A/N: A huge and hearty thank you to everyone for the support and feedback, it is always appreciated! And to anon Artiwritter – since I can't reply on the site, I'll reply here and say that no, it's not coincidence. There are some parallels to be sure, though Jhainer is his own character. ;)
This chapter is a little violent, FYI.
Vegeta's fingers were drumming against his bicep later that night in anxiety as he waited in the hallway outside Frieza's quarters. He was standing, arms crossed and leaning back against the wall, scowling as he glared down at the Drokanian boy who was seated across from him. Adriel kept his gaze down; he had refused to look at Vegeta since their tense exchange earlier, practically radiating hatred towards him. The prince didn't care about that though. The kid was listening to him now, and that was all that mattered.
Not for the first time, Vegeta glanced back down the hallway, wondering where Manzin, Jhainer, and Cui were. He had thought they were all going to meet with Frieza that night, and yet the other members of the rank qualifying squad had yet to arrive. His fingers started drumming faster as he glanced back over towards the metallic door leading to his most hated place in existence, his mind drifting back to the conversation with Jhainer only a couple of hours ago.
This life is empty, Jhainer had said. Vegeta's arms tightened over his chest as his scowl worsened, even as his right leg started unconsciously bouncing. Revenge for the Saiyan race rested solely on his shoulders; it was his responsibility, duty, and burden to destroy Frieza as the present and last-ever Saiyan prince. It could fall to no other Saiyan. Yet, while he wanted nothing more than for it to be him to destroy Frieza, he also knew it would take him years, maybe a decade or two, to become strong enough. As such, he did not entirely hate the idea of someone sparing him years of misery - sparing him an empty life.
Jhainer was right in that Vegeta wanted for it all to end – he desperately yearned to be free from Frieza's brutal regime, to live on his own terms, to be his own man and not take orders again for the rest of his life. There were many alien races out there who wanted revenge against Frieza, and if one was so strong to stand to the tyrant now, Vegeta would gladly stand to the side.
The problem was that he had seen this happen before. Frieza's reign as tyrant over the universe did not happen without opposition and resistance movements popping up from time to time after all. Frieza was ruthless and always crushed rebellion, not allowing any movement to gain enough momentum to pose a real threat. Vegeta had seen nothing that would guarantee that this wouldn't end in the same way.
Unless I help them, he thought to himself idly, before blinking at his own treasonous train of thought. His dark eyes immediately settled on Adriel, but if the telepathic boy heard his thoughts, he wasn't showing it. Vegeta absently raised a hand to massage his forehead, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath to calm down; his heart was pounding and he was starting to sweat. Sanity demanded that he forget about all of it – Felsin, Jhainer's offer, every part of it. It was the only way he could stay alive.
Vegeta pushed himself off the wall when the metallic door slid open and Zarbon strode out. The young prince turned to face him, squaring his shoulders instinctively as Adriel nervously got up to his feet as well. The Drokanian boy faced Zarbon as well, but he kept slightly behind Vegeta, as though the Saiyan offered some kind of protection. Vegeta was morbidly amused by that, although he figured that the boy had decided it was best to stick with the devil he knew – even if the devil Adriel knew had single-handedly annihilated his whole race…
Zarbon looked over Adriel in curiosity, before his sight settled on the Saiyan prince. "Lord Frieza wants you alone, Vegeta."
Vegeta nodded and walked in, trying to keep his body in check as the metallic door slid closed behind him. His heart was pounding hard again though, fresh sweat breaking out on the back of his neck. Frieza was standing before a glass pane overlooking the space dock, hands clasped behind his back, tail waving lazily behind him. Vegeta went to stand at the usual point of attention, before lowering to one knee.
"Lord Frieza, you summoned me," he mechanically said, resting his forearm on his knee as he lowered his head and forced himself to stay calm and neutral, despite the anxiety flooding through him.
"I did," Frieza agreed, turning his head slightly to the side. "Do you know what tomorrow is, Vegeta?"
The prince frowned, trying to think, but he was drawing a blank. "I do not," he finally admitted.
Frieza turned, looking at him with a mixture of surprise and pity. "My dear prince, have you lost all track of time? Tomorrow you become another year older by the Cold calendar, for it is the anniversary of your birth. Don't tell me you have forgotten?"
Vegeta scowled, looking up through his bangs. "The calendar has not been my priority of late."
