Chapter 17

He looked up when a soft knock came on the lintel of the door, watching as Alex entered without waiting for him to invite him in. Not that it would matter. Marcus for now owned him as much as what Anubis had done. But what was different this time is that he had his memories. Had a plan and even though he knew this was going to hurt, wasn't any more hurt that he had endured under Anubis and his Jaffa guard.

For his team, he would do this. The best outcome for everyone involved was having Marcus and his gang with him when he moved into the ha'tak. Not alone. Alone is going to get himself and his team killed. Again and again, until Anubis has broken him completely and was satisfied that he'd exacted his revenge on Jack for keeping him from ascending and coming back to use Jack as a host.

For that alone, he knew life was forfeit.

"Marcus wants to know if you need someone to keep your bed warm tonight." Alex asked, moving into the sleeping area and pulling the covers down. Jack stopped from where was doing stretches in the sitting area, standing straight as he watched the other man.

"I'm good." He said, succinct and to the point. He had expected a dungeon-like cell at best. Instead, Marcus had provided him with his own rooms. An ensuite small bathroom with a sitting area and a sleeping area with a double bed. Everything spoke of a hidden luxury that he was certain had all been either stolen or procured through some blackmail. He had clapped his arm around Jack's shoulders as he had led him into the chambers.

"Nothing but the best for you, Jack." He had said, patting his shoulder as he had shown him the rooms. The fact that he had no privacy and that the door out into the hallway didn't exist, didn't come up. Marcus knew he wasn't going anywhere. He knew it. There was no use pretending. So he didn't.

Besides, two guards were stationed outside in the hallway, apparently for his protection. He had just managed to hold in the snort of derision when Marcus had pointed them out and told him that he wasn't allowed to leave his rooms unless he was summoned.

Alex was his own personal servant. Had provided him with lunch. Had cleaned up afterwards and had brought him a carafe of water and a glass. Otherwise, he was pretty much left to his own cognizance. He had used the time to sit down and think first. To go over his plan and feel it out. He knew he was no Carter or Daniel but this he could do. As easy as breathing for him to strategize and use the enemy's weaknesses against themselves. He knew how to play Marcus. It isn't going to be that hard in the end.

As to Anubis. That is going to be harder but he now knows what made the other vulnerable. What his half-ascended ass wanted above all else.

Well, Jack was planning to give that to him. Let him think he had the upper hand and then…

He gave a half smile. Revelling in the feeling he had of the thought of the look on the man's face when he realised that he couldn't escape. That he was just as vulnerable as everyone else.

Afterwards, he slowly began to stretch. At least Oma had returned him without any of the injuries he had picked up prior to his little sideways trip down history. He felt younger. Faster. Stronger. Even before, when he had tangled with Marcus' men in the park and he hadn't recovered from his time with Anubis, he had known that he was better. That he could utilise his skill and win.

Alex left him and came back an hour later with a late supper. It was soup and bread with a tart pink fruit on the side. He ate it all. Reckoned if they were going to drug him, that there was nothing he could do to stop it. Might as well go with what was given, keep his body strong.

That night he managed three hours before the first nightmares started.

"Jack?"

He turned, watching as she walked down the pier towards him. This place was different now. The mist was all but gone. The sun was out and warm on his skin. The water was clear and reflected the trees, beautiful and calming.

She walked right up to him. His arms went around her, felt her slot into his body as if it was always meant to be.

"What are you doing here?" He asked softly. Kissed the top of her head and it felt right. He knew this was as it should be. She sighed, her arms tightening around his waist. He held her. Enjoyed the feel of her body in his arms.

"Is it you?" He finally dared to ask. Wondered if Kebechet had somehow come back. That this was all nothing more than the Others playing games again. She leaned back a little. Looked up at him, blue eyes meeting his own.

"It's me." She finally said. Buried her face into his chest again. Breathed him in.

"How?" He frowned. He suddenly understood. Anger made him stiffen in her arms. He wasn't surprised when he noticed a ripple across the water and when he looked up, Anubis stood in front of him. Cowl dark around the swirling mass of his half-ascended being. A face briefly flared in the blue-white swirl. Skull-like and inductive of nightmares as it gave a brief grotesque smirk that did nothing to the image burned into Jack's mind.

"Hello, Jack."

Sam was rigid in his arms. Her breathing quickened as fear took hold. He pulled her behind him, somehow managing the feat despite the fact that she had kept hold of him all the time. He wondered what Anubis had threatened to get her to comply. What had been done to his team until now.

