Kanan: - Can we know what they are doing? -

Murrey: - Train? - He answered not very

Ork 1: - Pointy Earz zaid that training make uz more powerful. -

Kanan: - Pointed ears? Oh really? - He looked at the aeldari trying to hold a laugh.

Orko 2: - Yez.... Zhe iz very ztrong. Perverted demon haz no chanze againzt pointed ear. - Kanan made another attempt not to laugh.

Aeldari: - Patience... I ask for patience. Could you stop calling each other that? My name is Nygleisha Lith... How many times should I repeat it? - He spoke in the Ork language.

What happened next had no better way to describe it than as pure comedy. The Okos, with their abrupt vocabulary and guttural sounds, were incapable of pronouncing that name. More than an attempt to say something, it seemed like they had some kind of indigestion. Murrey and Kanan did their best not to laugh in front of everyone.

Ork 3: - Pointed ear. - A random noble ork finished off the joke.

That was too much, Kanan sighed deeply, as if calling him to reconsider his sanity, but Murrey burst into a broken laugh that he did his best to hide in vain. That, mixed with the veins that wanted to pop out of the aeldari's forehead, was a scenario that no other ork present could understand. But luckily there was some sanity in those present.

Kanan: - Still... I can't understand why you train them... Aren't Aeldari techniques supposed to be something secret? -

Lith: - The knowledge of the paths is available to anyone who is willing to accept it. But it depends on each person to know which path to choose... Ancient knowledge also does not say who is worthy or not of achieving such knowledge. -

Kanan: - You'll have to excuse me... But I don't know almost everything related to you Aeldari. -

Ork 1: - Very ztrong iz pointed ear. Orkz not being able to defeat her. - A hint of pride could be seen on the aeldari's face.

Kanan: - Is that true? -

Murrey: - As much as it's hard for me to admit it, it's true. -

Kanan: - Interesting... Almost... tempting... - He gave him a very insightful look.

Lith: - Is that a challenge? -

Kanan: - Maybe. If you are not afraid of losing. -

Lith: - Oh... I'll gladly shut that dirty mouth for you. -

Were their eyes deceiving them? Apparently not. The orks could not hide the emotion that such a challenge awakened within them. For some reason, Murrey and the rest of the orks had a high regard for the aeldari, but on the other hand there was their warlord, the ork who in their eyes was invincible. The mere thought of imagining such a fight had not even crossed their minds, and now he would have the privilege of seeing such a display of power right before his eyes.

Like good first graders, the orks sat patiently at the edge of the arena, while Kanan and Lith made their way to the different racks of weapons that surrounded the main arena. Kanan looked for something to serve as support, since he would use the Mark II sword for this confrontation, but a pair of daggers that looked like throwing knives given their size could be a good trump card, so he kept them on his belt.

Kanan had never faced an Aeldari, neither in this life nor in the last, and he only knew of them small independent stories that he heard or read in some imperial manuscript. In short, they were described as formidable warriors, who enjoyed great agility and speed, and taking into account Lith's physical features, it was most likely that this was the case.

Kanan was aware that speed was not his strong point, so it would be best to be prepared. A shield would be a good help. It was a bit small for its size, but with good precision I could adjust that flaw. Furthermore, in case it got in the way of his fight, he could simply throw it away and fight only with the sword. He was extremely versatile without a doubt.

Kanan was ready. He had his team, his hole cards and his determination. He was sure he could defeat that aeldari without much trouble, but when he turned around he was shocked.

Lith did not carry any type of weapon. So many strategies, so many ways of fighting that Kanan had developed in his head, and the aeldari was there, waiting for him without any equipment. Neither shield, nor spear, nor sword. And I'm sure he wouldn't even have a weapon hidden under his outfit. Was she making fun of him?

Lith: - You're finally done. I thought you were already giving up. -

A rather loquacious comment, but for some reason, it made a small bruise on the ork's pride. A pride that he thought was dead a long time ago.

