Ten powerful figures stood facing each other in a wide circle.
Five from the Hero Association, and five from the Beastkin Brood.
Averak and Krovath stood off to the side, watching silently, neither stepping forward.
This was not their fight.
Hextor Vallin, the Plasma Reaper, stepped ahead slightly, his eyes locked on the opposing side.
"Let's be clear," he said. "This is just a spar. Nothing more."
Varnus Drelheim crossed his arms. "We're not here to kill anyone."
Seraine Vellin added, "Don't forget that."
On the other side, Malka Ingris, the Wolf Matriarch, narrowed her eyes.
"Spar or not," she said, "this is still war to us."
Quavira Harnex cracked her neck. "You'd better fight seriously. If not, you'll regret it."
Skeroth Drelvain smiled coldly. "Weakness is weakness. If you die from a 'spar,' then maybe you weren't meant to live."
Nyxa Valmire tilted her head slightly. "Don't expect mercy. We don't practice it."
Brangur Molveth didn't speak.
