Nov watched, stricken, as the Yukman shrieked, chasing his friend around the arena. He was swaying back and forth on the balls of his feet, waiting for an opportunity to jump in and relieve Seng of the ruthless chase, but it was petching hard to find a good opening.
When Seng yelled in frustration, Nov sighed. Then he charged, Tamos in each hand as he made straight for the ferocious Yukman.
There wasn't much time for tactics. Nov simply threw his entire weight on top of the hideous, jagged creature and impaled one of his Tamos in its eye. The thing howled in fury and pain, as Nov had called upon Krysus's mark as soon as the dagger sank into its face. Unfortunately, the Yukman did not seem as susceptible to this pain, being as shoddily formed and inhuman as it was.
It was back on its feet in no time at all, and its attentions were now fully devoted to Noven. Eh, guess that more or less worked, Nov thought to himself, then scrambled backwards, away from the rising Yukman.
Gods, the thing was hideous. It was probably born somewhere near Sunberth, since it looked mostly human, aside from the bits of rock and soil attached to its crackled skin and its grisly set of jagged teeth. Yuk, yuk, yuk, it cried again. Petching things were annoying as shyke.
Before Nov could get a good look where Seng was now, the creature yanked out the dagger, looked at it curiously for about half a tick, then chucked it at his head. Nov ducked easily, but the damned thing was smarter than it looked. It meant for the dagger to be a distraction as it suddenly bolted after him. Nov turned tail and ran, having only one dagger at his disposal and knowing if the creature got a hold of him he would be done for.
The crowd was roaring with laughter now. Guess it was funny when a Yukman was chasing someone else and not aiming to rip out your face with its bare hands.
Nov cursed. He was getting tired, having already been through two rounds of hell. He wouldn't be able to keep this up much longer.
Seeing one of the tables that had been left over from Round Two, he gave a little burst of speed and dove under it. He flipped over onto his back and watched the ugly monster approach. With his feet and hands, he tipped it over just as the Yukman reached him. It crashed into the table clumsily and Nov lifted his legs and arms, launching the creature right over him.
The audience clapped at this, apparently having enjoyed that little move. But Nov had no time to project his frustrations at them. The Yukman was picking itself up again amidst the wooden debris. It shook its bald, hideous head, then bared its teeth at Nov.
"Hey, ugly," Nov jeered. "Mind shutting that nasty trap of yours? It looks like some mutt used it for a chew toy and took a shyke in it."
He wasn't entirely sure if the Yukman understood a single word he just said, but it was pretty angry anyway. As it prepared to charge itself again at Nov, the man could only hope Seng was somewhere, about to act on a brilliant rescue plan.
