Bab 264: Kings' Crafty Decisions

Ignoring Brak, Zelsh kept a close look eye on the arena floor. He said nothing more and neither did Jeminine or the other kings.

Twitching his head, the mantis gave the Tundra Tiger a once over. "It's an honor to learn from worthy foe."

"Likewise, but don't expect mercy until you surrender," remarked the tiger, bowing his head.

"If you're both ready… then begin."

No hesitation was shown as the mantis threw himself into the hulking tiger. Two energies gathered around it, wind and nature. Wind added to the mantis's incredible reflexes and natural speed. Blades of air took shape around the mantis's spiked forearms, slashing without fear. 

The tiger roared but didn't attack, not before spreading ice around the nearby area. Frost gathered quickly near the tiger, freezing and smothering the roots bursting from the ground. But that delay forced the tiger to take a defensive stance against the incoming mantis.