The coliseum's energy ignites the moment the all mighty's hand drops.
Connor and Zohar charge at each other with explosive force, their footsteps cracking the sandy ground. Connor leads with a heavy swipe of his claws, but Zohar ducks and counters with a somersault, flipping over Connor's hulking frame while landing an electrified kick to his shoulder. Sparks fly as Connor stumbles back but quickly regains his footing, growling.
"Not bad, thunder boy," Connor smirks, slamming his gauntlets together to extend his claws. "But let's see if you're fast enough for this!"
Connor leaps into the air with a surprising agility for his size, spinning into a powerful slash. Zohar rolls under him, lightning surging around his arms as he punches the ground. A surge of electricity courses through the arena, forcing Connor to leap backward to avoid it.
From their chambers, Raiden and Kaito are pressed against the bars, watching with wide eyes.
"Come on, Zohar!" Raiden shouts, gripping the metal tightly, small jolts of electricity sparking from his fingers. "Show him how Thor's chosen handles things!"
Kaito, standing just to Raiden's side, cups his hands around his mouth. "Yeah, Zohar! Somersault his butt into next week! You're like...a superhero!"
Raiden glances at him. "Superhero? Seriously? He's got the power of literal gods. He's way cooler than that."
Kaito shrugs. "I'm just saying, he's got style. You're just jealous you don't move like him."
Raiden rolls his eyes, flicking a tiny zap in Kaito's direction, which Kaito dodges while laughing.
Back on the battlefield, Zohar dashes forward, dodging Connor's sweeping claw strikes with ease, each movement precise and measured. As Connor lunges with a devastating punch, Zohar jumps onto his arm and vaults over him, sending a streak of lightning down Connor's back.
Connor roars, the electricity sizzling against his armor. His eyes darken, the whites turning black as he begins to channel his rage.
"You think you're fast, lad?" Connor growls, his Irish accent thickening as his claws scrape against the ground. "Let's see how long that cocky speed lasts!"
Connor slams both fists into the dirt, causing a shockwave that sends sand and debris flying in every direction. Zohar shields his face but is caught off-guard when Connor charges through the dust cloud, slamming into him with the force of a freight train.
Zohar is sent skidding across the arena, leaving streaks in the dirt as he struggles to regain his balance.
"You okay, Zohar?!" Raiden shouts, his voice tinged with concern.
Kaito, undeterred, yells, "Get up, man! You've got this!"
Zohar smirks as he wipes a trickle of blood from his lip. His hands spark with electricity again, his eyes locked on Connor, who is pounding his fists together, an aura of shadowy energy flickering around him.
"Fast or not, I'm not losing to you," Connor says, his voice low and menacing.
Zohar stands tall, rolling his shoulders. "You'll have to do a lot more than that to take me down, big guy."
The crowd roars in approval as the two warriors charge at each other again, the ground trembling beneath their feet.
Connor barrels forward, claws extended, as Zohar suddenly drops low, sliding under his hulking frame with precision. The sudden maneuver throws Connor off balance, causing him to stumble.
"Quick little bugger!" Connor snarls, turning sharply.
Zohar smirks, already charging his lightning-infused energy. He slams his hands into the ground, using the electricity to repel himself with explosive force. The surge launches him high into the air, flipping backward in a dazzling display that draws gasps from the crowd.
Raiden, watching intently, grips the bars of his chamber. "That's what I'm talking about! Style and power!"
Kaito nods enthusiastically. "It's like he's a lightning ninja or something. Connor doesn't stand a chance!"
Raiden glances at Kaito. "Lightning ninja? That's...actually not bad."
In the arena, Zohar twists mid-air, his body crackling with energy. With another powerful burst, he propels himself forward, lunging at Connor like a lightning bolt. Connor raises his gauntlets, bracing for impact, but the sheer speed of Zohar's descent catches him off-guard.
Zohar slams into Connor, electricity surging through the larger fighter's armor. Connor grits his teeth as the shock courses through him, his feet digging into the ground to hold his stance.
"Not bad, thunder boy!" Connor growls, smoke rising from his armor. "But I'm just getting warmed up!"
Zohar lands gracefully, his hands still sparking as he prepares for the next round. "Then bring it, big guy. Let's see what you've got."
The crowd erupts into cheers, the tension between the two combatants electrifying both the arena and the night air.
As the horn blares across the coliseum, a flash of blinding lightning streaks toward Zohar, materializing into his armor piece by piece. The sleek yet rugged design crackles with energy, glowing faintly with runic patterns gifted by Thor and Odin. His weapon follows—a massive axe with a head shaped like a hammer, its long handle resembling the shaft of a spear, shimmering as if it were forged from pure lightning.
