Chapter 11

He was thrown across the arena. That was the least of it. Ankary watched from the sidelines as Shiro was failing miserably in this battle. His strength was used up from the previous battle which was only 10 minutes ago. Seriously, how was a human like him expected to fight right after that slaughter? Still, he pressed. Every time he was knocked down he got back up. Ankary watched with frustration at his slow movements. Get. Up. And. Fight.

Of course Shiro won, he was the Champion (Survivor was a better title), but that didn't always mean he came out unscathed. Not only was he thrown across the arena, he had multiple gashes on his back from a whip, a deep wound in his thigh from a sword and countless bruises that were starting to turn black. Who knows what internal damage he had? When the tournaments were over for the day, both he and Shiro were returned to their cell. Shiro all but slumped down onto the cot and groaned in pain. Ankary huffed and scolded him using his signing. If he wasn't so damn inexperienced, he wouldn't have ended up this way. How the hell did he even survive to become the Champion in the first place?

Shiro didn't know anything about his signing, but Ankary conveyed the general emotion just the same on his face and the way his tail twitched. "What, you don't think I did a good job?" Came his cheeky reply. "I didn't die, that's what matters." If Ankary could visibly roll his eyes, he would. The wash of crimson red didn't allow that. Shiro tried to laugh, but it ended in a painful cough. The Dayan knelt down next to him and examined the injuries.

They weren't life threatening and weren't even as bad as he expected. Shiro just needed some rest before attempting anything. Spara knows the guards wouldn't help even if asked. They could care less about the prisoners who died there. Whoever was worthy of living, didn't die from any damned injury. Ankary did as best he could to help patch him up before he returned to his cot to get some sleep.

It was a couple of hours into the night cycle before he woke back up. Shiro's painful noises and shifting disturbed his slumber. He sat up and looked over at the Champion. Shiro was covered in sweat and his breathing was shallow and rapid. The wounds Ankary tried to bandage were bleeding through. He sighed. Humans are so fragile. Getting up, he walked over to Shiro and jostled him awake. Shiro was startled when he woke up, but relaxed when he realized his surroundings. He noticed the Dayan's eerie crimson gaze resting down on him and his aura shifted to an uneasy feeling.

"What's going on?" Ankary folded his arms and shook his head in disapproval. Humans. He held out a hand for the larger male to take. Shiro hesitated, but eventually let himself get pulled up. Ankary hoisted an arm over his shoulder and helped him over to the lock of the door. "What are you doing?" Ankary wanted to groan in frustration, but no sound came out at the attempt. He held a finger to his lips. At least he would be able to understand that sign. Carefully he messed with the latches on the door. Resolving to wedge his blade into the wall, he fiddled around and eventually broke the system.

The door slid open with a silent woosh and Ankary leaned out to look into the hallway. Thankfully, no patrols were in sight and there were few during the night cycles. Guess the Galra figured their prisoners were either too scared or too stupid to attempt an escape at night. Idiots. When Ankary confirmed the coast was clear, he hauled Shiro out into the hallway. They ducked into a nearby alcove in the wall between cells as a hiding spot. There was a distant sound of footsteps and they waited in silence.

Ankary clicked his clawed finger against Shiro's arm around his shoulders. After about the 20th or so tap, he and Shiro made their way as fast as they could to another spot where patrols didn't look. Thankfully Shiro could hold up most of his own weight, but Ankary was the one who had to supply the speed. Once again they waited. He tapped his fingers again for another number of taps before the sounds of footsteps grew louder. He could feel Shiro tense next to him, but he remained calm. The patrols were getting closer until they eventually passed and circled down another hallway. Ankary tapped a few more times before he darted out and to the next spot.

They continued along the pathway, and eventually Shiro understood why he was tapping his fingers in specific counts. He was timing the patrols. Ankary didn't really pay attention to the realization and understanding that was emitting in his aura. He was busy. Eventually they made their way through the ship and down the corridors until Ankary eventually picked his way into another room. The door slid open and he pulled Shiro inside, closing the door behind them.

The room was dark until he found some sort of sensor or whatever to indicate movement and the lights came on. The room was mostly white with an uncomfortable looking examination table in the middle. The wall was lined with a counter and a few cabinets locked with Galra technology. A few machines sat in the corner, but their purpose was lost to both of the prisoners. It didn't matter, that's not what they were here for anyway.

