First day

The weapons were drawn for each of the players involved, through a computer that projected the result into a gigantic hologram. A panel with the names of the players and the corresponding armaments drew the attention of the competitors. The first of Commander Merko's team to fight would be Tibor, and the chosen weapon was the spear. He stood for a few seconds weighing the gun with his hand, before facing his opponent.

On the other side was Lieutenant Korin, who had come out with the war axe. They both watched each other, studying their opponent's reactions. The tip of the spear had a cutting blade the length of a forearm, and the giant axe was very sharp. The steel of the weapons glowed in the sunlight. They moved them, cutting the air in several directions, feeling the hilt.

"I liked the axe because it's strong and I can win the fight with a single blow," Korin analyzed.

"With the spear, I'll become more agile; I'll retaliate the blows with speed and dodge the slow attacks that he'll apply with the weight of his axe." Tibor smiled at this strategy.

At the fight ring, the battle began. The opposite sides approached, full of taunts to each other.

"You're no match for me, Tibor."

"Let us decide this by fighting." Upon saying this, Tibor cut the air with the spear in front of him.

Then, he positioned it with his bionic right arm curved behind his back. He picked the spear and tested his opponent, who retaliated with the axe. The clank of the blades was heard as they touched. The edge of the axe weighed on the blade of the spear and pushed it to the ground. Sparks came out at the touch of the guns and they fought with great skill. Suddenly, the edge of Korin's weapon cut Tibor's left arm, close to his shoulder. He grunted in pain.

"The bastard hit me, but no problem... I still have a lot of blood to fight."

"I'll finish with what's left of you." Korin smiled.

Although he felt pain, Tibor did not mind injuries. He was brave and didn't fear his enemies. He had learned from life that scars are part of the body of a brave man.

The people shouted in unison because of the strength of the fighters. Tibor looked at the bleeding arm and put his bionic hand on it. It cauterized the wound with a laser that came out of its index finger. Then, he began to maneuver the spear, preparing himself for another attack. Lieutenant Korin's eyes widened as he watched his opponent act so coldly at his wound. Before, he believed that the fight was almost over and he felt confident, but he was badly mistaken. When Korin returned with the axe shaft in a frontal strike, Tibor spun his heels with agility and positioned himself with the spear, striking the Lieutenant's abdomen, which fell to the ground when he was also struck with a kick from behind him. The lieutenant felt that the cut was deep.

Korin shook his head, giving up the fight. The crimson red blood gushed from an artery and he began to lose consciousness, quickly. The audience cheered, asking Tibor to take away his life, but he ignored them and called for help to save his rival.

Tibor valued life, and altruism was a companion of his heart. He put his hand over the wound of his rival in order to block the blood outflow. The lieutenant looked into his eyes and thanked him with his head for the gesture. The doctors entered the arena and gave him first aid, tearing Lieutenant Korin's blue robes to take care of the wounds. They immediately took him to rebel ship Genesis' nursery to receive the necessary care.

Tibor left the arena, and those who watched him applauded, acknowledging his victory. Merko's team started the games with a small advantage.

The score appeared in the holographies of the arena, scoring 1 x 0 for Merko's team.

Nicholas was the next, and he looked at the hologram that showed his opponent with the weapon chosen by the cybernetic draw: the bow and the arrow. In this modality, both would fight with this weapon, because the dispute, initially, would be in the style of target shooting. In a second stage, the opponents would have to confront each other. To have a better chance, energy shields would rise from the ground in random places, serving as a refuge from enemy attacks for a few moments.

The two targets were mounted in the arena and Lurhan, one of Mirov's soldiers, entered together with Nicholas. This soldier was a highlight among the squad for being able to be champion in all kinds of fighting.

He entered the arena with a haughty look and smiled at his teammates, showing self-confidence.

"It's a humiliation to fight a human from this planet. They could at least choose a rival of Captain Merko's team that matches our ability," he commented next to one of his platoon's soldiers.

"You must beat him, because losing to him would be even more humiliating."

"What you're saying is a joke. I'll beat him easily." Lurhan smiled, showing he was certain of his victory.

But, deep down, he felt insecure about fighting someone he underestimated. If he lost, it would be shameful and everyone would mock him for the rest of his life. There wasn't much time for Lurhan to think. A sharp sound marked the beginning of the match and he needed to focus on Nicholas, who would be the first to shoot. Carefully, the young Earthman drew an arrow from the quiver attached to his back. He paused for a moment to concentrate and control his breathing. Everyone stared at him in silence. He shot the arrow, aiming precisely, just like Tibor had taught him. The arrow pierced the air at high speed and flew toward the target.

The spectators from the grandstand in front of the arena stood up to see if he had hit the target. His shot hit the third circle of the target, composed of five rings.

