Page 26 of Xeda

"Definitely not like this," she agreed. She shifted on her feet. "I wish I could tell you more. But as I said, the roster changes every year, and houses are very strict about keeping their fighters secret. Though there are always spies. I would try to find out more for you. Hendrik probably had information on his computer, but even getting permission to unlock his machine to grab that data will take too much time. All I can give you is guesswork."

He grunted, walking back over to the edge of the course. "It's no matter whether I know or not. I don't plan on losing either way."

She liked his confidence at least. But she knew it wasn't going to be easy. And soon he'd know why.

* * *

They spent the next several days training from afternoon to sundown. Mostly she used the course. Changing the levels, giving him different perspectives and different obstacles to figure out. When she felt he'd shown his ability to traverse the course well enough, she moved to fighting specifically. They used a bot as a dummy first. She was reluctant to use one of the other house fighters to practice with. Hendrik loved to pit the house fighters against each other for practice. In theory, it made sense because that was the best way to train, to fight against another real opponent. But there lay her weakness for broken things yet again. She hated the idea of putting them under harm, knowing Xeda would likely throttle them. Still, it was more important to know his strengths and weaknesses in a fight. Eventually, after sleeping on it for a few days, she reluctantly brought one of their better fighters out onto the field. A grex named Urgin.

He had several scars on his face and chest that made him look intimidating, and his height was nothing to laugh at either, though he still didn't match up to Xeda. Next to Tajia, he had been their second strongest fighter but hadn't qualified for the games. He was what the houses called a bastard champion because he only ever won in singular fights or smaller tournaments. Matches that were held year-round in smaller circles. The other fighters were considered lowly just like him and only ever fought in private fights, never strong enough for the games. She felt for them too but had no way to help them now like she did Xeda. Sal made it clear she could utilize the fighters but only for the benefit of making Xeda his champion.

So, she used Urgin and hoped he would be some match for the vrisha. She ordered Ivan to clean the units and feed the others while she brought Urgin out, knowing the boy would use a rod on him, and she was having none of that. She brought Urgin out, knowing he was tamed, Hendrik having beaten him down years ago. The grex went straight to the yard and stood before Xeda, taking a fighter's stance. He showed no fear in his eyes despite the far more intimidating opponent before him. Venomous saliva dripped from his mouth, eager to bite down on flesh.

"A clean fight, no maiming or deep wounds," she ordered. Xeda paced, looking more than ready to start. When she gave the signal, the two sprang into action.

The fight didn't last long. Xeda dodged several of Urgin's attacks, clearly the quicker of the two. Sand kicked up as the two paired off, dodging and attacking at a speed no human could ever hope to equal. Xeda was smart to stay away from Urgin's mouth as the grex's venom could be deadly. One bite could put Xeda out of the games for good.

Blood stained the sands. Xeda got an edge on the grex, pinning him down into the ground, filling his mouth with gravel. It became clear very quickly that the vrisha was as skilled as he claimed.

But would it be enough?

When it was done, she had them separate and gave Urgin a salve for his shallow injuries, sending him back to his cell.

"And that was supposed to be one of your best?" Xeda said as she returned to him, offering him a salve which he didn't take.

"He's the best we have to work with," she said. "But it's good to see you really can fight at least."

"If you want to test me, you'll have to do better than that."

"I think the trials will be more than enough to do that."

"And when are they?" he asked, sounding impatient.

Her gaze trailed over the blood on the ground. "Soon. Just a few more days."

She sent him back to his cell as the sun was beginning to disappear behind the mountains. She walked to the dining hall feeling a strange sort of way. Watching Xeda fight had been exhilarating, to say the least. And frightening. It told her what she already had suspected. He was a trained killer too. And he'd done it many times before. If he hadn't held himself back, she was sure he could have easily ended Urgin's life. In the games, he wouldn't have to hold back. And she knew he wouldn't.

On K2, it was a good thing. It was what would keep him alive, would give him a winning edge. But deep down, it made her wary, made her remember who he was. The marks might be fading away, but deep down, he must still be a terror to her own kind. As she sat down with her tray, she realized she was lucky he was even willing to listen to her let alone comply with her whims. She shouldn't let her guard down with him no matter what. No matter how she might feel.

"Hey, Ophilia." Kendra sat down beside her. "So, have you lost your mind or what?"

"How's that?" she asked.

"Training the vrisha? You trying to get yourself killed?"

"No, funny enough, just the opposite."

Kendra shook her head. "The others are making bets on how long you'll make it."

Ophilia smiled. "I figured as much."

"Listen, I know you want out of here more than anyone. But seriously, this is not the way to do it. Once that vrisha finds a loophole out of here and then gets it in his head to run, you’re toast. And I heard he's lost his mind. So, if he breaks, he's just going to turn on you. Be smart, Ophilia, think this through."

"I have. I know the risks. But I have to do this."

Kendra only shook her head again. "You do you then. I'll put in a good word at your funeral." She moved off, and Ophilia sat eating alone, aware of the eyes on her back.

She didn't care. Let them talk, let them think she was crazy or desperate. All her life, she kept her head down, kept in her place, only to know she would spend her days in servitude. No, she needed this chance. Even if it killed her.

---