Vayu's eyes fluttered open. To his surprise, he wasn't in the infirmary but in his own room. Streaks of golden light came through his window. The sun was just about to set.
He pushed himself up slightly, with wall behind his back he sat on his bead. Except for the bandaged wound on his thigh, his body was almost healed. The pain in his chest and face was gone, even the swelling around his eyes. His thigh still ached, but the wound had stooped bleeding. The speed of his recovery startled him.
"Son!" His mother's voice came, she was standing near the door, with new bandages in her hand. In an instant, she rushed across the room and threw her arms around him, clutching him as if she would never let him go. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she held him tightly.
"What happened, Mom? I'm alright see for yourself" Vayu said gently, his voice filled with confusion.
His mother pulled back and looked towards him, her eyes were filled with tears, but from her expression she seemed angry.
"I'm fine mother see...."
"You've been unconscious for four days" his mother cut him off mid sentence. A look of disbelief showed on Vayu's face , he gulped his words back into his mouth.
After he had collapsed in the semifinals, the infirmary staff had rushed him to the infirmary, just like others. But Vayu showed no signs of waking up, one day, two days he remained unconscious . On the third, his parents, hearts broken, brought him back home, to take better care of him themselves. His father had even took leave from this hunt, staying by his side, for the first time he felt helpless, all he could do was wait and watch his son lying on the bed.
His mother kept crying, she cried non-stop for last 2 days, she had lost her father in her childhood, now the fear of losing her son, she couldn't bear it. She had only left briefly to fetch fresh bandages for his thigh—and when she returned, she found him awake. Happiness and anger surged at once.
Now, as she wept into his chest, holding him tighter than ever, Vayu felt the weight of those four days. She had been terrified of losing him. He felt guilty, so he hugged her back.
Night fell, and the sound of footsteps echoed softly through the house. Vayu's father returned from outside, the door creaking open. When his eyes fell on his son, awake and sitting upright, he froze for a moment.
Without a word, he walked over and sat down onto the edge of the bed. The two sat in silence, after some time, his father stood, placed a firm hand on Vayu's shoulder, and said quietly "You did well in the match son, I'm proud of you" Vayu smiled back.
That was all. No long speech, no fuss. Just those simple words. Then he turned and walked outside of his room.
Later, the three of them sat on the dinner table. For the first time ever since Vayu had collapsed, his mother ate properly. His mother, hadn't ate a full meal in last four days, finally ate more than a few mouthfuls. All those nights, her husband had urged her to eat, but she had only shaken her head while crying, surviving on scraps.
Now, though her eyes were still swollen, she smiled faintly as she shared food with her son. The house, which felt heavy with silence, seemed to breathe again.
On the other side, after the last semi-final match
Aspen, returned from his victory and made his way straight to his grandfather's office. His chest puffed out from pride, his foot steps heavy .
When he arrived, the room was empty. Frowning, he asked the attendant about his grandfather whereabouts.
"your grandfather had told me to inform him when you come back, wait sometime" he said as he went to call his grandfather.
After some time, the old man entered, his face filled with pride, smile visible on his lips, his eyes warmed as he looked towards Aspen.
"Grandpa"
"Aspen" he said with a broad smile, moving toward him.
But before he could say more, Aspen's knees buckled. His vision dimmed, and he collapsed forward. His grandfather rushed in, catching him just before he hit the ground.
In that instant, the old man understood. Aspen had barely maintained his consciousness. Only when he finally saw his grandfather, when the tension lifted of his mind and as soon as his body had loosened, his mind surrendered.
Without delay, his grandfather called for the physician in secret. He would not allow others to see the boy's like that. Aspen's injuries were treated quietly, behind closed doors. Then he called his trusted attendant whispered something in his ear and told him to go, soon the attendant went towards the first elder's office.
By evening, Aspen's eyes opened again. His breath was still heavy, his body aching.
He remembered the clash with Vayu, even in his last bit of strength, that boy had fought furiously, once the thought of losing came across his mind as his grip loosened . Aspen clenched his fists, a fire flickering in his eyes.
Present Day
After two more days of rest, Vayu finally stepped outside. His body was still stiff, but the fresh air felt good on his face his mother still didn't want him to go out, but he came out anyways. He made his way towards the training ground.
The Instructor greeted him with a rare smile, eyes bright with pride. "You did well, boy, Better than I had expected."
At first, he had feared Vayu might neglect his training, but the boy had proved him wrong, not only surviving the semifinals but earning his place in the finals "how are you preparing for your final match?" his instructor asked.
Vayu's face was suddenly filled with sorrow. "I must have already lost., I wasn't there… so it must have been counted as surrender" he expressed his thoughts.
His instructor chuckled and shook his head. "You don't know the truth, Vayu, not a single final in the history of this competition has ever been decided by absence" he put his hand on Vayu's shoulder and continued "The elders know what it means to reach this final stage, so they have decided to conduct the match when both the fighter are at their best condition".
Vayu blinked, stunned as relief began to spread through his chest.
His instructor leaned forward, his voice calm but steady. "You haven't lost anything yet boy so for now, rest and recover, Your fight still waits for you".
Meanwhile, after the match semi-finals got over, the elder assembled inside the chamber of the 1st Elder, to make decision
about the final match as both the fighters were injured.
"we should wait till both of them make a full recovery" fourth elder said.
"I agree" supported fifth elder.
"what is there to wait, the boy had already lost to Aspen, do you think he can win the finals by some miracle" said third elder.
"But I agree with fourth elder too" said the second elder while the first elder stayed quiet. the discussion continued for long time but the third elder wanted the match to happen as quickly as possible while the three elder denied to delay the match, the other three elders agreed in unison to delay the match.
After a long wait the first elder spoke " I think we should wait third elder" she said, third elder showed anger on his face but stayed quiet.
At that time third elder's assistant arrived and said" there is some urgent work that requires your presence elder" third elder got up and stormed out of the office. After he left the first elder spoke again "convince third elder" her words directed towards the second elder.
The elders had decided to delay the finals until both Aspen and Vayu recovered, but Aspen's grandfather had refused. His thirst for revenge clouding his reason. He stormed out of the hall, his voice echoing with protest.
Yet, when he returned to his estate and saw his grandson faint in front of him, when he caught Aspen's unconscious body in his arms, he felt guilty. The pressure he had put onto his own grandson, the weight of his vengeance blinded his reasoning. He had cared more for revenge than for his own blood, he felt extremely sad and came to a decision.
That very instant, he summoned his attendant, after whispering something he said "Go" quietly. "Tell the elders… I accept their decision".
And so, the finals were delayed waiting for the day when both fighters stood at their best, ready to face each other once more.