Zohar grips the weapon tightly, its power surging through him as he shifts his stance, eyes narrowing at Connor. His vision sharpens, analyzing the battlefield and scanning for any vulnerabilities in Connor's form. The faint cracks in his armor, the stiffness in his movements from earlier injuries—Zohar locks onto them.
"Gotcha," Zohar mutters to himself before bursting forward in a flash of lightning, zigzagging unpredictably toward Connor.
Connor braces himself, his claws extended, his gaze tracking Zohar's erratic movements. "Come on, then!" he roars.
Zohar strikes with pinpoint precision, slamming the flat of his axe against Connor's shoulder guard, then sweeping his leg with a charged strike. Each hit targets a chink or weak point in Connor's armor, the sound of metal and electricity clashing echoing through the arena.
The blows stagger Connor, forcing him to step back as sparks fly. He growls, his frustration building with every hit.
"Hold still, ya lightning pest!" Connor snarls, swiping wildly as Zohar ducks under his claws and delivers another calculated strike to his exposed side.
Raiden leans against the bars of his chamber, laughing. "Look at him go! He's got the big guy spinning in circles!"
Kaito pumps his fist. "Zohar's gonna take him down!"
Zohar leaps back, smirking. "What's the matter, bear? Can't keep up?"
Connor's eyes narrow, his fury bubbling over. "Oh, you'll regret that, lad," he growls, slamming his fists together. The ground beneath them trembles as Connor's shadowy aura intensifies, black smoke-like energy leaking from his form.
Zohar readies his weapon, his grin fading as he steadies his breath. "Bring it."
Connor extends his palm, his claws gleaming under the arena's dim light. The bear-themed bagh nakhs unfurl from his gauntlets, adding a menacing edge to his stance. He spreads his arms wide, taunting Zohar with a grin.
"Come on, lightning boy," Connor growls, his voice low and feral. "Show me what you've got!"
Zohar wastes no time, his lightning-infused axe glowing brighter as he charges forward, a blur of speed and electricity. Connor watches intently, his body shifting ever so slightly, calculating Zohar's trajectory.
Just as Zohar closes the distance to within five feet, Connor makes his move. He sidesteps with surprising agility for his size, weaving out of the axe's path. In the same motion, he delivers a brutal left hook, his knuckles connecting with Zohar's jaw.
The force sends a shockwave rippling through the ground, but Connor isn't done. His claws sink into Zohar's arm, the bagh nakhs hooking into his flesh like talons.
"Gotcha now," Connor mutters, his voice cold.
Before Zohar can react, Connor tightens his grip and swings him through the air, slamming him into the ground with bone-rattling force. The arena floor cracks beneath Zohar's body, and a faint cloud of dust rises from the impact.
Raiden and Kaito's cheering from their chambers comes to an abrupt stop.
"Zohar!" Kaito shouts, gripping the bars tightly.
Raiden frowns, the light flickering in his hand. "Get up, man. Don't let the big guy steamroll you."
Connor stands over Zohar, his chest heaving from the adrenaline. "Still think you can take me, lad?" he sneers.
Zohar, dazed but defiant, grips his axe tightly. Lightning crackles faintly around his body as he attempts to rise. "You're... not the only one who's strong," Zohar mutters through gritted teeth.
Connor takes a step back, raising his claws defensively. "Good. I'd hate to win too easily."
Zohar staggers to his feet, his breaths labored, but his eyes are sharp and determined. He grips his lightning axe with one hand, then hurls it with surprising force. The axe spins through the air, whistling as it slices toward Connor—but veers off to the side, missing him entirely.
Connor blinks, then lets out a hearty laugh. "Was that meant to hit me? Ha! You're cracking, lad. Aiming that badly—"
"No," Zohar interrupts, his voice steady.
Connor's laughter halts, confusion flickering across his face.
Before Connor can respond, Zohar's body dissolves into a crackling bolt of lightning, vanishing from where he stands. The crowd gasps as the bolt streaks through the arena, converging with the airborne axe.
In one seamless motion, Zohar reforms midair, gripping the handle of his axe. The lightning energy around him intensifies, his entire form glowing with electrified power.
Connor's eyes widen as Zohar redirects his momentum, hurtling toward him at blinding speed—a literal flash of light.
"Bloody hell," Connor mutters, bracing himself just in time.
Zohar crashes into Connor like a thunderstorm made flesh. The impact sends a deafening boom echoing through the arena, and a shockwave ripples outward, causing the ground to quake. Connor skids backward, digging his claws into the ground to steady himself.
The crowd roars, the entire coliseum shaking from the intensity of the clash. From their chambers, Raiden and Kaito watch in awe.
