The Warden who'd called them to order stepped back to the edge of the courtyard. His name was Warden Cross, according to a whisper Adrian caught from nearby. He watched with the same clinical interest a butcher might show examining a cut of meat.
Julian rolled his shoulders and stepped into the centre of the open space. The other Initiates formed a loose circle around them, eager for entertainment.
Adrian walked forward slowly. His legs felt steadier than they had yesterday, but seven days in a cell had done him no favours. Julian, meanwhile, moved with the easy confidence of someone who'd been training for months.
"Rules are simple," Cross called out. "Hand to hand only. No Dao abilities. Fight until someone yields or can't continue. Begin."
Julian didn't wait.
He crossed the distance between them in three quick steps and threw a straight punch at Adrian's face.
Adrian tried to dodge. Too slow. The fist caught him on the cheek, and his head snapped sideways. Pain exploded across his jaw.
Christ, he's fast.
He stumbled back but Julian was already moving. A kick to Adrian's ribs sent him sprawling sideways. He hit the cobblestones hard, palms scraping against stone.
"Get up," Julian said. His voice was cheerful. "Don't tell me that's all you've got."
Adrian pushed himself to his feet. His ribs ached where the kick had landed. I need to be smarter. Watch his movements. Find an opening.
Julian came at him again. Adrian raised his hands to guard his face but the blonde boy feinted high and drove his fist into Adrian's stomach instead.
The air left Adrian's lungs in a rush. He doubled over, gasping.
Julian's knee came up and caught him in the face.
Adrian went down hard. Blood filled his mouth. His nose throbbed. Everything hurt.
"Pathetic," Julian said above him. "How did you survive a binding. I don't see it."
Adrian tried to get up. His arms shook. His vision swam.
Julian kicked him in the ribs again. Once. Twice. Three times.
"Stay down," someone muttered from the watching crowd. A girl's voice. Concerned.
Adrian didn't stay down. He couldn't. If he stayed down now, everyone would know he was weak. They'd target him. Use him.
Get up. Move.
He made it to his hands and knees. Blood dripped from his nose onto the cobblestones.
Julian grabbed him by the collar and hauled him upright. Adrian's legs barely held.
"I'll give you this," Julian said, his smile never wavering. "You're stubborn."
He punched Adrian in the stomach again. Then the face. Then the ribs.
Adrian couldn't defend himself. Couldn't think. Could barely breathe. Each impact sent fresh waves of pain through his body.
He hit the ground again. This time he didn't try to get up. Couldn't. His body wouldn't respond.
"That's enough," Marcus's voice cut across the courtyard. "Julian, step back."
"I'm not finished." Julian's boot pressed down on Adrian's shoulder, pinning him to the ground. "He hasn't yielded yet."
"I said that's enough." Marcus's tone hardened. "Step back. Now."
"Make me."
The courtyard went silent. Even the whispers stopped.
Marcus moved faster than Adrian could track. One moment he was at the edge of the circle. The next he was standing between Julian and Adrian, one hand on Julian's chest pushing him back.
"You want to keep going?" Marcus's voice was calm but there was steel underneath. "We can arrange a match with someone your own level. But this isn't training. This is just cruelty."
Julian's smile finally faded. He looked at Marcus for a long moment, then at Warden Cross, who watched impassively from the sidelines.
"Fine." Julian stepped back and raised his hands. "Your call, Hunter Reed."
He turned and walked back to his friends. They clapped him on the shoulder, congratulating him.
Marcus knelt beside Adrian. "Can you stand?"
"Give me a minute." Adrian's voice came out thick and slurred. His mouth tasted like copper.
"Take your time."
Adrian lay on the cold cobblestones and tried to breathe without making his ribs scream. Around him, the other Initiates began pairing off for their own matches. The entertainment was over.
I'm the weakest one here. They all saw it. Julian destroyed me in less than a minute.
His vision blurred. Not from the beating, though that didn't help. From humiliation. From rage at his own inadequacy.
I bound to some unknown Dao, and I can't even defend myself in a simple fist fight.
The shadows cast by the courtyard walls seemed darker than they should be. Longer. They stretched towards him across the cobblestones, reaching.
No. That's just my vision blurring. The pain making me see things.
But the shadows did seem to ripple slightly. Like water disturbed by a thrown stone. They pooled around his hands, where they pressed against the ground.
Adrian blinked, and the effect vanished. Normal shadows. Nothing more.
Marcus's eyes narrowed slightly. He glanced at the ground near Adrian's hands, then back at Adrian's face. His expression gave nothing away.
"Come on," Marcus said, offering his hand. "Let's get you to the infirmary. Doctor Rhys will want to check for broken ribs."
Adrian took the offered hand and let Marcus pull him upright. His legs held, barely. Everything hurt.
"I can walk."
"Good. Because I'm not carrying you."
They crossed the courtyard together. Adrian tried not to limp. Tried to keep his head up even though all he wanted to do was curl up somewhere dark and quiet.
Julian watched them go, that arrogant smile back on his face. Their eyes met for a brief moment.
He enjoyed that. Enjoyed hurting me. Proving he was better.
Adrian looked away first. He had to. If he kept looking, he'd do something stupid.
They entered the building and the courtyard noise faded behind them. Marcus led him through halls Adrian didn't recognise until they reached a door marked with a red cross.
The infirmary.
"Wait here," Marcus said, then disappeared inside.
Adrian leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. His face throbbed. His ribs ached with each breath. His hands were scraped raw from hitting the cobblestones.
Seven days locked in a cell. Then this. Welcome to the Tenebris Vigil, Adrian. Hope you survive it.
The door opened, and Doctor Rhys emerged, spectacles glinting in the lamplight.
"Let's have a look at you," he said, gesturing Adrian inside.
Adrian followed him into the infirmary. Behind him, Marcus lingered in the doorway for a moment, his gaze distant and thoughtful.
Then the door closed.