Don't get up now

Aria gave a loud cry and doubled up in pain. She had moved towards the right so that Professor Thomas's fist had hit her already bleeding left shoulder. Aria was pretty sure it had dislocated as she was down on her knees, panting, blood and sweat formed a puddle below her on the ground.

Aria heard Professor's voice, "Stay down now. And give up. It is no point trying to fight now."

Aria smiled through the pain and got up. She said, "I'm not going to give up. You should have madd a rule regarding the teachers being able to stop the fight."

Professor Thomas said, "Believe me. I will." As he aimed a kick at Aria's stomach.

Aria was not steady yet and was blown away by the force of the kick.

As she saw the ground beneath her, on which she was about to fall, Aria mumbled, "I'm done now. This is my limit."

She closed her eyes and expected to fall on the hard ground. But instead, Aria felt a strong pair of arms breaking her fall.

Aria was slipping in and out of unconsciousness. She could barely register a head of platinum blonde hair looking over her anxiously before Aria coughed up blood and lost consciousness.

Joseph had been watching the fight from quite some distance away, not with the other students. Everytime Aria was wounded, he also felt physical pain and hoped that she would give up. But to his dismay, surprise and a little pride, she got up everytime. The last time Aria fell, after receiving the punch from the Professor, Joseph was in agony. He whispered, "Don't. Please don't get up. Please."

But she did. As soon as Joseph had seen Professor Thomas aiming a kick at Aria, he has run towards them, hoping to reach them before Aria received the kick, but knowing it was not possible.

And he was right, Aria got kicked in the stomach and flew a good distance. Joseph was unable to believe that Professor Thomas would use all his strength in kicking a girl who was only half-conscious. He caught Aria just as she was about to touch the ground and sat down holding her.

He spoke, "Don't. Hang on. Don't give up. It's all right." Joseph did not notice that his face was already tear-strained.

Aria made a movement, and Joseph barely had time to feel relieved when she coughed up blood and lost consciousness.

Joseph could not think of anything. He got up carrying Aria and ran towards the castle. In his panic, Joseph did not even pay any attention to Professor Thomas who was coming towards them as he ran straight past him.

He ran in the castle and towards the recovery ward. As he burst inside, Miss Anhao muttered, "No manners. Coming in without.....Oh my god what happened to her?"

Miss Anhao screamed as her eyes fell on the unconscious and bloody Aria in Joseph's arms.

Joseph panted, "She's.... she's hurt ...bad .....

quick."

Miss Anhao wasted no time in asking for explainations as she said, "Come quick. She must go to the emergency ward right now."

Joseph followed Miss Anhao, clutching Aria close to him, tears still flowing down his face.