Leviathan (Fist of Light Series) by Derek Edgington

but to participate. That was for sure. Either I bulled through those assembled before me, or I would be smashed to bits by the huge clubs my assailants toted. This wasn’t the time to start thinking of enemies as beings that could be rationalized with or that they possessed even a shred of humanity. Although there might have been some redeeming qualities to the blue giants moving to beat me to a bloody pulp, it was essential not to foster these thoughts, not when I had to do my best to hurt them if I wanted to make it out alive. That settled I confronted my foes, mentally prepared for battle.
    “You might think about bleeding them before making your move. They’ll become easier prey the more wounds you inflict, but you must move quickly. Getting caught by a foe of superior strength and fortitude will lead to your demise,” Jeeves provided helpfully.
    “Right,” I concurred, hefting the knuckle dusters and moving in for a flank.
    Even with a further slackened amount of power directed to augmenting my speed, these guys weren't too light on their feet. The ogres spun around, but it was a ponderous process that took far too much time amid the heated exchange of battle. A matter of seconds decided the outcome of a fight and I was determined to gain the advantage right off the bat. It was a relatively simple thing to rush in from behind and puncture two of the brutes’ calves with my weapons. Rivulets of blood began to run down the superficial wounds, triggering pain receptors in the brain and notifying the ogres of damage to their bodies. In reaction, they stomped their injured appendages at the ground while swatting massive arms in my direction, sending a shower of sand outward. These guys weren't lightweights and the simple reaction threw me from my feet and sent me tumbling forward, where I sprawled, blind, in the midst of the angry ogres.
    Blinking away sand, my blurry eyes scanned for incoming attacks as I stood in an unsteady fighting stance. Funny how much you rely on sight to keep your balance. My instincts screamed a warning, informing me of a fast-moving object on a collision course with my head. Still half blind, I was only partially able to maneuver away from the club. Pain exploded in my chest, blunted only slightly by a hastily fashioned padding of Air. The force of the blow was powerful enough to lift me off my feet and toss me through the air into the sigil painted walls of the arena. Agony flashed through me as I fell back to the sands, head down and forearms dug into the earth.
    “Screw this.” I threw my dusters to the ground and tried out a different idea.
    I commanded Water to coalesce. Two icy stilettos were given life by images of my own weapon, which had been left back at the mansion with my other gear. Grinning, I spun the daggers experimentally and found them to be adequate. With a forward dash, I launched from the ground and soared up onto the back of an unsuspecting foe. Quickly adjusting my balance, I thrust downward and my two blades dug deeply into the spaces between each shoulder blade, a particularly vulnerable part of the body. A deep basso roar was quickly followed by reaching hands that sought to unseat me from my precarious position. After launching myself into the air and manifesting a throwing dagger, I threw the projectile at another ogre, half suspecting I was wide of my mark.
    What wasn't expected was the invisible force field above that reasserted the law of gravity more quickly than was appreciated. Although there wasn't much momentum to work with, I rolled gracelessly, partially distributing the force of my impact. Coupled with the presence of sand, this proved enough to save me from breaking anything, which would have sealed my fate for sure. As my attention diverted to the raucous laughter of the crowd, I found that my clunky maneuver amused the spectators.
    Jeeves flashed in beside me as I regained my feet. “Do not allow the roar of the crowd to distract you. Focus upon