Chapter 9: An Uncivilized Battle
Over a decade ago, Prince Bharagaven had been presented with the Agni and became Priyansi's official Crimson Tiger. That had been an easy ceremony.
Priyansi had been too young for any serious suitors and Gaven had already proven himself to be formidable in battle. Thus, when Gaven announced that he would challenge his father for the title, no one else saw a reason to participate.
Back then, Gaven and his father had used swords. The royal family is not associated with any one tribe. Each family member is versed in all the ceremonial weapons, but Gaven had always had a preference for swords. His father knew this and humored his son by matching his weapon choice.
Their fight had taken minutes and Gaven managed to win against the elderly Crimson Tiger without spilling a single drop of blood. It had all been so civilized and clean.
Today's ceremony was not that.
Q'Wasim watched the two champions below. Chinmay and Saahas were breathing hard and shining with sweat. Their bodies were covered in bruises and gashes.
Saahas had definitely gotten better since Q'Wasim had last seen him fight and Chinmay was well…Chinmay. Each mark on the other's body had been a hard-fought trophy. Saahas had reach and flexibility, but Chinmay was stronger. The two champions seemed evenly matched until Chinmay swung his mace at Saahas's head.
Instead of dodging, Saahas caught the mace in between the prongs of his trident. Saahas then jerked the trident upward, intending to rip the mace out of Chinmay's hand. It was a move Saahas had tried before, but this time, Chinmay did not twist the mace out of Saahas's control. The Champion of the Vajra tribe let go of his weapon and lunged past Saahas's trident to tackle Saahas to the ground.
The move took Saahas completely by surprise. He slammed against the red sand with Chinmay on top of them and the two struggled for control. However, without weapons, Chinmay had the upper hand. His weight and strength began to overwhelm Saahas. Soon Chinmay had him pinned and was pummeling him with a deadly ferocity that made the young tribesman look like a practice dummy.
The overpowered champion did his best to fight back against the onslaught. He punched, kicked, twisted, and scratched, but it was not enough. As time went on, the lanky tribesman's counterattacks got weaker and weaker until they finally stopped.
After a few more punches, the Champion of the Vajra tribe stood up, his fists red as the mosan sand beneath him.
People's eyes darted between Chinmay and the battered bloody body on the ground. There was quiet as everyone waited to see if Saahas would rise.
He did not.
A queasy eternity passed before the High Priestess, at last, proclaimed, "Chinmay, Champion of the Vajra Tribe, I recognize your worth. Victory is yours."
Chinmay raised his fists and roared in triumph. His tribe joined in on his celebration. Their jubilation washed over him. The sound of it followed him as he proceeded to walk up to the other side of the Āviri.
The High Priestess witnessed both Chinmay's ascent to a spot several meters below her and Saahas's exit as the Trishula tribesmen carried away their champion's body. Perhaps it was the distance, but Q'Wasim could not sense even a flicker of sadness in Priyansi as she watched Saahas's departure. Seeing Priyansi's apparent indifference made Q'Wasim wonder if she would look just as calm and impassive if something like that happened to him.
Right after he had that dark thought, Priyansi announced, "Nayan, Champion of the Saanp Tribe and Q'Wasim, Champion of the Kamal Tribe, show me your worth. Prepare for battle."
Just as Q'Wasim was about to follow the High Priestess's orders, Kaxa gripped Q'Wasim's hand tightly. It was one last silent plea for him to give up.
Q'Wasim squeezed Kaxa's hand in reassurance before pulling out of her grasp. Then he headed down to the fighting grounds that were now stained with Saahas's blood.
