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he shall help me rule this kingdom so that my heart never becomes as poisoned as yours.”
    Irontooth shot out of his seat and bellowed into the smoky air.
    “Begin the second challenge now!”
    This time, Irontooth gave no instructions to Eveneye and there was no doubt that this was done purposefully. The fourteen bears returned through the gate, yet one came back out carrying a johnball and motioned for Eveneye to follow him. The arena floor already had markings for johnball and Eveneye was led to the far end of the johnball field. The bear gave the ball to Eveneye and said, “Your goal is the opposite end of the field. When you hear the horns sound, you may begin. You must score only once.”
    Eveneye nodded and the bear turned and left the arena. Eveneye looked around and saw nothing in the arena other than the burning pile of wood that was once the pyramid. He kept his senses sharp. He knew that any moment his obstacles would be presented to him and they would most certainly be deadly. He took the johnball and waited, ready to run.
    The horns sounded and a gate opened on the opposite side of the area. Gasps came from the crowd as ten giant wolves came , barreling out of the gate. The wolves were at least as big as the ones he and Whiteclaw had battled the previous night. Eveneye’s wounds ached and his eyes narrowed. Despite his injuries, he had better battle more effectively than last night or it would cost him his life.
    He immediately dropped the johnball and began running toward the fire. The ball would be no use to him unless he could kill all ten wolves . He had an idea and he quickly reached the perimeter of the blaze and turned toward the charging wolves. He stood on his hind legs and roared at the approaching pack. It did not slow them and Eveneye realized he would have to be fast. As the first two wolves reached him, they leapt into the air, going straight for his throat. Eveneye anticipated their jump and fell to the ground, as the wolves overshot him and landed in the flames. The next two wolves were immediately behind them, and Eveneye used their momentum against them, slashing at the first with his claws while sidestepping the other. His blow met the wolf under the chin, stunning it. The second wolf that he had sidestepped tried to stop itself, but could not until it had just passed Eveneye. He lined the wolf up and kicked it, sending it into the blaze. The stench of burning flesh and hair now permeated Eveneye’s consciousness and sent adrenaline coursing through his veins. The wolf Eveneye had slashed came back at him and he was ready, swiping at it and knocking it into the fire as well.
    Four down, six to go. Eveneye again stood on four legs and roared at the pack. They had grown wary of the fire and were no longer flinging themselves at him. It was now Eveneye’s turn to go on the offensive. He flung himself upon the pack with reckless abandon. He took his claw and uppercut the first wolf under the jaw, lifting it into the air. With his other arm, he slapped a wolf to the ground. Stepping on its head with his hindquarters, he crushed its skull. Another wolf dove at him and he swung the wolf, impaled on his claw, down at it. The wolves came crashing together and rolled to the side, stunned and wounded. Eveneye used the small diversion and quickly darted at another wolf, catching its hind leg in his teeth. He crunched down and broke the wolf’s leg. When he released it, the wolf fell to its side. Eveneye then clamped his jaw to its neck and ended the wolf’s life. There were now four wolves left. The two Eveneye had knocked to the side were back on their feet, although one had been severely wounded under the jaw.
    The wolves were now afraid of Eveneye and circled him, looking for a weakness. Eveneye had an idea of how to bait them in, though it would take all of his strength. He rose up on his hind legs and roared toward the ceiling of the arena. The wolves took the bait and launched themselves at