"Mmm, yes, you have been quite busy indeed, haven't you, Vegeta? I do not blame you for forgetting. It isn't as though your monkey parents are alive to remind you, after all," Frieza chuckled, snapping his fingers. His levitating seat came over to him, and Frieza comfortably took a seat as he levitated over so he was facing Vegeta. The Saiyan had his gaze back down on the floor, his jaw clenched tight.
"Well, I have a full agenda tomorrow, and so do you – you have training with Dodoria, and then a mission on Planet Pilaz that I've assigned you. But before tomorrow comes, and before you reach another year of age, young prince…I must ask you a question. I strongly suggest you answer me truthfully."
Frieza paused, letting a tense silence settle between them. Vegeta kept his eyes trained on the floor in front of him, the floor that was showing him the outline of Frieza's shadow.
"Yes, Lord Frieza, what do you wish to know?" Vegeta finally asked, his voice gruff and indifferent, even as cold sweat ran down his lower back under his uniform.
"Look at me, boy," Frieza ordered. Vegeta instantly raised his head, making eye contact with the tyrant in front of him. "One of my rank 3 men has vanished, Manzin's brother. I will only ask you this once, Vegeta. Did you have something to do with Ajox's disappearance?"
"No, my lord," Vegeta responded resolutely. Frieza stared at him, eyes narrowed and scrutinizing him. The prince forced his breathing to stay normal as he matched the stare.
Frieza then smiled. He snapped his fingers twice this time, and a slave entered in a hurry, giving the tyrant a glass of wine before running off again. Vegeta swallowed, observing Frieza as the tyrant breathed in the aroma of the beverage.
"Well, I had to ask, my pet. We are looking into the matter and you and several others are…persons of interest in his disappearance. We will find out the truth of it, one way or another. But enough business talk – tomorrow is a day of celebration for you! How will you celebrate?"
Vegeta took a deep breath, eyeing Frieza with cold hatred even as he kept his voice respectful, "Doing your bidding as per usual. I have my orders."
Frieza took a sip of his wine glass as he nodded. "Mmm, yes…my bidding. I will confide something in you, Vegeta, as you are like a son to me. Running the universe is a tremendous responsibility in my family. But sometimes, it can be rather…dull. Monotonous. Sometimes, I derive entertainment by paying closer attention to the bidding of my men…like you," he said with a sinister smile. "I know what you have been up to, Vegeta."
Vegeta visibly paled as his mouth ran dry. He knows about the conversations with Felsin and Jhainer. He tried to speak, but he couldn't find the words. Frieza's smile spread as he chuckled while Vegeta finally stammered, "My lord, I – I am not sure what you are – what you are referring to."
"Why deny it? I have confided in you, and now you won't confide in me, Vegeta? Why, I am like your father now. My dear monkey prince – admit it. That is an order."
Vegeta's face was covered in sweat now. His heart was pounding so hard he felt like he was going to have a heart attack, as the prince unknowingly teetered on the brink of a real panic attack. "I – I wasn't – I was approached, yes, but I – I swear I wasn't going to –"
Frieza threw his head back as he laughed maniacally. "Oh of course you were, Vegeta. You are a young male adolescent, and your growth hasn't finished. It is only natural that you have these needs, as your race was quite primal - brute animals really. Simple creatures. You cannot help it. It's in your blood."
Vegeta swallowed heavily as his eyebrows drew together in confusion. "My lord?"
"Your interest in my lovely hybrid Legan slave, obviously. The beautiful Aradeen."
"…Aradeen," Vegeta repeated, feeling weak as a wave of relief washed over him. He felt like his ears were ringing.
"Admit it. She has caught your interest, hasn't she?"
Vegeta looked down, taking a deep breath through his nose, forcing himself to calm down. He had come close to death with just one slip of his tongue, but it seemed that the tyrant did not know about his recruitment into the resistance movement. The young prince took a moment, feeling shaken but keeping his voice steady and strong when he finally answered.
"She has, my lord. She is a rare beauty."
"Indeed, she is. I have heard that she is causing quite a stir among the men at my Ozo Tavern. Oh, to be driven by sexual desire, like nothing more than an animal," he sighed, lifting his glass of wine for another sip. "My superior race has evolved past such primitive needs like hunger, sleep, and sex. But your kind hasn't, and as such, I find it prudent to remind you of the rules now that you are coming of age, dear prince. You may do as you wish, with whoever you wish, Vegeta – but should you ever sire a child, remember that you must give it to me if it's male, or destroy it if it's female."
