From the gateway emerged a snarling creature, it was about twenty feet long and was covered in a thick green scaled hide.Along its back was a series of blue neon hexagonal shaped attachments. It quickly went over the arena floor, quickly moving its several black tendril like legs. It peered at Zharkov with its beedy eyes and opened its maw, revealing a large massive of elongated fangs.

The crowd cheered with anticipation.

Zharkov sauntered up to the beast and flexed his arms. He stared directly at it and matched the beast's menacing face. Zharkov roared. He had dealt with such monsters countless times before- many twiee that one's size. Unless it had any surprises in store, Zharkov had no doubt in his mind that he would be victorious. It would, however, make a good warm-up. He reared his fists then thrust his arms outward at the beast. "HA!" he shouted.

The beast quickly scurried towards Zharkov as it lunged its head towards Zharkov's torso with its maw fully agape. Once in a close distance to Zharkov the beast would slam its fangs down with incredible strength. During this time the lower levels of the crowd were raising their fists in union as they raised them up and down in the air. "ZHARKOV, ZHARKOV!"

The atmosphere of the arena was filled with excitement as the beast and Zharkov were engaging in battle. There were still plenty of merchants peddling food and drink during the show, while the crowd cheered with great enthusiasm. While it may be an early match, the crowd knew Zharkov would entertain.

The gladiator-slave watched as the green-scaled creature made its way towards him. Zharkov held his hands out, awaiting the beast. As it clamped down its jaws, Zharkov held the beast's mouth agape.Zharkov roared as he cocked his head back, then headbutt forward, smashing his forehead against the creature's teeth in hopes of breaking said teeth.

The beast growled with indignation as Zharkov was managing to hold its mouth in place. As Zharkov slammed his head down on the creature, he managed to leave notice cracks on the upper set of fangs, it appeared that the beast wouldn't be able to hold on to those for much longer, as for the lower set they looked as they did before the strike. The beast shrieked out in pain as the crowd cheered on Zharkov. The creature was moving away from Zharkov as the blue hexagonal pieces shined brightered as a crackling noise was heard. The beast growled as it charged towards Zharkov while it quickly maneuvered its body as began trying to curl around Zharkov, and hold him in place.

Zharkov stood still and allowed the beast to coil around him, a smile on his face. He grumbled in a lowtone as his body disappeared into he beast. With the beast all around him, Zharkov opened his mouth, baring his teeth to it. He gripped onto the scales, trying to find a soft spot before settling to just bite the creature. He pressed his mouth against the beast and chomped down hoping to grab a sizeable portion of the beast.

The beast growled as Zharkov managed to find a nice spot, which looked like it was weaker from other encounters. He was successfully able to chomp down on the spot, and there were sounds of cracking as his teeth entered the beast's body. The beast released its encoiling grip a fair amount due to the pain, as blood was pouring from the site where Zharkov bit it. It hissed at Zharkov as held its head up for a bit as it flicked out its tongue for a moment, before reeling the tongue back in. It moved its head close to Zharkov as it moved for a bite of its own against Zharkov.

Zharkov spat out the chunks of monster he had in his mouth. As his head popped out of the beast, he took a deep breath, looking around for the monster's head, which had already decided to move in for the kill. Luckily for Zharkov, he had taken the liberty of knocking out the upper row of front teeth the beast had. His lungs full, Zharkov held his face against that of the beast. It was then when he revealed another one of his tricks- a specialty of his race. Zharkov puckered his lips out and exhaled. As he did, a stream of air was shot toward the beast's face. Following it, was a jet of flame starting from the base of Zharkov's mouth and following the air.

As the beast was lunging forth ready to devour Zharkov it possibly couldn't imagine the horrors that would await it. Zharkov's flames struck the creature who writhed its head around in agony. It began hissing as its scales and eyes, were becoming charred from the flames. The crowd roared with enthusiasm as the beast was consumed in flames. The beast, now effectively blind tried to make one last bite upon Zharkov using the diminishing strength it had.

Well tried being the keyword, the beast collapsed to the cheering of the crowd. The beast laid there dead, as an announcement came from the crowd, "Zharkov has slain this foe! Now for a real battle!"

---

Khaa stared down at Shah'Nahul and Akira, "It is time." Khaa and his partner stared at the two of them.

"Alright. Let's do this!" Akira cheered, clasping his fist in his hand. "I bet we can take out something twice as tough as the last guy's if we work together!"

He began shadowboxing to get his blood flowing. "What do we have to fight? Leviathan tentacle beast? Skullmongers? Has Dio Brando set sights on our jee-effs?"

Khaa laughed, "Dio retired. He was a nice guy, befriended some lizard if I recall correctly. Also he had great showmanship! As for your fight... You'll find out." Khaa smirked at Akira. He gazed down at Shah'Nahul, "Are you also ready Shah-Nahul?"

