Chapter 16 - Desperate


    Yumiko limped into the colosseum''s medical ward, her battered body aching with each step. The air was thick with the scent of blood, sweat, and medicinal herbs, mingling with the muffled groans and agonized cries of injured fighters. Torches flickered along the vaulted ceiling, their dim light casting long, wavering shadows on the stone walls.


    She moved past the rows of open rooms, scanning the beds for any sign of Lukas. Doctors rushed by, their hurried footsteps echoing against the stone. The tension in the air was suffocating, but Yumiko pushed forward, her heart hammering with worry.


    “Yumiko!”


    A familiar voice rang out from behind.


    She barely had time to turn before Mary barreled into her, wrapping her in a fierce hug that nearly knocked her off balance.


    Yumiko stiffened for a moment, then smiled through the pain, wincing as Mary’s grip tightened around her bruised ribs. “I… I’m a little hurt right now,” she admitted, though she couldn’t hide the warmth in her voice.


    “You damned fool,” Mary muttered, her voice shaking. She didn’t let go. “What if something had happened to you out there? Why didn’t you tell me?”


    Yumiko felt the raw emotion in her friend’s words, but she struggled to respond. “I’m sorry… I had a dream. I saw Lukas, lying dead on the colosseum floor. I couldn’t just—”


    “And what if that had been you?”


    Mary pulled back, her green eyes glistening with frustration and something deeper—something like fear. Yumiko had never seen her like this before, and it left her momentarily speechless.


    “I could barely handle watching Lukas out there, but you… You expected me to sit by and watch you get hurt too?” Mary shook her head, exhaling sharply. “I thought we were a team. You ran off while we were in line, and I thought I said something that upset you. But no—you were out there fighting the whole damn time and never told me. Why? Did you think I wouldn’t trust you?”


    Guilt settled like a weight in Yumiko’s chest. She lowered her gaze, her fingers curling into the torn fabric of her sleeve.


    “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I did it for Lukas. I didn’t mean to hurt you… I was selfish. That’s all.”


    Mary sighed, wiping at the corner of her eye before giving Yumiko a firm look. “Just promise me… don’t do something like this without telling me again.”


    Yumiko hesitated, then gave a slow nod. “I promise.”


    For a moment, the two stood in silence, the chaos of the infirmary buzzing around them.


    Mary’s sharp gaze flickered over Yumiko’s torn and bloodstained clothing—her black ninja garb shredded in places, kote guards dented from battle, and tabi socks darkened with dirt and blood.


    “Regardless,” Mary murmured, softening. “I’m just glad you’re alive. And that you won.”


    Yumiko shook her head. “It was a fluke. It was just luck on our side.”


    Mary snorted, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “A victory is a victory. The gods saw fit to grant it to you, so don’t go sulking over it.”


    Yumiko hesitated. “Mary—”


    Mary had already turned, but at the quiet concern in Yumiko’s voice, she stopped, glancing back. “What is it?”


    Yumiko looked to the floor, unease flickering in her eyes. “Sofia spoke to me… It was brief, but—”


    Mary’s expression hardened, her focus sharpening. “What did she say? Do we finally know where to go next? Or what the hell is happening now?”


    Yumiko opened her mouth to answer, but a frantic shout cut through the air.


    “Move! Move!”


    Both girls spun toward the commotion just as a team of doctors rushed into view, pushing a stretcher at a blistering pace. A flash of blonde hair— it wasLukas!


    “Lukas!” They cried, eyes widening in alarm as they sprinted toward him.


    “Move!” The doctors yelled, watching as the girls approached.


    “We know him!” Mary said, standing next to the stretcher as they wheeled it down the hall. “What’s wrong with him?”


    The doctor shook his head “We don’t know. The freaking armor took a lot out of him though. We can’t use our magic on him for some reason.”


    Yumiko glanced at Lukas’ arms and his neck - they were covered in black veins that webbed around the man’s skin. “What are those?” Yumiko asked, panic filling her voice, “He will be okay, right?”


    The doctor rolled his eyes, “Can someone get these two away!” He said, pushing Lukas past and into a room. The girls followed them in, but the doctor shook his head, “No, we need to check on him without you two getting in our way.”


    Mary stood in front of the doctor, annoyed, “We want to see what’s wrong with him. He’s our friend.”


    From behind the comotion, Luchs spoke, “Let them be. They won’t get in your way, doc.”


    The doctor looked at Luchs with a surprised expression, knowing of the man’s reputation, “As you say, Mr. Wilfried, sir!” The doctor said, stepping aside to let the girls in the room, Luchs following behind.