Kanan: - Are you crazy? Do you think you can defeat me without weapons? -

Lith: - Oh no... I know I can defeat you without weapons. -

This time it was the ork whose neck veins swelled. Another blow to his pride. Kanan had to laugh defiantly to hide that vanity that he thought he was able to control in vain. But if she wanted to play like that... What could be done?

Taking a step forward, Kanan dropped the sword, the shield, and took out the hidden daggers from his belt that he took, ready to face her with a bare fist. It wouldn't be fair to face someone unarmed in a duel... Don't you think so? What a mistake the idiot would make.

Lith: - Oh... It seems like someone is feeling brave. -

Kanan: - It would be unfair not to give a fair fight. -

Lith: - I respect your values... The problem is that... Now it is an unfair fight. -

Kanan didn't think much about what she told him. It was probably a way to make him lose concentration. In terms of a bare-handed fight it was impossible for her to beat him. He was even able to defeat Kurnet, the most powerful of the horde. This aeldari wouldn't stand a chance. And then, both of them got into a combat pose.

Murrey: - Begin! - He shouted out of pure instinct.

As if it were a reflex action, as soon as Murrey's voice was raised throughout the coliseum, the aeldari launched herself head-on into the white-maned ork. Kanan felt somewhat... disappointed. Charging head-on against an enemy twice your height and who knows how many times your physical strength was not very clever. Kanan saw her approaching, even with her crazy speed, and charged her fist to stop her in her tracks. And as soon as she was within reach, she threw her blow at him with all her strength.

Kanan's fist was similar to a wrecking ball. His knuckles were capable of piercing even Orkoid steel and leaving deep dents even before the blessing of the twin gods. Now he would surely even be able to destroy an Imperial Fists shield with just one blow, without even showing the slightest sign of pain. The thin aeldari would never stand a chance... If Kanan could connect his blow with her... Of course.

Before the white-maned ork's disbelieving eyes, the aeldari simply vanished like dust in the wind. Kanan's fist found nothing but air in its path, unable to see what had happened. The most ironic thing was that he himself fell into a technique that he used a long time ago. One which would be too late to realize.

Kanan looked down, only to find the aeldari slinking through the mountain of muscle that was him, but before the ork could even take a step back, Lith raised his right fist, landing a powerful blow on his chin.

Anyone who saw the difference in size and muscularity would think that a blow like that, although it could be effective, would not be a big deal. They should only see the difference in weight of the opponents, but contrary to any expectation, Kanan's head shook violently like a punching bag.

The movement of his neck was so abrupt that surely an ordinary human would have felt each of his neck vertebrae detach from his flesh, but the abundant skin and muscles of the greenskins would not let that happen so easily. Still, Kanan took about five steps back, dazed, his head spinning like a merry-go-round. And it took him about ten seconds to regain his composure. Ten seconds the aeldari just looked at him with some amusement on her face.

Lith: - Fence... You withstood a blow. I must congratulate you, you are the first to achieve it. -

At his words, all the orks who were spectators lowered their heads in shame. They had faced her, and all were defeated with a single blow. Even Murray saw his world turn upside down when Lith gave him a blow exactly like the one his warlord received. Only he was unable to remain conscious.

Kanan: - But what...? What did you do? - He asked still being disoriented.

Lith: - Surprised? I thought you said it would be a fair fight. -

The aeldari's mocking tone didn't take long to hit his pride a third good, but this time he wouldn't trust it. He had already tasted firsthand the power of a single blow from this aeldari, and he doubted he could withstand another one like it.

Kanan did his best to suppress his brain from unnecessary questions for the occasion. How did he do that? How could his blow be so strong? Was he using some trick? Questions whose answers he knew he would not get at least until the confrontation was over. So, the ork simply took a deep breath... and prepared for battle, cursing the moment his pride forced him to put down his sword. He even thought that those blows to his own pride that the aeldari gave him were very well deserved.

Seeing that his opponent was ready, Lith charged at Kanan again, but this time he would not catch him off guard. Being smaller, the ork had a hard time keeping up with him, but as long as he kept his distance there wouldn't be much of a problem. But saying it was harder than doing it.