Ankary carefully lowered Shiro down onto the table who winced with the pain and let out a tired noise. "What is this place? Why did you bring me here?" Oh sweet Daea, so many questions. The Dayan rummaged through the room, checking slots and containers, gathering strange ingredients and items from various places. When he found what he was looking for, he placed all of it out onto the counter and sorted through everything. "Wait, I recognize this place. This is a medical room." Ankary was sure he was going to throttle him if he didn't shut up. He nodded impatiently.

He didn't have to give a command for Shiro to stay still. He wasn't going anywhere without his help. The first thing he did was remove the offending body suit as best he could from Shiro. The Champion remained still as Ankary looked closer at the many wounds on his body. Some of them were surely going to scar over, but that wasn't important. He applied the first of the disinfectants to the open wounds, making Shiro wince again and groan. The Dayan made sure to take care of the most severe ones first before focusing on the rest. He cleansed all of them and wrapped bandages tightly to keep them closed.

Without any herbs he recognized, Ankary wasn't able to put together any alchemy that would help to heal faster or for the pain, but he did recognize the medicines that were supplied there. Reading Galran was easy. Sure it was crude and rockier of a language, but he knew it well. It was an easy language to learn. He set about stitching up the huge gash in the human's thigh and bandaged it up afterwards. By the way that Shiro was able to get here without much of a problem more than walking; internal damage was minimal if nonexistent. That was good. He was about to set to work on finding something for the pain when the door suddenly opened, startling them both.

The aura Ankary sensed was intimidating. He recognized it from before, but instead of being scared, he felt an anger bubble inside him. Shooting a glare over to the door, his eyes burned when they rested on Kaizar. Shiro struggled to move, but Ankary held up a hand to pause him in his efforts. Kaizar entered the room a wicked smile revealing his fangs. "How precious, the little Dayan omega helping his injured human pet," the deep voice was condescending, only making the fire burn hotter. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you'd almost had a heart, Dayan." It took willpower to launch himself at the Galra. "I suppose you do, since you're half Sparan, pity. Such a weakness can be crippling."

Ankary hissed at him, getting up and circling his long tail around both him and Shiro protectively. "Kaizar," Shiro spat. "Don't think that just because I'm injured doesn't mean I won't fight you."

"Don't worry; I'm not going to stop you. Raising an alarm over such a medial task would be pointless and a waste of man power. I'll let you finish and return to your cell unharmed," He looked over at Ankary, "That is…if you accept my offer." The Dayan remained still. He wants to make a deal? Alright. "The druids require a test subject for their next experiment. Naturally they came to me since I have the Empire's largest supply, but they insisted that full cooperation was also a necessity. Who better than offer one of my best fighters? If you refuse, I'll have the Champion rot in his cell and throw you into solitary confinement until you're begging for release. You're choice."

The options were pretty clear as well as their consequences. Ankary looked over at Shiro. He was in no condition to fight his way out and Ankary won't be able to carry him and fight off the handlers and guards at the same time. He himself was also pretty tired to fight an actual fight as well. Daea. The human shook his head, "Don't do it, Ankary. Who knows what they'll do to you?" The Dayan didn't really have a choice. He looked at Kaizar and pointed to Shiro before making a single gesture for 'safe'. Kaizar was one of the few who knew the Silent Tongue. Communicating with prisoners from all different species was a useful skill.

"Yes, The Champion will be safe as long as you cooperate." Shiro made several attempts to get him to decline, but Ankary wasn't listening. He nodded his head in solemn agreement, making Kaizar's smile broaden. "Good. It seems all I need is a little leverage after all. Be a good little omega and come with me. I'll make sure the handlers finish the job on your friend." Ankary looked back at Shiro with a blank expression. He'll be fine. Kaizar cuffed him in high security, electric binds. He heard the human shout more protests, but they were quieted when he was led out of ear shot.

When he returned to his cell the next morning, a handler pushed him back in and threw his body suit to the ground. He was cold and shaking, his tail curled around himself. A rather large bruise decorated one of his shoulders. Ankary was informed that he would have 3 hours to get dressed and sleep before they brought him out to the arena and the door shut. Shiro was at his side, but Ankary hissed and pushed him away when he tried to help. Slowly the Dayan pulled his body suit on and the purple tattered shirt over it. He refused Shiro's help when he tried to get up and slumped down on the cot, pressing a hand against his shoulder. He turned towards the wall and tried to fall asleep.