their best when it came to hand to hand combat.
Lionus on the other hand, well, you know how he is already. Quite the opposite really.
Lionus strode over to the rack and grabbed a sword heading for the octagon.
Bryce was already standing on the stage, no weapon in hand.
The instructor lowered his arms and Lionus took a wild swing going for Bryce's left hip. Bryce blocked the hit with the side of his forearm and brought his knee up making contact with Lionus's stomach.
Lionus buckled but sprawled back to put some distance between himself and Bryce. Bryce stood there patiently waiting for Lionus to take another shot. Lionus was angry. Catching his breath, he wiped his lip and spit as he straightened himself and readied his sword again.
Looking for an opening, Lionus circled Bryce, sword at the ready. Lionus pressed forward and stabbed his sword towards Bryce's hip. Bryce didn't get his arm in front of it quick enough this time and caught the blow to his side.
Bryce's knee buckled and he lowered to the ground on one knee.
Lionus pulled his elbow back and brought it down hard against Bryce's back. Bryce came forward and as he did, Lionus raised his knee making solid contact against Bryce's chest.
Bryce lay flat on the octagon, not moving.
Lionus stared down at him, loving the attention of the crowd. The instructor ran over, checked that Bryce was okay and then helped Bryce to his feet. Lionus raised his arms in victory as he made his way back to the recruit area.
Joedan and his buddies looked on with disgust. This wasn't supposed to be that kind of fight. This was a demonstration of skill. Lionus was aiming to hurt his fellow recruit, not display his talents with a sword. Joedan hoped he made it to the next round so he might have a chance against Lionus.
"He's the worst," Brad said as he spit at his feet, lowering with his elbows on his knees. Brad was getting ready for his match. Brad always got super focused when it came time to spar. It was one of the reasons he and Joedan had gotten along so well.
Brad stood without a word and made his way to the weapon rack. He was up against one of the goonies from Lionus's team, and he was pissed. Joedan just hoped he didn't put him in the hospital over it.
The goonie's name was Miles and he was a wiry fellow. He was really good at tactics and knew his way with knives and bows. He grabbed two knives and headed towards the octagon.
Joedan felt his thigh, where not too long ago, he had had a similar knife driven into his thigh. It didn't really bother him anymore, painwise, but at the time it almost caused him to bleed out.
Looking back towards Brad, he watched Brad go over to the battle axes. Brad loved the axe. Especially one he could wield with two hands. He ascended the octagon and looked to the instructor.
Miles dropped to a crouch with both knives in a reverse grip and studied Brad for any opening. Brad swung the axe around in one hand, loosening his shoulders as he watched Miles. Miles darted forward trying to get inside Brad's guard.
"Caught myself a rat," Brad said as he wrapped both arms around Miles and squeezed tight.
Miles started to struggle and try to break free as Brad locked his grip tighter and tighter. Brad released and swatted his axe against Mile's back before giving Miles another chance to turn around and try again. Miles was sneaky, one of the many reasons he tried to ally with Lionus.
Brad stood rigid, ready for whatever Miles might try. Axe blade against the ground, grip ready to swing it around as soon as Miles moved. Miles launched one of his knives, causing Brad to swipe it away with the handle of his axe.
Thinking he had an opening, Miles went charging for Brad, but Brad caught him by the throat.
With one hand, Brad raised Miles off the ground, his other hand still holding his axe.
Miles kicked out trying to break free from Brad's grip. Brad brought the head of his axe hard into Mile's gut, knocking out his wind, before dropping Miles unceremoniously to the floor.
Stepping over Miles, Brad made his way out of the octagon. His eyes locked like steel with Lionus. Brad took his seat next to Joedan.