19. Tix

The cold kiss of a draft against my neck stirred me from the deep abyss of unconsciousness.

I tried to shift my head away from it, but a bolt of pain shot through my spine, freezing me in place.

Gritting my teeth, I forced my heavy eyelids open, and the dim light of the room welcomed me.

It wasn't the pits.

I wasn't in the familiar stone chamber, and there was no roaring crowd above.

Instead, the soft hum of machinery and the sterile smell of disinfectant surrounded me.

Confusion gave way to realization: I was in a hospital room.

The memory of my encounter with Fleth, the unexpected assault in the corridor, it all came flooding back.

I remembered the pain, the shock of being caught off guard, the sharp, crushing blow that rendered me unconscious.

With great effort, I tried to lift my arm to inspect the damage, but searing pain lashed through me.

My leg!

Had he broken it?

A whimper escaped my lips before I could contain it.

"Easy there," a gentle voice chimed from my side.

Turning my head, I saw a nurse standing next to me in her white uniform.

Her face was obscured by a mask, but her eyes held a hint of concern.

"I need to get out of here," I rasped, trying to push myself up with my good arm.

My body screamed in protest, and I slumped back onto the bed, defeated.

The nurse shook her head. "You're not going anywhere, not with those injuries."

"My bones—"

"Are fractured," she finished for me, her tone firm. "You'll need to stay put while they heal."

"But the pits…" I trailed off, my mind racing.

If I wasn't fighting, if I wasn't present, Grace would be at risk.

I couldn't protect her, guide her, or be there for her.

The nurse, sensing my distress, laid a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You're in no shape for the pits. And even if you were, they're already over for the day."

"What?" Panic surged through me. "Who won? Tell me!"

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting away.

When she finally spoke, her voice was soft, almost apologetic. "It was Fleth."

A wave of nausea hit me, my head spinning.

Of all the fighters, it had to be him?

The creature that had put me in the hospital in the first place and who took pleasure in other people's pain, who wore cruelty like a second skin.

Grace.

My heart hammered against my chest as images of her filled my mind.

Was she okay?

Had Fleth claimed her?

The thought was unbearable.

The world seemed to echo with a dull ache as realization dawned on me.

Fleth had played the game cunningly.

Knowing he couldn't best me in fair combat, he had taken a more devious approach.

Take me out of the equation, win the pits, and claim Grace as his Prize.

It was a sickening game of chia'ick, and for the first time, I felt like a pawn.

Determined, I began to swing my legs over the side of the bed.

Every movement was a battle against the pain radiating from my injured leg, but the thought of Grace, held captive by that monster, spurred me forward.

As I attempted to stand, a weak, raspy voice caught my attention. "Tix…?"

I glanced to my left, and my heart caught in my throat.

There, in the next bed, lay Uhah, his once-bright yellow skin pale and waxy.

Tubes and monitors surrounded him, a mechanical symphony playing the final notes of his life.

His sunken eyes locked onto mine, holding a depth of pain and wisdom. "You shouldn't be up," he whispered, each word an effort.

"I… I have to go. I need to find Grace," I replied urgently, the panic evident in my voice.

Seeing Uhah in such a state momentarily pushed aside my immediate concerns.

Uhah managed a weak smile. "Always running after girls, eh?"

I frowned in confusion at him.

It wasn't like we were close and I wondered for a moment if he even knew who he was talking to.

I sighed, momentarily lost for words. "She's my guiding star, Uhah. And right now, she's in danger."

Uhah's gaze softened even further, filled with a profound sadness. "I've lived long, seen many things, Tix. I've witnessed countless pit battles, watched the rise and fall of Champions, seen Prizes won and lost. What you two have…it's rare. It's love. Protect it. Cherish it."

His words hung in the air, a heavyweight that grounded me.

I nodded, tears forming at the edges of my eyes. "I will, Uhah. I promise."

The old alien's eyes flickered with a distant memory. "You know, back in my day, I had someone too. We shared a bond not unlike what you have with Grace. I lost her… to pride, to ego. Don't make the same mistakes I did, young one."

I knelt beside him, grasping his frail hand in my own. "I won't."

Uhah chuckled, the sound brittle but genuine. "I always knew you were a good one, Tix. Now, go. Save your star."

With newfound determination, I stood, steadying myself against the sharp pain in my side.

I gave Uhah one final look before turning towards the exit.

I had a mission, and I wouldn't let anything stand in my way.

As I limped toward the door, a frantic voice called out from behind me. "You can't leave! You're not healed yet!"

I glanced back to see the nurse, her eyes wide with concern.

I couldn't be deterred.

Without another word, I pushed through the exit, leaving the nurse's pleas echoing behind me.

Grace had been claimed by Fleth and now Uhah was on his deathbed, not long for this world.

We were quickly running out of time.