"Always this place, Jack. What is it with you and this pier? This lake."

He grinned. "Maybe I like fishing." He finally said.

Anubis tilted his head. Seemed to contemplate his words. "How long am I to wait before you come to me, Jack?" The half-ascended being asked.

He shrugged. "Not like you have anywhere else to be." He deliberately goaded the other. Behind him, Sam's breath paused and then he felt her relax. Familiar with his sarcasm and backtalk to reach equilibrium. To get a measure back that wasn't fear and terror. He understood that oh so well. Had lived with it for six months while Anubis and his men did what they wanted with him to get him to comply.

The memories surged. Uncomfortable and unwanted and not needed in this place. Not now. Not here.

"Your Daniel Jackson is already struggling, Jack." The face swirled back forwards. Eye sockets dark and menacing. "It seems he's a lot less resilient." A sneer flirted briefly to the surface. Disappearing as quickly back into the swirling mass of clouds that was Anubis' face. "Remember when you and my Jaffa got to know each other more …intimately."

He swallowed down the bile that threatened. Those memories he definitely didn't need. Hid it all behind stoicism. Behind the mask he had learned to cultivate as he lay in the dark in the corner of his cell, naked and vulnerable and hurting. Waiting for the door to open.

He felt Sam against his back. Her head leaned on his shoulder blades and felt her shake her head. It was slight but enough for him to know that things haven't escalated that far yet. Anubis wasn't going to. Not until he had Jack.

He was posturing. Hoping to flush him out from where he was. He could see it now, clear as day.

"Daniel's tough." He finally said. "He'll survive."

He could feel the anger radiate from the other. It was a pulsating beat that spread outwards in this dream world and made small waves clash on the lake. The mist roiled over the water and he almost thought he heard the whispers.

But he knew they were gone with Pandora's box. Ripped to shreds when the Phoenix had released hope. This was nothing more than Anubis trying to manipulate the last dregs of that ancient device. Trying to see if he was still susceptible. Apparently not as he saw Anubis hands' curl into fists. Saw the frustration for what it was. He seemed to rally, took a step closer to Jack. Loomed over them and then reached out a hand. Jack flinched. An involuntary reaction he couldn't stop even if he wanted to. His body conditioned over 6 months of brutality.

A sneer rose from the depths and he stood tall as the glove came down and patted him on his cheek.

"Done?" He asked as Anubis made a soft, contemplative sound.

"I see that you have not forgotten." Anubis finally said. "No. I think it won't take long at all to get you back to where you were before you so rudely left."

He chuckled. More to hide his own fear as Sam whimpered behind his back. "You have to find me first."

Anubis nodded. "Very well, Jack. I can be patient." He turned, took a step towards the end of the pier. Half-looked behind him, the swirling vortex in the cowl seemed darker. He wondered what it was that the goa'uld was planning. He didn't trust the other at all to be nothing more than what he already was. An evil, sneaky bastard that would do this universe a favour with his death.

"I'll allow you this time with her as a goodwill gesture." He said to them, "Maybe she can convince you that it would be in their best interest for you to come as soon as you're capable."

They watched Anubis walk down the pier, onto the grass and then disappear. The lake settled and the mist burned away with the sun. He turned to her, took her face between his hands as he bent down and looked at her.

"Don't tell me anything," Sam said. Reached up and circled his wrists, bringing his hands down. They stood like that, hands curled into each other and she took a deep breath. "He's always listening."

He nodded. Tapped on her wrist like he had done at Jacob's house in the cellar. Morse code as he spelled out a few words.

R u okay?

She nodded. Looked away and bit her lower lip. "Remember Ra." She finally said.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Well, that would make things a bit more …complicated. Not that he had ever thought it was going to be easy. It looks like the team has been split. Making rescue harder.

"Teal'c?"

She shook her head. Frowned slightly. "I don't know, Jack. I've only been allowed to see Daniel."

"And …Seth?" He finally asked, using Jacob's pseudonym. Alarm was in her gaze as she looked up at him.

"No."

He filed that away. It meant that somehow Jacob was still free, roaming the world. Probably looking for them. He wondered how much help the Tok'ra is going to be if he manages to rally them to the cause. That is if he gets Marcus fully onboard and manages to find Jacob. For all intents and purposes that man had looked like he had been taken by Anubis. Maybe there was some wiliness left in the old man.

Sam flinched, a brief flare of pain on her face. He reached out a hand, felt her lean into it. He knew that their time was coming to an end. Anubis probably felt that he had enough to contemplate his surrender. He leaned down towards her. Not really thinking about anything anymore as he touched her lips with his own.