Merko felt that Nicholas needed a tip and telepathically contacted him:

"Pay attention to the direction of the wind. Wet your finger with saliva and see where the droplet moves when touched by it. Then, compensate the direction by pointing a little to the side opposite to the flow."

"Thank you, Merko."

"Come on, you can do it."

The soldier Lurhan shot safely and hit the bull's eye, in the center target inside the first circle.

"I got it!" Commemorated the soldier, raising his right arm with his fist closed.

He looked at Nicholas and thought:

"A mere human? I can easily defeat him."

The total number of arrows to the target would be five. So, Nicholas still had four chances to recover. He took the arrow from the quiver on his back and placed it attached to the bow. Then, he did as Merko had oriented him to do, he let the drop of his saliva run down his finger and realized that the wind was coming from the West. He lightly compensated for the direction of the arrow with the wind, narrowed his eyes as he glimpsed the silhouette under the strong sun and hit the center. This time, the arrow traced the destination he wanted so badly.

"It's in the middle," thought the Terran, glad to hit the target on the second chance.

Lurhan hit circles 1, 2 and 3 and Nicholas hit the center of the target for two more attempts. To score well, Nicholas' last arrow needed to hit the exact middle. A single well-directed arrow could define the combat, together with a minimum error of his rival. He looked at Tibor, his mentor, and at Merko. He felt the direction of the wind and shot the arrow. Nicholas watched it cross the air and travel hurriedly until it reached exactly the center point. He vibrated with the hit and punched the air from the bottom up, smiling.

Zara, from Science spaceship, also shouted, which made Drako smile.

"My Nick's going to win."

"He still depends on an opponent's mistake and the guy is good."

"I know he's going to win."

All that was left for Nicholas was to wait for the opponent's game, and Lurhan was nervous about the mission. Perhaps this made him fail in his aim when he hit circle 2 once more.

The soldier became sad and lowered his head, staring at the ground. He didn't want to have failed. The weight this time was greater, given the inferiority of his opponent, according to his own conviction. Undoubtedly, the biggest mistake of prejudice is to believe in being better than the ones who are equal.

Now, it was time for the next challenge between them. Before they could breathe, energetic shields began to rise and Nicholas was shot with an arrow, which grazed his arm. He moaned, putting his hand over the blood:

"Damn it! I flinched; I need to be faster."

Another arrow was coming toward him, and he did a somersault as he held his bow, hiding behind a refuge that disappeared after a few seconds. It was the exact time to prepare the weapon. He aimed at the soldier Lurhan, calculating precisely the place in the shield where he was. It flew tearing the warm air of the arena, until it reached the opponent's leg.

"Wretched Earthman! He hit me..."

His limb bled and he tore his trousers to make a tourniquet.

"I'm not going to lose this fight, this is my chance to finish this worm from the Earth," he thought, angry.

Another shield of energy formed near the boy. He ran to hide and prepare another attack. It took him a second longer to stretch the bow, when the shelter was gone. An arrow flew toward him at an impressive speed.

Nicholas tried to dodge it, but it was impossible to escape the certain blow. Feeling that it was time for his death, he froze.

In a final rush, he turned sideways, placing the bow in front of his chest, what deflected the arrow, piercing the arm nearly shoulder-high. The arrow perforated it. The blood began to drain, and Nicholas felt dizzy.

The soldier smiled, knowing that a next shot would be fatal. He prepared his bow to launch an attack and used the shield that was formed for it.

Nicholas didn't have time to take the arrow off his arm. With the arrow already mounted on his weapon, he calculated precisely when the enemy's energy shield would go down and shot a hurried pitch. As the shelter faded, Nicholas' arrow cut Lurhan's chest like a sharp knife cuts a piece of fresh meat. The soldier fell drowsy on the ground.

The nurses came in with the floating stretcher to provide first aid. They soon realized that the wound was not life threatening.

Nicholas screamed, smiling at the victory, but he put his hand on his arm, feeling a lot of pain. He was proud, feeling that he had done his part.

The other members of his team applauded and cheered the great feat. He looked at them, thanked Captain Merko for his advice, and raised his right arm with his fist closed, as a sign of victory, the arrow still pinned to his left arm.

Lurhan was being carried with the arrow stuck in his chest, when Nicholas approached him and gave him a hand for him to squeeze, in compliment, as the humans did.

"You'll be fine, Lurhan."

"I'm ashamed to have lost the fight for you, a mere Terran. I don't want to shake your hand."

"Don't be arrogant. You fought well and you're brave. You need to understand that all human beings are the same. Those of the past, present, or future. This wisdom is the key to open the heart. Anyway, it was a good competition."

Lurhan watched as Nicholas went to meet his friends. "An earthling wanting to give me moral lessons. Just what I needed." That made him angrier, but the pain filled his mind and he was taken to the ship.

