Snippet #2299648

The sound of swords clashing filled the arena as the spectators watched silently. The arena was hushed-silent except with the noise of metal clashing and the grunts of the two gladiators below. Arcadius stumbled and staggered at each blow of Baalhanno's sword against his shield. The man's attacks were swift and perfectly coordinated. Baalhanno thrilled like a lion marking a fresh prey, striding forth like a beast upon an antler or stag. His attacks were bold and challenging, threatening yet encouraging to fight face-to-face in mortal combat. Arcadius struggled to keep a balanced stance and his knees shook as he resisted each blow. Clouds of dust rose around them as Baalhanno pushed him further and further back and knocked him to the ground with a bash of the shield. Arcadius crashed to the ground; his skin brushed roughly against the course sand. With a booming warcry Baalhanno brought his sword down upon him; Arcadius shook as he luckily blocked with his own. In a desperate move, he quickly got up; jumping to the back to gather himself. Shaken and exhausted, Arcadius propelled himself forward and thrust his sword- yet struck only air. In a terrifying moment Arcadius was slashed across his left thigh; thick blood splurted across the arena sand. He staggered back and struggled to recompose himself. Breathing heavily, he clenched his bloody wound; for a moment looking up at the crimson-hued sky. Time seemed to have slowed as Baalhanno rushed forward like a mad bull; raising his arm up to bring down a deadly and decisive strike.