The roar of the crowd still thundered through the arena as Mikrom's body was carried in the arms of Asori and Mikan. Blair walked ahead, forcing a path through the masses still screaming over the fight. The third match had already begun on the platform—Kiron of Caldus versus Dax of Donner—but for them, the important battle was far from the cheers.
An improvised infirmary had been set beneath the stands, in a damp corridor lit by torches. There, healers worked without rest over cots covered with rough blankets. Asori and Mikan laid Mikrom down on one of them.
The earth bearer coughed blood, but grinned through split lips.
—Relax… I'm still in one piece. He just knocked the wind out of me… and maybe some guts too.
Blair frowned deeply.
—Don't joke about it, Mikrom. You almost died out there.
Mikan, who had been silent until then, crossed her arms.
—That Sir Kael… there's something off about him. I was watching from the very first exchange. He let himself get hit on purpose, did you notice?
Asori nodded, remembering the unease of every clash.
—Yeah. At the start, Mikrom was overwhelming him… and suddenly it was like Kael already knew every move.
Mikan clicked her tongue.
—Exactly. It's like he steals his opponent's fighting style and perfects it instantly.
Mikrom pushed himself up with a groan, clutching his abdomen.
—Not just that… —he coughed, shaking his head—. Every strike he landed felt like it was draining me. It wasn't just physical… it was like he was tearing something out from inside.
Silence fell over them. Blair bit her lip, uneasy. Asori clenched his fists.
A herald appeared in the doorway of the infirmary, announcing the next match.
—Next participant, Mikan of Azoth, prepare to enter the arena!
Mikan smirked, unwrapping the band on her wrist and adjusting the daggers at her belt.
—My turn. —She glanced sideways at Mikrom, and though her tone was mocking, her eyes gleamed with a different kind of determination—. Don't worry, big guy. I'll make sure to shine.
Asori stepped toward her.
—Be careful. Let's hope you don't end up against someone like that Kael.
—Worried about me? —Mikan laughed, tossing back her hood—. Relax, mountain boy.
And with the lightness of a cat, she left the infirmary, heading toward the thunder of the arena.
Blair turned back to Mikrom, who was lying down but still awake.
—Are you sure you'll be alright?
Mikrom arched a brow, wearing that womanizer's grin he always used to cover pain.
—I'll be better than I look. I'll use the time to rest… and once I recover, I plan to find Jason. Maybe he's got contacts who can tell us who the hell this Kael really is. I don't remember him as part of Zeknier's army either, and that doesn't add up.
Asori fixed his eyes on him.
—You think he could be hiding his true identity?
Mikrom shrugged.
—In this world, everyone wears masks, kid. You just need to see who bleeds when you rip them off.
Blair shivered and turned to Asori.
—That knight… he was staring at me strangely, did you notice? It was like he knew who I am. Or worse, who we are.
Asori's heart lurched, but he feigned calm. He stepped closer and, awkward but firm, placed a hand on her silver hair, stroking it gently.
—I won't let anyone hurt you. —He leaned down and pressed a brief, warm kiss to her forehead.
Blair blinked, startled, her cheeks flushing.
—Why say that out of nowhere…?
Asori sighed, glancing at his bandaged fists.
—Because I know how worried you are. You've never seen me this scared before. And I am, Blair. That man… he terrifies me in a way I can't explain.
Her lip trembled, her eyes soft with the weight of his honesty. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him against her chest.
—You idiot… —she murmured tenderly—. I don't care if you're afraid. As long as you face him, I'll be here. Always.
Asori closed his eyes, letting himself sink into the embrace. For an instant, Kael's weight vanished.
A thunder shook the arena. The crowd's cheers reached even the infirmary. Mikan's fight had begun.
Asori and Blair pulled apart slowly, though their hands still brushed together.
—We shouldn't let the knight eat at us… —Asori forced a smile—. At least, not for now.
—Right. —Blair nodded, her eyes still shining with worry—. Let's go support Mikan.
They turned toward the door, where sunlight and the roar of the crowd called them. Mikan was already on the platform, ready to show that Azoth still had cards left to play.
The third match had begun.