"Did you see that?!" Raiden shouts, electricity sparking in his excitement.
"Zohar's insane!" Kaito grins. "This is his fight now!"
As the dust settles, Zohar lands a few feet from Connor, his axe crackling with energy. His shoulders rise and fall as he steadies his breathing, locking eyes with Connor, who stands battered but far from beaten.
Connor smirks, wiping a streak of blood from his lip. "Not bad, lightning boy. Not bad at all."
Connor stands motionless, his eyes narrowing as he signals Zohar to attack. He raises one hand, curling his fingers in a taunting gesture. "Come on, lad. Show me what you've got."
Zohar's brows furrow, frustration and focus etched into his face. Sparks dance around his body as he charges toward Connor, his speed picking up with every step. As he closes in, Zohar starts circling Connor in a blur, landing swift jabs that are too fast for Connor to track.
Each hit sends Connor rocking slightly, but he holds his ground, gritting his teeth. The crowd roars at the display of Zohar's lightning-fast strikes.
Inside his mind, Connor tunes out the noise and focuses on the flow of the fight. His connection to Morrigan sharpens his instincts, a gift of battle prediction granted by the goddess herself. He begins to see patterns in Zohar's movements, calculating where the next strike will land.
Just as Zohar winds up for another jab, Connor's hand shoots out like a bear trap, catching Zohar's arm mid-strike.
"Gotcha," Connor growls.
Before Zohar can react, Connor yanks him down to the ground with a ferocious pull. The arena floor cracks beneath them from the force. Connor mounts Zohar and begins delivering heavy punches to his face. Each blow lands with a sickening thud, and the crowd collectively gasps.
Zohar struggles beneath Connor's weight, his hands glowing with faint sparks of electricity as he tries to shield himself.
"You're fast, kid," Connor says between punches, his voice low and menacing. "But speed means nothing if you're predictable."
From their chambers, Raiden and Kaito watch in shock, their cheers replaced by concern.
"Zohar!" Raiden yells, gripping the bars of his chamber. "Get up, man! Don't let him keep you down!"
Kaito's eyes dart around, his fists clenched. "Come on, Zohar... You can't lose to this guy!"
On the ground, Zohar groans, blood dripping from his nose. But despite the punishment, his eyes begin to glow faintly, his lightning aura flickering back to life. With a growl of determination, he charges his body with electricity, preparing to counter Connor's relentless assault.
Connor raises his fist for another brutal punch, but Zohar's eyes suddenly flash an electric blue, and his hair crackles with static, surging with raw energy. Just as Connor swings, Zohar twists his body, narrowly dodging the blow. Connor's fist slams into the ground, burying itself deep in the sand.
Zohar smirks, seizing the opportunity. He slams a lightning-charged knee into Connor's groin, causing the larger fighter to grunt in pain. Taking advantage of Connor's brief moment of vulnerability, Zohar uses his lightning speed to slide upward from underneath him, flipping over Connor's back with a burst of electricity.
As Zohar lands on his feet, he rolls backward to gain distance, his body glowing with power. He wipes blood from his lip and glares at Connor. "Far from predictable, you mindless fool!" he shouts, his voice echoing across the arena.
Connor, still kneeling with his hand stuck in the ground, growls in frustration, yanking at his trapped arm. His movements become frantic as Zohar charges forward, zigzagging unpredictably across the battlefield, leaving streaks of lightning in his wake.
The crowd erupts in awe, their cheers deafening as Zohar closes the gap. Connor's eyes widen, unable to follow Zohar's erratic pattern.
Before he can react, Zohar leaps into the air, his knee crackling with blue electricity. With a thunderous roar, Zohar drives his knee directly into Connor's jaw, the impact creating a shockwave that shakes the arena.
Connor's massive frame stiffens for a moment before he collapses backward, unconscious, his armor clattering against the ground. The crowd explodes into cheers and applause, the sound reverberating throughout the coliseum.
Breathing heavily, Zohar stumbles slightly, but he quickly regains his balance. His glowing eyes scan the fallen Connor before he raises his arm, electricity crackling around him in triumph.
The horn sounds, signaling the end of the fight.
Raiden and Kaito shout from their chambers, celebrating Zohar's victory.
"THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Raiden yells, punching the air.
"I knew he'd pull it off!" Kaito adds, grinning.
Zohar looks toward the crowd, then glances back at Connor's unconscious form. "Guess even bears can be outmatched," he mutters under his breath, his electric glow fading as he walks back to his chamber. The gate slams shut behind him, leaving Connor sprawled on the ground as the medics rush to tend to him.
This round, victory belongs to Zohar.