{Warning: This chapter does contain gore description}

Aria watched as the men created a circle for Boulder and Cyrus to fight in. Aria was scared for Cyrus even though she didn't want to admit it. He had saved her life and she owed him back for it. So if this fight was going to go wrong, then she would step in to save him. Cyrus looked at the weapons he was given to choose from to fight with, but by the look on his face, Aria guessed that he didn't like any of them. She watched him pick up a long silver sword, it was a bit too big for him, but he would go with it. Cyrus grabbed a small string from his pocket and tied up his hair. His hair wasn't super long, but just long enough to tie it up. Boulder and picked a large sword that looked unreasonably big. Although Cyrus was quite tall for his age, he looked extremely small and skinny compared to Boulder. 

Aria noticed how sadly he looked at his sword. "Ready? Remember, this is for your status and life, now fight!" he yelled at the very end.

They both lunged forward, their swords clashing. Cyrus's sword had already taken damage from Boulder's sword. Cyrus quickly ran around Boulder, at least Cyrus had the strength of speed since he was smaller than Boulder and had long legs. Boulder moved around just in time to block Cyrus's attack. Cyrus's sword flew out of his hand and across the arena. Cyrus quickly ran after it. Blouder managed to slice his back while Cyrus was running. Cutting open his shirt to reveal some scars that he had on his back. Aria gasped, she wanted to lunge in and help, but now was not the time. Cyrus grabbed the sword and swiftly spun around to cut Boulder on his leg. Blouder stiffened and held up his sword to slash it down right in the middle of Cyrus. The hit shadered his sword and Cyrus ran right under him. With his sword broken, Cyrus was left for dead.

Aria got an idea and weaved her way out of the crowd towards Dawn. She quickly grabbed her sword and ran back towards the arena. Weaving her way back, she called Cyrus's name and threw her sword at him. He caught it right in time to slice Boulder's arm right off. The crowd went silent as Bloudler stared at his arm on the ground as blood spilled everywhere. Cyrus' silver eyes gleamed in delight. Aria looked at him, a bit horrified on how scary he looked with the blade in his hand and blood splattered all over him.

Blouder's horrified face quickly turned to anger. He grabbed his sword in the other hand and swung it at Cyrus, he quickly jumped out of the way. Boulder swung his sword again, but Cyrus knocked it out of his hand. It flew across the arena and fell down near Viper who looked at it with a disgusted face. Boulder fell down due to the blood loss, he was dead. Cyrus slightly smirked and raised the sword up to the air. Viper clapped his hands, "Well done my boy. You've earned your place back in the caravan!" Viper gave Cyrus a hug and pulled away his hand once he felt the blood seeping from Cyrus's back. 

Cyrus started to loose his balance and fell in Viper's hands. "Where is our doc?" he asked. "You executed him for letting one of your son's die," a voice from the crowd said. "oh yeah, I did. Well, does anyone know how to clean a cut properly?" Viper asked. No one spoke up. "I will, my father taught me a thing or two how to clean your cuts," Aria said. Viper looked at her suspiciously but then shrugged. "You two, cary Cyrus to wherever the girl needs him, and you, grab all of our medical suplies," Viper shouted the commands and his men obeyed. Viper then orded them to follow him. He lead them to a tent with some of Aria's belonging that she had not put them there herself. "Aria, this will be where your tent. Here's the medical stuff, good luck," Viper said quickly and left the tent. The men set Cyrus down on a blanket a pillow and left the two of the alone. 

Aria stared at him for a moment, she didn't know if she wanted to touch him while he was asleep. She nudge him awake, he sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Ouch!" Cyrus yelled. "woah, sit still, I need to clean up your cut." Aria said. Cyrus looked at her with an angry glare. She rolled her eyes and grabbed a wet cloth. "Er, i'm going to need you to take off your shirt so then I can clean the cut," she said shyly. Cyrus didn't say anything for a moment and only glared at her. He closed his eyes and sighed, "Don't say anything about the markings on my back, ok?" he said grumpily. Aria nodded and backed up a bit. Cyrus slid off what was left of his torn shirt to reveal markings and scars all over his back. She gasped, but didn't say anything. She was quite shocked to see how musculine his back was. She quickly cleaned and stitched up his back. Avoiding his gaze, she told him to get some sleep. Luckily he went to sleep without arguing with her.

She smiled at him as she watched him slowly fall asleep. Now she had to prepare for the danger that was comming up next.