"I'll find you." He whispered the promise to her and then she was gone. The place where she had stood, suddenly empty and he felt bereft. Understood the psychology behind what Anubis was doing, by giving him this glimpse of her. He almost wished the boy was back.

"Buckle up, Jack." He finally whispered; his voice seemed loud in the stillness that surrounded him. Echoing back at him. He straightened his shoulders. Turned away from the lake and walked back up to the cabin…

Gasping awake, he struggled to detangle himself from the blankets. He swung his legs off the bed, feet on the cold of the floor as he took a few deep breaths and tried to get rid of the cloying feel of ghostly hands on his skin.

Just memories, he reminded himself. Not real. Not here. Not now.

He got up and made his way to the sitting area. Poured himself a glass and drank the water down in one go. Wiped his face as he moved to the window, staring out at the night sky. Stars beckoned, the moons hung low on the horizon, one above the other. Soft footsteps behind him and he half turned. Alex was a darker shadow in the doorway.

"Do you need anything, Sir?"

He almost chuckled. Stopped himself just in time. "No. I'm fine. You can go." He said, turning back to the window. The man seemed uncertain, lingering in the doorway before leaving. He wondered if he slept in the hallway. Probably. Seemed Marcus wasn't going to make things unpleasant.

Considering the money, he's going to make the man, he understood.

He sighed. Turned from the window and went back to bed. This time he only woke close to dawn. Had a brief shower and when he made it back to his bedroom, he found clothes laid out on the bed. Supple leather pants that didn't leave much to the imagination and a cotton brown tunic that was cinched at the waist with a wide belt. The whole assemble was finished off with boots that reached halfway up his calves.

It seems presentation in the games was just as important as fighting ability. He grimaced but got ready, nonetheless. Was tightening the belt when Alex walked in with breakfast. It was a platter of fruit, bread and a hot drink not dissimilar to tea.

"Marcus expects you downstairs at 10."

He nodded as he sat down and ate. Finished it all and sat back and drank the tea. It had a bitter taste but wasn't entirely unpleasant. It seemed to leave him with a slight feeling of euphoria and he took note of it. Decided it would be useful.

He had just finished another series of stretches when Alex appeared in the doorway. He followed the other man down the warren of hallways and rooms and staircases, until they were in a huge underground domed area. Probably one of the reasons why Anubis hadn't found the illegal fighting ring yet. Or maybe he had, and this was just another venue that Marcus moved between.

It didn't matter in the end.

Marcus was waiting for him by one of the entrances. He had to raise his voice to be heard over the clamour and noise of the crowds that surrounded the arena. "Quite a turn out, Jack." Marcus beamed, his red eyes scrutinising Jack and his costume. He nodded slightly, apparently satisfied with what he was seeing. He clapped a hand on Jack's shoulder. Amicable but the steel behind those fingers belied the friendly gesture. Promising Jack that if he failed to deliver, that retribution won't be far.

"How many?" Jack asked. Eyed the spectacle of two men, who were carrying out in the centre. Both were fighting with knives and had made cuts. Bleeding freely from their wounds and yet, they were still fighting.

"15 rounds over three days." Marcus finally said.

"Very well."

He stood, leaning against the doorway as he followed the first few fights. Marcus had left him there with Alex hovering, never far off. The two guards were ostensibly standing a few metres away. Eyes never leaving his back. He ignored them. He wasn't leaving, so they didn't matter.

He entered the arena when the fourth fight was done, one of the men dragged across the sand towards one of the entrances and left a bloody smear in his wake. Jack ignored it as Marcus turned and introduced him.

"Say hello to Jack. A warrior of renown in his home world and come here to try his hand in our games."

The applause was minor at best, petered out very quickly. He saw the gleam in Marcus' eyes. Knew that the man had probably downplayed his skill and had bet heavily against the man he was about to face. Apparently a crowd favourite from the sound of the noise that filled the arena when a man stepped up to the middle.

He was easily as big as Teal'c. Heavy muscles, his skin glistening in the artificial light. Bronzed skin, rippling as he flexed. He had no shirt on and were bare feet, his shorts a dark cotton blend that seemed to cling to his thigh muscles. Jack rolled his eyes at the dramatics of it all. Apparently Conan The Barbarian had nothing on this guy and his list of achievements.

It wasn't long before the fight started.