Vegeta grit his teeth for a few seconds, his hands clenching into fists. He kept his eyes on the floor. "I am aware of the rules. I have no interest in ever fathering any children."
"Ah well that is a shame. I'd love to increase my collection of monkey pets!" Frieza laughed. He leaned forward, studying the boy kneeling before him. "Though, truthfully, Vegeta, it is wiser that way. A true warrior has no attachments, nothing to make him weak. It is the only path to real strength and power. After all, nothing makes a man weaker than family. You agree, don't you?"
He didn't have to lie this time, his thoughts briefly going towards his parents. His features hardened. "Yes, I agree," he answered, his tone detached.
"Good. Now then, it's time for business," Frieza announced, reaching up to his scouter.
Vegeta glanced over at the door as it slid open. Zarbon led the way, coming to stand at Frieza's right side. Following after him were Manzin, Jhainer, and Cui, each with a recruit right on his heels. Adriel brought up the rear. Vegeta found it interesting how the boy had no real features, and yet how he could still read his fear. Adriel scanned the room, and then quickly made his way to Vegeta, mimicking his position by kneeling down next to him on his left. Everyone else likewise took a knee as they made up a neat row before Frieza and Zarbon.
Vegeta and Jhainer briefly made eye contact that was loaded with questions and answers – Jhainer knew just by looking at him that Vegeta hadn't said anything about their conversation. Vegeta also knew by the look on Jhainer's face that the older boy wouldn't give away what he knew about Ajox. Of the two, Jhainer broke their eye contact first, looking down and away.
"Well look at this new blood!" Frieza laughed in delight. He twirled his wine glass as he studied the youngsters in front of him, before beckoning with his hand. "Recruits, step forward. Let me take a good look at all of you."
Vegeta watched as the four young recruits stood up and stepped forward. He scowled when he realized Adriel was the shortest of them all. Manzin's recruit was a stocky alien with wild orange hair and a large curved blade for a left arm. Cui's recruit was a reptilian beast with four muscular arms, a boy that rivaled Nappa in size. Finally, Jhainer's recruit was a young humanoid, with pale skin and white hair, and striking red eyes. Every few seconds, a flicker of fire went up the boy's right arm.
"What are their power levels?" Frieza asked.
"They are all very evenly matched, with power levels between 2,300 and 2,500," Zarbon answered. They are all between 10 and 12 solar cycles by the Cold calendar."
"Ah, the future is bright!" Frieza said laughing maniacally. He lowered his glass, and then stood up from his seat, extending his arms in warm welcome as he smiled.
"My young children, please allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Frieza, ruler over this Galactic Army and over 43 different galaxies, and a leader in the Planetary Trade Organization. Welcome to my base planet, Planet Frieza #21. You are each privileged to have the opportunity to join the most elite military force across all the galaxies in existence. In 10 days, we will have a tournament, where the four of you will fight to the death," Frieza announced with a cunning grin.
The tyrant clasped his hands behind his back as he slowly examined each of them, coming uncomfortably close to them, one at a time. The young recruits all fearfully avoided his eye contact – none of them were there by their own free will, and they knew that the tyrant was the real reason why. Frieza finally paused in front of Adriel, the youngest and smallest, and smiled at him. Adriel was shaking in fear, his eyes on the floor.
"Only one of you will survive. Then we will see which of you deserves entry into my Galactic Army," Frieza told them with a smirk. "The winner will grant their recruiter a point in their quest to earn rank. Now I admit, I have been known to run a bit of a hard pace here, but it's only because I know that all of you can be excellent. I expect nothing less. I wish you youngsters the best of luck in the days ahead, and I shall see you all in 10 days. Dismissed."
"Follow me," Zarbon announced, making his way back out the door. "You four will share quarters until the tournament. This way."
Adriel anxiously glanced back at Vegeta, but the prince just stared at him with a cold, emotionless look. Vegeta bitterly wondered if the boy would be so quick to draw comparisons again between him and Frieza, now that he had come face to face with the most brutal tyrant the universe had ever known. Somehow, he doubted it. In any case, the boy would only be his concern for 10 days, and not a second longer.
