Canopus absorbed as much as he could through the next few fights, a task all the easier without Kyanosa’s random, loud comments. Actually the arena slowly emptied as the fights continued. By the time the last fight rolled around, there was barely anyone left in the stands.
“And now the last fight of the first round.” David said with as much enthusiasm as he had before the first fight. “Reykin Jones versus Ambyr Tenbrook.”
Reykin was an anthro kangaroo with light brown fur. She was wearing loose and flowing clothing, and wore a pair of punching daggers. Ambyr walked up with a smile. Canopus’ gaze lingered on her for longer than normal. Her red hair was cut short at her ears, framing a pretty face. Her outfit consisted of a sleeveless white and sky blue dress, and a pair of white boots that went up to mid shin. In her hand she held a foot long stick, which glittered slightly in the sun.
“All right you two. Have fun,” David said. “And fight.”
Reykin launched forward, punching out at Ambyr. She threw up the stick, knocking one of the fists off course, and dodged the other. The kangaroo spun around, her tail sweeping through the air. Ambyr flipped over it, landing lightly a few feet away.
Canopus leaned against the front rail. Something about the way Ambyr moved was mesmerizing. Reykin punched forward, this time her dagger grazing Ambyr’s cheek. There was a hum and a blade shot out of each side of the stick the human held. She slashed it upward, nearly cutting through her opponent’s wrist. Only a last second move spared her hand and just cut through the edge of the dagger.
Reykin jumped back, examining the edge of her weapon, then looking back up at Ambyr. She powered forward, punching in a flurry of blows. Ambyr fluidly dodged or blocked each of the blows, and then held out her left hand. A beam of water flew out and under Reykin’s feet. She lost her footing for a split second and Ambyr sliced into her arm.
Reykin growled angrily, twirling around and slamming her tail into Ambyr’s legs. The woman lost her grip on her sword, and it skidded out of the arena. It was almost immediately apparent that Ambyr was at a disadvantage. She did her best unarmed, and with a limited amount of water and ice powers, but eventually Reykin outlasted her, driving her into the floor with a flurry of blows.
“Match over! Reykin wins!” David announced. “And that completes the round one battles. Tune in tonight at six for the next battle assignments.”
Canopus watched as the medics came to take care of Ambyr, and didn’t move until she was back on her feet, and moved out of the arena.