    Yumiko stood as close to Lukas as she could get as the three doctors started inspecting the man’s vitals. Luchs could see the worry in her eyes, “Good job on your victory.” He said, trying to uplift her spirit.


    Yumiko nodded, still watching the doctors as they began casting appraisal magic on Lukas’ body, his body shimmering in a faint green glow. “It was for Lukas… And Snow.” She said quietly.


    Mary folded her arms, “What do you want, Richie?”


    Luchs cast a sidelong glance at Mary, his expression briefly tightening. She was striking a nerve, and she knew it. “I wanted to tell you that Kenwick was rather upset when you won,” he said coolly. “He doesn’t take losing well. You could call him a sore loser.”


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    Mary scoffed. “And why should we care? We have a friend who’s dying, and you want to talk about Kenwick’s bruised ego?”


    Luchs remained unruffled, his tone as smooth as ever. “Because he was trying to take that wolf friend of yours and erase your friend’s victory.” He flicked his gaze toward Yumiko.


    Yumiko’s breath caught. “He’s trying to steal Snow?!”


    “Tried to,” Luchs corrected, his voice measured. “But I’m handling it. I got some good men watching it. Kenwick is persistent, but he isn’t stupid. Rest assured, he won’t make a move while I’m in place.”


    Mary narrowed her eyes. “And how can we be so sure of that?”


    Luchs tilted his head slightly, a glint of amusement in his green eyes. “And what exactly do you mean by that?”


    Mary crossed her arms, her frustration boiling over. “I saw you shaking hands with Kenwick after the match. You two looked pretty damn friendly for so-called ‘business associates.’”


    Luchs exhaled through his nose, his smirk unfaltering. “How do you think I got those free tickets? I went to thank him for putting on a good show. Nothing more, nothing less.” His gaze flicked between them, assessing their reactions. “I’m not your enemy, nor do I care to get in the way of you reuniting with your precious wolf. Kenwick is the one causing trouble, not me.”


    Mary clenched her jaw. “The gods ruled the match in Yumiko’s favor. He can’t just take Snow because he’s throwing a tantrum. That would be treason against the gods themselves.”


    Luchs chuckled, shaking his head. “Which is why I mentioned Kenwick being a sore loser. He would defy the gods with a smile on his face just to tip the scales in his favor. His ego is more fragile than you’d think.”


    Yumiko took a step forward, anger flaring in her chest. “We can’t lose Snow after everything we fought for—” A sharp pain shot through her leg. Her balance wavered.


    Mary was at her side in an instant. “Hey! Take it easy,” she scolded, catching Yumiko’s arm and helping her straighten.


    Before another word could be exchanged, a sudden commotion erupted from across the room.


    “He’s waking up!”


    “Get something to numb him—now!”


    Yumiko and Mary turned toward the voices, their breath hitching as they saw Lukas stirring on the cot. His body trembled, his breathing was erratic as the doctors scrambled around him, attempting to subdue the pain with healing magic.


    “Put him back to sleep, gods damn it!” the lead doctor barked.


    Yumiko’s stomach twisted as she watched the barely-conscious Lukas struggle against his own failing body. His skin was slick with sweat, his face pale beneath the web of blackened veins that coiled up around his neck.


    Then, with visible effort, he turned his head, his unfocused blue eyes locking onto her. “Don’t…” His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. “Don’t… lose… Snow. I don’t want… to lose another… friend….” His breath came in gasps, each word strained as if being pulled from the depths of his very soul.


    Yumiko wrenched herself free from Mary’s grasp, stepping between the doctors and Lukas’ bed, her voice trembling with emotion.


    “We won’t! We will not lose Snow—no matter what!” Tears welled in her eyes, her stance defiant despite the exhaustion weighing her down.


    Mary stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Yumiko’s shoulder and gently pulling her back. “Give them some space,” she murmured, though worry flickered in her own expression.


    At the foot of the bed, Luchs smirked, tilting his head as he studied Lukas’ delirious state. “You look like hammered shit, friend.”A faint grin ghosted over Lukas’ lips—weak, but there. Luchs chuckled, shaking his head. “I don’t know why you care so much about that furball, but don’t worry—we’ll secure it.” His tone was casual, but there was a firm edge to his words. “My men are on it. You have my word.”


    Lukas’ tense features eased for just a moment before his exhaustion pulled him back into unconsciousness.


    Mary arched a brow at Luchs, arms crossed. “Why are you so interested in protecting Snow? A businessman like you doesn’t do favors without expecting something in return.”