It wasn't a long fight. Disappointing really. Apparently brawn didn't have brains. Used the same tactic – slam a fist into a head and pummelled until the opponent was pulverised – every time. Jack moved nimbly around him. Made him mad. Then simply stuck his foot out, tripped the guy and with a judo move cut off his air supply until he passed out.

The crowd was silent. Uncertain as Conan was dragged out of the arena, bloodless and unconscious. He left as he had come on. Silent and without saying a word or gesturing the crowd into a frenzy.

Round two was a pair of brothers. Less muscle and a little more brain. He took all of ten minutes to dispatch them both and in the end stood breathing harshly in the centre of the arena, blood dripping from a cut on his eyebrow that one of the men had been lucky with a fist. This time the silence was broken with whispers and raising crescendo as he left the arena. Alex tended to his eyebrow, smoothing on some paste that stopped the bleeding and he promised him, will leave minimal bruising.

Round three was interesting. Some pseudo-Jackie Chan wannabe. He had nunchucks. He eyed the man as he twirled the weapon, giving a great big warrior yell at the end of the show and tell. Problem was that the man split his legs into a stance and Jack casually kicked him in the privates. Watched the guy's eyes cross and a collective groan went around the arena as the nunchucks fell from sudden numb hands that cupped his nether region as he slowly folded into himself. He walked out without waiting for the cleanup.

Alex's eyes were wide as he offered Jack water and a plate of fruit. Marcus arrived not long after, anger marring his face.

"Entertainment, Jack. That is what I need."

He squinted as he tilted his head. "The agreement is 15 rounds."

Marcus sighed. Sat down opposite Jack in the little privacy alcove he had been assigned to wait between rounds. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees and wiped his hands. Red eyes closed briefly. "Can you give me a little something, Jack. At this rate, it looks like the fights are fixed and I'm getting some grumbles."

Jack was silent. Took a sip of water and put the glass down. "If I give you …entertainment." He said, grimacing at the word, "Then I want your word, Marcus, that you will provide me with as many men you have in this building to attack the ha'tak."

Marcus worried his bottom lip. Jack waited him out.

"Fine."

He nodded. He stretched out the fourth round. Went down three times. Allowed the warrior that could've stepped out of Hun movie, to get in a kick or two. Pretended to be dizzy as he counted the time beneath his breath. At fifteen minutes, he stopped pretending and beat the crap out of the man. The roar of the crowd was intoxicating and he smirked at Marcus as he walked out the arena.

Alex fluffed. Hands darting to dab at the blood from his split lip. Hovered over the black eye that was developing, pushing a cold compress into one of his hands. When he started to lift his tunic to look at his ribs, he pushed the other man's hands away. Told him in no uncertain words that some things are private. Alex seemed disappointed and seemed to shrink into himself. He pressed another cold compress against one side of his ribs as he contemplated how many more idiots he'll need to fight before he gets to the really good ones.

So far, even Daniel would've managed the ones he had gotten to fight. He wondered if Teal'c would've even bothered.

He was the last one to fight in the fifth round for the day. This time he was allowed to choose between a shield or a net. He took the shield, hefted it in his hand and waited for his opponent. Scratch that, opponents. There were four of them. Young and lean. One had a trident and net, two others short swords and the last a spear. He raised an eyebrow at Marcus. "Really?" He quipped. He wondered if any of them had seen Gladiator or Spartacus. The men were obviously used to working as a team. They circled him. Taking small, tentative trusts as they tested his reactions. He eyed them. Worked out the best way to go.

The first one to go down with the guy with the net. He simply rushed him. Watched as his eyes widened, as he backpedalled before remembering his net and trident. By then it was too late, and he had given him a good whack with the shield. He grabbed the trident in one hand and turned as the guy with the spear let loose. He batted the weapon aside and threw his own. Didn't watch as the man was pierced before a sword came down and he managed to dodge behind his shield. His arm vibrated at the clank of metal against metal. He spun, low in gravity as he took the legs out from the guy while the flat of a blade whistled past where his head had been. The man, flat on his back as he jammed the shield down, breaking the poor sap's nose. He grunted when a sword sliced into his shoulder. Blood welled immediately, coating his arm and tunic with red as he danced away from the second cut. He bends down, picking up the dropped sword from the guy's whose nose he had broken.

With the blood streaming down his sword arm and the shield in the other, he and the other man did an intricate dance over and around the downed men. He had to utilise all his skill he had accumulated over the years as a black-ops operative and found he was actually enjoying himself. In the end, he stumbled over one of the men and his opponent rushed forward, wanting to take advantage of the situation. He went down on one knee, shield raised, the sword just behind his barrier. He grimaced slightly as he used his advantage to gut the guy. Watched the disbelief on his face, eyes widened before he looked down at the sword that Jack held. Respect and then he sank down on his knees and Jack stepped away. Bleeding and tired as he looked up at the stands that were roaring their approval. He glanced around, saw Marcus with a small nod of approval.

