//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Confrontation // Story: Comac the Barbarian // by ThatBronyWithTheClipOns //------------------------------// It did not take long for Comac the Barbarian to become one of the star gladiators of Haykania. Thanks to his many victories, Stratos was able to purchase better materials for Comac to forge new weapons and armor. His reputation spread like wildfire as Equine from all over the land came to see this savage beast in combat. He grew stronger as a warrior and his skills became more refined with every fight. Stratos was naturally pleased as he was making a small fortune off his champion slave. But that didn't mean things were going well between the two behind the arena. "You want what!?" exclaimed Stratos. "I want a cut of the winnings," said Comac. "How dare you!" said Stratos. "You're not some employee! You're my slave! I own you! These bits are mine!" "This isn't the field," Comac said sternly. "You didn't earn any of those bits. I did. I defeated all those warriors. The crowds aren't showing up to see you." "I give you bits for your armor and weapons! What do you need money for!? You can't spend it yourself! You can't go anywhere without me!" "I am just asking for some of the shares, not even half. Do you have no honor?" "Honor!? I'm not trying to have honor! I'm trying to make money! I'm not looking for good graces with your mighty Faust! You're not my equal, Comac! I am your master!" "Comac has no master." Comac saying this caused Stratos to fill with rage and zap Comac with a beam of magic. Comac flung back and the impact cracked the walls. "You do have a master, you worthless pile of earth equine shit! Do you have any idea how lucky you are that I even let you live!? I could've easily killed you that day you first showed up on my land! You've done nothing but show me disrespect!" "You do not deserve respect," gasped Comac. "You enslave others and make them do your bidding. I may be a so called worthless pile of earth equine shit, but my kind never enslaved others thinking we were better than them. I thank Faust that I'm nothing like you!" Stratos prepared to shoot antother beam at his slave, when suddenly Comac flung a dagger right at Stratos's shoulder. Before he could properly react, Comac then swung his ax and hacked his horn clean off. He then stumbled back and crashed into a table, collapsing to the floor. "Unable to harness your precious magic? Yes, in that area you were more powerful, but your reflexes and fighting skills are non existent. Magic can fail, but steel will always be effective. I have had enough of you! I no longer wish to perform in these sideshow attractions. I plan to find the Unicorn who slaughtered my village and kill him." "You think you can kill Lord Sombra!?" laughed Stratos. "You're crazier...than I could eve imagine!" Continuing to laugh at what he considered the most obsurred thing to ever be spoken, Comac took a final swing of his ax and nearly split his former master's head in two. Blood splurted out like a fountain and splashed Comac in the face, but he didn't even blink. He picked up his various belongings, as well as all the winnings from his matches, and then flung Stratos's lifeless body onto a cart. He had a final conversation with the arena masters, Flimly and Flamdaul. "Pity to see you go, good sir," said Flimly. "Indeed it is," continued Flamdaul. "You put on one hell of a show!" "But we certainly aren't going to force you into anything," said Flimly. "Certainly not, that's just poor business," said Flamdaul. "But if you ever change your mind, feel free to come back!" said Flimly. Comac gave them both a firm handshake and walked off. "I certainly wasn't going to argue with him after what he did to that awful Stratos," said Flimly. "Indeed, dear brother," said Flamdaul. "Indeed." Comac traveled back to the plantation, the slaves were working the fields when they saw Comac pulling the cart, but there seemed to be no sign of their master. The red earth stallion then flung Stratos's body into the middle of the field so that everypony could see what had happened. "Your so called master is dead," said Comac. "You are all free to go wherever you want." Before any of the others could say something, Comac walked onward with his cart full of weapons and bits off into the unknown.