Lith was like a snake, and his blows felt like a bullet piercing the skin. Even when Kanan managed to put his arms in to defend himself, he could feel that enormous force tearing at his nerves. For, even if he were an ork, Slaanesh could not let one of his adorable creations be deprived of such a wonderful feeling.

Kanan did his best to counterattack, but it was simply in vain. It was as if Aeldari could see Kanan in slow motion, while he could only see a shadow that blurred and materialized again and again. A cloud of dust that only made you believe it was there, but it was nothing more than an illusion.

Kanan held out for a surprising ten minutes against the powerful onslaught of blows that were coming their way. His feet showed the marks of bruises, even his jaw seemed like it wanted to dislocate at any moment. Only his willpower and determination allowed him to keep his arms high, since his strength had already abandoned him a long time ago. Which made no sense, since he himself had been in non-stop combat for hours, but each of this aeldari's blows was as if it drained the energy from his body. However, the inevitable could not be avoided.

Now Kanan was lying on the arena of the coliseum. His body succumbed to fatigue and pain, and he could barely move a muscle. His eyes remained fixed on the beautiful dome of the craftworld in which he was, contemplating the beauty of the universe that it revealed behind him. It had been a spectacular battle, and even his chikoz were excited despite their defeat. After all, a few meters next to him was Lith, in a state quite similar to him.

Lith: - I never thought you would be able to keep up with me. -

Kanan: - "Keeping up with you" is quite an exaggerated compliment. - He said ironically, the aeldari's tail soon began to laugh.

Lith: - Uffff... My rib still hurts. -

Kanan: - Don't tell me... Every cell in my body hurts. I never thought the Aeldari were so powerful. -

Lith: - The Aeldari are a strong people. One who fights to survive even in this haggard universe. But comparing the strength of a Phoenix Lord to that of an average aeldari is not very sensible. -

Kanan: - What...? -

Kanan heard those words, but didn't fully understand them. I had heard that name before, but didn't know exactly what it meant. The ork managed to raise his torso when he felt some strength return to his body, only to see how the aeldari had already stood up, extending her hand to help him up.

Lith: - I think I haven't introduced myself properly yet. - He said with a clear authority that was not in his voice before. - My name is Nygleisha Lith Orshanet Lirget. Lady Phoenix from The Spectral Sentinels. -

----------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, in an enigmatic place that escapes simple human understanding, located outside the material world or the warp currents, was the lair of an entity as mysterious as it was powerful. There, in the darkest places of the Webway, that network of tunnels that the Aeldari used to travel from one place to another in the galaxy, was the Black Library itself, home of the eternal and ancient knowledge of the galaxy.

Through its dark and silent corridors, the rumble of footsteps was the only thing that disturbed the serenity of the place. A figure as chaotic in appearance as it was powerful responded to the call of his lord, the one born of lies and the most deranged jokes.

A harlequin, possibly one of the most powerful warriors in the entire galaxy, knelt in complete submission to his master. Known by many names: The Laughing God, the Great Harlequin, the First Fool, the Great Jester or the First Jester, Cegorach, the god who survived the Thirsty's gluttony, laughed as his plans flowed freely through his crazy thoughts. And at his feet was his favorite son, kneeling and helpful, an aeldari simply known as the Lonely One.

Solitary: - Oh great master. I humbly kneel before your presence. - He spoke with his characteristic overacted tone.

Cegorach: - I have felt it, my son. Did you feel it? Of course you did... Like every living being in this burning galaxy... I see it... It's close... I feel it... I smell it. The great final act is rising above the curtain, and it is our time to enter the performance. -

Solitary: - Your will is omnipotent, First of all. Say your will and it will be fulfilled. -

Cegorath: - The pieces on the board are taking their place, but a new piece has emerged from the unpredictable. Plans must be accelerated, and riskier acts must be exposed so as not to fall prey to indifference... Go... my little jester. Go to the city of Commorragh and recover two of the missing artists from this great stage. We have no time to waste... The big event is near. -