Inside the arena, emotions were running high and there was much gambling going on. Entertainers danced and jugglers juggled to entertain the capacity crowd.

  As the leaders took their seats the two contestants came out.

  "Jeska! Jeska!"

  She was clearly the most popular of the two contestants.

  Tal wanted Bakalit to say something to the crowd before the final match. He asked the chief if he would give an address, and he agreed. The chief was dressed in an open necked black robe that contrasted with Tal's yellow robe with a hood.

  Bakalit stood up and raised his hands for quiet. "Tribespeople! Today we will see a true test of skill and strength. Jeska represents my tribe and our pride. Oran stands for Tal Eko, an Old One who has returned and the city that is being rebuilt. This contest gives respect to us all."

  Cheering and applause greeted his words, and he sat down, smiling.

  "Thank you", Tal said and Bakalit nodded.

  Tal felt confident the medallion would assist Oran. He pulled the hood over his head and opened his third eye to activate the device.

  The contestants faced each other in the ring and waited for the signal to start. As the horn blew the audience cheered as the contest began.

  Jeska moved first, dodging left then right, flicking out a foot to try and trip Oran. He stepped aside then reached out to grab her, but she ducked away. Oran punched at her and again she dodged and moved away.

  Tal had to admit Oran was quite good. He wasn't just using brute force. He was patient and showed a level of intelligence in his planning. Oran was a dangerous fighter, but he would need to be careful to avoid the tricks and kicks of Jeska.

  Jeska was leading Oran around the ring and the crowd was cheering for her. The man chased her, trying to grapple her but she kept darting away from him.

  The first round was over and Jeska was probably winning in the eyes of the crowd. The contestants drank some water and rested.

  Tal closed his third eye for a rest.

  It was clear that Oran had the superior strength. All he had to do was land some strong punches and it would be over for her. He opened his third eye again and the silver blue resonance was activated in the medallion.

  The second round began with Oran rushing at Jeska. The speed of his attack surprised her and she didn't react quickly enough. He grabbed hold of her and threw her to the ground.

  She scrambled to get away from him, kicking and punching. Oran punched her in the ribs, and as she doubled forward he drove his forearm across her throat from behind, hauling her back against him. Bakalit stood up and yelled, "Jeska!" The crowd fell quiet. Jeska drove her elbow back hard into his arm and managed to knock it loose.

  The crowd were now chanting for her. Tal, annoyed that she had broken free from Oran's grasp, raised his arms in frustration. "Why did he let her get away?"

  She got to her feet and turned to face Oran. Her mouth was cut and there was blood dripping down her chin. He approached her and they circled one another. Oran threw a punch. Jeska knocked it aside and went on the offensive. She kicked Oran in the knee and then jumped back.

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  Oran advanced on her, throwing a combination of blows. Jeska blocked the attacks and countered with a kick. Oran used his bulk and weight to take the blow. He retaliated with a flurry of fists to Jeska's body.

  She was badly winded and staggered back. She lost concentration and couldn't dodge Oran's next blow to her head. She was momentarily stunned and then ran at him and kicked at his groin.

  Oran was now enraged and threw a series of ferocious blows at Jeska. She slipped the blows and dodged back.

  The crowd cheered "Jeska!"

  Bakalit and Radaki stood up and shouted encouragement to her. Whelay joined in and was shouting her support.

  Tal was annoyed and frustrated with the whole situation. Oran was probably not going to win. Jeska was too good and he was no match for her.

  The second round ended and the match was still hers.

  The third round began. Jeska fought well and was taking the fight to Oran. She saw an opportunity and struck out with a kick to his chest. He stepped back and she ran at him, ducking under a punch and kicking him in the stomach. Oran roared and doubled over, falling to one knee.

  Jeska saw her chance and kicked his head. She lunged and got a headlock on him, wrenching his neck down, but she couldn't finish the choke as he wrapped both arms around her waist and drove upward, so they grappled one another for control.

  Tal saw an opportunity for his champion to win. In the struggle she had been pushed near the ring's edge. He stood up but fatigue forced him to sit back down again. Oran was using the medallion's help. Tal was tiring with the effort of keeping it fully activated it and his head was aching.

  Oran tightened his grip on Jeska and pushed her toward the ring.

  Jeska struggled and looked around at how close she was to going out. Somehow she managed to wriggle free, just avoiding going over the edge.

  Oran was clearly angry. He was breathing hard and his hands were shaking.

  Bakalit shouted at Oran to give up. "You've got no chance against her!"

  Tal's clenched his hands into fists as he focussed on the medallion to give Oran an advantage.

  The third round ended without either contestant in the lead. The Arbiter called, "This final match cannot be decided in three rounds and so a fourth round will have to decide."

  Oran paced about like a caged animal waiting for the last round to start. She was the darling of the crowd, they loved her and cheered for her.

  They went back into the ring and faced off again. Jeska dodged and weaved around him, moving fast but not too much as to exhaust herself. Oran did his best to keep up with her, but she ducked under his punches and kicked out at him.

  Tal had become nervous and distracted by the fatigue of keeping the medallion activated. He looked up into the blue sky, trying to focus. Jeska committed to a high kick and Oran stepped inside it, and suddenly his arms were around her. A shout came from someone in the audience, "Oran's got her!"

  Tal saw his champion had managed to wrap his arms around her and she was struggling to get free. Oran held her tight against him. Slowly, he squeezed the air out of her lungs as he constricted his arms around her chest. Slowly, but surely, he tightened his grip. Her face turned red and she gasped for breath. She tried to escape but Oran was too strong for her and all she could do was kick at him without any effect.

  The arena had grown quiet as the crowd watched the events unfold. .

  Jeska gasped for air and then

  her eyes glazed over. She became limp and Oran dropped her onto the sand, where she lay still.

  Many of the people watching were in shock. Her supporters were crestfallen at witnessing her defeat. There were gasps and murmurs from those who had cheered for her only moments ago.

  The Arbiter counted her out, then raised his arm. "Oran is the winner!"

  The victor held up his arms as his unconscious opponent was carried out of the ring. It was all over. Oran had won. Tal was exhausted but happy at the final result.

  Bakalit, however, was clearly very unhappy at his daughter's defeat. "My shaman said she would win!" he muttered.

  Tal said. "Your daughter was good, but Oran was better. Bakalit, it would honor me if you could award the gold medal to the victor."

  Bakalit of the Thirstaker tribe, Radaki of the Burner tribe and Whelay of the Warden tribe joined Tal in the middle of the Arena for the award ceremony.

  Bakalit hung the gold medal around Oran's neck and hugged him. Oran raised his arms and the sound of cheering filled the Arena.

  "I have a prize for Jeska, if she is able to get it?"

  Bakalit's daughter had recovered enough to walk out into the ring where she stood beside them. Tal took out a silver medal which was similar to the one Oran had been given.

  "The runner up deserves a medal too!" He put it over her neck and the crowd cheered. She still looked rather dazed from the fight. Wiping the blood off her chin she nodded at Tal. "Your champion fought well, Three Eyes," she said.

  "Both of you should be rewarded."

  He turned to the three Chiefs. "Now, our celebrations can begin!”