The second match between pairs started. On Merko's team, Thobara and Ghotta would carry the axe. They understood that the weight of the weapon made it formidable. They started fighting against the sergeants Virna and Kamoa, on Mirov's side. The heavy weapons in the hands of the women left the Terrans even more curious with the fight's progress.

In their thoughts, the two spoke for a moment:

"Ghotta, let us protect each other, just like we trained. This way, we'll increase our chances in the fight."

"Understood, Sergeant."

Captain Kirubi watched, curious, the attitude of the women of his team, who showed courage in front of their enemies. Merko, on the other side, was more confident, because he knew of the ability of the warriors. He watched each movement as if he wanted to step into the ring and fight in their place.

The blades began to cut through the air and the clash of its edges touching the weapons of the enemies could be heard. Virna made the axe dance, the weapon seemed light in her arms. Ghotta and Kamoa fought each other with strength, while Thobara and Virna exchanged elegant, precise strokes that left the viewers shivering with tension. The Star Hunter's fighters positioned themselves back-to-back, while the rivals surrounded them with gentle movements of their legs, searching their flanks to attack. Sparks streaked the air at the touch of sharp blades between Ghotta and Kamoa, until a shout made everything go silent.

Thobara had cut Virna's leg in a clean incision, the amputated thigh squirting blood on the other fighters. Taking advantage of the distraction, Kamoa hit Ghotta on the shoulder, not striking it fully, because the other one dodged in time, but paralyzing the arm.

"Can you stay in the fight, Ghotta?" Thobara asked the partner, mentally.

"No, Sergeant. I'm unable to fight and the pain is unbearable. I think I'll die..."

"Not today, my friend. We'll still fight have many battles together. Don't worry I'll help you."

Thobara looked at Merko with a worried air and he understood that they had to stop the fight. The fighters from the two teams needed treatment, and while the spectators wanted the fight to continue, Merko raised his arm and opted for a draw, as did Kirubi. For them, the life of their soldiers was of vital importance.

At that moment, Kamoa held Virna in her arms, and though the other fighters thought that she was helping her, it was already too late.

"It can't be... You can't die now, Virna!" Her friend raged, weeping over the life of her companion in so many battles, which was gone.

She screamed like a ferocious lioness when she lost her friend, echoing through the entire arena. There was a moment of collective commotion at the sad end of that struggle.

Mirov didn't like their attitude, that tie. He wanted the fight to continue to see if his champion would defeat Thobara. He needed to win.

Kirubi had defied him clearly and he had even thought of demanding the fight to continue, but he needed the captain for the final battle. He promised then that after defeating his enemies, he would put an end to that insolent commander's life. He could scarcely imagine that there was a new idea among the humans present, something that could be dangerous to Mirov's plans.

"Yes, the gods can also die."

Floating stretchers arrived along with the doctors of the two ships, taking Ghotta for treatment and Virna's body to be veiled and mourned in the ship. Thobara placed a hand on Kamoa's shoulder, which was still kneeling on the ground, with tears in her eyes. She offered her hand for the other to stand.

"My condolences, Kamoa! None of this would have happened had it not been for Mirov's hatred."

"I must obey my master. Even if I lose my own life."

"Even so, I'm sorry for your friend."

"Thank you," she said, her eyes still brimming with tears.

Captain Kirubi's team had fought well, as did Commander Merko's group. The score was 5 x 4 for the tyrant's team. The tie between the doubles added only a point for each team.

The best part of the games was reserved for the last day.

Third day

Finally, the most anticipated moment arrived. The fight between the robots would precede the battle between the champions Merko and Kirubi in the virtual maze.

Everyone was positioned in their places, waiting for the start of the competition. But what no one had noticed was that someone wasn't among them. It was Captain Kirubi.

The people were so eager for the fight between the robots that they didn't even miss him. After giving an apology to the pharaoh, that she was indisposed to watch the games that day as well, Queen Kyra was naked in her royal bathtub and were using the most fragrant salts from all Egypt. Her husband went to the arena to keep up with the games and she promised that she would appear at the end of the competition, for the closing ceremony. The beautiful Egyptian woman took a long, pleasant, warm shower, while in her thoughts she remembered Kirubi's looks and his words:

"You should live like a goddess dominating the world and the universe. Let me take you with me to the stars."

She had dismissed the servants and locked the door. After the shower, she slipped on a transparent white silk nightdress.

"A goddess! Can I really be one?"

Little did she know that Kirubi had already teleported to her room. He had hidden behind a curtain and was watching the queen comb her hair. No one had seen him until then.

The queen felt the presence of someone in the room and stood up, after perfuming herself.

"Who's there?"

Kirubi, with his right hand, pulled the curtain aside for her to see him. Once more he was paralyzed by the beauty of that woman. He inhaled the delicious scent of her perfume.

"It's me, my beautiful goddess."

"I thought you wouldn't come." She stared at him for a few seconds, and he couldn't wait any longer. He approached and kissed her ardently. He felt the honey drip from her thick lips as he ran his hands over her curvy body.

She walked to the bed without letting go of his lips. She pushed aside the transparent curtain that surrounded the royal bed and they laid down, touching each other with fervor, and they made love with each other, without feeling the time go by.

Kyra fell asleep after, and Kirubi got up, got dressed, and returned to the arena, teleporting himself quickly. After all, he needed to fight that day. He felt good, victorious, even before the battle, because he had managed to be with his goddess. He came out of a tunnel in the underground, where there was no one. The captain kept a smile on his lips that was hard to disguise.

The kings watched the robots' entry, which arrived flying straight from the hangars of their ships. Mirov's killer robot was a deadly thirteen-feet machine. It came breaking the silence of those who waited for it. It landed and punched the ground with its right fist closed, shaking the whole arena. The thunderous noise startled everyone. Then, it looked at the people present, spinning its neck. It was terrifying... The helmet-shaped head had two red eyes. The color was black and the carcass glowed as it was illuminated by the sun.

Next, it was the other robot's turn. Bob landed next to Nicholas, as if it were presenting itself to the Terran. The young man looked it in the eyes and shook his head down, as if to say that it should do its best in the fight. Bob copied the gesture, agreeing.

While the enemy robot was positioned at one end of the arena, the Earthman's robot walked down a corridor until it reached the other extremity of the fight ring. Its footsteps were heard throughout the whole city, and the ground trembled at its every step. The people cheered it, imagining that the fight would be good.

Bob too was scary, its head looked like a closed helmet with only two red lights, corresponding to its eyes. The square legs continued in a strong, prominent waist. An iridium cuirass coated its shoulders and torso. There was a double metal covering, in which a piece opened to launch its lethal rockets. Its color was a metallic navy blue, also gleaming.

The fight was about to begin. The pharaoh looked at King Assuridor.

"I think the black-colored robot will win the fight," he commented.

"I prefer the other one. It seems to be more agile and well-disposed for the fight," said the other.

Mirov only watched them.

"How about a bet? I'll give you a chest full of gold and jewels if the robot of the god Mirov loses. If it wins, you will give me the same gift," proposed the Pharaoh, his heart filled with excitement.

"I agree. I'm sure my robot will win."

The pharaoh and the king now had one more reason to watch the Games of the Gods.

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