When Nyx opened her eyes, she found herself lying on a stone bench outside the arena. Healers were working frantically on her injuries.
"Four ribs broken now. The fractures from the hunt have worsened."
"She can't survive another round in this condition. It's impossible."
Raziel's voice cut through the medical chaos.
"Then make it possible."
The healers fell silent. Nyx tried to focus on her surroundings. Raziel was standing over her, behind him, she could see the arena entrance.
A elderly female healer went to Razeil.
"My king, this human will die if she continues."
"She'll die if she quits. At least this way, she has a chance."
"A chance? Look at her. Broken ribs, swollen ankle, internal bleeding."
"I'm aware of her injuries. Do what you can in the time we have."
"We don't have enough time. She needs weeks, not…"
"One hour." Raziel ordered. "Work with what you have, or step aside for someone who will."
The healer flinched but didn't back down.
"You're asking me to save someone in an hour who should be in intensive care for months. I can numb the pain temporarily, but her body is failing. Another round will kill her."
"Then give her whatever you can to survive fifteen more minutes because she's not quitting. Are we clear?"
The healer bowed her head in defeat.
"As you command, my king." She said and returned to her work.
Nyx tried to speak but could only cough. Raziel immediately crouched beside her.
"Don't try to talk. Save your strength."
"Can't… survive…" Nyx whispered.
"You can." He held her hands gently. "You survived the hunt and the first round. You'll survive this too."
"How?"
"Same way you've survived everything else." His thumb traced small circles on her wrist. "With pure stubbornness."
Despite the pain, Nyx smiled.
"That's… your plan?"
"It has worked so far. Rest now."
"Promise me… something."
"What?"
"If I die…don't let it… be for nothing."
"You're not going to die."
"Promise me."
He stared at her for a moment.
"I promise. If you die, I'll make sure it changes things. I'll make sure humans get a second chance but you're not dying today. Understand?"
Nyx nodded. Raziel stood up, released her hand, and walked away to speak with someone else.
The healers resumed their work.
"This is all we can do." One muttered.
"It won't be enough." Another replied.
"Then we pray to whatever gods she believes in."
Suddenly, Kira came and stood over her.
"You look like you'll die any minute now." Kira said bluntly.
"Feel even worse." Nyx rasped.
"Good. It means you're still feeling something. The second opponent is a female. She'll try to get close, and use her weight advantage."
"Can't… let her."
"No, you can't. If she gets her hands on you properly, you're done." Kira pulled out a small pouch and put it on Nyx's chest. "It is wound powder. It burns like hell. Use it if you need to."
Nyx held the pouch in her hands.
"Why… help me?"
"I'm not helping you. I'm helping him." Kira looked at Razeil standing at the side talking with someone. "He's risking everything for you. The least you can do is survive long enough to make it worth it."
"What if… I can't?"
"Then you die, and he will learn a painful lesson about hope. But personally? I hope you survive. Seeing you actually pull this off would be interesting." She said and left.
Then a horn blew as an indicator that only ten minutes were left. The healers stepped back,
Two guards helped Nyx stand. Her legs barely supported her weight.
They walked her back toward the arena's entrance. The crowd's noise grew louder as they approached. At the entrance, the guards released her. She stood alone, swaying slightly. The gate began to open. Nyx tucked the pouch of wound powder in her belt and stepped inside.
The second bear warrior was already waiting in the center of the arena. She was slightly smaller than the first opponent but she looked more dangerous. She had no weapon, she was going to fight with her hands.
Korran stood up from his throne.
"Round two." He announced. "Same rules. Survive for fifteen minutes and you pass. Begin."
The horn blew.
The female bear moved immediately, driving Nyx towards the arena wall. Nyx tried to create distance like earlier.
"You're hurt." The bear observed.
Nyx didn't respond.
"This doesn't have to be difficult. Quit. Living on your knees is better than dying on your feet."
"Not… to me."
"Pride. Humans always are too proud." The bear attacked from left.
Nyx tried to dodge but she was too slow. The bear grabbed her vest, lifted her off, and slammed her on the ground.
Nyx's vision went white. She could taste blood as she felt her ribs literally shattering. The bear didn't let go. She moved her hand to chokehold.
But Nyx slammed her elbow into the bear's face. The bear's head snapped back and her grip loosened.
Nyx immediately rolled away and stood up.
"Fast." The bear said, wiping blood from her nose.
"Practice."
"You'll need more than practice." The bear came for her again . "I've fought for thirty years. You've fought for only three days."
Nyx's mind raced thinking about options.
Make her fight where size is disadvantage.
She looked around the arena and saw a section near the wall where fallen rocks from round one made the ground uneven. It was dangerous for someone heavy.
Nyx walked towards it.
"Running? Smart. But there's nowhere to run."
Nyx reached the rocky section and waited. The bear too followed her and lunged towards her.
Nyx waited until the last moment, then dropped flat on the ground. The bear's momentum carried her forward and her feet hit the uneven rocks.
Nyx struck at her ankle with her both forearm weapons. It worked. The bear fell down and crashed on the rocks.
Nyx climbed onto a big rock, to get vertical advantage and forcing the bear to climb up to reach her. The bear got up frustrated.
"Clever."
"Learning from… the best predators."
"Flattery won't save you."
"Not trying to… save myself. Just… survive."
For the next few minutes, Nyx led her through the rocks. She was moving, dodging, using the area to make up for her injuries. The bear became even more frustrated.
The bear finally grabbed Nyx's leg and yanked her off the rocks. Nyx hit the ground but immediately stood up. But this time her ankle gave out completely. She fell down.
"There." The bear said. "It's over."
Nyx's pulled out the pouch Kira had given her.
The bear was leaning down to kill her with one last move when Nyx threw the powder straight into her eyes. The bear roared in pain.
"You…" The bear stumbled backward. "Dirty…"
"Survival."
Nyx couldn't stand. She could only crawl using her hands. The bear's vision finally cleared.
But Nyx kept crawling, using rocks and obstacles. Her hands were bleeding through the bandages.
The bear grabbed her by the vest again but before she could do anything, Nyx headbutted her with full force. The bear's nose broke. Her grip loosened.
The horn blew. Round two was complete. The bear stopped and stared at Nyx in disbelief.
"Round two: Draw. The human survives." Korran announced.
The crowd erupted louder than after the round one. Healers rushed in immediately. Raziel was there before them. He lifted Nyx himself.
"You did it."
"One more." Nyx whispered . "Just… one more."
"I know." His arms tightened around her. "But first, we need to keep you alive through the next hour."
He carried her out of the arena, ignoring the protocol and the stares. Behind them, Nyx heard the bear's warrior's voice.
"Human! What's your name?"
Nyx turned her head.
"Nyx. Nyx Keller."
"Nyx Keller." The bear wiped blood from her face. "You fight like a cornered wolf. I'll remember that."
Nyx smiled.
"Two rounds survived. One remains. Bring out my champion." Korran announced as Nyx blacked out again.