"You all did well with your recruiting mission on Planet Nioren," Frieza praised, surveying his preliminary ranked men who were kneeling before him. "We have confirmed that the home planets for all four recruits were purged, and there was no disruption on Planet Nioren. To thank the four of you for a job well done, I have allowed each of you to heal in a regeneration tank to reach 100 percent, and I have personally relieved Dodoria from duty tonight so that I may run a competition…personally," he announced, chilling amusement in his eyes as he reached up for his scouter.
The four teenagers all looked up at that, glancing uneasily amongst themselves, before turning their attention to the metallic door that slid open. Vegeta's tail tightened around his waist when he saw Captain Ginyu, Recoome, Jeice, and Burter strolling in.
"Your first competition was a test in fortitude, which Manzin won. In 10 days, we will test your leadership and training ability with your new recruit. Tonight…I will test your strength of will. In many assignments as a ranked man, and in many battles ahead, you will each face extreme pain. What makes the soldiers in my Galactic Army invincible is their ability to take the pain, and keep fighting."
The Ginyu Force lined up in front of each of the teenagers that were kneeling. With Ginyu leading the way and Vegeta having entered first, the prince found himself looking up at Captain Ginyu who smirked down at him. Vegeta swallowed.
"Now then, my elite rank 1 Ginyu Force will help me tonight. The rules tonight are simple. Each time I snap my fingers, the Ginyu Force man across from you will strike once to break bones. This will continue until there is only one man left standing…I will allow for one knee to go down, provided you are standing on both feet before I snap my fingers again. Whoever is standing in the end will win a point." He raised a finger, as though lecturing his own children. "Remember, my dear boys – pain is just in your head. Enduring it is simply a matter of willpower."
Frieza took a seat once again, levitating to a position where he would be able to see everyone equally. He picked up his drink again, a sinister look over in his eyes. It was only then that Vegeta realized why his punishment with Zarbon had been waived; Frieza wanted him at his best before he was broken down again. The tyrant beckoned them with his fingers to stand, and the four teenagers did.
"No scouter, armor, uniform tops, or gloves. We must be able to see the full extent of the injuries," Frieza ordered. His eyes narrowed as they started stripping down. "Move a little faster," he sneered, as the young soldiers quickly stripped down.
"Well, won't this be fun," Captain Ginyu snickered. "I couldn't have asked to be paired with anyone better."
Vegeta's nose twitched in annoyance, but his anxiety had passed, and he was calm and ready. Knowing that death had passed him on this night, and with Frieza laying out the competition of the evening, his confidence was high. After all, of the four of them, no one took a beating as often as he did, thanks to his general stubbornness and his smart mouth. And he would bet his life that no one had a stronger will to endure more pain than he could. This meant that not only was he going to live through that night, but he was going to even the playing field with Manzin. That, in his books, made for a damn good night, no matter how many of his bones were broken in the process. After all, the rank qualifying squad was always allowed to heal after competitions and training when necessary, which it would be tonight.
The four young soldiers all braced themselves, as the Ginyu Force moved around to stand behind them. Vegeta stared at Frieza, his gaze intense as he felt Captain Ginyu come up behind him.
Frieza raised his glass for a sip, as he raised his other hand.
"One," he announced, snapping his fingers.
Hot pain flared up Vegeta's left arm as the bones in his forearm were shattered, making him grind his teeth as Captain Ginyu came around to face him. The other three teenagers took the same blow in their left arms as well. No one cried out, though someone did hiss in pain, Vegeta wasn't sure who. All four teenagers remained on their feet. Frieza looked on, grinning in approval.
"Two," he continued, snapping again.
Vegeta moved one foot back as if to keep his balance when he felt the blow to his chest, breaking several ribs on his left side. He snorted as the blood ran up his throat, filling his mouth. Cui dropped to one knee from the blow he took from Jeice, and Vegeta knew he wouldn't get back up. He had the least willpower in the group. Like Vegeta, Manzin and Jhainer also briefly staggered. Manzin hacked a little, but the three remained on their feet.
And then there were three.
"Three," Frieza said with a grin, snapping again.
