"Haisn is the only one left with Oric," Teran declared.
"And Haisn will lose," Vock said confidently.
"So why do you seem so happy? You said Oric was a fool."
Vock leaned in again, speaking quietly as he looked on at the two contestants about to square off on the battlefield. "Watch Oric."
Teran watched as Oric-tal huffed and gulped at the air while stalking toward Haisn. His whip morphed into a great battle axe in his hand.
"What about him?"
"He's fighting in a physical form and subject to its infirmities."
Teran studied him again. "He's getting tired."
"Exactly."
The two Agonotti lords, Oric-tal and Haisn, charged at one another. A fierce exchange followed. Haisn struck furiously at Oric, but could not drive him back.
"And-" Teran baited.
"And, he's going to win, but before Oric can proclaim himself the new leader, a challenger is going to come forward according to our right," Vock said.
"And that challenger will be fresh for the fight?"
"Exactly, my friend."
"But can this challenger beat him? Oric is quite fierce."
"What no one seems to realize is that we have been getting stronger, but not in the physical-in the spiritual. I can't explain it, but I have been experimenting. Our former glory, in part, is returning."
Teran looked stunned.
"Now, Teran, do you suppose our brothers would follow such a one that brought them this revelation?"
"Oh, they would indeed."
Oric and Haisn grappled below them on the arena floor. The entire crowd of Agonotti warriors cheered for their respective favorite to come out the winner. Then the two toppled to the ground each struggling to get the dominant position. Oric got it and he used it quickly. He plunged a weapon into his foe and Haisn moved no more.
Oric-tal got up from the ground leaving his Agonotti brother to disintegrate behind him as he presented himself before the crowd as the winner.
"Now is the time." Vock stood to his feet and stepped out from where he and Teran had been sitting. He looked back at Teran. "If you trust me, brother, and still desire the old glory, then back me up when the time seems right."
And with that, he turned and walked down through the cheering crowd of Mithri in their cursed physical forms and proceeded onto the battlefield toward Oric-tal. Oric had not noticed Vock approaching yet.