The roar of the half-giant shakes the arena to its bones.
Dust plumes from cracked stones as the mutated fighter stamps forward. He rips a stone column from the ground, swinging it in a blur. Crimson mist hisses from his flesh as his veins pulse like writhing worms beneath his skin, muscles bulging with unnatural fury.
Pip leaps backward, his feet skimming the air. Water surges beneath him like twin jets, launching him skyward. He twists, spins midair, and lands behind the giant with a whisper of steam.
He beams brightly, his chest glowing with pulsing divine energy.
Another roar. The giant spins, blindly swinging his concrete club with terrifying speed. Pip ducks the blow, then catches the follow-up in one arm. The stone weapon crumples like clay in his grasp.
From the spectator booth above, Vuvi screams, nearly falling over the railing.
"Pip! Be careful! He's thrice your size! He's… he's mutated! He's berserk!"
Veena grips Vuvi's shoulders. "He knows. Just breathe, woman!"
