The world seemed brighter then usual as Clairc stepped out into the sand filled arena. This may have been the tenth time he had entered this arena in this last week, but he was still as nervous as he was the first time. He had no clue who his next opponent was, or what he or she was like. All he knew is that he had to fight them, no matter who they were.

The sun was warm upon his face as stared up into the cloudless sky. Hearing his name blast name across the intercom, he took bow as the crowd cheered. As he came back up, he stared into the crowd. There was a ten-foot, gray stone wall surrounding the battle area, protecting the crowd from any competitors that may fly into stands. The stands began on top of the wall and only became higher and farther back from there. Clairc, getting a strange feeling that he was in a pit, decided to think of something else.

He remembered what his commanding officer tolled earlier that morning as he was preparing to leave.

“Son, when I asked you to represent our platoon in the tournament a month ago, I realized you would have been the youngest competitor there and your chances would have slim, but I never thought you would make it to the final round like you did. You surprised everyone with your skill with that blade, and I believe that surprised yourself as well. Is that true?”

Clairc pulled his white sleeveless shirt over his head and checked the sash on his green combat pants. He picked up his metal scabbard and tied on.

As he slid his sword into the scabbard, he said, “I would not have accepted your invitation if I thought I was going to lose.”

The officer chucked, and with smile on his old wrinkled face he said, “You’re still the same Clairc I’ve known since you were a boy. Why don’t you ever open up to me? There has to be some feelings in that head of yours.”

Clairc’s short sandy hair gleamed has he opened curtains. He stared out into the Desert City of Maran as he said, “I have been trained to follow orders. They never once instructed me to do anything else.”

“Look, I know you’re a soldier, but I don’t want to order you to open up to me. I would like it if you did though.”

Clairc sighed, “What is there is say? I think I can do it, so I will.”

The old man, still dressed in his uniform, he walked up next him and stared out
into the city. “Your hopeless.”

“I could say the same for you old man.” Clairc said with a half-cracked smile.
The old man laughed and patted Clairc on the back. “Good luck nonetheless.”

“Thank you. Here, just let finished putting on my boots and I will be down in minuet. Okay?”

“Okay….”

Clairc snapped out of his daze as he realized that the announcer was standing about three feet in front of him, with her face nearly touching his. She was a young woman, looking like she couldn’t have been any older then nineteen.
Clairc thought she looked pretty odd. She had long blue hair and wore a brown tunic with a short brown skirt. It was easily said you didn’t many people like that around. Her big green eyes looked excited to see him.

Holding the microphone down to her side, she said, “I can’t believe I am getting a chance to meet you! I was in crowds during your last three battles and I thought you were awesome!”

“Awww… thanks.” Clairc began to scratch the back of his head, something he did often when he was uncomfortable.

“Yeah, you remember when you were fighting that giant bold man with the gigantic twin blade, right?”

“Awww, I think so.”

“Me and my sister were jumping about down rooting for you as you ran up the wall avoiding his blade. We knew you would find a way to penetrate his armor. Oh, will please give me you autograph?”

“Well, my opponent….”

“He is still in the lounge. Something about his assistant forgetting his sword. Anyway, will sigh right here? To my good friend Lin?” She pulled out a pen and a small notebook. “Please?”

Clairc had never been asked for an autograph before and didn’t really know what to say. He nodded his head and took the pen and paper. He began to write his name, but remembered she wanted him to say something first.

“To my good friend Lin, Clairc De Lockheart. Is that okay?”

“That’s prefect!” She said giving him a hug. “Thank you.”

“Awww… hey look. My opponent.” Clairc pointed to a man on the other side of the arena.

“Already? Oh well. It was nice meeting you.”

She tucked the pen and notebook away in her tunic pocket as she walked in the center of the arena. She pointed to a dark man at the opposing gate from Clairc. All Clairc could make out of the man was that he was wearing black cloak.

She announced, “Sorry for wait. There were some difficulties in the lounge. Now, here the man most of you have been waiting for. The long hair wonder, Zaaaack Daemonnnnn!”

The crowd’s cheers were much louder the Clairc remembered his were. It was apparent who they thought was going to win this battle.

The cloak flew off, revealing a tall man with long black hair. He was wearing a black sleeveless shirt with black combat pants. Even his sheath was black. The crowd roared as he drew his long shining sword.

Clairc nearly took a step back, but he stopped himself and managed to pant his feet. It wasn’t the sword or cloths that scared him. It was the bright red eyes. They seemed to penetrate his soul. Clairc knew there was something dangerous about this man, he just could make out what.

“Let the battle begin!” The announcer roared as she ran out of the gate from where Zack came.

“What?” Clairc just realizing the battle had began, drew sword and charged his opponent.

Zack was still standing calmly at his gate, with his sword leveled to Clairc as he charged.

“Why isn’t he moving? Could he be trying to counter?” Clairc’s thought as he neared in. “Damn it, I guess I am going to have to find out!”