Nicholas could telepathically listen to the soldier's thoughts, but decided to ignore them. He realized that the other was too proud and that he felt ashamed for losing the fight. It was time to move on.

Inside Star Hunter spacecraft, the crew also celebrated the two initial victories of their team. In Science spaceship, Zara was relieved to see Nicholas escaping alive from this great challenge. She worried at every moment and wanted to be there to take care of his injuries.

"My Nick could have died if the arrow had hit the intended target. I couldn't live anymore if I lost him."

"Calm down, Zara. He's fine now and the support people will take care of him right away. The worst has passed..."

"That's easy to say, isn't it, Drako? But during the fight, I almost fainted from anxiety. After he's treated and medicated, I'll contact him to tell him how much I love him and how I'm proud of him."

Nicholas' father was also proud of his son, who had fought like a brave soldier. Mirov was staring at Nicholas with hatred in his eyes, but he knew that there would still be many fights ahead.

This way, the score was 2 x 0.

***

Sivoc was the next one chosen to fight. He felt a little nervous, for he hadn't battled that way in a long time. He trained with the Science spaceship holograms to maintain a good physical shape but, this time, his opponent was real.

The commander picked up the selected weapon, the saber, and his opponent, Captain Venithar, was drawn with a sharp two-edged sword. He wasn't afraid to fight and was one of the combat masters in Genesis spacecraft. He felt strong and ready for any kind of battle. Sensing the grip of the sword, he moved it in all directions, feeling the precision of its blows.

On the other side, Sivoc was afraid of death, a chill ran down his spine at the thought that his wife might not see him again. One error was enough and it would all be over.

The arena audience was silent, curious about the choices for the contestants, when a shrill sound was heard. As they drew their weapons from their sheaths to position themselves, the battle began. There was no other choice for Sivoc, but fighting for his life.

Captain Venithar brandished his weapon, ready, and Sivoc wielded his. The swords cut through the air as if they were howling, hungry for enemy blood. The sun shone on the saber of Sivoc and flashed from tip to hilt. The enemy approached and Sivoc launched himself against the rival. The weapons touched and Sivoc showed his ability as a warrior. Heavy blows rumbled through the arena for a few minutes.

Venithar maneuvered his weapon with great ease and showed the commander of Science spaceship that the fight wouldn't be easy. He scanned every movement of the opponent in order to imagine the next act.

Where Sivoc's blade tried to reach the body of the enemy captain, the other one found it, as if it knew its destiny.

Some blows made the audience stand up to see better. The swords sparked and shrieked with the strength of the attacks. After a while, Sivoc's blade finally grazed Venithar's face. Everyone stared in amazement, and the captain, still half-stunned, recovered himself and struck Sivoc with a sharp blow at the top of his thigh. Blood gushed when the weapon hit an artery. The captain of Science spaceship felt weak, unable to continue. He ended up giving up the fight.

In a few seconds, the help team arrived with efficiency, taking him to the ship's nursery in a hurry.

***

Now, it was time for Crom, the lieutenant-colonel from Merko's forces, to fight for his team. Dauntless, he would be able to fight a match with any opponent. He received the dagger and his rival, the officer Lieutenant Xarui, got the same weapon.

Crom liked to fight with his own hands. Since the dagger was a small weapon, most of the blows would be dealt in hand-to-hand combat, which made him confident. But what he didn't know was that his opponent was champion in this type of combat.

Mirov's officer wielded the weapon firmly, aiming to hit the rival's chest. The two crossed their daggers in the air and Crom pierced Xarui's robes at the height of the abdomen with a scrape wound. His opponent retaliated, striking him with his right hand closed in a jab in his jaw. Crom was stunned on the floor, but still tried to get up.

"I can't lose this fight. I need to help my commander Merko beat Mirov's team," thought the lieutenant colonel.

As if reborn, he jumped and prepared to strike a direct hit on Xarui. He dodged and, once again, hit Crom with his knee. Even though he was in a lot of pain, Crom turned around and hit Xarui with his left arm. The audience stood up in the expectation that Crom's blow would take the rival to the floor.

The colonel's fatigue was his greatest enemy, and though he showed his will to win with great courage, he realized that he was no match for his opponent. Xarui rolled over Crom's body, who couldn't dodge, and stroke a powerful punch that led the colonel to a knockout. When he opened his eyes, being rescued by his team, the rival told him:

"That was a good fight, Crom!"

But he wasn't able to understand a word, and the floating stretcher led him to ship Star Hunter's nursery.

"Take care of him as soon as possible. I'll need my friend Crom a lot in the final battle", Merko told his ship's doctors.

He decided to accompany his friends in person, to give them the necessary support and verify the treatment of the injuries they had suffered in the games.

Thus, the score tied in 2 x 2.

The tension was to figure out who would win the next. The next contest would be between the women, and they rampaged a war cry when they were positioned in front of the main gate of the arena.

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