The third blow shattered the collar bone to pieces. Manzin cried out in pain, dropping to both of his knees. Vegeta staggered backwards a couple of steps, doubling over as he gasped in pain, but he somehow managed to stay on his feet. Jhainer clutched at his chest, dropping briefly to one knee. When he saw Frieza raise his hand again a moment later, he shakily forced himself back up, dark blue blood trickling down from his mouth. Manzin's legs were shaky as he barely managed to stand in time.
"Four," Frieza said, eyes bright as he snapped again.
The next blow shattered the sternum of each of them to pieces. Manzin fell flat on his back, groaning as he rolled over and coughed up an alarming amount of blood. Vegeta and Jhainer both cried out and were brought down to their knees, with Vegeta leaning forward until his forehead was on the cool floor as he wrapped his arms around his torso. Jhainer choked and coughed, putting his good arm in front of himself.
"Oh my, are all three of you out already?" Frieza asked with a laugh, taking a sip of his wine in amusement. Manzin made no effort to get up, giving up as he laid shaking on the floor. Vegeta eyed Jhainer who was pushing himself back up, and he immediately forced himself to do the same as Frieza raised his hand again.
Jhainer and Vegeta were both back up on their feet. They exchanged a glance – Vegeta's eyes were filled with anger and resentment as he sneered at his former ally. Jhainer just glared at him, raising his arm shakily to wipe the blood from his mouth. Vegeta cradled his injured arm to his injured ribs, spitting a mouthful of blood to the floor, with more running down his chin. His whole body was shiny with sweat, bruises visibly starting to form. Both teenagers turned back to Frieza in dogged determination that made the tyrant smirk in approval as he raised his hand again.
And then there were two.
"Five," he continued, snapping again.
White light suddenly exploded in Vegeta's vision, a scream of pain that he barely recognized as his own ripping out of him. He must have briefly lost consciousness, because the next thing he knew, he was flat on his stomach, sputtering and choking in his own blood. His ears were ringing, and it took a moment for him to realize that his tail had been broken. He raised his head with bleary eyes, glancing over to Jhainer, who was in a similar position on the floor as him – his tail had also been shattered. The young Trikan was shaking, struggling valiantly to get back up to his knees.
Pain is just in your head, Vegeta angrily reminded himself, repeating Frieza's words of advice. Enduring is simply a matter of willpower.
He recognized the irony of clinging to the words of the creature responsible for his current agony, but he was so close. Clutching his injured side and struggling to breathe, he pushed himself up to one hand, still on his knees. He was so focused on getting up, that he didn't even register that the Ginyu Force was cheering them on, having placed wagers on who would win the competition that night.
"I got Vegeta for sure, the kid has got real fight in him," Recoome laughed.
"You're all buying me a drink, because the Trikan is getting up," Captain Ginyu said with a grin. He eyed Vegeta smugly. "Sorry boys, but I hit the Saiyan hard enough to keep him down."
That did it. With a rush of anger and a profound willpower to not give up, Vegeta growled and forced himself to dig deep. He got up to one knee, and then pushed himself back up to his feet. He staggered backwards, his tail haphazardly hanging low, but he stayed upright, clenching his good fist as he glared at Ginyu as though asking for more.
Meanwhile, Jhainer made it up to one knee as well. He pushed himself up as best he could, but he wound up falling back on both of his knees, gasping in pain.
And then there was one.
"And we have our winner! Vegeta gets a point!" Frieza practically cackled in delight. Recoome and Jeice high-fived and cheered, then started doing a dance in celebration. Burter groaned as Captain Ginyu crossed his arms, staring at Vegeta in mild annoyance as the prince dropped back down to his knees in relief.
"Ah, now that was entertaining," Frieza chuckled. "Ginyu, you and your men are dismissed. Thank you for a lovely time, as always. Come see me tomorrow morning, as I have another assignment for you, and bring Guldo too."
Vegeta shakily shifted over so he was sitting on the floor, curling into himself a little as he watched the Ginyu Force practically strut out. His breathing was wet and ragged, the taste of blood rich in his throat, but he couldn't help his brief smile despite it all. Winning something that proved his toughness and will power to himself, his fellow competitors, and to Frieza himself was deeply satisfying.
Frieza stood then, clasping his hands behind his back as he observed the four young soldiers before him, who were all struggling to breathe. His gaze was cold, hard, and uncompromising as he studied their injuries one at a time. Finally, Frieza's hard gaze shifted to Cui, who was sitting and cradling his broken ribs with his bad arm. Cui fearfully leaned back a little, swallowing. He was shaking, but Vegeta wasn't sure if it was from pain or fear.