As he came within four feet, Zack trusted his sword towards Clairc. As the sword pierced the air towards his chest, Clairc kicked off to side, dodging the attack. While still in the air, he slashed horizontally towards Zack.

Zack, with unsuspected speed, brought his sword back and blocked using the flat side of the blade.

His speed was amazing. Unlike anything Clairc has ever seen. Zack began to walk forward, pushing Clairc back. His strength was equally outstanding.

Clairc jumped back in time to see Zack charging him at the short distance. Clairc barley had enough time to bring his sword up to block. Clairc began to push at him with all his strength, but Zack didn’t budge. Clairc jumped back again to see Zack charge him again. With same close block, he was back in Zack’s face.

“Not bad boy.” Zack voice came deep and sinister. “You might give me a work out.”

“A work out? Trust me, you will be leaving this stadium with hole in your gut.” Clairc spat.

“Hmmm, an angry one hey? Now can’t have that.” Zack pushed the swords upward, leaving their chests open. “See you later.”

At that, Zack quickly dropped his sword. Clairc was shocked at this sudden up start. He did the only thing he could think of and slashed downward.

Zack jumped to the side and pulled a short concealed dagger from his belt. In one clean motion, he stuck Clairc in his left rib, leaving the dagger inside.
Pain shot through Clairc’s body, leaving he stunned. He stood there, his sword still high up in the air, with blood dipping from wound.

Zack pick up his sword and jumped back. “Who was going to leave this stadium with a hole their gut?”

Clairc dropped to one knee and let his sword hand fall to his side. The pain was too much to handle. The dagger was not normal. It seemed like his blood turned to fire inside of him. The burning spread its way into his chest and down the rest of his body.

“Poi… Poi… Poison!” Clairc spat blood from his mouth. It became harder and harder to keep his eyes open.

“You guessed it. It’s not too powerful, but it should be enough to knock you out. I give it about ten seconds before to loss conations. Any final words before you go?” Zack stood with a cocky grin on his face, expecting Clairc to faint. Feeling anger build up inside of him, Clairc clutched his sword, and stood.

“You think a little poison is going to stop me? I’ll die before I lose to the likes of you!”

Zack’s grin was noticeably bigger, making Clairc even angrier “You’re quite the determined one, aren’t you? Why do you too keep fighting?”

Clairc was trying with all his might to ignore the burning as he pulled the poisoned dagger for his side. Holding it in his left hand, he wiped his blood off it on his pant leg and leveled the dagger with Zack.

“Let’s see y… Let’s see y… Let’s see you do that again.” Clairc nearly blacked out, but he fought to keep his vision.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“Shut up!”

Zack sighed, “Fine. It’s your head.”

He charged Clairc at full speed, with his sword loose in his hand.
Time seemed to slow for that moment as Zack neared closer and closer. Clairc’s anger grew with every step Zack took.

Clairc has been known to become headstrong when his life is threatened. He was
never good with handling his anger, and when provoked, will become very dangerous.

He realized he had one chance to end this. He knew if he messed up now, it was over. As Zack ran, Clairc saw him reach into his sash for another dagger.
This was his chance. He threw the poisoned dagger at Zack while his hand was still in his sash. Zack was startled from the speed at which the dagger came. By the time Zack dodged, Clairc had charged holding his sword horizontally. Zack was caught of guard.

Clairc’s sword sliced deep into his gut. Clairc put his hand against Zack’s chest, and pushed him away, freeing his sword.

Clairc stabbed the bloody sword into the ground and used it to keep him on his feet as he fought to stay awake. He saw Zack on his knees, holding his gut. Blood was gushing through hands as he whimpered, “You… got… me….”

Clairc smiled and fell to one knee, still holding on to the sword, he said, “Like I said, You will leave with a hole in your gut.”

Zack eyes went soft. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

Clairc was shaking in pain as stared to the ground. Hearing Zack, he lifted his head. Trying with everything he was to keep his eyes open, he said with half smile, “Because its my job. As a first class soldier, I am suspected to overcome any obstacle in my way of the goal.”

Zack laughed softly, “I can’t believe a person like you defeated me. I always thought you would be a young determined man with a heart of gold. Not a lonely army man….”

Zack began to cough up blood. Clairc could no longer hold his head. The poison was getting the better of him. The last words he heard before he blacked were, “Get the doctors….”

Very Good. The sense of rivalry between the characters really comes aross in the in-battle dialogue, and the poison at the end is a nice touch (though I thought Clairc would die - just to provide a twist).

Only suggestions I can think of are:

1) Check your spelling - a writer's nightmare...
"Would you sigh here please?" and "before he blacked were"

2) Does he need the word, "Awww". From the way I read it, "er" would have been better(except, obviously "Awww, thanks")

Anyway, Top Notch battle there Lugana!

Thank you, that was really helpful. :D

I will go back and change it.