He left, Alex leading the way back to his room. He let the other man help him out of his tunic. He took a shower, washing the grid and blood of the arena from his body and then sat down as Alex stitched up his shoulder. He was black and blue down one side of his body, had a cut lip and black eye with the small wound still visible above his eyebrow. But all in all, it hadn't been a bad day.

He ate his evening meal and went to bed and slept through. He was sore the next morning, which wasn't something he didn't anticipate. He took a hot shower to loosen his muscles and then was busy stretching by the time Alex arrived with breakfast and new clothes.

It was the same uniform, no surprises there. He ate, got dressed and went down to the arena at 10.

This time the fights were harder and bloodier. The fighters more seasoned. One guy managed to actually pierce his shoulder just under his clavicle. It was annoying as he sat down so Alex could fix him up. Stuffing cloth against the wound with some sort of salve that seemed to stem the flow of blood. He didn't think he hit anything vital or important as his breathing wasn't compromised. But still, he was more cautious after that fiasco as another five stitches were added to his body. Quick ones to make sure he could continue fighting while Alex promised better ones later tonight when he got back to his room. It was gratifying at least to see that the man now actually believed him able to win.

After the third fight, he tiredly slid down onto the couch that was in the alcove, resting as he allowed Alex to minister to his aches and pains when a throat was cleared. He lifted his arm slightly, eyeing as Jacob stood at the entrance to the alcove.

"You know, Jack. There are better ways to draw attention."

He smirked. Dropped his head back down while Alex stood aside, head down. Waiting for his command. He sighed, waved a hand and watched as the man disappeared. Jacob sat down on the chair opposite him.

"It took a while to find you."

He nodded. "I saw the Jaffa at your house. Assumed you'd been taken with my team."

"No. Not entirely. We went looking for the ancient device."

This had him sit up. He grunted, holding onto his right side, sure he had at least a broken rib. He waited the Tok'ra operative out. Took a sip of the tea, appreciating the euphoric state it granted him. A wall against the pain that was now constant. Jacob dropped his head and when he looked up, his eyes glowed briefly.

"You need to understand, it hasn't been easy." Selmak said. "You and the rest of your team have been missing for the last two weeks."

His eyebrows raised at this. He hadn't expected time to be so fluid. Had assumed that he'd be put back when he had left. This was …new.

"The device?" He asked.

Selmak's lips thinned. A dark look played across his features. "There were two, Jack. Pandora's box disappeared." Eyes speculating studied him. A brief smile tucked the To'kra's lips upwards. "Okay. So that was you." Selmak turned inwards, a thinking pose that Jack had seen before. Finally, he reached into his tunic and pulled out a very small, black box. Jack's eyes were drawn to it immediately. Could feel his own connection to the box.

"Found it in one of Anubis' storerooms."

Jack reached out. The box hummed, shimmering and suddenly he got the idea that the object was somehow pleased to be in his presence again. He closed his eyes as his fingers danced on the surface, finding indentations and manipulating them somehow. He had no idea what he was doing yet he knew what to do. It didn't make sense but just like he did previously when he had the ancient repository downloaded into his brain, he just went with it.

The box expanded; pulsating light lit the alcove. It got bigger, enveloped them. It was a lover's caress, familiar in every way. He breathed in. Opened his eyes and he was back on the plane with Jacob. Separate but next to Jacob stood a second entity and he instinctively knew it was Selmak. He turned and then he they weren't alone. Kebetchet stood there, in all her former glory. Eyes dark with kohl, her headdress elaborate and the gold gleamed that encircled her arms and ankles.

"Hello Jack." She smiled, her teeth white against the bronze of her skin. He gave her a small wave. Relaxed as he looked around.

"Jacob," Sam's dad said, stepping forward, Selmak a ghostly presence at his back.

"Oh, right." Jack said. "Meet Kebetchet. Daughter of Anubis." He wiped the back of his neck. "Uhm, I was host to her for a while."

Jacob turned to him; interest very evident. "Oh."

"Yes, well." He shrugged, focused on her. "I thought you're back in your garden or something." He said. She gave him a soft smile. "I am."

He frowned. "Then this is…?"

"Making sure that when the time comes, I'm there to greet my father."

