10. Ashale

Apulsating pain throbbed in the base of my skull, each beat like the drumming of an ancient war chant.

The medical bay's antiseptic aroma still clung to my nostrils, making every breath feel sterile and cold.

I had to get out.

The sterility of the infirmary was stifling, especially when Nova's safety was at stake.

The prison corridors seemed endless.

With every step, the clang of my boots against the grated floor echoed back at me, a constant reminder of the heavy weight of my situation.

I knew where I had to go first.

The cell of the brute who'd bested me.

His reputation preceded him; he was not just any prisoner but one of the most feared.

Not because he was particularly cunning or strategic but due to his sheer brute force.

The rumors had been right; he was a beast in combat.

Yet, if Nova was with him, I would face him again without hesitation.

I stumbled twice on the way and had to brace a hand on the wall to keep myself from falling over.

But I kept going.

I reached the brute's cell.

But how was I meant to get inside?

I raised a fist to knock, then decided against it.

He would never open it if he knew I was outside.

I would wait for him to emerge.

The seconds stretched into infinite minutes and then finally, the cell door slid open with a hiss.

I lunged forward before the brute could respond — although I did catch a flicker of shock in his eyes right before I grabbed him.

I shoved him back into his cell and into the opposite wall.

With my lack of coordination, still suffering the effects of his final blow, I wasn't capable of much more than that.

But he didn't know that.

Still, there was something that didn't make any sense, and it took me a moment to realize it:

Nova wasn't there.

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I squared my shoulders, puffing up my chest.

I had to give the illusion of strength. "Where is she?"

My voice, though quivering slightly, carried enough menace that it made the burly beast pause.

It was slightly gratifying, knowing that even in my weakened state, I still intimidated him.

He snorted, his large nostrils flaring, "I handed her to Sneik."

My heart stopped.

Of all the possibilities, that was the one outcome I dreaded the most.

Sneik was not just dangerous; he was malevolent in a way few beings in the galaxy were.

Drawing on every ounce of my remaining strength, I leaned in, my face inches from his. "If a single hair on her head is harmed, I will end you."

My voice was barely a whisper, but it dripped with venom.

He leaned back, feigning indifference, but the glint of worry in his eyes was evident. "Your threats mean nothing. Go see for yourself."

As I turned to leave, my legs wobbled, threatening to buckle.

Every step was a herculean effort.

The deafening silence of the corridors only amplified my own chaotic thoughts.

The cool touch of the metallic walls seemed to sap away my remaining energy, but the burning determination to find Nova pushed me forward.

The scent of old battles lingered as I headed for Sneik's quarters.

* * *

Sneik'scell was guarded by his cronies — a veritable wall of muscle, scales, and teeth.

They were standing tall, evidently ready to defend their leader to the death.

Their very presence heightened my senses: the tang of sweat, the dissonant hum of the overhead lights, the pungent odor of aggression emanating from the assembled throng.

My heart raced as I stood there, trying to find a way to bypass them.

There was a thick, almost palpable tension in the air.

Trying to charge through would be foolhardy, even for me.

There were just too many, and even though I had fought valiantly many times before, I was not in the shape for another battle — especially not one I knew I could not win.

Retreating footsteps echoed off the cold walls.

It was my only escape.

But then, a thought sprung to mind — my students.

The young warriors I had trained.

Together, we'd be an unstoppable force.

But, just as quickly as the thought came, guilt shadowed it.

They were still learning, still finding their way in this harsh universe.

Should I really draw them into this fight, one that was ultimately mine to bear?

The bitter sting of despair threatened to overtake me, making me want to retch.

I was caught between a rock and a hard place, and the weight of that realization bore down on me.

But then, just as I was about to abandon hope, the thick cell door began to slide open with a heavy grating noise.

Was I too late?

Had Sneik already defiled her?

As the heavy cell door slid open, a sight met my eyes that I hadn't quite expected.

Nova stood tall, her familiar silhouette a beacon of hope in this bleak environment.

The cold lighting of the cell threw shadows across her face, but her determined gaze shone brightly.

Behind her, the once fearsome Sneik lay sprawled on the ground, unconscious.

A musky aroma wafted from Sneik's inert form.

My heart thundered in my chest, beating a rhythm of joy and relief.

She held out Sneik's hand which she had evidently used to brush against the scanner.

I rushed to her, taking in the deep amber of her eyes, shining with triumph. "You did it," I murmured, voice full of awe and pride.

She nodded, her lips curving into a small smile.

I wrapped her in a tight embrace, reveling in the familiar texture of her hair against my face and the rhythmic beat of her heart against mine.

Sneik's gang, arrayed around the cell, looked on in evident confusion.

The dynamics had shifted.

Their leader was downed, not by another fearsome male prisoner, but by the very Prize he had coveted.

"We should go," Nova whispered.

I nodded, leading her away from the scene.

As we navigated the prison's maze-like structure, the soft padding of our footsteps echoed our shared urgency.

Feeling a renewed sense of vigor, I said:

"I swear, Nova, I'll never lose a fight again. I won't let them touch you."

She halted in her steps, turning to me with a grave look.

Her gaze, always so full of wisdom and insight, pierced through me. "You can't make that promise, Ashale," she whispered, the air around her cooling as her voice took on a hint of sadness. "No one can win forever."

I frowned, the weight of her words pressing down on me, making the prison's walls feel closer and more oppressive.

"We need to escape this place, Ashale," she continued. "The longer we stay, the more danger we're in."

A low growl rumbled from the distance, the familiar sounds of skirmishes and disagreements among the inmates.

The prison was always alive with sound, a cacophony that spoke of anger, despair, and tension.

I tightened my grip on her hand, feeling the gentle press of her fingers against mine, "What do you suggest?"

Her gaze, filled with determination, met mine. "We need to summon our ultimate spirit animal. The dragons."

A shiver ran down my spine.

The thought of encountering a dragon, even a spiritual one, was daunting.

The legends spoke of their immense power, the heat of their breath, the sheer force of their presence.

I could almost smell the acrid scent of burnt earth and feel the scorching heat on my face.

"Do you think we can control it?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

She gave me a determined nod. "With your help, yes. But it won't be easy. We'll need to find a quiet place where we can focus and tap into its energy."

The alarm sounded.

It was morning already, and Prizes had to return to the Prize Pool.

We were out of time.

I took Nova by the shoulders. "We'll get through this," I told her. "We'll figure out how to escape from here. I promise."