    Luchs offered a nonchalant shrug, his usual smirk in place. “He’s my friend, is what I want to say, but I doubt you’d believe that.” His fingers tightened around the metal rail of Lukas’ bed, his expression shifting ever so slightly. “But… he’s trying to find something I want, so I need him alive.”


    Mary narrowed her eyes. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”


    Luchs didn’t answer. His gaze wasn’t on Lukas, not really—he was staring past him, lost in thought.


    Before Mary could press further, the lead doctor spoke, irritation lacing his voice. “For gods’ sake, do we know what’s wrong with him yet?”


    One of the assisting doctors, a woman standing at Lukas’ bedside, extended her hand, her palm glowing with the faint shimmer of appraisal magic. A second later, the energy backfired—violently. A crackling pulse shot through the air, sending her stumbling backward. She hit the floor with a sharp gasp, clutching her wrist.


    Yumiko’s breath hitched. “What’s going on?” she demanded. “Why did it do that?”


    The fallen doctor pushed herself up, shaking her head in disbelief. “I—I can’t tell. It won’t let me see his condition…”


    The lead doctor’s brow furrowed, sweat forming at his temple.


    Yumiko clenched her fists. “Then use healing potions! I can get some—whatever you need!”


    The doctor sighed heavily. “We can’t just pour medicine into him blindly—not when his body is outright rejecting magic.” He rubbed his temple, deep in thought. “We need to call someone from the guild…”


    Mary bristled, frustration bleeding into her voice. “You barely even tried to help him!”


    The doctor snapped, his patience wearing thin. “Don’t you get it? If our magic is being repelled, we’re useless. If we can’t even diagnose what’s happening, how the hell do you expect me to treat him?”


    A heavy silence fell over the room. Yumiko’s heart pounded in her chest as she looked back at Lukas—unconscious, and looking rather pale. There had to be something they could do.


    Yumiko stood at Lukas’ bedside, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails bit into her palms. His face was unnervingly still, his chest rising and falling in shallow, uneven breaths. He looked trapped in some deep, unreachable place.


    “Lukas!” she called, her voice strained with desperation. “Lukas, wake up!” No response.She swallowed hard, willing him to stir, to give any sign that he could hear her. “Please… wake up.”


    The lead doctor let out an irritated sigh. “He can’t hear you right now. And you two are already getting in the damned way.” He turned to one of his assistants. “Go! Get someone from the head medical staff at the guild!”


    The assistant hesitated only for a moment before rushing from the room.


    Mary scoffed, folding her arms. “We could’ve done that! It’s like you’re hardly even trying!”


    The doctor’s patience snapped. “You know nothing about the medicinal arts! All you’re adding is fanfare! You’re lucky we’re going this far! Anyone under a level ten or eleven is considered useless and tossed aside, yet here we are, trying our best to save him!”


    Mary’s fists balled at her sides. “You bastard—”


    Before she could take a step forward, Luchs extended an arm, stopping her in her tracks.


    His expression remained unreadable as he turned his gaze to the doctor. “You’re as useless as the rest of us.” His voice was calm, almost casual, but there was a dangerous edge beneath the words. “I’ve seen you cast two spells and do a hell of a lot of yelling, but with no results. Maybe you should leave the room too—see if you can find someone to put a bandage on, or will you not be able to do that either?”


    The doctor stiffened, his face darkening. “What did you just say? I’m trying to save this man’s life—” Then he saw Luchs’ expression shift.


    A silent, unspoken threat passed between them. The doctor’s mouth opened as if to argue, but then his resolve crumbled. He swallowed hard, glancing at the exit. “Y-yes, Mr. Wilfried,” he said hastily, stepping back. With a quick motion, he gestured for his remaining colleague to follow.


    Both doctors hurried from the room, leaving the trio alone with Lukas.


    Mary exhaled sharply, running a hand through her red hair. She turned back to Lukas, watching as his face contorted slightly in his sleep, his body twitching in discomfort.


    “There has to be something we can do,” she muttered, shaking her head. “A doctor from the capital will take days to get here… and I don’t trust these idiots to handle it.”


    A voice rang out from the doorway.


    “How about I have a look?”


    The three of them turned in unison.


    A man stood at the entrance, adjusting the golden, circular-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. His brown hair was a disheveled mess, stubble lining his face, and his worn brown suit bore the faint traces of travel and dust. Despite his ragged appearance, he carried himself with an almost unsettling calm, a briefcase hanging loosely from his hand.


    “Hello.” He said with an awkward smile.