I circle my worthy opponent, our eyes locked. My enemy limps, thanks to our last grapple. I swallow my satisfaction, for now is not the time for reflection. Now is the time for life or death.
He charges. We butt heads. I bite. His blood spurts from the artery I’ve torn. My rival’s fate is sealed. I harry him to the edge of darkening fatigue. His life is forfeit. His life is mine.
I end it quickly, cleanly; in the unwritten code of honor between us, the gladiators. The crowd roars in carnal ecstasy.
They cheer for me, a fighting cock.
A gladiator is a gladiator no matter which species… the last line twist, very nice!
This is fantastic. I love how you write, I can picture the gory scene and the twist in the tail was a surprise. A gladiator cock! Would never have thought of that.
Thanks, Firdaus. It came to me after watching video of an illegal cock fight. It was really quite violent and I was moved to anthropomorphize the combatants. And as violent as was the contest, the crowd seemed even more so…beastial.
There was no waning of the visceral action here! It was an exciting read from start to end.
Very good, well written and I did not expect that twist at all!