He took a few minutes to take that in. "Okay. I'm not going to say no to some help. Now what?"

"Remember what we discussed before, Jack." She said, suddenly serious. "Do you remember the prophecy? The wall?"

Jacob looked confused but stayed silent. He remembered Daniel's anger. The end of it all and those last few words of the prophecy that had his friend unhappy.

"I thought…" he started. Grimaced when he realised the truth of it all.

"Jack?" Jacob was questioning. Selmak's ghost seemed to understand more than Jacob. Sad eyes met his own.

"It's okay, Jacob." He finally said. Turned to her. "Fine. Tell me what to do."

Afterwards, the box returned to no more the size of a dice. Easily slid back into the pocket of Jacob tunic as Jack finished his tea. They didn't discuss any of what Kebetchet had told them. Jacob stayed with him until his next round. It took him thirty minutes to dispatch the guy and he was absolutely drained afterwards. And hurting. He allowed Alex to patch him up, his arms a patchwork of cuts that bled freely. He had another nasty slice across his lower back. Jacob was silent, pushing the tea and he drank, revelling in the pain dulling effects of the euphoric. Jacob eyed him and then sent Alex away and when they were in relative privacy, he took out a healing device, eyebrow raised. Jack nodded, tried to help Selmak out but it seems that his own healing ability was once again non-existent. So he allowed Selmak to do his thing as he lay there. Some of his wounds healed but he got back just enough so that he could feel up to it when the final round was announced.

This time the fight wasn't long. His opponent was just as fatigued as he was from the last two days of fighting and he stepped up and bashed the guy, dodging his desperate sword swings. He didn't take enjoyment as the man lay at his feet and the roar of the crowd reached a crescendo that had him wondering how long it would be before the Jackal Guards would descend on them.

Jacob disappeared before Marcus saw him. Jack had wanted to interrogate him on his secret but just hadn't gotten a chance to ask. Not that they in any case didn't have the privacy to really discuss it. He soaked in the shower, allowing the blood and dirt to flow away in the drain as he stood tiredly and barely cognizant under the hot water. When he got out, Marcus was waiting for him in the sitting area and he eyed the man as he sat down on the couch with just the towel around his body.

"Tomorrow is a resting day." Marcus finally stated. "Alex told me there was an older man that visited you today."

He stayed silent. Picked at the food sat out before him on the low table.

"Seth is not welcome." Marcus finally stated when it became clear that he wasn't going to elaborate any further.

"It wasn't Seth." He said. Smirked at the consternation on Marcus' face. "Just an old family friend." He clarified a bit further. "Wanted to see how I'm doing."

Marcus' eyes narrowed. "Don't play me, Jack." He finally stated softly. "You won't like the consequences."

He chuckled. "Really." He looked down at himself. "As opposed to where I'm now?" He leaned forward. A finger under the other man's nose. "You keep to your bargain, Marcus. You don't want me as your enemy." He reached down, took another piece of fruit as he dismissed the other man. "Send in Alex and let me rest." He met the simmering gaze of the other man. "You want me at my best to …entertain, don't you?"

Marcus breathed; his anger evident but Jack knew that the other man could do nothing. Their agreement as binding as it could be with the added threat of Jacob's secret hanging over the other man.

Alex was attentive afterwards, binding his wounds and clucking over his bruises. Exhaustion dragged him under and kept him there and he took it.

It was better than nightmares of what Anubis was doing to him or his team.

On the resting day, he stayed in his quarters. Slept and rested and allowed his body to recover as much as possible. Drank the tea and ate and stretched. Day three arrived after another dreamless sleep and he got ready. The uniform hadn't changed.

The fights were longer. Took more out of him as he kept going, his team foremost in his mind. Jacob managed to sneak in again, surreptitiously healing him when he sends Alex away on some or other errand. It kept him going until he was in the last fight.

When he got to the centre of the arena, his trusty shield and a short sword in his hand, he waited while his opponent was announced.

"What is this?" He asked as he saw the fighter step up. A huge smirk on the man's face when he spotted Jack.

"You're opponent, Jack." Marcus said. Grinned. "Thought you appreciate it."

Marcus stepped out, leaving him alone with the other man who held a staff weapon in his hand. Inclined his head as if in respect but Jack knew better. He had underestimated Marcus and how desperate the man was to not have his secret revealed. He wondered briefly how he was going to get out of this. The other man saw his brief dismay. He couldn't hide his fear completely as he readied himself for this, the last game of the tournament.

He'rak, the first prime of Anubis, smiled.