With Xerxes relentless assault against him, Odysseus found himself quickly being pushed back by the Persian king. His intention in equipping himself with two axes was to use one for offense and other for defense, but with the difference in both strength and agility, it became obvious to him that both would be required in order to avoid being cleaved in half.

[color=ed1c24][i]I told you.[/i][/color]

[color=fff200][i]Shut up. I know what I'm doing.[/i][/color]

[color=ed1c24][i]Do you? Because it looks to me like we're being pushed back.[/i][/color]

Odysseus was silent, causing Hal's faith in his servant to continue diminishing. The lack of an answer though was not because he had none, but because the Greek hero needed his full concentration on the fight before him. Ducking downward, he kept his axes above his head, causing Xerxes' own weapon to glance off and strike the column to his left. The sound of screeching metal echoed throughout the gymnasium as the blade cleaved through like a hot knife through butter. In an attempt to give himself room to maneuver, Odysseus aimed a kick toward Xerxes knee before retreating to the opposite side of the beam they were both standing on. His back now against the other, still intact, column, the Ithacan prepared for another difficult defense.