11 Chapter 10: Zane Joins the Fray

"Good luck," Aaron said from beside him. Zane turned toward him; he had forgotten Aaron was there. He nodded to him and saw that he was pale, his face set with determination. Zane turned away from him and went into the circle. He examined his opponent up and down; he was about Zane's height but not quite as muscular. Zane judged that he would be able to beat him, but he didn't want to underestimate him either.

Zane slowly unbelted his sword and took off his shield as the two soldiers from before stepped back into the ring. One of them approached Zane and held out his hands for the weapons. Zane hesitated, he really didn't like the idea of parting with the weapons Haram had gotten him.

"Don't worry we will make sure they get back to you good as new." The soldier said noticing his hesitation. It probably wasn't uncommon for people to dislike giving up their weapons. Maybe gingerly Andes over his things. The soldier raised and eyebrow when he saw Zane's battered and beaten equipment, but said nothing. The soldier handed over the equipment to the young soldier, who had returned between fights, and he ran off back into camp.

Lentae suddenly yelled begin, and the other kid rushed at Zane before he could gather himself. Luckily, the distraction of giving up his weapons had left him no time to be nervous, and his head felt clear and he steadied himself. He waited until the kid was close to him and then dove at his oppenents legs and rolled. He felt the kid's shins collide with his back; he rolled a little farther and popped up to his feet. The kid was lying sprawled out on the ground. The kid scrambled to his feet and faced him. Zane slowly approached him and when he was close, feinted to the left and swung in with his right hand. The kid fell for the feint and caught the punch in the side of the neck. He stumbled backwards toward the edge of the circle making garbled noises from his throat. Zane took the opportunity and rushed forward and pushed him out of the circle. The boy stumbled and fell onto his back outside the circle. Lentae called off the match and Zane went back and stood next to Aaron. He couldn't believe that he won! He was filled with adrenaline and confidence from his win and was looking forward to the next fight.

"Nice fight!" Aaron told him with a nod.

"Thanks," Zane replied with pride. They watched the next couple of fights until Aaron was up to go.

"Wish me luck," Aaron told him as he stepped forward. Zane nodded and prepared to watch the fight. Aaron's opponent was small quick looking. Zane didn't know how good Aaron was at fighting, but by his awkward stance, he had a feeling that he knew very little about it. The match started and the smaller kid charged. Aaron awkwardly lunged out of the way. However, his opponent was too fast, and he turned around and kicked Aaron square in the face as he was getting up. Aaron collapsed in the circle knocked out cold. Zane winced and decided that he was glad his father had taught him to fight at a young age. Zane watched the rest of the fights by himself. He was very interested as he studied each of the different fighting styles used. He thought that maybe by watching the others fight, he would learn a thing or two.

Soon the first round of the fighting was over and only forty of the eighty people were left. Aaron was now awake, standing next to him looking sullen.

"At the rate I'm going I'll be a cook for sure," he said solemnly.

"Don't worry," Zane assured him. "There's still plenty evaluations left. Aaron just turned away. Zane turned his thoughts to the fight ahead, if he was right in how the bracket had been set up, he would be in the first fight of the second round against the big guy that had won the first match of the day.

Lentae called his number and he stepped into the circle to see that he was right. Judging by the size of him and the way he had fought before, Zane knew he would not be able to knock him out or push him out of the ring. He would have to try and get five solid hits to win this fight.

Lentae yelled go and Zane stood in place, as did his opponent. They slowly started to circle each other looking for an opening. Zane was slowly stepping in closer and closer as they moved. Once he was close enough, he lashed out with his foot for his opponent's knee. the larger boy agily sidestepped it and punched Zane in the side.

"One solid hit!" He heard Lentae shout. Zane backed away, gasping for his breath. The boy tried to take advantage of Zane's lack of breath, but Zane was ready for it. When the kid approached, Zayne lowered his head and rammed it into his opponent's stomach. Now it was the other guy's turn to try and catch his breath, and Zane stepped forward to take advantage.

The kid thrashed out at Zane, pulling the same trick Zane had just used. Zane was prepared and side stepped the hit and punched the him in the side of the ear. Zane moved in beside him, he was bent over, stunned from the hit to his ear. Zane drove his knee upward into his stomach and watched the big kid fall to the ground. Zane quickly stepped forward and kicked him hard in the side twice.

"That's five solid hits!" Lentae yelled stopping the fight. Zane walked back to stand next to Aaron whose sullenness seemed to have vanished.

"That was awesome Zane! That guys going to have bruises for a week!" Zane just smiled. He looked to the edge of the circle and to his surprise, saw Rose roughly loading the guy Zane had just defeated onto a stretcher. She had a very sour look on her face and didn't seem to care about the large boys injuries. As Zane watched, her and the other female recruit retreat from the circle, Rose quickly shifted directions and let the large guy tumble off the side of the stretcher. He howled in pain as the instructing nurse began yelling at Rose. She folded her arms and scowled as the other recruit scrambled to get him back on the stretcher. Zane kind of felt bad for him. He really couldn't see Rose being a nurse