"Cui, seeing as how you are the most worthless one in this room, I want you to clean up these quarters for me while I go have a virtual meeting with my family to discuss business matters. There is so much blood, goodness, what a mess," Frieza sighed, looking at the blood around him in disapproval. "I want my floors so clean they shine before I return. Then you can go into a regeneration tank. As for the rest of you, you can go now to the tanks. Remember that you are to report to Dodoria tomorrow morning for training, and I have an off planet mission for you all afterwards. Dismissed."
Manzin wasted no time. Now having recovered some of his strength, and angry that he couldn't do it when it really mattered, he forced himself up and stumbled his way out of the room. Cui also begrudgingly forced himself up, shuffling out after Manzin to make his way to the equipment room where there were some cleaning supplies.
Vegeta and Jhainer remained sitting on the floor, neither able to stand just yet. Frieza watched the other two teenagers leave, and then he turned to leave as well for his routine call in with his family to discuss the latest dealings in the Planetary Trade Organization. He paused though, and then turned back to look at the Saiyan prince who was brushing the blood from his mouth with his good arm.
"Actually, for you, Vegeta, there will be no regeneration tank tonight," Frieza informed him casually. Vegeta instantly looked up at him in dismay, his face losing color.
"But-" he started, before lowering his head and hacking more blood. Oh, speaking was brutally painful. But he could literally feel the broken bones shifting in his chest with every breath, and he knew he needed to get himself into a tank soon or things would get very ugly, very fast. Vegeta took a wet and shaky breath, and then could only stammer out, "But…I need…"
"No, boy, let me tell you what I need. I need you to stop breaking my regeneration tanks, especially when I just upgraded the models for the benefit of you all. Honestly!" Frieza sighed in exasperation. "The only way for you to learn, monkey prince, is if I teach you discipline. You can get into a tank tomorrow after your training, assuming your Saiyan genes keep you going until then…" he paused and surveyed the boy who was glaring back at him with fierce hatred in his dark eyes. Frieza threw his head back and laughed at the look. "Now now, my precious monkey pet, don't be upset. This will make you stronger in the end. Oh and please do enjoy your day tomorrow. It is special, after all."
Frieza chuckled and then left the room casually, tail easily waving behind him, leaving Jhainer and Vegeta alone. The two boys looked over at each other. Jhainer studied the Saiyan teenager, his expression emotionless, while Vegeta's burned with raw hatred. The prince was shaking, and though Jhainer couldn't sense ki or power levels, he could practically feel Vegeta's simmering rage.
After a moment of silence, Jhainer spoke.
"You won tonight, Vegeta, but tell me. Is it worth it?" Jhainer asked, his soft voice hoarse and raspy with his own injuries.
Vegeta broke their eye contact as he angrily looked away. His injuries were making him weaker and dizzier by the second, yet his life meant little to nothing to Frieza. He said nothing for a time, though he was quite suddenly overwhelmed by the goddamned unfairness of it all. If he had the strength, he would have screamed, destroyed something, killed someone – anything to get rid of his boiling over frustration. He looked down at his torso which was already displaying dark blue bruises, his whole body shaking as he raised one hand to his chest. He gently pressed with two fingers, and hissed with pain.
The only way through for him now was to take the vial that Felsin had offered, which he had wisely left in his quarters before reporting to Frieza. Vegeta didn't know if the vial would kill him or help him. Regardless, one solid blow in training tomorrow morning would likely kill him, so he had no choice.
He looked back at Jhainer, his dark eyes steely through the bangs hanging over his face. The Trikan was unsteadily making his way back up to his feet. It took him some moments, and he was uneasy on his feet, but he was finally standing.
Some seconds later, he was standing in front of Vegeta, extending his hand down to him with his good arm. The prince glared at it, then raised his eyes to meet Jhainer's. He knew that Jhainer was offering more than just an assist so he could stand. Without words, the Trikan soldier was asking him once again if he was going to join the movement. He was offering him a way out.
Vegeta hesitated for several seconds. He briefly thought of his own father, and the pain in his chest sharpened. Finally, he nodded once. He then reached up and grasped Jhainer's hand, their bloodied hands sealing an agreement that would mean certain death if they failed.