Fall from the Sand

The gate creaked open.

Finn stepped onto the sand, eyes narrowing under the blinding glow of overhead crystal lamps. The roar of the colosseum flooded his ears—cheers, jeers, and the jangling of coin purses being bet from the upper balconies.

Across the arena stood a shadowy figure. As the light settled on him, Finn caught the telltale silhouette—an Elezen. Lithe. Poised. Also armed with a spear.

Finn’s heart sank slightly.
He remembered Gridania’s sparring rings—how taller lancers always pressed the reach advantage, poking and prodding with impunity. He’d spent more time dodging than landing strikes.

Still, he didn’t flinch.

Maybe I win this before he even expects me to.

The bell rang, and the crowd exploded.

Finn immediately backstepped—once, twice—his sandals skimming the sand. He needed room to read the field, to feel the rhythm. But his opponent? Already pressing forward.

Each step from the Elezen was measured and deliberate. He wasn’t rushing. He was shrinking Finn’s world.

Experienced, Finn thought grimly. And confident enough to show it.

Finn decided to break the dance early.
He swung his spear in a wide arc, forcing the Elezen to half-step back.

Now.

Finn lunged—not toward his opponent, but away, rebounding sharply to the other side in a feinting burst.

But the Elezen was ready.

A blur of movement. A twirl of wood.
Finn’s ankles met the blunt jab of a reversed spear thrust—perfectly timed.

His feet tripped.
He hit the sand and tried to recover footing—but not for long.

The Elezen had already spun into a forward leap, planting the spear into the ground and launching himself like a bolt. Both boots landed squarely into Finn’s chest.

Finn grunted, arms instinctively folding to brace.

The world spun.
His small frame—light, agile—became a handicap as he was hurled backwards. He tried to twist, to land cleanly.

Too late.

He rolled once. Twice.
And finally came to a stop. Finn was out of the ring.

The bell rang again. The crowd erupted.

From the sand, Finn sat up slowly, chest heaving. The Elezen stood tall, silent, only giving a brief nod before turning away.

Finn coughed, wincing.
Well.
That happened.

Still breathless, he muttered to himself, “Guess that counts as sightseeing.”

A pair of guards came over. One smirked. “Better luck next time, you could always try again.”

Finn rolled his neck and stood.

“Oh, absolutely,” he said, brushing sand off his clothes.