Shah-Nahul folded his arms and snorted indignantly. "Need you ask, slave-taker? The great Shah-Nahul is always ready."

Zharkov climbed out of the beast, kicking the dead body. He reached into the mouth of the beast, grabbing onto one of its lower fangs. Shaking it about, he yanked out the tooth. Zharkov stepped out to the center of the ring, raising the tooth to the crowd as they cheered for him. "URAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" he roared, shaking the tooth.

The gladiator sighed as he watched the announcer. A new, possibly more worthy challenger was appraoching- this excited Zharkov. He swaggered to the side of the ring he entered from, turning to the opposite end of the ring and watching in anticipation for another man to come out. He smiled big for his audience and gripped the narrow end of the tooth tightly in his left arm.

Khaa nodded at Shah-Nahul and Akira, "Now then you will face Zharkov the Crusher. This will bring much enthusiasm into the crowd! Far more than if we pitted you against one of the many beasts. Though of course they always hunger for flesh. Some for cybernetics and robotics." Khaa began laughing alongside his partner. He glanced at Akira, "Oh try not to die. Again my daughter would love an autograph of the Atomic Samurai." His partner nudged Khaa, "You know he is going to die." Khaa leaned close to him and spoke in a loud whisper, "WELL YOU DON'T TELL THEM THAT!"

"Zharkov, old foe. It is an honor to once again test my Will against yours."
Shah-Nahul squatted, claws barely brushing the dirt of the arena floor.
"Brother, this is Zharkov. A great foe- against him I have lost as often as I have won. I fear I shall not be able to offer you much protection."

A twinkle appeared in Zharkov's eye as he noticed a familiar figure enter the arena. He made a light smile. In response to Shah-Nahul, Zharkov nodded, then puffed a stream of air from his nostrils. "Hello again" he said. His voice, deep, and rich. A thick Pravadovan accent permeated through his tongue. Slowly, Zharkov stepped forward to approach Shah-Nahul, tossing aside the tooth.

The chanting in the Arena was divided between "Shah-Nahul! Shah-Nahul!" and "Zharkov! Zharkov!". From the upper levels of the arena a voice announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen, from the Honored Patricians, to the Simple Plebian castes... All are welcomed at the Festival of Beasts! For your amusement, we present to you! Two mighty bastions! Shah-Nahul a man of great mercy and heart!" The Zharkov fans began booing. "And Zharkov, a man of great destruction!" The Shah-Nahul fans began booing. "Which one has the greater instinct of the beast, who will the Goddess bestow favor upon!? LET THE FIGHT COMMENCE!"

---

Far in the upper reaches of the Coliseum, Senator Vicaver sat down on a silk bed, as two Braxian slaves began waving giant fan leafs towards him. A slave-girl was hand-feeding the Senator berries that were a deep vermillion. Vicaver peered down at the arena floor as he grabbed an encrusted chalice filled to the brim with a light green substance. He brought the chalice to his nose as he sniffed at it, "Exquisite." The slave-girl paused in feeding him berries as he took a drink from his cup, as he returned it to the position he wanted. "... Well then my newest slave... You will be initiated, when you are broken..." He was fed another berry, "I hope you remember, you forced it upon yourself..."

"So, that's my foe." Akira said, and braced himself.

He crouched down, then broke into a full sprint at Zharkov. At the last moment, he leaped into the air, and swung his prosthetic fist around like a hammer, aiming straight for his foe's head.

"FOR JUUUUSTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE."

Zharkov turned his head slowly to see another opponent enter the ring, declaring himself then moving close. Zharkov scoffed, then as Akira had his arms by Zharkov, Zharkov calmly raised his hands to grab Akira by the wrist. "Privet" he grumbled, throwing Akira aside.

Zharkov turned his attention back to Shah-Nahul, a much more worthy opponent, and clenched his fists. Zharkov gestured with his head for the Mastonoid to make the first move, calmly awaiting the gladiator's attack.

Senator Vicaver giggled as he watched Akira charge straight towards Zharkov. He wrapped his tongue around another berry he was fed. He gulped it down as he waggled his left index finger, "Willful slaves will be taught obedience. And Zharkov crushes Wills... Eheheheh. Most delightful." Senator Vicaver stretched his back as he laid down on the luxurious bed. He smirked a bit as he turned his head back as he heard a knocking on his door. Senator Vicaver grabbed a small ornate bell, which was situated near his chalice. He picked it up and rang it, the bell giving off a high pitch tone.

A service droid headed over to the door to open it. Senator Vicaver swiveled his head back to see who had entered, he smiled, "Magistrate come in... Watch as my slave has his will broken. It will be oh so delightful."